2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,

@GrannyKate I hope the second bungalow is more suitable and everything crossed you get some more viewings.

@ruby_eskimo good luck with the move, if you are going to rewire if there is any way you can get it done before you actually move into the house I would do that. I did that before I moved in here from a rental flat. We moved to OH's house for a week the second time I was rewired about 40 years later but I packed up a lot of the house into a storage unit before we went. Over the years I have had quite a lot of things done to the house including replumbing and bits of building work and rewiring was by far the most disruptive and messy job. Maybe I just had messy electricians

@Brie that's a hard choice wine glasses or photos I break glasses on a regular basis so only have a few cheap ones. Maybe you could digitalise the photos and just keep a few special ones. Maybe a job for dh if he wants another cube

@Wednesday2000 lovely photo

@Siebrie big hugs

@machasraven so funny hope you are feeling better soon

@Mrs SD glad you had a good time and missed the worst of the weather, I was a bit worried as torrential rain and bikes can be a tricky combination

Yesterday was a complete wash out decluttering wise. Left the house at 10 and finished the second union thing at 6 with driving in between. Knackered when I sat down after tea and had a quick snooze on the couch. Today I am off to get my B12 jab and then I will have to type up and email off the stuff from yesterday. I did stop off at h0bby shop yesterday and picked up some white wool for a baby blanket and a needle sizer thing so I can carry on with the needle sort out

Right need to get weaving so hugs to anybody who would like one

Take care everyone
Still 783/2024

vulpix

 Hi, How's tricks?

 Nice to see you back Mrs SD.

 We went to Nottingham yesterday to the dentist. Whist in town I purchased some trousers which need shortening about a foot!

 I have been knitting, baby jumpers in 2 sizes. I am playing knitters roulette, I am on the last sleeve but will there be enough wool? Mild peril!

 Gone, the black lamp. Given to my step daughter. Also sent some food we will not eat to DD2. She doesn't earn a lot and I don't eat it and Mr V is trying to lose weight before his operation. !.5 stone so far, just by not eating cheese and butter. hahaha

 Phoned St Rachael, the consultants secretary on Thursday. She is on the case to find out what is going on. She was surprised that the consultant wants to do the operation and treatment at Christies in Manchester rather than the usual hospital closer to home. She said she would speak to him and get back to us.

 Lots of to- ing and fro- ing between Mother and the Estate agents. The house went live yesterday. There is a viewing today at 3pm. Energy assessment today at 11am. We met the builder at the till in Tescs. He needs to put up plaster board and then plaster in the sitting room window. Then we can let the Estate Agent have the back door key. The Estate Agents photos almost cut out the box of rocks on the back bedroom floor! 

 My son left his teaching job yesterday. He is going on a stag weekend at 2pm today. He said he doesn't know what to do till then , he hasn't got any marking to do! Ratgate rumbles on.

 DD1 and DD2 have both applied for new jobs. Fingers crossed.

 I have made a To Do list. 23 things. Some easy wins and others long term things. I will make a start shortly by giving the back door another coat of GREEN paint. Then a spot of gardening. Today is the only dry day forecast for the next 2 weeks.

 Vx

Pennypincin

I've managed to start tidying, although it's not made much of a dent in what needs to be done.
I also managed to do some shredding Thursday.
I will have several lavender plants going out.
I've a new suitcase in, plus some new lavender plants and some seeds.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Mini Mission in May

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: I was up an hour earlier than yesterday. It is quite bright but the sun is struggling to make an appearance. Temperature is 19C rising to 21C. DH is watching the MotoGP qualifying races. 

