2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Moorviews

Such a pretty home @vulpix and it most certainly doesn’t look cluttered at all. Good luck with the bungalow 🤞
Have a lovely holiday and break @QueenJess. You deserve it and thank you for all the inspiration you provide, not to mention the baking for the TLC carriage. 

Glad to see that you have made such a happy move to the IOW @London_1
@Muddy_Walker - a lovely posy to brighten the day and a reminder that I need to go out and gather some flowers myself. 

Belated happy birthday wishes to you @crazybunnylady4 🥳 I hope you enjoy your new laptop. 

@Brie - that was a lucky find and at a great price!

Mrs SD you are sounding very organised- I am sure that it is you that keeps your household running smoothly. As indeed you do here too!

 I’m reading along and doing small jobs with the decluttering. It feels good to not always be making such a big deal of it but starting to treat it as a natural thing to do. The weeding out of my wardrobe is continuing, plus kitchen items, books and craft stuff. I have bought some fabric that I am not keen on so will pass it on. Of course, some huge and overwhelming projects wait in the wings but I hope that I am better able to break them down when I get to them. As always I find it harder with other people’s stuff. It puzzles me that I can agonise over what to do with things that others have effectively dumped on me! It feels like it should be obvious to just get rid but no, I worry that they will suddenly ask for something or feel upset about my choices even if they have already passed away. Watching the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is helping me with my thoughts on all this at the moment and includes my reflecting on my lifetime of conditioning to put other family members feelings first. It’s effectively new territory for me to really think about what I want in my home and to eject the unnecessary and unwanted items. Enough waffling from me as the sun is shining and I should crack on!
Thank you, dear Declutterati for keeping me going! Xx

oceanspirit

Had another sm delivery yesterday to get the things OH wants for his meals and also a top up of things I couldn’t get from the other one last week.  I really resent having some of my empty spaces being refilled - but at least it won’t be for long as I will continue to uu the other stocks alongside the new.

Finished a book that can go and started another which I will probably keep once read as I am finding it inspiring.  Was hoping to get rid but there are plenty more for me to read and let go.  At least there is room on the shelf for it having cleared out several others a couple of weeks ago.

Rellie came and behaved reasonably well.  Was happy to cut back hedging and shrubs so front garden looking so much better.  Still a bit more to do but OH needs time to recover before I hand him his job list.

Today will be pottering about, tidying more where I can ready for OH’s return which probably won’t be until this evening.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,

@Vulpix your house is lovely. I agree with everyone that pic of the kitchen is weird but it does give a great view of the space. I can't imagine that it will be on the market for long. People keep saying the housing market is slow but ln's son is an ea in Rochdale and he is really busy and says property is flying so maybe it's a North / South thing atm. I am conscious that I said I would come for a visit in June and here we are nearly in August. Looking forward I can see I have a fairly clear calendar for August so maybe we can sort something soon. If you want to pm some dates that might be good for you?

Yesterday the weather was mixed so I only managed 1 bag of garden waste but as the bin is full it is in the car waiting to go to the tip so not counting until it has gone. Hoping to do another bag today to make the trip worthwhile plus a few other bits to go. 1 mug accidentally decluttered. OH had left it balanced on the arm of the couch on a tray with other things, luckily the glass didn't break but OH was told off and the tray was taken to the kitchen. Another cardboard box was broken down and recycled and the kitchen recycling was emptied.  2 kitchen draws were done but they were the easiest, tea towels are packed away with some glass pots OH uses for lemon possit and the draw with the cutlery sorted. Very easy as I do tend to keep this tidy so only 2 plastic tea spoons that OH had saved for justin, ( why? we have enough tea spoons). I also found a plastic lid for a pudding bowl, not sure where the bowl is so atm I have kept it until I get to the cupboard with things like that in. 
This morning I have stripped the bed as the sun is out so clearing the washing is on the agenda, for only 2 people we seem to generate a lot of washing.

Right better get into the garden while I have some energy . Hugs to everyone who would like one

1063 mug
1064 cardboard box
1065 kitchen recycling
1066 + 1067 kitchen draws
Take care everyone
1067/2024

vulpix

Hi, I am so tired. Imaginary house renovation takes it out of you.

We have a viewing booked for Monday morning. We are going to view the bungalow on Sunday.

