2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Florenceem

Brie - when I was hosting students - I had a young Spanish boy arrive plus his mum one evening - she wanted to stay as well - no booking by the language school. All I could offer as I was fully booked - in the winter I would have 3 students and 5 in the summer - was a camp bed in a reception room. Mum was happy with the arrangement so stayed for 3 weeks. One day she came to me - she said - I had an accident - blood on her expensive white jeans - could I help? I was nervous about trying to treat the stain as dried blood can be hard to shift completely but gave her the jeans back as good as new. She treated my 2 sons to a Mcd meal - it was new to the town and not a regular event for my boys.

QueenJess

My parents brought with them, 1 soft toy, 30 books, 4 puzzles, 4 games, 1 toy, 1 bag of Lego, 1 bag of unwanted baking supplies and a spare very old iPad.  And that was a good day for them   Now I just feel stressed and overwhelmed again and as usual spend the rest of the evening (and the following weeks) trying to organise/tidy this extra stuff and get rid of this/other stuff to accommodate it.  Apparently they still have "loads of stuff" at their house

Some decluttering done, but still lots still to go as usual.  Packed up another box to go to charity.  Just continuing trying to make progress everyday, even if I just declutter 1 item.

1 - skirt that doesn’t suit me (charity bag)
1 - DD toy she doesn’t want anymore (Buy Nothing)
1 - DS toys (charity bag)
5 - packaging reused
1 - uncomfortable shoes (charity bag)
2 - plant pot/saucer (parents)
3 - puzzles (charity box/Buy Nothing)
4 - DS tat binned
3 - Ds tat (charity bag)
10 - DS books (charity bag)
2 - cuddly toys (Buy Nothing)
2 - fake flowers & pot (Buy Nothing)
New total = 12,508

May/June mini clothes decluttering challenge = 226/200

-taff

Fizz, I had bc in 2018, mastectomy, lymph node removal, chemo and radio. I would say, be ready to help with the stupidest things, like cleaning shoes or whatever. One of the best things someone got me was the softest throw, I used it all the time to sleep under. Everyone deals differently, so be led by her and don't tell her what to do or how to act, just help if you can see her struggling with something or be the sympathetic ear. Also, be wary of telling her she has to 'fight 'it. That was and still is so very very annoying for me, it suggests if things go downhill, it's your fault for not doing enough. And be ready to drive her to and from appointments if she can't orhelp her organise transport if she needs it. I would also suggest potentially getting in touch withCAB if she is still working to help sort out what she can and can't apply for.

daisy_1571

I too loved cheesecloth vulpix.   I had a short shirt that had ties at the waist.  Loved it.

Queen jess.  My suggestion re your parents- thank them at the door, say how wonderful it is to receive this stuff. Put the bags in your bedroom and close the door so the kids don't rake through it and start wanting stuff. (perhaps meet them in the drive and put it straight from their car into your boot.  Tell them you find it easier to sort it there before the kids drag it all over the house.)  Once they are away home again and the kids are at school get the bags out to the car boot (if they aren't there already), have a quick rummage through just to see what categories it comes into, pop anything appropriate straight into your bucket and recycling (as I assume your car will be near your buckets) and take the rest to the charity.  Its your stuff, your parents are happy to get it out their house, you are helping them by taking it in dribs and drabs rather than clearing whole attic in a oner if they downsize however..... you didn't have it in your house before, therefore you don't need to accommodate 30 more books etc just because they wanted to keep them. 

Dont stress, get in front of it by planning for this to happen the day after they go (since you know they always bring stuff), dont accommodate the stuff, dont sort it, dont think about it, just know its going to bounce into your home briefly and bounce straight back out.  Easiest half hour ever.

Then at some point maybe get into their attic and have a look yourself.  If you can clear anything straight from there it makes everyone's life easier saving them carrying things down stairs and out to their car.  It might be a kindness to them, saving them stressing and trying to manage it.  These things aren't as stressful when you are young, they had great intentions in keeping this stuff but maybe now its a source of stress to them even if they aren't com8ng out and saying that.


