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 was a bright & sunny day with a high of 21°C, low 10°C & not so windy 8mph with gusts of 18mph. I was up @ 10:20 about 20 minutes after DH & DSis left. DH was accompanying DSis to a train station as she was going to visit her son T at his aunt’s  house. After last week’s car trip she decided to go by train 😉 DH will be picking them up in the car as T is going home to France tomorrow from Gatwick. DH will also take the opportunity to pick up his now repaired motorcycle trousers. I went out at 13:00 to get cash & call into surgery to book an appointment with the pharmacist. No joy at the surgery - need to phone or go in early a.m. so thought I’d try & catch DH before he set off (14:00) to pick up DSis & T. Plan thwarted as there were no buses 😖 Remembered I needed a flu jab so went into pharmacy & 5 minutes later walked out having had flu jab. Bus home & got in about 14:25. DH phoned about 15:40 to say he had picked up his trousers & was in a cafe having a cup of coffee. I got another call at 19:35 saying they were just leaving. They eventually got home 22:00 😱 having picked up KFC for dinner. I spent the afternoon sorting out DH’s undies & socks drawer + the hanging space in his wardrobe. Lastly I  unrolled the t-shirts on wardrobe  shelf & folded them instead so DH can see what he has. I also started knitting the rainbow hat for DH’s great great nephew. It is very bright 😉 Watched TV with T & DSis, then I went to bed 03:00 as DSis was sleeping on sofa. 

Tuesday is another quite bright day with some sunshine - high 18°C, low 12°C & an occasional slight breeze. Now for a sorry tale which has sent my blood pressure soaring ☹️ I got up & dressed @ 08:15, straight to bus stop & was in the surgery by 08:40. No queue at reception  🙂 but it went downhill from there. I explained yesterday’s conversation & asked for an urgent appointment as I have 3 BP pills left. Earliest appointment Monday (which in hindsight I should have taken 😅). I advised no use so was told that a doctor would phone me & either arrange an earlier appointment or let me have a tide me over prescription. As I was getting nowhere fast I agreed & left. I was back indoors by 09:05 DH was up so chatted to him for a while, made myself a drink & waited for DSis to get up. DH left at 10:00 for his last WLP weigh in. DSis & T got up about 10:30 & I was carrying the phone around waiting for a call & keeping myself occupied doing crosswords & sudokus. Suddenly received a generic email from the surgery about using the website 😡 Decided to phone at 11:30 & finally spoke to a receptionist at 12:15.After much to-ing & fro-ing re when I was going to get contacted by a doctor she advised me I had a phone appointment with the pharmacist sometime tomorrow & had been phoned - er no I hadn’t 😭 She then proceeded to lie outright & tell me that the pharmacist “doesn’t do face to face” Somehow I managed to remain ‘relatively’ calm, giving her the correct information & asking her to book a face to face 🙏 She denied my request as ‘apparently she had to have permission to change the appointment’ Upshot is I am again waiting for a call (either this p.m. or tomorrow a.m.) re a face to face appointment. Good job my medication is the lowest dose 🤞DH phoned - he was very happy as this last weigh in showed that he had lost 2.4kg & was the lightest he has been since August 2023 (he had gone down into a lower ‘stones’ category) + he was ‘star pupil’ 👏🥳👏🥳 He was treating himself to a piece of cake & a milky coffee. After faffing about for a while DSis & T eventually left at 12:35. DSis was saying her goodbyes to T at London Bridge where he was getting on a train to Gatwick. DH got home 13:25, slightly disappointed that his piece of cake wasn’t gooier 😉 He has changed his shoes & gone straight out to Wickes to pick up some ready made concrete & suitable tools in order to repair the patio. 😥 DSis & DH both got back at 14:20. T has just texted to say that he is on his way through security. He arrived home safely as his partner picked him up. I tried the JO omelette recipe (salmon, spinach & cottage cheese) again - successfully cooked this time but DH & DSis have both decided that they are not fans of cottage cheese. Wudupa

