2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

Brie

I've been very firm about not allowing the hoover back downstairs until the bedroom is thoroughly de-dusted.  Emptied it about 5 times I think - granted it doesn't hold a lot before it loses suction.  And then the battery gave out before I finished!! 

But as part of this I told OH to tidy up his corner (a horrifying mess).  He's tidied up his good shoes, put 2 pairs in the bin (I've moved them to the charity bag), put all his clean clothes away and his dirty clothes that he could see into the laundry bin.  He has taken, as directed, an old pillow down stairs - I meant he should take it down and put it in the garbage bin but he didn't understand that.  Doesn't matter it's out there now (no it couldn't be saved or recycled so why it's been in his corner forever I don't know).   That left a stack of very dusty folded clothing on a plastic box in the corner - they've gone into the laundry basic as I expect they are chazzer fodder.  The plastic box is also full so I'll get him to give me the nod to dispose of that as is. (chazzer again).  Found another pair of shoes that he hadn't seen (yes he needs his eyes checked but clinically his sight is significantly better than mine) and hoovered up a pair of slippers that were so far under his dresser no one would have spotted them.  

Anyways - things are in a much better state in the bedroom even if the cleaning hasn't been finished.  Once the hoover has recharged, and assuming I'm still able to move tomorrow after so much hard work, I'll just need about 10 minutes to finish in there and then can bring everything downstairs to deal with the living room.  

Phew!

Floss

@YBR definitely a glitterball hook! 

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, another couple of busy days but not much decluttered unfortunately. Saturday we went to the birthday party left about 2 pm and got home at 1 am. Had a lovely time, presents and card delivered but I came back with a bag of plums from friends garden. I was offered apples as well but politely refused. The plums are scrummy though so I am slowly eating my way through them. The lr bin was emptied.
On Sunday we were out by 11 to meet up with friend B her ds, dil and dgs for a picnic in the park. Had a lovely time with perfect weather, sunny with a cooling breeze and we were home by 3 pm. Both OH and I were knackered though as I had been up quite early after not enough sleep, did a session of ironing, sorted some chairs to go in the car for the picnic, showered and washed my hair before OH surfaced 😁. We had a little rest on the couch when we got home then I tackled the apples that I failed to sort on Saturday. I made 18 portions of apple crumbles of which 14 made it into the freezer, we have had it for pudding on Sunday and tonight 😂. The lr bin was emptied twice and the kitchen bin.
Today we have had a further update on the car. It wasn't the alternator 🙄, they now think its the power steering motor which they can't fix so it will have to go to the dealers garage. OH has it booked in for a diagnostic on Thursday and the garage where it is will get it there somehow. Obviously it won't be fixed on Thursday as parts will have to be ordered etc so the saga continues. Today was mostly spent chauffeuring OH around though I was supposed to have an eye test but it was cancelled as the optician was off sick. So new appointment made, trip to OH's house to collect new bank card, trip to bank to use said card to get some cash, then a reccy to find the clinic OH has to go to next week for a blood test. New place to us but linked to the hospital OH is being monitored by. Found it with the help of the sat nav eventually. Lots of roads closed for mysterious things that have cones but no workmen. Called at the chemist to pick up OH's meds and home finally.
OH has suggested we move some furniture around from the front room to the back room. I have said yes but it is going to take some sorting in the back room first, which is obviously my job 🙄. Oh well at least I know what I am doing tomorrow and something should be hitting the bin then 😂. The kitchen recycling was emptied.
I have caught up with all the posts but my brain is in a fog so I will say hugs to anybody who would like one and head to bed

1143 - 1145 present, wrapping, gift bag and card
1146 - 1148 lr bin
1147 kitchen bin
1149 kitchen recycling
1150 2 bags of apples processed 😁
1151 ironing
Take care everyone
1151/2025

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 dull & overcast with a forecast high of 23°C, low 17°C & humidity of 63% I have buried my head in the sand today about my outfit for the wedding so will need to pull my socks up & sort something out 😔 DSis went to the hairdressers today & DH is all set - his suit fits 👏 Dinner was salad. Wudupa.