Florenceem that was a bit cheeky of the mum to just arrive for a free holiday 😀 


Still lots of really great advice re the health issues,  this thread really is the fount of all wisdom 

Daisy xx

Florenceem

daisy_1571 - no problem - she paid me direct.

daisy_1571

Aw thats good to hear     

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

Slept reasonably well - in 2 hour blocks waking at 02:00, 04:00: 06:00 & finally fully awake at 07:45 Sunday. We pottered about, getting washed & dressed & packing the rest of the bags. Currently dull & dry although the sun is trying hard to break through. Went to breakfast at 08:55 after putting 2 bags in the bike. Breakfast was delicious - properly cooked bacon 👏 Back to our room where I wrote postcards & we packed the last few bits. DH packed the last bag in the bike whilst I paid for dinner. I walked up to the postbox & posted cards into a very full postbox 😉 We were on the road by 10:05. The weather had brightened up considerably - blue skies, white clouds & sunshine. The day got off to a good start re animal sightings - a mummy duck with 9 ducklings crossing the road 😊 Then we had a little mishap 😬 Uphill to a T-Junction, went to turn right as camper van indicated very late to turn left from the T, we went to go but DH foot slipped & it was the slow topple to the left. I scrambled out from under the bike quite quickly on my hands & knees & DH managed to lever himself out from under the bike a minute later - both injury free but we might have some bruises tomorrow. Meanwhile the camper van driver & another driver who had arrived behind us helped DH stand the bike up. They hung around until DH started the bike & completed the right turn 😊 (Two hunky young men 🤣) I climbed back on the bike after the right turn 😉 For the rest of the day we avoided any & all sharp turns whether left or right 😅 Due to a road closure because of tree cutting we ended up going through a country estate with fancy gates - see pic 

Probably the only stags we will see this visit to Scotland 😉 We stopped off at The Arbroath Smokies shop & bought one - having had a taste neither of us is a fan so the bulk of it was left out for the crows/gulls. About 14:30 we arrived in Falkland to take a photo of a huge water fountain & then parked up & had coffee & cake 😋 Shortly before arriving at the hotel at 17:15 (The Highland Gate, Stirling) we saw a rabbit which apart from the usual cows, sheep, horses, ponies, corvids & gulls was the only animal we saw apart from the ducks 😕 We showered & changed & walked over to the pub at 19:20. Nice chat with the landlord when I ordered drinks. Next time I went to the bar the landlord was changing the barrel for DH’s choice of ale. I ended up with a free pint as the landlord was surprised at how pleasant someone from London was ☺️ I didn’t mind waiting & apparently I had a friendly face 😊 Made my day as I ended up with 2 pints for the price of one 😉 Dinner was delicious - DH had lamb koftas in a Camembert cheese sauce with a minty yoghurt followed by a burger & chips. I had chicken liver & brandy pate with a delicious chutney, pickled red onion & toast - scrumptious 😋 followed by sea bass in a lemon & ? sauce with crushed potatoes, mangetout, green beans & peas 🤤 Back in our room by 08:45. All in all a very good day - mainly blue skies, white clouds & lots of sunshine, good food, helpful people & no injuries from our topple 😊 

Floss, great idea 👏

Nice to see you diminua 👋 Nothing wrong with being in the same place as March especially as some of the items in are useful gifts 😊 I am positive that you will soon be more out than in over the 2nd half of the year 👏

Soontobeoap, excellent work reducing your craft stash 👏 & what a great idea to use the branches from your pruned camellia bush 🥳 So eco friendly 😊

Fizz2015, pleased to hear that the work event went well 👏 I do like the life lesson you are teaching your DD - “save then spend” 👏 It is so easy to get into debt if you have the ‘I want it now’ attitude without making any effort 😔 So very sorry to hear about your sister 😔 Sending gentle hugs 🤗 to you both. 

Thank you for the information Floss 👏 I hope both you & your friend are both well on the road to recovery ❤️‍🩹 

weenancy, fingers crossed that you find the kitten’s owner 🤞 You are already doing so much that I think an extra job is not needed 😔 What an excellent amount of money raised from this month’s book sale 🥳 I had never heard of Zelle so thought I would investigate 😉 I really am a dinosaur & easily put off by the stuff I read 🤔 When it comes to financial matters I always look at worst case scenarios 😱 Although the Library has obviously done its research & I am just a worry wart 😕 Excellent decluttering of emails 👏 Please don’t forget to pop into the TLC Carriage 😊

Lovely cheerleading post Liverpool_Anne 😊👏 The RBR (Round Britain Rally) is such a great way to see the countryside & I hope you are enjoying the googling 😊 Your mention of midges & bites reminds me that touch wood I have been lucky - not a single bite so far but poor DH - he has some on his arms, some on his legs & a couple on his face 😔 despite wearing his helmet for most of the day 🤔 Hope you have managed to get a couple of nights of decent sleep since Saturday evenings post 🙏 

