2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

retiredinfrance

I’ve caught up now and thanks to you, Mrs SD and yes I’m trying to take care of myself . On the way home yesterday I bought some tulips and strawberries. The tulips aren’t very MSE but I rarely buy flowers - they cost money and don’t last. Thanks Siebre . They are checking everything and when I went in yesterday they had just taken a lot more blood and he was in a sedated sleep so I couldn’t talk to him. I can’t fault the care and attention he has. Thanks Vulpix, and best wishes for the Ukrainian lady. I don’t think we know how fortunate we are sometimes. A big town near us is twinned with a Ukrainian town and in our small town we send money donations to them for the town.  Thanks Daisy and Oceanspirit . All these hugs and kind thoughts are appreciated very much. WeeNancy and Di, Bon Courage and hugs to you both and everyone here with troubles. 

Decluttering continues , mainly dust….also
i French book for library sale
1 pr socks out for rags 
I pile paper for school collection 
So,I’ll add 3 when I find my total and that reminds me , Mrs SD I’ve forgotten to thank you for the medals and updating the totals. 

Thanks, chums and sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone. 

Music is a great companion and comforter and very MSE!

diminua

Things seem to be coming in faster than they're going out at the moment. Little things that I see and pick up - mostly stationery. I do have a pile of books and some clothes to go so will count them when they do.

I've also got three unexpected plants - pretty sure it's one potato and two tomatoes. Not counting them in though as they just appeared next to my snake plant out of the bought compost. They're doing very well on my kitchen windowsill and I've strung up a bit of elastic to stop them falling over but the potato (if it is a potato) will have to be found a new home with someone with a garden or at least an outside space soon. 
I used to have an allotment but it was too far away to be practical. I just have houseplants and a few herbs now.

vulpix

Hi, at last I have had some sleep , so I can take on the world today.

Honestly, I went through every kitchen cupboard and drawer in about 10 minutes yesterday, It feels good to know that we are just down to the essentials and that I can go through it all in 10 minutes. A large bag for life filled for the Ukranian ladies. Went through the sitting room drawers and added a couple of candles too. I went through the spare bed linen and was surprised there was nothing spare at all. We have what is on the beds and a spare set for each bed. There are just 2 spare towels for guests.

Mr V has arrived bearing gifts, The stone seat for the top garden. We just need Geoff Capes to visit now to take it up there. He has also collected all his stuff that he had in his daughters garage. ( Mr V not Geoff Capes)Going in the storage shed for now and he will either list it for sale or tip it on Monday. I am pleased about this. He has equipment squirreled away all over the place. He is supposed to be retired now. Hahaha. What I think he means is no more 3am finishes.

Off to Mum's shortly. I want to wash and get her sitting room curtains on the line,2 large windows. It has forecast rain tomorrow. I will be able to get together another big bag of things.plus a nice saved for best 4 person dinner set. There are some nice lampshades that I will send. I have told the lady to charity shop what she doesn't want. Mr V is delivering the household stuff to the lady tomorrow evening on his way to work. It concentrates the mind to think she came here with just some clothes. She was telling me about her house being flattened and everything lost. We are just too lucky that we have enough and more.

Sending best wishes to Mr and Mrs RiF and Di and also you wee Nancy. It takes it out of you when people close are ill.

 I have stopped counting what I de clutter, I was getting a bit obsessive after doing it for quite a few years. I know that it is a way of life now and I will always be on the case. Emptying MIL's house and my Mum's house has made me very aware of what sort of job I will leave my children. Clothes are still my bete noir. I love them so! I have reduced the amount I bring in. It is mostly second hand too so that sits better with me.

 Take care chums Vx

short_bird

Mrs_Salad_Dodger said:

Excellent decluttering short_bird 👏 Although I see that you have mistyped your numbers on page 307 - from 1339 to 1667 instead of to 1367 🙊 I believe your current total is 1446 - so sorry to be the bearer of bad news 😔

Observational skills zero... Cheers.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Jettison Junk in January

