2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Floss

@Dfw38 big hugs xx  Is your DF's home likely to be needed for his care costs? Could it be legally tied up so that nobody else can benefit? And I think the home should be involving the Adult safeguarding team if your DF has unexplained injuries, particularly if he is non-verbal. 

Blue_Doggy

So sorry to read of people’s tribulations with family members, sending you all hugs and wishing you all of the strength and courage you need to get through. Best wishes too to all who have health problems, wishing you all a good recovery.

 

More eclectic decluttering: when most things are top priority, and whatever I decide to do there are five other things I should have decided to do, “eclectic” is what happens. Managed to assemble “self-assembly” item which refused to go together and was trying to change into a frog.

In reorganising the bathroom to accommodate said item I emptied a plastic “basket” which held several brackets (now in Room of Doom awaiting transfer to Cupboard of Doom (Understairs)), an old page of newspaper, a pair of good condition Marigolds (now in bathroom cleaning box) and a small screwdriver (returned to toolbox)
 
- used up pen (rubbish)

- packaging from self-assembly item to rubbish and recycling as appropriate
- last of gift flowers to garden waste bin
- plastic basket to rubbish (gone brittle so not reusable)
- newspaper to recycling
- ugly toothmug to rubbish as not worth adding to charity shop bag
- 245 emails deleted
- 4 old hand cream bottles to rubbish
- large pot of cold cream so old it had separated - to rubbish
- usedup bathroom wipes packet to rubbish
- three piles of old newspapers gone through, a few kept in one small pile the rest to recycling
- packaging from new toothmug and soap dish to recycling
- 2 emptied boxes to recycling
- 2 more tins from emergency food store used up, washed and into recycling
- a pair of slippers worn only a couple of times from back of wardrobe to charity shop bag
- old toothbrush to rubbish
- leaflet and envelope to recycling
- several items of junk mail (never got into the house) direct from letterbox to recycling
- 3 catalogues from online merchants who add one to their forever mailing list after only one purchase (they are now on my never-buy-from-again list)
- 2 magazines read and into recycling 

Keiths_Mum

Evening All

Today has been a much better day thank you @bitbybit and it's Friday!

Still working my way through box 6 of the paperwork, almost finished, one more day should do it. Of course this was just round one of the paperwork decluttering, just sifting out the easy stuff and now I've gone through it all once, I have a good idea of how to deal with the rest of it. Shredded 55 pieces, recycled 12 pieces.

Decluttering projects for the weekend are go through the stuff on/in an old computer desk which has become a storage facility and the bottom of the coat cupboard, which I didn't do when I did the coats because there's a lot of tools and stuff in there and I couldn't face it, but now I can, I think.

@Dfw38, I feel for you, I witnessed lots of vulture like behaviour from my Dad's siblings when my grandmother died, they literally stripped her house bare a couple of days after she died, arguing over who gets what. You really do see a different side to people at times like this. My poor lovely Dad came away with a small box or personal items that they didn't want and her couldn't bear to part with. 

charlies_tribe

Evening just a quick post as just got in bed, I'm up to date with NK and SS so watching snowgirl instead.
I really struggled Wednesday and couldn't get off the sofa and yesterday was parents evening so nothing done then other than emails. (My storage is still full).
Today DD2 was crying in pain with her leg (think she pulled a muscle at dance)and struggling with an incident at school yesterday so I told her she could stay home and rest her leg in bed on the condition we went through her clothes. I emptied each draw out on to her bed one at a time so she could go through them. After the first set of drawers we bagged the clothes and had lunch and then we did the other set and her wardrobe. A lot of things a few years too small as she wouldn't let them go before as she liked them but because of her sensory issues she's not worn a lot of it (ASD).
I haven't bagged the second lot up yet but made DH take the first bag to work with him tonight before DD could change her mind so added that to my list.
I then went down and did DS2s drawers, his was done not long ago so only a few bits have come out but it's all nice and neat to go back in their bedroom once it's papered at the weekend. Will hopefully bag everything else up tomorrow ready to go.

227-236 1000 emails deleted
237 Wool scarf
238 Pe bag
239-241 4x pairs socks
242 Pants/bra set (still with tags on)
243-245 3 x pjs
246 School jumper worn once
247-248 2 x sports bras
249-261 13 x tshirts
262-266 500 emails deleted 

Dfw38

@Floss my dbro and I were hoping there would be a deferred charge (think that is what it is called) so when dad dies, the care home fees will come out of the estate. When my dbro talked to the house manager today he said he believes dad's fees are paid by the council. 
I sent my dbro a link to age concern webpage that said that adult social services should be contacted as it is a safeguarding issue. I am hoping he has contacted them this afternoon, if not I will contact them on Monday. 

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks

2. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ I have an acronym - I.R.I.S. being Identify, Re search, Implement, Sign Off

3. Implement a new sleep/wake up regime - start going to bed earlier (target before 2:00 a.m.) get up earlier (target by 9:00 a.m.)

