2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Moorviews

That’s wonderful news @nannywindow! You and your husband really deserve the break so I hope that you can relax for a few days. 

Super well done @vulpix on finally getting the house cleared. 🤞for a quick sale now. 

Hope you have a fab time @Mrs_Salad_Dodger and no more soakings for the rest of the trip!
@Florenceem - it’s good that the cysts were found and removed but it is unfortunately an uncomfortable procedure. I hope that he soon gets assessed for the other problems. 

@machasraven - I hope you can declutter that cold/flu soon. 

@Liverpool_Anne - we have had the torrential rain too! Likewise wondering about the dress and a possible typo 😊

I am looking forward to the Orient Express trip and some virtual shopping for the journey. I only have two items even vaguely posh enough. 

Due to the foul weather I spent a couple of hours trying on some of the contents of my wardrobe. I was pleased that things still fit me better than I imagined they would and I resolved some low neckline problems with camisoles. Two pairs of good jeans will go to the CS as I don’t wear that style anymore. Another pair I have put aside to think about and they might be shortened for gardening use. A bunch of tee shirts that have stains on them and some ripped jeans have gone to the rag bag. I’ll probably pull them out for next time I am painting something. I bought a new jacket that fits me perfectly and is a lot more versatile than the one that I have just got rid of. 

daisy_1571

Fabulous news vulpix.  If you hadn't had to work so hard im sure it would have been sad however you've had a chance to totally say cheerio to everything that had been in that house lol.  Well done

Yes I laughed at the slapper dress too 🤣   I've owned a couple of those in my younger days 🤣.   However, I know we are all the epitome of decorum so the orient express staff won't have to deal with behaviour unbecoming   🤣 🤣  🤣

Wednesday2000

The bulky waste is being picked up today, hopefully. I have just done a massive declutter of my wardrobe. Three scarves, one cardigan, one dress, a jumper and three tops. That can all go along with the face mask that made me blotchy. I will take it tomorrow or Saturday as we were going to go to the beach as it is meant to be sunny.

dND

Hello all,👋

Congratulations @nannywindow and much love and thoughts with those who are still battling with health/life issues. 💕

The house is still being rewired – looking at the early part of next week I think for completion on that.  I’ll then hear what and when the next bit is – probably the RSJ.

@Vulpix, that’s the main thing keeping me going.  At least the house wasn’t in great decorative condition so I’m very relaxed about what’s happening.  I’d far rather have the disruption/destruction happening now and I can look forward to remaking the house once it’s done.  Congratulations on getting to the final straight with your mum’s house. 💪🏆

Thank you so much for my star @Mrs_Salad_Dodger 😁😁.  The cats are tearing up the carpet in whichever room they have to be confined whilst the builders are going in and out.  They are coming to terms with being confined to the house although the novelty of the larger space than at the cattery has worn off and they would love to get out.

Once the building work has been done, I’ll order the fencing for the catio so they can at least get some fresh air – I have to get windows replaced so haven’t been able to order window guards as the size of the opening bit might change, so we can’t open windows for air.

Neither the cats nor I are any good with Welsh.  I do hope to learn some once I have a bit more time .

@Liverpool-Ann Oh my goodness, doesn’t it disrupt! 😱😱  Floorboards up, holes drilled etc., etc..  And in every room all at the same time.  I have an advantage in that I’m having the fusebox moved so most of the new wiring will be in place before they have to cut the power and literally switch over.  I’m still waiting for the “chaser” to come, which will herald the start of the house being filled with plaster dust.

Thank you @Moorviews; I can’t wait to get the house back to myself and get back to my routines though.

Yet more money decluttered!  Whilst I can’t do the garden until after the fence is re-sited and the remaining groundworks done I’ve been filling up the patio with containers.  One thing I’ve noticed is the shrinkflation that’s occurred in the last 20 years with potting compost.  One of the things with peat-free is that it’s a lot fluffier than the old peat-based compost I was buying before I left for France.  I need 2-3 times the number of bags than I needed before. 

But I tell myself that it’s an investment in the long term – this compost. (and I must have bought over 20 bags so far), will be used in the raised beds that will go in after the building work.

So far I’ve 4 potato growbags of Pink Fir potatoes, 2 with green courgette and 2 with Crown Prince squash.  I’ve also started on the buckets for the tomatoes, chillies and aubergines.  So far 4 x 14 litre buckets with San Marzano tomatoes are in the greenhouse and more seedlings will be planted up in the next few weeks.  Not the most decorative look but the cheapest ‘pots’ I’ve found are the cheap 14 litre buckets from that well known orange hardware store.  I went for the £1 black option rather than the orange – I think it will warm the soil quicker.

The herb collection is coming along thanks to the reduced plant section at D0bbies and I’m trying to use this enforced lull to look at the garden and figure out the best place to site everything.  Due to the surrounding trees and buildings there’s very little full sun despite facing SE.  I can’t wait to get on with that and be inventive.

