2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks to include MMiM - do this before I go to bed

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 ‘Urgent’ daily mail immediately & the rest at the weekend

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 decided to start catching up as my last normal post was Thursday. It is a lovely Saturday now as the sun is shining & my 2nd cup of tea is working wonders 😊 I will be heading off to visit DH in about an hour. So here it is - a short cheerleading post 😉

Muddy_Walker, I usually add scissors to metals pile for the Tip 🙂

Florenceem, no wonder you were tired after Wednesday’s stint at SA 😔 I love looking at fabric but sewing is not one of my skills 😉 I would have liked to be a fly on the wall watching you & F sorting through the fabric 😊 Good luck with your table sale 🍀 Love the bunnies - all so different but all part of one big family 👏

Chieveley, fingers crossed you sourced a Comic Relief pin badge 🤞

Great decluttering & like with like roundtuit 👏

Dfw38, well done on being back on the MMiM challenge 👏 Needless to say that I have fallen a bit behind 😉 

Excellent decluttering short_bird 👏

TC77, sorry that RL is being a beast at the moment ☹️ I hope the IT issue was sorted & that DD1 has managed to find a flat 🤞 Sometimes RL can be just too much so well done on keeping going. I like the idea of a symbolic action 👏 - mine was to do Friday night’s wudupa on Saturday morning 🙂 Please don’t beat yourself up 🙏, it is what it is. 

See you later 👋 

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

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️

Decluttering Target 2023: 826/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £74.70

grandmanerd

Yesterday (Friday) I stayed in my room until after 1 pm.  I had bags for rubbish, paper  recycling and cans.  bottles and jars recycling. I still had an empty drawer downstairs so decided I could move the gift wrap. 3 rolls of wrap, quite a few gift bags, coloured luggage tags, pretty packing material, recycled tissue paper from my gifts, a lovely triangular tin and 2 rolls of wallpaper.  Several years ago I  bought a pack of  cardboard boxes to fit my cube shelves and a roll of wallpaper to cover them - the 'proper' cube boxes cost from £10 each, the cardboard boxes were less than £20 for 2 dozen and I think the wallpaper was £7. I covered all the boxes I had in use at the time and made a couple of noticeboards to match (several pieces of thick cardboard, covered in wallpaper and fastened with some rather useless patterned tape). 

When I bought an additional set of cube shelves, I covered a few more boxes (some cubes had file boxes etc) and went to buy another roll as there wasn't much left. They no longer stocked that design, so I chose another neutral roll which I've never really taken to (it manages to be too stark - light and dark grey woodgrain backgrounds - and too 'fussy' - angel wings, stars and motivational phrases in a copper/ gold colour). I did use it to make a hm mother's day card for mum during the first lockdown (it took me nearly 2 days and she thought I'd paid a lot of money for this very fancy card (it had layers, tags, cutouts etc). That's the 3rd roll so that one is destined to be drawer liner in the upstairs drawers. My most recent purchase is to turn some of the uncovered boxes into cubes for the 'baby's room' (the room I am currently using and will be guest/ baby's room when I get my house back and reclaim the large front bedroom). That is a white background with duck egg blue winter trees - clean crisp simple and beautiful. I'll use them to store various toys for when baby visits (water play, some blocks etc).

I'd started by putting them all in a paper sack but decided it would have to go inside a jute bag for life and then added various bits in any unused parts of the bag. By the time I was ready to go down I had also gathered a cardboard box, a second bag for life, a 'food' bag, 2 dozen tins of tomatoes (Beloved bought more and I still had 4 dozen) in addition to the original bags of rubbish/ recycling. 

Before I went down I had 3.5 empty drawers (2nd set of drawers) so wiped them out with a cloth, lined them and they now hold throws and bedspread (bottom drawer), towels, bathmat, non-slip bathmat (for inside the bath), one large bath sheet and several bed sheets. The top drawer will hold pillowcases when not in use and has a lot of medical type stuff (changed my bulky filter on the CPAP machine whilst I was there) and swapped out the 2 small filters (and cleaned my mask - one of those do this bit and then notice the next bit jobs). Will put notes in the diary to do the monthly filter change in the middle of each month.

