2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

Willowtree222

Not much decluttering from me. Just lots of using up items and making sure I'm sorting as I go. 
Lots still to do, but lacking some motivation 

machasraven

Thursday & Friday I didn't do much as 2 12.5 hours work days. I had a new towel rail delivered on Thurs after the Wed decimate the bits in the bathroom. Friday did very little declutter wise.
Sat - I sorted the lock in the workshop as I need the door to get the bin out. Steam cleaned the bathroom and kitchen floors. Sorted out a drawer and the top of the dresser and finished doing the carpet plucking on the landing.
Today - batched cooked for the week, vacuumed the house and sorted out another drawer in the kitchen. Changed the bed and washed the bedding and towels.
@Dizzycap - be very careful with resting with shingles as if you do too much it will come back in a different place and you do not want it on your head. The virus is resting on all your nerves so it can show up anywhere.

QueenJess

Earlier I decided I couldn't stand the mess in DS's room anymore.  I don't need everything pristine, but he can't seem to tidy his own room to even clear the floor once a week and I can't get around safely to open curtains/put clothes away etc.  I was thinking of rotating some stuff in and out of the loft or something.  For some reason I started with paperwork as it was the thing nearest to me.  We went through every single piece of paper in that room, decluttered what DS didn't want and filed it all away.  For the pile of things he did want, I questioned exactly what he was going to do with it and if it was a 2 min job (e.g. cut it out and stick it up somewhere) then that was done immediately rather than having a never ending pile of things to do he never gets round to doing.  It took so long, but after we'd done and I'd dealt with all the decluttering, the room was actually 98% tidy.  So apparently the issue was just paper, but you couldn't tell that from looking before.  I think I will now have to do a paper review fairly regularly with DS as the stuff just seems to multiply.

Not tons decluttered out of the house as most of the paper is blank on the back so I've filed it in my desk drawers as I use the other side to write work notes on before it exits the house as recycling.  I'm now spending the evening trying my best to work through the box of things I have to make gift tags and xmas cards as I am sick of seeing it lying around.  I won't finish it all tonight, but I plan to do it most days until that frog is well and truely swallowed and then I can concentrate on the other frogs that need sorting out this year.  I'm definitely very far down the list of frogs at least after all the years of decluttering, but am hoping to actually finish them all and then just deal with things as they come up so I don't have any frogs.  It would be lovely to sit down in an evening and realise I don't have anything should be doing!

Physical:
1 - paper, reused then recycled
2 - colouring books recycled
20 - DS paper recycled
4 - craft supplies used up

New total = 741

New use up total = 43

Feb net physical things in/(out) = +17

Dizzycap

@ vulpix - I have to totally agree with January & February feeling as though it's got 10 extra days it. This month seems never ending All of last Monday I spent most of the day thinking it was Thursday and had to keep checking my diary and laptop on and off throughout the day - It was crazy! Then the same thing happened on Wednesday and boy was I relieved when we actually got to Thursday

I spend my life ignoring most mirrors in the house. The last time I looked a couple of months ago I had aged beyond belief and although it was expected, it was very thought provoking looking at a 'new' reflection of myself. I had chosen to go with how my body felt rather than what it looked like, and I'm glad I did, because my choice has been far more positive mentally than it would have otherwise been - Illness is a very strange beast to work through and reach a personal level of acceptance, if it's mid or long term. You can either be positive and hopeful whilst living and enjoying life as best as you can taking each day as it comes, or not. Personally, I've never found an either / or middle road so I've stuck with the positive but realistic outlook

Having had a totally relaxing long afternoon and early evening in bed with babyface sharing pasta, watching the GB Sewing Bee, and snuggling up together and falling fast asleep, we've finally got up again Foxes have now been fed, babyface has chosen a chew ready for bedtime, and I'm clutttering up on water, medication and now coffee.

I've sold a couple of decluttered items on eBy today which I'll pack up soon ready for postie to collect tommorrow because I won't be doing much except to take babyface for an early morning walk before I go and pick up the adorable rescue Gorda daxie mid morning and help to settle & welcome her into her new forever home 8 doors down before returning home and heading straight back to bed for more babyface snuggles and rest, which we're both really enjoying We've also been playing some daxie raspberry tummy kisses games and hunt the hand under the duvet which has sent babyface absolutely fruit-loops. It's like a herd of elephants thundering through the house as she rips about with excitement

Time to get a move on before going back to bed.

Night, night all and I really hope everyone has had a lovely day xxxxxx

sqwiffy

@Florenceem - Now that sounds like a very fancy overlocker but I'm sure it's worth it after struggling to thread them!

daisy_1571 said:

Air fryers - check see if by removing an oven shelf your air fryer will fit in the space ?  I feel that's a sensible place to keep it since it is also an oven.  Hopefully then the shelf will fit on the ground or on the highest notch

Dxx

@daisy 1571 - if I did this, I'd forget and turn the oven on. Melted plastic and toxic fumes !!!