4. Deal with daily mail immediately 

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. If I spot a mini task deal with it immediately e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

7. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Friday’s dinner is going to be lasagne & garlic bread bought by DSis yesterday on her trip out 👏 I am back to writing in Notes (7:45 p.m.) having spent time knitting a third beanie & clearing a few programmes from my TV planner 🙂

365 - 366 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled 

367 Kitchen detritus binned

So sorry to hear about the upsetting incident at your Dad’s care home, Dfw38 ☹️ & that it has already caused ructions with your siblings. I echo MuddyWalker “relatives can be hard work” & I am also sending hugs 🤗

Blocking toxic people on FB definitely counts as decluttering, MuddyWalker 👏

You are very welcome sumb7170 😊 & All praise gratefully received 😊 Pleased to hear that you are enjoying the conversations, the bonus being that all our conversations are pertinent to our Decluttering Journeys 👏 Sorry to hear that yet another of us has succumbed to a cold - to me it seems that there are more bugs circulating this year than in previous years notwithstanding Covid 😔 I am ‘wagging my finger’ (I do miss that emoji 😔) at you - how you can possibly think that you have not made much progress I do not know 🤔 You have done some excellent decluttering, made real progress on several of your stated aims & have resisted temptation when it came to the sales 👏👏

weenancy, what an interesting recollection 🙂 Can I ask what ‘colour’ you came out as? enquiring minds want to know or at least this curious cat 😂

Keiths_Mum, I hope Friday was a far better day at work 🤞Great work on decluttering half of the last paperwork box 👏

vulpix, I look forward to seeing your new curtains & all the various outfits you make for yourself & MrV 😂 I now have several songs running round my head - the most prominent being “Doe, a deer …….” - seven songs at last count 😊 and now I really want to watch the film 😉 The book sounds wonderful 😊would have loved to see it & you on The Repair Shop 😉 I hope the cost of repair doesn’t break the bank 🤞So sorry to hear about your MiL 😞 What a lovely supportive post (Friday a.m.) 😊 Thank you for the information about the Buxton bookshop 👏 - Buxton is a lovely part of the world but I am not sure DH or I could be trusted in that bookshop - we would probably have to take out a loan 😂 I definitely agree that Ann Maurice’s voice was dreadful - very grating 😔 How very inconsiderate of Fomo to ignore such a beautiful hand made cat house 😉 A second lovely supportive post 😊

Florenceem, the Holocaust Memorial Service sounds very moving. Great decluttering 👏 & apologies as I have been remiss - one Gold Star ⭐️ on its way. The following is said tongue in cheek -  I am curious as to Mr F’s reaction to your book buying frenzy 🤔 😂

Lovely & supportive post TC77 😊 I hope your day off went well & you managed to progress some frogs 🤞to accompany the frogs already dealt with 👏

ilovetea, definitely worth watching the SS programme 🙂 Excellent decluttering 👏

Excellent work shabbychic12 👏 

Excellent work in the bathroom, mfwin2019 👏 Emptying, cleaning & decluttering unopened items to anew location 🙂

Lovely supportive post & great cheerleading, Liverpool_Anne 😊  I was curious about the film that kept you up, as the storyline was vaguely familiar but I didn’t remember it being in German with subtitles 🤔Anyway, after a bit of investigation I discovered that I had watched the anglicised version of the film, Night Crossing released in 1982 & you were watching Balloon 2018 - mystery solved 🙂 Very impressed that you whizzed around so many rooms & areas of your home 👏 “Planting decluttering ideas” love it 😅 Excellent decluttering by both you & your OH 👏

Yippee to a finished kitchen floor GrannyKate 🥳 & what great workmen - cleaning up after themselves 👏 Fingers crossed that the decorators are just as professional 🤞Excellent decluttering 👏

Radish72, looking forward to hearing about your tarragon butter 🙂

Very pleased to hear that you are managing to declutter your back & joint pain Moorviews 😊 Also well done on using your for nice toiletries - everyday can be a pamper day 😊 Always a bonus when you find your decluttering style - makes decluttering a joy rather than a chore 👏 & makes it easier to acknowledge your accomplishments & successes 👏  Lovely supportive & encouraging comments😊

Excellent reorganisation & tidying of your ‘wardrobe of doom’ Wednesday2000 👏 Also excellent repurposing of the spare shoe rack 👏 Well done on reaching a decision on your pictures 🙂Remember organising & tidying is a large part of the decluttering process not just decluttering physical items 😊 Good luck with the 7 boxes on top of the wardrobe - you have a busy weekend planned 🍀 Do I detect a bit of wardrobe envy 🤣

I kept getting distracted so have not caught up with the cheerleading yet 😉 Will try to have an earlier night than usual but will still do the wudupa before I go to bed 😉 

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐

DH Awards: 🥇 

Decluttering Target 2023: 367/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

weenancyinAmerica

Yeah - tomorrow we are supposed to get our landline phone hooked up again (out since 6 Jan). I don't like cell phones. They are hard for me to hold. But have signed up for a class in Mobile Technology so I can learn to use them. Doing better on looking at the computer and using it. Our sound went out on the computer today and I was able to get it going again.

