2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

charlies_tribe

Thank you Mrs SD and Vulpix. I'm not letting anyone in there until Christmas now 🤣 Mrs SD I didn't even notice him there, bet he was wondering what was going off, bet he's never seen it empty. And Santa was already in there from DHs left over party stock and DGD absolutely loved him so he stayed up, shame she won't entertain a 'real' santa.

Happy birthday Siebrie 🥂🍰🎁

Muddy walker, I'm sorry you didn't raise as much as you had hoped but the fact that you tried shows how much you care even if people couldnt/didn't want to part with their money this year x

Well done on that toad ~FlowerPot~ I've been thinking I should do DD2s but as she's 16 soon I've decided I may as well wait instead of doing it twice.

Yesterday evening I started going through some of the boxes that are now in the lounge. I've started taking out all the dolls things and putting it together. All the dolls clothes I've found so far have been washed and dried, 3 whole loads of washing! I've kept the 'official' clothes to one side hoping they're all there to go back on the dolls and I've filled a bin bag with all the knitted stuff MIL had made them over the years. I knew there was a lot but didn't realise how much and I know there's still more somewhere.

Nothing managed this morning as we have DD1 dog while she's having work done.
Going to finish this tea and see if there's anything I can do until this ball of energy is collected.

QueenJess

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger Don't worry, there is little hard work going on today and I am having a little bit of fun telling everyone at work I am leaving and seeing the look of panic in their eyes!

I have just had fun reading through some poems and stories I wrote when I was a child that my parents found.  Some of them are hilarious, but some are actually quite good!  I will be keeping those and have filed them in a memory box.  The library is looking clearer than it has for a long time, although I do have a tricky to get rid of pile that I need to contact a different potential specialist buyer on.  Might be a post Xmas job for that.

Trying to get through some tidying/sorting etc, but hit a bit of a plateau this afternoon.  Need to make sure I don't stop just because I can't find the 1 thing to declutter etc and will mix up what places I can declutter from.  This is why I don't follow rules for very long.  I just use them to make myself start and then change them as I go along to keep going.

A few more bits done and the place is slowly getting tidier.  Also 2 lots of washing done and bread baked for today.  Got some parcels I need to package up to send when I am out the house anyway tomorrow.  Hopefully will get a bit more tidying done today as the cleaner is doing a last clean tomorrow and is leaving us to our own devices until Jan now!

Digital:
38,801 - documents deleted
38,802-38,814 - documents in downloaded file deleted

Physical:
38,815-38,816 - DS’s tat recycled/binned
38,817 - suntan lotion used up
38,818-38,819 - clothes recycled
38,820 - my clothes (charity bag)

Brie

OH doesn't know it yet but the back of my tiddle hamster powered car holds about a dozen "banana boxes" just waiting to be brought into the front room (aka the dumping ground) so that we can 1) clear out as much as possible to the charity shops this weekend & store and stack all the bits from the kitchen for during the kitchen reno.  I expect we will need more.  And a colleague at work will be bringing in her left over packing paper having recently moved into a new home.  

TC77

Abit behind. 
@charlies_tribe Well done, I remember the early photos !
Not.moved my frog forward as planned but hoping too, going to my dad's with Dbro and emptying things that my d nephew may bring over in a van. Desk, mid-century unit and dining chair.
Fingers crossed that 2 bedside tables being picked up from me and going to put a big tall unit, initially for sale but if not free site..
Bought a jumper but used a gift card that has been kying around for nearly 18 months after which they charge you for having it so the value goes down. 
Been to a gallery with friends tonight which reminds me why I want to reduce the time taken looking for things and clearing up!! 
Hope thise poorly and stressed can have recovery time this weekend. X

bit_by_bit

Wow, all that decluttering and tidying over the last few days by everyone. It is often an achievement to do one thing.
Dsis x 2 and neice up from Portsmouth. We are heading off in the morning to spend the night visiting DB in Blackpool. This has forced me to do more sorting and tidying so they can all sleep. Happily done.

Three bags of books and dvds out today. 2 to the charity shelf at the garden centre and 1 to one of my sister full of books. 

