2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

coconurtaler

Another massive Frog killed today after an attempt yesterday. I had hoped it wouldn't hop my way but unfortunately it did and I had to deal with it. Mum's tax return has finally  been submitted although she still has a bill to pay. If it gets paid in the next few days there shouldn't be much interest.

~FlowerPot~

Dfw38 said:

Evening, half filled box 9. Don't think I am going to make it to box 10 but I am pleased with my progress. Frog freeing February starts for me tomorrow (thankfully my dc are not affected by the teacher strike but I do support the strikes) Didn't get to the tip today and have found out that next month we have to prebook our tip slot so that is a pain as I like deciding on the day so will need to be better organised. 
Those cakes look lovely! 
Right, about to look through dc toys to see if anything can go and to make a list of frogs to focus on. I am going to aim for 28 (there must be at least double that for what I have put off....) some will be big ones - the shredding, others tiny but all will be counted! Have a lovely evening and bring on February! 

i love the idea of FFF ~ Frog Freeing February

i will have to make a list too, i know there are many, many frogs lurkig here!!

regnbue

Hello all

Thank you for my gold star @Mrs_Salad_Dodger.

During this week's decluttering sessions I found 4 packs of self-seal envelopes.  Two almost full, two about half full.  I have removed the ones from the half full packets as they have lost their sticky seals and will use them as shopping/to do lists then recycle.

Found yet another photo album.  I was so exasperated I did a lightning fast whizz through a couple of them and got rid of 25 photos (counting as 2 items).

My main focus for decluttering was and still is the spare bedroom but I have to confess I've barely been in there so far this year.  In fact I put a floor lamp in there this weekend so that I can now close the pantry door.  My boxed sewing machine has also made its way in there freeing up space in the main bedroom.

I do have a number of things put aside for the cs but want to wait until I have a big bag full before taking them in.

In other news...the following items have been given away/recycled/binned:

unused primer (make up)
uud candles x 2
uud shower gel
uud nail polish remover
ood cough mixture
cracked bucket
7 tops
5 jewellery items
2 pillowcases 
2 pillows
duvet cover and 4 pillowcases put to one side to make a draught excluder for front door
tiny plastic travel bottle (no lid)
torn gift bag
5 empty ice cream tubs
pair of trainers
cloth for cleaning reading glasses
unopened box of teabags to food bank
25 photos (2 items)
7 mags recycled

Total 48 items plus 122 papers recycled (counted as 12) = 60.

Keep going everybody!

Decluttering 324/500           Photo albums    /17         Nail polishes 1/45       Cleaning products     /28
Magazines       12/50           Hair mousse     /11          NSD Jan       /15         Make £100 in 2023  £33/100

Regional Xmas Tree Wrestling Champion 2022 🏅 ⭐️ ⭐️💐

"The only time I'm happy is when I'm doing absolutely nothing" - Ava Gardner

bit_by_bit

That box sorting system seems to be working well @Dfw38

Amazing pictue @donna73

Thankyou @Mrs_Salad_Dodger I am already on it as I have a limited number of days until we have our visitor from Canada and I am still doing childcare, charity shop and family support. 

So no decluttering today unless you count the miles I walked pushing a sleeping child around for four hours. Absolutely shattered. Tomorrow is a rest day apart from the hours I am meeting with friends for lunch.

SiL still in hospital, being moved every few days back and forth between hospitals. It is very difficult to work out fully  what the problem is as SiL has poor retention and they are doing various investigations. I am more concerned about her 'friend' who is pressuring her to leave hospital because BiL is struggling. Problem is that this person has now got her mum, who is supposed to be a nurse, also to ring up and pressure her. BiL mental health is poor and my feeling is that this person is taking a lot of responsibility because  there is no family there to support them and is not enjoying it. Needless to say I am very unhappy.

