2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

vulpix

Dolly rocker, you had me wheezing away like Mutley at your burning attempts. I feel it, I always have a fire in a bin when I help DSS try to reclaim his garden. I have also melted my fleece and burnt spark holes in a nice top. I love it though! 

Love all the dog photos. Brie you are funny. Babyface on stilts. You are right though.

 Thank you Mrs SD, your not too bad yourself.

Florenceem what an eventful bus journey. I hope Mr F gets antibiotics or whatever is needed soon, it does sound like he is getting an infection again.

Brambling, how lovely to have a surprise meeting with Bambi.

Dizzycap, ours is not to reason why. MSE IT moves in mysterious ways.

Charlies tribe, I feel for you with the bags for the charity shop. Once I decide something is going I like it to go straight away. You do an amazing job with all you do, don't forget.x

Got to yoga yesterday and there was a notice on the door saying no yoga until further notice, really sorry. So as I was up and dressed with the larks ( for me) I came home, made soup and did very little else! It is cold here, back to winter after our Fools Spring. Mr V put the empty storage boxes in the loft and had a tidy up in the studio.

The EA phoned. The interested guy had emailed some questions. Pretty silly questions in my opinion but everyone isn't as confident as I am about buying property. I have had a buyer like this before who was nervous about every mortal thing. groan.

 Knitting gang today, I sewed up a Spring colours baby jumper yesterday and have knitted one and a half Izzy dolls. I am making an Easter basket for baby V without too much chocolate. So there will be the jumper and at the moment an Izzy doll sheep and a grey cat like their own cat. There may also be a pig by the end of today or possibly a rabbit.
 The donated wool doesn't seem to be diminishing much. Perhaps an ombre lap blanket will make a dent in it.

 Laters Vx

Florenceem

Uneventful night here but I struggled to get out of bed - probably didn't want to face the day. When I got downstairs - the heating wouldn't start up - changed the batteries and we were off.
Mr F got up and spent 1 hour on the toilet so I did an E consult to my surgery. I explained what was going on and that his hands are puffy. He has a face to face appointment this afternoon - no idea who with - nurse or doctor?
I hand sewed the tie backs and then popped to SA to collect my homework - need to reconcile petty cash for the year.
Needed fruit so got that while I was out and about.
I have a taxi booked so just hope Mr F doesn't decide a toilet visit is required just as we go out.

QueenJess

Liverpool_Anne said:

@QueenJess I have absolute faith in you getting to net zero by the end of the year, you are a marvel at this 😁

Thanks for your faith in me!  I'm still not convinced, but will just keep chipping away and see where I get to.  I'm trying to take an extra 30s to look around every time I put something away in a drawer or cupboard to see if there's anything extra in there.

Sorry I've been a bit awol this week as really struggling with health stuff at the moment.  Frankly even I'm bored by it, but hoping my hospital appointment this morning at least fixes some of the problem and then there is a plan to sort the rest if not.  I have been reading along though and loving the photos of dogs to brighten my day

Not much decluttering going on as a result, but I have been concentrating on using things up (although most of these will take a long time).  I'm declaring 6 things in - 2 nail varnishes (I only own one otherwise and was getting bored with just the one colour) and the related packaging.  A tiny bit of progress to report:

Digital:
15 - online accounts/email aliases deleted

Physical:
4 - DD clothes grown out of (charity box)

New total 881
Use it up total 56
Net physical things in/(out) +180

I was impressed with myself last week by finishing up a candle.  I picked it up on Buy Nothing and have been enjoying it all winter.  I'm now onto some tealights I also picked up from there.  It's working as it should be - I picked them up and am using them.  It's often a nice treat in the evening whilst it's still dark to light a candle   I've got a rubbish birthday candle in the shape of a 7, but the middle bit at the top of the 7 was melting first so it's basically going to fall apart.  I think I shall melt it into one of the tea lights to use it up as it will be utterly useless on a cake unless you want cake covered in wax!

daisy_1571

Florenceem said:

Uneventful night here but I struggled to get out of bed - probably didn't want to face the day. When I got downstairs - the heating wouldn't start up - changed the batteries and we were off.
Mr F got up and spent 1 hour on the toilet so I did an E consult to my surgery. I explained what was going on and that his hands are puffy. He has a face to face appointment this afternoon - no idea who with - nurse or doctor?
I hand sewed the tie backs and then popped to SA to collect my homework - need to reconcile petty cash for the year.
Needed fruit so got that while I was out and about.
I have a taxi booked so just hope Mr F doesn't decide a toilet visit is required just as we go out.

