2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

vulpix

Good morning, another beautiful day here.
 Not a drop of rain for 6 weeks now. The moor fire, started by a camp fire is out. Devastated an area of something like 136 football pitches. Fire brigades from 3 counties, park rangers and helicopters dropping water fought it and have done a magnificent job.

The house viewing went well but they all do so can't get excited. The woman has more houses to look at.I have changed EA for my Mum's house. Got the people selling mine coming to value it tomorrow. Although it is possible to park in Mum's garden, parking on the road puts people off.

I think I remember someone asking what a frog was in all the posts I have just caught up with. It comes from a Mark Twain quote. In essence it's a job you don't want to do and have put off. I have eaten a frog today and sorted my laptop out after being locked out of MSE on it for weeks.

A pottering morning on the cards fro me, catching up with house stuff.

We will take batteries and soft plastics when we go shopping later.

take care all Vx

CRANKY40

Good morning good people, 

I'm having a ten minute break from house cleaning so everywhere looks nice ready for the cat sitter. I decluttered 5 things on Sunday and 5 things yesterday. On Monday however I took a long hard look at my underwear. I've lost weight recently so whilst it's ok to wear slightly too big trousers or slightly too big knickers, a combination of the two is lethal. I sorted out some of the not worn;hardly worn stuff for my sister who will collect it next month when she visits so 30 things either being passed on or removed for being a bit tatty. 

Our cat chews cardboard boxes. She's almost 16 and still has all of her own teeth so it must usually be helpful in that direction. 

Right, back to the grindstone 😊

Pennypincin

Hello everyone.
Hugs to those in need.
Apologies for not keeping up with the thread and decluttering.
I've managed to shift 6 pillowcase, but have 2 new base sheets I don't like waiting to be rehomed. Mainly because it means catching the person at church.
I thought I'd decluttered the washing machine being fixed, after nearly missing the workman, but when the machine decided to not play ball after I paused it.
I've yet to try it again, but suspect it's the programming that's gone wonky and not an issue with the door having broken.
I had to open the door with a shoelace and and an old store card, then to get the machine to work I had to pull it out, unplug it, plug it in again and put it back.
It's almost 6 years old, so I think I'm possibly due a new one with the issues.
It's insured, but I think it's the case of the insurance company wanting to repair rather than replace it.
I've had a few things come in, as I've lost the plot and willpower with dieting and have been buying larger sizes while I work on eating better.
I'm likely to have a few more clothes coming in as I buy what I need.
I'm kicking myself for decluttering the larger sizes as it would've meant I didn't have to re-buy I need.
I'm storing the smaller sizes for the time-being as I work through the situation 

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 another bright sunny day with the temperatures gradually creeping down - high of 22°C & low of 9°C. DH is still in bed as he was so exhausted after his RBR trip 😞 

vulpix, sorry to here about DiL’s Mum 😞 Condolences to DiL & her family. Hope the viewing went well yesterday 🤞 I am not surprised to hear that you have “house sellers fatigue” ☹️ as you seem to have had a lot of viewings with no nibbles 😔 Having said that, well done on keeping the house tidy, clean & clutter free 👏 I loved This “Mr V was able to magically produce a replacement charger from the shed.” 😊 especially as not that long ago MrV probably wouldn’t have known what he had in the shed 😉 Good luck with the up-cycling of the petrol can 🍀 Sounds like you are enjoying the ongoing childcare but the 7 hour round trip must be exhausting 😩  Please make sure you are looking after yourself 🙏 the TLC is open for business 😉

QueenJess, I think you are being way too hard on yourself as you are not only decluttering & tidying but you are also working full time and taking care of your children & DH 😊 Please accept a cwtch 🤗 & some flowers 💐 

Soontobeoap, pleased to hear that your DH is helping with the gardening 😊 Great work decluttering the “carrier bag cupboard” 👏 You are soooo close to getting your next award 😉

YBR, This “….. slow to use some things, I've had a hair spray for a couple of decades, I think we eventually used it up for DD1's Dance exams!” did make me smile 😃 very MSE 😉 Excellent decluttering & packing 👏  This “DH has organised some appointments for quotes from removals companies, so that's another item off the list ... but 'scuse my ignorance ... is this the sort of thing referred to as "Frogs"?” definitely classes as a frog - one of those jobs that you know you should (but don’t want to) do but keep putting off 😉 

StickyTheStickInsect, I do hope Cookie is OK now 🙏 

TC77, how annoying to lose your post 😠 possibly something to do with the MSE platform falling over ☹️ Some good decluttering 👏 & fingers crossed your DB will take a few/many more items 🤞 I do hope he has noticed & mentioned how well you are doing with your decluttering 🙏

Liverpool_Anne, yippee to roof being fixed 🥳 Excellent decluttering 👏 Hopefully you had everything you needed for your cake decorating class 🤞

vulpix, I am keeping everything crossed that you get a few days of rain to make sure that the good work done by the fire service in extinguishing the moor fire is not undone by more dry weather 🤞Hopefully the change of EA will result in your Mum’s house being sold quickly 🙏 Lovely succinct explanation of “Frogs” 😊