Another top for the charity shop.Too big, does nothing for me.

LiverpoolAnne, I would love you to come and visit. I have a few appointments and such at the beginning of August and that's all until 21st when we go to Oxford / London , possibly the South coast. When I have had some sleep and I can think, I will message you.

 Vx

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 😥 Issues at the sm checkouts meant that DH & DSis were out rather longer than usual 😔 Fortunately everything was sorted out satisfactorily 😮‍💨 Dinner was various lo portions of pasta dishes - created a teeny tiny bit of wiggle room in the kitchen freezer 🙂 Wudupa.

1216 Cardboard packaging recycled 

Friday: A brighter start to the day - quite sunny with white clouds but now (13:40) a bit less bright with a breeze. No rain forecast but we shall see 😉 DH left about 12:15 on a shortish RBR trip - due back late afternoon 🤞P.S. just checked & can see that Siebrie is back as being contactable 👏 DBro just phoned DSis - everyone doing well in Germany 😊

Excellent work in the garden Liverpool_Anne 👏 You must be almost done by now 🤞Well done on recycling so many cardboard boxes - that deserves a medal🏅 which is on its way 🙂 Good luck with the kitchen drawers 🍀

Wednesday2000, I hope you enjoyed your reflexology session 😊 If you did fall asleep, I really hope you didn’t snore 🙃😉 

oceanspirit, well done on completing the “big job” off your list on Wednesday 👏 Hopefully yesterday was a more relaxed day 🤞

crazybunnylady4, it does make life slightly easier if you love your job 😊 I do hope we get to see a picture of the scarf 🙏 I was sorry to hear that your Nan had such an atrocious experience of in-home care 😔 no wonder you are wary & would sooner look after your mum yourself. Sending several huge cwtches your way 🤗

vulpix, so pleased to hear that you were feeling brighter yesterday 🥹 Now I just need you to promise that you won’t try to do too much today 🙏 I understand that you want to be doing things but until the meds kick in properly & you have practised the exercise the doctor gave you please rest as much as possible 🙏 I don’t want to be wagging my finger at you 😅 Well done FSS & MrV 🥳 Your comment “……… I haven't missed any of what I gave her. Or for that matter any of anything I have got rid of over the years.” is very heartening 😊 I must admit I haven’t missed anything either but maybe that is because I can’t remember half the things that have gone out 🤣 Your home is absolutely stunning 😍 are you sure you want to move 😉 I love the birdcage on the bathroom window sill ☺️ Definitely a very weird angle in the kitchen 🤔 

QueenJess, congratulations on getting through the last days of your job 🥳 Such a shame about your colleagues reaction 😔 I will be kind & think that they were jealous that you were leaving 😉 It does sound like you have now entered the ‘maintenance stage’ of decluttering & although I will miss your daily posts I am ‘chuffed to bits’ that you have been so successful ☺️ I hope you have a lovely holiday ☺️ & look forward to hearing all about it when you get back 🙏 Some excellent decluttering & 🤩 to so much baking 👏 One Gold Star ⭐️ to add to your collection 😊

charlies_tribe, congratulations to your DD 🥳 You might be super busy but I am very impressed at how much decluttering you have managed 👏 I have made a note of your new target - good luck 🍀

crazybunnylady4, firstly belated birthday greetings 🎂 🎁 🥳 It sounds like you had a lovely day & what a perfect present from your Mum ☺️ Also what a great deal on a new Kindle - ‘You’re worth it’ to quote an advert 😉 Good luck with the ironing 🍀

Brie, excellent result re the specialist mouse 🥳 The stars aligned even if it did take a while 😉 You have definitely proved that sometimes patience really is a virtue 😊

Good steady decluttering Pennypincin 👏

Gorgeous flowers & beautiful vase Muddy_Walker 😊

vulpix, a lovely cheerleading post ☺️ Not quite sure why you would think your home was cluttered - I think it is perfect 😍 A ‘thread holiday’ to the IoW, now there’s a thought 🤔 The bungalow in Cheshire sounds marvellous 🤩 I can hear your brain whirring from here ☺️ Hopefully you will love the inside as much as the outside 🤞 

