2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

dND

Happy belated birthday Weenancy and hugs/commiserations/congratulations to those who would like them.

I’m still trying to get my act together!  I’m generally in a good place but for some reason I get a mental block about writing.  However, I think I can do it today – crazy how the human mind works!!! 🤣

The building work still isn’t finished.  I guess that now they’ve decided on the course of action they’ve had to order the required length of RSJ.  But nothing happened this week so I’ve managed to tackle a few frogs.

First up was cancelling the French motorway toll thingy I got to make it easy for my son to drive over to me in France.  I’d come to the end of the only-pay-for-use term and while the holding fee was only 10€ or so, it’s linked to my French bank account which I’m hoping to close before too long.  I now have the email that say’s they’ve received the returned item so that’s clear.

Next up was the French equivalent of council tax.  I was told that it would automatically stop at the end of last year.  It didn’t; so I’ve still been paying it.  Signed for letter sent to the local tax office and I have had the email saying that it was delivered and signed for.  Now I wait for the reimbursement.  Once that’s done, I think I’ve cleared everything in France and can close the French bank account.

Last week the rear fence was re-sited on the correct boundary line which has resulted in the back garden being trashed but as I plan a complete overhaul there I’m not too worried.  I managed to save most of the plants I wanted to keep. I can now start working on the back garden. 😁

I then decluttered yet more money for fence paint and while I was at it, getting the specialist paint I want for the exterior woodwork tinted to the colour I want.  I was trying to be MSE about it so took up the offer of signing up for a loyalty card and getting 20% off the cost. 😁 Being in south Wales means that exterior painting is difficult to plan but I did manage to get 2 coats of fence paint on the new fence.  It’s taken me a few days to recover and I’ve bought yet more fence paint so I can do the front fence too when there are 2 consecutive dry days. 🤞 The colour is described as Autumn Gold and looks a golden brown on the colour card.  What I put on the fence looked tangerine!  It assures me on the tin that it will mellow – I actually like the colour as it makes the greens ‘pop’.

Then today, I finally got myself down to the local GP surgery and handed in the forms to join.

I’m now just desperate for the RSJ and then the finishing off of the parking area to be done as the autistic streak in me just want’s to be alone.  Maybe next week. 🤞🤞 D💕💕

vulpix

Very nice fence. You are on the home stretch now dND. 

 Good luck with your job hunt, crazy bunny. 

Queen Jess, you are describing mine and Mr V’s shopping habits. 🤣

 I have been quilt wrangling today. Another day should do it. 

 Out, a sausage dog door stop and a bag of soft plastics. 

 We have a viewing tomorrow. Fingers crossed. 

Vx

oceanspirit

Went through my jewellery this evening, found an old key ring to go in scrap metal and a few pieces that can be sold. A few pieces on the “don’t know” pile - will have a look at them tomorrow to make a decision.

A couple of towels into the rags box to keep and use and their new replacements washed ready for action. 

Still on uu of food stocks including the freezer.

TC77

Been reading along when I can, but forgotten the replies I wanted to make! DD2 in more chaos than me and taken over spare room as cooler but my DB is coming to stay and dropping off things for me from our dad's - although some like the vintage camp beds will go to the donation hub (so glad not going to landfill). Anyway will be a challenge to do anything with lots of frogs ,chores and work.
Happy Birthday Weenancy and hope you had a lovey time with your sisters!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks 

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

Friday was a gloriously sunny day with an occasional breeze & a high of 25C. Watched lots of Olympics including more Track Cycling, Athletics, Women’s Diving, Girls Breaking & a bit of Football. Now only missing Artistic Swimming, Modern Pentathlon & Water Polo. In the afternoon neighbour G knocked on the door with an offer of apples from his tree (gratefully accepted so DSis & I will pop round over the weekend) Then DSis & I chatted with G about his dad. The NHS complaint letter has been written - 2 pages overview + 9 pages of specific incidents & copies of supplementary information. On the flip side G’s Mum is receiving the best possible care & G is insisting on face to face with doctors & NOT telephone calls. G was offered & accepted 3 hugs from me & one from my DSis 😉 Dinner was fish in breadcrumbs, chips & peas. Wudupa

1294 - 1298 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, plastic bottle, glass jar, newspaper - recycled 

1299- 1300 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned

Apologies for not being as robust at catching up with the cheerleading as I usually am - I will put it down to watching the Olympics 😅 The Breaking competition was quite interesting although the music does get quite tiresome 😉 Definitely a sign of my age 🤣 

