2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

vulpix

Madam Mim, I make flapjack but neeeed to know how you make jammy flapjack. Homemade blackberry and raspberry jelly, mmmmmmm I don't have a sweet tooth but always enjoy home made foods.

 I am pleased to hear that Mr F is in hospital. One positive is that it has happened so much quicker than last time Florenceem. There is little I can add to what has already been said. So many of us have walked in your shoes with our relatives, we understand the strain. I hope Mr F is feeling a little better and that you are able to get a little rest. xxx

Only a scarf to go in the new chazzer bag. I love it,it is cream wool, very delicate Shetland lace pattern. I wore it yesterday and noticed it doesn't suit me at all now my hair has gone grey. I am prompted to look in my scarf drawer now for any tones that I no longer suit.

 There have been some things in, a belly basket to keep my knitting in at the side of the chair. I was going to sew something but this was in the sale at £2.50, not worth me making one at that price. Also a fleece top and some new yoga pants in the sales. That should be me ok for clothes for a while.

 Mrs SD, I don't know how I keep finding stuff to get rid of either! I do have big gaps and space in the drawers and cupboards and I like it! I think it's ingrained now to asses everything all the time as I use it.

 The weather! I am used to our weather being changeable, different every day, even several seasons in a day. Iv'e had enough of this cold now. My knee has certainly had enough of it. We have postponed our trip to the petting farm because of the cold.

 Did I say we no longer have a pop up waterfall, we now have a pop up icicle installation.

 Take care Vx

Florenceem

Managed to crack on and do the washing.
I wrapped and labelled sold V items.
Also took a trolley and bag full to charity shops when I posted the parcels.
I called at SA and printed some labels.
My daughter is picking me up around 3 to visit Mr F..

2Scratters

@BlueJ94 could I please ask where did you get the Toast and jam tea from? I have a colleague who is unable to find some and she loves it. Thanks

2 Scratters xx

WickedLady4

2Scratters said:

@BlueJ94 could I please ask where did you get the Toast and jam tea from? I have a colleague who is unable to find some and she loves it. Thanks

2 Scratters xx

I get mine from out local large Tesco store. @2Scratters

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

Whilst the iPad was charging I dealt with my 2025 Birthday Card list. I have managed to write a few from the small stash I have & have written my list of cards to be bought when I go into Lewisham but not until it is warmer 😉 I have also had some lunch - the lo linguine has been heated up with the addition of some tomato pesto 😋 I watched a bit of TV then nodded off for an hour or so 😕 

Florenceem, I am catching up with all your posts since the one dated the 8th January 12:05 p.m. So very sorry to hear that MrF has deteriorated so quickly & that you are having to make such difficult decisions 😔 A visit from the paramedics followed by one from a nurse & then having to wait for a call back from the frailty team must have left you feeling like you were in limbo 😥 I see that it went rapidly downhill. What a nightmare of an afternoon & evening with no proper treatment of MrF either at home or at the hospital 😥 It does sound like you made the wisest decision for MrF by discharging him & taking him home 🥺 The one bright spot of the day having such a helpful taxi driver 🙂 Reading your post of the 9th was quite uplifting 🥹 A good day with Mr F eating & drinking, you being able to pop out a couple of times & managing to do some decluttering as well 😊 Although the day was rather spoilt by the conversations with social services about paying for care 😞 Such a shock to read that MrF was taken to hospital by ambulance @ 4:00 a.m. yesterday 😞 & so very sorry that it was all so traumatic for both you & MrF 🥺 Keeping you in my thoughts & relieved to hear that MrF is so close to the nurses station 🥲 & that family & friends are accompanying you to the hospital for visiting times 🥹 It is not surprising that you were unable to get a restful night’s sleep last night - you have been through the ringer for so long that you are both physically & mentally exhausted 😩 It will take time to recover your equilibrium even with MrF being in hospital 😔 Hopefully MrF is now settled & the visit this afternoon went better than the last one 🙏 

I will be resuming cheerleading in my next post.

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 

DH Awards:

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 60/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

MadamMim2013

@vulpix everyone in the household loves it, so a batch doesn’t last long ☺️

I make up a usual batch of flapjack to fit in my square tin:
150g butter
120g light brown sugar
80ml of honey or golden syrup
280g rolled oats
Once combined I put half of the warm mix into the tin firm down gently then add a thin-ish layer of jam
(my boys love raspberry, yet it could be whatever you have to hand) followed by the rest of the mix, again firmed down slightly..
Bake for about 20 mins at 180/gas 4, till edges are a little crisp middle a little wobbly..
Leave to cool completely in the tin, remove and cut into squares.. can be stored for up to 5 days in an air tight tin..that’s if it hasn’t been scoffed on day one! 🤣

Finished under the stairs for today, everything is in, including shelving from the garage.
Found a couple of items to be put on Vinty, and also went out for an afternoon walk to post a sale..

