2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

Fizz2015

Morning All, my working from home didn't happen on Friday due to no Internet and a fault on the line. So headed into the office, but only after having a cuppa, doing the dishes and 2 loads of washing hung outside. 
I have found some local charity shop that will accept donations and parking outside. Though I have noticed a big increase in Charity shop prices. 

Off to do an audit of our freezers and meal plan, our food shops are costing a lot at the moment and can't figure out why. We don't buy branded, cook from scratch a lot, we do eat meat but I bulk out with lots of veggies, carbohydrates and sides. 

TC77

Vulpix and others thanks for the kind words.
Mrs SD my nos were higher and when I rediscover my notebook I will update.
4 to add , an hour in garden which I count as 2 and 2 lots if receipts out and 3 more cutlery so 7
Someone wants to come and look at a sofa today so need to clear the bit of the hall by the front door , some are bags to go out. 
Going to post 2 rooms of doom, 1 is airing room /dd2 study and has single bed which is 3/4 painted bit dd and friends couldn't reach to top! And other iis just RoD but has some furniture from the other room! Aim to make progress by next weekend. Blue drawers of kids craft to be sorted and moved from bed into the little cupboard they belong. Left out for dd to do but she's not home til Xmas probably.
Lovely to see some new people and progress being made, @happy kitties you're ploughing through stuff 
@Fizz2015 I think food prices as a whole have and still are going up, some things 50% or more. 

TC77

Plan had been ro get new carpet down in the rod which was dd1s bedroom last year and want to do ideally before van of stuff from my dads comes . Motivated today by the thought if something happems to me v unfair to leave to dds who are both still studying and untogether ! Posting to me myself accountable. 

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 10:00 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

Sunday is another dull start & chilly with a forecast high of 11°C 🥶 I was up & dressed at 10:00 - no shilly-shallying as our bedroom is cold & the radiator is turned off. No heating on yet - just extra layers worn 😉 Has anyone else watched the first episode of The Hardacres? DSis & I finally watched it last night & were thoroughly entertained 😊 Straight into cheerleading whilst I have my first cuppa 😉

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 Fingers crossed that the quote is reasonable & the work can be done quickly 🤞 Good luck with the rest of the packing 🍀 Very well done on resisting temptation in the Swedish shop 🥳

vulpix, yippee to no raw potato arm 🥳 Wishing you success in persuading MrV into the loft 😊 but please can both of you be very careful when passing things down 🙏  Good luck with the new ‘headboard’ 🍀 I was pleased to hear that you are getting someone in to do the flitting 😊

Deni_debt-free_dreamer, the Norwegian Fjords cruise sounds wonderful 🤩 apart from the return trip & having to wait for your suitcase 😔 Just wondering if you got to see The Northern Lights 🤞Well done on getting decluttering done whilst you were away 👏

Happy_Kitties, congratulations on the huge number of neutral items out 👏🥳 I am awarding you a medal 🏅 for the extra over & above the planned 500 😊 Wishing you continued success with your kitchen decluttering 🍀

Shame about the tongs diminua 😔 However well done on finally decluttering them 👏 The ‘reuse & recycling centre’ sounds marvellous 🤩 Loving the idea of colour coded skips 😊

Great decluttering London_1 👏 although it does sound like the shopping trip for new clothes is becoming urgent 😉 Fingers crossed that DGD Katie & family take off on time & can enjoy themselves once they get to Orlando 🤞 Am I remembering correctly that DGS Ben is the gardener 🤔 Fingers crossed for some good weather during his visit 🤞+ safe travels for DGS Henry 😊

Fizz2015, shame about having to go into the office on Friday 😔 but great work getting so much done before heading there 👏 Hopefully the internet is up & running now & the line fault has been rectified 🤞Good luck with the freezer audit 🍀 Fingers crossed that you find extra food stocks 🤞

TC77, good luck with the RoD 🍀 Looks like a good deal of crafting items 🙂 I am looking forward to seeing the ‘after’ picture 😊 Apologies for getting your numbers wrong 😔 & good luck finding your notebook 🍀 You really do have the bit between your teeth 🥳 Fingers crossed that the sofa goes 🤞

All caught up so will post this, make a second cuppa & plan out my knitting projects for the next month 🙂 P.S. I have amended my getting up time to 10:00 - a far more realistic target 😉

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 1804/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £471.70

