2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Florenceem

Pleased to say I sold the size 10 ladies shoes for the asking price of £36. Today has been a good day for sales - over £60.
We went to SA to take in a food delivery last night - sorted bags of donations while we were there.
Today I was asked to be at SA by 8.30 - I didn't leave until 11. I had a sort out of the crates upstairs bought some bits home to sell on V.
I took lots of photos today and been busy wrapping parcels and listing.
SA have started a singing group as the Songsters numbers were so low. I can't sing but I go with 2 friends who also can't sing and we have a great time. We had our first performance two weeks ago I sent a video to my youngest Dd who is Director of Music at her school - her comment - not terrible.
I have been to singing practice tonight - working on the song for Sunday.
Youngest Dd and Dgs called here on the way to taking him home - he has decorated 4 rooms in a week - bless him.

TC77

6 from this morning 1593, been in the office most days but hope to do some at lunchtime and evening Friday, 
Lovely to see people popping back in and  hearing how they are, although too many in need of the TLC carriage but thankfully is is well stocked and cosy.

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 10:00 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

Yes, I did go out 😉 Dropped off 2 large bags of donations to the CS. Apart from being pleased with the knitted items, the biggest joy expressed by the lovely lady in the CS, was for the large amount of bubblewrap 😉 closely followed by the small box of pin badges/brooches. I finally signed up for Gift Aid 🙊 Popped into a bank to withdraw some cash - I dislike using outside ATMs, I do feel safer indoors especially if there is a security guard on duty 🙂 Then headed back, DLR then a bus which I stayed on past my home bus stop continuing on to the Surgery Pharmacy with the walk-in facility where I had my jabs - one in each arm. Then bus home, DH & DSis were back. As I received my bank statement this morning, I checked & updated my accounts, put November’s 1p Savings Challenge amount in the Terramundi Pot + did a bit of shredding. Everything tallied 🙂

1918 - 2005 Mysteries of the World book & DVD box set; baby blanket; 90” long scarf knitted with all odds & ends of yarn; 2 feather & fan stitch scarves; knitted set of scarf, hat & wrist warmers; 61 plaited bookmarks; 2 large amounts of bubblewrap; large roll of bubblewrap; 2 books; rigid camera case; pair of grippy soled socks; small shoe horn; boxed set of South Park figurines; 2 packs 4” x 6” photo cards; small box (from stash) containing 7 brooches or pin badges - CS

Dinner was shop bought pies, oven chips & baked beans. Wudupa.

2006 - 2009 Kitchen & office recycling, drinks cans, glass bottle - recycled 

2010 - 2011 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned

Brie 🤢

Excellent work 2Scratters 👏

Excellent work creating your ‘Yoga Space’ Moorviews 👏 Well done on the decluttering 👏

Excellent work suzeesu2000 👏 I think that classes as dealing with a frog 🥳

Another very busy day Florenceem 👏 Great news re the sale 🥳 Sounds like you are enjoying the singing & if your DD has commented “not terrible” the choir cannot be too bad 😊 I am awarding DGS a Gold Star ⭐️ for working so hard & getting so much done 🤩

Excellent work TC77 👏 You are definitely powering along 😊 Hope little cat is OK 🙏

All caught up & off to bed as I NEED to be out of the house by 09:30 for my breast screening appointment 😥 DH is taking me on the bike.

Sleep tight 😴 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 2011/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £571.70

London_1

Mrs SD indeed the USA holidays are very different to the Uk ones. At Christmas here there seems to be for many that it stretches into the New Year.
 Danny said when he first went to the USA  no Boxing Day seems strange, but they seem to have lots of different ones to us to compensate for it .

DGS Jack took us out to lunch as well and it was warm enough to sit outside in St James Square at Newport .I enjoyed a very tasty ham and cheese croissant with a decent cuppa as well and we people watched for a time.Then went to Yaveland Beach to run the three dogs. 

Ben and Jack go back to the mainland tomorrow, Jack to Kent ,and Ben to East Finchley, but tomorrow night the other brother Henry is arriving for a couple of days, then all four lads will be home for Christmas, as Mikey has a choice of  working Christmas Eve or  New Years Day at his part time job in Colchester.
 He said he would work New Year and will be home for Christmas. His boss is really good and arranges his shifts around his Uni lectures, and if he does a late one which finishes at midnight she will always drop him back at Halls so he doesn't need to walk or get a cab.
But she knows that if he can he will cover a shift at short notice as long as his Uni stuff is covered.Its made such a difference having some cash coming in as the grant goes nowhere.

The CS stuff was dropped off yesterday and I will this morning be searching around for more odds and ends to declutter. Its an ongoing job I think at the moment

The builders seem to have almost finished the kitchen, so lots os second fixing being done in the sitting room and Shower/loo etc The radiators went on yesterday, plus the two doors and all the skirting boards.The bacon sandwiches and tea seem to keep the chaps happy in there while they work.

