2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

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

Friday: Unfortunately the sofa bed is very uncomfortable so I woke at 02:00, 04:00, 06:00 & finally got up & dressed at 07:30 😞 DH’s great, great nephew R was up & about singing 😉 so woke his grandma (DH’s niece S) She made the 3 of us hot drinks & R who was very chatty & loud then settled down to building a Lego set. S & I chatted then her husband C got up & my DH eventually got up, had a shower so all of us dressed by 09:30. R complained about having a tummy ache & as he had been very unwell on Christmas Day, S phoned his mum & arranged for Dad (D) to pick him up. By the time dad arrived 20 minutes later, R had ‘miraculously’ recovered 😅 S’s mum & dad came round from next door & we had bacon or sausage sandwiches for brunch. D took a reluctant R home, I packed our overnight bag & DH helped C put chairs in the loft & move tables & sofas back to their usual places. Having said our goodbyes we left at 12:20 ….. according to my watch. After driving for about 20 minutes (in fog) DH asked why we had left so early 🤔 it transpired that for some reason my watch was nearly 30 minutes fast 😕 Turned out to be fortuitous as traffic was heavier than expected & the supposed 90 minutes journey took just over 2 hours ☹️ We were lucky in arriving within the agreed window between 13:00 & 14:00 😉 It was lovely to see everyone except cousin R’s daughter & her fiancé (who both had the lurgy that has been doing the rounds 😔) Life in Australia is certainly suiting cousin A & his partner. Cousin R is a whiz on her boot - the broken ankle doesn’t seem to be slowing her down at all 😉 although she is a bit miffed that she has to wear it for another 4 weeks at least ☹️ Although my DSis wasn’t physically with us due to being ‘lurgified’ she was with us in spirit as I had two of her Christmas gifts which she requested I redistribute 🙂 Her Magic Cube was given to cousin A to play with on his 16.5 hour flight back to Australia. Apparently a timely gift as I learnt that he ‘hates’ flying (not just the take off & landing 😱) The second gift was a smellies set - scented candle, incense sticks etc which DSis wanted to gift to cousin R. R was over the moon 🥹 Lunch was a Bolognaise style risotto with lots of porcini mushrooms (bought in Italy when she was there on holiday), pizza, deep fried prawns, chicken wings, turkey, salad & crusty baguettes. Lots of lively chatter & catching up & we now have cousin A’s address. Cousin P’s two boys have shot up since DH & I last saw them & cousin R’s dog is gorgeous. DH & I had a wonderful time & headed home about 17:20. DH had the ‘joy’ of driving across London in the dark but did a splendid job & our journey only took 1 hour 15 minutes. He was thoroughly drained both mentally & physically 😔 DSis got to partake of some of the lunch as R gave me a double portion of risotto which DSis had last night with some leftover for lunch on Saturday. DSis had spent most of the two days in bed BUT had summoned up enough energy to vacuum upstairs & downstairs & wash the kitchen & bathroom floors ⭐️ 

Saturday has been an extremely lazy day for all 3 of us - we have fended for ourselves during the day but not done anything else apart from watch TV & or nap 😉 We have had burgers delivered for dinner. Now to catch up with the cheerleading 😉 DSis is still not feeling well so only managed half her burger & 4 fries ☹️ P.S. I WILL be starting a 2025 Decluttering Thread 

London_1, it sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful Christmas Day & Boxing Day 😊 Although, like you I am at loss to understand the appeal of a Christmas dip in the sea……….. unless one is in the Bahamas 😅 

oceanspirit, very pleased to hear that you have been enjoying your time away from home & that your Christmas dinner was so well received. This “OH has given me a couple of notebooks and a 2025 planning book so I hope this will keep down the piles of lists and bits of paper with things I want to remember scribbled on them - better organisation will hopefully prevent piles of paper forming in the first place.” had me nodding my head vigorously in agreement 😉 I too need to be more organised this year 🤞

TC77, how lovely to have both your DDs with you on Christmas Day 😊 So pleased to hear that DD1 helped out with some decluttering 👏What a compliment from DD1 🥳 isn’t it a wonderful feeling when someone notices & acknowledges all the hard work you have done with your decluttering 🤩

Muddy_Walker, I agree that lovely as it is to spend time with family it can be tiring 🥹 What a nice neighbour you are 👏 We were lucky with our bins being emptied - general rubbish on Boxing Day & recycling this morning 🙂 I have never mastered the art of crocheting, although I have tried a few times over the years 😕 I think I will stick with the knitting 😉

vulpix, sounds like a lovely Christmas 😊 & slightly less stressful when someone else is doing the planning & cooking 😉 I am sending 💐 to DD1. Well done on not overbuying food 👏 We do have a bit too much leftover so I see hm soups in our future & a few bits to go in the freezer although that is not too bad as I still have plenty of room & am still planning to defrost the garage freezer. Loved this “Forgot to say, there was a little lad walking round Sainsbury’s today singing Police Navidad.” although it took me absolutely ages to remember the correct word 🤣

florianatwobob, beautiful work 😻 & I love the dragon 🤩

basketcase, I am with you in the crocheting being an ‘uphill struggle’ as the penny has yet to drop ☹️ Good luck in your endeavours & I look forward to seeing your ‘makes’ once you have located your supplies & instructions 😊

