Hoarder's Anonymous, Part 6

[Solo]

Well, here we are embarking upon part 6 of our epic journey of sorting out our homes.

We are a varied group of likeminded householders that are leading somewhat challenging lives; be that living with too much 'stuff' that we find difficult to deal with, houses that are falling apart (mine included), health issues within the family unit, wider family, or ourselves that makes sorting out our households challenging, to say the least. So...

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us for support, adding their own ideas to help others out, storage ideas, even tips on actually getting those items out of the house which sounds so simple when you say it. Encouragement abounds here, and we do not criticise. EVER! We even try not to criticise ourselves as it's not helpful to anyone.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't know where to start, can't be bothered but really do want to be bothered...think you are lazy, just need to see it in print here...we'll help. We'll virtually fist bump your achievements - small or large, and virtually hug you when the need arises, and if you want a hug, just ask because we are here for you. Here for one another because we get it - the highs and the lows, the art of washing up is sometimes our great achievement of the day, but it's still an achievement.

Welcome to thread #6 of Hoarders Anonymous - Carrying On Sorting It Out

HERE

meh, autocorrect, kjeyboards...same bloody thing...

I have been scared by the prospect of a fire safety check... we arre not in any way foire safe in the living room due to all the bloody junk.

and I am going to be using that to motivate me to celar out as soon as ds comes down and wwants access to the computer.

Celar out? That's a good phrase...selling and clearing and cellar (I need one)all in one.
Cats have taken up residence in Ds unsorted suitcase...

We’re bumbling along. I finished reading my book last night and and put it straight in the donation box. I cleaned my sink and wiped down some walls today, but nothing of substance is leaving the house at the minute.

Hi all. Dd and I have a 'cold' but Dd has been very unwell as she has been hot to the touch, but feeling cold (to herself). Really bad sore throat and headache (both of us), and Dd was really sensitive to light. Swollen glands in her neck too. I admit to being worried and took us both off for a covid test, (I'm usually someone that thinks 'nah' about going to the doctors, so it was a big thing for me to actually make the appointment and go) which came back negative thank goodness.

I think I'm going back to work tomorrow, but I still feel unwell, and so does Dd. Perhaps I should stay home...

Did a washload of bedding and towels and Dd's school blouses today. The bedding was so overdue it's embarrassing! So I put it all on a 60 deg wash which I rarely use, but I felt it needed it, plus I used far more detergent and Vanish than usual. I have a lot of clothes that I need to rewash and deal with (once and for all), and I have a few uniform bits that I want to ut up for sale, so they need freshening up in a wash too.

When I read all your progress(es), I think 'wow! Loads done'. But I never think of putting down anything that I do other than the laundry or the washing up, but last week and at the weekend I cleaned the bathroom sink and toilet, pulled up a few weeds from the front garden (had to as Dd lost something in the jungle).

I'm looking at a few things here that were my late SIL's, and I feel bad about getting rid of them, but I must. I tell you, I feel utterly lost in this quagmire of mess, but I have no idea where to start. I still have some of my Dad's things, and will feel heartbroken to get rid of them.

^^

Oh Solo it’s really tough letting go.

Hope you and your DD are feeling much better very soon.

Hello I’m wanting to join. I’ve read these threads on and off for a while. May have even posted before.

Any way 2 ago had to have a bit of re-jig in the living room to find space to put game things away. This led to sorting out and putting in a bag lots of computer games that we can’t play and an old console finally took it in to Cex this weekend and got £100 worth of store credit.

While sorting it all also sorted the boxes on top of the shelves and a box with a stereo dvds and cds to charity shop. Took that on Monday along with clothes to the clothes bin and old batteries to the recycling point (also took the old battery out of the clock in the living room not worked since about March now just need to put a new battery init!).

This weekend dh decide to move the chairs round in the living room so the shelves have got some clutter on again and in the empty drawer! So I need to go back through that again. But was nice to finally get everything out.

I’m trying to concentrate on keeping areas that I have already clean & cleared, organised and tidy. So far this is just the landing really and bits of our room.

