2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

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

Monday is another bright sunny day but with a very chilly breeze. Forecast high of 14°C & low of 4°C. DH went out early as he planned his walk around another bus Superloop 🙂 I have my first cuppa & have settled down to cheerlead the last few Saturday posts:

florianatwobob, I must admit that we have made use of the free bulk waste collections over the years 😊 Although one year we did 3 & if I remember correctly we paid £15 for the third one - not sure if the price has gone up though. Excellent work in the garden & well done on sorting out your large strawberry pot 👏

Excellent decluttering of the dining table sqwiffy 👏 Nice looking table despite the sanded area. It will look wonderful once the whole table has been re-stained & polished 🤞 Lovely cheerleading 😊 As I read This “I was asked to go for a blood test ( ours are just wait, no appointments)” I thought that is great 👍 then of course I read on “for my testosterone, after waiting and my turn was told they are special ones and can only be done at 9.05 and 9.25 so I had to pay parking and come another day! Did that, and then when results came back, was told my testosterone was way too high and had a gone within 8 hours of using the testostogel. So I now need to return again! Why do they not tell you these things before you go for the test?” & my opinion went rapidly downhill ☹️ Such a waste of your time & theirs 😞 Fingers crossed for the next one 🤞

Liverpool_Anne, excellent loft decluttering 👏 I love how organised you were - curtains laid down to cover the landing carpet, damp dusting as you went along & then when you were finished for the day tidying up so efficiently 🤩 Definitely merits a medal🏅 which is on its way 🙂 Hope Sunday was a nice sunny day & that you got to spend time in the garden 🤞

Dizzycap, love the idea of a dog calendar & there could also be a cat calendar as well as a wildlife calendar 😊 I am still enjoying “Tales of Babyface” & This “Pink is an absolute no,no babyface colour whether she's wearing it or not. I planted some mixed colour hyacinth and daffodil bulbs in a large wooden planter and most of the hyacinths came out pink. Oooooooooo, babyfaces 'I'm not amuzed' left front foot went up when she saw them in the front garden and the look she gave me along with those thoughts: "Pink! Of all the colours, you planted pink?!" and off she strutted in disgust” had me in absolute stitches 🤣 This “It's been a very busy day here on Animal Farm. All was going well until babyface decided to have an overly excited fruit-loop around the bed in circles Red Rum marathon as I was about to put on clean sheets and even with quick thinking to stop her, she seriously burnt herself out and then had pain” was such a shame as babyface had been doing so well with following her recovery plan 😊 Just goes to show how much better she is feeling 😉 Hopefully your swift actions will mean that babyface’s recovery won’t be hampered 🙏 Fingers crossed that Sunday was a full day of rest for both you & babyface 🤞

Yippee, I am just about to start Sunday’s posts 🥳 but first a little break. I hope that everyone is having as good a day as possible 😊 & that you are enjoying any sunshine you might be having 😊 See you later 👋 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 💐 💐 💐 🏅🥉🏅 🎂 🌟⭐️⭐️❤️ 🍫🐾 😍

DH Awards: 🏅 

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 634/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £41.00

Muddy_Walker

Helloooooooo

For some bizarre reason depression really hit over the weekend and I was absolutely no use at all. I think I’m overwhelmed with things that need doing, trying to pace myself and worrying. Even having a shower was too much and with the sun being out felt guilty I wasn’t making the most of it. 

I have some medical stuff this week follow ups for the DVT and I need to arrange more blood tests.