The solution is to move them near us in Derby but it is another layer of responsibility on top of the stuff with parents in law, children and grand children. I wouldn't mind even that but the level of chaos that follows them around will double the effort. I know it shouldn't be just me but I know that it will be mostly me. 

Anyway. I am going to see SiL on Thursday so will have a better picture of what is going on then.

Right. I think an early night is required.

Hugs and positive vibes to all who need them 

Brie

bit_by_bit said:

I am already on it as I have a limited number of days until we have our visitor from Canada and I am still doing childcare, charity shop and family support. 

So no decluttering today unless you count the miles I walked pushing a sleeping child around for four hours. Absolutely shattered. Tomorrow is a rest day apart from the hours I am meeting with friends for lunch.

Right. I think an early night is required.

Hugs and positive vibes to all who need them 

I think you're right about needing an early night.  And about needing a bit of "me time" with a friend tomorrow.  Hope you can enjoy it.  And bit hugs back to you!!!!!

skogar

Back again...

2 lots of fabric - the oldest one I've had 20+ years. Nice fabric but as I haven't thought of anything to make with it yet it needs a new home. 

Jam funnel (I was given it but already have one)

Fake fur gillet - looks lovely but no matter what I try wearing it with it never looks right.

Our local charity shop takes clean rags so I have some things in too poor condition for the charity shop to be bagged up ready.

I have found that one of the local churches runs a family bank for the local community (childrens, clothes, toys etc.) so that will be a good place to send a few bits I have - now I have found a suitable home for them I will look them out.

TC77

Loving the photographs from classes and the cakes.... 
Sorry to hear about

Tax return submitted and paid
Cleared out most things ready for carpet thursday with big things needing help
10 small bits out 
Worried about special delivery but then checked and been signed for
Found my address - mislaid in Nov!
A little digital decluttering including some photos
Abit of filing and just keeping chipping away 
Sorry to hear about those struggling , hope you take time out in the TLC carriage
I watched a SS series one episode with a mum and 3 daughters which I found quite inspiring, some I don't find as good for my motivation, as others have said 50% of belongings sounds scary but do know 10% wouldn't be enough!
total 206 for January.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, had a lovely meal with friend S last night. We hadn't seen each other since just before covid when she came over to deal with her Mum's death and try to sort out her bungalow, her Mum lived in the south coast. It was complicated by the fact her brother lives in China and didn't want her to do anything without him but he couldn't visit for a month. They also had various legal things to do where his presence was required. He did visit with his wife and 2 children and they came to an understanding about how it would be dealt with and then covid broke out in China and he couldn't go back and it got a lot more complicated. They set things in motion and S went home to Paris while she could. It has taken her a while to sort everything out and they had to pay for some things to be done rather than sort it themselves. They had no idea of her Mum's financial situation so were expecting to be paying debts but it proved not to be the case and she informed me they got £50,000 each. As she is retired it will make her life a bit easier and she is planning a trip to New York for a month travelling there on the QM2 , she is very happy as it is something she has always wanted to do but never thought she would be able to.
Today I have felt a bit sluggish as it was very windy here last night and it disturbed my sleep several times but I did have a quick whizz around and emptied the bathroom bin. I have found a card to send with the fingerless gloves but not yet got them in the post . I decided to tackle my emails again and managed to delete 1800. @Mrs SD they go back to 2019 and when I logged off there were 12,457 in my inbox eek. I get so much random carp. I am trying to work on 2 fronts, deal with the most recent in case they are something I need to do something about and then looking at the oldest where I can just delete after reading the subject, after 4 years I doubt that I have to deal with it, or the sender has phoned me if I had to do something. There are still some that need moving in to my folders but I will try to get back to them tomorrow..
The joiner turned up as promised and is looking to do it on the weekend of 25th Feb weather permitting. I am so happy about this as it is the first tradesperson who has responded within a reasonable time and actually turned up when they said they would for a very long time. The work's not done yet but I have high hopes , maybe it's a sign that things are getting a bit more normal
Well tomorrow I am meeting with a couple of friends for coffee so I am off to bed now. 
Hugs to all
266 - 283 emails deleted
284 bathroom bin emptied.
Take care everyone
284/2023

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

First load of drying folded. Ingredients for dinner weighed/measured & prepped ready to cook. Delicious & enough left for risotto cakes tomorrow night. 2nd load of washing dried & folded. DH has done the washing up 👏 & I have dried & put away. Finished the 4th beanie. 