My poor car got a shove while on a roundabout today.. 🫣 thankfully nothing more than a scuff, so no harm done. poor chap looked horrified and very worried when we stopped. It wasn’t really his fault either, another car swung round the roundabout going far too fast, clipped him, causing him to swerve and skim my rear door, the other car didn’t even stop 🤬 we inspected both cars and agreed no need for claims, it’ll mostly polish out.. 😮‍💨

Feet up with a cuppa watching a black n white movie.. my OH likes Humphrey Bogart so it’s one of those 🤣

Florenceem

Youngest Daughter took me to the hospital when I went to see Mr F. He had been moved from the rapid assessment area to majors - all a new part of the hospital. Same sort of layout - separate cubicles.
Mr F was asleep - I woke him but he just looked at me and didn't speak then went back to sleep.
He doesn't have the IV antibiotics drip in now but has a catheter.
Only one nurse trying to look after 12 patients and no Doctor around to speak to. 
I woke Mr F again and tried to get him to speak but he was moving his mouth with no sound.
I didn't stay long - he didn't know that I was there.
Middle Daughter was shopping nearby with Granddaughter so took me home.
My SA friend's husband is taking me to the hospital tomorrow.

daisy_1571

Florenceem I was hoping mr f would be slightly improved today but its early yet for an improvement,  glad you were able to get to see him

Daisy xxx

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

Back again after prepping tonight’s dinner - real comfort food sausage, mash, baked beans & plum tomatoes 🙂 Now resuming the cheerleading for posts dated the 8th

foxandflowers, great work both filling the storage unit & tackling your craft projects 👏 especially the 20 year old project which had become more of a Cane toad than a frog 😉 

oceanspirit, This “I have kept one of my teenage diaries as it’s hilarious and I do read it occasionally.” is wonderful 😅 Sorry to hear that you struggled to get going on Wednesday 😕

MadamMim2013, no need to be disappointed at not decluttering anything big - remember the daily decluttering is just as important 😊 Well done on not going  shopping for a month 👏

ionafan, I hope DH was successful at the sale of ‘ unwanted Christmas gifts’ 🤞What a great idea 👏 although I do hope that the ‘givers’ of said gifts don’t turn up 😉

CRANKY40, shame about having to cancel Wednesday’s lunch with your friend 😞 but better safe than sorry 🙂 The upside is that at least you had time for housework, laundry & decluttering 😉👏

What a lovely post daisy_1571 🥹 Although there were no love letters between DH & me, This “……. That however hasn't changed lol, we still like each other to a sickening extent for such an old married couple  😆 😂” could have been written by me 🥹 Love the Sindy wardrobe 😊 & even more special as it was made for you by your Mum & Dad 🥹 I agree with Floss - I am sure there must be an unwanted Cindy out there 😅

Lovely to have you back Soontobeoap 👋 Sounds like you had a wonderful but very busy Christmas 😊 Great work catching up with the laundry 👏

Muddy_Walker, such wonderful news about your Mum 🥳 🥂 

Lovely post daisy_1571 👏 

ionafan, This “This afternoon I had planned to make Spanish Chicken Casserole for tea - the recipe includes the juice of 2 oranges, and DH (yes, the man who said he couldn't find anything to declutter!) had been ignoring the last 2 oranges in the fruit bowl ever since I bought them at the beginning of December, so they were getting very wizened and IMHO only good for cooking with.  I put them on the side with the recipe after lunch, and by 2.00 one had disappeared!  Oh well, the casserole will be less orangey than it should be, but I'm sure it will still taste OK. ETA: it was excellent!” had me in stitches 🤣

That toast & jam flavoured tea sounds very interesting BlueJ94 🤔 I do hope the ‘caramelised biscuit’ flavour was just as “amazing” 🤞

QueenJess, thanks for that 👏 Makes more sense than Christmas postcards 😊 Sorry to hear that you have been so ill 😔 I do hope you are on the mend now 🙏

BlueJ94, still unsure about trying the unusual Yorkshire tea flavours but am all for the stroopwafels 🙂 they look delicious 😋 

Excellent decluttering CRANKY40 👏

Lovely post Moorviews 😊 You had a busy day on Wednesday 👏 I do hope you & the dog didn’t get too wet on your walks🤞

Lovely post machasraven 😊 Those are very long work days 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 😱 no wonder you are exhausted 😩 Home made bread 😋

Tjh1412, pleased to know that you are enjoying your gold star 😊 I didn’t realise when I started the Awards System that it would prove quite so popular 😉 More excellent decluttering 👏 Good luck with the knitting 🍀 Not sure how long it takes you to knit a baby hat, but it does sound like an achievable target 🙏 Hope Thursday’s declutter of kitchen items went well 🤞

Dinner is almost ready so I will post & run 🙂 Hopefully I will be back later 🤞

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🌟 ❤️ ❤️ 🏅 

DH Awards:

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2025: 60/2025

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

redofromstart

So yesterday evening was spent sorting our bedside tables. Some slight remorse about things I have exited this morning, but it is too late now, no more skip diving.

Today I made a start on the garage, and cleared packaging stuff and wood offcuts.  When it got too cold for that I started on the indoor workshop room, again mostly wood offcuts.  Things that can't go into the household waste in any volume so good options for the skip.  He kept every last scrap in case it was useful so I have gained quite a bit of ready to use kindling, and plenty that just needs cutting down a little which DS1 will do for me.  

This evening I did a few more shelves of the craft bookcases, 90% of which is donate or sell.  I have reduced gardening from three selves to one so I have been just as ruthless with my own books.  

The 8 yard skip is now two thirds full with five days to go. There is more stuff in the garage and I will do another hour there tomorrow.