DGS Ben and Jack are going fishing today as its dry, and they both love to fish. DD has to sort out some banking with her OH in Newport so i will be doggy sitting this morning, and chief tea maker for the builder chaps in between rooting around for stuff to declutter.

It will be so nice to get straight , I think the carpet chap is coming to measure up and quote either this afternoon or tomorrow morning for my sitting room.

We are still waiting for the window man but its been measured so its just being made so I think its maybe another week before the window goes in at the front.

The two boys bought a couple of pumpkins and a tin of goodies yesterday, and carved the pumpkins last night ready to go in the windows tonight you'd never thing these are two grown up adult teachers at 24 and 28 they are like a couple of kids but then they loved all the silliness of Halloween when growing up with their Mum who is a big kid herself even though she's almost 55  
It will be so quiet when the boys have all gone back to their respective jobs and lives, back to just the three of us and the three dogs

Hope everyone has a good day November tomorrow ! only 55 days to Christmas where has this year gone to who decluttered it  

JackieO xx

GrannyKate

I am skim reading everything but living in total chaos.  It is now Thursday and solicitor has failed to return any calls or answer any emails this week from myself or the estate agent.  It is so unprofessional - even a message via a minion with an update would be polite.  I have realised that I was nice person to work with as I always returned calls (even when I didn't want to).  I have no idea what is going on but have told solicitor I assume I am moving on 11th unless I hear differently.  Roofer quote eventually turned up so that will need doing asap. 

DD has been here all week and she has worked herself hard so we didn't have time to count but at least 100 items have been binned, recycled or in CS Bag.  She has also been working on line with numerous meetings as well.  AT 7 this morning she suddenly realised the garage were coming to look at her car at 10.30 today not tomorrow so she had a quick tea and set off home. Disappointing not to have got things settled re move this week as she is abroad on business all next week.  So much stuff has gone - it was easier doing it with someone - lots of late DH's old work stuff and papers and late mil's papers.  Ten filing boxes in loft reduced to less than half a box.  DD has dismantled things, taken things off wall, emptied second half of loft etc.  New pile of stuff in porch to go.

I did buy a couple of Christmas items (basket for hamper and advent calendars) and the rest of November cards.  Just eaten a cream cake that was staring at me when I opened the fridge.  

1364-1463 At least 100 plus items to tip or CS shops earlier this week.  Including broken pots and soil - we were allowed a limited number at tip for free.  Most of soil went on garden.  I have 60 empty pots ready to go but may have to cull those.  Kept half of rhubarb plant and about 10 small pots with things in.  
1464 Paid deposit to removals firm - hopefully they will drop off some boxes today.
1465 Small electrical items and cable bagged up as they should take them with recycling today
1466 Large quantity of lego went to DS2's house - he is selling some
1467 Dining table - too big and heavy for sale
1468 Fireman Sam toys for sale - will CS if no interest 
1469-1478 Ten boxes of papers gone through (with glass of wine and DD) - most shredded or taken to recyling
1479 Wooden coat hangers to DS2
1480 Purses to CS bag
1481 Military buttons and collection of pin badges sent to DGS1
1482 Smaller section of loft emptied and shelving dismantled - all lofts now empty
1483 Random items of late DH either to CS shop or tip
1484 Tidied DGS4's room - he can take some stuff to my house and his dads but some may have to be stored. Tat to bin.
1485 Found boxes of specialist precision tools and instruments from late DH's apprenticeship in 1960s.  Contacted a specialist and he asked for photos which we are sending today. 
1486 Pick axe to tool section at tip
1487 Random chipped crockery binned - only 2 cupboards in use in kitchen now
1488 Two frying pans to metal at tip
1489 Vegetable rack to CS shop
1490 Packing stands at 77 boxes and 11 bags
1491 Packed cushions, washed covers - 2 were not worth keeping so binned 
1492 Keys sorted and labelled
1493 Safe emptied and DD took it off wall ready to go

Just waiting now.  I do know sellers are at the 'new house' emptying it.  Good luck doing it in one week - parents had lived there from new ie 1960s.  It has taken me months to sort and pack 25 years worth of stuff here. 

oceanspirit

Jackie, your new life sounds wonderful.

Granny Kate, your solicitors are being most unhelpful with their lack of communication - even if they don't know the answers to your queries it wouldn't take long just to say so.

Mrs SD - you are on a roll, keep at it!

A couple more DVDs to go plus some general rubbish from yesterday's tidying session.  Frog nudged along further and will do the email today.  6 yo frog not done yet.  Library book reading also nudged along yesterday.

regnbue

@GrannyKate I have been reading your saga of moving house and I feel I just have to say something about the appalling attitude of your solicitor.