396 - 399 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, glass jar, coffee tin - recycled 

400 Kitchen detritus binned

Session 4 follows

Thanks for the useful information on how to deal with old books, weenancy 👏You did have a busy morning & got lots done 👏 as usual 😉 A feral cat colony how interesting. Did the county charge to get the cats spayed/neutered or is it a a service they provide? Very pleased to hear that the pain from your torn rotator cuff is almost gone 🙂 Hopefully the exercises will help you get back full movement 🤞Surely with all the work you have been doing on the decluttering your house is no longer a House of Doom but a House of partial doom 😉 Perhaps your not silent screams will encourage all your roommates to lend a hand with the decluttering 😅

Good luck with both the sales & the giveaways donna73 🍀 One of the benefits of decluttering - finding ‘treasures’ & especially pleasing that it will save you money 👏 Excellent decluttering 👏 I disagree about the photo not being related to decluttering 😉 you are decluttering potential stress by practicing & enjoying a new hobby 😊 The photograph is wonderful & if you can take such beautiful photos you might have a lovely sideline selling photographs 🤞 

Dfw38, you could still enrol on a photography course 🤞 All this talk of photography set me to googling famous female photographers & my pick is Christina Broom (b.1862, d.1939) a very talented woman 😊Great decluttering 👏 & what a lovely treat for DS - a new duvet cover with cars & trucks 🙂 I love my hedgehogs duvet cover & pillow cases 😉 - brings a smile to my face every time I see it 😊

donna73, how great that the course is free 🥳 Looks like Dfw38 might find a little time for that 😉👏

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 I read Pac-a-mac as Pac-Man & wondered why you had 4 of them 😂 Hope your procedure goes well & you can get back to eating interesting & tasty food 🤞

~FlowerPot~ yet another talented & artistic declutterer 😊 I agree with you - I would definitely have donna73’s photo on a wall in my house 🙂

Lovely post Neroli2 😊 Very pleased to hear that your DM is on the mend 🙂 Hopefully she will accept some support when she gets home 🤞

Excellent decluttering JingsMyBucket 👏 especially unsubscribing from annoying companies 😉

Excellent & eclectic decluttering diminua 👏

Excellent & brilliant decluttering QueenJess 👏 So pleased that all the effort you have put in on sorting your DD’s room has been rewarded with a very happy DD 😊 Good luck with DS’s room 🍀 And a Happy Birthday to DS 🎉 🎂 

Excellent decluttering joanie 👏 Thanks for reminding me that I need to go through my sock/tights drawer 🙂

No need to apologise for struggling to keep up nannywindow 😉 Great decluttering 👏 but such a shame that you had to replace the hoover & fan heater - an expense you could probably have done without 😔

Sorry to hear that you have been poorly plumduff55 ☹️ but well done on using your enforced stay indoors to declutter so much 👏 Shame about the ‘lost food’ from the freezer & the expensive repair ☹️ I have a vague inventory which proves useful, so a full inventory should mean no future losses & a more restrained purchase of ys goods 😉

Those cakes look gorgeous Florenceem 🧁 Are you sure you don’t need an in-house taste tester 😅 I am sure the chocolate puddings will be well received tomorrow 😊 

Well done on tackling the stock options frog, Brie 👏 Fingers crossed that the markets will start rising steadily so you can sell at a good price🤞 Sorry to hear that OH has been ill ☹️ Hopefully he can lose a bit of weight naturally & not due to illness 🤞 