1874 - 1879 Kitchen recycling x 2, 3 newspapers, drinks cans - recycled 

1880 - 1884 Kitchen detritus x 2, lr, office & DSis bedroom detritus - binned

A little bit of cheerleading before I head to bed - I have fallen way behind 😞 

Soontobeoap, oh my goodness those elves are wonderful - so cute 🥰 & This “We are going to hide them around our community for people to find” is marvellous 🤩 There will be some very happy people 😆 I do hope Open Reach have sorted out your broadband 🤞As to This “On a much better note the carpenter that works for us has made our new fire surround and is bringing it over to fit in the morning. DH will be here to help him get it out of the car. I am very excited” great news 🥳 & made so much quicker than the original sorry lot managed 😉 Sorry to hear that you have had Covid 😔 but pleased to hear that you are on the mend 😮‍💨 

 suzeesu2000, great work with raised bed number 1👏 Hopefully your DH will do the ‘manly stuff’ quickly 🤞I might leave mentioning the loft decluttering until after all the gardening work is done 🙊 Good luck with both the ottoman decluttering & the family tree investigations 🍀

TC77, pleased to hear that you enjoyed your walk on Sunday 😊Hopefully you slept well. Excelllent  work dealing with so much paperwork 👏 I will p my fingers crossed that ‘watchers’ will turn to ‘buyers’ 🤞

BlueJ94, beautiful pictures - a perfect day for a walk & well done on walking so far 👏

Excellent decluttering QueenJess 👏 Well done on tackling DD’s clothes 👏 2cm a month 😧 

purplevamp, great decluttering 👏 Re the BJ film, I have absolutely no idea why she was channelling Monty Pythons Ministry of Silly Walks 🤣

Just noticed the time so am off to bed. Sleep tight everyone 😴 

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ ⭐️🏅🏅⭐️😇

DSis Awards: ⭐️ ⭐️ 🏅

Decluttering Target 2025: 1884/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £469.00

BlueJ94

Morning all! 

Im officially first aid trained! Woo. Anyway back to work today, they've decided to start monitoring how we drive the work vans which I've no problem with. My only issues are when they want us to do 20mph and the vans are so rubbish that they feel like they'll break down at any given moment! 

Christmas.. for the last 5 years I've hosted Christmas, my OH has helped cooked the beef and I've done the rest on Christmas day which I've no problem with but now OH says he wants someone else to do it next year, so I have the lovely pleasure of letting everyone know that 😅

I have to write a list and budget how much for each person too as I've kind of started but need to get a wiggle on!

Scotland.. 18th we're going away and im counting down the minutes, a whole two weeks off work! 

Decluttering.. slowly but surely im getting there, momentarily have slown down due to being so so tired after work! Trying to stick to the one in one out method. Also, trying to stick to a method of "dont put it down put it away" which helps a lot!

Debt.. Barclaycard I've been chipping away at, im still stuck on what to do with this new card of £400 (380 after transferring fees) 0% until June.

Muddy_Walker

Thank you for the cake recipe!

TC77

Mrs SD, sorry to hear about your trials with the GP and receptionist - very frustrating!
Yesterday got out bedding and have 4 items for CS and a new cushion cover, took out the inner and in a cushion cover which matches another and never used since I got them made about 15 years ago!
Out pen, some inedible tofu (clearly not good at cooking it), and more plastic wallets for donation centre, and some paper recycling.
This morning found a 'sort it out' article on my phone and made me think I could/should have got rid of many times more bedding. Have some space in various storage bags/ drawers (and many things out) but haven't worked out what I want where.
Will add 9  to my total. In office today but when working at home find time that I would be travelling I can do bits of housework and sorting.
Sofa being picked up by BHF tomorrow which makes me abit anxious as only a few years old, and seems wasteful (hopefully will go to a good home) but will put an armchair in its place and when DD2 home we'll move a sofa from the 'talking room' as she calls the front living room - abit like the front parlour that never gets used as for best!

Moorviews

@regnbue - what an amazing sounding trip! Hope you have a fantastic time 😊
@Soontobeoap - love the fireplace and new decor. It will all be worth it when you can finally put your feet up and enjoy that lovely room. 

@Muddy_Walker - I hope you start to feel better soon. Hopefully the lovely aroma of baking a Christmas will provide some uplifting feelings. 

@Mrs_Salad_Dodger - You have my sympathy and I hope you get a consultation soon. I have now adopted the policy of accepting any appointment offered even if it seems a ridiculously long way away. 