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, wow everyone has been so busy . I am having a very slow start today, for some reason I slept for England last night, I woke for a bathroom visit at 6.30 and normally that would be me awake but I went straight back to sleep. Maybe it's the cooler weather sending me into hibernation mode . Apparently agricultural workers in the south of France used to semi hibernate in the winter, only getting up to eat and visit the bathroom. Considering it must be warmer there than here it is hard to imagine. 
On Friday I went for my chiropodist appointment, I had the 2nd appt of the day but as the chiropodist arrived at the same time as me it was late. She did a good job when she got to it though so I was happy when I left. On the way home the ironing board was dropped off at the tip . As I predicted the ironing was pushed back in the day as I decided to clear the draining board and the accumulation of plastic containers got the better of me. I swear they breed so they were all taken out and matched with lids and put away tidily. In the process 2 split tubs and 4 lids were put into the hard plastic bag. Several that were of a different kind but usable were put in a separate bag for OH to use when cooking for dniece as I don't care if they never come back . The kitchen recycling was emptied.  I did a small amount of ironing but it will require more doing . 
Yesterday I wrote a to do list for the day and did reasonably well. Bank account checked and a 2g2g bag was ordered to be collected while doing a medium sm shop. The fridge was cleaned, I found some very limp veg that had been hidden by OH putting a bottle of proseco in the salad draw. I have no idea why as although it is something we occasionally share with ln it is too cold for that now, we have moved on to Bailey's in the coffee . Anyhow I had to bin the stuff and gave the whole fridge a proper wash down, shopping list adjusted. I did a quick inventory of the cupboard and freezer, shopping list adjusted. I booked a windscreen repair for the chip I have had for about 4 years but I had a lurking feeling my MOT was due so checked that online and yes due 22nd November so as the chip had been mentioned last year I thought I'd better get it done . Remember the time you just made a phone call and someone turned up to fix it? Well things have moved on, have to book it online now and all sorts of information is required including a photo of the chip! 
OH finished quite early and decided to come with me to the sm. Before setting off I took several pitures of the chip intending to download it when I got home. The 2g2g bag was collected first so we could check anything off the list in the bag. Quite a good bag, huge amount of mushrooms, bananas, big bag of carrots and some baking potatoes, fresh herbs and some weird flavour crisps, paprika but OH will eat them . I haven't had a 2g2g bag for a while as they seemed to be packing them with bread and although it was ok it wasn't the bread I would normally get but I noticed they are now doing 2 types of bag, groceries and bakery. The bakery bags are only £2 so still good value but I chose a grocery bag . The shopping with OH completely blew the budget as things were added as we went along, things that OH had forgotten to put on the list but spotted, but it is a while since we did a biggish shop so I suppose it was due. We also picked up a birthday present for a friend and some cute but expensive things for the due baby. We had asked what they would like, offering to get a next to the bed cot but they had already got one. They suggested a rattle . We eventually agreed on a carrier, one of those things that you strap on so you can carry the baby around and the one they chose has been ordered but the baby clothes were too tempting to resist . We were in there for hours and eventually OH had had enough and had to go and wait in the car while I went through the till and bagged. I had planned to call in at the garage and book my MOT but it was too late so that will be a job for Monday. When we got home I unpacked and put away all the shopping and managed to fill the recycling bin so that was emptied again as was the kitchen bin. I then tried to download the photo of the chip only to discover that they want a photo with a pound coin next to it for size comparison and it was too dark to do then so that is now to be done when I have had some lunch.
I need to do some more ironing and we are out for tea and will have to leave by 5 as we are driving a way. OH has just informed me we are also out on Monday as we were meeting a friend for coffee which has turned into tea at a local Italian though it will be early with an early finish. 

@Happy_Kitties it is the thought of the stress that has me prevaricating over getting my kitchen replaced, hugs

@Mrs SD thank you for the gold star. I am hopeful that I can reach my target this year though I am behind I am getting some things done

@Vulpix glad the jabs were ok and well done on selling the cabinets even though it was hard work. Not sure I would have the patience to deal with messers. I used to put stuff on freecycle but gave up as I couldn't cope with people messing about. Hope the loft sort out is successful . Apart from the Christmas decs and a few other things I have completely lost track of what is in my loft . A job for another year

@TC77 nice work on the shelves, looks brilliant and you are cracking on with the rod

@mhagster hugs

@Deni_debt-free_dreamer the cruise sounds brilliant apart from the last but

@Fizz2015 I have also noticed the prices in cs are increasing, not sure that this is a good move but I suppose their costs have increased so they might not have an option.

Right time to do something . 
Hugs to everyone who would like one

1535 chiropodist
1536 ironing board to tip
1537 kitchen recycling
1538 plastic containers sorted
1539 ironing
1540 bank stuff
1541 windscreen repair frog moved on
1542 kitchen bin
1543 birthday present bought
1544 baby stuff ordered and bought
1545 kitchen recycling again
Take care everyone
1545/2024

vulpix

 Deni, love Norway too. I would highly recommend a trip to The Shetland isles. Up Helly Aa is amazing. I will post some pics from last January.

