2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, late up this morning as OH had me awake feeling nauseous through the night but ok this morning. I have downloaded a ticket for a legends footy match onto my phone, always a worry as you have to track down the email on your phone and fiddle around a bit, I am not the best with phone tech . I have also managed to snag a to good 2 go box so I have reconstructed my shopping list so I can check the box first then pick up what I need. 
@Muddy_Walker, meant to say in my last post I love the epoxy resin heart, another craft I want to have a go at
@lindos90, you will be very welcome here, people can jump on this train whenever they want to. It's a wonderful place to be with lots of lovely people to help you along your journey.
@Mrs SD, what great news, proper diagnosis, no covid and best of all Mr SD is on his way home
@grandmanerd sorry your day had to be cancelled, hopefully it can be rearranged fairly soon, hugs
@DundeeDoll how annoying missing a trip to Wembley, it's always a high light
@Wednesday2000 thanks for the warning re the kindle edition of Dilly's book. I was considering it but won't bother now. Let us know if the hardback is worth a read and I will keep an eye open for it in the cs
@Flowerpot_2 your daughter is very talented, lovely scarf
@Vulpix glad you had a nice break and the exhibition was good. I have been looking to see if I can get a day trip to see it. I think you need to prioritise your Drs appointment as it sounds like you have a couple of things that might be causing the feeling faint but glad DD1 is taking you in hand . Take care, it sounds like you have a very busy and stressful few days ahead, hugs.
Well I better get going or the shopping will never be sorted. Hugs to anyone else who would like one
540 ticket sorted, task
Take care everyone
540/2023

Pennypincin

Hi everyone. 
Sorry for not being about and not being a very active in having a declutter.
I have managed to re-home 3 pairs of shoes and the bag I took them in today to someone I promised to pass them onto.
In the past month I've managed to shift birthday presents to a family member, and re-home a pile of art supplies I will never use as well as a pile of pens I've accumulated.
I intend to have a declutter/sort out of my bedroom, kitchen and have another go at dealing with my living room.
Slowly but surely though.
I will probably be replacing clothing I've slimmed out of though, but hopefully not bringing in too much while steadily clearing out the clutter.

Wednesday2000

Good news about your husband!

The Dilly book is quite good so far. It has exercises that you can do so I'm going to read it all at once and then go back through it again. It has some ideas of how to look at the rooms in your house and work out best how to use them. I know I won't need to do any major decluttering because of this thread!

I did jump up and do a few things just from reading the first chapters.:)

My husband is asleep in our bedroom as he did a night shift so I started with the office (occasional spare bedroom) as I knew that would be the easiest room to do. It has been decorated recently and it is very minimalist and tidy. That didn't need anything doing to it apart from binning some paperwork from a drawer and I moved the spare notebooks down to the kitchen drawer. I have 7 notebooks which I didn't realise as I was keeping them in different places! I moved my kindle, charger and books out of that room too as I usually read in the living room as the light is good in the best in there so no idea why I was keeping them upstairs. I moved the vase of artificial tulips from the living room to my office desk as I want to buy fresh flowers for the living room instead. I dusted the room and that is it finished. I do like that room as my desk is next to the window and I can see the garden which I find very relaxing and I also have some pictures in frames that I like on the walls. I was also thinking it is because I am usually the only person who uses that room so it always looks spotless! That was a very easy win.

I saw a pic of a wooden hamper that looked like mine on here today and it reminded me that the one I have is now empty as I had blankets in there, but I put the blankets away in the newly rearranged airing cupboard the other day. I am going to use it in the second living room next to the kitchen to store my bottles of wine and sparkling water. I am trying to cut down on both, but that will free up some space in the kitchen.

I organised my kitchen drawers as I had been keeping the water in one of the drawers previously. I brought down plastic baskets from upstairs to separate the items. Top drawer is cutlery and tin foil, second drawer is pens, notebooks, envelopes, highlighters and post-it pads, third drawer is vitamins, hair bands, hand lotion and hand sanitiser and the fourth one is torches and chargers, sellotape, tape measures and pegs for the garden. The drawers look so much better!

Back to the book!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks to include MMiM - do this before I go to bed

2. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ I have an acronym - I.R.I.S. being Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off - 

3. Implement a new sleep/wake up regime - start going to bed earlier (target before 2:00 a.m.) get up earlier (target by 9:00 a.m.)