Amongst the things I found to take downstairs were 3 beautiful notebooks  (the last of the scruffy ones is ready to be discarded), good writing paper ( a present for mum that she never got to use - couldn't have used actually as it is plain and she struggled even with lined), a couple of craft/ cooking/ gardening books, many many pens, pencils and embroidery threads 

Having removed the bedspreads, throws and some sheets from the corner of the room, i found 3 more bags for  life, 2 string bags, 2 cloth bags, two small bags for life and one plastic carrier. one string bag was used to hold rags (the previous bag of rags went to the kitchen where it was needed). Amongst many useful items found on the floor, under the bed and drawers and in the corner (used the grabber to sweep as wide an arc as possible as I cleared each patch of floor) were a large box of matches, a scrubby pad (think I used it on the door frame), a new knife (mine but hidden) and mum's butter knife (originally my grandma's and has been without it's handle for years but mum used it for everything). Plus my over bed tray (bought the day before I had my hip op).

I opened the baby gym box but there were bits missing (cs purchase). the playmat will still be useful (and a baby safe mirror which alone was worth the price I paid for it) but I decided it could go in one of my cloth bags and will go on a hook behind the bedroom door to take up less space. i added  some scraps of paper for sorting and was ready to  go downstairs. I threw down a bag of bottles (loosely tied) and the cardboard box. I took the bag for life that did not contain my laptop (thus committing myself  to a second trip) and a full paper bag. Picked up a rubbish bag from the front room (done the night before) and took 4 bags to the bins.

Rested then went for the second bag (laptop one) and another bag. Got downstairs, could not find the laptop, looked in the other bag (emptying as much as possible into the craft drawers) - no laptop. Made a gigantic effort (3 trips up and down is my daily limit and most days it's only one or two), struggled back upstairs and searched the bed - no laptop. Downstairs again (by this time I was muttering 'I will not cry, I will not feel sorry for myself), completely emptied one bag, went through the second and finally reached down to the bottom of the bag and the pesky laptop was underneath everything else having insinuated itself to the bottom of the bag.

Had lunch and did nothing but sit on the couch reading my book for the next hour. Checked my bank account, the rebate on mum's Council Tax has still not been paid but I did a demotivator task on something I need to cut back again. More of the upstairs tasks done earlier (just found my 3rd bit of paper) 3 rubble sacks flattened and rolled up (the ones I used to hold bedding when I put it all in the bath), found my textured zip up cardi (waffle fabric used diagonally) and my snowman gift bag containing  a deer, my pine cones and more ribbon (also found the red shimmery bias binding (I use it for festive stockings - all the copper one has been used).

Best of all, I found my second boot. The boots were bought for winter 2021, I think. The shop was closing down and had details of the nearest branch in the window. My mother and I have both had these boots before and found them practical and comfortable - fake suede ankle boots with a furry lining, they just pull on and are as comfortable as slippers. I went in and bought 2 pairs - the black ones were worn until they fell apart but I could never find both the beigey (light brown) ones at the same time. It didn't help that both my proper walking boots and my 'monkey boots' were very similar in colour so lots of fake sightings. So I have brand new boots to wear tomorrow (monkey boots and my trainers are both paint spattered).

I did make a fourth trip up and down (I think I needed the bathroom) but decided that when I went up for the fifth time, I would not be coming back down. More things were put away in drawers (left a small bag and a pile of tiny stationery supplies for today. Two more loads of washing came up but I couldn't bend to move the load in the WM or reload it. I went out to get cash for my brother from the machine and had to sit down 4 times on the way back. When my food was ready I got DS3 to bring my bags up and crawled up myself. 