Lovely cheerleading Moorviews ☺️ I might “sound” organised but the reality is slightly (or should that be very) that I am disorganised 😂 It is what it is so I don’t worry too much 😉 As I was reading this “I’m reading along and doing small jobs with the decluttering. It feels good to not always be making such a big deal of it but starting to treat it as a natural thing to do. The weeding out of my wardrobe is continuing, plus kitchen items, books and craft stuff. I have bought some fabric that I am not keen on so will pass it on. Of course, some huge and overwhelming projects wait in the wings but I hope that I am better able to break them down when I get to them. As always I find it harder with other people’s stuff. It puzzles me that I can agonise over what to do with things that others have effectively dumped on me! It feels like it should be obvious to just get rid but no, I worry that they will suddenly ask for something or feel upset about my choices even if they have already passed away. Watching the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is helping me with my thoughts on all this at the moment and includes my reflecting on my lifetime of conditioning to put other family members feelings first. It’s effectively new territory for me to really think about what I want in my home and to eject the unnecessary and unwanted items…..” I thought you were not only a mind reader but had also managed to sort everything into a cohesive line of thought for me 🤩 Thank you 👏

oceanspirit, pleased to hear that DH will be home this evening ☺️ Hopefully he will recover quickly & will be able to help you continue with your very successful decluttering 😉 

Excellent work Liverpool_Anne both on the decluttering & the gardening 👏 Fingers crossed you can arrange a visit with vulpix before she moves 🤞😉 Her home is so beautiful that I cannot imagine it being on the market for very long  ☺️

vulpix, yippee to getting a viewing of the bungalow so quickly 🥳 & fingers crossed that the viewing of your house goes well 🤞There is no holding you back ☺️ but please, please try to get some rest 🙏

All caught up 🥳 DSis headed off to the doctors a while ago & I will have a cuppa, watch Countdown & then treat myself to a long soak 😉  Cwtches to all 🤗 

P.S. My thoughts & sympathies go out to the poor people of Jasper at such an awful time. I hope everyone is safe 🙏

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1216/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £303.85

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

DH got home at 19:00 as the traffic was surprisingly light 👏 DSis & I watched the whole programme devoted to the Olympics Opening Ceremony - 299 mins

🤩 Truly spectacular 🤩 especially the ‘horse’ 😍 which we watched twice 😉 I now have 16 days of doing precisely nothing apart from watching the Olympics, eating & sleeping 🤣 Dinner was ordered in - burgers & fries. Wudupa.

1217 - 1219 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, cardboard packaging - recycled 

1220 Kitchen detritus binned

My intention is to watch a minimum of 20 minutes per sport per gender 😉 Of course certain sports will get more time: Archery, Gymnastics, Athletics, Track Cycling, Diving, Modern Pentathlon, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport-Climbing, Swimming, Trampolining, Triathlon & Weightlifting i.e. 13 out of 45 sports The h very handy thing for me is that I don’t have to rely on the BBC as I have the two Eurosport Channels (although they do have adverts ☹️)

I have already ticked off an hour of women’s football - surprisingly exciting 😉 - 1 down, zillions to go 😂

Sleep tight 😴 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1220/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £303.85

GrannyKate

Morning all.  I made an offer on bungalow - will keep you posted on outcome.  Viewed with DS2 and DD yesterday and DD is doing all the negotiating.  Went to play in park - Romeo and Juliet with DGD4 (age 12) last night - it was dry but turned a little cold.  DS2 cooked Chinese for tea and DGS1 (age 19) helped bring some boxes from loft - he was looking for treasure and books.  Still stuff on table to sort but good day for decluttering

820 Hundreds of emails deleted
821 Random junk binned
822 Tickets printed for play and recycled afterwards
823 Lots of vacuuming when I had unblocked cleaner of long hair
824 Bought some plastic boxes and I am starting a collection for packing
825 Outside bin cleaned out as maggots needed to be decluttered
826 Five boxes down from the loft
827-841 Books gone home with DGS1 - DD not impressed
842-843 Books to CS bag 
844 Plastic filing box and unused cards to CS
845 CD Carry Case and random CDs to CS
846 Ornamental box to CS
847 Gloves (from bridesmaid outfit 59 years ago) to CS bag
848-859 Random items from boxes binned
860-862 Watches to DGS1
863 Cufflinks to DGS1
864 DD's 'year of' university t-shirt to DD
865 Late FIL and his father's war medals to DGS1
866 Bungalow viewed and offer made
867-873 T-shirts to CS from DS2
874-885 Magazines home with DD

There are two boxes of random old stuff - including wedding dress and late DH's scouting stuff on table on which I need to make a decision.  I cannot see any reason to keep them and don't think the family will want them.  Sadly I think now is the time to let most of them go. 

daisy_1571

The horse was amazing,  the lights off the tower likewise.  I've watched hockey and diving so far today, rugby 7s on Thurs and the semis and final of the 7s are on tonight.

