2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

QueenJess

Sick of the house not being done (4 weeks of more than full time work and so no one does anything ) and so now on day 4 of just blitzing everything and not sitting down until I just go to bed.  I spent 3 hours dealing with DS's room yesterday and there are still a few bits and pieces to deal with, but it is 95% done and tidy.  DS has even been able to use his desk.  Went to Ikea this morning and got hooks for the back of the door so he can hang more stuff up there and another pen pot as they didn't quite fit in the one he had.  Just waiting for the stick on hooks to arrive to hang up some lanyards/medals and then there in theory is no excuse for not being tidy everyday.  I have told DS that he has to tidy his room for 10 mins everyday before bedtime as that should stop it getting to the state where he can't do it anymore and I have to step in.

DD's room now has a nice night light and a couple of big baskets to store her junk in.  Still got a bit more to do in there, but all clothes are now filed away at least.  Not tackled winter coats yet as they are in the downstairs cupboard.

Finally sorted out the cleaning cupboard as I had some inspiration on how to get everything stored in there now I've used some of the stuff up (still a bit more to be used up and not replaced).  The inbuilt bin we use for cleaning products and the stuff out is the things we use the most.  I got a new container in there today which stores the big lot of duck food as we continuously feed ducks and so buy big sacks of them.  It looks so much better in there and hopefully will stop stressing me out every time I go in there.  Just the freezers and rest of the food cupboards to work through in the kitchen now..

33,589-33,590 - paper (reused, then recycled)
33,591 - packaging (reused)
33,592 - kids clothes too small (charity bag)
33,593-33,596 - freezer overstock used up
33,597-33,601 - packaging (recycled)
33,602-33,611 - DS’s tat (recycled/binned)
33,612-33,613 - storage boxes not needed (Buy nothing)
33,614 - funnel (Buy nothing)
33,615 - spray trigger (Buy nothing)

33,616 - hook (Buy nothing)

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 

Good afternoon from a sunny but very chilly London. Temperature is currently 10C & only forecast to rise to 11C 🥶 (Not sure if I mentioned it but DB confirmed €€€€ received 🥳😮‍💨) Straight into cheerleading before I get even further behind 😉

QueenJess, you are way too hard on yourself ‘wagging finger emoji’ I am sending some of the EDT staff to your house to try to persuade you to use the TLC carriage for regular hour long sessions 😉 You have managed even more excellent decluttering 👏 Please, please don’t put more pressure on yourself by setting another target 🙏🙏  Definitely time for MrQJ to step up & start helping out 🤨 It might be time to crack the whip or stash a recording of an hypnosis tape under his pillow 😉 “I will help my wife, I will help my wife” on a continuous loop 🙂 Then once he gets his ‘arris in gear, the recording can be more specific e.g. “I will pick up after myself & the children”, “I will act immediately whenever my lovely wife asks me to tackle a task” Meanwhile I am sending you cwtches 🤗

Good decluttering flamingo747 👏 When are you heading off on your break? 

Florenceem I see you are as busy as ever. I hope that the food bank on Friday was successful & everything that was packed away on Thursday night was collected 🤞 I do believe that when youngsters get on a bus they become deaf, dumb & blind 😔 but at least the schoolgirl did have the grace to get up when asked 😥 I did smile at your comment “…. apparently MrF has an awkward bowel…..” Keeping everything crossed that the biopsy result is clear of any nasties 🤞

Muddy_Walker, well done on managing to keep up with various tasks despite having a busy week at work 👏 I also enjoy Friday the 13th but yours turned into a bit of a shocker 😔 Fingers crossed that by the time the next one comes around (September 2024) you will have forgotten the debacle & can once again enjoy Friday the 13th 🤞🤞Hope MrMW gets his ENT appointment very quickly & can get started on some proper treatment 🤞 I am so, so sorry to hear that you were bullied as a teenager 😞 More cwtches coming your way 🤗 

flamingo747, congratulations on completing the banner 👏 Hope the weather was kind for Mr Flamingo 🤞

