2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Floss

I began to declutter the wishy-washy grey paint in my bedroom last week...

Wednesday2000

I blasted Taylor Swift last night while I took everything out of the wardrobes and cleaned the bases and shelves and now have a big bag of stuff to take to the charity shop today. A pair of sandals, three tops, our dressing gowns (as we never wear them!) a shirt of my husbands and a dress.

My husband is just on the phone to the council now to organise the bulky waste collection.

I have just decluttered our dog to the kennel. We are going to drop off the book at the free library, drop off the donation bag and then go for a drink at a local bar. We said before we moved here that would be our local, but we have been in there twice in two years! I have booked us in for lunch and then we will go and buy a milkshake and then head into London. We are seeing The Strangers which is meant to be quite scary.

It looks nice and sunny out. I'm wearing a denim skirt with sandals and I helpfully bumped my knee last night so I have a big bruise.

vulpix

 Gorgeous colour Floss.

 Queen Jess, it sounds like my Mum's house was the same as your Grandparents. My Mum wanted to vet every item and then send it to a new home,leaving the logistics up to me! Very little has gone to landfill. We haven't been doing it full time, only one or two days a week. I doubt very much that you have as much stuff as that generation, you do yourself a disservice. Plus you have things waiting for your children to grow into, much more ecco friendly than buying new every few months. Your parents are doing you a great favour by de cluttering whilst they are still able. My Mum did a lot by emptying the shed, greenhouse and garage ( Hmm when I say she did it...hahaha)but it was a drop in the ocean. I must admit I have left some things in the loft for who ever buys the house, me n Mr V are pushing 70, I refuse to maul huge 1970's carpets out. One thing I do is once a thing is identified to go, it goes in a bag into the car or on the door step for collection straight away. I don't wait for a full bag, I can't be doing with clutter. Decision made,off it goes, physically out of the house. Woosh. It could be in the car for a few days till we pass wherever it is destined but in my mind it has already gone.

 Well,it's been an emotional one already. Woken at 6 am by Mr V falling out of bed !!!!!! He was having a bad dream. He has bruised his face and cut his arm. Blood on the bedding so bed stripped and in the wash. I went back to sleep to be woken by Mother, very upset. A list of problems and worries. She has never sold a house before and doesn't know how to go about things,etc ,etc. She is having a problem with the same building society that we couldn't close the account on as they would only accept passport or driving license. All she is trying to do is change her address. They will now accept her blue badge if she presents it in person and they want a copy of her name on the new address utilities bill. obviously they are in my brothers name. Although she lives in a bungalow it is up a lot of steps, so the only way to get her out is to carry her in a wheelchair down the steps. Beyond me n Mr V's capabilities. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh. Surely she is not the only person with the same issues. Rules is rules,I know but gimmee a break!

 Hold on Scotland i'm coming. I will be lay down in a darkened room for the duration, incommunicardo.

 Vx

AlwaysAllie

vulpix said:

 Gorgeous colour Floss.

 Queen Jess, it sounds like my Mum's house was the same as your Grandparents. My Mum wanted to vet every item and then send it to a new home,leaving the logistics up to me! Very little has gone to landfill. We haven't been doing it full time, only one or two days a week. I doubt very much that you have as much stuff as that generation, you do yourself a disservice. Plus you have things waiting for your children to grow into, much more ecco friendly than buying new every few months. Your parents are doing you a great favour by de cluttering whilst they are still able. My Mum did a lot by emptying the shed, greenhouse and garage ( Hmm when I say she did it...hahaha)but it was a drop in the ocean. I must admit I have left some things in the loft for who ever buys the house, me n Mr V are pushing 70, I refuse to maul huge 1970's carpets out. One thing I do is once a thing is identified to go, it goes in a bag into the car or on the door step for collection straight away. I don't wait for a full bag, I can't be doing with clutter. Decision made,off it goes, physically out of the house. Woosh. It could be in the car for a few days till we pass wherever it is destined but in my mind it has already gone.

 Well,it's been an emotional one already. Woken at 6 am by Mr V falling out of bed !!!!!! He was having a bad dream. He has bruised his face and cut his arm. Blood on the bedding so bed stripped and in the wash. I went back to sleep to be woken by Mother, very upset. A list of problems and worries. She has never sold a house before and doesn't know how to go about things,etc ,etc. She is having a problem with the same building society that we couldn't close the account on as they would only accept passport or driving license. All she is trying to do is change her address. They will now accept her blue badge if she presents it in person and they want a copy of her name on the new address utilities bill. obviously they are in my brothers name. Although she lives in a bungalow it is up a lot of steps, so the only way to get her out is to carry her in a wheelchair down the steps. Beyond me n Mr V's capabilities. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh. Surely she is not the only person with the same issues. Rules is rules,I know but gimmee a break!