StickyTheStickInsect you are most welcome 😊 Happy to hear that you have had a lovely time with extended family 😊 & that you have over indulged in chocolates 🥳 After all there are only 3 times a year when it is de rigueur - Christmas, Easter & your birthday 😂

London_1, very impressed that one of your brothers learned to knit 🥳 I have always been impressed when gentlemen can knit 😊 & love that Tom Daly has made it fashionable over the last few years 🙂 So sorry to hear about your friend 😔 Sounds like you have all had a wonderful Christmas break 😊 & I am sure that by the time all your grandsons have left there will be barely a crust of bread to eat 🤣 At least nothing goes to waste 👏 The Christmas dip does sound entertaining to watch 🙂 but not something I would contemplate 😉 Lovely sentiments 😊

weenancy, hope you had a lovely Christmas 😊 I do hope you have managed to get some rest & that your roommates didn’t drive you to distraction 🤞Keeping everything crossed that you finally get some rain 🤞

Muddy_Walker, sorry to hear about the thumping headache 😔 I do hope your remedies worked & that you have had a couple of restful days with your dogs 😊

GrannyKate, you had your laptop & I had my iPad but like you I never quite got around to posting 😉 Too busy having a good time 😊 Sounds like you had a lovely if busy Christmas & have an even busier weekend planned 😥 I think decluttering your old car should count as at least “200” 😉 Good luck next week & hopefully the electrician will be finished in plenty of time so that the DGC can stay over 🤞Thank you for sharing such lovely memories of your family 🥹 

Moorviews, sounds like a lovely if busy Christmas 😊 Great news that you have enough space in the freezer to store excess food 👏 I too received the new Richard Osman book but am resisting the temptation to read it until I have caught up with various tasks that have fallen by the wayside 😱

Lovely to see you charlies_tribe 👋 I am with Brie in being glad that there was some good news tucked in with so much bad stuff 🥹 So very sorry to hear about your poorly dogs 😔 

Lovely sentiments Brie 🥹

Excellent decluttering TC77 👏 You are definitely on a roll for the last few days of 2024 🥳 Good luck at your Dad’s 🍀 

Lovely sentiment vulpix 🥹 Excellent decluttering & tidying - worthy of a Gold Star ⭐️ which is on its way 🙂 This “Mr V is working his last ever gig” is not something I ever thought I would read 😉 I do hope you have a lovely time at the New Years Eve party 😊 The last time DH & I went out on NYE was 1999 when we walked to the riverside to watch the Fireworks Display at the Millennium Dome 😅

Brie, relieved to hear that it was just a broken glass & no injuries 😮‍💨 Even more pleased for you that it wasn’t one of your newly acquired antique glasses 🙂

Muddy_Walker, you got more done today than I managed 😉 

Moorviews, lovely sentiments for charlies_tribe 😊 

Liverpool_Anne, sounds like you have had a wonderful few days 😊 Hopefully the footy result was a good one 😉 Sprout ketchup 🤨 I agree that it might be a taste experience too far 😂 Great decluttering 👏 & you will definitely reach your target - 11 items in 3 days will be a doddle 🙂 Lovely cheerleading 😊

vulpix, are you sure it wasn’t one of the cats rather than baby V who smashed the glass baubles 😉😉 I quite like sprouts but not convinced about sprout hot sauce 🤨 Lovely cheerleading 😊 Good luck with the clothes airer 🍀 I am very pleased to hear that you are getting everything sorted 😊 What is the betting that 2025 sees your dream home revealing itself to you 😉 even if it isn’t the shop at the end of the road 😂

Nice to see you BlueJ94 👋 Sounds like you have found the perfect inspiration for the resumption of your decluttering journey 👏 Good luck 🍀 & looking forward to following your journey 🙂

TC77, sorry to hear that you have not been sleeping & that DD2 has had what I will euphemistically describe as a ‘brain fart’ 😉 I need to join you in giving proper thought to areas that I need to tackle in 2025 especially as 2024 was not as successful as I had intended 😔

charlies_tribe, absolutely excellent decluttering 👏 A Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way for sailing past 2530 which I had noted as the next award point 👏 Good luck with your plans for 2025 🍀

QueenJess, hope you had a lovely Christmas 😊 Excellent decluttering 👏 & well done on reducing your recorded programmes 🙂

Floss, had to look up ‘Sheila maid’ 😉 Seem like a good idea (definitely MSE 😊) but unfortunately our ceilings are too low 😔

basketcase, there is definitely going to be a 2025 Decluttering Thread 😉 I will be devoting tomorrow to setting it up (now that I have caught up with the cheerleading) Thank you for the lovely compliments ☺️ 

vulpix, already buying gifts for 2025 - talk about well organised 🤩 Well done on packing away Christmas 👏 Remembering how inquisitive I am, I do hope you will share how you got on with attaining your 2024 Goals 🙏 (I never did get around to even writing a list 😔) Good luck with rearranging your kitchen 🍀