Loving everyone’s pictures ❤️

Rogan is patrolling the garden and Pepper wants me to throw rubber snake……

TC77

@weenancyinAmerica ... sending you hugs after reading your post. I ( and others) are in awe of how much you do for your flatmates and community and your kindness and you've done so much getting things sorted and moved on I want.to swoop over there and help and give hugs and how inspirational you are to others x

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

DSis is doing her laundry & the first load is now out on the whirligig. I have a 2nd cuppa & am ready to restart the cheerleading: 

Welcome aboard YBR 👋 it is never too late to join the EDT & we all love to see new faces 😊 Sounds like you have a very busy time ahead of you 😉 Firstly, congratulations on your new role 👏 Hopefully your DH will be fully involved with the decluttering But if not he can take full charge of keeping your children entertained 🙏 & perhaps he might be able to encourage them to declutter a few items 🤞Good luck 🍀 

CRANKY40, great cheerleading & a lovely welcome for YBR 😊 Not quite a vampire as I can still go out in the sun 😂 I just need to sort out my sleep patterns 🤞 Pleased to hear that you were feeling more energetic on Sunday 😊 & I hope you managed to declutter your various tasks without overdoing it 🙏

Yoshimi2025, excellent result with so many sales 👏 Remembering how ‘inquisitive’ I am, do you have a plan for monies raised from sales? 

London_1, your joy at being on the IoW shines through in every post & even more so when your DGSs are visiting 🥹 I will keep everything crossed that the good weather continues right through the Easter break so that all 4 of your DGSs can relax 🤞 Pleased to hear that Ben has kept up his interest in growing vegetables - hg potatoes are so much tastier than shop bought 😋 Now that Ben has taken up a new hobby of birdwatching, I am just wondering if he has the bird calls App  🤔 as sometimes you hear the birds first & knowing what you are looking for could be helpful 😊 Good luck with the Tip run & the baking 🍀😉

daisy_1571, I have vague memories of reading the first book & enjoying it 🙂 but at that time I was more into fantasy, sci-fi & horror 😉 

Brie, re the socks perhaps buy one pair & then have a bit of a shopping spree in Canada 😉

vulpix, what a lovely surprise to see you 🥹 Madeira looks lovely as does the weather 😊 Jenny Bond, now that name brings back memories 🙂 Just wondering if you chatted 😉 

Excellent work in the garden YBR 👏 A good idea to top up your vitamin D as it will help keep you energised for the indoor decluttering 😊 

Lovely post Yoshimi2025 😊 Good luck with the compost bin 🍀

Florenceem relieved to hear that MrF has accepted the need to use the rollator 😮‍💨 Hopefully, now that he is home, he will continue to improve & build up his strength enough that he can occasionally just use his walking stick 🙏

Lovely cheerleading Dizzycap 😊 Loved This to vulpix “……… and the more name dropping you can do, the better 😆” Very pleased to hear that both you & babyface had a better night’s sleep on Saturday 😊 & that you both spent most of Sunday resting & relaxing 😎 With so many sales, it does sound like you might need another trip to Mr Sains to replenish your packaging supply 😉 

TC77, I must confess that a walk with friends lapping up the sunshine does sound more preferable than decluttering 😉 Hopefully you felt invigorated & your Mojo returned long enough to have a decluttering session 🙏 Thanks for the information about the CS in Lewisham & Blackheath 👏 

Lovely post Brambling 😊 I especially like the idea of bribing your sister to help with furniture moving 😉

Excellent decluttering & tidying sqwiffy 👏 A very busy Sunday 🤩 As to This “I often feel sorry for my DH as he's not the clutterbug and has often tried to get me to get rid of stuff with me avoiding. At times, I've felt so ashamed that I haven't wanted people to come in to see the house. Anyone else get that?” absolutely no need to feel ashamed although I ‘do get that’ quite often 😞 What I try to do (sometimes successfully 😉) is to celebrate small decluttering wins 😊 This lifts the spirits & sets you up for the next session of decluttering/tidying 🙂 Meanwhile, don’t forget that the TLC Carriage is open & we can have a chat & come up with strategies/ideas about decluttering whilst enjoying the hm goodies 😉 