Nice to see you dND 👋 A lovely cheerleading post 😊 Disruptive as all the renovations are, I can almost feel your excitement 🤩 I do hope you are keeping a photographic record as it will be lovely to look back & see how much work has been done 😉 Pleased to hear that the rewiring is almost done including moving the fuse box 😮‍💨  Just wondering if you have somewhere to go for a few hours when it all gets a bit too much 🤔 Very impressed with how much gardening you are doing especially clearing out the greenhouse & filling the patio 👏  Fingers crossed for a bumper harvest of potatoes & tomatoes 🤞 As eco friendly as peat free compost is, it really doesn’t give anywhere near as much coverage 😔 & it is so expensive 😱 I am so looking forward to reading your next update 😊 Meanwhile fingers crossed that the decluttering of monies slows down 🤞

Florenceem another very busy day on Wednesday 🤩 The table top sale has come around very quickly 😱 Please, please try to have a little time to yourself 🙏 I am very concerned that you are working yourself into the ground & I don’t want you exhausting or injuring yourself 🙏

Floss, great suggestion 😊

EnergyShifter, so lovely to have you back 👋 and very pleased to hear that you are catching up with all the tasks etc that are better tackled with two eyes 😊 Also pleased to hear that the bathroom renovation is almost completed 😊 Hope the weather is being kind so that you can enjoy your days off 🤞

mhagster, I love it when decluttering/recluttering is a win/win 😊 Both you & DD2 being happy is a bonus 🥳

Liverpool_Anne, more great cheerleading 👏 You hit the nail on the head with your comments about compost - sometimes there is so much woody material that it has to be put in the compost bin to be broken down enough to be useful in the garden 😔 I also agree that the post office classifications are so complicated now that it is a case of grin & bear it when sending anything other than a letter or card 🤷‍♀️ Good luck with remaking the crochet blanket 🍀 Hope the B12 jab starts to do its work quickly 🤞

GrannyKate, great decluttering of tasks 👏 & good luck finding the missing item 🍀 Fingers crossed that the 2nd bungalow ticks more boxes than the first 🤞

ruby_eskimo, hope you managed to clean the bathroom yesterday 😉

Brie, good luck working on your OH 🍀 If you do decide to declutter the photo albums perhaps you could scan your favourite photos first - a project for a rainy day perhaps 😉

What a glorious view Wednesday2000 😍

I have caught up a little more 😉 but am flagging a little now, so will post & be back later 😉

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 823/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £166.85

QueenJess

Everything feels a bit out of control at the moment, not helped by work being rubbish.  Tried to make a dent today by clearing away 20 things, decluttering 20 things and am on the second load of washing.  Quite a bit to go, but it did make me feel slightly better.  Plus I have made a chocolate and almond bundt cake for the TLC carriage

Lots to declare as I also decluttered on Thursday, but was too tired to check in! I also deleted all the photos of stuff I took for the things I posted onto Buy Nothing.

Digital:
10 - documents deleted
67  - Photos deleted
1 - emails unsubscribed from

Physical:
1 - bathroom supplies used up
1 - bathroom storage not needed (charity box)
1 - kitchen supplies used up
1 - medical supplies binned/recycled
1 - broken bulb (binned)
4 - packaging reused
1 - sticky labels (Buy Nothing)
1 - pack of batteries (Buy Nothing)
6 - DS tat recycled
18 - tiny plastic bags recycled
1 - DVDs (charity bag)
1 - gloves that don’t fit (charity bag)
2 - DD clothes grown out of (charity bag)
1 - baking cupboard overstock used up
5 - batteries used up (recycling)
2 - wires that have perished (recycling)
1 - oil diffuser (bin)
1 - packaging (recycled)
6 - games (Buy Nothing)
New total = 9,730

May mini kitchen declutter challenge = 36/25

May/June mini clothes declutter challenge = 144/200

Edit: The cake was so good, supported by DS asking for seconds and DD trying to shovel the whole piece into her face at once!  I don't think it'll last long...

ilovetea

A few bits to add. Finally did something
1187-1189. kitchen rubbish, recycling and cat litter out.
1190. Chipped mug in bin. It was one of may favourites :-( 
1191-1194. Magazines to craft group.
1195-1197. Large bag of scruffy craft bits into recycling.
1198-1199. 100+ e-mails deleted. still lots more to do.
That's it for now.
Hope you all have a good weekend.

  ilovetea  xx

vulpix

Hi, so the to do list had several things crossed off yesterday but a lot more added. as I think of them. I will have a go at crossing some off today.

