Getting rid of one item a day thread number 14 – where we extract precious autumn leaves, rocks and twigs from our children

[stealthninjamummy]

Well I never thought I’d still be here, on the 14th thread where a bunch of mumsnetters get rid of one item a day while we slowly declutter and reorganise our houses.

It’s autumn and some of us have commented on our children’s beloved treasures that are coming in like conkers and precious twigs that have been named. This is the thread where we focus on sneaking these things out and getting the house ready for Christmas even if we don’t know what Christmas will be like this year.

New joiners are always welcome, just get rid of one item and let us know. We’ve all different issues and challenges and it’s nice to have a friendly chat with a fellow mumsnetter.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4003927-Still-throwing-an-item-away-a-day-part-13?pg=1

And for 2020 some of us are also aiming to get rid of 2020 items!

Today’s out is a broken paint roller so I ended up painting stretches of wall with a smallish paintbrush.

Other than that I didn’t really do any decluttering. I even got dc a takeaway, and I’m intending to have a long bath now and use some smelly products as I feel a bit tired and achy.

Three christmas toddler tops out and the spare car seat going at the weekend. Not much else this week as I had foolishly offered to bake people Christmas cakes and was severely behind. I now have 7 cakes cluttering up my lounge...

@Weneedmusicandtheatre are you baking whizz? Did you watch bake off?

Day 80:
Used up a tonne of ingredients to make a chilli that's huge and will be food for two days and then freezer food for when the new baby is here.

Emails and photos deleted too

One parcel posted for advent stuff for eldest.

@stealthninjamummy sounds like a well deserved rest.

Today's out of o finally binned the two electronic toys that don't work. Delivered two parcels of clothes, recieved one of clothes (weirdly lacking anything but patterned leggings in this size and plain tops to go with them) and books (Biff, chip and Kipper so will do all three kids in time and a bloody bargain)

Friends partner has covid, waiting to see if their child does l. Of so our school bubble pops and the only thing I'll be decluttering for a fortnight is the drinks cabinet
.

[quote footprintsintheslow]@Weneedmusicandtheatre are you baking whizz? Did you watch bake off?

Day 80:
Used up a tonne of ingredients to make a chilli that's huge and will be food for two days and then freezer food for when the new baby is here.

Emails and photos deleted too

One parcel posted for advent stuff for eldest. [/quote]
Not a whizz, no. I just like making cakes. They are never very fancy decorations wise (I tend to use pre rolled icing ) but it is a stress reliever.

I did watch bake off. Thought the standard was generally lower than in previous years (prob due to having to form bubble etc) but also starting to get annoyed at the stupid challenges and time constraints. I’d like them to have a chance of making something good.

@Weneedmusicandtheatre I agree that they purposely scupper their chances with ridiculous time constraints and I REALLY can't stand Paul Hollywood. Still watch it though and glad the winner won.

I am intrigued by the Emergency Frog, @IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly

No actual decluttering today, but DH had to go to the office for the final time to complete paperwork and return his work laptop and phone. His redundancy package is generous so we are ok financially for the next few months, but it was a depressing day.

Days 15-18
Not achieved as much here as I hoped I would. Have got a big bag out to the garage full of clothes for the charity shop.
4 parcels wrapped tonight for ebay.

Gone through a pile of papers on the tv stand
Going through the bathroom cupboard - an eye make up remover, 2 perfumes, cough syrup and body lotion out

Trying to console myself with that this is the first black friday I've not bought myself anything in for years - I do think I'm being more mindful of what I'm bringing into the house

@EllieQ I'm sorry, that sounds like a tough day

@StrangeAddiction your stairs look amazing, did you do that yourself?

So sorry to read of people having a tough time at the moment. It's lovely to hear of you being comforted by the thread though. I do hope you feel better soon.

On a more positive note, welcome back, days and Vinorosso! And, welcome to the thread, littleloopylou!

I've been trying to get on top of things again after several weeks of chaos. Tonight, I've finally managed to clear one side of the kitchen - there is a distinct echo in there again now. I don't really like that tbh, but it definitely looks much better. I've also cleaned out almost all of the fridge-freezer. It feels good to know what's in there so I'm better prepared for Christmas.

Fingers crossed, I think I've got a buyer for one of my ads. So, that's 5 items and 1 box going out tomorrow.

Today's outs include:

1 large electric fan. (It's old, worn, too big and generally, I just don't like it.)
1 used food storage bag. (No more life in it.)
1 box + packaging.
1 packet of medicine.
2 elastic bands.
1 note.