The previous owner must have had a home baking business somewhere along the line and there are sets of different shaped, but rusting, cake tins.  I’m planning to paint these and use them as drip trays or succulent planters to give them a second life.

Enough of my ramblings. Two photos: First, the greenhouse which was an overgrown litter tray for all the cats of the area.  Far too many broken panels to make it cat proof or to warrant repairing.

And the small, but now crowded, patio area where most of the current gardening is taking place.

Happy decluttering everyone. 💕💕💕

Florenceem

nannywindow - Mr F said having the polyps removed was okay. He had no sedation for the procedure.
Busy day at SA yesterday - sorted 10 sacks of clothing donations - I had help to carry them out of the building.
I have filled my shopping trolley for Mr F to take to the charity shop today - he hasn't been since last Friday - they will wonder if he is alright.
I am unlocking at SA this afternoon for the drumming group.
It is our monthly table top sale on Saturday so I will be very busy from tomorrow.

Floss

@dND it may be cheaper in the long run to buy compost/ top soil for your raised beds in bulk. You may get better stuff too.

EnergyShifter

Thanks for welcome back messages Queen Jess, TC77, Liverpool Anne & Mrs SD (sorry if I missed anyone).

Since I last posted I've been mostly trying to catch up with things that are easier with both eyes!  That has taken the form of catching up with emails/messages and submitting the final assignment for my Discipleship course. 

The guy who was doing my bathroom popped round and he will be doing the boxing next week.  After that I just need to find someone to do the flooring.  

I made it to the Blake exhibition on Friday - it was OK - it was nice visiting Cambridge as I've never been before.  

I have 4 days not working now and I have hardly anything planned so time to potter and hopefully spend a bit of time in the sun if there is any .  ☀️

Skimmed through the missed posts - loving all the photos.  
Nannywindow - That's such great news 💐

mhagster

DD2 took away quite a few bottles of shampoo/ shower gel which were in the main bathroom cupboard. Probably hers in the first place or left behind by guests. That was about it but it’s a win for me ( and for her!)

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all

@Moorviews I have been virtually shopping as well . Apart from the dragon robe I have a caftan thing that might do but absolute nothing else . I actually have a draw for decorating / gardening clothes, they only hit the rag bag when totally wrecked I'm afraid, but I am a very messy decorator

@daisy_1571

@dND unfortunately yes once the chaser gets going the dust is terrible and then when they mix the plaster to replaster it is full of dust again. Keep as much stuff in boxes as you can but it gets everywhere, inside cupboards and draws, I had to wash my towels and sheets that were in the airing cupboard and hoover everywhere several times, and it takes ages to settle . It is worth it though.  On the subject of peat free compost, it can be a bit hit and miss depending on the brand I find. Some has large chunks of wood in it while others feel like sawdust. Drainage in pots can be tricky as well, some seems to hang on to water and can lead to mould and fungus growing so I would suggest keeping a close eye on the plants until you know how it is doing. I agree with Floss that you might be better getting bulk topsoil and compost for your raised beds. Once you get going and have a compost bin going you will be able to add that and you might find a stables nearby that is happy to let you have a bit of muck . The greenhouse looks useful

@EnergyShifter glad both eyes are working, must be a great relief, hugs

Today the weather was just as dire, rain, grey clouds and quite cold. I got a few things done but very tired as I am hanging on for my B12 jab on Saturday. I had to go to the library to get some photocopying done and then on to the post office to post off 2 small parcels. Well they were large letters actually but I have given up trying to understand the post office classifications and just hand over whatever money they ask for . When I got home the bathroom bin and lr bin were emptied and I looked at the ironing but that was as far as I got . I made a cup of tea and fell asleep . I have started to frog a crochet blanket I made 50 years ago with my Mum's scrap wool. It got attacked by moths a few years ago and I kept meaning to sort it out but didn't and of course the holes have started to unravel. It is only 1 colour that they went for, but it was quite close to the centre, it's a big granny square sort of thing. I am planning to take it away on holiday and redo it without the wrecked yarn obviously as it has a few memories in it and I have some bits of yarn I can add to it to replace the lost stuff. Must admit I missed it this evening sitting on the couch as it was cold

Right off to bed, busy day tomorrow as I have 2 union things to do with a bit of driving to get to them.  Hugs to everyone who would like one.

779 photocopying
780 + 781 parcels posted, packaging reused
782 bathroom bin
783 lr bin
Take care everyone
783/2024

GrannyKate

Good news @nannywindow.

Bungalow viewing was ok - nice and clean but rooms a little small for me and garden too small and overlooked.  Lovely people but not for me.  Another one this morning.  Still only one viewing for mine.

585 Last set of France train tickets bought at last
586 Sorted through some boxes but item not found - I offered it to someone 2 years ago and they have only just responded saying yes
587 Railcard renewed using Tesco vouchers
588 Postal voting application completed as I will be away 4 July
589 Took DGD4 to get her hair trimmed before her holiday

I think my dishwasher is unwell.  Everything tastes of salt - I think seal may be gone round salt compartment - will call my local engineer when I get back from short trip (Norfolk) next week.