 Good news that your Grand daughter and family can get started on their holiday London 1

 I agree Fizz, the cost of living has risen massively.

 Keep at it TC, it isn't as bad as you think and the carpet is fine, particularly if you are thinking of moving. Would it be worth getting someone in for a day to finish the decorating and help move furniture? We have a senior servers service locally who are retired but active people who offer all sorts of skills for £25 per hour. You might have something similar locally.

 So, the loft emptying resulted in far less than I thought was up there. The dolls house is dusty so I am about to give it a shower in the bath. The rest of it is DD1's stuff in bags. A couple of shoe boxes with the dolls house people and furniture. Oh and a wooden towel rail. I am torn with that as I used it to display quilts I have made. I might want to display them again, I do ring the changes with decor in the house.

 I have just framed some prints we got. Have a pic. No idea where they will go yet.

 It's a blistering 8 degrees here atm. My heating has never been off all year Mrs SD.

 Vx

Brie

Chap on the local social media site was asking for stuff for his garden (I know, strange time of year but hey ho) and he's delighted to have my mahoosive planter.  Well he says he's delighted he hasn't seen it yet.  3 feet high and over 2 feet wide.  Offered it to a keen gardener friend who was about to say yes but then realised how much compost it would need.  I've said I'll drop it off to chap tomorrow or Tuesday - assuming I can get it into my little toy car!!!

QueenJess

Thanks everyone for your kind responses.  I have appropriately pulled myself together and back to business as usual.  Thanks @Duchess2 for your reply (it makes me feel better just to know it's not just me having that type of fun) - I do know I need to go to the doctor really, but had a rubbish experience last time (for something else) and my sister (3 years older) keeps getting told she's too young so they don't believe her (despite a family history of early menopause) and to go away.  I will eventually give in and go, but not getting my hopes up.  It's a bit of a lottery, although I will try to insist on a lady doctor.

My parents are here and think we've got off quite lightly again... bed blanket for DD (I knew this was coming and I requested it so she can be cosy in the winter) and a hand knitted hat (again needed).  Then pictures to colour in which are basically consumables (so glad I suggested this to them a few visits ago as it satisfies their need to bring gifts, but actually is something that is used and doesn't hang around).  DS got a stack of 10 books of which 5 I popped into the loft as they aren't his thing, but DD will enjoy them in a few years and the rest he will keep.  He also got some more pages for his coin album as he had run out.  So all in all, a bit of a relief!  If it carries on like this I won't be tense and anxious every time they come...

More bits and pieces gone:

Digital:
5 - items removed from wish list

Physical:
1 - bathroom supplies used up
1 - dress that doesn’t look quite right so I never wear it (charity bag)
1 - shirt I never wear for work (charity bag)
1 - baking cupboard overstock used up
1 - jumper I don’t wear (charity bag)
1 - bag I never use (charity bag)
1 - packaging reused
1 - paper, reused then recycled
1 - kids shoes outgrown (charity bag)

New total = 16,739

Use up challenge = 4/24*

*Counting the packaging as I am actively trying to use it up and have too much of it, but not counting paper being used up.

Oh - I prepped dinner earlier for the slow cooker and then ended up on a bit of a cooking spree whilst I was already there.  Means there is more hm vanilla ice cream to go with a mixed fruit crumble in the tlc carriage.  Used up some fruit from the freezer.

There are still more bits and pieces of clothes to go, but some need replacements (due to holes/falling apart) that I haven't found yet and others I need to try out and consider.  No rush for these - it is all slowly getting better.  Must get back to the digital decluttering soon...  

I need to make two loaves of bread this week, so the baking cupboard stores should take a bit of a hit and hopefully they'll be more under control by the end of the year.  I need to do a bit of a freezer dive as I'm not 100% sure what is lurking at the bottom and DH has been randomly putting stuff in there again so things aren't in their usual places.

Muddy_Walker

Hellooooo
Thank you for my star and medal and flowers MrsSD! 

Been very busy workwise and had my treatment jab Fri - really suffered this time too. Injection number 33……😳

the pack from DWP finally turned up looks like a small novel so will wade through that this week.

Mum is finally booked in for her op 1st Nov. One consultant said kidney cancer and another said possibly not….she is NOT a patient person so I have had it all moaning and winging etc etc 
Anyway….onwards…..have a safe week all xxxx

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi all
Mrs S_D - didn't see the Northern Lights in Norway or on Thursday when I got home - except via all the pics on Fb !!
@vulpix - the Shetland Islands is on my Life List - and Perez too
Deni
x