 In looking for a suitable top to go with my new trousers I have emptied my chest of drawers onto the bedroom floor. Found a few things that I had forgotten about which I will bring into use. I have found some linen things that need ironing, at the moment I have 3 things in the ironing pile. Ironing, another thing to put on the list. I have been advised to keep some old clothes to wear for the casualty events in case they need to be cut off. We have an event booked in Lincoln in July all being well with Mr V. We have another makeup class next week. This hurts,keeping old clothes. I usually get rid the moment I think something has gone past it's best.

 Pleasingly we are using up MIL's hand wash and cleaning stuff stash and I am using up my paint and fabric stash. I will still not need to buy cleaning stuff probably ever as I have added in some stuff from my Mum's too. I actually hold the National Collection of Brillo pads. I have had a brainwave as to what I can use the vintage Designers Guild fabric for. Bunting. I will donate it to the Spanish dog lady for her sales or see if I like it in my own garden.

 More socks are coming in holes and I gave a magazine away. It all helps.

 I am now off to give the front door it's first coat of GREEN paint. I painted the handle and letterbox black yesterday. The front door has 9 little windows. Masking tape at the ready.

 I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

 Vx

oceanspirit

Got got back yesterday after being away for a couple of weeks.  Had a few days with a friend, a couple of nights at an hotel doing touristy things and a quiet week in a caravan.  Came back feeling refreshed, and now worn out again after dealing with post, unpacking, laundry and an SM delivery.

Am behind with the thread but will slowly read and catch up as am always inspired by reading your posts and inspiration is much needed.  Always feel down after being away because of the mess at home despite years of decluttering and it’s only a small space.  Had to remind myself that was doing well until OH moved all his stuff in.

At least the food stocks continue to go down and the paper piles are much reduced and I will get stuck into those when I can.  Will ask OH to get summer clothes down from top of wardrobe tomorrow so I can get them into the wardrobe plus see if I need to buy anything.

The teaset finally made it to the CS and am very grateful for the space.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Mini Mission in May

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

So much for coming back later yesterday 🙊 Wrote a shopping list for DH & he headed off about 14:40. Put all the shopping away as soon as he got back including portioning meat for the freezer. I spent the afternoon dealing with my mail & other odd bits of paperwork whilst clearing down programmes from the planner. Also did a bit of knitting. DH ordered Chinese for dinner. Stayed dry all day & brightened up to a pleasant sunny afternoon with a 21C high. Started raining about 01:15 Sunday

824 - 826 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, takeaway container - recycled 

827 Kitchen detritus binned 

It rained for several hours overnight but Sunday 10:30 it is dry & fresh although overcast. Forecast is for rain at 15:00 with sunshine at 16:00 for a few hours but only a high of 19C. DH is watching the MotoGP races & I will be attempting to catch up on the cheerleading 🤞

Excellent work in the office/RoD Siebrie 👏 I see that your husband has been his usual ‘helpful’ self 😉 Eight weeks in his motherland is a long time to be away from his daughters 😔 I would have thought that as they are growing up so quickly he might have curtailed this years trip & put them & you first 😔 Pleased to hear that the visit to the dentist went well 😮‍💨 Although a shame that DD2 has a lengthy treatment in the future 😔 I seem to remember my DB had the same issue - teeth juggling for space - if I remember correctly the solution in his case was to remove a couple of teeth 😥 Very sorry to hear that you are so down 😔 I hope that whatever solution is reached is the best one for you & your girls 🙏 & would ask the same question as Floss 😉

machasraven, that is rather amusing 😅 & seems to have worked well as you got the job 🥳 Pleased to hear that you are finally recovering from the virus 😊 Although I did have to look up ‘lobster baths’ as I couldn’t remember what they were 😉 - I haven’t had one of those in a while as my DH tends to over react when I look like I have been broiled 😂

ilovetea, well done on keeping items out 👏 even though the decluttering is not going as well as you would like 😉

Excellent decluttering Happy_Kitties 👏

Liverpool_Anne great cheerleading as usual & some useful ideas for your fellow declutterati 👏 Hope yesterday’s B12 injection has started to kick in 🤞

