2023 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD

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

Well I didn’t come back very quickly did I 🙊 I wrote a shopping list for DH & he headed off about 14:15. I received a call from a bewildered DH as I hadn’t put any meat products on the list. I put his mind at rest by confirming that I had enough meat options in the freezers 🙂 Everything put away when DH got back. I spent the afternoon knitting & watching Agatha Christie 2 or 3 part serials. The Witness for the Prosecution which was excellent & Ordeal by Innocence which was a bit confusing but enjoyable nonetheless. Dinner was pork steaks (from the freezer), mash, cabbage & broccoli. Wudupa. DH has started making a soup. The only other thing I have done is put up the string for Christmas cards 😉

2493 - 2495 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, newspaper - recycled 

2496 - 2497 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned 

QueenJess, sorry to hear that you were feeling overwhelmed on Wednesday 😔 However, you did got a lot of work done - both tidying & decluttering 👏 Very impressed that you have already put away half the stash of games that your parents dropped off at the weekend 🤩 I love your method of decluttering - 10 items tidied, 1 item decluttered 👏 Although it sounds like your ratio is more like 10:3 😉 Also sorry to hear that work has been so busy that you are feeling exhausted 😩 Keeping everything crossed that the next few weeks leading up to your leaving date are quieter & concentrated on handing over as much as possible 🤞It sounds like you have picked the perfect time to resign 😊

bit_by_bit, sounds like you and vulpix had a grand time 😊 & well done to both of you for resisting the temptations of the CS 👏 Good luck dealing with your huge or maybe that should be humongous frog 🍀

Liverpool_Anne, sounds like your longer sleep on Wednesday did you the world of good 😊 Excellent work getting nearly all of your Christmas presents purchased 👏 Fingers crossed you managed to get them all wrapped yesterday 🤞Such a shame about the parking fine 😔 Although I still don’t understand why the machine didn’t ask for any extra payment if you really did overstay 🤨 

You have been busy weenancy 😊 as usual 😉 Well done on using up all your coupons & vouchers 👏 a 30% saving is not to be sniffed at 😉 very MSE. I am keeping absolutely everything crossed (including my eyes which is making it difficult to type 😅) that Bella was on her very best behaviour & that she enjoyed her sleepover 🤞🤞😊 Great news that the cat now has a more appropriate place to sleep rather than on your bed 😊👏 Hope Friday’s book sale is as successful as possible 🤞

Great work TC77 👏 Almost there 😊

Wednesday2000, well done on remembering that the decorator was turning up early - not too fuzzy headed then 😉 Also very well done to your husband for hanging up the washing 👏 such a lovely feeling that he can act on his own without being asked 😅 Hopefully the allergic reaction to the face mask cleared up quickly 🤞

GrannyKate, shame about your lost post but thanks for the pointer to the MSE Travel & transport forum 👏 

daisy_1571, what a great word “fankle” sounds quite exotic 🙂 I think we are all holding our breath & hoping that Bella had a good night with her new pack 🤞Sending healing vibes your way so that your sore throat is decluttered asap 🙏 Excellent work making ginormous curtains 👏 “Queen jess, I recognised myself in some of the things you write,  your self imposed idea that you have to do all the puzzles before deciding which to keep.   I do stuff like that.  Impose these ideas on myself and this never ending list of things I 'have' to do sits at the back of my mind stressing me quietly.   I think im going to try to keep an eye on this and be kinder to myself from now on.  The police are very unlikely to come to my door checking if I've properly read each book in my enormous bag of books to be read before moving it on for example.   Freeing.” Please be kind to yourself 🙏 Regarding New Tricks - DSis & I have been watching this on Drama 😉 We had both forgotten how manic Brian was in the first few seasons 😧 

QueenJess, hopefully you can find time to make a few of the puzzles without having to resort to staying up all night 🤞😉 Good luck with the sales 🍀

vulpix, I am with you in hoping that Bella will not only enjoy her sleepover but that she will be accepted into the pack 🤞although I am sure weenancy will miss her 😔 Wishing MrV an early Happy Birthday 🥳 Unfortunately I have yet to pick up anything for DH or DSis as both of them buy everything they want or need throughout the year 😔 I do like the idea of a jumbo towel 🤔 