When we were selling my late parents' home over a decade ago our solicitor basically sat on it and did nothing for 2 weeks.  A straightforward sale, empty house bought by cash buyers so basically no chain but after a fortnight of no communication I asked a friend who worked at a law firm for advice.

She told me to write to the solicitor asking for the name of their Managing Partner who would be the one supervising their work and to give them a deadline of needing X information by X date.  I did this and added I required them to chase the other side's solicitors if they were dragging their heels every day and send me daily emails about progress or otherwise.

It did work although the other side's solicitors were a one person operation so it did drag on a bit.  I am guessing she did not want a complaint about her work going to her Managing Partner.

You can also contact the Legal Ombudsman.

Good luck.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, better day yesterday in that I actually got a few things done . 2 loads through the machine but they didn't completely dry on the line so are on the maiden. I had a bit of a sort through some bits in my toiletries stash and have passed on a tube of hand cream to OH to keep in the car. It is a particular lemon fragrance that OH likes and as the hand wash routine and car wipe down is still happening in the car the hand cream in the car is on it's last squidge. Another tube of hand cream that matches what I have bought for my dsis for her birthday has been put in the present bag so they will be wrapped up together and posted off next month. I have also started a bag to take with me when we next meet with ex colleagues, some still working in the school so various craft bits and things the kids can use and a few bits that I think some of the adults might like / use . I remembered to put ln's bins out so I put them back in her back garden and got a bag of garden waste into the green bin. Then after watching Martin on tv on Tuesday I decided to tackle the energy company frog. It took me a while as they wanted everything done on the website but I wanted to speak to someone and I did eventually find a phone number that worked. I spoke to a very nice helpful woman who even called me back as it was a bad line with lots of crackling.  She talked me through the options and we had a laugh about how people are always prompted to sort things after watching Martin . So 2 energy fixes which should save me £90 a year, low energy use here and a reduction in both monthly direct debits as I am in credit . Also discussed the low peak thing that has been advertised when you do all the washing etc on Sunday and explained I have a smart meter, had one for years, but it doesn't always work as it's so old and she has booked an engineer to come and fit a new meter at the end of November. I think she felt sorry for me as I had to get down in the gas cupboard for the meter readings and as the conversation moved on I said hang on a minute while I get up from the floor . I had the phone in one hand and a torch in the other and have reached a stage of creakyness where I need at least 1 hand to get up from the floor . So overall quite pleased with myself for getting that all sorted and the old smart meter unplugged as it's not working and put to one side as I expect they will want to take it away with the old meter when they fit the new one.
I watched the budget and although I didn't get what I wanted most I was happy with many of the other things. However I can't see much improving for many people for a few years
Well it's Halloween tonight so I need to get a few sweets sorted out today, we don't usually get many callers but I want to be ready in case . Last night was mischief night which I find particularly worrying as you just never know what might happen. I have found smashed eggs on the car windscreen before I am not sure what else I will do today, I might take a look at the big to do list and see if I can get something done .
I have been interrupted by a union thing that has really annoyed me and I am going to have to go and deal with it.

Hugs to everyone who would like one

1637 bag of garden waste
1638 energy frog sorted
1639 & 1640 hand cream removed from stash
Take care everyone
1640/2024

Bozwood

Hi I posted quite a while ago that I was decluttering to move house well we are in it’s been a long time we have sold stuff given away to friends and family charity shop runs and lots of tip runs but we have moved. We are very happy with the new house just getting it to how we like   I need to take more to the charity shop as I have not finished unpacking jet and have too many clothes to fit in the space

London_1

I was sitting thinking about this time last year when I was stuck in hospital and thinking that we'd never get moved to our forever home Yet here we are myself DD and son-in-law Simon here on our beloved IoW.
OK so we are in a muddle because of having the builders in for several weeks but at least we know it will soon be sorted and once they have finished we can really get the house straight
The carpet man came and measured up so just awaiting the quotes now for the carpets

Had a nice chat with my cardio lady ,they are so good  at the surgery,and ring when they say they will. She's changed my meds as she wasn't happy with some of the side effects I was getting so DGS Jack popped me down to get the new meds.
DD and Simon came back from Newport having gone to the nice butchers shop there, and its sausage and mash for dinner tonight. They also popped into the BHF shop and picked up a almost new freeview box for my TV at a very reasonable price. Once I have my sitting room up and running I'll have my tv on the go as well. Must admit I've barely watched much since we moved. I always seem to be doing something else and when the boys are here we are great scrabble lovers or play cards. I'm also working my way through the paperbacks I brought with me which then get donated to the CS or the Tesco charity shelf in the big store.

The boys pumpkins will go in the windows shortly and the sweets in a big bowl for any little ones that knock

Hope everyone has a good evening

JackieO xx