2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

Dizzycap

Evening all

@ Florenceem - You've reminded me that I've got a dolly trolly full that needs to go to the CS I will do that early tomorrow morning with babyface It's great to hear that MR.F is enthusiatic about going out. That's really positive 

@ Happy_Kitties -  So very sorry to hear about your ongoing health issues, but you're by no means alone. The semi-comfort comes with good GP's & Specialists who actually care & know what they're talking about / doing

@ GrannyKate - Sending you good wishes that your kitchen will be completed soon It'll be worth the wait, it's just the chaos that goes with it that can really start to get on your nerves........

@ Mrs_Salad_Dodger - Apparently, the puppies mum was sitting in front of them with a 'very stern' look because they had been a little naughty before hand. That would have done it! Puppies never mess with a Daxie mum, but with their dad they play chase, hunting and digging games with him - typical!

Postie was delighted that he didn't have to deal with all the parcels and I'm happy to say there's only 4 decluttering packages with recycled packaging for collection tomorrow, which I've just finished packing

We had a lovely morning in the garden with babyface deciding to do the chasing the lawn mower game which led to several rounds of fruit-loops before she had to come in because she'd over done it a little and needed to observe me from the window while eventually falling asleep We went for a very short walk at midday and picked up a couple of inpost parcels to declutter off to an elderly neighbour and then my phone started pinging with sale notices, so I switched it on to silent pronto and enjoyed the afternoon sitting & relaxing with babyface in the garden while she commandeered my home made ice lolly which I had to hold while she licked it boss-eyed and I was left trying to drink a mug of coffee with the other hand while balancing her carefully on my lap Never a dull moment........

I still haven't seen the fox cubs The female swan was sitting very majestically proud on the huge nest this morning, so I'm assuming that both king eggs and the other 6 are ok as neither of the swans are letting me have a look in at the moment. Although babyface has had a couple of wonders down the sectioned off wired fencing to have a look with waggy tail and neither of them seem the slightest bit bothered by her. You wait until the eggs hatch! Dad will be going nuts at anything that's within 2 meters of his sygnets, so we'll be round the fenced off side of the garden when they arrive to keep everything peaceful and calm I must say, they are exceedingly good parents I must get a picture of them coming down the river with mum at the head (Queen) signets in the middle and/or on her back & dad with his wings up at the rear. It's a real Regal event as they glide proudly along showing everyone their offspring I think people are always amazed when I'm on the river bank, house side, feeding the sygnets their seed & salad mix with oil; which I have made up and loaded in the fridge as they have to feed every hour for the first 12 and I always have to do to start them off feeding from the river, but not before mum checks what I'm going to feed them, every batch! She has to taste it and give the approval before she will allow them to be fed, and rightly so Dad can get a little aggressive if I need to feed but nothing that I can't calm with talking to him and throwing him seed too, then he shuts it but he's got his eyes firmly fixed on me at all times After that, unless either of them ask for help, they get on with it

Time to declutter a nice mug of coffee before we hopefully have an early night, so wishing everyone a very peaceful & relaxing evening and sleep Ta-ta for now xxxx

TC77

@oceanspirit sorry you're feeling overwhelmed but you are making progress
@Dizzycap loving the stories of Babyface and the puppies as well as the many parcels that are out!

Looking at the frog list I wrote at the weekend and realise that I have been dealing with a few tadpoles and frogs but they've snuck in and those on the list are either not started or part way through.
If I'm up earlier and can get an email off before work I'll do that but need to make a new list in my best notebook - a hardback that I write in neatly and cross things out - other lists are random bits of paper or pads scribbled on.
Finally finished and recycled a notebook and a little paper out. Tidied dining table so have some space and some piles but feels better. Will keep chipping away.
Take care all x
660

Dizzycap

Muddy_Walker said:

Hellooooo!
Ive to put extra alarms on my phone as I’ve missed taking the bulk of my tablets….twice.
I was also quite dizzy over Easter and slept most of it but feel a bit better today.
Changed my bedding as I sweated a lot and had a very long shower so feel a bit more human now.
Mind has been chuntering away (as it does) and Inner Critic roared up again.
Medical stuff going on for the next 2 weeks - to be honest I am absolutely fed up with it all!
Anyway the following has been decluttered:
137-141 old drink containers
142-143 part of a frog
144 ood fridge stuff
145 miniature tape measure
146 Am…. Boxes
142-152 unused and unneeded medication
153-159 many emails
160-161 part of another frog
162-167 yet another frog!!!!
168-172 weeding
173-179 burning old paperwork
180 different frog
181 usual household rubbish

Hubby did an awesome job sorting out a rack of mine and putting it in boxes I’d ordered- I will take a pic when it’s all completed.