@Cranky40 - Labs are usually terrible for eating everything but Ronnie is actually quite fussy. He's lost 4 kilo's but is now enjoying food again ( well chiken or fish with sweet potatoes anyway) without nasty stuff happening. THey've recommended special (expensive) food but I'm not sure they can afford this in the long term. I went for a walk with DD1 and Ronnie today. He loved his old trick of running and sliding along on the wet grass so feeling better.

@Dizzycap - Ahh, babyface is a dog! I thought it was your baby Dachunds are quite funny, stubborn and very clever from what I've seen! Be kind to yourself as Shingles are nasty. My DMIL had them and was very poorly.

I think DH will need to go on a diet once his boot is off! He's taking the poor patient too far and asking for too many goodies whenever I go out. I think it's partly boredom as he can't do his usual routine of walking and spending time in the garage doing his woodwork and DIY.  Should I continue to keep very small scraps of fabric to use for stuffing as it takes ages to collect enough to use. I don't like the idea of just throwing them in the bin but is there any other way of using them?

@QueenJess - that wardrobe sounded very sensible to me and you can still get rid of her old clothes surely? Caraway seed cake - yes please!

@Muddy-walker - Just have to listen to that body and mind - go slow down and go with it.

@Mrs SD - that sounds like a really lovely stay.

I have no clue how I've filled up my time since last on here. Cleaning, cooking, and ot as much time with DGC during half term as usual. Family still keeping me busy and trying to get to grips with different aspects of caring, what we can do and can't, managing DM's finances is screwing with my mind and keeping me up nights worrying. So much to understand...

GrannyKate

Morning all.  Waiting for plasterer to finish off bedroom.  May go out and buy paint and order carpet and bed this week.  I have bought a storage box for my outside cushions in the utility room.  I may attempt to put it together although it may be beyond my pay grade.  

290 Banking done.  Received refund for last week's train journey
291 Loads more wallpaper stripped
292-301 bedroom sorted and 6 items to CS bag and 4 to bin
302 Bag used by late DH to CS - I think I've used it once since DH passed on 6 years ago.  
303 DGS4's school shoes in bin - new ones purchased along with a coat.  Not easy to find as 'we have our spring collection in madam!' was the usual response in shops but his zip had gone on school coat and its quite cold and wet.  £12 in Mr A sale and he likes it so no protests about wearing it this morning. 
304 Photos downloaded and saved or deleted

Some frogs to do this week.  I have blood tests today, lunch out Wednesday and meeting Friday with good guest speaker.  I saw NHS Audiologist on Saturday.  She just did same tests and said I need to see an ENT consultant as I have asymmetrical hearing loss. I already knew this so very frustrating to have waited nearly three months to be put on a seven month waiting list!  They can provide me with a hearing aid now but I need to wait for that.  DD thinks I should get a private appointment.  

Right a cup of tea then I'm going to get the storage box out and see how difficult it is to put together. 

vulpix

Daisy, hahahahahaha, That actually made me laugh. Love the possibility that you may have been in a fight.

Floss, yes lets do lunch,

Went to bed late as usual but awake very early, so feeling a bit rough but a bit more cheerful.

Today I am required to cut a piece of pleather to cover Mr V's DJ table/stand. You know, for that DJ that retired last NYE.  50 years and counting, so hard for him to give it up. I also need to go and visit my Mother, not been for weeks.

I need to contact my GP about the new drugs prescribed by the hospital, I will need a new prescription soon. Hate having to do things like that,and it's nothing when you actually do it. Right, I am going to do it right now. 