Liverpool_Anne, you had a busy if rather frustrating Friday 😔 Your OH might have thought the baby was too young for the books but I see that he wasn’t too old for them 🤣 Cwtches coming your way 🤗 & I hope the reaction to your Covid booster is minimal 🤞

EnergyShifter, no apologies needed 😊 The EDT has definitely picked up speed over the last few weeks 😥 I might need to have a word with our lady train driver 😉 I think she has been watching too many MotoGP races 😂 Sorry to hear that  you have been suffering from a “mystery (non-Covid) virus.” 😔Fingers crossed that you can see the back of it by Wednesday so that you can enjoy your time off 🤞Pleased to hear that you have a start date for the work on your new bathroom 🙂 Cwtches coming your way 🤗

Moorviews, lovely supportive post 😊 Excellent work on the utility room cupboard & well done on getting 5 frogs dealt with 👏 That deserves a medal🏅 which is on its way 🙂

Wednesday2000, ouch to the quote for bulky waste removal 😓 Fingers crossed that it is the last one for this year 🤞Hope the washing dried outside yesterday 🤞Good luck with both the hunt for jumpers & the shed painting 🍀

Great decluttering GrannyKate 👏 & yippee to getting the heating on 🥳 I am still holding out but it reminds me that I need to get the boiler serviced asap as I forgot to get it done during the summer 😔

Nice to see you Pennypincin 👋 Please remember that whilst you might have a couple of weeks off you do need to give yourself some TLC in between ticking items off your decluttering/tidying To Do list 🙏 

mehefin, pumpkin grower extraordinaire 😊 My idea of gardening/growing vegetables 😉 especially as you didn’t even plant them 😂 One medal 🏅 on its way 🙂 Ouch to the decluttering of £££ on the cars 😓 Fingers crossed that car2 passes it’s MOT with flying colours 🤞

oceanspirit, sorry to hear that OH was unwell yesterday & I hope he is feeling better today 🤞Although a quiet day is definitely conducive to going through electronic clutter 👏

Florenceem, sounds like MrF is getting stronger day by day 😊 Your mention of the temperature in your craft room has reminded me to look at the crafting thread 😉 Back in a few minutes……………. There are some beautiful ‘makes’ so many talented crafters 😊

flamingo747, shame about the grotty hotel room but it sounds like you won’t be spending much time in it 😮‍💨 What a great Saturday - happy Mr Flamingo, happy JF & a very happy flamingo747 as both her ‘boys’ have had a great time 😊 Good luck to Mr Flamingo today 🍀

Will you look at that, 2 pages caught up 🥳 A few pictures coming up re DH’s baking exploits & my completed beanie which has been added to the bag of knitted stuff for the cs.

Sorry the pics are so large 😔

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

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

Decluttering Target 2023: 2151/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £469.00

Muddy_Walker

That baking looks delicious!!!!! I may be dribbling here 🤣🤣🤣

EnergyShifter

 I got to my course yesterday but didn't make it to my social event in the afternoon - took to my bed instead.  

Todayl I've managed to do is get to early Mass - first time in a few weeks that I've made it.  Got a load of washing out on the line this morning - fairly dry and now on the heated airer.  I'm not expecting to do much else today.   There's very little that can't wait until Weds when I've got my time off.

