2024 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD

vulpix

 Hi BlueJ94 welcome aboard.

 Happy Birthday energy shifter,I hope you have had a lovely day.

 TC77, lovely room and lovely things. You are so nearly there with it. 

 I have washed the huge new to me curtain today and made a huge pan of parsnip soup and two different meals to be portioned up for the freezer. The curtain has come up lovely. Laura Ashley duck egg linen. £4, I don't mind if I do. Of course I will have to spend the day tomorrow making it the right size to fit the back door.

 Christmas decorations. I gave my Mum's away on fb as craft materials for school. An after school club snapped them up.

 Sorry to post so much. I read things and want to offer support and if I don't do it straight away I would forget things. I have had so much support on this thread, I want to repay in kind.x

 Vx

EnergyShifter

I had a low-key and very lazy birthday, pottering this morning, a nap this afternoon then out for a meal and a walk along the South Bank this evening.

Tasks

Tidied office 

In (running total 6)

7. Pack of LED tea lights (very convincing)   

Out (running total 20)

21. Book

22. Dress

23 & 24. Nintendo Switch & game 

25. LED candle 

Mrs SD - Thank you so much for your birthday wishes and medal - I will wear it with pride 🏅. 

Vulpix - Thanks for birthday wishes  

StickyTheStickInsect

The children have had their first full week back at school and I’d hoped this would mean that I’d be able to get a bit more done but I’ve been poorly again and have been sleeping when they are at school and I’ve had other things taking up my time. I’ve finally got a referral for Long Covid, it’s been a two year wait and I’ve had my first appointment this week, I had a scan and I have 3 other investigations to be done and to finally see a consultant in April. To restore the balance of the universe through, I’ve had my application for ESA turned down.

DS1 had an appointment this week for a review of his ADHD medication which has been the first one to work well and we were beginning to have a bit of calm but his blood pressure was spectacularly high, so we’ve had to stop it immediately and we’ll start the whole process again with a new medication next week.

I’ve managed to declutter some bits though, on our local freebies site I’ve managed to get shot of a set of office drawers, 4 jigsaw puzzles, a selection of kids toys, some kids games, some Christmas gift bags, a bottle stopper and lots of disposable cutlery (I have no idea why we had so much!) This is the equivalent of 3 bags. I also donated a bag of DH’s polo shirts and coats to a local charity that helps the homeless and three children’s cycle helmets that have been on Olio for six months finally went this week. Now I’ve added it all up, 4.5 bags actually seems pretty good given the week I’ve had!

Love to you all xx

8/52

TC77

Vulpix , your support to everyone is lovely and I'm  inspired by all your amazing crafts ( and envious of your skills). 
I keep in mind how Floss displays items important to her and uses such wonderful colours around her home, and so my aim is not to have things tucked away but to use or display things I love. Yes some functional things can remain hidden! 
@StickyTheStickInsect , virtual hugs, you've so much going on and you've decluttered lots. I hope you're taking some time to rest x

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks + a weekly Jettison Junk in January

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 

Decided to give the focaccia more proving time & use the oven to cook dinner - lamb chops & lamb steaks + Mash, peas & cabbage. Tonight, I will be treating myself to a long soak 🛁 followed by a bit of pampering 😉 Meanwhile until I have fully digested my dinner, I have added the salt, pepper, rosemary & olive oil & baked it whilst I was doing the wudupa. 

By the way the rock buns are delicious (DH used orange extract rather than zest) & a tin I kept as a Justin was the perfect size for the rock buns being taken to Kent with the focaccia 🙂 Our cancelled Boxing Day trip to DH’s niece S is taking place tomorrow. Yes, I will be wrapping up warm & will look like the Michelin man on the back of the bike 😉 P.S. The fish slice handle snapped whilst DH was using it 🙊 

71 - 74 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, cardboard & paper packaging - recycled 

75 - 76 Kitchen detritus binned 

Wednesday2000, to quote Hugh Grant’s character in Notting Hill “whoops-a-daisies” 😉 I just hope the washing didn’t cause any problems 🙏 I agree with oceanspirit “what a lovely calm corner you have created”  and what beautiful objects 😻 Mind you I do like your little white baskets - do you remember where they are from 🙏

flamingo747, not too sure about splitting monies with your menfolk when you have done all the work 🤨 Although looking at it another way, no pocket money for Mr Flamingo this week 😂 Sorry to hear you still have the cough & I am keeping everything crossed that you don’t get the same diagnosis as SiL 🤞🙏 There is still plenty of room in the TLC Carriage 😊

oceanspirit, sorry to hear that you are so fatigued 😔 but well done on keeping up with the day to day admin & cooking 👏 Would you like a few of the declutterati family to come round & help you out by eating some of the meals 😉