Excellent work with both the decluttering & cleaning CRANKY40 👏 This “….. I took a long hard look at my underwear. I've lost weight recently so whilst it's ok to wear slightly too big trousers or slightly too big knickers, a combination of the two is lethal.” made me smile & grimace at the same time 😉 thank heavens I wasn’t looking in a mirror 🤣

Lovely to see you Pennypincin 👋 Some good decluttering 👏 although it does sound like it is not as much as you wanted to do 🤔 I do hope you get the situation with the washing machine resolved 🤞especially as 6 years doesn’t seem to me to be a long enough life span for such an expensive item 🤨 I am sending you lots of positive vibes that you not only ‘find the plot’ but also the ‘willpower’ & can resume your dieting with renewed energy 🙏😊 

All caught up 🥳 I hope everyone is having as good a day as possible 😊 There are lots of cwytches 🤗 available & the TLC Carriage is fully stocked 😊 See you later 👋 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards: ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2025: 852/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.00

Pennypincin

Thank you.

QueenJess

CRANKY40 said:

On Monday however I took a long hard look at my underwear. I've lost weight recently so whilst it's ok to wear slightly too big trousers or slightly too big knickers, a combination of the two is lethal.

Made me giggle

I did get a bit of a grip this morning and after making some oaty biscuits for the tlc carriage, I finally finished rearranging the shelves in the library so all books are back on the shelves now and not on the floor.  Most shelves are dusted and I just need to finish the ones I didn't need to move around.  No excuse for stuff lying around now in the library, so I still need to sort out what the other stuff is that is pending.  House is slowly getting tidier and I'm keeping the inbox around the 50 level (hoping to get to inbox zero at some day).  Still lots of things on the to do list.

DH apparently had a word with DS and he's getting rid of Lego.  I like the sentiment, but Lego isn't the problem in his room at the moment..

I am declaring 3 glass jars in that I bought to make my own essences for baking.

1 - clock I don’t need (Buy Nothing)
260 - Lego bits (Buy Nothing)
1 - packaging reused

New total 1,634
Use it up total 125
Net physical things in/(out) -229
Mini kitchen challenge 27/50

Wednesday2000

I don't think I said this on here, but we were looking for a storage solution for my husband's vinyl and decks. We got quoted £5,000 which we didn't accept! We got a sideboard from a local second hand store. When they dropped it off I asked if they wanted to buy a couple if other things from us so they are coming over at the weekend to give us a quote. We will get rid of a sofa and a TV unit at least.🙂

We did drop off a donation bag to a charity shop before we went away last weekend too.

It is like summer here today. I read it is the driest Spring on record.

TC77

Mrs SD  well done on catching up with all the fab cheerleading. I'm not sure DB will take anything else but nice to see him although he's at work event tonight and leaving in the morning.
Pen, and some paper clutter out. Book added to cs bag and dropped off and 2 pairs of shoes returned ( as got better trainers and pumps elaewhere), thr £2 box in one cs is too difficult to resist but of the 3 items I think 2 may be good for dd2 and the other  short sleeve shirt good for me and not something I have much of. Some old clothes and cleaning things out as I have so many and things I can cut up to make more. Also went through pin cushion (one of my mums and out some rusty and bent pins and needles). Complaint about plumber settled and some discount given so line drawn under that. 
In case more happens I'll do nos later. 
@ vulpix condolences for all the family.

Brambling

CRANKY40 said:

On Monday however I took a long hard look at my underwear. I've lost weight recently so whilst it's ok to wear slightly too big trousers or slightly too big knickers, a combination of the two is lethal.

After losing weight I once mooned an elderly neighbour standing up from gardening, it seems saving old baggy stuff for gardening wasn't a good idea, luckily he didn't have a weak heart! And neither of us ever mentioned it 🫣

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 continued: Not sure I quite believe it but having posted DSis’s letter to her French bank on the 1st May, today she received a notification from her English bank that the monies have been transferred 🥳 Now that she has access to her money, DH has helped her buy some Premium Bonds & is helping her investigate investment options. A great result, as at one point we thought that DSis might have to go over to France to sort it out 😮‍💨 I have spent more time clearing down my TV planner. DH ordered in - burgers & fries. Wudupa.

853 - 855 Kitchen & paper recycling, drinks cans - recycled 

856 - 857 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned 

QueenJess, I am not usually a fan of oaty biscuits but yours were delicious 😋 Excellent work in the library 👏 I am hoping that, now your DH has stepped up once & DS has released some of his Lego, your DH might have another quiet chat with DS re the ‘stuff’ that you would like to declutter 🙏 Yippee to getting to negative figures 🥳 Good luck getting your inbox to zero 🍀

Wednesday2000, excellent news about the storage 👏 With any luck, the second hand store will give you a good quote & you can offset the cost of the sideboard🤞

TC77, thank you 😊 Lovely that your DB is visiting you rather than you visiting him ☺️ I am also very impressed that you you have done enough decluttering that you are happy to have your DB to stay 👏 Great decluttering 👏

Brambling, I laughed my socks off at This “After losing weight I once mooned an elderly neighbour standing up from gardening, it seems saving old baggy stuff for gardening wasn't a good idea, luckily he didn't have a weak heart! And neither of us ever mentioned it 🫣”  🤣🤣

Sleep tight everyone 😴 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards: ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2025: 857/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £116.00