2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

TC77

Popped in as heading back to the office. Such a lovely supportive thread,  it adds to my day along with the sun shining.
@vulpix ,  thank you ..I love the idea of being a 🦋 

Florenceem

carolbee - just been out with Mr F. I stood with him at our stunning harbour and gave thanks that my Grandmother moved to Ramsgate after the war. 
Yes, lots of new houses are being built around Thanet but I am staying put.

Wednesday2000

I've been there on holiday when I was young, but I didn't realise the Isle of Wight had such a small population today! I spoke to my friend for the first time in 20 years this week and her family still live in Freshwater. I remember it being lovely there.

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

Thursday is another bright sunny day with a high of 26°C & low of 14°C with an occasional cooling breeze. As DH & I are heading off to Scotland on Sunday morning (RBR) I only needed to decide on 3 night’s meals, so just a small shopping list. DH & DSis headed off just before 14:00. I have taken the opportunity of an empty house to try on my motorcycle trousers, jeans & camo trousers. Unfortunately the weight has crept on (hadn’t really noticed as I have been wearing skirts) so I no longer fit in the motorcycle trousers even when standing up 😥 Of course this means I will have to pay strict attention to the weather forecast each day & put waterproof trousers on over the top of my jeans/camo trousers before we set off as it is difficult to put the waterproofs on at the side of the road ☹️ I have also stripped & changed the bed linen from winter to summer. First load in wm. Will now make a concerted effort to catch up with the cheerleading, wish me luck 🍀

Brie, sorry to hear that the trip went so badly that you needed to return home early 🥺 I would have thought that your help would have been appreciated as 15 rooms to clear is a huge task 😥 Such a pity that the gardener decluttered himself & didn’t even bother to tackle the slugs 😠 so you lost all your crops ☹️

Great decluttering TC77 👏 Yippee to passing the halfway mark 🥳 one Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way & should arrive soon 😊

Brie, even sorrier now that you have elaborated 🥺 I am hoping that bridges can be rebuilt once the memorial service has passed 🙏 & also that there will be an online option 👏

Lovely empathetic post Liverpool_Anne 🥹 Shame about wasting time trying to find the mini footballs but I suppose there might have been a silver lining…… you probably got a lot of steps in - whether you wanted to or not 😉 Some excellent decluttering especially working on the bamboo removal for so long 👏 A medal🏅 is on its way 🙂 I must say you have certainly more than made up for Monday by getting so much done on Tuesday & Wednesday 🥳 The cake is absolutely fantastic 🤩

Lovely cheerleading post daisy_1571 🥹 I think it was Liverpool_Anne who mentioned the box of rocks 😂

Lovely post Floss 🥹

TC77, I completely empathise with This “Realisation I need to take a different to my chaotic home.  There are areas which are tidy , mainly as I don't use them:) took apart and washed out my fountain pen as found bottles of ink, and needed another wash out so this morning thought I'd put together but where is the nib? If I can't keep track of things then need another approach. While there is less I think getting older I find it harder to cope with new homes for things and having to keep so much in my head.” However, please do Not be so hard on yourself 🙏 remember you are still working full time. You WILL find an approach that works for you 😊 Sorry to hear about DD1’s ankle 😢 Will keep everything crossed that  the doctor can get the ball rolling & that DD1 will finally be on the road to a proper recovery 🤞Good luck with your listings & getting 50 items decluttered this weekend 🍀 I am confident you will succeed ☺️

You are very welcome Willowtree222 😊

DH & DSis have just got back & I have put away all the shopping.

QueenJess, very pleased to hear that your operation went so well 🥹 It must have been especially nice to receive such a lovely compliment from the medical staff ☺️ Please remember to take it easy in the TLC Carriage, as I do remember how difficult you find it to relax & rest 😉 Some great decluttering on Monday & Tuesday & very impressed at how well you are doing on your “Use It Up June” challenge 👏🥳

Florenceem, a relief to hear that MrF & you (I hope) got a better night’s sleep. Good luck to DGD - fingers crossed she gets an interview & is successful 🤞

vulpix, a wonderful & empathetic cheerleading post 🥹 Plus I am very pleased to hear that MrV & the Estate Agent have given you some TLC you deserve it 😊 Well done on the retail therapy & I beg to differ - only £1 possibly frittered away as you couldn’t remember what you bought 😂 I understand you are on a mission to move the bricks BUT please be careful especially as your knee is still recovering 🙏

London_1, I think the IoW Tourist Board should employ you immediately 😅 The more I hear about the IoW the more I would like to live there, although not too sure what DH & DSis would think 😉 Pleased to hear that the dogs have settled in so well & have become inured to the comings & goings of builders, decorators etc 😊 sounds like island life suits them as well ☺️

charlie’s_tribe, are you watching the final season or starting from Season 1? Hope DD2’s Awards ceremony goes well - you must be so proud 🥹 Fingers crossed that your teens get good results 🤞 & yippee to no more morning panics getting the kids out of the house 😉🥳 

carolbee, I think London_1 is advertising the IoW so well that we might all end up moving there 😅

🦋 TC77 hope you are having a lovely day ☺️

What a lovely thought Florenceem 🥹

Wednesday2000, How wonderful to catch up with an old friend 🥹 

All caught up 🥳 First load of washing out on the whirligig & 2nd load now in wm. DH has popped out to fill up the bike for Sunday. Hope everyone is having a lovely day whatever the weather. Cwtches to all 🤗 

P.S. has anyone seen Dizzycap 🤔 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’

DSis Awards: ⭐️ 

Decluttering Target 2025: 1026/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £228.00

TC77

Lovely cheerleading , as always Mrs SD. 
A friend reminded me of teenage years when jeans were v tight and she'd lie on the changing room floor get a button done up and then friends or assistant help squish you in and do the zip up! 
Look forward to hearing about your trip... and hopefully good weather.