Nice to be back vulpix - I do miss my own bed when we are away 😉 Love the idea of knitters roulette 😅 as I don’t really have that problem now as I only knit scarves, beanies & fingerless mittens with the occasional baby blanket 😅 Yippee to having St Rachael on the case 🥹 Sorry to hear that Ratgate is still an issue 😔 Good luck to DD1 & DD2 🍀 & fingers crossed for a quick sale of your Mum’s house 🤞

Pennypincin, well done on making a start with the tidying 👏 Hopefully you will soon start to notice a difference 🤞

QueenJess, sorry to hear that work is rubbish at the moment 😔 Always pleasing when your baking is so appreciated 😊 Excellent decluttering especially the digital decluttering 👏

Excellent decluttering ilovetea 👏

Excellent work vulpix 👏 Good luck with the painting 🍀 Hopefully if the old clothes need to be cut off you won’t need to bring them home to dispose of 😉 You just have to remember to take a spare set with you 😅

oceanspirit sounds like you had a wonderful holiday 😊 Hopefully now that you have completed all the post holiday tasks you can have some recovery time before starting on your next round of decluttering🤞Well done on finally getting the tea-set decluttered 👏

All caught up so I suppose I should find something to do - although I will have a cuppa first 😂 The heavens have opened - just the 4 hours earlier than forecast 😔

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2023: 827/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £166.85

dND

Happy Bank Holiday weekend all.  I’ve decided to try something unheard of for many years – to try and have a day off!! 🤣 So my day off will have vacuuming the downstairs, folding and putting away yesterday’s washing and cleaning the kitchen, with special attention to the kitchen floor.

@Floss, @Liverpool_Anne,  I looked at bulk compost and it was no cheaper plus with the slope and steps I have, the 50l bags are all I can easily move.  I’m also very wary of buying in topsoil as here in South Wales it’s a hotspot for Japanese Knotweed. 😱

I’m looking at filling the beds using the Hugelkultur or similar method – I already have a pile of cardboard. 🤣

@ruby_eskimo, I whole heartedly agree with Liverpool Anne.  If there’s anyway you can get it done without being there, do.  The electricians can then switch off the electricity and work – despite having the new fuse box they are having to work around me living here and where I still need power to cook or have some lighting.  Other than that, it’s grin and bear it – it has to be done so I’m concentrating on the future, post the major building work, when I can start making the house my home.

It's a bit of an invasive process.

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger – my garden is my sanctuary at the moment even if it’s also a source of frustration.  Even though it’s so different from France, neighbours with dogs, bbq’s, radios etc after living in the middle of a field, I know I’ve made the correct decision.  I realised the other day that the thing I missed most about my life in France, (friends excluded), was my tractors!

Chasing and fuse box not done as the last 2 electricians retired ill on Thursday and Friday respectively.  So we go again on Tuesday but the positive is that I’ve 4 days of not having to get up early and move the car and the cats are enjoying not being confined to one room while the electricians are here.  Every cloud and all that. 😁

PS, I can't remember if I said thank you for my last ⭐, If I didn't then thank you. 💕

 ******

Other than that, the weekly recycling and bins went out for Friday morning and I’ve chopped up a large pile of camellia ‘pruning’ and got that into the green waste recycling bags ready for this Friday.  That’s cleared the pile that was up against the fence that needed to be moved, ready for the fencing people whenever they are coming.  The remaining massive pile I want to process to use in the raised beds but that is on hold until I can get rid of the remains of the enormous amount of pampas grass my son hacked back.  I don’t particularly want to have it in the back of my car so it could take a while using the fortnightly green waste collection.

One extra job for today is to find my metal detector.  It’s a cheapy that I had for finding dropped nuts/bolts etc. if I was having to repair equipment out in the fields.  This garden has rather a lot of trip hazards hidden in the overgrowth.  Things like slate tiles on edge held in place with rebar or angle iron stakes sticking out at an angle plus various other bits of ironwork holding up plants and bushes. 😱😱

The only things in over the last few days has been food for me and the cats so I’ll take that as a win. 😁

It's drizzly and windy today so I'm so glad I spent most of yesterday in the garden.  Downstairs is vacuumed now and half the kitchen floor is washed and drying; the other half will be done once the first half is dry.  I'm going to try and have that elusive downtime for an hour or so. xx