2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Florenceem · 17 May 2023 at 12:36PM

I don't need to post the Birthday card - Ddil had to call here for a package which included cards from workmates so I added mine.
Been busy in the office - I will have to leave some paper/card for the next fortnight's recycling collection as I have almost filled the 4 red bags that we have and done 16 sacks of shredding.
Got a bit of post today - first for 8 days but nothing that I am waiting for.
Found 2 unused 1973 diaries in the office!
Hoping JL men hurry up so I can go out and buy some painkillers.

GrannyKate · 17 May 2023 at 12:40PM

@foxandflowers - cute doggy. I love bluebells they remind me of the Surrey woodlands of my childhood. Walked with my DD and dog through the bluebells in Worcestershire a few weeks ago. Just off for a walk with group this afternoon so hopefully there will be some bluebells to see. Not much to report as I seem to be in pottering mode only.

664 Yet more emails answered/saved/deleted
665 Checked banking and bought a few more premium bonds. This is my funeral fund - up to £3000 now so I may get a wooden box. I have had 3 small wins which has been nice.
666 Photos downloaded from phone and iPad - deleted from iCloud except for a few nice ones which I keep on the devices. All saved in folders and filed away neatly with labels. (date, people and place)

stellata · 17 May 2023 at 2:04PM

I've sorted out a huge pile of clothes I'll never wear again and they're in the car waiting for tomorrow when I'll go out. Had a nice chat with Tidy Neighbour who I'd like to invite for coffee but am afraid I'd scare off with the chaos here. So we just chat outside.

Money is tight again as it is for everyone so I'm going to have a think about getting a new lodger. Just can't face the hassle at the moment. This afternoon i ought to be doing the garden but I've decided to go through the spare room wardrobe while I'm feeling ruthless and have an afternoon to do it. And inspired by people on here, to list some things on Freecycle and Get Rid!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger · 17 May 2023 at 2:10PM

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

Good afternoon declutterati 😔 I really do need to get my sleeping patterns sorted out as I fell asleep on the sofa for over 3 hours 😬 went to bed & woke up just after noon 😔 DH told me I had been mumbling about Val Doonican 🤔 The bin men or should that be refuse operatives are back to their usual pick up time of Wednesday mornings - so at least I have done something today by replacing the bin liner 😔 It is overcast but reasonably warm. Timer is on so I will go straight into cheerleading 🤞

What a busy Monday weenancy 👏 You got so much done & another book almost finished 👏 Sounds like your computer is on its last legs weenancy so please, please make sure you are backing everything up 🙏 Di sounds very disorganised 🤨 Did she ever manage to find the Unemployment Office? Well done on getting so much with so many distractions 👏 There has obviously been a lot of decluttering as your bins are full 😊

bit_by_bit, pleased to hear that DD is out of hospital & that things are not as bad as feared 😥Hopefully yesterdays consultation will set the ball rolling on treatment & aiding DD in her recovery ❤️‍🩹 I would never have thought of leaving books at a motorway services - what a good idea 👏

Florenceem, your poor shredder 😉 only joking 🙃 Please, please be careful on the steps 🙏 Perhaps you can get DGS J to help you with getting paperwork down from high places? Hope MrF’s mood was better & that the evening SA meeting went well 🤞

daisy_1571, I am finding the conversation between you & Florenceem very interesting 😊 I do like the idea of a “pondering sort of morning” 🙂

Florenceem thank you for sharing your decluttering journey & MrF’s attitude 👏 As I commented above I am finding the conversation between you & daisy_1571 interesting & also quite thought provoking 😊

Floss, a great addition to the conversation between Florenceem & daisy_1571 😊 This rather reminds me of large family parties when there are smaller groups breaking off to have different conversations 😊

Florenceem, it must be such a comfort to be part of the SA family 🙂 It rather sounds as if MrF will be busier than before his retirement 😉 Hopefully MrF’s mood will lift not only because of the anti depressants but also because he will come to realise that he has a lot to offer - just in a different way to his working life 🤞

vulpix, the funeral really does sound amazing - a real celebration of a life well lived & the joyous impact that one person can have on some many lives 😊 excellent decluttering & well done on the weight loss 👏

