2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

QueenJess

I've disappeared for a few days as I've been ill with a virus thingy and trying to lie around resting (tricky when work is so busy).  I have been trying to get through some of my health frogs though and so far booked myself in for a flu jab and also booked a long delayed wisdom tooth extraction that I am utterly dreading.  It's in a week and a half and I'm currently pretending it isn't happening   There is more work to be done after as well that I will need to book.  The dentist seemed confused that I've never had anything done to my teeth in my life, not even a filling.

Managed to put some things away earlier and back to doing 2 things to tidy and 1 to declutter to just get things moving again.  I even talked to DD and she decided to declutter a flag she didn't want and put it in the bin herself.  Definitely teaching her early as she's only 2!  Hopefully she'll get as good as DS with the decluttering.  I did make an apple and blackberry cake for the TLC carriage if anyone wants any - it's huge!

Digital:
31,937 - unsubscribed from emails
31,938-31,942 - photos deleted

Physical:
31,943-31,944 - bathroom supplies (used up)
31,945-31,949 - paper (reused, then recycled)
31,950 - kitchen overstock used up
31,951 - badge (charity bag)
31,952-31,959 - paper (recycled)
31,960-31,962 - books (charity bag)
31,963 - wellies (Buy Nothing)
31,964 - plastic container (bin)
31,965 - pen used up (bin)
31,966 - game (charity bag)
31,967 - activity book (Buy Nothing)
31,968-31,969 - clothes I don’t wear (charity bag)
31,970 - first aid box items (bin)
31,971 - kids toilet seat (Buy Nothing)
31,972 - cuddly toy (charity bag)
31,973 - dvd (Charity bag)
31,974 - flag (bin)

betasam

Hello Everyone,

It seems to have been a busy work week for several of us - I have had a hectic week at work so haven't managed to declutter anything except magazines for a couple of days until today.

This afternoon we emptied the larder cupboard, the lower carousel in the tins cupboard and a wall cupboard which contains miscellaneous kitchen items such as measuring jugs and the grater.

I am always on the lookout for new recipes, but have been ignoring any which called for a blender as I knew I had given ours away several years ago and we only have a stick blender. However, there was a small blender and a Magic Bullet tucked away on the carousel! We have kept both so we can see whether they do a good job before choosing which one to give away.

The cupboard contents have been shuffled round, remembering to leave space for a new slow cooker - I decluttered the last one earlier this year by dropping the lid on my foot whilst putting it away - I had owned it since I was on my postgraduate training year almost 30 years ago so it had had a good innings. The microwave my parents bought me for Christmas that year bit the dust about four years ago - they really don't make things like they used to, do they?

Anyway, a plastic, lidded trifle bowl, muslin bag (for straining homemade yoghurt), Pyrex oven dish, sweetcorn holders, miscellaneous Magic Bullet attachments and some OOD cough mixture to the bin (down the sink in the case of the cough mixture since it contains little other than sugar)
Cookie stamps, 2 chocolate moulds, an oven to table dish, potato rice, 3 water bottles, flower-shaped cookie cutters, an icing plunger cutter set, unicorn cake wraps, a lidded jug and a maslin pan (unused for years and if I decide to make jam again I will use the stock pot) to the charity pile

7 magazines sent to Mum, 5 packets of biscuits to my sister and two bags of chocolate buttons to my niece

Several books and a skirt entered the house today, but 2 of them shall leave as part of a birthday present next week and one shall be our new 'book at bedtime' now I have caught up with this thread - I started reading this thread out loud each evening at the beginning of May  - it's nice to be on 'maintenance reading' now!

Total: 142

The hall cupboard is going to be tomorrow's challenge!

oceanspirit

daisy_1571 said:

oceanspirit said:

Had a rest day yesterday in the talc carriage with a book OH chose for me from the library.  Did nudge a frog along and it’s out of my hands now for a few weeks. 

Congratulations on A level results and uni places.  Love the cake - did DS enjoy the pink ponies?

Gosh we really do have everything on this train 😀 a talc carriage.... it sounds rather nice  😻 😻 

Daisy xx

That’ll teach me to post without my glasses on - didn’t spot the autocorrect had taken over!

Noticed a hole in a top when I took it out of the drier so that will go for recycling.  Lots of admin done today plus completed one frog and another frog nudged along.  More admin planned for the weekend - have been very behind with it for a number of years so trying to catch up although have to be careful not to start too many things at once so I become overwhelmed with it all.  

