2025 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN MrsSD - The Joy of Decluttering

suzeesu2000

Evening all. 👮
Thanks for the medal @Mrs_Salad_Dodger. 

Decluttered the last of the mince pies.
Emptied The fridge and washed everything on the insides to within an inch of its life! Put everything back, hardly anything at all as waiting on the big shop.
Worked out that, with barely any effort whatsoever, we have a minimum of 40 meals in the freezer. The other freezer I haven’t started on yet as I’m waiting for the magnet strips so I can fix another whiteboard to the door. Already got the board but it’s not magnetic.
DH has “hinted” that he may well deal with the empty raised beds this week! I gave it til Christmas to get the yard clear so he’s cutting it fine. 

Dinner totally from other freezer.
Have a good night all, sweet dreams xx

GrannyKate

Evening all.  Not done much today.  I took myself to a small local garden centre and had delicious cake with coffee.  A few stocking gifts purchased.  I also explored a clothing concession for a sparkly top for Christmas Day - I got one but also had a look at rails of tops reduced to £5 (original price up to £20) and I bought three.  So money decluttered but I am pleased with additions to wardrobe.  Sorted through presents and made a final list.  I also put money in envelopes for Christmas using my 1p challenge money - I shall use the balance (about £35) for my hairdresser this week and then start off for 2026 challenge.  I've printed the chart off.  

Sox has spent almost the entire day in his bed curled up by the TV but has now decided to go out exploring in the rain.  He was actually seen in the other so far unused bed in the kitchen earlier today.  Mrs SD - I have 8 grandchildren - 4 girls and 4 boys aged 10-20. The youngest two DGS4 and DGD4 are the ones I take to school and who lived with me and DS2 50% of the time for a couple of years.  They now have a nice home ten minutes walk away with DS2 and partner so they are here less depending on school and DS2's work patterns.  

I did go through and tidy some drawers and DGS4's stuff and put 5 clothing items in bag for textiles - not good enough for CS.  I will drop them off on Friday along with bag of batteries when I am near the recycling centre.  

I had delicious Sunday roast lamb at DS2's yesterday and I bought home a portion of leftovers for today's meal.  I have a lunch out on Sunday with family then I go to DD's for Christmas on Monday.  Back here Boxing Day for 'Christmas' with DS2 and family then DS1 and family are coming over on 27th.  I will try and go to see my brother's widow for a few days mid January then DS2 is away for his birthday at end of January.  Both my boys were born in January so I had two very pregnant Christmases. 

Checked refuse collection days for holidays and while I was at it I booked a bulk collection for old mattress in garage for 7 January. DIL has put the two tables up for sale so hope they sell quickly.  

1202-1207 Clothing items for recycling
1208 Mattress collection booked for January

vulpix

So close to being tidy. All Sundays jobs done. The dining table is clear.

 Inside of the porch windows cleaned and a tree put up in there on the butlers tray. I will have to change it to a stool as it stops the patio door opening.It was a good idea though!

 I have started to use the scraper on the dining table, to get the sticky varnish off. I will keep chipping away at it until it is done. Just a few more house jobs to complete then I can start on some Christmas wrapping and cooking. I need to be all done by Friday as we are having a family  get together then.

 A bag of baubles and bits of ribbon given to DD1. Soft plastics taken to the supermarket.

 Daisy, I didn't explain myself very well, I mean where the walls meet the floor. There is a big gap under the skirting. I have been rather creative where a whole piece of floorboard is too small and created a modern art installation round that! The sitting room is the coldest room in the house, it has a too small single radiator. Soon to be rectified in the New Year I hope.

 Of course WeeNancy, My Mum made the blanket for me a few years ago. 

 Oh, builder says he can't come till next year now as he hasn't been able to finish jobs off because of the weather. No rush. Gives me a bit more time to save up.

 Gardener has postponed until tomorrow because of heavy rain all day.

 LiverpoolAnne, I have the same problem at this house with DIY stuff. It was under the stairs at the last house but we have an under stairs loo like you. I have managed to get it all in the corner cupboard in the kitchen for now. In the New Year I will have to have a good sort out of the kitchen and put things in better places than they are just now. Like you, I also need to look at meal planning. We have got very lazy since we moved. 

 Vx

 

daisy_1571

Gotcha vulpix,  I can visualise it now 

Dxx

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, quick post as I have the dentist tomorrow so need to sleep 😂.
Cleaned the bathroom today, old exfoliating sponge binned but I discovered a new one in the cabinet so that was put out and the packaging binned / recycled. 
Then I was distracted by OH who isn't feeling well and wanted lemon and honey. A trip to the sm was needed for lemons and paracetamol. All cards for neighbours done but it was dark and wet by then so they will be delivered tomorrow. Wrapped 3 birthday presents and a cardboard box recycled. I had veg stew from the freezer for tea, OH was asleep so sorted something later 😁 but more space in the freezer 😁

@Mrs SD Chile, Fiji, Liechtenstein, Seychelles and Yemen are what has been keeping me awake till now 😂

Hugs to everyone who would like one
1666 sponge
1667 packaging
1668 cardboard box
Take care everyone
1668/2025

London_1

Good Morning chums ,an early bird riser me,I'm one of those folk who once my eyes are open I'm awake and cannot go back to sleep again. But I do have my old laptop in my bedroom (new one is downstairs in my sitting room ) So I can surf whilst drinking my first cuppa in bed.