I am wearing all the clothes (in turn) that I've acquired in recent years and will be doing more editing over time but think focus will be household and sorting desks... I did a couple of drawers a week or two ago. 

Muddy_Walker

Helloooooooo!

Lovely to see you London! You have settled so well into your new home and it’s lovely to hear ☺️

everyone who needs a general hug - here you go HUG and those who are feeling fragile one way or another - CWTCHES.

Bit of a week for me - my hair is def getting thinner and falling out what with the cancer and the treatment. Not so much that it’s patchy more the little lines are widening….if that makes sense? So I am now rocking bandanas!!!!!!!! I don’t need to go down the buzz cut root yet 🤣
I am also back on full time hours and admitted to my boss I am struggling…..she said she could tell and will arrange with occ health to put me back on 6 hours a day for a while. I was ok when I did the 6 hours before but at least I tried. Hopefully it won’t take long - hubby said if this is now my “normal” then it is what it is and we will manage. I am very lucky I am still getting full pay but it won’t be forever….
I am still waiting for my PIP tribunal date!!!!! That would help me sooooo much as going from 37 hours a week to 29 is a big jump in money…..
we had years and years of penny pinching and in all honesty - I don’t want to go back to that….
Sorry but I needed to offload that! 

Anyway a thunderstorm has been threatening so I hope it comes soon!
take care xxx

carolbee

Florenceem said:

carolbee - just been out with Mr F. I stood with him at our stunning harbour and gave thanks that my Grandmother moved to Ramsgate after the war. 
Yes, lots of new houses are being built around Thanet but I am staying put.

It’s such a beautiful place there. I’ve been at my friends garden overlooking the sea this afternoon. 

Brambling

TC77 said:

Lovely cheerleading , as always Mrs SD. 
A friend reminded me of teenage years when jeans were v tight and she'd lie on the changing room floor get a button done up and then friends or assistant help squish you in and do the zip up! 

As a student I went into the ladies of a pub in Old Portsmouth (a bit spit and sawdust!) to find a girl laying on the floor crying as she couldn't do her tight jeans back up, her friend had used a wire coat hanger to get her into them at home 😁 

I'm sorry you're trip didn't go as planned Brie, families 🙄 I find there are times I wouldn't sell my siblings for a million and times I would pay to have them taken away 🤨 

I brought a couple of large plastic boxes awhile ago which just fit into my large cupboard in the smallest bedroom (the cupboard over the stairs) the bottom of the cupboard had a old suitcase which my late father used until he died in 1984 it was old then i think 1930/1940s and has a hand written tag from him with his address it had a lot of stuff piled on top. It had some old curtains in which I've rehomed to CS, and I've refilled it and the two boxes so at least it's organised.  I've sorted the clothes from the 2 rail and kept just a couple of light jackets which may go later? The top shelf will need to wait until I can stand on the stepladder as I'm currently banned from those but there is stuff which needs to go, this close to the op I don't want to do myself a mischief.

Today I did some decluttering in the garden, not for too long and in a few stages but I did manage to fill the garden wheelie bin to go out, before my body said no more.

florianatwobob

@Muddy_Walker Rosemary oil is meant to help with thinning hair, DSis has swapped to Rosemary shampoo and I think it has made a difference. Not sure if it was the radiotherapy of the sudden removal of her ovaries that caused the thinning and she’s always had very fine hair so this really didn’t help. 

Moorviews

I have somewhat fallen off the wagon with decluttering but still adding clothes to the CS bag. I have most definitely changed shape and it is interesting how differently things fit. My sympathies with the motorcycle trousers @Mrs_Salad_Dodger! I hope you have an amazing trip north. 

It’s lovely to hear from everyone on here whether regular or popping in occasionally 😊

@QueenJess - I am glad your op went well and hope you can manage to rest this week. 

@Muddy_Walker - hugs for all the adjustments you are having to make to cope with your illness and treatment. I hope that you get your PIP. 

@Brie - I am very sorry for what you are going through. It can take a lot of effort not to fall out with people when losing a parent and it doesn’t sound like your brother recognised or was prepared for that. 

@Florenceem - I always have my fingers crossed for you with Mr F. There seems to be so little time between his health episodes it must be absolutely exhausting for you. 

@charlies_tribe - that’s going to be quite a change for you after 21 years! A cause for a celebration 🎉 
@vulpix - I hope things start falling into place regarding houses. 

Wishing everyone a good day and weekend 😊 It will be the Ws for me today. Washing and Weeding! Might get something down from the loft too.