Welcome aboard the EDT BlueJ94 👋 A gaming room 😮 if we bring round drinks & nibbles …………😅 So first things first - practice taking an item out, using it & then put it away 😊 If you can do this you will soon form a habit & will gradually notice that fewer items will go missing 😊 Looking forward to hearing about your successes 👏

vulpix, it must be so liberating to know that your children only want some old drawers & an old mirror 😊 It means that you & MrV are free to make decisions that suit you 🥳 Wow, what a wonderful use of monies raised through selling - a holiday in Turkey (for 2 or 5) 🤩 Your are a seasoned declutterer - MiL’s house, your house & now your Mum’s house 👏 You won’t know what to do with yourself when it is all done 😉 Perhaps a new career - as a decluttering guru 😊

Thanks for the article flamingo747 👏 A lovely reminder of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning 😊

Dfw38, lovely post. I don’t think I have anything of my Dad’s (he died when I was 14 😢), I have my mums earrings & her pearls & some of her crockery (most of which is in daily use 😊) + a couple of bits from my stepdad. DSis on the other hand has boxes of Mum’s stuff & stepdad’s stuff (in the attic & Room of Doom)+ several pieces of Dad’s stuff (she was only 6/7) - she is definitely way more sentimental than I am 😉 I am dreading Decluttering both those areas 😔 Excellent decluttering 👏 & I love that you are looking forward to decluttering Bag 7 😊

Excellent decluttering BudgetingBelinda 👏 You really do have bug 😊

Moorviews, what a beautifully written post 😻 so much support & empathy for your fellow declutterati 😊 You might have been random in your decluttering Moorviews but you have done so much 🤩 👏 I hope it is a big pot of celery & Stilton soup as I will be popping round later 😂

Excellent decluttering florianatwobob 👏 I am especially impressed that you are an All Year Round gardener 😊

Pitlanepiglet, very well done on decluttering the drawer But more important is the celebration 👏 Thank you for sharing your life with us 😊 It sounds like you are now ready for your decluttering journey 😊 which is quite exciting really - planning the space & keeping only the items that you love & that are useful to your new life 😊 Good luck 🍀

Lovely post daisy_1571 😊 & thanks for sharing the poster 👏

Floss, such a concisely put & well written post 😊 It is so good that I have taken a copy & would like to have your permission to incorporate it into my opening post for next year’s Thread 🙏

🤩 you really are doing some excellent decluttering Dfw38 👏 

London_1, I am really enjoying reading such wonderfully inspiring & expressive posts 😊 I am especially inspired by this “But what started as baby steps, a little at a time has grown quite a bit in the past month or so.” I really do need to stop making excuses & join in with all this stupendous decluttering that is taking place 🤞and thank you for the lovely comment ☺️ 

flamingo747, more ££s for the coffers 👏 - I hope you are not sharing this time 😉 Sending healing vibes that the cough goes away asap 🤞

Great photo TC77 👏 I think I remember the tall unit that was there 🤔 it is your living room isn’t it? You are doing brilliantly with your decluttering 🥳 You never told me you played football 😉

charlies_tribe, I think DD1 was absolutely right in encouraging you to relax & enjoy Call the Midwife 😊 You deserve a rest & to recharge your batteries 😊 Hopefully you will have some willing volunteers to help you get ready for DGD sitting duties 🤞 🙏 Excellent digital decluttering 👏 & so pleased to hear that you are already noticing a reduction of incoming mail 🥳

TC77, is that the other room you were kind enough to let me see? If it is, then I am singing your praises to the rest of our declutterati family 😊 “When I saw this room I could see a few inches of floor, now look at it 🥳” You have done a tremendous job in there & I am awarding you your first Gold Star ⭐️ of 2024 😊 You are definitely off the blocks - your detours are now a thing of the past 🥳 It might only be disorganised now TC77 but you should definitely celebrate the amount of stuff you have decluttered 😊👏

thriftwizard, that crumble sounds delicious 🤤 Excellent & eclectic decluttering 👏

TC77, that seems to be a common problem/issue with lovely houses - too big, too cold & needing repairs as often as the Forth Bridge is painted 😔 Those gremlins have a lot to answer for 😉