Tasks:

0

IN (running total 178) 

179. Set of tumblers

180. Collapsible steamer

181. Cover for heated airer - apparently it helps things dry off more quickly

OUT (running total 547)

548 & 9 - 2 x broken glasses (one of them being one of my beautiful Silent-pool gin glasses 🥲) 

Thanks for get well wishes Moorviews & Mrs SD.  💕  That baking Mrs SD 😋

GrannyKate

Baking looks yummy.  I have made a start on the necessary sorting and reducing contents of my study. Operation Move Round actually starting.  I am going to move into utility room so we  can make a 4th proper bedroom.  I have a vision of me in the broom cupboard but its actually nearly as big as current study but has no window. Tumble drier needs to go in garage but that was already the plan as it makes the room like a sauna whenever I use it, which isn't often.  The spare fridge freezer in there can be sold as well.  I bought it to put in garage then discovered it was not suitable for outhouse/garage and drawers are too small.  I am going to get a small chest freezer for the garage which I can actually get joints in and things like big bags of veggies.  I also need to get an outside store for the swimming pool.  This week's job will be to empty it. I've been in loft to put things away and retrieve some ornament boxes

1420 School trousers in bag to go to school for their next sale
1421-22 Two small vases to CS bag
1423-26 Four ornamental cottages of late DH's to go to CS - I found original boxes - no-one else wants them and not worth a lot
1427-1496 Books from study reduced by 70!!! some quite small booklets but all in CS bag for tomorrow. Re-homed some books which I re-read often into lounge bookcase
1497 Random leaflets and odd bits of paper in recycling
1498 Freezer cleaned out and everything fitted into kitchen freezer.  Some old or manky looking bits thrown away
1499 Garden cushions in bags and returned to loft
1500 Small boxes for my glass (Swarvorski) items put in loft
1501 Random x 10 items from round house put away.

Decluttering is definitely catching.  DD reported that she had been through a landing cupboard full of clothes etc and large bags have gone to CS along with many pairs of shoes and bed linen.  Her pantry emptied for electrical work so DSIL has painted it today.  She was going to try the MK tip of putting the remaining clothes away with hangers back to front to see what she doesn't wear in next 6 months. My sister in US has also taken three bags of good work clothes (she is a retired lawyer) to an upmarket CS. 

Once DS2 has cleared the wood out front I will post some pictures.  

TC77

I struggle with focusing on one area, as I take something to another room and see something there, or trip over something!!  Also need to clear cupboards to put things in. Have 3 bags of DIY, plumbing type things that I have put on free site as don't want to bin, someone picked up set of 3 landlines (from my dad's) 4 socks and some fabric for textile recycling, 3 towels for the animal shelter (a bag already to take) and going to check if they'll take pillows.
Have pile of things for DD1 to take or will go to CS, 2 pens out, some paper, laundry basket, heater and some chargers for the donation hub - hoping they will take before sunday (their usual afternoon), took item back to shop but had wrong receipt so hoping I can do that during the week).  One of my storage boxes is clothes I think  I want to get rid of , however, my cousin is coming round in Nov so may get her advice on this. Have clock radio (Have 2 as dds both wanted one and never really uses do one will go and I'll keep one), also tray - no handles so no good for accident prone me!  Used soapy water on my ercol chair - over 40 years of grime, debating if I need someone to do anything with them but keeping. Couple of email frogs done, and washing up and fronts of units cleaned. I didn't get to do the floor so hopefully tomorrow. Labelled some mini drawers that I can never remember what's in them which I'm pleased with. 
two pillow cases to go out (More if DD doesn't want 6 pinkish ones) 
rug folded on top of another one (from when carpet changed in another room ) put in another room and makes it much cosier. 
Table not finished but go the ironing board down. 
1660 as remembered bathroom mirror taken to CS
Lampshade and bulbs in CS bag.
I can see the floor now, but did as much in other rooms but to less effect. Books will have to wait til 2024 or even 25
Also when the house is tidy will move furniture around/ repair and hopefully pass some on too! 
Take care all. I have friday off work so looking forward to that.


