2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Floss

dND said:

The latest dilemma is the RSJ.  It turns out that there was never a supporting wall downstairs and the brick wall upstairs is built on the floorboards with a joist almost underneath.  So, one guy suggested leave it, another thought is to knock down the wall between the bedrooms and replace it with a stud wall but the boss seems to want to put in the RSJ.  The only problem with that is there is no support for the beam downstairs at one end other than build a pillar in the entrance doorway.  They are also contemplating bolting it to the side wall of the doorway but that’s actually a chimney wall so I’m not convinced it will take the strain and judging by the fact they aren’t here, neither are they.  Add to that, I have no idea how they will get a 3.3 metre metal beam into the room as my windows only have the little openings at the top and the room is at the back of the house with very little access.  So, I’m feeling a bit stressed out by it all.

Have your local council's Building Control team been consulted about the RSJ? They might need to come & inspect to approve / give direction.

Wednesday2000

I went through my wardrobe and found three dresses, two tops, a zip up fleece that is too tight and a cushion cover. I will take it all on Friday.

I want to watch that Swedish Death Cleaning show. I was hoping it is on a channel I have.  Oh. I do have it, I'm about to watch the first episode.😁

ionafan

I find the most interesting part of the Swedish Death Cleaning show is the very different background story to each episode.  I didn't enjoy Episode 1 much (the lady in question was too loud for me) but, having now reached Episode 4, I am hooked.  It's also been quite helpful to me in terms of how to decide what to keep and how to pass things on to younger generations.  I am in the middle of sorting about 20 albums full of family photos....!!!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

vulpix, I have PM’d you.

short_bird

Afternoon, all! Quick whoosh by as working later.
2146: shredding
2147-2148: bag of rubbish and bag of recycling escorted to downstairs bins
2149-2183: packaging to recycling
2184-2235: rubbish herded
2236-2240: 250 emails deleted
2241-2277: 37GB data deleted

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

Wednesday: A bright sunny day & already 22C at 13:00. Wheelie bin emptied early this morning & now has new bin bag. I am on my second cuppa. I will catch up with the cheerleading & then get on with some decluttering or tidying or maybe some housework/laundry 😉

vulpix, wow talk about making a quick decision 🤩 From thinking about moving sometime in the future to booking a house viewing & all in the space of 30 hours 😊 I hope the viewing goes well 😊

GrannyKate, gorgeous photos especially the one of the cat 😻 So pleased that you had a great time 😊 Hopefully you will be as lucky as vulpix & will find a new house to view that will potentially be your forever home 🙏

ruby_eskimo, busy & exciting times ahead 😊 Fingers crossed that your moving date is confirmed 🤞 & that your holiday recharges your ‘life batteries’ so that moving is a doddle 😉 🙏 

Excellent decluttering Pennypincin 👏 Congratulations on both the slimming down & the buying new undies 🥳

dND, sorry to hear that life is still so stressful 😥 but very pleased to see you back posting on the thread 😊 I must admit to being very surprised/shocked 😳 that the surveyor didn’t point out that there is no supporting wall downstairs 🤔 & agree with Floss that your next step is to contact your local council’s Building Control department 😔 I will keep absolutely everything crossed that the solution is not too onerous 🤞🙏 Many, many cwtches are coming your way 🤗 🤗 🥰 

daisy_1571, I am watching them weekly so next episode is Thursday 😉 I love the presenters but wasn’t particularly enamoured of the first person as she was a bit too loud for me 😊 Although having said that, I really admired her energy & her renewed zest for life  🤩 

Floss thanks for the information 👏

Excellent decluttering of your wardrobe Wednesday2000 👏 Hopefully you will love the presenters - they are hilarious but effective 😊

ionafan, after such glowing praise, I am now really looking forward to seeing the next 3 episodes 😊

Excellent decluttering short_bird 👏

All caught up so no excuses not to do something/anything 😂

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1163/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £303.85

Wednesday2000

I just went up and looked at my handbags so three of them were added to the donation bags. 