Just noticed the time so even though I have not quite finished the cheerleading I am off to bed 😉

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

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

Decluttering Target 2023: 2497/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £679.00

~FlowerPot~

MRS SD ~FlowerPot~, I could almost ‘hear’ the relief in your post that the working week was done & you could do some housework 🙂 Then almost ‘heard’ the disappointment that you had so much else to do that the housework would have to wait 😔 Maybe DS1 could lend a hand 😉 Although I am sorry to hear that he has quit uni, it might be that it is not quite what he expected 🤔 Reminds me that my DB didn’t enjoy the experience first time around but went back a few years later & got his degree 🙂 So there is still hope especially as his gf is continuing her studies 🤞Maybe you could get your youngest to do all the washing up 😉 it might concentrate the mind that doing the cooking sometimes is far easier 😅

such a shame Ive been to busy to do the housework . Im leaving DH to clearDS1 room of all the washing thats been drying there and give it a quick once over. And Im hoping the lounge might also get done while Im out (ever hopeful!!) collecting DS1 today. The hospital trip took 4 1/2 hours. This particular department is always extremly busy and you always know you will be there hours. But, nethertheless, we are extremly grateful for their care.

Not such happening on the decluttering front. and bags are still awiting a trip to the charity shop! Must pull finger out and get motivated!!

Just been my bank account and the results of that huge toad I was working on months ago has resulted in a nice big back payment.  Now I just need a letter/ email to tell me how much it will be going forward!

Moorviews

@Muddy_Walker - that’s so disappointing after all your effort and support of other people doing fundraising. I don’t doubt that many of us have had similar experiences. Well done though on raising funds and awareness for the charity. Please don’t let the snowflakes languish as it might still be possible to use them to raise funds in a different way, especially at this time of year. 

FlowerPot- great news on the reward for tackling the toad👏
Mrs SD - an afternoon of knitting and watching Agatha Christie films sounds perfect to me! 

Well done to everyone getting on with decluttering in all our different ways. I shall be replacing a kitchen appliance today and the old one taken away. Everything is starting to go wrong and need replacing in our house at the moment. It seems that our ancient appliances and heating system cannot be repaired due to either parts no longer being available or not meeting current regulations. So we shall be limping along and getting work done when tradespeople have time. It’s not a good time of year for availability! It’s made me very behind with all things Christmas. I have been through one of the boxes of leaflets and guarantees and recycled some for items that we no longer have. Also, sorted out the community newsletters and put the out of date ones out for recycling. I had a sort through the fridge too but it really needs a proper clean out. 

Most of the Christmas cards have been written and it has been very satisfying to finish packets up instead of buying new ones. Also, a bit strange as I love buying new cards each year. We really need to count up what we need rather than overbuying in future. 

I won’t have time to make mincemeat, Christmas cake or the pudding and am going to buy them instead. The first time in decades that I haven’t made all my own so it will be an interesting experiment. It’s been an effort to resist buying in lots of dried fruit etc. Mr MV is not fussy and has been consuming bought mince pies for weeks now so he won’t mind, although he does prefer homemade. Or says he does 😂

Siebrie

Out: 3 socks with unfixable holes.

Celebrated: my birthday. Really simply, just with husband and dds. I made cauliflower curry for dinner, with a bought cake for dessert. My gifts haven't arrived yet; many packages are already on delayed delivery times!

GrannyKate

Morning all - I will attempt to post without losing it today.  

Much time has been spent on sorting the consequences of my stolen phone and bank card.  Lots of instances where the loss of one required you to use the other which I obviously couldn't - had to keep explaining myself over and over again.  Yesterday's call to the bank found someone more helpful.  New phone is set up in part and I have a new bank card but no access to internet banking until I get a new passcode.  Claim paid for new phone case so replacement ordered.  Still some issues to sort with mobile provider.

