2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

_Dolly_Rocker_

@Duchess2 - I wouldn't worry. If @Dizzycap wasn't aware I'm sure she would have been happy for that information. 

My 2 dogs are my first so it's all a learning curve for me. I'm quite clued up now but only because I am on dog #2 so have learned quite a bit along the way. 

Mrs_Money_Penny

Sending hugs to you all that need them especially @Florenceem I really feel for you the way you are both being treated.
Mainly digital decluttering 
228 photo
1073 emails
29 items left the house mostly by a dump run.
total 1330 = 3456

Willowtree222

I think your prayers were answered MSD. I made a sale!!! 

sqwiffy

@Dizzycap - No one at the hospital or surgery?? We all need to move there! At two hospitals and two surgeries I've been in the last week, they were rammed to the rafters with patients!! And a dachsund that killed a baby? Just goes to show, you can't be too careful with animals and babies but it sounds unbelieveable. And no noise? Or sleep deprived parents who didn't wake? Definately needs an investigation.

@Brie - It didn't look too bad before and now it's very clear!

@Florenceem - That's not right or okay for Mr F or you. Definately report it to the GP and keep doing so! We have toileting issues with my DM but they're not consistant. She either doesn't pass wee all day or is feeling like she wants to go constantly. Neither is normal but she's got dementia and a stroke so it's understandable and I'm lucky enother to have my sisters so we share the care. I think you need some respite. It is something you would accept and be able to get via, family, friends or via Social Care? If not, you'll just wear yourself out completely and then how can you look after Mr.F?

London_1

Good evening chums and we are back from our visit to Kent
I'm so glad to be back here as although its been 9 months since we moved i'd forgotten how crowded and busy everywhere was. 

DD and I drove up on Friday morning and the hotel we stayed in was really nice and comfortable and spotlessly clean
DGS Jack drove to see us from Goudhurst, and we had dinner at the hotel .Vastly over priced for what it was, but its a hotel so one has to expect it I suppose
DD had pizza, I had fish and chips and Jack had cheese burger and chips and it was a touch over £80. I wasn't impressed with the service as we waited 45 minutes before it arrived

Luckily we were having a good natter and a giggle with Jack, and he was telling us how he had been telling the children at his school (its a boarding school ) what it was like growing up with three brothers and a sister.
apart from being rather noisy some of their antics would make your hair curl .
The youngest, Mikey who is now almost 21 and at Uni was a scallywag
 
When he was 4 I had to rescue their little Jack Russell and she had been rolling in mud and Mikey wanted to put her in the washing machine as its what his Mum did when he got muddy luckily I got to him before he turned it on
That dog was very forbearing though, and we only lost her just before Christmas, and she was a real little character.

Then there was the night when Jack sleeping in the top bunk bed, felt a bit unwell, and couldn't find the ladder in the dark to get down, so leant over the edge and did a perfect projectile throwing up over his next younger brother down Henrys head, as Henry always slept with his head hanging over the edge of the bottom bunk.

As I spent a good 15 years helping my DD and son-in-law bring up their tribe of five its no wonder I have a good deal of grey hair.

Then there was the eldest boy Ben when he first went into a pub with his pals at 18 and came home worse for wear and fell asleep on one of his brothers beds, so as the said brother  couldn't wake him up to move, the said brother decided he would get his own back ,:)  and got the clippers my son-in-law used to cut the boys hair (4 young lads hair cuts were expensive ) and he shaved all off both of Bens eyebrows.
Took ages to grow back and Ben walked around looking permanently mystified . But the boys all survived and now are 28, 25, 24 and almost 21 and are still good buddies

On Saturday morning I went to the local Dobbies, and five of my friends who I used to meet for coffee mornings every Tuesday all turned up to see me which was really lovely so I had a two hour catch up with them

Saturday afternoon we went to my granddaughters as it her eldest little girls 7th birthday tomorrow so we had a nice afternoon with the two little girls and my DD was in her element seeing her granddaughters.

 Henry is staying at his sisters for a couple of weeks as he is off to Thailand with his pals on Good Friday and he can work from home at her house. After we left there DD said shall we nip in and see my old next door neighbour, as she had her little boy last September and I'd not seen him
Oh he was gorgeous, and I wanted to kidnap him But I had lots of cuddles instead, she was delighted to see us both bless her she was such a lovely neighbour to me for 17 years and a very caring lass. Bless her she raced out of the house and gave me such a big hug and said 'Oh you've come home'   bless her its a bit sad as I don't think her Mum is very maternal and I probably saw more of her than her own Mum did

Saturday night DD and I decided we would go for an Italian meal and it was a darned sight beet than the hotel one and the service was quicker as well.

Sunday morning I treated DD to a spa massage and treatment as I thought it would be nice for her to have a bit of pampering She loved it and while she was in the spa I went and picked Ben up from his friends as he had been in the Medway getting measured up for his suit as he is his best pals best man later this year.