4. Deal with ‘Urgent’ daily mail immediately & the rest at the weekend

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. If I spot a mini task deal with it immediately e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

7. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

12:53 Just had a chat with neighbour J who is off to visit his mum. Chatted to him about DH for a bit. When I asked him to send my regards to his mum (I have met her a few times) he told me that she is not only rather sad because her ndn died a couple of weeks ago but is now very concerned because some a-hole/s broke in & trashed the place whilst hunting for valuables 👿 How despicable - how do these people live with themselves. Flogging is too good for them. I feel so sorry for the family having to deal with this whilst their grief is still so raw 😔 

Impatiently waiting for another message from DH 😉 So will resume cheerleading to take my mind off it 🤞

Lovely post nannywindow 😊 Sorry to hear about another roofing job needing to be done 😔 Maybe just a little sideline business - one a month but only when the weather is fine 😅🙃 

Keiths_Mum, So sorry to hear that you are suffering the after effects from your bout of Covid ☹️ Is there any possibility of getting signed off for a while? as it sounds like you need time to build up your strength 😔 I think it is high time that the government stepped in & brought back compulsory wearing of masks on public transport & in shops 🤞 

roundtuit, So sorry about Sweetie ☹️ When you get your new feathered friend he/she will have a home fit for a king/queen 😊

Excellent digital decluttering QueenJess 👏 You must be almost done 🤞

Thanks skogar 😊 still waiting for an update as it has been an hour since he emailed the good news about being discharged 🤞

Great decluttering Florenceem, well ahead of this month’s target 👏

Liverpool_Anne, withe forecast rain not appearing it was the perfect time to top up your Vitamin D levels gently - relaxing & enjoying the sunshine 😊 You still managed to do a good deal of work 👏 It is a shame that you have to declutter in secret 😅 but as this is the 3rd time OH has thwarted your decluttering progress, I think that secret decluttering is the only way to go 😉

Now 13:40, still waiting to hear from DH but at least I have caught up a little more - now on yesterdays posts 😉 Back later as I need to charge my iPad 😉

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾🌟⭐️🌟 💐🏅💐🏅 💐

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️

Decluttering Target 2023: 832/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £74.70

Muddy_Walker

That scarf is beautiful!
Epoxy resin - I do have some hints and things I learned so let me know! 

Just done a 23 min whiz round tidy up and am now decluttering crumpets and cheese…

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks to include MMiM - do this before I go to bed

2. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ I have an acronym - I.R.I.S. being Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off - 

3. Implement a new sleep/wake up regime - start going to bed earlier (target before 2:00 a.m.) get up earlier (target by 9:00 a.m.)

4. Deal with ‘Urgent’ daily mail immediately & the rest at the weekend

5. Don’t put it down, put it away

6. If I spot a mini task deal with it immediately e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

7. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed

Sunday 15:04 I have received 2 emails from DH. No.1 = he is still waiting & doesn’t think it will be before 16:00 & No.2 = he has showered, fully dressed, shoes on, bag packed & waiting 😉 I have finally done an MMiM - phoned bank, checked my accounts & updated my paper records 😉 I will distract myself & do some more cheerleading 😉

wort, nice idea to box up excess crockery & cutlery - cheaper than my DH’s idea of having 2 dishwashers 😉 When one is full run a cycle, then use the clean items & start loading the 2nd dishwasher 🤣 I occasionally wonder which planet he lives on 🤣

2Scratters, 40 does sound a bit excessive 😂 Good luck with your culling of plastic containers 🍀 I fell off the sofa when I read “Although GD likes to call over with her dad and "go food shopping at grandma & grandad's"” 🤣 Lovely 2nd post 😊

Excellent digital & photo decluttering GrannyKate 👏 That is great news about the results of your colonoscopy 🥳 shame that you have to have another one in 6 months 😔 I am awarding you a medal 🏅 for clearing down your emails 🙂

QueenJess, at the rate you are going with your digital decluttering you will have reached your 💎 target in a few days 😉 No wonder you are addicted 😂 Good luck with the tidying 🍀 remember I will wag my finger if you carry on with your digital decluttering 😂

EnergyShifter, no need to beat yourself up - we can’t always be in the mood for decluttering 😊Although I must say that several tasks completed coupled with 5 items in & 26 items out is very good decluttering 👏

Breaking off now as there was a knock at the door & it is DH 🥳🎉 He got here at 15:45 😊 I have had several hugs already & DSis has wangled a hug as my hugs are a very poor substitute 😅 

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾🌟⭐️🌟 💐🏅💐🏅 💐

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️

Decluttering Target 2023: 832/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £74.70

sumb7170

Hello all,

Wow!  How can it be over a month since I last posted, and almost 100 pages of posts!  Such brilliant work by everyone, I do enjoyed relaxing at the end of the day reading about what everyone has been up to and seeing you photos too.

Thank-you for your compliments about my decluttering in response to my last post @Dfw38, and sorry to hear about your Dad.

Thank-you so much to Mrs SD for my third Gold Star ⭐️, and my four(!) medals 🏅, as well as thanks as always for running this wonderful thread.  I hope Mr SD is out of hospital soon, here's some flowers for him when gets home 💐.

