2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

basketcase

@Vulpix Well done on tidying up your frogs!

@Wednesday2000 Sorry to hear you've been under the weather and hope you're both feeling better.

@Crazycatlady2 Have all the hugs you need to keep you less stressed and low.

@nannywindow  you really do seem to be going through it at the moment.  I hope things get sorted soon

@Liverpool_Anne If you dream of being caught up with the ironing, I suppose you could always leave the washing.  A radical idea, I know... 🤣

@Florenceem Gad to hear Mr F is improving slightly, please take care of yourself too

@London_1 So sorry to hear about the family dog.  No matter how long they're with us, it's never long enough, is it?

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger There's always a place for a pyjama day!  Sounds like you enjoyed it.  BTW before I forget (again) thank you for all the medals, stars etc.  Not sure I deserve them, but I'm not giving them back! 😁

My apologies to everybody I've missed.  There are just so many in the TLC carriage.

Slowly getting back to normal now, but not much decluttering done.  However, I must get the living room sorted by the end of the week as we're bunnysitting from Sunday through to 3 January.

On a positive note, I managed to reach 15 NSDs before the end of November and all 3 days in December have been NSDs.  It won't last, of course, but I'm off to a good start.

vulpix

 Gone, an instruction book for something long gone and a big cushion to the charity shop along with a few Christmas baubles.

 Got a fab bargain at the chazzer, some black Fly boots.£1. They are so comfy, I already have the same boots in red. It has made me think about the 2 other pairs of black boots I have. One pair are like uggs but some other make and are a tiny bit small,only worn a couple of times, the others are smart ankle boots with a small heel but even that is too much for me these days. I think they can both go. For some reason that hurts a bit as they were both expensive. It doesn't usually bother me. I won't wear them again so off they will go.

 The constant dribble of stuff leaving the house would make you think I have nothing left, No, still not minimalist. 

 We have filled the freezer up today. Not a single bit of space left. That is almost all the food for several times of us hosting people and us for Christmas day. I won't get cheese n stuff yet as Mr V will just eat it. I have replaced Lebkuchen 3 times already!

Take care Vx

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

So much for making plans yesterday 😉 I spent the day knitting using up part balls of yarn to make a scarf - although I did get dressed 😉 The day stayed mild & dry with an actual high of 9°C DH went out on the bike for a mini sm shop. Dinner was a ‘use up’ - mine - cottage pie mixture (I added mash) & DH - risotto cakes from the freezer & lo pea & bacon linguine from the fridge for DSis Watched a bit of TV with DSis but kept nodding off so I went to bed at 22:30. Dropped off within 5 minutes then woke at 01:30 & 03:30 for bathroom visits & then up at 06:10. DSis had done the wudupa 👏 

189 - 190 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled

191 - 192 Kitchen & office detritus - binned

Tuesday: Not used to waking up in the dark 😉 Tuesday’s forecast is for a high of 7°C. Currently I am full of cold - bunged up nose, gunked up eyes & cough. This has led to me cancelling Thursday’s hygienist appointment as I couldn’t envisage trying to keep my mouth open for an hour 😥 No Christmas present from ERNIE but DH won £50 🙂

193 -201 Cardboard & paper packaging, 3 cardboard boxes from DSis’s room, kitchen & office recycling, magazine, drinks cans - recycled 

202 - 203 Kitchen & office detritus - binned

vulpix, hope you managed to get all your laundry done yesterday despite the rain 🤞Some great decluttering to your children 👏 although not quite sure why your DS needs 3 saws 🤨 Love that you are teaching people to knit & crochet 😊 although I think that your new ‘pupils’ might be ripe for you to declutter some of your crafting stash to them 🤣 Yippee to the sewing box being sold & what a great result re the speakers 🥳 It does sound like MrV will be retiring this time 🤞

Wednesday2000, well done on taking advantage of a wet day 👏 You were very busy & I am especially impressed with the forward planning & the kitchen cupboards reorganisation 👏

Crazycatlady2, sorry to hear that you & your husband are so exhausted 😔 Please be kind to yourselves 🙏 Lots of cwtches coming your way 🤗

nannywindow, sorry to hear that your leg is giving you so much pain 😔 Keeping everything crossed that you can get a GP appointment sooner rather than later 🤞 Also sorry to hear that your Dad is running you ragged ☹️ I am truly hoping that next year you have an ‘annus mirabilis’ 🙏 Some great decluttering especially the shoes 👏

Duchess2, nothing wrong with acknowledging a successful laundry clearance 😊 Well done on the weekend tidy 👏

Florenceem, definitely another busy day 🤩 You got a lot done yesterday 👏 Pleased to hear that MrF is becoming more mobile 😊 Keeping everything crossed that the meds start working & that his leg stops being swollen & red 🙏