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, weather nice yesterday but very 'changeable' today . Still in the last couple of days I have managed to get a few things done. 3 LDFPA, sorted the gas fitter for ln who wants a new boiler, tidied in the kitchen and have started a box for the cs, but not gone yet so not counted, various things in the bin so kitchen bin emptied, recycling not quite full yet but hopefully it will be tomorrow . Various text messages sent about footie tickets and I have been back to some of the emails I had filed and have deleted 700 so I am feeling much better about them I had a mini sort out of the fridge and did a bit of batch cooking but I really need to give it a good clean, maybe tomorrow
Footie tomorrow, first home game of the season so I am very happy about that
Hugs to everyone who would like one
1130 - 1132 LDFPA
1133 - 1139 7 x 100 emails permanently deleted
1140 kitchen bin emptied
Take care everyone
1140/2023

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

Friday - I was up & dressed by 11:00 🙂 DH was already up watching MotoGP Practices. It had been raining before I got up but stayed dry until late afternoon when there was a 20 minute shower. Quite warm all day. The heavens opened about 22:00 for 20 minutes & it rained on & off until midnight. Today’s frogs were all kitchen based 😉 Starting with emptying the Double Cupboard which I still call the Brexit Cupboard 😂 Thoroughly cleaned & then restocked - looks a lot neater & less full as a few ood bits were binned. As I was on a roll, I also tackled the spice/condiment cupboard + the spice drawer. More bits binned & contents reorganised 👏 Whilst restocking each cupboard/drawer, I was making notes of the contents & these were written up in a new notebook. Dinner was hm cottage pie from the freezer, with leeks in a cheese sauce & a garlic baguette (also from the freezer) An odd combination but delicious 😋 Wudupa.

1825 - 1835 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, 5 lots of cardboard packaging, paper packaging, coffee tin, plastic bottle, cardboard box - recycled 

1836 - 1848 Kitchen detritus, plastic packaging, 8 packets of jelly, pot of mouldy yeast extract, bottle of rank olive oil, opened packets of seeds for cooking - binned

My new recipe book arrived today together with another gift from DH - 4 new kitchen tongs 😊 to replace the 2 kitchen tongs from Ik*a which keep falling to pieces 😔

1849 - 1850 dismantled - metal bits added to Tip pike & plastic bits binned

Just seen the time so I am off to bed & will cheerlead tomorrow. Sleep well everyone 😴 

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾🌟⭐️🌟 💐🏅💐🏅💐💐💐🏅💐 ⭐️ ❤️🏅🍾🏅 📣🦸‍♀️💐 ⭐️ 🏅 💐 (✨✨ aka platinum stars) 😇 

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️💐,  perseverance medal 🎖️, 🥇 🏅🏅 😇

Decluttering Target 2023: 1850/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £299.00

weenancyinAmerica

Hello everyone, made it through the month from one book sale to the next - my life seems to revolve around that at the moment. Made $452 on today's sale and 1 of our customers will be coming in again before the next book sale to buy more. Major concern right now is we are expecting the edge of a hurricane to come through on Sunday - first in recorded history. My church even in sent everyone a warning to get gas for the car and have things ready to go in an emergency! Included a list of foods to stock up on. Will have to figure out whether the dog needs to come in as in big rains our backyard gets about three inches of water. At least I won't have to worry about watering for a long time. They are expecting high winds as well. Only expected to last two days thank goodness. But getting flashlights ready.

Stay safe everyone. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning everyone

Well done to all the decluttering family's offspring who have achieved their desired exam results & hugs to anyone who did less well. I was in the car for 5 hours on Thursday and there was lots of information and positive messages that if you didn't do so well, it isn't the end of the world - I know for some, it can feel like it is though!

I have decluttered my FT job for a few days ! I'm on leave till 24 August staying in a holiday flat near my family. We had a family picnic yesterday which was lovely, very relaxed and the opportunity to catch up with all the various family members. I met up with DSis #1 beforehand and we had a coffee and did some shopping - she is in a wheelchair and has severe MH issues and has struggled with anxiety over the past year - it was a really big step for her to leave her care home but apart from a few wobbles she managed really well. I helped her declutter quite a bit of money as she needed some new clothes so had a spending spree in a clothes shop

Before I left I did some of the mountain of shredding which I put out with my recycling. I also cleared half a shelf in the cupboard of OOD flour (some was use by 2020 oops) . 