Keep well all. I will be away for a few days. Take care all 

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 ended up faffing about & watching ‘And Then There Were None’ so didn’t leave the house until 14:00 😔 Waited 15 minutes for a bus (2 went past going the other way) before a gentleman passing by advised there were problems with the buses 😔 I decided to walk up to the main road as more choice of buses only to discover that the next 4 bus stops were closed 😠 Ended up walking the long way round to the P.O., posted a parcel & bought some stamps. I was amazed to discover that a standard sized letter/card up to 100g costs the same to post worldwide - just £2.20 🤩 Managed to catch a bus to the DLR station & walked the rest of the way home. All in all I was out for 70 minutes instead of the 30 minutes I was expecting 😔 There was one bonus - I didn’t have to queue at the P.O. 😉 Whilst I was out DH finished making the soup; filled the bird feeders; zizzed peelings for worm food & fed the worms. DSis did her LDFPA. She also went out shopping & had the same issues with the buses. Dinner was chicken, oven chips & baked beans for DSis whilst DH & I had fish fingers rather than chicken. Wudupa

2498 - 2500 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, takeaway box & lid - recycled 

2501 Kitchen detritus binned 

Great cheerleading vulpix 😊 A bit of an extreme action to avoid working over the weekend 😉🙃 Please, please rest the knee as much as possible 🙏 and congratulations on losing so much weight this year 🥳

What a brilliant idea Siebrie 👏Not sure where I would carry a notebook as I don’t use a handbag - I will have to give it some thought 🤔 

As I am yawning so much I have decided to post this short note & go to bed 🙂

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

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

Decluttering Target 2023: 2501/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £679.00

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, missed posting yesterday as I fell asleep on the couch and crawled up to bed in the early hours . Didn't get any wrapping done as I got distracted by sorting through some clothes. 15 items to the cs before I changed my mind . Part of the problem I have is that I like a lot of the fabric even if the clothes no longer fit or don't look right on me and I have loads of ideas of what I could do with the fabric. The reality is, of course, that I have so much stuff I don't have anywhere clear enough to do anything like get the sewing machine out so I am hardening myself to getting it out and when I have sorted the space I can look for some fabric in the cs if I still have the urge . I did keep some things that I probably should have let go but it is a start and I will revisit them at a later date. I also asked in the cs if they take rags as I know I have some things like old t shirts that have stains that I wear when I am painting or gardening but I have too many of them. Luckily the cs does take them so I can sort out a bag for them . I have to confess that while I was in there I spotted a small wedgewood dish, kutani crane design which I love. I bought a few pieces for OH's Mum over the years, no idea where it is now but I bought the dish . I already have 1 little trinket dish with a lid so it will go with that. I have decided if I see any more I will get it but I am not going to turn it into a big quest, nor am I going to buy any new, only if I happen to see a piece in the cs. 
I took the finished lap blanket into ln who loved it so that is about 600g of yarn decluttered out of the house though I did bring some back from Dorset as I ran out while I was there and started another blanket . 
Also 2 LDFPA, 100 emails deleted, bedroom bin and recycling emptied, lr bin emptied, a tube of cream finally uu and some ood stuff disposed of.
I have dealt with an update on the ACAS thing. After the ex employers saying they would not offer more than the paltry sum, which was refused, we had applied to go to a tribunal. Lo and behold they have doubled their offer. Friend's daughter has decided to refuse that as well but has submitted a counter figure. She was fairly confident that when they found out we were prepared to go to a tribunal they would come back to her. She's a strong young lady

@weenancyinAmerica how did it go for the doggie? We are all on tenderhooks here waiting to see if it worked out ok I have everything crossed a new home is on the horizon for her

@GrannyKate thanks for the advice and I will certainly check it out but I suspect that as I have paid the fine I won't get it back without a lot of hassle but I will know what to do if it ever happens again.

@Vulpix, I can sympathise with the present buying thing. I have asked for 1 thing this year to replace something I do need that has died but I know OH has bought other things as well and like you there is nothing else I need. Hope the knee is improving, take care, knees are very tricky things, hugs

@charlies_tribe the conservatory looks amazing well done

@EnergyShifter great news about the bathroom, it gives me hope I can survive the trauma when I get to sort mine

@Muddy_Walker, sympathies re your fundraising. I spent years doing various things with the kids in school to raise funds for their DofE trips so I know how hard it is to get people to part with money. Hopefully you have at least raised some awareness and as others have said those beautiful snowflakes may yet raise some more money for your cause, hugs.