2. Sort out sleep patterns - target bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 9:00 a.m 

3. Deal with mail & email on a daily basis

4. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

5. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter

6. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Saturday is another grey miserable day & so dark that I have the lr light on. The ground is very wet again as it rained for several hours earlier this morning (I was up & dressed by 11:15). DSis was up & clearing down a couple of episodes of the new Stacey Solomon renovation show. I watched the first episode & really didn’t enjoy it - not a patch on SYLO 😉 I delivered a Bakewell Tart to neighbour J (whose birthday is tomorrow). A tradition we started a few years ago 😊 

vulpix, I agree with your observation “I think all our Mothers were of the make do and mend generation, saved everything and looked after what they had.” Which probably explains why many of us have a ‘bit of an issue with clutter’ 😉 Talk about a busy Wednesday - you completed an astonishing amount of work at your Mum’s house 👏🤩 so I am awarding you a Gold Star ⭐️ As I am so far behind in the cheerleading I am hoping that when I get to your next post you will have managed to have a good rest & spent some time in the TLC Carriage 🤞

Wooly_Mammoth, what a brilliant decluttering session on Wednesday especially at the end of a working day 👏 Thank you for sharing the memories associated with the tea towel 😊

retiredinfrance, from memory of my DM’s health care (cancer), the health service in France is rather impressive especially if you are paying a bit more on the extra private insurance & can get fully reimbursed. My DSis was also looked after marvellously when she had her heart attack. From my perspective all departments appeared to actually talk to each other so no confusion with treatments & no conflicting information. It is such a shame that the U.K. government doesn’t have the same supportive attitude to the NHS as the French government has to their Health Service 😔 Cwtches to you & Mr rif 🤗 

vulpix, sorry to hear that you are having sleepless nights 😔 Fingers crossed that Mr Sandman puts in an appearance soon 🤞

London_1, your packing & decluttering is moving along so fast that I am very surprised the EDT can keep up with you 😉 Hopefully the buyer’s surveyor has put in a very favourable report & everything will continue to run smoothly 🙏 Excellent decluttering in the kitchen 👏 Poor DGD 😔 I hope she recovers quickly 🙏 I always thought it was chicken soup that aided recovery 😉 although having said that I think I would prefer leek & potato like your DGD 😊 How marvellous for your eldest DD 🥳 Young Daisy sounds like she is going to be a handful 😉 and now that she is walking she will be into everything 😊 Fingers crossed that the stairlift will soon be on its way to a new home 🤞

Wednesday2000, congratulations to DH on getting his date for his final day at work 😊 I imagine you already have a list of tasks for him to tackle although I hope you let him have a couple of days off before he starts 😉

Excellent decluttering machasraven 👏 Shame I am so far behind with the cheerleading - as I would have popped round to share Thursday’s dinner which sounded delicious 😅 Whilst I remember, I love the Terry Pratchett quote 😊

Excellent decluttering Pennypincin 👏 Sounds like you are going to have lots of fun choosing net curtains & curtains 😊

Having caught up a little, I will post this & set a timer for an hour before having a second session of cheerleading 😉 I hope everyone is having a good Saturday with some nice weather 🙏 Happily the weather here has brightened up a bit so the lr light is now off 🙂

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 🏅 💐 🎖️ 💐 ⭐️ 💐 💐 🥇 ⭐️ 

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 664/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.85

daisy_1571

Hope di is better today (but not yet quite ready to come home if you are still sorting, weenancyinAmerica)

machasraven

Thank you MrsSD. My library sounds much grander than it is - its a tiny room that you can only stand up on one side as the other side is only about 4 foot high with a sloping roof.
Everyone is welcome to pop round for dinner  .
Only decluttering done today is WU and left to air dry. My DF called round yesterday and some bottles of wine along with some gin were decluttered, so I am feeling the effects today. Currently on sofa recovering (ex is away)

Florenceem

I have read a lot of pages but still more to go. Just been so busy at SA.
retired in france - it is scarey when hubby has hallucinations - Mr F had them in hospital.
To all with dental issues - hope relief comes soon.
My Ddil came with 18 metres of fabric for me to make covers for shelves in the town community shop. I sewed the top casings on Tuesday afternoon as I knew I wouldn't get anything done on them on Wednesday as it is my ultra busy day at SA.
C said he would do the food delivery on Tuesday evening - I didn't look at my phone until half an hour after scheduled time - he had asked me to do it. Crates of food had been put in a lock up unit so I had to unlock it and carry them into the kitchen to sort. It would be a night of a big delivery - 3 crates of bakery and 1 of bananas plus 3 more crates of chilled and freezer goods.
Wednesday was a tiring day at friendship/lunch club. Mr F took a trolley of stuff to the charity shop. He also distributed posters about the upcoming table top sale.

London_1

Hi chums although very grey and wet today I did nip to the CS with some china bits and bobs I don't need .

On Monday I have the community NHS van coming to pick up my wheeled trolley table that was loaned to me when I came out of hospital in November.