Rested for a long while then started to make space for me to sleep in comfort. Sorted my clean clothes into bags - one for t shirts, one for leggings and joggers, one for jumpers/ cardigans and a small one for swimsuits and my owl rain poncho. I make that 62 so 926/2023.

grandmanerd

This morning I am not in pain but there's an underlying ache telling me my body has had enough and will down tools and go on strike if I try to  force it. So still upstairs quietly pottering with resting and reading in between. I sorted my clothes (clean ones newly come up and the ones in the drawers) by categories. Only dresses, long tunics and jackets will go on hangers (done a few each time I went to the bathroom). 

Drawers were wiped and lined. One drawer has 6 short sleeve t-shirts and one long sleeved, 3 good pairs of leggings and 2 painting t-shirt and one pair of leggings, plus my summer cardi, a lightweight jumper and my thick cream jumper. A second drawer  has 2 pairs of velour joggers, a big fluffy jumper, a thick textured zip up thing, 2 swimsuits and my owl rain poncho. Both have room for more things when they come back from the wash and there are only two cushions in the bottom drawer if I need more space.

The top drawer is not fully sorted but the first section has scarves (3 fine, 2 warm), with handkerchiefs, masks (need to buy more), foot arch supports and my phone charger. The second section has 2 pairs of knickers (to try for size when I think I can attempt to wear them again), 3 odd gloves (if their partners don't turn up I'll add a new pair to my 'things for the boys to buy for me' list and my funeral hat and spare funeral ties (3 boys, someone has always lost their's, started to take them back off them and keep them in a drawer). The far section has socks (lots of lovely new ones - funny socks cheer me up) and bras - all ancient and rarely worn.

Cotton wool (still using mum's stash) transferred to the other set of drawers. Wrote a to do list in my diary (one side 'next week and before Easter', the other is longer term but needs to be kept in mind. Started a master shopping list - food and non food. Food is for April and Easter but will put a big SM delivery in for the week ending 1st April. I never compete for the Easter slots but plan on batch cooking and preparing in advance (after I've used everything currently in the fridge and cleaned it out). Also want to root out some recipes and write them out (can't juggle with the laptop near the stove top). 

I plan on moving the bed sometime today but it might not happen. There's room for it to move towards the drawers facing the foot of the bed (so I can root out anything behind the headboard) and it will move 18" across towards the drawers (the bit that's done) so I can deal with everything on the far side of the bed and the final set of drawers (only the top drawer opens as my bed is hard against it). My knees are against that idea so I will gather bits of paperwork, go downstairs and sort my lunch. 

My afternoon will be mainly couch based (I know which notebook I'm going to use for decluttering tips so I will transfer all my scraps into it) with occasional forays into domesticity - I want to move the washing on and set off the next load, there's a bns that can be roasted and assorted veg could go alongside (they might be part of a meal - lots of fish still in the freezer - or end up in curries, stews and pasta sauces). lots of stuff to chop and peel too.

I'm calling that 31 (including a couple of jobs this afternoon). If I get more than that done I will add to my total later but for now I'm on 957/ 2023

diminua

Sorry to hear Mr SD isn't well. I do hope they work out what's going on soon and get it sorted out. 

I've been a bit absent tbh as I was dogsitting at my cousin's again. I've worked out it's every two months at the moment, each time for between three to five days, which explains why it's starting to feel like a chore, and I've started to gently push back as it's her work who are dropping this stuff on her last minute, and this sort of frequency was not in her contract when she started. I wouldn't work for an employer who expected it - why am I doing it for someone else's employer? 

I have been keeping track of items in and out though. In: two books, an english heritage handbook, a concertina file (half price as paperchase in Wimbledon was closing. I think they all are. The big flagship in Tottenham Court Rd even closed, which is a real shame). A holepunch for pocket and mini filofaxes - I use a mini filofax as a wallet, and have chopped up a couple of old folders that are really pretty but redundant because everything's on the laptop now, and kept small hole punched pieces as dividers and filofax sized pockets, putting the rest in the recycling (coin for scale). 



I also took my old vacuum cleaner to the dump - I don't drive so it was a slight palaver because it meant two buses, but the advantage of not having a car is you don't have to book. They didn't even ask for id, just told me to leave it in the trolley inside the gate. I was hoping I'd be able to pick up the new one I ordered on the way back, but it's not at the JS collection point yet so I went to the library and got some shopping instead. 

