2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

florianatwobob

Continuing with Dbro’s bedroom
decorating. More prep today than anything as practicalities mean we need to do one wall at a time. 

Finished off the tail end of some PVA glue. Just when I think we’ve beaten the distemper on the older ceilings it rears it’s head again! It’s always a toss up between washing it off back to the bare plaster or stabilising it with PVA. I’m choosing the PVA route! 

Also re-attached the bottom of the wardrobe backboard to the wardrobe. 

No major decluttering but sorting and fiddly jobs done. 

TC77

Home after being at my dad's and DDs has cleared up her study (airing room) with 3 bins/containers (still to be sorted to recycling and rubbish but includes files) full in the room  and also 2 bins of recyling from food packaging etc by the front door which I've taken out.Looks as if must have had friends given the dishes - some in dish washer.  Came back via a recovery truck with my car on the back from Winchester services to SE London, and tomorrow will get taken to a garage. Hopefully just a puncture (no spare tyre) and maybe tracking needs sorting as well). Very chatting truck driver and luckily noticed tyre going down a couple of miles from services.
Brought back recycling from hampshire as never there for recycling day and in my bin. Two bags of jackets/coats for donation hub and going to see if they'll accept during the week (usually sunday pm but as warm coats would like to drop off asap).
Some things put on fl/bay, a few things brought back for me, including some art prints so I can decide if I want any in my house, and to replace a couple which have faded over the years.  3 frogs done for me. Helped DD2 register for uni accommodation and with disability services, and new recovery collar for the big cat arrived as he's decluttered the one the neighbour lent us it was too big for their cat so hopefully they may be happy with a small one identical we have.
Long list of frogs for the week.

Mrs SD, love the olive tree,  hope MR SD is enjoying his walks and your DSis is on the mend.
@GrannyKate good luck with the plumbing, everything seems to take at least 3 attempts to get mended.
Have looked out phone nos for the calls I have to make tomorrow to help get through them - using a single notebook is helping

Happy_Kitties

99-100 two left over packets of cocoa powder. One was almost empty so don’t know why that went back in the cupboard and the other was dated 2014

101- pillow binned. It was washed but did not come out great at all and there was no one who would take it so binned.
102- empty biscoff spread jar that had been put back into the cupboard-binned
103- ood coconut dated 2015. Some popped outside for the birds, leftover bits binned
104- cake mix dated 2017- binned.
Didnt plan to sort this cupboard out but as bits flew out at me earlier today, thought it was a good time to start!!

Neutral items, another 10 packed up ready to send =95 (so close!)

Brie

a number of packets of dried goods decluttered from the big bottom drawer in the kitchen.  Tiddly amounts of polenta and similar essentials.  And a big unopened pack of cous cous bbf 2021.  A similarly dated pack of opened popping corn.  There were duplicates and there's so much in the drawer the bottom is beginning to sag so better out than in.

coconurtaler

Ooh, I've got myself a very long way behind reading the threads but will try and catch up the best few days. 

I can't remember if I've mentioned these first two but I managed a quick sort through some stuff this afternoon after helping a stressful DD will filling in some forms. 

The rest of the items listed have either gone in the bin or into the Jumble Sale box. There are only a couple of weeks until the JS so need to get sorting more next weekend. 

Anyway, 

243 7 x empty shower gel/shampoo bottles plus toilet cleaner bottle

293 branches chipped called this 50 branches.

296 2 empty coffee tins and an empty washing up bottle sent to the workshop as DH wanted them

297 Jar of roasted peppers (past the BBF date) used up

298 Pair of plimsoles

299 Gloves

300 A PE kit bag

301 Another set of ear buds

302 Bunch of random paperwork

303 Broken pen

305 2 bags

307 Scrap paper and Greese Music & Lyrics sheets from a school play

308 Broken Plastic wallet

309 Swimming goggles

310 A notebook with help notes for an IT job I left 16 years ago. It has lots of technical info that makes no sense to me now.

312 A square of 'vintage' material that probably matched the settee we removed from DHs grandmas house 35 years ago plus another piece of material then may have been used on top of a dressing table in 'olden times ' can't think what it is called.

314 Old rag that had been used for shoe polish plus bit of stretchy gold elastic.

315 Pair of slippers

370 Assorted costume jewellery that was given to my DD when someone at work was having a clear out 5 years ago. Including 7 watches, 14 necklaces, 19 bracelets, 2 rings, 7 pairs earings, 5 emoty boxes, box of beads.,  

371 PEZ sweet dispenser 

oceanspirit

A few more things out today, some more tidying and some more using up open packets of food etc.

Frogs nudged along a bit more and need to follow up others this week.  Looking forward to them actually being finished so I can get started on the next round.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, I went off to have tea and then did nothing except watch some tv and a bit of crochet but I have caught up with all the posts I am feeling better today just tired and a bit washed out.