Worked at two family history centers yesterday and found a couple generations in Peru, several in Mexico for someone else, and several in England for a third person. Worked several hours on my books. Need to get more of them updated and on Amazon.

Had a class on zoom on Internet Research this morning. Our assignment was to look ourselves up on at least two different browsers. I did Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Boy are they different. The first things that came up were the same on both, but Microsoft Edge included more of the older stuff. Had to look under first, middle, last names using quotes around the names each time, then with middle initial, then without middle initial. Then put the last name first, with the same sequence of names, and then added the city, then just with the state I live in. The teacher wants us to see what information is out there, so we can be more alert to scammers with our information. Anywhere from 155 entries to over 2 million (I didn't check them all to see what they were - but the first couple of thousand were me). I found out some of my books are even available on Amazon.in (didn't even consider books going all the way to India). I have shipped books to multiple countries though. The main reason I am trying to declutter is to give myself room to write books and rewrite some of them. 

Mrs_ S_D - I am a Spring, but can wear some of Autumn's colors. My house is mostly done in spring colors in my areas. One of the roommates painted his room black though, with purple trim!  

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,
A bit tired today after my late night so not much energy but I sorted and put away the dry washing and put 2 loads through the machine and on to the maiden. February fast approaching, always my worst month as I am fed up of winter by then and just want some longer days and to be able to get the washing out on the line to dry .
Went into ln for a coffee and a catch up as I haven't seen her since Monday. Deleted some emails but not enough to count, spent a while texting various people about footie tickets and a couple of friends about meeting up. I have a friend from Paris visiting the city so out for tea with her on Monday and meeting with ex colleagues the monday after, so that's something to look forward to as well as a couple of union meetings booked in. Did a quick whizz around and picked up random carp for the bin and recycling. 
220 dry washing sorted and put away
221 2 loads of washing done
223 uu tube of hand cream, empty tube in the bin, only 1 left that I have found so far
Take care everyone
223/2023

Fizz2015

Morning All, massive hugs to anyone that needs them. No idea what I have declared on the Decluttering front so here is my current count. 

1- 5 books

6-9 products used up holiday

10-12 toys left behind

13-20 other toiletries, magazines and food left behind on holiday for others to use.

21 pile of receipts

22 old reading glasses

23 4 glass jars into recycling (sat on side for months).

24 - used up face serum, tube recycled.

25 - big bag of crisp packets recycled

26 Frog- all boxes of Christmas Decorations boxed and in the attic. (Took them down before holiday)

27 - Wooden Child's dining chair to friend.

28 - Frog - Returned DD's library book

29 - Frog - opened new account to take advantage of switching offer. Was actually easy and straight forward on the app.

30 - Frog Signed up to Goverment Gateway and look at my proposed state pension. (If there is such a thing when I retire).

32-34 out of date creams binned

34-39 odd socks to rag bag.

40 Rearranged DD's room, cleared out everything and a good hoover.

41 - old teatowel bin

42 -decluttered ironing pile

43-44 2 bags of shredding recycled.

45 - 46 2 bags of soft plastics recycled

47 - old batteries recycled

48 - box of pamphlets recycled

49- Rainbow hoodie gifted to DD's friend⁸

50-89 - Books DD Outgrown donated to her school

90 - underwear with holes binned -

91-92 - used colouring book & old magazine. recycled

Work is still very busy and I am mentally drained from it and eating far too many biscuits and sweets. I have 2 weeks leave left to use before the end of March. I will book so I have some shorter working weeks in order to keep me sane! 

I've now gone 4 weeks without buying clothes for myself, OH and DD. I'm finding it hard but determined to last until end March at least. Though it has given me insight into my behaviours and my reaction to stress/long day at work is to go shopping for anything! Instead I will aim to go for a walk, to our allotment, the gym or a swim or occupy myself with knitting, reading, puzzles, colouring or decluttering.

Today I am off to the local panto and might brave weigh in at slimming world to see the damage done with all the treats🤣🤔.

Wednesday2000

Lol! Yes, Mrs SD - it is wardrobe envy. I love the minimalist look!:)


I did the colour test a few years ago and I am a (clear?) winter. I wear black/black and white, navy and red almost all the time as they are my favourite colours. Dark green and purple sometimes too.

Here is the test if anyone wants to know what they are.
Colour Analysis and Style Quizzes | Kettlewell Colours
Feel empowered, shop confidently, look amazing!