Other things disposed of include a teatowel that was pretty but not absorbent and is now badly stained. Some sheet music (mostly photocopies) a toothbrush (I'm onto the spare) two jumpers (I also bought one, so one in two out, and I have my eye on another I think could go) and some offcuts of lino from when the floor was done (if I haven't mentioned those before). 

Quick update: I got the email saying the vacuum cleaner was ready just after I posted, so went and got that and put a jumper and tshirt in the clothes donation bin and the folders went with the rest of the recycling so I'm now at 24 in, 124 out. Quite pleased with that. 100 down. 265 to go.

Also pleased that I didn't just think 'I'll leave it until tomorrow' like I was tempted to do - reading this thread is definitely motivating me. 

Fayolle

RL reared its head again this week, so I have spent yesterday evening and today catching up with 5 days of posts.  It’s a marathon! Everyone is doing so well and so supportive. Sorry, my sieve brain has yet again forgotten who said what, so hugs aplenty if they help.
Sorry to hear that Mr S_D had a turn and still isn’t home. Look after yourself, Mrs S_D, as well as worrying about him. I can’t send you real ones, but here are some virtual flowers to hopefully brighten your day 💐.
I too would love to see the pyjamas from the duvet cover. I found myself eyeing up the cotton duvet cover on the bed this morning, thinking that it would make a lovely shirt….I need it on the bed, so must stop this proactive decluttering!
I completed 2 MMiMs in the week:
MMiM 7 I tidied out a box of music, facing the fact that I am never going to be a concert pianist / classical guitarist / flautist in an orchestra. I have collected a lot of it together as 1 of our cs will take sheet music. I have kept a few (very easy) pieces and have been trying out my hand on the piano. I am beyond rusty, and the piano has been eyed by DH as being an object for decluttering. I may have to resist that one.
MMiM8 - financial frog that had been hanging around was decluttered. 

Also: plastic lids with no boxes (how did they miss the Great Plastic Box Declutter??) and 1 book read and ready to be returned to a different cs.

Dfw38

Afternoon all. Slowly tackling the never-ending piles of stuff and things to do. Not really in the right frame of mind at the minute though. Had a call last night from sister: dad has been taken to hospital. Severely dehydrated and has an infection but we don't know where at the minute. He also only weighs 5 stone. The hospital are going to give him fluids and keep him in for a week, make him comfortable. After discharge he will be back to the nursing home where they will make him comfortable but we have been told that we should be prepared for the inevitable and it looks like it will be sooner rather than later. The thought of going through all this again makes me feel sick.
Hope you are all well, hope Mr SD is going from strength to strength. 😘 to you all.

bit_by_bit

Hugs Mrs (and Mr) SD
And to you @Dfw38
You are a kegend @grandmanerd

Just a quick catchup. Nothing out today. Did the CS shift but not bought a thing. 

TC77

@Dfw38.. Hugs, thinking of you

vulpix

Dfw38 xxx

 I am a big believer in repurposing duvet covers. In the past I have bought 2 duvets and made matching curtains for the children’s rooms when they were little. I have also used a Christmas duvet to make a table cloth. Dd1 has always had a unique dress style. She made her prom dress from a 101 Dalmatian’s duvet that was £2 from a car boot sale. I will see if I can get a photo. 

 I have spent the day pottering. Washing almost dried on the line. A tiny meander around the garden. I hope to have some free time the week after next to get in there. 3 hours work on the rocking chair. Almost ready for the painting. 

 A few things in from our lovely little holiday. A jumper, a blouse,a scarf and a china mug. Also a couple of things for DS birthday next month. 

 Vx

EnergyShifter

CBT appointment this morning, catch up with friend then a good clean and tidy - amazing how far things can slip in just a busy week.  Nice having the house looking a bit more under control.

Tasks:
CBT appointment

IN (running total 58)
0

OUT (running total 292)
293. Jumper
294. Batteries to recycling

@Dfw38 - so sorry to hear your news - sending love