Excellent decluttering wort 👏 Addicted to decluttering 🤔 perhaps you can set up your own business to help the rest of us 😉 Thanks for the reminder of both Minimal Mom & Dana 🙂

Excellent decluttering Florenceem 👏 Still baking at 9:00 p.m. 😥 Good luck tomorrow at SA 🍀

Great paperwork decluttering Keiths_Mum 👏 One medal 🏅 coming your way for resisting the lure of the dry cleaner’s sewing service & doing it yourself 👏 The added benefit is that now you know you can do it, you can save money & possibly have more choice when buying trousers 🥳

Excellent decluttering Fayolle 👏 and well done on exceeding your January target 👏🙂

Excellent decluttering Dfw38 👏 Well done on dealing with 9 boxes 👏 I am looking forward to reading about your exploits during ‘Frog freeing February’ 😊

Well done on dealing with a Massive Frog,  coconurtaler 👏

~FlowerPot~ good luck with your Frog freeing February 🍀

You are welcome regnbue 🙂 Excellent decluttering 👏 I realise from your comment that the spare bedroom was & is your main focus But I have to stay that you are doing really well with other rooms & areas 👏 I believe you are practising & flexing your decluttering muscles so that when you do tackle the spare bedroom you will have plenty of successes to keep you motivated 😊

I have almost caught up but have just noticed the time so I am off to bed 😉

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾

DH Awards: 🥇 

Decluttering Target 2023: 400/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

weenancyinAmerica

Today was a day to alternate between getting things done and screaming - not always silently. Today is the day the dog comes in for awhile. The night before I asked my roommate (female) to clean up the area where the dog usually jumps up when she comes in. She assured me she had done so - but this morning the dog found a bag of chocolate candy left from Christmas, went after her cell phone, and found several items of clothes buried under papers. I had found two containers of Pringles before the dog came in also. Fortunately, it is a big dog and she appears to have only chewed on one piece of candy. But she did vomit a couple of times - on the living floor and the kitchen floor. She was doing better later in the day.

I had asked one of the male roommates (who when he moved in promised to help with the yard work) to help me clean up the weeds in the backyard on his two days off since the city is coming to check to see if we have citrus plants that need spraying tomorrow morning (we don't any more). He didn't do a thing either day, so today I was out cutting weeds down to put in our yard waste can. Only problem is I couldn't open the gate to get the weeds (some of which had been over my head) to the trash because the dog would get out. And because of torn rotator cuff, I couldn't lift the weeds over the fence either. Finally convinced roommate who doesn't know how to dog proof to come out and help me lift the weeds over the fence and get them into the trash can. She and the usually drunk roommate were supposed to go to the store today to get him some food to take upstairs so he could prepare it there. Instead they only made it to the liquor store and the the pizza store. Actual shopping will have to wait till later. 

Tonight was the time I usually go to the FamilySearch Center but we are taking a class on this night. We trade off who goes to class this semester as the classes are in person just for the first half. So tonight I went to the class - did manage to get the project totally done before we left and turn it in. Don't have to worry about it, except I am going to have to explain to roommate (call her Di) how the project was done - and it was very complicated. She is a couple of weeks behind on the homework already but the teacher isn't expecting everybody to turn things in until the last day of class. I can't do it that way - I would be frantic by the last day if I had nine assignments to do at once. So I am keeping up to date on all the classes. I managed to finished the work for my Monday class this morning while the dog was in. Only took about 20 minutes. We have classes also on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Next semester we are taking a class in Mobile Technology as neither of us really knows how to use a cellphone. Apparently people came into the FamilySearch Center while I wasn't there tonight, but neither of the people working tonight knew what to do, so the people are going to call me. I may be meeting one of them at the Center tomorrow night.  

So a good and bad day - like usual. I did get to spend a couple hours on my book and neither cat has tried to bite me so far but not getting much cooperation from anyone. 

Hope everyone here has a good day tomorrow.