Sleep tight everyone 😴 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1300/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £303.85

weenancyinAmerica

Thank you for the birthday wishes. After the day of my birthday being a long day of just sitting waiting for people to have their appointments, today I only had one appointment to worry about - roommate G for ultrasound. Then my sisters came and we went out for lunch - cinnamon French toast with eggs and bacon, and diet coke with real cherry flavoring in it (including the cherry). The sisters paid for the meal and are always very generous in giving presents. Then we went to the nearby charity shop so the roommate with the long drive could get home before the traffic became really bad. Found a lightweight top and a pair of trousers which I really need. Also found 12 books that haven't shown up at my library - so I will have some fresh reading to do while waiting at the doctor's offices. This week one of the roommates has her cataract surgery - the other roommate won't have his until October. The roommate J's girl friend who has been staying down here will have her radiology this week - and it's book sale week already. The cats are still helping with decluttering - had to throw out a couple of bags of stuff this week thanks to their help. We are ordering a new cat tree for them and will have to declutter more to have a  place to put it. But since part of the decluttering is them fighting over who gets to perch where in the room, maybe this will limit the squabbles to the tree itself. Since we don't have appointments on the weekends, this will be our decluttering up a storm time this month. Well, at least my decluttering up a storm time as not sure how much Di can do as her legs are all bound up and she is having cataracts removed from both eyes and shouldn't be lifting too much. The young man cleaning up the yard weeds is coming back this weekend if it cools off a little (temperature should be between 28C to 33C depending on which weatherperson you are listening to) so that might get done. It has been too hot to plant anything though. The weatherperson we watch most of the time is cheerfully saying it will cool off by Halloween!  

2Scratters

Morning Peeps,
Not sure when I last posted.

Belated birthday wishes @weenancyinAmerica

I have been trying to catch up but not winning at it. I have resolved to draw a line, so here I am.

Real life is/has been taking my piece of me time away. Sibling sister 1 had shoulder surgery at the beginning of May and is now taking the perverbial of not pulling her weight in being in attendance (literally, just sit ) with parents. I have been going 5 days a week even when DH was poorly in hospital (with a DNAR placed on him indefinitely) He is now home doing what he does ignoring his physical limits, arggh men!! Parents house finally completed yesterday over to the new custodians after 64 years. And breath....

Our bungalow has now got a new roof. The carport has been dismantled and in the garden. Hoping to get a bit of funds towards the next job. The large front window has been reduced but still large and there is half of the internal wall in the back bedroom removed until the glazier is back off holiday at the end of August. This will end up with a full glass door we (myself and DH) are still debating heatedly (not often we have a fallout) how it will look as the drawings are not matching my vision yet! more breathing...


Must dash covering DB shift at parents as he is away on holiday.

Take care all

2 Scratters xx

Moorviews

@2Scratters you have such a lot going on but I hope you get your Me time back in place soon. 

@weenancyinAmerica - Belated Happy Birthday wishes to you! It sounds like a lovely day was had with your sisters. 

I’m still doing bits and bobs but can never remember them when I come to post. I did finally get my sack of confidential paperwork off for shredding. Now have another bag to fill!

Good wishes to all and hugs to anyone in need at the moment. 

GrannyKate

Morning all - a bit behind but have been doing random sorting and packing.  Looks like my current house survey was ok as some random questions from solicitor last night which I answered as best I could.  Flat roof guarantee and an electrical work certificate sent off. Lovely plumber confirmed boiler was serviced Feb 2023 but nothing on fire so I have agreed to get them both done on Tuesday.  

New place visited with DD - needs cosmetic work throughout and full of stuff.  I had a survey done Thursday - waiting for full report but I understand mostly minor issues except possibly some asbestos insulation in loft and clarity needed about back boundary. It is liveable in thankfully.  I think I am getting excited now. 

Belated happy birthday @weenancyinAmerica.  Off to DDs on Wednesday then we are going with her for long weekend not far away.  Back here Tuesday. 

976 Various letters, forms, info sent off for house move
977 Hundreds of emails deleted and others sorted and saved
978 Agendas done for committee meeting will do papers today
979 Bag of stuff from garage to go to tip
980 DS2 has taken loads of decorating stuff from garage as his house should be available from today and move in September
981 Sorted through stuff I could not reach on top shelf which DD got down for me
982 DD took some stuff from kitchen home to use up
983 Decluttered significant sum of money on survey
984 Decluttered money to buy paint for childrens' rooms at their new house
985 Photos downloaded and saved
986 Unused kettle from garage (still in box) to go to DS2s new place

DS2 wants a filing cabinet for the garage at new house and I have one I don't want when I move so I will get that emptied this week before I go away. I've taken some pictures down off the wall. 

Wednesday2000

I was quite productive yesterday. I sent off my Class 3 NICs, opened a joint bank account for the two of us, set up some regular charity donations and shredded some unnecessary paperwork.

I still check my online banking first thing when I switch on my laptop and for some reason I got locked out today although First Direct did resolve it very quickly when I called them.

I am trying to stick to a meal plan to save money and make sure we eat everything in date so today will be pizza and salad and leftover curry and rice from yesterday. I just went through the tinned cupboard again and cleaned the shelf and put everything back. I am going to use up a few tins tomorrow making air fried new potatoes for Sunday lunch and then make a sun dried tomato soup. I have a large box of random frozen veggies in the freezer that I need to use up as it is taking up space. I am going to freeze the soup in batches as it isn't going to be soup weather on Monday as it is meant to be 31 here.

I am keeping up with the budget planner and have managed 3 NSD's this month so far. We are spending far more than I realised, but I am glad I did it to know the truth. Lol.

My retired friend sent me the template for his excel spreadsheet for how he manages his and his wife's money each month. They have the exact budget to the one we were planning on, but it is incredibly detailed and I'm not sure I will go to all that trouble. It was helpful to see though. He is 72 and his wife is my age 48, but they go out more than me and my husband do!