On the subject of teddys I still have mine. I don't remember having lots of toys when I was young, apart from the teddy just a few dolls but I was never really bothered about the dolls. I am not sure how old I was when I got him but I can remember playing with him when I was about 3. We lived in Zimbabwe at the time and to be honest I am surprised he came home with us as my Mum got rid of all my other toys. It was probably my Dad who had noticed he went everywhere with me

@Vulpix, a link to the tree planting place would be great thank you. I am looking for somewhere near where they live but if I can't find anything I am sure they can travel to Wales . Glad there is no divorce on the horizon

@Dfw38, I have loft envy. I have loads of stuff up in my loft and it hasn't even been boarded out yet. There are old broken down wooden packing boxes laying across the joists that everything is placed on. I do have a good idea what is up there and at some point it will all have to be dragged down so the insulation can be upgraded and I think that is when I will get it properly boarded so I can get to stuff. I got lots of fresh air today but to be honest I did when the joiner was here as we had to have the front door open so he could plug in his extension lead for his electric tools. He had a lovely chop saw on a very interesting stand that I am going to have a think about getting. Much better than my old b+d work bench that is fiddly to put up and doesn't support the wood very well when I am using mine. I really do love a chop saw . I must say I think you are brave painting gloss in the evening. I don't mind doing it but it has to be in daylight for me, I can't always see where I have painted and I get annoyed with myself if I look at it the next day and it's not right. Good luck with the playdate

@Soontobeoap, the craft stash busting thread is great, as you say there are loads of inspiring things being made by some very talented people. I aspire to joining when I have sorted out the house and have a place to sit and do some. For now I just crochet and knit but I have plans

@Mrs SD, your olive tree is beautiful. I would love to have an olive tree but I fear I am too far north and we get too much rain. When my sister lived in Spain they had 50 olive trees and 135 almond trees on their land. It was amazing

@DundeeDoll, the lantern maze looks fab

@Florenceem well done on the money raised by you and the Ukranian families. It sounds like a very successful day all round.

I am sure there was something else I wanted to say but my brain is now refusing to work so I am off to bed. Sorry if I have forgotten anything major, hugs to all that would like one.
Take care everyone
Still 407/2023

weenancyinAmerica

Ended up getting 5 boxes of books out to the car to go to the library as soon as we are well. Rain or no rain they will get there. Will add more boxes tomorrow. It is a start at least on one room.

Still sick but got my homework done for three classes. Fourth will have to wait a day or two. Finally got through to a nurse at the hospital who assured me that the case manager will contact us before roommate will come home - I don't actually believe her as I have been told that the last 8 times he has been in the hospital.

Had to turn that heat back on for the last week. Probably won't be able to turn it off again until Friday. We just aren't prepared for cold weather in this part of California. Hot weather is what we are used to- Anaheim is often the hottest place in the country during the summer. But most people don't know what to do in cold weather. One of our local communities in the mountains had 245 visitors snowed in for the last three days, even the news crew couldn't get out. My sister who also lives here in Anaheim had to take a side route yesterday (thank goodness for her GPS) when the freeway was shut down do to flooding. 

I really feel sorry for the tourists who came thinking they were getting away from bad weather. Only one of our amusement parks has stayed open (Disneyland). Even our beaches are getting snow and hail. 

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, Research, 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

I have a strange idea of half an hour 🤣 it is now 18:50 & I am typing in Notes for 10 minutes before DH & I start making dinner 😉 However, I am pleased to report that my 4.5 hours away was not wasted as I tackled my 4 shelf larder 😊 

Only shelf 3 needed to be emptied, cleaned & sorted but I also took the opportunity to update my contents lists for ALL 4 shelves 👏 Wish I had taken a before picture of shelf 3 as it was a mess with jars & packets etc all higgledy piggledy & threatening to leap out each time I opened the door 😱Anyway, I have restocked the shelf & only had to bin the contents of 3 bottles (1 glass & 2 plastic) 😥These bottles have been washed, dried & are now in the recycling wheelie bin 🥳 A few items were moved to more appropriate places i.e. fridge, herbs & spices drawer or Brexit cupboard (lists updated 😉) AND there was enough space to store the paper products & foils from when I sorted the deep drawer under the hob + I utilised a spare Tupperware box to store DSis’s 6 Microwave Rice pouches 🥳First picture is shelf 3 followed by shelves 1 & 2 then shelf 4. Time is now 19:10 & I am joining DH in the kitchen to make dinner.