TC77, great news that when you dropped off the CS bag you resisted the temptation to buy anything 👏 definitely seems to be a habit now 😊 As to This “It's crockery and cutlery for example which I think DDs as young adults may need in the next couple of years - and also I keep things as who know the style of my next home (when I finally get there and assume its before I need a nursing home)” perhaps you can start letting some of these items go to the CS & then if/when your DDs need anything you can have shopping trips to the CS 🤔😉 Good luck with the listings 🍀 

Oh weenancy, I just want to give you lots of gentle cwtches 🤗 & bring over a contingent of the Declutterati Family to not only help with the decluttering but also to ‘divest’ your home of your roommates 😉

I have just been distracted by a call from my DH who is still miles from home 😞 so will post this & have a short(ish) break. See you later 👋 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 💐 💐 💐 🏅🥉🏅 🎂 🌟⭐️⭐️❤️ 🍫🐾 😍

DH Awards: 🏅 

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 634/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £41.00

CRANKY40

Mrs_Salad_Dodger said:

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Oh weenancy, I just want to give you lots of gentle cwtches 🤗 & bring over a contingent of the Declutterati Family to not only help with the decluttering but also to ‘divest’ your home of your roommates 😉

There's quite a few of us that would volunteer...

vulpix

Hi from LaPalma. 

Liverpool Anne, just a thought, you could keep your spare duvet in the suitcase … if you’re keeping one/ them of course. 

Mrs SD, me n Jenny Bond are best mates now. We talked about gardening and she was also telling me about her husband’s bad back. 

 If you want to follow us you can watch a live cam from the bridge ont internet. Queen Victoria, Cunard. 

Tata Vx

Florenceem

Went to SA at 7.30 to unlock for the chaps who collect from supermarkets on Monday.  I sorted some bags of donations and printed labels before I went home.
I wrapped and labelled parcels and found Birthday cards - busy month for Birthdays.
I read the meters and packed my shopping trolley.
As I was going to town past the SA - 3 bags left at the front door so I went and fetched them in. One bag was full of children's books - if I put them in recycling - we pay to have the bin emptied so I put a crate of books outside in the hope of being taken.
I posted parcels and stocked up with some more £1 Turkish Delight while in town.
Mr F went with me after lunch to lock up at SA - a few books had been taken - I will put them outside again tomorrow.
I have some volunteers coming into SA tomorrow to sort the donated food and make up food parcels for Friday. I am taking some chocolate bars along for them to have as a mid morning break.
Mr F is coming with me tomorrow - he can sit and chat to the workers. 

Brie

The OH managed to fall against the drying rack and snap the bits that lock it into position.  Trying to remember how long we've had it - 7 years in this house and MiL had it for maybe 15 years before that so it's done it's time.  Managed to get another for £12 from Dunelm - for some reason the white ones were half the price of the gray or black ones, very odd.  

So the broken rack is in the "tip" pile and hoping the OH manages to take those things away some time this week.  

I won't be buying any socks very soon - shouldn't need them now until October hopefully.  And I did find a nice pair of replacement birkenstocks but the problem is they are too nice.  Comfy but the straps on the top are a weave of beiges and browns - lovely if I was wearing them out and about but I'm after ones for home.  I've had the shop set them aside for me until tomorrow.  Will decide if I want to spend 1/3 of my big premium bond win of £100 on them.   

TC77

Packaged and drop off item sold, and took back 2 items (won't count these), some paper out (x 4) , a loyalty card - had 2 so call to find out which to keep, and another card - mislaid a bank card but started clearing the dining table. Decluttered blood and health check and picked up DD2 prescription for her and made an appointment.  Also cleared a small sideboard/ table which I should work at if I want to be at the front of the house. Also helped DD1 with moving forward a frog and will help her finish next weekend Counting as 7, 
452

TC77

Yay! I can see most of my dining table - ok some drawers and other places have more - some things in their home and some temporary residences. DD2 will come back while I'm in the office so keen for her to be greeted by some tidy areas to encourage her. A little more paper to recycling 453.