Dizzy I cried at that video-mind you I’m all emotional anyway at the moment! Me too!

And here are the best chocolates in the world ❤️

Your chocolate babies are absolutely gorgeous

I'd never get anything done as I'd be kissing & cuddling them all day

@ TC77 - I love using a notebook for writing down daily tasks that need doing which I write up before going to bed. I find it helps to clear my mind before I try and get some sleep. The best part is always crossing them off and finding that at times, most of the list is finished before midday and I can enjoy the afternoon, as best as I can x I usually end up having to have an afternoon nap with babyface due to lack of energy & physical pain, but at least I've managed to complete the taks I've set. It doesn't help when I'm up at silly o'clock, like now, but t's only a quick loo & coffee break before we head back to bed x Only 5 parcels to be decluttered off to postie this morning - horray! I intend to spend time indoors today as we have rain here all morning which will give me the opportunity to change the bed and all babyface's fleeces & her bed covers. The washing machine is going to be busy on Thursday, but 3 loads & lines full should do it!  I might even sling the hoover around the house too, if I've got the energy 

I've been eagerly keeping up to date with Valerie the Dachsund who is still alive, looking very well from the pictures of her recent sightings / video footage, & has been living wild for over 500 days since escaping from her crate while on holiday with her owners on Kangaroo Island, South Australia - Story - It's only a matter of time before she returns to the place where her bed and toys have been put with a sensory door that will trigger to close once she's inside the designated capture area. It did make me shed a tear or 2 as she seemed a little distressed which you can hear on the video recording when she found her bedding before the sensory door was fitted to the area. It's a shame that nobody thought of that before setting up all her bedding etc.

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

Tuesday cont’d: DH & DSis got back about 18:00 - lots of traffic. DSis had bought a couple of pins & a couple of ornaments. DH had treated them to hot drinks & buns. Dinner was gammon shanks, chips & beans. Wudupa.i have finished knitting another scarf but still need to sew in the ends. Started raining about 23:00 & carried on through to at least 06:00 😞 

727 - 729 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, cardboard packaging - recycled

730 - 731 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned

Happy_Kitties, So very sorry to hear about your ongoing health issues 😢 Thank goodness you have had some good GP's & Specialists 👏 This “I’m known to cut deals!…………I’ve already cut a deal with the major surgery specialist by saying if you want me ready for Plan A, I need time, so summer would be great when I have time off. If we have to resort to Plan B  then we are all in trouble so if we could schedule for summer I can be ready the best way I can for his Plan A. I was met with the response of I did know it was the NHS and I couldn’t pick and choose dates, and me saying but you need  this from me for Plan A and the usual question of when can I get back to playing my sport. Surgery is scheduled for summer!” is brilliant 🤩 

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 Hopefully the kitchen chaos won’t last too long 🤞 I am looking forward to seeing the finished room 😉

Muddy_Walker, sorry to hear about both the dizziness & generally feeling unwell over Easter ☹️ Pleased to hear that you are now on the mend. Excellent decluttering 👏 despite being unwell. Your dogs are gorgeous 😍 

Crazycatlady2, fingers crossed that your youngest starts sleeping better so you can start catching up on your sleep 🤞

Congratulations on completing your house move SuperLooperSaver 🥳 Very impressed that you have unpacked all your moving boxes already 👏

Muddy_Walker, fingers crossed 🤞 

BlueJ94, I think we might have to book a coach 😉

Nodding off so will post & head to bed. Sleep tight 😴 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 731/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.00

TC77

Morning , waking too early and scrolling looking for a house to move to instead of sorting mine. Frogs are keeping me awake too often so off to one before sitting down to work this am.
Mrs SD I do love your cheerleading and great quotes and gems from others as well as yours.

dND

Hi all, I am still here. 👋

I'm off to declutter a blood test today so making a start on decluttering the long term frog of my health.  Stuff has been happening but my brain has gone AWOL so I'll catch up on that when I can concentrate again.

Meanwhile, I'll add to the pet photos with my not so little helper, Gino.



It's going to cost me a fortune in plastic sheets to get my house painted. 🤣



Happy St George's Day. 😁Dx

QueenJess

One more cupboard cleaned in the kitchen.  I had already gone through the medicine box and so thought it was just a clean job, but found a broken bottle bit that had rolled to the back of the cupboard.  This is definitely why they need a proper clean out otherwise there's always something that's hiding in there.  Hoping to finish by end of May, so that's my soft target for the moment.