1514 - 1516 Kitchen recycling, drinks cans, paper packaging - recycled 

1517 Kitchen detritus - binned

Excellent & eclectic decluttering yesterday MadamMim2013 👏 A medal 🏅 is on its way 🙂

vulpix, at the rate I am going I might have to pop round & have a look 😂 Great news that the contracts have been signed 🥳 although a bit of a shame that you still don’t have a moving date ☹️ Nothing wrong with going off piste especially as the batch cooking will save time during the week & finishing off knitting projects will mean that when you do move into your new home you will be able to concentrate on unpacking ☺️ This “I am getting a bit demob happy with the packing now. I think everything will just get packed and possibly de cluttered at the other end.” did make me smile 😃 Yippee to having a tall son - always useful when you don’t want to get ladders out 😉

CRANKY40, I love the idea of you being stalked by your kitten 😂 although relieved to hear that she only ‘taps’ rather than scratches 😮‍💨 I have only bookmarked the “space maker method” but did watch the Clutterbug video - really interesting 😊

Excellent work in the yard suzeesu2000 👏 Re the organic compost might your local council find a use for it or maybe there are local allotments 🤔 Definitely a busy & productive day 👏 I will keep my fingers crossed that the rest of the week is just as productive 🤞

YBR, I did think that vulpix would be correct 😉 The decluttering of the wardrobe might have been unintended but I must say you don’t seem too bothered by it 😉 Definitely agree with your DH although I do think a slightly bigger glitter ball would be in order 🙊😂

Excellent work Willowtree222 👏 Remember organising is just as much a part of decluttering as physical decluttering 😊

Love the emojis daisy_1571 ☺️

Just noticed the time so will head to bed & finish the cheerleading tomorrow 😊 Sleep tight 😴 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ ⭐️ 🏅 

DSis Awards: ⭐️ ⭐️ 🏅

Decluttering Target 2025: 1517/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £379.00

weenancyinAmerica

Today is "get out the trash" day. Three bags for the trash bin and a full recycling bin so far, including a dead bird. I had to pick up and move the dead bird myself (used an old tile and a box without a lid). Two ex-Marines in this house and neither would tackle moving a dead bird. Wouldn't do dead rats earlier this year either. Tackled the refrigerator. I can only stand for three minutes at a time so am trying to clean sitting on a stool. Each shelf is going to take a couple of days , but by next week, I should have the refrigerator done. In between working on the refrigerator, I have been scrubbing the kitchen floor three feet by one foot at a time. Thankfully, it isn't a large kitchen. Also wiped off a couple of cabinet doors, but they will need a bit more scrubbing.  Our handyperson wants to repaint our kitchen next month. He is also making me a new and safer ramp to get in and out of the back door. The ramp is half cement and half wood (where the sink drain is and where the crawl space under the house is). My father made the original back in 1963. I think the wood has been replaced once during that time. Part of it has rotted out so I have to be careful to walk on the outer edge, and not near the house. 

Di actually sorted another box of another box of books today! We have to move faster to get the bookcases up. And get the boxes with books out of the way. I want to have the house cleaned up by the holidays, this year's holiday's, not next year's.

Hope those dealing with the heat stay cool. We are getting the 30-33C temperatures this next week. 

GrannyKate

Just back from a few days in Worcestershire at DDs.  Took 3 grandchildren with me.  Oldest DGD1 has a horse so DGD3 & 4 spent time with her at horse yard.  DGS1 kept DGS4 entertained - they are ten years apart in age but get on well.  They slept in garden in a tent one night which was very exciting for DGS4 as it was his first time.  We went out and about, swimming, relaxing etc so it was a nice break.  A bit tired yesterday but more awake today.  I am going to get my hair cut in my old village today so will go swimming on the way for half an hour as I have to drive past.  I am making hair appointments a little later rather than very early so there is time for a swim first.  