We have a puppy who we want to stop using the create for so I need to sort the spare (which is also my office) out. I did a bit of that this weekend 1 bin bag out. Had to move a lot of back in to boxes off the desk so could work this week.

Feel like We are getting somewhere slowly. Everyone’s progress really soured me on on Monday.

I think you are meant to start with the easiest things not the hardest, Solo. Your dad's things are worth keeping, but perhaps there is a piece of furniture or a side table of your SIL that might be happy in a new family? I often find furniture has many lives to live in unrelated dwellings, unlike papers or even ornaments.

If you need something hang on but perhaps there is an extra lamp or paperback that could make just one plastic bags full of stuff to go OUT. Even one bag going out will make it easier to tidy or keep other more important stuff.
I pulled up some weeds (three today, ten yest) it is amazing how much less there is since my my last purge 2 months ago) I think efforts take a while to make any impact, often something you did last month "helps" only now.
There are so many summer sore throats and viruses around, non Covid.

Gosh I can relate to the clock battery!!
I finally chucked a clock two months ago that had had no battery for three years...I obviously didn't need it that much to tell the time...horrid small shelf clock that I kept thinking might be useful for someone (not even alarm clock)

Welcome (back?) toomany I think I recognise your username.

I did that with a digital camera, and the batteries corroded and made the camera (probably) no good.

I seem to have forgotten to update last week . We had to cancel our puppy’s grooming and the neutering due to his cough that then disappeared in 2 days . We managed to have DD party but her sports day was cancelled for the parents due to weather. luckily they still did it for the kids in another location . DD had several fun things in the last ever week at her now old school; her own and another party and she got several prizes ,also a really good school report so finished at that school on a high . We’ve been doing a lot of cleaning, laundry , admin and gotten more decluttering done too . After I did DD clothes the other week we cleared up rest of her room last weekend .I looked through every little bit , removed 3 bags of recycling from the room and her spare wardrobe in DS room which we also went through although it still needs a quick organising . I also need to clean his room ,we cleaned and tidied rest of top floor .Got about 2 bin bags full to trash out of there , 25 books and another 15 later , a few things to charity shop . We took a bag of good conditioned uniform to school to donate It to the secondhand sale ,some to clothes bank and then of course found more after school was closed on fri but thankfully managed to organise to drop it off at the office today with a few school library books DD had hidden in her messy room . We’ve gotten quite a lot of stuff out of here recently . DH took a full carload to dump in the weekend and today two big storage boxfuls plus 3 pairs of new kids shoes still in boxes to the charity shop . Also got rid of the box of party bag things ( books ,sweets and chocolates ) ,a box of leaving presents for DD class mates , presents to the teacher and presents for a triple birthday party too . I’ve started to look through my storage cupboard in the spare room upstairs and managed to pull out a bunch of science and craft kits for charity shop , paper and cardboard to recycling, more books to charity , always find more clothes to go. Also giving a new spare book I found and a science kit to DD friend . Next attacking the big top floor storage cupboard as well . We took out two big boxes of puppy paraphernalia that I’m sure bunch of which can just go . Although very tired and sore with my illnesses I’m on a roll now and will keep going until I can’t since I feel like I’ll end up being in a hurry to pack although probably moving end of September/ October so have time .Been ticking off admin and other jobs of the never ending list steadily after some pending ones are finally getting done so quite happy with that . DH has 5 of his dad’s old boats to clean up and sell and other stuff to do at his moms too .it’s probably impossible to do it all this summer but I hope he can get rid of some at least.

Thanks @Solo. I’m lurk on here and the declutter thread that I think @Nordicmom is on too. After Monday haven’t really got anything done as working (work 4 days). Have kept on top of washing and dishwasher.

We are hoping to have an extension sometime (just getting plans sorted to put to council). I would also like to be in a bit of a routine of cleaning/tidying for the summer holidays as I’m off with DS.

I’ve just remembered I did spend sometime the other night and deleted about 1000 emails!
Going to try and focus on the the top of the shoe cabinet it’s where all the post and tat that the dog steals gets dumped. @Solo i read your posts and you are doing really well you should defiantly list all the bits you do.