He didn't have to catch the train back to London until lunchtime so he came back to the hotel and we had a nice full english breakfast which was actually better than their Friday night meal. After we had dropped him off at Gillingham station we had a light bite to eat then went to see my eldest DD and her OH and spent a few hours there
then Sunday night DD and I went for a pub meal, and it was actually the best meal we had over the four days
It was a Greene King pub and the lady chef made the most delicious shepards pie I'd ever tasted and I'm pretty good at them myself
Instead of minced lamb it was I think  pulled lamb shoulder, and the gravy was made with béchamel and red wine and it just melted in your mouth. I was telling my son-in law this afternoon as he is an excellent cook and he says he might give it a go. I've honestly never tasted anything so delicious ,followed by apple and blackberry crumble and proper home made custard .The best meal actulally was in fact the least expensive.

Up this morning for breakfast and wended our way down to Portsmouth and caught the 12.00 ferry back to our peaceful island.
A very busy few days but we packed everything we could in and saw as many folk as we could. it was lovely to see friends and family but it was also so nice to be back where it was a great deal quieter and less busy and noisy

DD was pleased to be home as well, plus she had the all clear letter from her mammogram which she always worries about every time she has one because I had a mastectomy, as did my late Mum and Aunt.

So she's back to work tomorrow and I am back to my knitting club, and a bit of shopping in Ryde in the morning, as I have some photo's I want to get reproduced and repaired for Ben that he asked if I could get done as there is a great photographer here who works miracles with slightly damaged photos.

But it will be nice to slow down and just take my time after all the rushing around  

Oh also when we went up to Kent I had 14 jigsaw puzzles that needed rehoming so jacks taken them back with him to his school and will share them out.He is all housemaster two evening a week and they will be handy for the boarded children to have different ones to do.He said once they have all done them he will drop them off at a charity shop in Tonbridge for me so even when away I've decluttered some suff  

Right time for dinner shortly so I'm off to see what's being cooked up, take care everyone its nice to go away but its even nicer to come home again

Onwards and upwards chums 
JackieO xx

P.S. Cranky40 I bet your house elf is a big lad now  
 

Duchess2

Jackie it sounds like you packed so much into your weekend. How lovely to be able to catch up with friends and family. I know what you mean though it’s lovely to go away and great to see everyone, but it’s oh so wonderful to come home. Lovely to hear your stories as usual and glad you had such a wonderful weekend

TC77

Hi All, 
I've been absent with a month travelling with my backpack, 2 pairs trousers,  one pair shorts, 5 t- shirts,  long sleeve shirt, long sleeve top and fleece, sandals, walking shoes, underwear and swim stuff, less than 9kg . Will this rub off when i get home???
Read a few of the 600+ messages , starting with daisy' s comments about looking as if  being in a high wind whixh resosnates with me. I have learnt I should have taken clothes I liked more as wearing ao often.  Friend advised fleece rather than hoodie and the one I picked up from CS didn't really go, and borrowed dd2 parachute pants but  as khaki abit too military  oloured for me.
Still to get home but cats went on holiday to dd1 and  dB kept an eye on the house but have long list of frogs. Avoided these for 4 weeks.  Last year I was worried about going to Italy for 4 days so proud of myself for a month further afield.
Will catch up gradually and sending hugs to those in need..x

Florenceem

I took photos of items for V this morning.
Went to visit Mr F this afternoon - they removed his catheter at noon - if he hadn't passed urine by 6 - they were going to do a bladder scan.
Mr F is feeling very tired - he saw a Dr who said - it is the infection.
_Dolly_Rocker_ - I think removing the catheter is a step towards sending Mr F home. They got him out of bed today - first time for 8 days - they wanted to take his standing blood pressure - took 2 nurses to support him - how am I meant to do that on my own?
Mr F said they took 5 phials of blood today.
London_1 - lovely to hear about your trip to Kent.
TC77 - welcome back.
I am going to do some advertising for the table top sale that is this Saturday.
I will also list some things on V.
I had a sad shock today - with all that has been going on with Mr F - I hadn't done my usual transfer of dates from 2024 diary to the new one. I missed my Grandson's Birthday! I feel such a failure as a Nan - it was his 21st too. 

retiredinfrance

Hugs, @Florenceem. Keep telling all in the hospital that you’re not able to look after MrF in his present state or even a slightly better condition. What can they do to stop these infections from recurring? I hope you feel strong enough to stand your ground. Look after yourself. I’m sure your grandson understands- you have a lot on your plate  at the moment.xx

Duchess2

It’s understandable that you would miss something @Florenceem, with all that is happening. Don’t beat yourself up. I’m sure your DGS will realise the pressure you are under. Please take care of yourself