Laters Vx

Florenceem

I had a lazy afternoon after Church.
I did list a few items on Eb..
Today the physio has been to see Mr F - she is reporting back to the GP.  She agreed with me that Mr F can't go out on his own at the moment - I had told him that the physio would!  He isn't happy about it but accepts his limitations.
Wet here and has rained all night. Meant to be clearing up so I am popping to SA - return some bowls and do some printing.
Mr F insisted upon reading the meters which is one of his usual jobs.
I have wrapped my sales parcels.
I was going to go shopping at Al.. today but I can leave that until tomorrow - not desperate for anything.
Hope everyone has a good Monday.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, sorry I have been missing, I have been spectacularly bad on the decluttering for the past few days. I have tweaked my back. I am ok sitting, standing and lying down but moving from one to the other or anything that requires bending is very tricky and painful. I have no idea what caused it, one minute I was fine and the next I was in pain. I think it's muscle spasm and I am applying ibuprofen cream. OH has suggested various things such as have a hot bath, totally out of the question, I couldn't get in and out of the bath without a hoist 😵😂. Luckily I can manage the shower 😂. The union thing is turning into a frog not of my making. The lady I need to speak to never answers her phone even when I have made an appointment via text to call at a particular time. I have had to invest in some new software on my new laptop to use the form I need to complete but that is done and loaded ok. I will have to try her again today. I have also been trying to sort out a meet up with my ex boss as it was half term week and he was off but he was so exhausted he couldn't do it, so I am trying to sort out a visit to his school 😁. I have had a few other tech issues to sort, I needed to change the sim card in my phone as I have changed my supplier which should be simple but I couldn't find my pin thing, box has been decluttered 😂 but after much hunting OH provided one and I have broken my radio alarm but I have another but I am struggling to understand the controls 😂, box and instructions decluttered 😂. Small problems in the scheme of things but have had me in a sweaty mood 😂. Apart from that over the past few days I have 4 LDFPA, cleaned the bathroom, ( before my back went), bathroom bin, bedroom bin and bedroom recycling, one of OH's shirts to the rag bag as it had a tear I couldn't mend. I have paid my credit card bill and ordered meds. I have also finished the pale green baby blanket and it is now wrapped and waiting for delivery. I have started the next one, white this time 😁, one of the few advantages of not being able to move much 😂.
While ordering my meds I discovered that I can view my blood test results online. This led to a massive internet rabbit hole as I hunted down what all the tests were and what the results meant. I can see the high white cell count has been around for a few tests and is increasing and a few other things that are not "normal" that I have not been told about and a few things that haven't been checked for a while so I am formulating a list of things to ask about next time I have a conversation with the nurse or doctor 😁.

I have read all the posts but can't remember everything I wanted to say 😂

@machasraven when my ex moved out he sent 2 men with a van and I just pointed to the room and said take it all. They were not amused to have to deal with draws full of clothes etc but I didn't care and when the ex phoned to complain that I hadn't sorted it out for him I gave him very short shrift 😂. I seemed to remember he 'lost ' a mirror in the process that I know the movers took but was never delivered.

@Florenceem glad the glasses turned up 😁. I did wonder about the postage for a sewing machine, well done on moving that along. The mysteries of over lockers are not known to me but glad you have treated yourself.

@QueenJess well done on the new wardrobe for your dd 😁 and well done on sorting d's room 😁

@Mrs SD looks like a lovely place where you stayed for the award ceremony, sounds like a lovely evening 😁

@Muddy_Walker big hugs

@oceanspirit I have some ivy in my garden but I have found if it is cut back to ground level it is much easier to keep under control. It does come back but it takes a while 😁. Like you I don't like to use chemicals in the garden, it's hard to not damage other plants you want to keep.

@Vulpix glad you had a nice visit with baby V. The knitters are coming on at a pace 😁.. Sorry to hear you are down in the dumps, I think it's probably a natural reaction considering what has happened to you. Try not to be hard on yourself, hugs.  

@GrannyKate good luck with the storage box assembly 😁

Right off to stagger into the kitchen for another cuppa and I will then get in the shower and get dressed 😂. I am out for tea tonight with ex colleagues and I have a funeral tomorrow so I need to get back to the ironing pile, luckily I can do some while sitting down.
Hugs to everyone who would like one

236 - 239 LDFPA
240 bathroom bin
241 shirt to rag bag
242 bedroom bin
243 cc paid
244 meds ordered
245 bedroom recycling
Take care everyone
245/2025

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Write a daily To Do list - only 3 tasks
2. Concerted effort to sort out sleep patterns - Realistic targets: bed by 2:00 a.m. & up by 10:00 a.m 
3. Continue dealing 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

ASunday: A more precise location for Grimscote Manor Hotel is Coleshill - a very beautiful hotel set in 4 acres & with excellent staffing levels 😊 We were up bright & early (for us 😂) 08:30 - dressed & packed by 08:50 & down to breakfast by 08:55. Full English for both of us + toast & marmalade 🤤 although there was an issue with the coffee - first cafetière was broken so couldn’t pour the coffee, 2nd cafetière the coffee was gritty but 3rd cafetière the coffee was perfect 😊 Went back up to room, quick check to make sure everything packed then paid the bill & loaded the car. It was exceedingly windy & very cold. We set off at 10:15 & had a clear run until we were about 10 miles from home when traffic became heavier & drivers drove badly 😞 The low fuel light came on so we filled up & still managed to be home just before 13:00 🙂 We we’re home for an hour before DSis put in an appearance. She had done Saturdays washing up but I ended up drying & putting away. Just as windy in London, very chilly & it rained on & off for the rest of the afternoon & evening. DH had a nap. I watched TV & then made dinner - sausages, mash, baked beans & chopped tomatoes - real comfort food 😉 Wudupa.

375 - 376 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans - recycled

377 Kitchen detritus binned 

Fell asleep on the sofa for a couple of hours, woke up & went to bed.

Monday is another overcast day although the wind appears to have died down 🙂 No rain forecast although it feels damp. High 13°C, low 8°C. I will be back shortly to catch up with the cheerleading 😉

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 💐 💐 💐 🏅🥉🏅 🎂 🌟

DH Awards: 🏅 

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 377/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £41.00