I'm on episode 3 now. I did shed a few tears at the first two episodes! I'm certain I read the book it is based on.

GrannyKate

Hi all - just another quick post - it is hot this afternoon but not quite the same as when you are by the pool with glass of wine.  @daisy_1571 - your cat cartoon post the other day reminded me of Ginger William from my childhood.  We had a very high shelf where the chimney went into the wall and mother kept a row of vases up there.  Ginger was ok as long as the vases were empty but many came crashing down if mother attempted to put dried leaves or flowers in them.  

Hugs to all who need them and congrats to all who have already moved.  Hopeful about a property that is just going on market - waiting for them to ring me about a viewing. 

721-726 Clothes items which didn't come back from holiday 
727 New dress that doesn't fit me right in CS bag
728 DS2 posted off box of CDs
729 Temporary wardrobe binned (broken)
730 Decluttered filling as soon as I got home so will soon be decluttering money
731-740 DD sat down and dealt with list of frogs with me - house insurance (Current quote was horrendous - halved that), various things for September France trip, hotel booking, etc
741 Neighbour has had bushes trimmed and lots fell in garden so chopping up for brown bin collection tomorrow

Estate Agent rang to ask if I had found anywhere as buyer is asking.  

QueenJess

A flying visit as I'm in a rush - need to get DS to swimming very soon.  Day off today, which is never a day off and more running round like a headless chicken trying to get everything done.  Been trying to declutter the fridge today (by using things up) before we go on holiday and note that I'm starting to lose control over the freezer, so that will need to be reorganised and used up over the next few months.

Did the games cupboard today and they should now all fit in one cupboard, which means I have one spare.  In theory I could put the wine in the spare one and if I can find space for all the glasses somewhere, there will be no need for the sideboard..  maybe that will happen one day!  I also packed up two bags for charity and have another bag and the last two boxes half full already.

I asked DH earlier how much stuff he thought we had compared to the average household.  He said we had the same as an average household (although we have a larger house), and to be honest I think he is right.  Definitely more stuff to go, but finding it gets harder.  Am a bit sick of a permanent charity and Buy Nothing pile in my room; as soon as it goes out, more fills the spot.  Eventually the flow should drop to a trickle, but currently it isn't obvious to me where the excess is hiding.  Hopefully the holiday will mean I will be able to view everything with fresh eyes and means August should be a better decluttering month.  It feels like we've decluttered so much already, but still not where we need to be.  I blame the parents

Oh, and I naughtily bought another very small houseplant to cheer me up in the library.  It now has two very small ones in there and looks much nicer.

2 - broken plastic boxes (binned)
1 - storage box I don’t need (Buy Nothing)
5 - games (charity bag)
2 - packaging reused

New total = 13,884

July In: 24, July Out: 697

TLC carriage now has hm organic strawberry smoothie ice lollies to cool everyone down in the hot weather and some hm flapjacks to keep energy up for decluttering sessions.

Edit: Sorry @Mrs_Salad_Dodger I know you asked ages ago about the silicone freezer bags.  I use a combination of very good glass dishes (with glass lids) and silicone bags, although I don't tend to freeze anything completely liquid like soup.  The silicone bags are fab, although not all of them are equal (some are impossible to open) and I tried a few before I found good ones.  The stasher ones are good (expensive though), but I found some excellent ones made in the UK instead called Moon Moon.  What I like about them is that you can buy sets, but they also have some extra big bags which stand up that I used to freeze my hm bread in slices and also are big enough to freeze cake slices or a load of muffins.  I have two sets of them and use the tiny ones to take snacks out for the kids.

florianatwobob

@dND when we had a wall knocked out in the kitchen no one was sure if the wall was supporting the stairs and a correspondingly short wall upstairs…. We were scheduled to have a RSJ  but our structural engineer came out again to check if it was needed and and revised his calcs and swapped to timber instead. It’s got brackets, screws and super strong glue holding the timber in place.  definitely have a chat with building regs and a structural engineer. Worth the cost.