2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

weenancyinAmerica

@London_1 - Weather alert - tell Katie to check on the weather before they leave. Florida is supposed to get a tropical storm that might bring tornados with it on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully they will be going to Disney World later in their trip, but their flights could be delayed.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks 

2. Sort out sleep patterns - target bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 9:00 a.m 

3. Deal with mail & email on a daily basis

4. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive oil pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc

5. Commence ‘Operation Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter

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

I have done precisely nothing all afternoon 😔 DH filled the bird feeders. Dinner is going to be pork steaks, mash & green beans. 

Excellent work TC77 👏 Good luck with the sales 🍀 So pleased to hear that you are feeling far more positive today 😊 Thanks for the timely reminder that spending time in the TLC Carriage is exactly what is needed 😊

vulpix, I did have Dr Who in mind as I was knitting the scarf 😉 Although I must admit to struggling with the idea of uneven blocks of colour 😥 Lovely advice for TC77 🙂 Hopefully the quilt can go to someone who will love it 🙏 

daisy_1571, another talented granddad 👏 Has Mr d inherited any crafting skills? 

Good work TC77 👏 You definitely have the bit between your teeth 😊

Excellent work diminua 👏 I agree with TC77 that it is brave to count ‘INs as well as OUTs’ 👏 Well done for persevering even though you’ve “found it a bit more effort than I thought it would be” 🥳

weenancy, so not only a ‘master family historian’ but also a ‘master chef’ 😊 vulpix, I think old cider is more like vinegar so might have made a good cleaner 🤨 although the smell might have been a bit off putting 😅 You have made a really good job of making your home look spacious 😊 Another thought that struck me as I was reading about large families in small houses was that each individual person probably took up less space 😉 Excessive bra buying - not heard of that one before 😅 I would settle for a comfy bra let alone comfy and pretty 😂 Well done on making the cushions 👏

Excellent decluttering 2Scratters 👏 What a lovely description of the benefits of decluttering “I am slowly starting to "feel" the space appearing in  random places and it is allowing me to breathe. Small joys when it happens, it lifts me up.” 😊 I know exactly what you mean 🙂 Sorry to hear about the fake £20 note 😔 both annoying & upsetting. Not sure how any of us are expected to tell the difference between a good note & a fake 😔 The cynical side of me thinks it is a ‘ploy’ to get us to stop using cash 🤨 I did read up on it & the onus does seem to be on the individual to recognise a fake 😞 

Liverpool_Anne, loving the ongoing conversation about ironing & especially loved the idea of ironing the bed sheets before getting into bed 😊 similar idea to a bed warming pan 🤔 but with less chance of accidents & definitely safer than a hot water bottle 😉 The “licence chasing police” - I remember them 😠 They were a law unto themselves & I am surprised there weren’t daily reports of them being assaulted  😉 Also thoroughly enjoying the conversation about the number of people living in small houses 😊 Nowadays of course there are so many ‘people/organisations/government’ telling us that children should have their own rooms, that brothers & sisters shouldn’t be sharing a room etc etc that I am surprised anyone ever has any children 😞 Hopefully both you & OH are feeling a lot better today & can enjoy your evening out 🙏

daisy_1571, I have to say that all sounds a bit too cosy 😥 & the bathroom rota doesn’t bear thinking about 😱 Not much ironing done here either. Of course, now that we are entering the colder months & will be wearing jumpers over our tee shirts, there is even less reason to iron 🤣

TC77, I loved what I saw of your house - so many lovely things 😊 Now you just have to decide what your favourites are 😉 although that is easier said than done 😅 You might have picked up 3 books but I seem to remember that you are pretty good at re-donating once read 👏  

D123456789, Well done to LO - she has definitely caught the Decluttering Bug 👏 One medal 🏅 on its way 😊

Well said TC77 🙂 Fingers crossed for the sofa pick up 🤞that will free up oodles of space 👏 Also hoping that your wrist will allow you to get back to knitting 👏 Good luck sorting your craft stash 🍀