Florafauna, ouch to both the cost & the actual dental work required 😣 Belated Happy Birthday to your daughter 🎂 🎉 

Excellent decluttering ilovetea 👏 & pleased to see that your computer is not playing silly beggars now 🙂

Lovely post vulpix 😊 That curtain sounds so beautiful 😍 - are you sure you really need/want it 😉😅 Only joking 🙃 although I do hope it doesn’t take too long to adjust it to the correct size 😊 Never any need to apologise for posting vulpix 😊 

Sounds like a lovely birthday EnergyShifter 😊 & you even managed to do some decluttering 👏

StickyTheStickInsect, you are having such a tough time 😔 Lots of Cwtches 🤗 coming your way 🤗 The universe can be so cruel but it is good news that you have finally received your referral for Long Covid & the process has started 😊 Very, very sorry to hear that DS1 has to go through the whole process of getting suitable & no side effects medication sorted out - again 😔 With all that life is throwing at you, that is an impressive amount of decluttering & merits a medal🏅 

Lovely post TC77 😊

Thank you all so much for supporting & encouraging each other 😊 

Now I am off to have my bath - I know it is late 🙊 so it will be slightly shorter than I had planned 😉

Here’s hoping everyone can get a good nights sleep & enjoy their Sunday 😊 

MrsSD: I AM A ⭐️ - 🥇 🎖️ 💐 🌟 

DH Awards:

Decluttering Target 2023: 76/2024

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

weenancyinAmerica

Two major declutterings started here. The missionaries came this morning and cleared out the area in the side yard. Filled one yard trash bin with more stuff waiting to go in next Tuesday after the bin is emptied. Will need to sift out some of the non-yard waste stuff this week. They will be coming back to do more of the yard later. And roommate G and I started really tackling the kitchen. Still have a lot to go but two trash bags full already. Just trying to decide what to do with things now. And what we really need to have around. Also took two boxes of food to the neighbors this week. Trying to keep at it but my leg has decided to act up. Have to stop moving around about every fifteen minutes and rest. Just bad neuropathy. Still reading along for inspiration. Hoping you are all staying safe with the rains and cold weather.  

StickyTheStickInsect

Thank you @TC77 , you are lovely, I’m trying to rest as much as possible, with varying degrees of success!

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger thank you very much for my medal and the cwtches. Your bread looks amazing, I hope you and DH enjoy your belated Boxing Day celebration.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, I know it's late but I got sucked in by the film Ali on the tv
Feeling a bit less strange today so I am hoping it's all to do with recovering from covid and will just sort itself out
Today I had a minor strop with OH's corner. OH was working and I just got annoyed looking at it so 2 rolls of wrapping paper were extracted and put away and various bits of rubble were removed and put in the bin and recycling. More needs sorting but it will be done slowly so OH doesn't notice. I sorted out the christmas cards into the bin / recycling, put 2 boxes into the recycling and found a whole stash of gift tags that I knew were somewhere, they have now been put with the other stash. I don't think we will need gift tags for about 3 years. The lr recycling was emptied and the kitchen bin emptied. I have deleted 200 emails and made a start on the download file, 12,000 gb deleted but there is a lot in there.
Right off to bed now, hugs to anybody who would like one

52 Christmas cards sorted
53 rubble from OH's corner
54, 55 + 56 digital stuff
57 lr recycling emptied
58 kitchen bin emptied
59 + 60 boxes into recycling
Take care everyone
60/2024

Siebrie

For all the new people joining us: if it's all very overwhelming, and you don't really know where to start, maybe the Konmari method is for you. It looks at clearing and sorting in an opposite way; it tells you not what to throw out, but what to keep.

For instance: go through your house and collect all the pairs of scissors; decide which pair you always think of or look for or pick and keep that pair. The rest can go. If you find any other scissors later, they can go, too, because you didn't even remember you had them. This can of course be expanded a bit into: 1 upstairs, 1 downstairs, 1 in the medical kit and 1 for sewing; although I am a bit wary to give too much leeway to new declutterers

florianatwobob

Necessity Mrs SD. The garden is 67 foot long and former farmland (back before the house was built in the late 1920s). The soil is an odd combination of clay over chalk, fertile and relatively well draining. As a result the plants refuse to go to sleep over winter, the rhubarb is budding, both lilac trees have leaf buds and yesterday I found primroses and violets in flower. The violets are simultaneously thugs and tenacious of life.