 

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 

Another lazy day for me 😔 actually for all 3 of us 😉 DH & I had a bowl of hm soup for lunch with the hm bread - delicious 🤤 Dinner was burger & chips delivered to the door by an extremely cold cyclist. A small amount of wudupa will be done later. DSis & I watched the Strictly results. We are both very prudish so the opening dance by the professionals was definitely not our cup of tea 😥

2152 - 2153 Kitchen recycling & detritus dealt with

TC77, please, please eat 🙏 although I do understand how easy it is to not eat properly when you are only catering for yourself 😔 Hopefully you can get into a routine now - I will try to remember to remind you 😉 I was chief taste tester & even got to lick the bowl 😂. Thanks for the photo, I must say there is a lot of clear floor in what I think might be your bedroom 😉 I am rather intrigued by the small door on the left of the picture 😉Fingers crossed there might be treasure 🤞 Your 2nd photo (of the dining room) is a lot less cluttered than it was 👏 You have done a lot of work in there 👏 Hope you manage to collapse the ironing board 🤞otherwise it might become a beacon for clutter 😉 

Fizz2015, I think Saturday & Sunday have finally been the start proper of autumn through to winter 🥶 Rather than OH making uncomplimentary comments perhaps OH should be helping out 🤨😖 I think I might join you in the ‘stubborn club’ 😂 I have the same issue decluttering my clothes - practically everything is old & not fit to donate but I am loathe to rag them 😔 

Good news that you have a date from the hospital stellata 🙂 but a shame that you have to isolate for so long 😔 I have to say that I think you have a considerate employer, not many would be so generous 🙂 Good luck with your decluttering 🍀 but please remember to give yourself some TLC 😊

Lovely post oceanspirit 😊 I have taken the liberty of copying it as it is such a succinctly written method of tackling clutter 👏 & worthy of a medal 🏅 

Wednesday2000, good news about your hospital appointment being brought forward 🙂 Sounds like you had a successful visit to the charity shop & how great to have space in your wardrobe 😊 Way too cold to be painting outdoors 🥶 Thanks for the reminder to clean the dust out of the radiators 👏

Muddy_Walker, what a great idea 👏 

Excellent decluttering TC77 👏 Don’t forget to update your numbers - you had 1630 on page 728 😉

Excellent work QueenJess 👏 but please remember to take some time for yourself - a bit of TLC will go a long way 😊 Your cleaning cupboard is a work of art 😊 so lovely in fact that I am awarding you a medal 🏅

Muddy_Walker, the rock cakes are as delicious as they look 🤤😉

EnergyShifter, sorry to hear that you missed out on your social event but hopefully the extra time in bed has helped your recovery 🤞Just a shame it wasn’t my baking 😉

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 Sounds like ‘Operation Move Round’ has been very well planned so should go very smoothly 😊 Very impressed that you have inspired both your DD & your sister to join us on the EDT 😊 Medals 🏅🏅🏅 all round - one for you, one for DD & one for DSis 😊

🤩 TC77 absolutely brilliant decluttering 👏 So much work done all over the house that I am awarding you a Gold Star ⭐️ Your bedroom looks great 😊 I see you have updated your number to 1660 👏 Just wondering if you remembered to add the items mentioned on P731 🤔 Yippee to getting the ironing board down 🥳

Now that I have finally caught up I am off to bed 🙂 P.S. DSis wudupa 👏

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

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

Decluttering Target 2023: 2153/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £469.00

florianatwobob

Ironing pile decluttered on Friday (at least it was until the massive wash-athon on Sunday…….)

Lots of washing on the line yesterday and some of it actually dried!

Found space for the heated airer to go up (to dry the bits that didn’t dry). 

Recycling out, loafing detritus gathered up and dealt with. 

DSis and I had a lovely day trip to Canterbury on Saturday where the sun shone on us all day. 

TC77

Mrs SD thank you so much for my gold star!
Will definitely keep me motivated. 

Until Friday will be focusing on work but have some frogs to move on and items for cs and post office 

Home made soup sounds good. I may dig out veggies and make some

oceanspirit

Thank you for my medal Mrs SD.  OH has man flu and will survive despite trying to persuade me otherwise.

Cleared more emails yesterday.  Still around 300 in inbox but all the easy ones have been dealt with so those left are taking a bit of time.  Very much worth sorting it - life will be so much easier once it's done.