I have a small kettle, some tea bags and a little fridge (bought at the BHF shop for £30 when we moved in) Its just big enough to hold some milk and a bottle or two of OJ or canned pop. Ideal for me to have a cuppa when I fancy

 .I don't usually go downstairs until I hear my son-in-law moving around as I don't like to get in his way when he's getting ready for work, and DD doesn't wake like me this early.
I have the largest bedroom at the back of the house and its very roomy and with an en suite as well with a nice shower so I have lots of my bits and pieces around me (plenty of books )

I went to the U3A Christmas social yesterday and it was really good and we had a Christmas quiz .Our table didn't win, but we were about middling I suppose
 
I love the odd facts that you learn at quizzes, e.g. In the 12 days of Christmas the "4 calling or colley birds' were not as almost everyone thought actual birds, but representative of the four gospels from the bible . Learn something new every day  Great fun and a good few laughs.

What was the large structure in the USA painted in what's called 'International Orange' not as I suggested Trump but the Golden Gate bridge in San Fransisco  

We had lots of nibbles and hot sausage rolls and mince pies and even some Christmas cake so we were all fed and watered Plenty of tea for the drivers (me) and mulled wine for the passengers my friend

Today I want to have a declutter of my spare bedside cabinet which is full of odds and ends, which I know can go into the CS bag, I also have some paperbacks I've read to go. its Knit and Natter tomorrow in Ryde so I'll take them with me and drop them off afterwards. Its also our Christmas one so I must remember to take my Christmas hat, I also have the bedding bag for the rehoused lady to take as well.

DD's has a cold so she's staying in the warm this week as we are both going to Kent next Monday for the day to see my eldest DD and my eldest DGS,his wife and my little american DGGD Daisy who flew in this week for a couple of weeks, they are at her Mums house in Hertfordshire until next Sunday, than driving to my DDs in Kent for Christmas and New Year. I've only seen the little girl via Skype so it will be lovely to meet her at last, she is two and a half and pretty much excited, as apart from it being Christmas, she is meeting her two Great Granny's, plus her two Nannys as well as her Grandpa (my son-in-law) who have been over to see her in New York several times since she was born.
Both myself and my DDs ma-in-law neither fly anymore as the insurance is prohibitive at our age and health.

Once we have visited them and caught up, DD and I are going to see my eldest DGD Katie and her two little girls and delivering the Christmas stuff to them ,then driving to Rochester to pick up DGS Henry and brining him back to the island with us. 
It's going to be a long day as we are booked on the 07.00 am ferry in the morning then the returning  10.15 pm  in the evening. But DD has her Christmas playlist done already on her phone, so a bit of a singsong on the way home will keep us alert The other three boys are all arriving at different times on the next day (Tuesday) and we will have a houseful  

Today is DGS Ben's 30th birthday and I've just sent him some cash as a present to treat himself to something nice.

This Friday is my youngest DD Tess's 56th birthday, and her present is a nice hair do on Thursday at my favourite hairdressers in Ryde. I did ask what she wanted and she said a decent cut hairdo and Nicola my hairdresser is brilliant, and although its not cheap, its worth every penny and she does a great job.
I have five family birthdays before Christmas ! ! !  and at times it hard to know what to get as i still have to think of stuff for Christmas as well

Right well enough blethering, time to have another cuppa before my shower, then I shall toddle downstairs to my little sitting room and listen to my favourite presenter on LBC Nick Ferrari at 7.00am .
I never miss his programme and I think he's a great unbiased journalist . he starts my day five days a week  

I hope every one isn't getting too stressed about next week and Christmas, we shall be doing it all over again next year God willing

Onwards and upwards chums 

JackieO xx

TC77

Thank you for my medal Mrs SD. And all your cheerleading.

I woke yesterday with v sore throat and exhausted. Fortunately working at home mon/ Tuesday. 

Compared to @London_1 and others' very busy festive seasons mine will be quiet which at the moment feels very welcome. Dd1 will be here on Xmas eve and I have friends for NYE.

Yesterday some paper out, a bowl that has a crack and been repaired and is very pretty but one of a dozen so decided i have to accept its demise..putting things in the bin is very difficult.
Watched something from minimal mum who i think people have mentioned and the phrase 
' decide what you want to take into the next chapter of you're life '  resonated rather than what should I declutter. I may have paraphrased but the idea is focusing on what to keep for the future me

We'll see what success I have when I have more energy.