Still in use up mode for things in the kitchen and I've left a few things out on the worktop to remind me to use them up. A little bit of decluttering to declare today, plus a book in for DS that I forgot about over the weekend:

Physical:
1 - kitchen cupboard overstock used up
1 - broken bottle top (binned)

New total 1,206
Use it up total 99
Net physical things in/(out) +49
Mini kitchen challenge 10/50

I've also left cheese and wild garlic scones as well as pear, ginger and redcurrant crumble (and hm vanilla ice cream) in the tlc carriage

suzeesu2000

Oh my goodness me - shame and embarressment by the bucketful. Asked DH to reach a crate down from pantry shelves as i needed to check dates......crate is now empty. Everything in said crate was 4 years out of date! happy to have a cleared space but annoyed with myself for the waste.

Using another pantry stock item for dinner today.

memo to self: Only stock up on what we will ACTUALLY use!!

Have a great day all xx

BlueJ94

Put some books I wont read on Facebook and someone is coming to collect today! 10 items goneeee

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

Wednesday is an overcast & dark day with a forecast high of 13°C & low of 8°C Currently not raining & the 11°C temperature feels like 6°C according to the weather App 🥶 DH headed off for his walk 13:45 after emptying & washing out the kitchen compost bin. I have my cuppa & will go straight into cheerleading: 

Florenceem, a busy Tuesday after your quiet Monday. Sorry to hear that MrF has become “more argumentative since his last hospital admission” 😔 but very pleased to hear This “I am turning into an assertive old lady!” 🥹 👏 Next string to add to your bow is to say ‘NO’ a little more often 😉 😉 Great work with all the sewing repairs 👏 I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to curries as I can only manage a korma 😅 so am always impressed by anyone who manages to eat a ‘hot curry’ let alone a ‘very hot curry’ 🥵 

Excellent work Willowtree222 👏 

Excellent decluttering QueenJess 👏 Well done on getting your net figure down to +50 🥳 

Lovely cheerleading post TC77 😊 Yippee to plumber sorting out the tap 🥳 So pleased to hear that DD2 is staying a few more days ☺️ especially if you lead by example & can persuade her to tackle her sporting items 😉 This “So much easier to spot others surplus and abundant categories. I jealously guard mine  🙂” had me chuckling 🤭 - truer words have never been spoken 😉

Excellent work oceanspirit 👏 Sorry to hear that you are feeling overwhelmed 😅 but pleased to hear that you can still acknowledge your decluttering achievements 😊

Lovely cheerleading Dizzycap 😊 I loved This “Apparently, the puppies mum was sitting in front of them with a 'very stern' look because they had been a little naughty before hand. That would have done it! 😆😆 Puppies never mess with a Daxie mum, but with their dad they play chase, hunting and digging games with him - typical! 😆 - sounds exactly like a human family 😉 A very productive morning in the garden (although not convinced that babyface was much help 😅) apart from keeping you entertained whilst you were doing all the hard work 😂 Shame you haven’t seen the fox cubs yet although I imagine you have heard them 😉 After your wonderful description of swan family life, I am getting really excited to see any photos you manage to take 🥹 I am of course keeping everything crossed that all the eggs hatch mid morning especially if you are helping out by providing extra food for 12 hours 🤞

Excellent work dealing with tadpole & frogs TC77 👏 & good luck tackling a few more 🍀 This “…….but need to make a new list in my best notebook - a hardback that I write in neatly and cross things out - other lists are random bits of paper or pads scribbled on.” sounds very familiar especially the underlined bit 😉

Dizzycap, I have just read an article about Valerie - talk about being both independent & resourceful 🤩 I will keep everything crossed that she is soon home with her family 🤞 🙏 

TC77, nothing wrong with looking at houses especially as seeing the pictures might give you an incentive & renewed energy to tackle your decluttering 😊 Thank you for the lovely compliment ☺️

Lovely to see you dND 👋 Great photo 👏 although Gino doesn’t look very comfortable 😦 Good luck with ‘Mission Declutter Health Issues’ 🍀

Great work in the kitchen QueenJess 👏 Thanks for putting scones & crumble + ice cream in the TLC Carriage 😊 - I don’t usually have lunch but I was tempted & had a bit of everything 😋 

Now, now suzeesu2000 ‘wagging finger emoji’ absolutely no need for “shame and embarressment by the bucketful.” - it can happen to any of us especially when busy with RL 😉 For now, I think you should revel in the fact that you have a cleared space in your kitchen 👏😊 Also thanks for the timely reminder that I need to bite the bullet & sort through my kitchen cupboards 👏 I have a feeling that I might be throwing away a fair bit of ood food ☹️ 

Great decluttering BlueJ94 👏

All caught up 🥳 Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible & that you have better weather than here 🤞 (so dark that I have had to put a light on ☹️) See you later 👋 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 731/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.00