Some good news from me - I’ve now started a new work contract (part time and working from home most of the time, so minimal outgoings), which means I am re-cluttering some cash into the business bank account!  However, I also had a work medical and seem to have cluttered some high blood pressure readings.  I’ve been taking medication for years and its been under control. I’ve had to take readings at home for a week on our machine, and am now waiting for the results to be reviewed by the GP.  Thankfully I can still do most of my role; I just can’t go trackside on the railway at the moment.

I’ve been trying to get all the cupboards in my home office sorted so I can tidy away all my voluntary and "real" work papers away, instead of them littering the desk, cupboard tops and a hobbycraft trolley that was being moved around the room so I could access the cupboards.  Two of the cupboards have been emptied and moved elsewhere (one to front lounge, one temporarily to the spare room of doom!), so the trolley is now tucked into the space left behind by one of them.  But it’s still a work in progress!

On to my numbers!

Physical items decluttered or frogs ticked off –

76 misc items to cs.  69” paper from cardboard wallets, ring binders, box files and hanging wallets, 8 cardboard folders, 25 photo mounts, 42 magazines / booklets / pamphlets / instruction manuals (reduced space taken up in 6 drawers and 2 double fronted cupboards by at least 80%!), all to paper and thin card recycling at tip.  4 fence panels, 5 fence posts, 10 pieces of worktop and other wooden items, 10 odd metal items, 7 items clothing, 3 electrical / electronic items, 16 large cardboard boxes, branches from cutting back 14 shrubs in front garden, bag of tetrapacks and 4 misc items to recycling at tip.  8 bags of soil and stones, a worm out tarpaulin, 2 extra large plastic containers, 2 plastic mats, 4 black bags from village litter pick and a broken picture to the household waste at the tip.  7 old / ood food and drink items uu.  Completed 71 frogs / froglets, including a cane toad of retrieving hacked Microsoft account and getting a refund which took almost a day, so lost me quite a few paid hours!  Total 390 = 2323 / 2023!!!  New target is 4046, so 2323 / 4046

Read a book every other week Fresh Water for Flowers fiction book read and How to go plastic free non-fiction book read – total 13/26

Mend one item per week – Foot switch added to other lamp cable in the front lounge and rip in duvet sewn up - total 12/52

Weight goal of losing 24kg – don’t ask!!!

One significant home maintenance or improvement job per month - total 12 (of my wish list of 20) – none completed yet, having problems with contractors not turning up to give me quotes.  Front lounge still not finished, not marking as 100% complete until the lampshade is recovered.

Sort out and use up old toiletries and excess cleaning products or donate / dispose of so only one of each – Nothing gone this month.  I will get to the cupboard under the kitchen sink to sort the cleaning stuff eventually!

Operate a 1 in 1 out rule for clothes, books and ornaments, excess items in = a negative number – finished 3 out of 3 of the books ordered secondhand, one donated to cs, and the other two will be offered to my book group friends when I see them.  I’m sure more ornaments have gone to the charity shop but didn’t note them down separately!  Nothing new in for me this month, still resisting the temptation of sale offers from retailers I love (not having as much time to look online due to working helps)!

Try mending or buying secondhand before buying anything expensive as new – Used a torn BBQ cover to cover a wicker sofa (which someone gave it to me) instead of buying a new cover.  It doesn’t have to be 100% waterproof as most of it is under a roof overhang.

Sending hugs to all, love H x

2023 Decluttering Campaign 🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐⭐⭐

2022 Decluttering Campaign 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

weenancyinAmerica

So glad Mr. S_D is home.
Hope everyone has a great Mothering Sunday.

skogar

MrsSD - Great to hear that Mr SD is back home.

Moorviews

I’m delighted to see that Mr SD is now back at home and enjoying family hugs. 

@Flowerpot_2 - what a beautiful scarf! Your daughter is very talented and it’s lovely that your sons are treating you too and giving you a happy day. 

@vulpix - glad you got to have your break amidst everything else that you are needing to deal with.
@wort - it’s going back a bit I know but I quite agree with your comments to me. I have often thought that my house is too small but now I recognise that really we just have too much stuff and I certainly don’t want to be burdened with a lot of it as we get older. We will only ever be moving into smaller accommodation  so I might as well get my head around shedding as much as I feel able to now. I’m definitely in the one in and even more out camp now!
@lindos90 - do join in when you can and I really recommend reading along as much as possible to benefit from all the great ideas and tips that these friendly and super experienced declutter champions share. I am new but lurked a bit last year and I wouldn’t be getting along as well without taking part in the thread. It really is a fantastic help. Good luck!

A lot of paper from file boxes has been dealt with and the main useful files have been moved into a filing cabinet. More can definitely go but unfortunately we have to keep more than we would like due to dealing with various estates etc. The file boxes are being organised as archives and will then go into the loft. One day I hope the whole lot will go off for shredding. 

I have had a big purge of fabrics and wool from the craft cupboard and that will go to a charity shop with a friend having first refusal. None of this is very exciting but was very time consuming and in fact incredibly dull. This is the kind of thing that I have to really push myself into doing.