Love Deni xx

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

Saturday - I woke up at 10:30 to sunshine & light cloud 🙂 DH was already up & watching the last MotoGP practices with qualifying this afternoon. I have settled down with my first cuppa & will go straight into cheerleading 😉

Congratulations to DD2, TC77 🥳 Hopefully with all the work you have been putting in with the ex husband frog, it will all finally be over & done with by the autumn 🤞 I am sending lots of positive vibes your way for the start of a successful decluttering campaign to the end of the year 😊Now that your DB has decided that your dad’s house needs to be put on the market, I hope he will put in a decent amount of effort to help you declutter without you having to take everything into your home 🤞🤞Another compliment coming your way for wearing a dress to work 😊😉

florianatwobob, better luck with your next interview 🍀 Good work by DSis 👏

Lovely post oceanspirit 😊 I will have to ponder on having a ‘talc’ carriage 🤔 but it does sound lovely 😊 

vulpix, your comments on cooking sound like an exact replica of what occurs in our house. It wasn’t nearly as bad when it was just DH & me but since DSis moved in ………. 😔 You must be nearly at the end of your renovations & decorating 🤞It will be so nice when you & MrV can enjoy your home with no more disruption, no more noise & no more dust 😉😊

nannywindow, I will join you in congratulating all the DDs & DSs as well as the DGDs & DGSs on their success 👏 Commiserations to those who didn’t get the hoped for results but hopefully the Clearing system will come to the rescue 🤞 I was going to use the word ‘trumps’ but that particular word is now so tainted that I will have to find a different word to use 😂 I think you might have to add ‘food consumed by DGC’ to your decluttering count 😉😅 Although not too long now before your well deserved holiday 😊

Excellent decluttering short_bird 👏

daisy_1571, I agree a ‘talc’ carriage sounds very nice 😊 Now we just need to work out what it means 😉

Muddy_Walker, not quite sure I could cope with a week of Mondays 😥 Maybe ‘lop sided tidy’ can become a new trend in gardening 😊 Hope the jabs went well with no after effects 🤞 As to your new neighbours please try not to ‘fret’ - i am sending lots of positive vibes that they are the perfect neighbours - not too noisy after the initial moving in phase & then friendly without being intrusive 😊 

I have reached the end of a page so will stop cheerleading for a short time 😉 I need to digest the conversation I have just had with my DH 🤨 He has a busy week next week - Monday he is meeting my DSis at Liverpool Street station; Tuesday he is going to his niece M’s flat to help with the final sort out of furniture etc for her moving date of 31st; Wednesday he is off to Wales for RBR & not back until Thursday evening & Saturday DH & I are driving down to Kent to attend a birthday party for a 2 year old 😉 Wednesday I am meeting up with an ex colleague in town. 

See you later 👋 Hope everyone is lucky with today’s weather 🍀

MrsSD (a superwoman) 😇 🎖💐🤩🏅🦸🏅💐🏆 💐🍰🍾🌟⭐️🌟 💐🏅💐🏅💐💐💐🏅💐 ⭐️ ❤️🏅🍾🏅 📣🦸‍♀️💐 ⭐️ 🏅 💐 (✨✨ aka platinum stars) 😇 

DH Awards: 🥇🏅⭐️💐,  perseverance medal 🎖️, 🥇 🏅🏅 😇

Decluttering Target 2023: 1850/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £299.00

QueenJess

Feeling irritated at the moment.  DH went out with DS yesterday and let him pick up bags of free tat whilst out.  With that sort of thing and my parents shoving us loads of stuff every time they come, it feels like I'm being forced to acquire stuff I just don't want and know will just go to the tip.  The consumerism of it all makes me angry and annoyed and for me, I don't want my kids to have loads of stuff either.  My kids like playing outside and when they can't they have plenty of books, puzzles and games to entertain them.  That's the way I like it and then they just get a small pile of books, a puzzle/game and one toy from us for xmas and birthdays with the odd handmade chocolates.

The other irritation of course is that I am the one that has to deal with it all.  DH just dumps it in DS's room wherever and will never sort it out.  Yes, I can spend time decluttering everytime to fit new things in, but I don't want to spend that time and I don't really want to install a mindset that things are cheap and you can just get rid of stuff and acquire new stuff at the drop of a hat.

Not really got any solutions... I have tried to talk to DH multiple times, but obviously that doesn't work.  My parents also don't listen and give more presents for the kids when they visit than we give them in a year.  I get that they want to clear out their loft, but it's at my expense and the expense of how I choose to raise my children.  Just venting... I will retreat back into the TLC carriage now for some cake as DS was feeling very poorly last night so I had to be on the night watch as DH is always unconcerned and says they're fine.  DS was not fine and had a very high fever that I needed to medicate him for and keep checking on.

I did get DS to go through a few bits just now, but I haven't got the energy.

31,975-32,039 - paper (recycled)
32,040 - game (Buy Nothing)

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Blue_Doggy, I was less than generous when making awards re your decluttering on P191 so I am taking the opportunity to rectify the situation by awarding you a belated 🏅 to add to your collection.

MrsSD