Potentially its the idea you are going to be away from access to a toilet that sets up the psychological response to need to go so is it worth telling him you need to leave at a time an hour earlier than you actually need to go allowing him to experience that and still have time to go?  Or don't tell him there's an appointment, quietly get him into shoes long before you need to leave then just tell him, "right taxi's here, come on out" grabbing just your bag and keys as you go since you won't need coats or anything else if you are just in taxi there and another straight back?  

Just suggestions of course, you know him best

Daisy xxx

_Dolly_Rocker_

Decluttering Update
13 puzzles - to the CS
6x 50 packs cloths - to my Sisters
Paint mug set - to my Sisters
Poker set  - to my Sisters
Sketch book - to my Sisters
30 golf balls - to my Sisters

Went to my Sisters to drop all the stuff off and left with my Nephew who has decided he is staying he night. He's currently decluttering a box of strawberry choc mochi that I got as a birthday gift earlier this month. 

GrannyKate

Hi not posted for a few days but reading along.  Loved all the doggie pictures.  

DS2 has put two more layers on the bedroom ceiling but still needs one more.  I've done the skirting top coat today.  Need to get walls painted before Weds now as carpet coming then. Plumber booked to replace radiator on Thursday and bed delivery the following Monday.  Going to Swedish shop on Sunday to look at wardrobes.  Builder came to discuss kitchen this morning first thing.  

I potted some cucumber seedlings into small pots and planted some pepper seeds.  Hoping Sox leaves them alone as it will be some weeks before they can go in greenhouse.  Planted some radish seeds in pot in greenhouse 

342 Seeds and seedlings sorted 
343 Bag of batteries put out with recycling
344 Committee dealt with

My rubbish bin has not been collected today so I have sent message to council.  I think they have missed out all of our little close. 

Florenceem

As I got Mr F to walk to the door ready to go out to the taxi - he fell - backwards into the kitchen - didn't hurt himself.
Mr F was seen by a Physician Associate at the surgery - she qualified as a Dr in her home country but hasn't taken the relevant exams here.  We know her from Salvation Army as she is from Ukraine - lovely lady - kind and gentle. She checked Mr F - nothing obvious wrong but she did the blood test that I requested.
We came home by taxi and had a snack & a cup of tea then I took the blood samples to the hospital - too late to be collected at the surgery.
Chilly here today.
My Dd dropped off some bits into the porch - I told her that Mr F can't get to the front door.
A SA friend gave me 2 DVDs this morning - James Stewart - Wonderful Life & The Stratton Story.
We are off to the hospital tomorrow morning for Mr F's Endoscopy.
Finished tie backs.

Dizzycap

@ _Dolly_Rocker_ - I received one of those 50% off Crocs emails today and thought of you

Hopefully, you won't be doing anything fire related again. I used to like a nice garden bonfire each month but gave up on it as soon as I knew I wasn't so good on my legs. When you've got to run, you need to run, not stagger like a drunk 3 legged donkey

@ Florenceem -  Super job with the tiebacks I was up early this morning but struggled to keep awake after chores, so I went back to bed setting the alarm for 9 and 9.30am in case I just needed more sleep before my hectic day at the hospital. I really didn't want to get back up again but appointments call the loudest.

I've managed to do all the usual decluttering chores today along with decluttering not 2 but 4 hospital back to back appointments from 1pm this afternoon and all on the same corridor. It was a case of "oh, as you're here Dr. blah blah is here today so they'll see you today. Is that ok?" On the computer and booked in I just walked out of one room with one specialist straight into another with another specialist. There were absolutely NO patients waiting for appointments and I'm not joking when I say I had the whole department to myself! My question is, Why are so many people waiting for appointments with waiting times of up to 12 months when hospital departments are empty with staff standing around chatting followed by tap, tap, tap on computers? It's identical in Dr's surgeries but will anyone answer the phone? And can you get an appointment let alone pre-book an appointment? 

Anyway, I was back home by 2.45pm including a 30 minute drive back home but am glad that lot is over in one fowl swoop as next week is just as crazy with appointments

I popped in to see Gorgeous Gorda today and took her new name tags which are now safely on her Harris Tweed collar, which she loves After her opera singer vocal belly rub and tickle for 10 minutes, she demanded that I take her for a walk, so I did as I know an open nook with grass down beside the river where I could let her off the lead to have a trot around. She's never been off lead outside of a garden, so time to just go for it. As she's 10-11 she's not so agile on her legs but in consideration of the pain she was suffering with her huge over grown claws which were finally cut last week, she doing great at finding her feet and new footing while having those naughty trot off moments I also brought her back off lead as it's only a small back country path we walk along to get back to her home. She knew exactly which house she lived at when I asked her to take me back She was as good as gold and she's an absolute corker of babyface Daxie who needs to have some naughty curious time to catch up with all that she's missed in her life. She's getting there and becomes more confident each day. She absolutely loves her new home, adores her new owner, and as expected, has taken over in true Daxie style People go to visit Gorda now and not her owner, which has become a real laughing point for all She's now got a new Glen Appin Tweed coat and a super new non-rub safety release harness ordered and on the way. Not that she's spoilt in the slightest I'll drop off a couple of thick fleeces for her tomorrow along with a box of Bonios and some homemade beef twister treats and peanut cookies - Not that she's being spoilt