 Hold on Scotland i'm coming. I will be lay down in a darkened room for the duration, incommunicardo.

 Vx

Can Age Uk or Citizens’ Advice help - as you say she can’t be the first in this situation 
AA

QueenJess

@Floss, it looks beautiful

Well I have been busy getting things organised to be picked up.  Lots already gone, some bits still left and I've just boxed up two lots of stuff for charity.  Honestly I still feel like we have way too much, but it takes time to go through it all.  DD kept too much (in my opinion) as there are lots of things she doesn't actually play with, but I think we'll keep revisiting and hopefully she'll get rid of a bit more each time we do it.

Popped up into the loft to get out two baskets I knew were in there to contain kids bits and pieces and yes, I got a bit sidetracked and brought loads of stuff down again.  Lots already packed into charity boxes and some posted on Buy Nothing.  Also some pieces for DD to play with and see if she likes them (if not they can go).  I did have a look around the loft before I turned the light off and came down, and it still felt quite cluttered up there, so lots more to go I feel.

@vulpix sometimes these places are so unaccommodating... I'm sure I read something in a paper where a bank or building society were refusing to do something and asking for the woman to come into the branch in person.  She was bedbound, so they had to book (at a ridiculous cost) a private ambulance to pick her up and bring her back again.  People just don't think sometimes.  I hope it all gets sorted.

I am keeping a few bits, but I am trying to be realistic on what we actually need and DD is likely to use. I always buy their clothes second hand and as few as possible, although my mum likes to scupper that quite a bit.  However, I've now got her hooked on Vinted, so at least the clothes are all second hand now!

I'm still on a major mission so nothing is safe right now!  Off to make myself a lovely lunch before diving back into my work.  Can't guarantee more things won't find their way out my house before the end of the day

Physical:
1 - paper, reused then recycled
8 - books DD didn’t want (charity box)
6 - packaging, reused
28 - kids games, puzzles and toys (charity box)
3 - broken toys (binned)
4 - board games (buy nothing)
6 - toys (buy nothing)
2 - bathroom oversupply used up
2 - bathroom products not needed (Buy Nothing)
1 - plastic bag (reused)
14 - toys (charity box)
2 - storage boxes (charity box)

New total = 8,949

May mini kitchen declutter challenge = 23/25

May/June mini clothes declutter challenge = 110/200

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

Friday is a brighter day - there is even some sunshine 🌞 & temperatures are at 19C with an expected high of 21C. The owners of the house next door were visiting with their agent so we had a nice chat & I gave them the number of our window cleaner who also clears guttering. (They bought the house from new & it has only ever been a rental property) DH went to fill the bird feeders & had to rescue a mouse that had fallen into the seed bin - DH scooped him out & put him on the ground & we saw him bound away into the long grass 🙂 I have my first cuppa & am settling down to the cheerleading 😉

QueenJess, just wow 🤩 I am exhausted just reading about how much you got done (& how much was decluttered) on Wednesday up to 13:30 🥳 a Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way. Now I am laughing my socks off at “…… I'm in the kind of mood that scares my husband.. nothing is safe!” 🤣 Hope the rest of the day was just as successful 🤞😊 I see now that you had another 2 hours of decluttering & I love the picture - so much ‘stuff’ leaving your house & so neatly stacked 👏 🥳

Florenceem, I was pleased to see that you had a rest on Tuesday afternoon 😊 Although it sounds like you were very busy on Wednesday. Sorry to hear about MrF’s fall 😔 I hope he is OK 🙏

nannywindow, absolutely no need to sit on the naughty step 😉 unless it is outside & the sun is shining & you have a glass of chilled wine (or a cuppa) 😅 Ouch to the price of the tap 😣 but needs must 😉 Hopefully the fitting was an easy job & went smoothly 🤞I am now craving fish’n’chips 😉 Sending many positive thoughts & wishes that Monday’s oncology appointment goes well 🙏

Lovely post vulpix 😊 Me three with the bingo wings 😔 I am joining you in requesting sunshine for Scotland 🤞

Caught up a little but need to sign off & write a shopping list for DH 😥 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 793/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £166.85

daisy_1571

thats gorgeous floss. 