1792 Insurance claim completed
1793 Banking sorted and new card received
1794 New fob for swimming collected
1795 New coop card ordered
1796 Things set up on phone
1797 Remembered to claim and spend £7 voucher at Mr A
1798 Plastics to recycling
1799 Ink cartridges ordered - should be able to reclaim as printing for DS2 work
1800 Christmas cards all posted (posted DD's for her as well as she was off abroad again)
1801 Christmas gifts delivered to DDs
1802 Ink carriages for recycling 

Right I'm going to nip out to the tip and a few other places now

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 morning from a miserably dark IofD even though it is 08:40 😔 I have made my first cuppa & will do some cheerleading before getting dressed & heading out to the P.O. (when free bus travel kicks in 😉) 

Brie, I had visions of you packaging up your brain & leaving it in a safety deposit box whilst you chilled out in the TLC Carriage 😂 Although I can see what you mean about too many plans & not enough time 😱 However you did manage to get a lot done in the end 👏 I on the other hand have the same problem but no inclination to do anything 😂 Everything crossed that you can have a calmer Friday 🤞

charlies_tribe, what an amazing transformation of your conservatory 👏🤩 I notice Santa is admiring your work & helping you decide where to put the Christmas tree 😉 congratulations on getting it done - a Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way 👏 I think your ‘wee scamp’ kids need to head off to the opticians 😂 I did smile at the photobombing by your little dog 😁 It must be a great jigsaw to have caught your eye 3 times 😉 Perhaps you might be able to exchange it with just the collection email 🤞

QueenJess, you sound so much more upbeat in yesterday’s post 😊 You are definitely fired up to hit the revised target you set 🤩 Please take a 10 minute break today 🙏 - just to celebrate the stupendous amount of decluttering you have done in 2023 🤩🤩🥳 After all 38,800 is a mind boggling number - I can’t seem to find an emoji that adequately rewards such a huge effort - you are a Superwoman 😊

Yippee to having a fully functioning new bathroom EnergyShifter 🥳 Fingers crossed that the finishing touches are completed very early doors in January 🤞Excellent work getting to within one item of your 3:1 ratio 👏 Maybe you should count the mega session of returning things to their rightful places 🤔 

Muddy_Walker, sounds like the quiz was thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated 👏😊 How about reframing your number of miles walked 🧐 Perhaps you could look at it as ‘my starting point is ????, I have walked 475 miles & I am now in ???? ‘ just to remind yourself how successful you have been in upping your step count in 2023 😊 I would be lucky if I had managed 4.75 miles let alone 475 miles 😉 So very, very sorry to hear that your charity fundraising efforts were met with such apathy 😔 Your snowflakes are such beautiful works of art 😍 Perhaps take a small bag of them into work next week as you might get some more buyers as last minute gifts 🤞 You are not being negative just sad 😢 so I am sending Cwtches your way 🤗 

~FlowerPot~ at least you HAVE been too busy to do the housework 😊 I have no excuse other than sheer laziness 😅 Hooray for the NHS 🥳 - we are so lucky to have it 🥹 Congratulations on getting such a great result from dealing with your “huge toad” 👏 

Moorviews, what a lovely cheerleading post 😻 Sorry to hear that appliances have chosen such an awkward time of year to break down 😔 Your mention of tradespeople being unavailable at this time of year has reminded me that our tree pruning chap has had to delay his visit by a week 😔 Well done on turning your disappointment into a positive session of decluttering 👏 Your mention of the satisfaction of using up cards rather than buying new made me 😀 & is very MSE 👏 MrMV sounds like MrSD re eating shop bought mince pies for the last few weeks 😉 although sadly he didn’t buy any this week 😞 

Siebrie, A belated Happy Birthday 🎂🥳 💐 Fingers crossed that your birthday presents arrive before Christmas 🤞

GrannyKate, the last thing you needed especially at this time of year 😔 and 😡 Hopefully the mobile provider will pull their finger out & sort out any remaining problems ‘toute suite’ 🤞Excellent decluttering amidst the chaos of sorting out the theft of your phone & bank card 👏 

I have taken so long to catch up on the cheerleading that I have made another cuppa & delayed my trip to the P.O. 😔 but at least I am dressed 😉

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

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

Decluttering Target 2023: 2497/2023

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £679.00

vulpix

 Muddy, rotten times. please feel ok soon. No consolation but our craft stall only made £160 at the Christmas market. One stall holder only made £5. Just no money about this year.