Still no sign of plasterers - I have contacted them again.  Four weeks late now as they should have started 19 July.  Sox has been very friendly since I got back - he seems to like company but he was well cared for whilst I was away.  I went through cards to write last one for August and found I had enough for September so I have written all those now ready to go.  I went and paid last £250 owing for the kitchen yesterday. 

There are some frogs to do but I'll start on those this afternoon. DS1 has had to cancel our weekend trip for my birthday next month as looks like he has to be overseas for an important meeting that has been postponed from August.  Will rearrange. 

734 Drinking mug binned - replaced for DGS4 with one without straw
735 Bag of stuff to DD
736 More fruit bushes planted out 
737 All September cards written
738 Holiday to Madeira booked for next May with friend
739 Last of kitchen money paid

Happy_Kitties

@TC77 we used to have a BHF shop but that closed. I live in the land of rain and sheep😆, saying that it has been nice this summer which is a miracle. We don’t have the things like being able to order food on an app and have it delivered, imagine my delight, doing it the first time recently when I was away!

But managed to get 3 items to another CS (1 item to go), by parking opposite. Even though they had just closed, they opened up the shop to take them and I then gave them a brief potted history with prices so hopefully they make a few pennies on them (you can tell I did a consumer degree!) 

298)-300) items x 3 to CS
301)-303) packing up some more of the kitchen, even though I have found out that the original company being used, can’t supply and we are now going to be using another company and measurements rechecked🙈, I found 4 of those little whisks in the cutlery drawer. The little ones u tend to get in a hot chocolate Christmas gift pack. Three smallest into recycling
304) frog dealt with, hoping to deal with 2 more today.
305) one calendar into recycling
306) damaged book into recycling
307) cigarette lighter phone charger (how old is that!) into recycling
308) thank u card from 2012-recycling
309) wrapping paper the cats had shredded-recycling
310) old invoices, shredded and binned
311) think it was a make up brush pouch that had been clawed by cats-binned
312) some old photos that I don’t need-binned
313) an unknown moisturer sent me, haven’t a clue who by, research suggests that it was very expensive but wasn’t even sealed. Disposed and packaging into recycling
314) some medical bits-recycling
315) graduation program -recycling

Sleeping a lot at the minute, so back to the doctors for blood tests

vulpix

YBR, snap!

Hello folks who haven't visited for a bit, nice to hear from you.

Mrs SD, what about that nice brown skirt with the turquoise trim? I think that would be nice for a wedding. Am I remembering that you had a turquoise top too? I don't think you could beat my Nephews Grandma in law who came to the wedding in her zip up fleece jacket. She's in all the wedding photo's zipped up to the neck like a boss.

Recycled my full notebook yesterday, it was a page a day diary of DD2's from 2015.It has taken me about 3 years to use it up. Am now using her diary which from the picture of kittens on the front must be even earlier. Waste not want not.

Mr V has just taken delivery of 2 new pairs of jeans. He constantly wears 3 pairs and they are getting very faded and thin. They must be at least 3 years old. I might be able to rag a couple of pairs when he isn't looking! Expensive but not as bad as a back to school shoe shop Sticky.Ouch!

Look at the time! Not raised a finger yet today.

 Laters  Vx

Pennypincin

I've had 3 small pictures come in, 3 badges plus a programme for a show I've seen.
I've bought a new bin for the bathroom and kitchen.
I've managed to get rid of the old manky bins today.
The table I had in my living room is dismantled, outside and the removal of it paid for reading for tomorrow.
I've offered the spin dryer on my WhatsApp recycling group.
If I'd doesn't go I'm tempted to see if a charity shop will take it as it still works.
I've 4/5 shorts in the charity shop bag.
I've had a tidy of the bottom of the wardrobe yesterday.
I've managed to put the rubbish and recycling out today, plus have done the vacuuming, mopped the bathroom and kitchen floors, plus cleaned the bathroom sink and bath including the tiles.

Rootle

33/52 - an old electric toothbrush to electrical recycling.

34/52 - DH's electric shaver to electrical recycling. 

35/52 - card reader, batteries, cardboard and polystyrene to the tip.