Excellent decluttering short_bird 👏 Good luck with “Mission Dress-Up” 🍀 I really think I need to join you as I have also forgotten the Art of Dressing Up 😔

Lovely sentiments Brie 😊

Two 23 minute sessions completed so will post now & come back later 😉 Only 1.5 pages behind at the moment 🥳

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

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️💐🏅 perseverance medal 🎖️ 🥇 🏅🏅

Decluttering Target 2023: 1183/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.90

TC77 · 17 May 2023 at 2:11PM

Someone picking up bath seat today otherwise nothing going out. Dd1 despite being ill has decided to do uni exam after 12 of thr 48 hours had gone and also been to see a flat. Everything comes to me and apparently I am overseeing move and cleaning, luckily I can take the day off work and give dd2 lift to first a level. Unfortunately dd1 not got rid of things so all coming to my already stuffed house, she has 12 days to stay between boyfriend and his parents, friends and m3 but doesn't like our house as some bad memories then away 3 weeks and hopefully somewhere to come back to! I've been link about numerous flats so hoping to unsubscribe at some point. Booked cleaning and move for her.
Focuses my.mind I want to move although I'm in fab location ( shops, transport and pool) so will be difficult to find something I want but do know I don't want to take all my c**p with me! Can't see nice things for all the other stuff. Passing on v good quality stuff to cs was helpful and will encourage me to do more when time and emotional energy available:)
Abit of a rant but so inspired by all here.

TC77 · 17 May 2023 at 3:18PM

@stellata I have a lovely neighbour who has invited me for coffee snd drinks and I know would like to come round to mine and drops hints but mortified - used to be able to get through dining room ok but now I'm even embarrassed getting furniture people bringing dd1s stuff in!

Brie · 17 May 2023 at 4:34PM

Went out to the back garden to inspect a few plants that will need to be decluttered as they didn't make it through the winter cold and decided to tidy up all the bits and pieces the resident foxes have left everywhere (2 adults and 6 kits so messy!!). Found what remained of a belt - about 4 inches of leather and the buckle and then spotted something behind the big shed. Turns out it's someone's wallet. Fortunately it has a driver's license in it (along with a couple of credit cards and £5) so I know where he lives and I'm just off out in a bit to deliver it to him. It's very wet so no idea how long he's been missing it - I hope he hasn't needed to pay out for a new license etc yet. The leather wallet will definitely need replacing as well chewed!!!

Muddy_Walker · 17 May 2023 at 6:05PM

Hello everyone! Day 1 was ok day 2 was ok today in the office for various meetings and overview of new job which I am going to like very much 😁
A few snarky comments from soon to be ex boss but I just smiled sweetly, shrugged my shoulders and bit my tongue. Consequently I am utterly exhausted and in a lot of pain so have no plans at all for this evening.
in the office again tomorrow……there may be chocolate on the horizon…
love to all xxx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger · 17 May 2023 at 7:29PM

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

DH decided to start tackling the patio after we checked that the 3rd trellis would fit where we intended……it does ✅ We then moved furniture etc away from the third of the patio that we are sorting first. DH jet washed with me sweeping & weeding. (Unfortunately the hose repair hasn’t worked very well so will be consigned to the bin once we finished the patio spruce up 😔) Neither of us had realised how filthy the patio is 😔 Once dried DH will be dealing with repairs using ready mixed concrete. DH has decided that the rest of May will be devoted to dealing with the patio & garden furniture. Whilst DH checked both wormeries - raked through each tray to disturb the ant colonies, I watered the plants using a watering can. All equipment used was tidied away & stored in the shed. Not quite as gratifying as yesterdays session in the garden but we have made a start 🙂 Pic 1 = jet washed area, Pic 2 is a comparison, Pic 3 shows the dry bit of the patio 😉

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Dinner tonight will be something with oven chips 😅 The only other thing I have done today is unpack the new kettle & put the old kettle in the garage for the next Tip run (keeping the box for a couple of weeks before recycling) + dismantled a Justin cardboard box which was trying to hide in the garage 😂