Vulpix can you get a power of attorney sorted?  Then you have the power to do any of these things for her?  Might save some issues now and going forwards.   Of course, arranging it will take a little while but at least once you have it, it will help.

(Curtains will be closed, soft music on, damp tea towel already in fridge cooling ready for your poor overworked forehead and Mr vs poor bruised forehead xxxxx)

Queen jess hope you didn't throw your lunch out before you got a chance to eat it !  Lol, you are on a mission! 

Hugs to anyone who would like one.  Please let me know when the orient express is departing  - looking forward to it    I have elbow length gloves and a fancy evening dress in my case (think Margaret Dumont in any of the marx brothers films, not quite Margaret Rutherford but definitely more their end of the scale in sartorial elegance than Twiggy lol, so hope I get allowed in the dining car)

Daisy xxx

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

I have just remembered to cancel our milk delivery as we are heading off to Cornwall on Tuesday (back Thursday) Keeping everything crossed for some nice weather 🤞as it is miserable doing the RBR in the rain 😔 I have done a reasonably small shopping list for DH & he is just heading off. DSis is about but has a splitting headache. I forgot to mention that DSis finished her course of breathing/exercise classes & even received a certificate 😊 Thought I would post a picture of the tulips to brighten the day 😉 please ignore the clutter 😉

QueenJess, this is brilliant “Oh my goodness. Got back from swimming and gathered up the stuff for DD’s bedtime. When I got upstairs, DS was decluttering with DD - he was pulling out books a pile at a time and DD was putting into piles which ones she wanted and which ones to get rid of. Then DS was putting the ones back she wanted to keep on the shelves. What have I created 🤣 I now have a huge pile of books to go through and DS has requested I buy him a memory box for his special things. My library and DH’s study are now a total tip 😬 “ Both your DS & DD are being awarded awarded a medal 🏅 You must be so proud 🥹 even if it does mean extra work for you with making decisions as to final disposal 😅

mhagster, steady progress is way better than doing nothing 👏 How lovely to receive a random Facebook memory 😊

Fizz2015, good luck with your planned catchup 🍀 Very pleased to hear that you are enjoying your job 😊 busy is good & less stress is fantastic 🥳 Shame about the clothes 😔 but a chance to declutter 😉 & I wish you success with your shopping trip 😊 Good luck with the carboot 🍀

Excellent decluttering TC77 👏 You are making steady progress even with work being so busy & RL getting in the way 😊

Liverpool_Anne, what a lovely way to spend the day - helping ln with her hanging baskets 😇 Good luck with project “Knitting Needles” 🍀 Lovely cheerleading as usual 😊 & this “On the subject of wearing clothes for your age I have to say I don't even think about it . I have never worn clothes that could be considered revealing as I have never really had the figure for them . I wear clothes that are comfortable and allow me to do what I want without restriction, bras apart cos they are just uncomfortable full stop but I can't go without . I wear trousers, tracksuit bottoms, capri pants or shorts depending on the weather and t shirts with added layers in the winter. I wear flat shoes, trainers and flat sandals depending on the weather and I have no intention of changing . I wear the colours I like, totally ignore whatever colour is currently in fashion and even though my hair has changed from reddy brown to white I still wear the same colours I expect to be buried in some combination of the above whenever that happens” Apart from the capri pants & hair colour - you might have been writing about me 🤣 Hope you are having a great time with your friends 😄

Another short burst of cheerleading - just chipping away but I will catch up 😉

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 793/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £166.85

vulpix

Hi, just painted the other side of the fence, the loo door frame and our side of the fence again. 

 Thank you for all your suggestions. My Mum is completely with it so power of attorney probably isn’t the way to go. I imagine my brother would have something to say about it even if Mum agreed. One of the age charities might be useful. 

 Off to give the outside loo door another coat of paint. 

 Thank you chums. Vx

daisy_1571

Power of attorney isnt just about being unable mentally,  I wasn't suggesting that, just trying to get round the physical issues you were describing.   Andd of course you need to be in charge of faculties to draw one up.  They can also cover events where the person is fine but can't be there in person for any reason. 

You can set them up for specific things like if a 20year old buying a house has to sign things but will be on holiday, they can draw up one just giving powers to deal with the house purchase.   Or one that has a dated time span.  Obviously the ongoing ones are the most useful for life as we all get older or for unforseen events.   If your brother wasn't happy, it could be drawn up that both of you have to be jointly rather than an individual.  Or a 3rd party.  I was only suggesting as it would save your mum physically having to leave the house.  

Of course the institutions might be able to arrange home visits?  Another angle perhaps    

Dxx