Wednesday2000, so sorry to hear that you are feeling so unwell 🤒 I hope you have managed to get some rest & relaxation so that you can enjoy Sunday’s meal out & the concert 🙏 Sending gentle hugs 🤗 to both you & your husband (with your permission of course 😉)

Excellent decluttering butterfly2507 👏 Good luck with your sales 🍀

London_1, thank you for sharing your experience of BC 👏 Such a supportive & encouraging post for Fizz2015 😊 Everything crossed that the contracts are exchanged on Monday 🤞A moving date of 5th July would mean only another 11 days of camping in your house 😉 Look on the bright side, at least you will be able to vote 😅

daisy_1571, a beautiful post & a lovely way for weenancy to proceed 😻 

Oops, just noticed the time, so I will post & run 😉 Cwtches to all 🤗 & I hope everyone has had a good weekend 😊

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅 

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2024: 974/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £228.85

weenancyinAmerica

Have been informed by neighbors who saw kitten's arrival that there is probably no former owner as the mother cat brought the kitten here and dropped it off. Turns out it is a boy cat, two months old, and my roommates have already gotten attached to it. We will see how it goes. 

Last night had to call paramedics for Di as she fell again and we can't get her up. Took her to the emergency room and I followed after having to go out the back door to avoid the skunk that was on the the porch. (We may have more wildlife here than you are seeing on your trip Mrs. S_D.) Apparently there is a family of skunks and the city is going to come and see what it can do to relocate them. Either the same skunk or a different one was on the porch when we got home at 3 am. It ran away so we were able to get back in without too much trouble. Di has a bandage around her ankle and will have a black eye for awhile. I managed to read 154 pages in another book.

Still got up at 7 to feed the cats. Then back to bed for an hour before getting dressed to deliver last sample to be checked for kitten to the Dog and Cat Hospital. Back to pick up prescriptions and do some shopping in one store, followed by visiting Aldi's, then to another store where I had arranged a pickup order. Managed to get most of what I went for as I remembered to make a list - and most important, take it with me. Just missing one kind of cheese, so I had to substitute. Home and unpacked the car. Noted expenditures in calendar as I try to keep up-to-date on what I have spent. Have enough for gas and maybe some shopping for trousers at the thrift shop. 

Our temperatures are hitting 32C. Supposed to drop a degree by the end of the week. Summer is here.

daisy_1571

Of course everyone is going to get attached - its a kitten!!  That was always going to happen.  Lol, gorgeous tiny cat, cute as a button, playful and funny.  However it stops being a kitten after about 6 months.  Then it remains a cat needing litter trays cleaned, stimulation, places need cleaned after inevitable accidents, depending on its proclivities it will either claw carpet/wood/furniture/door frames or something else, it will need vet bills for illnesses vaccinations and routine ops, etc etc for possibly another 20 years.  Being male it may well spray - carpets/curtains/a favourite corner, it will possibly choose somewhere.

As the responsible adult in your household and considering you didn't have an overwhelming desire for a new pet, ignore your housemates - they are like children wanting something new but with no sense of responsibility.   You don't need the hassle cos it won't be them dealing with the downsides will it?.  Someone else will love this little guy.  Get it advertised and away.

Said with the very, very best of intentions and kindness for you and for kitty

Daisy xxxxxxxxxxxx

(PS Declutterati - please don't stomp on me!  I know all the positives of having pets, I'm just pointing out as many of the drawbacks as I can think of to balance out the inevitable "aaaawwww" at the impossible cuteness of a kitten to save weenancyinAmerica having yet another responsibility dumped on her when she is already sounding so exhausted from all the other responsibilities she has.  I'm not a monster, I'd be exactly the same - head saying one thing whilst my body would be on the floor tickling it's tiny kitty tummy 😺 😍)

butterfly2507

hello everyone! hugs to those who need them

(15) make up bag: it's a super good one that i got as a gift with purchase but it's a bit too small for the things i take on vacation with me (mascara fits in ... anything bigger than that, no)
(16) refillable perfume bottle: it's one of those that you can fill up with your regular perfume and then take with you, so you don't have to take the huge bottle ... i used this twice so it's leaving!
(17) plastic sleeves: i used them to put photocards / stickers / thank you notes in and i just have too many of them