Gorgeous cat photos 😍

I decluttered some curtains and am now struggling to find new ones that I like. I will end up making some which is something I vowed I wouldn’t do again! I shall try to channel @Florenceem and apply myself to the task. I soaked and cooked up some very old beans in the pressure cooker. They were very good so I shall work my way through the remaining ones more confidently. At least cooked and bagged up in the freezer they stand a chance of being used!

vulpix

Hi, I've read back and caught up properly.

I do hope you are feeling brighter Muddy.xx

Mrs SD, what a performance with the GP. I hate it. I have been with my GP 4 years. I have never seen him/her. 
 Well done Mr SD on your weight loss. I have found every one of those pounds you lost and am keeping them safe!

Moorviews, I have also pledged to never make curtains again. I bought some for the sitting room and altered them, more or less remaking them. I will try very hard to not make curtains again at the new house.

I think I am crocheted out. I have completed 8 lap blankets in the last 5 weeks.I would have liked to do 10 but my hand and wrist hurt. I will do some more at leisure for next Winter's collection. I think I will have to post them to you or the charity organiser Happy Kitties as I am unsure that I will be able to visit in the near future. Please could you pm me an address?

We have both got some sort of virus/ lurgy, so not sleeping well and feeling rough.Not helped by Fomo's early morning alarm calls.

 I put a tray of peppers in the oven last night to roast, forgot them and they are now welded to the tray, unrecognisable as to what they used to be. The house also stinks! I will do my best to clean it but my trusty oven tray may be decluttered today.

Have a nice day people. Vx

MadamMim2013

Morning everyone.. 👋🏼 
Have sort of caught up with the posts.. 😬
MrsSD it’s soooo frustrating when unnecessary and unhelpful gatekeeping occurs at the Drs, we seem to have a team of friendly and understanding receptionists where we are and I never fail to let them know how grateful I am for it! My mum’s on the other hand, requires walking on eggshells to get even the simplest of tasks done. Here’s hoping that future calls etc are fruitful and allow you to get your medication sorted!

Have been decluttering patience and sanity.. who’d have thought it could be soooo time consuming to change a name these days.. (it’s not my first rodeo) Those things I thought would be more involved have sailed through, yet changing my details on my cat’s ID chip was a military exercise!! Thankfully a cuppa and giggle with my mum has helped me chill out about it all.. 

Have a pile in the garage to go to the tip.. will be adding to it this week so it’s booked to go by Saturday 👍🏼 
Re-organising my listings on Vinty.. Have an urge to just charity shop the lot.. then I remind myself some recompense for items is better than nowt, though is the time and effort getting it on there worth it for so little? 

Ooh a huge 👏🏼 &🥇 for Mr SD, he’s done so well..
It makes me ever more determined to shed some menopause weight before the new year! 😱

Feel better soon @vulpix, Since returning from our honeymoon, my hubby has come down with some weird bug.. 😕 just feels yuck and very tired yet can’t sleep well? 

Here’s to a productive week.. however that needs to be.. spoons and sticks for all, ooh and some dark chocolate dipped honeycombe for the TLC carriage.. ☺️

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 a cloudy day with a high of 18°C & low of 12°C & a slight breeze.

My mini saga continued - I forgot to mention that I received an email late evening advising that I would need to be available for the booked call from the pharmacist but again no actual time quoted 😡 Accepting my fate - very ungraciously I might add 😉 I decided to sleep on the sofa so that I wouldn’t miss the call (landline is downstairs) Anyway, DH came downstairs at 12:30 & roused me from my slumber - still no call………. I checked the phone just in case 😉 However, when I checked my iPad there was an email………… yes, you have guessed correctly…….. prescription at pharmacy with no mention of call or even an apology. Of course, I have checked with the pharmacy & yes the prescription is there 🥳 so will pick up later. DH offered to drive me to & from pharmacy 🙂as he has been trying to update the car’s Satnav for a few days & it didn’t work with the car just sat on the driveway 😞 We left at 14:00, DH dropped me off then did a loop before picking me up. Now have 56 days of pills 🥳 Indoors by 14:35. As an aside, no call re my blood test results so presumably nothing of concern……. either that or they are fed up of me 😂 Satnav supposedly updated but 15 minutes later DH had to get in car & do a final stage 🤔 For some reason updating the car Satnav is exceedingly complicated 😖 I am now settled with a hot drink, timer is on & I am starting the cheerleading from page 532 - wish me luck 🍀 