Liverpool_Anne, I admire anyone who persists with making technology work for them 😊 even when it is a pain 😔 Lovely cheerleading 😊

GrannyKate, great work dealing with tradesman 👏 Sounds like everything is coming together 😊 Excellent decluttering & great work dealing with change of address notifications 👏 Very impressed that you have emptied another 3 boxes 🤩

vulpix, great work tidying 👏 & well done dealing with the driving licence renewal ‘frog’ 👏 This “………. Technology is marvellous when the stars align and it works. I think the trouble is that I have had to learn IT as a middle aged person who didn't want to learn and had no interest in learning.” - my sentiments exactly 😉 I did use a computer when I was working but it was very specific & once learned it was just a matter of repetition 😮‍💨 

Excellent decluttering Rootle 👏 Looks like you will hit your target before Christmas 🥳

Lovely post basketcase 😊 By the way, I never award medals & gold stars if they are not deserved 😅 Great result with the NSDs 🥳

Excellent & steady decluttering vulpix 👏 What a great find in the cs 🥳 Shame about the other 2 pairs of boots 😔 but looked at another way you now have space for more bargains boots/shoes 😊 Well done on filling your freezer 👏 I am still in the process of using up contents so that I can defrost so need to get a move on otherwise Christmas dinner might be beans on toast 😉

All caught up 👏 Getting back to my day - A couple of weeks ago DH bought some draught excluder to go round the front door & the door from our tiny hallway into the dining room. He decided to tackle the inside door first. Unfortunately it took so long & was so fiddly that he didn’t get around to the front door 😉 However, no more droughts & no more rattling 👏 After a quick coffee, DH then made a pan of soup using sad vegetables & some lo pork from the freezer. I made dinner last of the beef sliced with mash & green beans & gravy 😋 Wudupa. I continued knitting the multi coloured scarf. It stayed dry all day.

Sleep tight everyone 😴 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 2029/2024: New Target 366:  203/366

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £681.70

weenancyinAmerica

@Mrs. S_D - have you considered knitting draught excluders - I think it might be a best seller this year.

TC77

Mrs SD, hope you're on the mend soon. @weenancyinAmerica I think Knitted draught excluders would be great. 
Have been following along but forget  abit who said what, although amazed vulpix can find anything more to go out.
Working at home today so going to use some if what would be travelling time to tidy as been rushing last few days so washing up etc and decorations all to be sorted.
23 set of decorations in cs bag so will drop this off today so chance they will go before Xmas.

vulpix

 Mrs SD, sending get well wishes. I do hope you haven't got the everlasting cold going about.xx
 The 3 saws are different types for different jobs. They were my Mum's ,she used to do woodwork and wood carving, as well as all the other crafts she was so good at.
 I love that draught excluder tape, I have used it in loads of houses on doors and windows.
 I had a thought last night that these craft learners might not have needles or wool. I have needles but not really any excess wool.Hmm. I don't mind teaching them and hosting them but don't want to fund them as well!

 TC77, don't worry I still have plenty of stuff, I am just very good at packing it away in cupboards so you can't see it. I have taken to writing down what is in the cupboards for when I want something and don't have to turn the house upside down to find it.

 I am finally making headway on my sewing project, I think it's going to be quite nice if I say so myself.

 I am going to leap into action shortly to put away the laundry from the other day and tidy up, it's cleaner day today.

 Vx

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, more satisfied with the day yesterday .  I was up late as it was late when I finally fell asleep. Tasks done rather than decluttering as such but still happy. I went to the garage to book the car in to get the brakes done, it was a note from the MOT, then I went to the hairdresser and booked in for a cut today, looking like a burst couch again . Then I went and found and bought the recommended mop and some bird food. Then to the sm to pick up a 2g2g bag but they didn't have any and had just forgotten to cancel it. Bit annoying but it's not the first time so I did a quick whizz around and got a few bits, I didn't have a list so when I got home and saw we will need milk I did a small list for today. The bathroom bin was emptied. I filled the bird feeders and before I had even got the conservatory door shut the squirrel was up the pole having a nibble . I put the shopping bits away and had a cuppa and then watched a bit of footy on the planner, then it was time to start tea. I uu a few things lurking in the fridge OH has a stack of washing up to do and we now don't have a clean pan to use so the worktop is chokka again . After tea I did some crochet. The bkanket is about 3/4 done but it needs to be finished by Sunday when we are going to deliver it. It's fine, it's only Wednesday, no need to panic yet . OH is out tonight so I will be watching the footy on the tv and doing some more crochet

@GrannyKate your talk of overseas Christmas cards has prompted me to get my box of cards out, another job for today, luckily I don't have many overseas to sort but I have had my first card delivered so I will have to get cracking with them all