Happy_Kitties

After having a poorly washing machine and the machine being pulled out, about 15 items were decluttered from underneath it when cleaned up. One of my cats is a nightmare for pinching things including the other cat’s medical syringes, found about 3 underneath the washing machine. Very satisfying that it is all fixed and floor  cleaned.

208)-222) items from underneath washing machine- pens, pet syringes, cat flea collar, air freshener,  bottle tops-binned and recycling
223) lots of pet sachets (two bags full) decluttered into relevant recycling point
224) bottle of brown sauce from DDs student days, cleaned out and popped into recycling
225) another item for the Duneln summer collection didn’t even enter the house, was popped into collection point which was still out. Didn’t expect, thought I would have to store the item for a year but happy it was decluttered straight into collection point before it got into the house.
226-227) cuddly toys x 2 popped into made up shoeboxes. 

228) old birthday cards and bits of paperwork popped into recycling

I’m sure there are other items, just cannot remember!

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,

@Vulpix whenever you have the head space , are you due a b12 jab? I know I am always very tired when that is due, hugs

@GrannyKate great news that you have found somewhere you like, everything crossed the move goes smoothly

@Mrs SD the garden is nowhere near finished. It is a jungle out there, everything is overgrown and needs cutting back or in some cases removing. A couple of years ago the neighbour over the back was replacing the fence, to be fair it had been broken a bit by some ivy but I had a length of chain link fence attached to the posts to support my climbing rose, which was beautuful but massive. When he took out the fence he just pushed the chain link into my garden so the whole border fell forward about 3 feet but sort of supported itself by entwining itself with everything else so it all needs sorting. Then of course the gap at the back got infested with weeds of all kinds but especially the bramble which I didn't spot until it got higher than the rest. OH has sporadically attacked it with the lopers but usually fails to actually remove what has been chopped which has just added to the mess so I am trying to get to the fence and clear the ground. It will be a long job and I have decided that the garden at OH's house will have to wait now. That is even more overgrown but I just don't have the energy and can't do both. One of the problems is that I procrastinate if something is in flower as I do love the flowers but it's got to be done. I have fruit trees in pots that need to be in the ground . I don't know how I am going to fit in the Olympics . I do love them and I could easily sit and watch them 24/7. To your list I would add the boxing, judo and rowing. I don't know how I will fit it all in, there are just not enough hours in the day . I see we have won our first medal in the synchronised diving

So yesterday was a good day . I took 5 bags of garden waste to the tip along with 2 bags of hard plastic, I could hardly see out of the car . 3 LDFPA so the bedding was put back on the bed before bedtime . I also have a load of washing on the maiden as I had left it in the machine while I went to the tip with instructions for OH to sort it but the time was spent watering ln's pots etc as she is away this weekend. By the time I got back it was too late for it to go on the line. While I was at the tip I met an ex colleague who I have not seen for about 10 years. We lost touch when she went to Athens when her dh got a job there. It was really good to see her and we stood gabbing for over an hour and I am going to arrange to see her for a coffee soon . The downside of this is that while we were standing gabbing a friendly man offered to empty our bags of waste and he promotly walked off with my bag which I totally didn't realise until I got home. I am a bit miffed about this as it was a smaller bag, half ton, that is much easier for me to handle than the ton bags so I have searched the net and found some that I will probably buy, much easier to get in and out of the car etc. They will get pleanty of use . At the end of the day I did a session of self care .
Today I have been a bit lazy, just listening to the radio and drinking tea, texting about football tickets but I need to pop to the sm so I had better get weaving and if the rain stays off I will try to get another bag of garden cleared
Hugs to everyone who would like one

1068 - 1072 garden waste
1073 & 1074 hard plastic
1075 - 1077 LDFPA
1078 self care
Take care everyone
1078/2024