The last HF meal - roasted confit of duck legs with a red wine jus, roast potatoes & carrots with green beans 😋🤞Dinner was delicious 🤤 We have left it an hour & will be having apple & rhubarb crumble with warmed through ready made custard which needs using before it is ood 😉 Just finished our crumble & custard (22:15 a bit late I know 😔) delicious although the rhubarb was a bit tart 😬 although balanced out by the custard being a bit too sweet 😉 DSis & I are going to watch Dancing on Ice then I will do the wudupa. DH managed nearly all his steps on his first walk so the balance has been made up with moving around the house, in & out to the garden or garage & up & down the stairs 👏

671 - 675 Kitchen recycling, glass bottle, 2 plastic bottles, drinks cans - recycled 

676 Kitchen detritus binned 

677 Broken battery charging block added to Tip bag of electrical items

Very pleased to hear that although still lurgified, you are feeling better Liverpool_Anne 😊 Well done on decluttering the bathroom so efficiently that only cleaning is required as & when 👏 Pity about the cracked mug 😔 & well done on keeping busy whilst the joiner was putting in the new garden gate 🙂 I like the idea of supervising the joiner while he tidied up 😉 Sounds like a job well done 👏 I seem to be having trouble with my planner as well - not so much losing programmes that have already recorded more like scheduled to be recorded programmes disappearing 🤔 Hope you enjoyed your restful evening & that the weather stayed fine enough for you to give the gate its first coat of paint 🤞

Dfw38, your idea for getting medium sized baskets for your dc sounds good. An initial sort of what cuddly toys go in the basket & then the rest in the attic or maybe the bottom of your wardrobe 🤔 Hope you got the walls finished on Saturday 🤞 Seems a bit short sighted of the council to make you book your visits to the Tip at this point in time 🤔 When Covid was raging around the country I can understand. However the ‘numpties’ who are going to block the appointments for those who genuinely need to take stuff to the Tip will hopefully be banned for not turning up to their appointments 🤞 Good luck with ‘operation extreme Tip run’ 🍀

Blue_Doggy, I empathise with you that social meet-ups can be exhausting 😪 so well done on meeting with friends & having an enjoyable time 👏 Fresh, fresh, fresh vegetables - I am slightly jealous 😉 and a useful fruit box as well 🙂 Good luck with your continuing kitchen decluttering 🍀 Sorry to hear that your cemetery visit with fresh flowers for your Dad’s grave was spoiled by having to clean up after an incontinent bird ☹️  

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 Congratulations on decluttering some weight 🥳

wort, Your cat lying on his back with his legs in the air must be quite a sight 😅

Soontobeoap, if I had an empty or nearly empty loft I would probably be putting up a No Entry sign & hiding the ladder 😉

Dfw38, thanks for reminding us that almost clearing the loft is only part of the challenge & that we need to be constantly on our guard to stop it filling up again 😉 Excellent work 28 frogs in 26 days is phenomenal 🥳👏 so a Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way.

roundtuit, a good reason to nip out of the TLC Carriage to praise Dfw38’s sterling effort dealing with frogs 😊 I will let you back in but only if you do one extra thing on top of your daily recycling & rubbish decluttering 😉

Excellent decluttering vulpix especially the sentimental greetings cards 👏 - not harsh more like practical 😊 Everything crossed that putting up the blind does NOT lead to divorce 🤞😉😊 Your ‘decluttering eyes’ are well & truly open & I will try to follow your example - wish me luck 🍀

Brie, I am transmitting the following message (on repeat) to your OH “You will take everything to a car boot sale by the middle of May 2023” 

Dfw38, what a great idea 🙂 ‘March Mini Missions’ - 23 minutes a day for 31 days 👏 I will have to give that idea serious consideration 🙂

Nice suggestion for Dfw38, Soontobeoap 🙂

Just noticed the time, so am off to bed 😉

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾🌟⭐️🌟

DH Awards: 🥇 🏅

Decluttering Target 2023: 677/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £43.00

Dfw38

Thanks @vulpix, the little girl and mum seem really nice and dd has played with her recently. Thanks @Liverpool_Anne, hopefully it should be a hit. My loft, cupboard under the stairs, the dds bedroom (because there are only beds in there at the minute) and one cupboard in the kitchen are organised. Every other part of the house and garden is a disaster zone in some way 😖. But, I am hopeful (and determined and hardworking) that I will get it all sorted. It won't all be done this year, maybe next and decluttering as we know is an ongoing process (especially with 3dc) but we are all doing out best. I am lucky that my little helper (ds nearly 2) likes to assist or is happy to play by himself for a few minutes at a time so I can do little bits. Big jobs I have to tackle in small increments or wait for all 3dc to be in a co-operative mood. (Or do jobs at nighttime).
Thanks for my gold star @mrs_salad_dodger, I will wear it with pride. If dh had his way the loft would be rammed. I have started the clearing process in places that dh doesn't frequent. If my hard work started getting undone there would be trouble! Hopefully you will join in 'March mini missions' the cupboard that inspired it is still clear 😁. Well done on organising your pantry 👍. Hope you all have a lovely day.