Excellent decluttering nannywindow 👏 You definitely have the bit between your teeth 😊 I think you are doing quite well encouraging your DH to declutter - a labour of love 🥰 I do think that turning the office back into a bedroom might be a step too far though 🤭 

daisy_1571, your first sentence did make me 🤭. Perhaps we ought to set up a club along the lines of AA 🤔 There is plenty of room aboard the EDT although not quite sure what we would call it 😅 I am open to suggestions 😉 I think you were very restrained - just 3 items & one of those was an early Christmas present 😊 Shame about the painting though 😔 The narrow boats are so beautiful but ………. 😅

What a wonderful day London_1 🤩 - finding the tongs, mending, decluttering &  being in touch with the four grandsons & your granddaughter 😊 and the sun was shining 🌞 Life is good 😊

vulpix, I do love it when members of our declutterati family meet up 😊 Great work with your crafting 👏

Floss, vulpix is lovely isn’t she 😊 Pleased to hear that the band were ‘fab’ & that you had a great time 😊 I am with you on the towels - doesn’t seem very hygienic to me either 😞

London_1, for our youngsters 4/3d equates to just over 21 pence per gallon. My DH remembers petrol at 79 pence per gallon. Thinking about, it seems almost inevitable that fuel prices will rise 😞 Although it is a rather large increase in stamp prices, I will still be sending Christmas cards as generally speaking apart from a couple of presents it is my only expense over Christmas 😉

All caught up 🥳 Dinner was tasty despite my slightly burning one side of the pork steaks  🙊 Wudupa. DSis & I watched SCD - a very high scoring week & some really good dancing.

1725 - 1727 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, glass bottle - recycled 

1728 Kitchen detritus - binned 

Sleep tight 😴 

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 🏅 💐 🎖️ 💐 ⭐️ 💐 💐 🥇 ⭐️ ⭐️ 💐 ⭐️

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1728/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £471.70

mhagster

Hello 👋 I’m going to jump back in, if I may.

I was posting regularly earlier this year as I decluttered in preparation for moving house. The move has not happened and I have made the decision to stay in my house. 90% of my belongings went into storage at end of May as the first sale fell through ( there have been subsequent second and third sales that have fallen ( further down the line) and I just could not face a fourth) so I’ve been living fairly minimally since May. 

It is not my natural choice of lifestyle! But I also know I’m going to be very overwhelmed by the amount that will be returning when my container is here through the week. 45 BIG boxes of ‘stuff’ and I need to remind myself it took 5 weeks to pack them. 

So here goes…another declutter journey beginning!

Yesterday I emptied 6 smaller boxes that were in the garage. One had two little wedding favours from my wedding 32 years ago that were damaged so I’ve thrown them out. ( was a bit sad but…) 

One box had some cookery books ( I love cookery books) and I’ve sorted some for charity shelf at local supermarket . They are just next to the front door so I’ll put them in the car today and drop them off next time I’m in. 

I had kept some little cards ( from florist deliveries) then thought why am I keeping these? So they’re recycled.  

I went through my understair cupboard which had 2 big  zipped bags in it of boots and coats ( I actually thought these were in the container) so I’ve sorted them and will put one pair of boots in charity bin at supermarket, so again, they’re at the front door to go out. And I managed to make space for the garden furniture cushions at the back of the cupboard. 

Today the plan is to start and sort through the airing cupboard stuff and to take my clothes out of suitcases and put back in drawers. And then suitcases can all fit inside each other and go back in airing cupboard where it lives! I put most of airing cupboard in big zipped bags and just piled them on top of each other so hopefully not too difficult a job. I have used the same 2 towels and washed and reused one set of bedding since May…looking forward to a choice! But also to consider whether I actually need to keep as much choice. 

Have a good day…I’ll be back later! 

GrannyKate

Wow I'm sure I was only awol for 2 days and here were 37 posts to read.  I need to start the day with a frog so that will be first job after shower and dressed.

I had to go back South Friday evening and stayed at Prem Inn with GCs.  Very disappointing as they are usually really reliable.  I had to go and get clean sheet for DGD4 as it was soiled and a few items around the room were not clean.  I attempted to pull curtains aside in the morning the rail fell down!  Children annoyed because breakfast was not self service for the hot food and they love doing that.  Nevertheless we had a lovely morning at Whipsnade Zoo - last time I was there was February about 13 years ago with DGD1 and there was a blizzard.  Yesterday was beautiful although I managed to fall heavily on uneven ground and squashed poor DGS4 between me and the fence.  I must take a stick out with me.  We picked DS2 and partner up at Luton airport at 1.45 - a very organised free pick up area. They have had great time in Portugal with my brother who lives there.  I realised that since 11 September I have driven 3 return journeys of about 360 miles each and escorted sisters in law to South of France and back by train.  