Just had a local recycling/rubbish company collect loads of metal-containing stuff free - a lot of it was outside anyway but still, there is more space! And less to take to the tip ourselves. They do general waste collection but a friend’s DH may be able to take some stuff for us so will wait and see. Got a quote for later in the year if we need the old sofa and the piano taken too.

Discovered yet more bags of random crap yesterday when sorting everything out - couldn’t believe it! Also discovered that a tin of paint had spilled 😬

Had a big deadline for some life admin stuff and that’s over now so hopefully I can get back to more decluttering and decision making now.

my flat does not look like I have done loads.... I jkust write everything down.

yesterday was a lot of faffing about setting up computer things, reminding people about computer appointments, moving children about etc. cancelling shoipping, rebooking, moving deliveries etc

today: school run etc
shopping to cover for moved delivery
deliver shopping to ex and help put it away (children's tea)
collapse in ex's garden as sore from shopping
remind ds to go to his dad's house in that tiny window between leaving school and getting past his dad's house.

I sneed to put the milk away. and sleep before getting ready to go out to a in person repeat of something I mmissed yesterday as ds came home as he forgot.

We've been moving bedrooms round! Unbelievable quantities of stuff exhumed in process. The bed got stuck. The twins argued. The sofas got dragged across grass.
I think I've managed to get a lot of dust and a big pile of paper recycling out in the process but tbh it is going to get worse in next few weeks as ds1 is back from uni home to roost, and DD hasn't gone yet, and moreover doesn't intend to take much with her (is leaving her bedroom like Marie Celeste I reckon)
My study is no more, I'm now in boxroom which is fine but there is just loads to sort.
I do enjoy a big rearrangement though. I can usually throw something, anything away, a bit easier, in process. Psychological....mess is easier to chuck than folded things, perhaps?

Got rid of a wobbly kitchen chair
Several books
Several uni prospectuses
Two dog chewy bones
Lots of seed catalogues and clothes catalogues

Found some piano music
Found some books ds1 might like to read

It's been exhausting. House looks worse than ever. DH has "let go" another two books. It's definitely NOT my choice to have this amount of stuff limiting our "living" space. Final straw was the three camping mattresses (we never go camping, ever,( but we "might" says 19 year old DD)I wanted to get rid of, but no, we have to keep those too. They smell v strongly of plastic and no they can't go in the loft (no one will remember where in a million years).
Actually maybe they should go in the loft with the "festival tent" and "festival" chair tempers running high...

It is certainly not a quick fix, decluttering!!

I usually lurk on here, but I just had to post on seeing your post, Nettleskeins - I really feel for you. My DH enjoys "collecting"...he has hundreds of DVDs and I did once manage to persuade him to see if there were any he didn't want any more. He got rid of two

I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that after 48 years with him I'll never have the sort of home I'd like. Well, not unless he dies first. I have been known to snap "When you die it's all going in a skip, you know!"

I've just caught up with the thread. We're in lockdown, we're going into week three. It feels longer than that though.

I'm sort of keeping on top of some things.

I would normally enjoy doing some housework as long as I have an audiobook on the go and no one to get under foot. I just can't cope with doing it around three shouting kids.

It's raining today, sometimes I just go out to do gardening with my audiobook to get quiet time, but not in the rain.

I've been doing online shopping just trying to ignore the real world for a few minutes! I think I've ordered 5 jigsaws!

today is (i hope) the day of the long list of jobs. (at least whilst the children are here)

so:
ds has been given breakfast
clothes to get dressed in
cajoling ds to get dressed (takes time and energy)
dd's shirts have had soap rubbed onto the collars
washing been sorted into piles
school trousers and ds's socks put in the machine and wasshing set going
two baskets of washing taken to dd's room to be put away
swim kits packed
rung ex to tell him his coronavirus tests are being delivered today (came to my email)

take photos of them mrs tidy and email them to yourself/other parent/gran. then you do not lose them. helps me to let go. just do a few at a tim. better to do five or ten things properly than do half a job on lots and find someone comes and remesses it all up.