1184 - 1185 Cardboard box, old kettle instructions - recycled

1186 Old Kettle - Tip pile

Florenceem, when I read that MrF has started complaining about the physios, my heart soared 😉 As daisy_1571 has pointed out I think it is a sign that he is getting better 😊 Sounds like MrF needs a quick tutorial in mobile phone use but it is encouraging that ‘he tried to phone you’ 😉 Sorry to hear that you have hurt your back 😔 I think you need to give yourself a bit of TLC - after all work you have already done you need a rest 😊 Remember the TLC Carriage is open & fully stocked 😉 Perhaps you can sit out in the garden & start planning the next stage now that DGS J has cleared it 😊

daisy_1571, my thoughts exactly 😊 Thank you for sharing the story about your grandmother 👏

Crazycatlady2, please take it easy & give your back a chance to heal 🙏 I am sure family would prefer you to be hale & hearty above having a tidy house 😉

Florenceem, excellent work - MrF’s desk looks so much better 👏 Hopefully it won’t take/hasn’t taken too long to go through all the stuff 🤞

~FlowerPot~, well done on braving your Room of Doom & finding all the necessary paperwork 👏Sounds like a project for a rainy day 😉

Florenceem, that was a long meeting 😬 Thank you for not helping out at lunch club today & giving your back a chance to heal 😊 Please continue to rest & do as little as possible 🙏

Excellent decluttering foxandflowers, especially dealing with 🐸👏 Hopefully the Nintendo will raise more than £2 🤞 Thank you for sharing your favourite inspirational decluttering tip 👏 & well said re balancing eco consciousness & decluttering 👏 Taking your dog for a walk was a lovely reward for dealing with yet another frog 🐸🥳 He looks as if butter wouldn’t melt 😉 Well done on earning a bit of money from Vint*d - every little helps 😊

Good news that you didn’t have to make a special trip to post the birthday card Florenceem 🙂 I hope you are being careful with your back whilst continuing to declutter MrF’s office 🙏 Fingers crossed that the JL chaps turned up soon after you posted so you could go out & pick up some painkillers 🤞I do believe that unused 1973 diaries is one of the oldest items decluttered 😂

GrannyKate, I love bluebells but have had no luck getting them in my garden 😔 One bluebell pops up each year but that is all 😉 You might only be pottering at the moment but I am very impressed with your electronic decluttering & organising 👏

Excellent work decluttering clothing stellata 👏 Sorry to hear that money is so tight that you are having to consider getting a new lodger 😔 I am looking forward to the day that you let us know that Tidy Neighbour has been invited in 😉 We can celebrate with you 🎉 Good luck with both your listings & your mission to declutter the wardrobe in the spare room 🍀

TC77, you have a very busy period coming up 😥 Sorry to hear that DD1 still hasn’t found a new flat 😔Good luck to both DD1 & DD2 for their exams 🍀 Do you have a timescale in mind for moving? As you say it will focus the mind & hopefully allow you declutter more vigorously 😉 By the by, I reread your post & didn’t detect any ‘ranting’ 🙂 As above, re my comment to stellata, I look forward to celebrating the day you invite your neighbour in for coffee 🎉

Brie, I know it is not really funny but I did smile at the thought that popped into my head when you mentioned finding a wallet in your garden…….Fagin’s Foxes 😂 Sorry 😞

Yippee to movement re your new job Muddy_Walker 🥳 Snarky comments from your soon to be ex boss - you do surprise me 😉🤣 not 😉 Sorry to hear that you are both exhausted & in pain 😔Hopefully a bit of TLC tonight & you will be set for tomorrow 🤞Mmmm, chocolate 🍫

All caught up so will post & sort out dinner 😉

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

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️💐🏅 perseverance medal 🎖️ 🥇 🏅🏅

Decluttering Target 2023: 1186/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.90

Florenceem · 17 May 2023 at 7:47PM

This afternoon I popped into SA to get a table top sale leaflet so I can start advertising on local sites.
Got my painkillers and caught a bus home. Met a friend on the bus so had a lovely chat.
Phoned Mr F - had to ring about 6 times - a nurse had to reach it for him. Apparently physios took him outside into the garden - his first fresh air for 5 weeks.
I have been busy in the office - so much to shred - I sit there with my Covid mask on as it is dusty work. I am sorting the third shelf in the wardrobe now.
I still need to reorganise the shelves but here are before and after pics.