EA tells me that my buyer is completing on her house on 21 October regardless of whether I am ready and will move in with son.  I stressed that delays are all at solicitors and I do everything asked immediately.  I cannot see everything being done for my purchase as solicitor has asked for things she hasn't got yet.  I am allowed to borrow a key this week to let someone in so I will be able to check some measurements etc.  As far as I know the house is still completely full of stuff.  

1126 More packing done - now at 14 boxes and 2 bags - started some kitchen stuff that I want but can manage without
1127 Broken feather duster binned 

Hearing clinic, quiz and committee meeting this week. Plus packing big time.  

vulpix

mhagster, how disappointing and stressful for you.When you unpack and declutter as you go,your home will feel streamlined. By emptying the house and slowly bringing things back it will be almost like the sort your life out programme. I think you should treat yourself with all the money you have saved by not moving. Welcome back.

 Granny Kate, you have been clocking up the miles recently. I am sure it will be alright on the night as they say. It always seems impossible and then as if by magic they get their act together at the last minute and it all happens in the blink of an eye. I wonder if solicitors get stressed by their own house moves like us mortals do!

 All this house moving talk has me grateful that I am staying put.Yes I would like a view again and a little bit more room for visitors but it isn't a hardship to live here. I do always need a project though so when my craft stash is used up and the garden is tidy and all my diy jobs done, what then? Ah yes, the sheds. a positive mine of junk in there!

 Someone asked for crafty type things on FB for a SEN school. I filled a carrier bag with fabric, ribbons etc. She is collecting that later. The drawers from the spare room should be collected later too.

 Mr V back tonight, he has decided to give a massive pair of speakers to a community project. All a step in the right direction.

 Vx

GrannyKate

Just quick check in to update signature and say I did the early morning frog although IT was difficult today.  

1128 Frog munched up

Going to DS2 for Sunday dinner in a bit. 

Wednesday2000

I have been looking on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see how little I can take for my holiday in Cornwall. If you have 3 tops and 3 bottoms that all match you can make 9 outfits, apparently. I need to go through my wardrobe when I get back and have a try on session.

I bought a Zara trench coat from a charity shop the other day and I'm planning on trying to dye it today. It is beige and I don't particularly like that colour. I'm too pale!

I have been using up fresh food too. I just made a stir fry for brunch, but I have potatoes and carrots left. I might make a roast dinner later on as that stir fry really filled me up.

I can't believe how nice and mild the weather is for October. I have a long to-do list for when I get home including booking my flu jab.

Happy_Kitties

Many thanks for my two gold stars Mrs SD, by shipping out the neutral items I have been able to do some general decluttering aswell, it really is good for the soul.

320) huge bag of soft plastics disposed of at supermarket recycling point
321)-326) 6 more Bags of Joy leaving/left the house
327)-328) games x 2 BN also donated for community projects

Currently getting a bag of items together for the CS. If I can get to 400 before the end of the year I will be very happy.
The last of the neutrals are being shipped out next weekend.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, all I decluttered yesterday was the 2 LDFPA. The footy was on tv at lunch time and we were out for tea and between times I was still feeling a bit rough, tired and sort of spaced out due to lack of sleep but it was a nice evening. 
I heard from my Dniece about our proposed visit to their new house late last night. Basically it's been cancelled as they are having the windows fitted that week and the kitchen is being delivered for them to fit themselves at the same time. I was afraid this might happen as they had so much to do and such a tight time scale but I am disappointed that it will be another year before I see them again. 
I have no idea what I am going to do today, the weather is looking threatening and OH is resting feeling a bit rough so......

Hugs to everyone who would like one

1504 & 1505 LDFPA
Take care everyone
1505/2024

BudgetingBelinda

Tupperware and pots/pans cupboard is cleared! Two bin bags of rubbish/recycling gone, car cleaned inside and out. Owwww hurrah! Feeling so accomplished 🎉