@Siebrie, happy birthday

@QueenJess enjoy your last days in the job

Right time for bed so hugs to anybody who would like one

1607 - 1621 items to cs
1622 - 1627 6x100g yarn
1628 + 1629 2 LDFPA
1630 bedroom bin
1631 bedroom recycling
1632 lr bin
1633 100 emails permanently deleted
1634 tube of cream uu
1635 ood stuff disposed of
1636 ACAS thing moved along
Take care everyone
1636/2023

weenancyinAmerica

@Siebrie - Happy birthday!

Everyone - the husky is still at the other house. I will be going to see her this weekend I hope and see how she is doing. I plan on taking her toys and treats just in case she will be staying there. I am sad to see her leave here, but I know it will be for the best if it works out. She has been to the dog park several times and seems to be getting along with the other two huskies. I am waiting to hear tonight or tomorrow morning how it has gone.

London_1

Good Morning fellow declutterer's, I have just been going through my food cupboard again and declutter some bits that even I wouldn't use, a box of 2005 baking powder that was stuck behind something else it will be used as its on my kitchen window sill tonight before I go to bed I will divide it between my kitchen sink and the bathroom sink and pour some white vinegar over it to fizz (if there is any fizz in it after 18 years of hiding ) then after terminates pour some hot water over the lot and let it give the pipes a clean. 

Ive also just turned a kilo bag of granulated sugar into caster sugar via my blender.
It only cost me 90p in Savers a few months ago, and I bought it for my Christmas baking spree which I will start later today as I don't personally use sugar in any drinks .

So if I see a bag at a reasonable price I get it So I now have a kilo of caster sugar for 90p. This time of the year the price goes up  and its only granulated whizzed down a bit finer. If I need some icing sugar it will get round down even more Every little helps as is often quoted.  

Its my grandson Bens birthday today, and he's down for the weekend from his home in north London, and he will pop in later for some home baked biscuits. he's also going to plant some bulbs for me that I snaffled at not only half price last Tuesday from Dobbies but they had a 20% discount off as well so I ended up getting lots of them for less than a tenner instead of over £16, Dobbies 0 -me 1 I love to get a bargain if I can the cash came from my Happy Cash Stash which I buy my treat from. usually left over cash from the food budget My DDs thinks I should be the Chancellor  

Right time for another cuppa and I will get the percolator on as Ben loves a nice 'proper' coffee with his biscuits 

have a good day chums what ever you are doing 

  JackieO xx

vulpix

Hi, I too have been looking through my baking stuff and herbs and spices. Out some chilli powder which has gone white,that's a new one on me and some ancient cranberries given to the birds. I will offer some jam labels and wax discs on the free site later. My jam making days are over. I used to make lots but neither of us eat jam so I used to just  give it away. 

 I am toying with the idea of making a birthday cake for Mr V. DD2 is here for 5 days so she can help her Dad eat it. That will use stuff up. I am trying to use things up from the cupboards, so have made them a Vegan pasta bake for tonight. I won't tell them and will see if they notice.It was DD2's favourite when she lived at home. Lots more pasta in different forms to use up.Lots of different types of rice too. I don't even remember buying it, don't even mention how much couscous there is.
 I was only looking for baking powder to make cake for a trifle next week. Lots of cans and bottles of alcohol have been boxed up to take to our Christmas celebrations. We just acquire it. mostly gifts to Mr V. We are not what you might call drinkers, I think the last time I had a drink was last March at mil's funeral.

 Weenancy, you have been a very good owner for the husky, she will miss you too but it will be much less responsibility for you as well as much less financial commitment. I am talking as if she will be moving on as all the signs are so good. I hope your housemates know they must never bring any more animals home.I could come and have a talk with them if you like!

 My knee is much better thanks. I have arthritis everywhere but my knees are bad. I have been told that a replacement is the next step but I have had so many operations in the past few years that I am holding off whilst I can still walk. They are not a pretty sight but at the moment still work.

 I will count store cupboard things as i am desperate for numbers,sad I know.

 total 1.458

 Vx