1885 - 1886 Office recycling, cardboard box - recycled 

vulpix, I am very lucky when it comes to being given flowers ☺️ I imagine you & MrV are really looking forward to the cruise after all the stress of trying to move 😊 As I am so far behind with the cheerleading, I am hoping that by the time I catch up you will have posted your new moving date 🙏🤞Fancy your buyers turning up on Sunday - they were probably checking that they haven’t been dreaming the whole idea of moving 🙊 I hope you found what you were looking for when you emptied your craft storage box 🤞Excellent decluttering as well & such a bonus finding 2 more blankets for the knitting challenge charity 🤩 

Lovely post weenancy 😊 

BlueJ94, fingers crossed you can get into the habit of having breakfast before going to work 🤞 At least you are now working a more civilised shift 😮‍💨 Well done on the quick sale 👏

How exciting regnbue 🤩 Your trip to Japan sounds wonderful & you are certainly packing a lot in over the 19 days 🥹 You might need another holiday when you get back 😉 I hope you have an absolutely marvellous time & that the weather is kind 🙏😊 I am putting in a request for the odd photo just to cheer us all up ☺️

Deni_debt-free_dreamer, pleased to hear that you are recovering from jet lag but sorry to hear that you have caught Covid 😞 Hopefully you will recover quickly 🤞& can get back on track with your decorating 🙏 Great work with decluttering & packing away clothes 👏

Excellent decluttering Willowtree222 👏 Well done on decluttering jigsaws as they do take up a surprisingly large amount of space 😉 Keep up the good work 🙂

Brie, I am still giggling 🤭 Hope you behaved at Art class 😉

Soontobeoap, what a beautiful fireplace 😻 absolutely stunning & made even more so by the wonderful wall colour 🤩 I also love the flooring 😊 I agree with daisy_1571 “…bet you're so glad now that the other one fell through” 🥹 Everything crossed that the roof repairs aren’t exorbitantly expensive 🤞

I have caught up one page but am finding concentration a bit hard to come by 🤔 Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible & that the weather is being kind 🙏 See you later 👋 

P.S. I have finished knitting the hat - just need to make the pom pom 😉

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

DH Awards: 🏅 ‘Squirrel Whisperer’ ⭐️🏅🏅⭐️😇

DSis Awards: ⭐️ ⭐️ 🏅

Decluttering Target 2025: 1886/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £469.00

TC77

I've just been reading that the Nobel chemistry prize has been  given to 3 people with one of them explaining he was inspired by  the philosophy of an ancient Chinese philosopher, zhuangzi, who said that even if something does not bring immediate benefit it may turn out to be valuable !
Explains why my house is as it is  

charlies_tribe

Good evening. 
So DH still doesn't feel well but hasn't been sick since early Sunday morning and no-one else seems to have got it yet. So not much of the big things done.
Early Sunday morning we had a power cut and I pulled everything out of the cupboard to get to the fuse box but it wasn't us, it was the whole street. I left it out and went back to bed. It's all dog stuff so I did have a sort through of a couple of things as it went back. Still things to sort though.
Monday was bathroom and sorted through a drawer.
Tuesday was our bedroom and while the bedding was washing I sorted a couple of drawers. Found  a handbag that was still full, including £22.06! Unfortunately only the 6p is still spendable. 
Cleared out some of my makeup too and decided its probably cheaper to have my makeup done each time I need it doing as I probably only wear makeup once every 5 years and end up buying new.
Kitchen today and nothing actually left the house. 

I was hoping by now with my half hour bursts the house would be looking better but it really doesn't (doesn't help that most of what I've done isn't visible,  inside drawes etc)

Right I better put dinner on for DD and DH getting back from dance.

1207  Dog Ear cleaner
1208  Dog ear powder
1209-1210  2x bags OOD dog treats
1211-1212  2x funnels
1213-1215  3x body puffs
1216-1219  4x exfoliating mitts
1220  Towel rail
1221  Plug
1222  Pair of trainers
1223  Pair of sandles
1224  Pens
1225  Hairbobbles
1226  Pile of paper/receipts
1227  Pair of trainers, thanks to DGS who managed to drop a cup of chocolate milk on them and they'll drop to bits in the washer.
1228-1230  3x magazines
1231-1252  22 smaller items
1253  OOD dog bones
1254-1256 nappy bags, full packs used as dog poop bags but deteriorated