 Rotten time for you too Granny Kate,I hope you still managed a lovely time with your daughter.

 Amazing work Charlies tribe. You should feel very pleased with yourself.

 Brie, well done on juggling an overloaded brain. I quite enjoy having a lot on, but I do like a good list!

 Happy Birthday Siebrie xx

 There was something else but It escapes me. I will send a group hug to cover all eventualities.

 Mrs SD the mattress is still in the back of the car. It will have to stay there until DD2 visits tomorrow. It weighs a ton and I have done something to my knee. It "popped" when I put my foot on a stair. Serves me right for showing off and trying to walk. Currently in bed with fluffy cat and a hot water bottle. I will sadly have to bow out of work this weekend. 

 I sorted a large bag of linens to go. I am clutching at straws with numbers. I am aiming for an average of 4 items a day ousted in 2023. Pleased that 1,454 items have gone to new homes. Need 6 more things before the end of the month.

 Also decluttered a bit more weight. Gone down into the next stone which is so encouraging. 33 lbs lost this year.

 out 2 more duvet covers
       6 pillowcases
       fitted sheet      

 new total 1,454

 Vx


      

Siebrie

@Brie My head is full, too, that's why I have a 5x7cm notebook in my handbag. It's just blank pages, and I note down whatever comes to my mind (it's similar to a bullet journal in that respect). I will have a page labelled

'what to do when visiting Mum for Christmas'

'what to take to Mum's'

'what to buy at Mum's' (everything is cheaper in her town)

'Saturday'

'sunday school ideas'

'wishlist for dd1'

'would be nice to...'

'today' (maximum of 3 items)

tips for cleaning/baking/website addresses, ....

Once the page is full and done, I will tear it out. There's only about 10 pages left now.

London_1

Happy Birthday Siebrie hope you have a good day.

Thankfully the the cold is on its way, fingers crossed.
But a bit more wool have been decluttered and 7 outfits made for my DGGDs Barbie dolls, so even though I've been stuck indoors mainly in the sitting room its meant that a few more bits are made for them both. Nice change knitting little dolls clothes as well .

Two of my DGS are coming tomorrow to plant some bulbs in the garden for me that I managed to buy from Dobbies on Tuesday morning at half price plus 20% off discount  so 55 bulbs for less than a tenner.

 It will be nice to see them come up at the place at the bottom of the garden when my house goes on sale in early spring  

I had to have a short walk to the Drs to order a repeat prescription and dropped off another bag of stuff at the CS as it was on the way.

 Didn't need any food shopping so only 2/15 NSD food shops this month.probably only a very small shop this Sunday before I go away on Christmas Eve until the New Year.

Getting more wriggle room in the freezer, and peeled all the potatoes and they are in water in the fridge now, so no fresh veg left apart from some yellow and red peppers which I will use to make some more chicken stuff on Saturday for the freezer. Fruit wise I have about 8 satsumas left to use up before I go away but I do have a lot of tinned fruit so its not a problem. 

My DGSs  wil also move a small cabinet from my study upstairs to the spare room, and hopefully I'll be able to empty the desk of stuff of all the old paperwork as well.

DGS Jack said he would like it for his home at his school where he works, as he lives on site as its a boarding school so they will take it apart and it will be ready to go to his house in the New Year.

So more stuff to go from the spare room. I'm really starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with all the stuff I really don't need to take with me when I move .Eldest DD said she will sort out my wardrobe and empty a lot of it away for me and it will either go to vintage as she does do a lot of it or to a CS. Having lost a lot of weight this year most of it is too big for me anyway so I'm happy to get rid of it.

Really pleased with the amount of stuff gone and none of it been missed at all  

  JackieO xx

Siebrie

I cleaned the middle and top desk drawers at work. The middle one is where I store my private stuff (medication, emergancy make-up, vacation requests, proper tea, etc). It's all neat and tidy now