I've had a few decluttering sales which I've packed and will be decluttering off to postie tomorrow morning. I'm far too tired to be plodding off to the RM Quad Locker tonight or for the rest of the week. I've not listed anything new in the decluttering range today but on a positive note 6 of the additional coats have now disappeared out of the mega wardrobe today without a single word being said. My DD has said she's going to try and go out again tomorrow, so I'm hopeful that the other 6 coats will also be disappearing Phone message left from the Dr's surgery confirming an appointment DD has made for Monday with the doc along with a self-referral to the MH team, so again that's a very positive move.and a great weight off of my mind<3

Just finished feeding the squealing happy foxes and playing with babyface while decluttering a lovely mug of coffee before I potter off to bed for a welcomed and hopefully long restful sleep. Wishing everyone a peaceful night, super sleep and hugs to all that may need a few xxxxx

EDIT: A rather distressing story about a Daxie killing a new born with a criminal investigation into negligence commencing, which if found guilty, can be a 2 year imprisonal offence.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sausage-dog-baby-death-russia-b2715335.html

No one in their right mind would ever allow any animal free access anywhere near an unattended baby bed/cot  - 'Smothering' springs to mind straight away, let alone potential attacks. How could you not hear obvious cries from a baby that was under attack from being bitten? Regardless of whether you were asleep at the time. And both parents heard nothing? I really do sometimes wonder

Decluttering plans for the weekend are: usual HH chores, babyface walks along with mugs of coffee, packing and pre-packing any declutter sold or bid auction items whilst cluttering up on rest and sleep as much as possible due to another suspected outbreak of Shingles I've not started medication yet as antihistamines every 4 hours and cream at work first to confirm another outbreak or possible medication reaction - lots of red herrings at play

Muddy_Walker

Dizzy I agree with you. I read the article and my first thought was how did the dog even get into the cot? They aren’t exactly known for their height……

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

Friday: a much brighter & sunnier start to the day, although temperatures stayed low 😕 with a high of 8°C & a low of 0°C  Having gotten up at 10:30 I have done absolutely nothing apart from watching bits of films (I keep nodding off)  -  Beethoven, It Takes Two, Singin’ in the Rain & now The Quiet Man. I am falling further & further behind on the cheerleading as my ‘oomph’ has completely deserted me ☹️ Fish in batter, oven chips & peas for dinner. Wudupa

499 - 502  Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, 2 glass jars - recycled 

503 Kitchen detritus - binned 

Dizzycap, sorry to hear that you had another poor night’s sleep on Tuesday 😔😔 I hope you managed to complete Wednesday’s planned tasks/decluttering & fitted in plenty of rest🤞

mehefin, excellent work in the garage especially getting the door open 👏 I am assuming (as I am so far behind) that all the items put out kerbside have been picked up 😉 I had to look up ‘Battlesden Cart’ - a thing of beauty 😍

Good luck with decluttering the boxes of paperwork Jellybaby 🍀 Hopefully the builders quotes were reasonable & you now have a timescale for work to be done 🤞

Moorviews, looking forward to seeing pictures of your home made pattern weights 😉

Excellent decluttering Happy_Kitties 👏 What a marvellous idea to make up toiletry packs 🥹 

QueenJess, very sneaky of your mum ☹️ Good luck with ‘using up’ 🍀 If anyone can get to negative numbers it is you ☺️ I am just thinking that perhaps items donated by your parents should be counted separately 🤔 

_Dolly_Rocker_ lovely cheerleading 😍Hopefully you were successful on Wednesday with your plan to declutter 5 puzzles 🤞

vulpix, This “The weather is still dry here,luckily for the big shed sort out...again. I have 3 things in the shed, apparently these things are what makes the shed messy. A door which stands against the wall, a folded up butlers tray and a folded up mobility walker. Opening the door and chucking stuff in apparently isn't what makes it a mess at all, just my stuff. Sayin nowt, the shed and it's lack of putting stuff away is not my department. Fingers crossed that this tidy will yield loadsa stuff to go.” made me grin 😀 talk about not seeing the wood for the trees 🤣 Hope the decluttering went well 😊

I have caught up one page so now only 7 pages behind 😥 Sleep tight 😴 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 503/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £41.00