2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

GrannyKate

Portugal April

Floss

@GrannyKate It looks lovely! Have you been to Madeira before?

Green_hopeful

Three hockey sticks and a hockey bag collected from the garage of doom. Someone else is coming to get five footballs later. We found a load of harrods bags from clearing my in laws house and popped the footballs into one of them.

We went to the tip, with an old van battery from my mums doorstep, a very manky armchair that has been in our garage for years and some actual rubbish.

We went to my mums storage unit today. It’s costing her a fortune. She acknowledges she can’t let go of things. She found some beautiful china and linen sheets she had forgotten about. I said why don’t we get rid of some stuff at her house and then she can use her beautiful belongings. She wants to empty it but can’t work out how to manage it. She was talking about a hypnotist. I thought they might say, ‘you are feeling sleepy, you have become a minimalist’. We might all sign up for that. Anyway we managed to bring back an empty box, a damaged paper bag and an empty pad of paper😀 might be another few trips to clear it.

With my Freecycling efforts I remembered a local upcycler that might take the things I don’t know what to do with. He made quite a bit of money with some cameras i gave him so I have brought in a box to start gathering items. We have quite a few bits where no one wants them but i don’t like throwing things in the bin.

@Brambling big hugs. I feel your frustration.

Dizzycap

Just popped in to say a fleeting hello to all xxxxx

@ GrannyKate - Beautiful and stress free with perfect temperature xxx Madeira used to be the same a few years ago, but as I haven't been for a number of years, I really couldn't say.

Terrible news regarding the 7.1 earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami devastation😔😱. Thoughts and prayers with everyone there and those who are connected in anyway, shape, or form to Japan.

The usual HH decluttering early this morning along with 2 piles of fresh laundry out on the washing line wich I've just got in. Managed to water the back garden at 8am this morning as the lillies did need a water top up xxx Babyface was in charge as helper and was far more wet than the lillies by the time I'd finished 😂🤣. I've just got her paddling pool out and cleaned it up ready for action at some point. She's been prancing about in and out of it inspecting everything I'm doing, so someone's feeling much better. She has a slight clustered rash on her underneath this moring that I noticed when she was buttons up on the swing chair getting her usual morning sun - Oh, how the other half live! xxx I've gently sterlised her chest and slapped on aniceptic cream as Sepsis is the last thing she needs / wants with a low immune system 😮🙄 and so do I 😶🤐.

I've managed to declutter off some items I don't need or want to a few of my neighbours who were greatful for the items. I do like to help where I can & it saves binning them and landfill xxxx I've also taken one of my elderly neighbours to a well needed dentist appointment this afternoon, so I've been kept busy 🤗. Just sitting down for 10 minutes with a well deserved mug of coffee before babyface demands her evening meal bang on 4pm.

I hope everyone is having a lovely day. Take care all and toodle-pip for now xxxx

GrannyKate

Yes weather was lovely in Portugal after the first windy couple of days. I have been to Madeira quite a long time ago with late DH. My friend has never been there and I am happy to go again. Hotel with half board this time so perhaps more relaxing.

Not much really done today as DGS4 decided to stay and eat most of the food I got at shop this morning. Sox has been very friendly all day - exploring his estate and coming for head scratches. Not happy things have moved again as he can no longer jump from mantelpiece to a basket he likes to sleep in and I have washed the bed and rug he took to the cattery. He seems happy to be home and hasn't suffered from his stay at a 5* establishment. Done banking and worked out what needs to be paid over the next few weeks. Some tomato and cucumber seeds planted in potting shed and weeding done.

415 Banking done and upcoming bills sorted

416 Weeding done and a few seeds planted in potting shed

Floss

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970977#Comment_81970977

Take walking shoes! The Monte Gardens will be beautiful at this time and the cable cars to Monte and then to the Botanic Gardens are fab. If you get chance to go walking in the levadas the views will be incredible.

florianatwobob

We had a bit of a garden rearrange on Saturday. The potted honeysuckle was moved from the back garden to the front garden. The birds are currently not sure what they think about it.

Potted up 5 geraniums and repotted an osteospermum. Two geraniums in the front garden and 3 in the back. The osteo is also in the front garden. All in cheap pots so if they are ‘half inched’ I’ll be annoyed but not devastated.

The garden is looking very cheerful.

TC77

Hi,

I have been reading along but waited to be safely home before posting. Sorry to hear about illness, family loss and other difficulties and loved seeing photos of cats, homes etc .

Lost my umbrella on travels, had my nail scissors confiscated by Australian security on an internal flight, decluttered ££££ . I went out with v little ,7kg of luggage as started in warmer climes and had to borrow dd2's clothes in melbourne which was 13 degrees for part of some days . Came back with a new suitcase some things for me (new) and some of dd2's things. Dd2 will be home end of June and has a friend lined up to help her do her bedroom at home.

I have a long list of decluttering for the coming months but first some key frogs along with work to focus on.

Also abandoned a flannel en route

Florenceem

I phoned the blinds shop - N would come on Friday but may be able to visit today as in the area.

I took donations to the charity shop. Then went to get masonry paint. I had looked online - it was in stock. I couldn't see it in the shop so asked someone to look for it in the warehouse. He couldn't find it so I said if I order click and collect - you will have to find it. He said if they couldn't they would cancel the order and do a refund. They had the smaller pots but two of them made it £10 more than a large one. So I asked if I could have 2 small ones for the large price. Store chap said he couldn't do that - I would have to speak to the manager - okay I will do that - he got on his headphone mike and spoke to the manager who told him where the 5 pots of paint were - in a different area of the store. Fancy putting paint down by the bathroom fittings area.

N arrived and measured up. He had a book of fabrics in the van so I chose a grey colour blind which will be ordered as soon as I receive and accept the quote.

I put all the stuff to be collected by my daughter in the porch as I was going out to the Dr. She collected it all.

The Dr was on time when I arrived but 40 minutes late by my appointment. She was not happy with me - I have lost more weight. She said if I lose more - my bmi will make me anorexic. My blood and liver results are improving. She has given me flavoured shakes - I will try them but someone I know had these and didn't like them.

She also said - don't do so much as I am burning calories. She understands that I keep busy because I don't want time to think about what has happened.

weenancyinAmerica

@Florenceem - make sure the shakes have been refrigerated long enough to be really cold. Don't drink them if they are warm.