I've got an idea brewing - I'm starting to think that I might be able to get rid of another cupboard. It's currently full but I'm wondering if I might be able to move things around a bit?? It's just an idea at the moment.

Last night I re-read an old children’s book and rather than putting it back on the shelf I started a new book box for the charity shop.

I found a very old bottle of sauce and another massive tub of out of date protein powder at the back of the cupboard. The sauce went straight out and the powder is awaiting it’s fate in case my DH wants to use it despite being OOD.

@EllieQ hope you and your DH are both ok, must have been hard for him going back in for the last time.

ellieq that is depressing but hopefully he will find something in the new year and you can have a nice December organising Xmas together.

weneedmusicandtheatre you must be a good friend, why don’t I have someone like you in my life? I would love to bake Xmas cakes but they require so many ingredients that you don’t cook with the rest of the time and my dc hate Xmas cakes so there’s only me to eat it. This year we’ll probably have ready made profiteroles or a Yule log.

Dd2 loves the Great British bake-off and has instructed I must make the cube cakes and the Japanese blobby cakes.

I’ve just been running around picking up old receipts and papers so that’s sort of today’s decluttering. I might have someone picking up more books and a Duplo set.

@stealthninjamummy

ellieq that is depressing but hopefully he will find something in the new year and you can have a nice December organising Xmas together.

weneedmusicandtheatre you must be a good friend, why don’t I have someone like you in my life? I would love to bake Xmas cakes but they require so many ingredients that you don’t cook with the rest of the time and my dc hate Xmas cakes so there’s only me to eat it. This year we’ll probably have ready made profiteroles or a Yule log.

Dd2 loves the Great British bake-off and has instructed I must make the cube cakes and the Japanese blobby cakes.

I’ve just been running around picking up old receipts and papers so that’s sort of today’s decluttering. I might have someone picking up more books and a Duplo set.

Ah then you need the Christmas cake in a baked bean tin recipe....although I only discovered there was such a thing this year so not had a chance to taste test the recipe!

Got rid of 2 jigsaws this morning. Waiting to be collected. I am finding that things are either going within 30 secs of you posting or not at all. This is the second time I have listed them.

@Weneedmusicandtheatre wow that’s awesome! I just googled that recipe and there are several versions. I’m quite tempted to try it although they still have ingredients I wouldn’t otherwise use. I’d be in decluttering thread number 32 saying ‘I’ve just got rid of some brandy and mixed spice’ that went off in 2022! Can’t rememer why I bought them!’

@thelastmullercorner very positive not buying anything from Black Friday. Well done

@EllieQ sounds like you are doing well and keeping going.

I just want to eat cake now

Today I am to declutter some more files and some Christmas stress, by watching It's A Wonderful Life while I sew

@IWillWearThatGlitteryWoolly - that sounds like a perfect afternoon.

Good luck with the frog - I’d assumed it was metaphorical in the “eat that frog” sense!

Bit of progress today. DD finally tried some tops on and they're too small so into the textile recycling bag they went. A few papers into the recycling.
I'm hoping the charity shops near us reopen this week and are accepting donations as there's two bags of stuff which I keep moving.

Dropped two bags to the charity shop today after adding a few children’s books. I also put in a kids dressing gown that was very outgrown. It was one of those things hidden in plain sight hung up on the back of a bedroom door but hasn’t been worn in two years probably 🙄

Also decluttered some dried fruit into a Christmas cake. Tried Nigellas easy action recipe looks good and smelt divine when cooking

glitterywooly I’m so impressed with your sewing skills and your dedication to giving your dd a lovely present, I hope she likes it. You also inspired me to put the Christmas music on and dance around while decorating the tree. It’s been another day where I did no decluttering other than bits of paper and some post but I am up to date with washing and hoovering and just for once my house looks quite tidy - apart from the landing which has diy stuff all over it.

Not a lot done this week. I've been so tired after work as I've been covering in the toddler room and they are completely bonkers! I work 8-6 and a whole day with them wipes me out- do love them though. I looked after most of them as babies and they've grown into such fun little people.

Out this week has gone some plastic food containers from work which have been returned. Better late than never! Three nice biscuit tins will be going to the baby room as they are into filling tins with random stuff at the moment. I've also got rid of some out of date packets from the back of the cupboard.

Tomorrow I must finish decluttering the last bit of wardrobe in my room and take any unwanted clothes plus DDs shoes to the charity bin.

Inevitably stuff is coming in as I buy Christmas presents but I have vowed not to buy new paper but use up all the half rolls left over from previous years.