And breathe ….. all caught up 🥳 Cwtches to all 🤗 & I hope the last few days of 2024 are peaceful & full of joy 🥹 

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

DH Awards: IS A 💎🏅 🌟 🥰 🏅🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅 💐 💐 🤗 ⭐️ ⭐️

Decluttering Target 2024: 2029/2024: New Target 366:  359/366

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £681.70

TC77

Mrs SD hope you've slept better since being home, the sofa bed doesn't sounds great.
Hiw wonderful seeing,  and having such lovely family gatherings and all.ages. 
Going through photos sorting recent ones into pile for dB and me and them old.ones we may each want a copy from and throwing ones away which I don't want, either has ex or I look.worse than usual and I don't know who they are pics In 2 piles,  one worth asking cousins and another that no-one knows despite asking. 
Did pop in the cs near here and buy a jigsaw jacket and a cashmere ( new and new to me) mix jumper . I have my eyes on a baby poo coloured jumper at home ( never worn) which can go to the cs and another one which may also go. When I buy things like this at the cs males me.more.generous in giving unworn labelled items to cs. I have long suede Russell.and Bromley boots I've never worn anf struggle to give to cs so hope to do this when home! 
Mrs SD so pleased and grateful you're doing a 2025 thread, and huge thanks for all your cheerleading and creating this wonderful supportive community. Another big thanks to.all the declutterai here and those who may have moved on during the year who I think about.
@basketcase and Mrs SD thank you for comments about dd2. I do remember struggling going home from uni and afterwards being with my parents as used to living on my own. She seems better at a distance as chats/ messages since I'm at my dad's.
Hoping interest early in the new year in dad's house.
Hugs an very best wishes for.the last few days of.2024. Off to.do.some.emails and them more photos.

vulpix

 Hi, Thank you for a 2025 thread Mrs SD. We have run out of superlatives for all your work for us. I did say work, it takes as much time as a paid job. Thank you for doing it and also doing it so diligently and kindly. I am very grateful for the thread and enjoy hearing how everyone is getting on. It's like having work colleagues again now I am retired. Although I do read the thread, often I am in the car and think I will comment later and forget, so Thank you for your round up of who said what.

 Thank you everyone for contributing, it spurs me on and sometimes highlights an area I hadn't thought of. I love the pictures too. Amazing crafts, baking and lovely views and then there's me accidentally posting a picture of us and Mrs SD! Top tip,  if you think you are sending a pic by message it posts on the thread!!!!! Also Thank you for the camaraderie and just being nice people. I am so very grateful to have met Bit by bit here and so very sorry that she has gone far too soon. Roll on 2025, here's hoping for better for all of us.

 Vx

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, bit of a slow decluttering day yesterday. After the trip to the sm I was quite tired, all the socialising of the past few days not to mention driving in the fog which was really quite bad in places had taken it's tole . Anyway did a scoot around the place throwing things in the bin and recycling so lr recycling and kitchen recycling were emptied. The wheelie bin is actually quite full now with the broken down boxes, I might have to squash it down a bit to get more in
Today I must tackle the veg bag and get some batch cooking going but I also want to try to find a pair of warmer trousers as I only have 1 pair that are really thick enough for the colder weather so I better get cracking
@Mrs SD thank you so much for running this thread and for next year, I will definitely be signing up. It really does help to keep me motivated and you are an absolute star 🌟
Hugs to everyone who would like one

2014 kitchen recycling
2015 lr recycling
Take care everyone
2015/2024 so close

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi all
Thank you for this thread Mrs S_D, it is so helpful and inspiring and you are very supportive with your cheerleading of us all  I will definitely be back next year !
My decluttering has tapered off over the past few months but I will be back on it next year! I've already got half a bagful of stuff for the CS and DD2 has decluttered a load of paper and card from her bedroom.
Take care everyone
Love Deni xx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Just a just a quick note to advise that the 2025 Decluttering Thread is now live 😉

MrsSD

BlueJ94

Hello again!

So this afternoon I've pulled out my entire wardrobe and threw all the clothes on the floor, I've made piles.. 1- keep 2- throw 3-charity. I've got a black bag for throw away and a black bag for charity and downsized my clothes by almost half! 

daisy_1571

Wow, you are on it bluj94

Daisy xx

BlueJ94

daisy_1571 said:

Wow, you are in it bluj94

Daisy xx

I've come to realise I hoard a lot of things I don't ever use. So I started listening to a book and it's showed me I don't need things just incase.. So just donate it or sell

Muddy_Walker

I am not going to make 500 decluttering items but that is ok. I am finally learning I can’t do All the Things but here is what I managed today…..

Started the process for a remortgage as the fixed rate comes to an end in May.
Cleared puppy poop - I have no idea what these 2 have eaten but am guessing some of their treats were the dogs equivalent of McD!!!!!

Got some washing on.

stripped bed

397 - 407 dog toys bandana things ood medicine 
408 - 412 advent calendars 
413 - a candle I do not like

I have been feeling like I  coming down with something as head all over the place and had a low blood sugar crash earlier. I dunno - sooner we are back into a routine the better I think!