Eldest DD and son-in-law fly back from NYC on the last possible overnight flight tonight, I'm so pleased she got to see little Daisy start to walk. DD texted me this afternoon her and son-in-law were in Central Park and there was a big 'Walk For Parkinsons' by the Michael J Fox foundation, and the man himself gave a short speech, she said it was very good and the park was heaving.

My grandson Danny, and wife and baby live almost opposite the park, so there is always something going on in there.
They had a picnic today there and she was sitting in a sleeveless top and I'm in north Kent with the central heating on and a throw over my legs I'm hoping she brings some of the sunshine back with her they have had a lovely week of nice weather.

I think we are all fed up with the rain now and it's almost May .  

I've been sorting out a list of people I have to tell about my change of address, I think I'll probably go with the post office and get a change of address thing done as I have such a long list. 
At some point in the next few weeks I shall be driving here and there to see my friends and relations before I move.  i definitely need to see my ex sis-in-law in Bromley as she's not at all well as her lung cancer has returned  and its really not very good news at all at the moment I've known her for over 50 odd years and she is a lovely person and I will miss her.

My Great niece did 4h.45m in the London Marathon and raised well over £1000 for the Alzheimer's Society that her Granny died from, I was really proud of her as its a jolly long run.

Right time for a cuppa and a root around the freezer for something for dinner tonight

Cheers chums

JackieO xx 

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Jettison Junk in January

2. Sort out sleep patterns - target bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 9:00 a.m 

3. Deal with mail & email on a daily basis

4. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

5. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter

6. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Back again 😉 I have watched a bit of TV, had some lunch & knitted 3 rounds of  an 85 stitch, 8 row pattern. DH has filled the bird feeders & whilst he was getting the bird food out he had the company of 2 mice who looked up at him patiently waiting for him to go away 😂 He has also zizzed the a large tub of scraps for worm food + has done a minor repair on the motorbike. 

Siebrie, all this talk of tea towels especially good quality ones is prompting me to review my supply 😉 I can see a spending spree in my future 😅 As to your comment “………. (Husband had mislaid the drill bits, so he had to buy new ones. I asked him to buy proper branded ones instead of the discount no-name ones we had, and he bought Bosch. Excellent; I only want to upgrade if we buy new.)” I couldn’t agree more 👏

Crazycatlady2, your garden is looking good 😊

short_bird, thanks for the reminder of the Vimes Boot theory 👏 One of my DH’s favourite theories 😊

Yippee to more successful online sales bamboo_socks 👏 Fingers crossed that the insurance does cover the cost of the cat’s dentistry 🤞

Excellent work with the furniture mhagster 👏 I especially liked the “… to me-to you’d into friends house”

Excellent decluttering ilovetea 👏 Your mojo is definitely back 🥳 so much so that I am awarding you your 2nd Gold Star ⭐️ for reaching halfway to target 😊

Such a beautiful plant florianatwobob 😊 & such delicate flowers 🌺 

You were certainly busy on Wednesday Liverpool_Anne 🤩 with some great decluttering 👏 Sorry to hear that you had to declutter so much money for the car but hopefully all done for another year 🤞I see your persistence finally paid off & you managed to find an open cs to take your donations 😊 Another lovely cheerleading post 😊

vulpix, surprisingly DH is not suffering at all 😮‍💨 Although he has yet to be contacted about the hospital appointment. A busy Thursday & such great work dropping off so many of the decluttered items to charity shops 👏 Hopefully the Ukrainian lady will be happy to take crockery & furniture 🤞I hope that MrV enjoyed his time away & that you managed to get some rest & had time to do some crafting 😊 

Wednesday2000, so sorry to hear that yesterday got off to such a stressful start 😔 I hope the day improved & that you also managed to get at least a short nap 🤞 Fingers crossed that you won’t have to have any work done at the dentist 🤞

retiredinfrance, sorry to hear that Mr rif is not doing as well as hoped but as you say he is in the best place & getting the best possible care. Please take care of yourself 🙏 Some more good decluttering & I now have your numbers at 75/366

Siebrie, some steady decluttering 👏 Hope you are having a lovely weekend with your family and Happy Birthday to DD2 🎂 What a wonderful way to celebrate the King’s birthday - music, partying & decluttering 🤩

Another page caught up 🙂

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 🏅 💐 🎖️ 💐 ⭐️ 💐 💐 🥇 ⭐️ 

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 664/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.85