@vulpix I like making things as well but I am limiting myself to things I will give away atm .
I think it is quite hard to make friends as an adult. When I think about my friends many I have known for over 25 years and are ex colleagues that I still keep in touch with, others are friends from college and a couple from when I was at school. Sadly a few friends have died, 2 very close friends with whom retirement plans had been made but they didn't make it. Others have moved abroad so I see them only very occasionally and some I would like to see more often, those very interesting people who are always busy so only manage to catch up with about once a year. I have met a few people at the footy that I could happily have a coffee with but it has taken a good while to get to that point . I think it's also been hard for you as you have moved around quite a lot, all that time spent renovating houses leaves very little time to socialise but your knit and natter group is a good starting point . I want to hear all the gossip .
Those boots were a real bargain . I can't wear heels at all now either, in fact I don't think I own any with heels now, they all went a few years ago, my biggest dither was over a pair of grey 4 inch stilletoes that I had saved up for but could barely stand up in never mind walk in by that point still got too many shoes though :smiley 
I 'll fight Mr V for the lebkuchen

@Rootle herbs and spices languished for years in my cupboard until I got to them

@basketcase I think I could probably last over a month without washing, I have so many clothes but that would just move the pile from the ironing board to the laundry basket . Glad you are getting back to normal now, hugs

@Mrs SD that draught excludung stuff is tricky but at least one door is done hope you're feeling better soon hugs

@weenancyinAmerica excellent idea 💡

@TC77 good sorting of deccies
 
I have 2 loads of washing on the line but need to sort out the maiden for when it comes in from the line later
Right off to do something .
Hugs to everyone who would like one

1788 bathroom bin
1789 various things booked
1790 various things bought
Take care everyone
1790/2024

Siebrie

Wonderful work, everyone! I'm reading bits and pieces of the posts, just to keep motivated. Things are leaving the house; I've been to the recycling park last week.

December is a very hectic month for me: St Nicolas on 5 December (with a 'Secret Nicolas' where we draw names and have to buy gifts for that person, max €30, write a funny poem and wrap at least one of the gifts in a funny way to tease or praise the recipient), my birthday on the 13th, Christmas at home and at church (I'm in charge this year), friend's birthday on 30th, week after Christmas at mum's (including a reasonably full programme there), December school test weeks for both dds, and end-of-year stress at work.

nannywindow

Morning all, it's damp and dark here today. Thank you all for your lovely comments they certainly raised my spirits. Still no appointment as I'm not a priority and our surgery is short of GP's. Sadly that's the case with all surgeries in our health board.
I've binned Dad's phone as it was beyond repair, DH did take it apart and cleaned it but it still wouldn't work. To clarify Dad had carers and a cleaner but he sacked them all because he could do it himself 😠. We had told him that neither of us are well enough to take on his care etc. so his mess is of his own making. We do go to see him at least once a week and I phone him every other day, plus we pay his bills and do his shopping online. He's always moaning and gets you down to listen to him all the time. Sorry that turned into a rant !
Yesterday when looking for my freezer gloves I was met with an avalanche of gloves and hats in the coat cupboard. DH had 3 pairs of identical driving gloves, none of which were in the car, so I've rectified that. I found 2 pairs of my gloves which I have put in my glove and hat box. I also found something which turned out to be the material bit from an old umbrella 🤷‍♀️ which Dh kept for Justin so that has been binned. 
I finally got out my xmas cards and wrote them, sadly we have another 3 people missing from the list this year. I'll post some and hand deliver the local ones.
DD called in after work for her 8 parcels which had filled my hall (it's not very big) and stayed for tea which we all enjoyed. It was lovely to see her without the DGC in tow as they always take centre stage and DD can't say everything she wants to with big ears about.
Right I'm off to declutter the kitchen floor of it's gunk and steam clean it. 
Take care all you lovely people 🧡
nan

QueenJess

All I've been doing this week is endless washing (post DD's illness... trying to make sure no one else gets it) and endless baking/cooking as I was quite a few days behind.  Not even sure if I'm winning yet

DD is home today as she was sent home sick yesterday, but is actually absolutely fine.  It's very odd.  Anyway, she suddenly decided she wanted to go through her books, so I have a pile of books to sort out now.  I am hoping I can get enough to send off for some cash given I am not earning this month as it'll all help.  I'll count them as decluttered once I get round to doing that.  The biggest win today was sorting through DD's paperwork that was just everywhere and now I can see the side in the dining room again.  Quite a bit recycled, more into the drawers in my study to reuse on the other side and it's all neat and tidy again.  Still got the baking cupboard to organise, but I now have two absolutely huge tins on the side for all the bread flour which should save quite a bit of space.

I've left a large batch of ginger biscuits in the tlc carriage.

Digital:
10 - downloads deleted
1 - emails unsubscribed from
1 - online account deleted

Physical:
1 - baking supplies used up
34 - DD paperwork recycled

New total = 17,559