2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

BlueJ94

Afternoon! Not posted in a while been busy with work.. was working until 12 today and then met OH and went to a boot sale which was very very busy!

Not much else going on today just relaxing out and hoping the weather stays nice

Green_hopeful

We got a new light fitting for the kitchen last year. Then we lost it in the garage of doom. Last month I found it on the top of a piece of furniture. Not at all where it should be. So this morning I got brave enough to put it up. I even found the special light bulb for it. So that’s two things decluttered to the ceiling.

I managed to squash up the chest freezer in the garage and make space for a book case that we were storing so that got built and popped into the space. The tool boxes were then put on the shelves. It feels lots better not tripping over them. I sorted the tool boxes back into the appropriate things and then labelled them. I love a label and my son has lent me his labelling machine.

Listed a few things on freecycle and emailed the lady who furnishes houses for the homeless. If she doesn’t want it I will pop it on freecycle.

our friendly upcycler has asked if I have got anything for him so i have started earmarking things he might want.

Florenceem

I did some sorting of stuff for the school's crafts cupboard.

Carried some boxes upstairs from the garage. I need to make space in the garage and the old office for stuff to come out of the large ROD. I won't choose a feature wall colour until I can get into the room and uncover the chaise longue and sofa bed. They will stay in the room while it is decorated along with a small table. Young J has plenty of dust sheets.

J is at work tomorrow and gardening for his Godfather on Wednesday then work on Thursday. So I won't have him here until possibly Friday. I won't have the room ready for him to decorate but he could put another coat on the fence. There are also spots to touch up on the wall plus the front gates to paint. I will be able to keep J busy.

Had a day at home after my tiring day yesterday.

I got young M to try on the gloves for age 8 - 12 years when she was here yesterday.

I have whats app young S with a question about my tv.

My sons and grandson were very pleased with the football result.

Finished a pair of gloves.

TC77

@Soontobeoap that sounds great progress

Mrs SD glad you had a good weekend

Been busy all day (ok watched some dramas) so not sure why not much improvement indoors.

Decided to sweep the front steps and weed, but got distracted getting things out of the shed and started with back patio, and drains, - still in progress but did do front steps and started those between me and neighbour (counting as 5), slippers in recycling, some emails deleted and replied to.
A little preparatory on mega frog for meeting tomorrow .

Small amount of housework, hoovering etc

Listed a few items for sale - forgot how time consuming so will be mindful what is worth listing.

Using the big storage bag which had the curtains for the donation hub as they are always after bags and suitcases. Ordered a new waterproof coat and if ok, 2 jackets will go in the bag but won't count yet.

Off to bed, and hope people make use of the TLC carriage and the sleeping carriages.

458

weenancyinAmerica

I know that without my walker (junior rollator), I wouldn't be going anywhere. I can't walk more than a couple of feet without support. But with it, I can race everywhere and not worry about falling.

suzeesu2000

@Soontobeoap, I’m on the island too! Which boot sale did you do?
@MrsSalad_dodger sounds like you’ve had a good weekend break.

Sanded, finally, the little white unit and tried the paint on a wee bit. The blimming brush is awful so have had to buy one of those very small roller sets, it was under a fiver and you get 10 rollers with it so fingers crossed. Just got to wait for it.

Cooked a roast using 3 bird roast meat leftover from Christmas, roast pots, mashed swede, Easter parsnips, Easter carrots, green beans, Yorkshires & gravy. Won’t be moving until Thursday🌕 so full.

Sold on eBay, all packed ready to go Tuesday and listed more on Vinted.

Been a lovely relaxing weekend - just what I needed. I’ve done a ton of work on my family tree. I really have got to do some other work as well though!

Have a good night all, sweet dreams xx

Soontobeoap

@ suzeesu2000 we did the Chale one. ( Have only done 3 in 14yrs) Bit we believe it is the best one on Island. You definitely couldn't get a busier one anyway. Didn't walk around because I was determined not to bring anything else back with me! 🤣

StickyTheStickInsect

It’s been over six weeks since I last posted, I don’t know where the time is going!

DD had her first orientation event at her new school and seemed to like it, even if she was a bit reticent as she only knew one other person.

DS1 celebrated the imminent long weekend by tearing the ligaments in his shoulder and damaging his collarbone again, throwing a shot put at school. He’s in a sling again and I’ve asked for a referral as this is his 7th dislocation or break in less than 2 years.

I’m trying to do somethings for me and went to my first WI meeting at the beginning of the month, having been on the waiting list for 18 months. Everyone was really friendly and I’ve joined their weekly Thursday coffee group. My M.E. isn’t great and I’m finding the balance of ND children, looking after my Dad and the rollercoaster of grief quite challenging at the moment, so whilst I found the thought of going somewhere new difficult, I’m pleased I did!!

I also went to a book event for an author I love, Ben Aaronovitch. I love a series and a character I can get invested in! He was really interesting and I sat next to a lady who goes to a WI closer to my house than the one I joined and she invited me along next month, so a very productive evening!

The decluttering is still focused at my Dad’s but I’ve been trying to do as much as I can at home. 2 bags to fabric recycling, 2 bags to the hospice shop, 4 bags to shoe recycling (all three children needed new shoes at the same time!!) and 7 bags on the local freebies site.

My new total is 74.5/208

We’ve been sorting out my Dad’s garage, so we can start bringing stuff from the container to it, to give us a bit more sorting time. We’ve also carried on sorting out the last bits of the kitchen.

21 bags to the local freebies site including a tumble dryer, 3 bags to the hospice shop, 35 bags to the tip and we’ve filled a skip, which is the equivalent of 55 bags.

My Dad’s new total is 209.5/208

Mrs SD, could I change my Dad’s total again please, I think I’ll go for 416 bags, as I have clearly underestimated how much there is to get through!

Love to everyone xxx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Daily To Do List - written the night before
2. Sort out sleep patterns - initial targets: bed by 03:00, up by 10:30
3. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc.
4. Commence ‘Operation Financial Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter
5. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed
6. Plan & Execute ONE Major Project - 2026 New Bathroom
7. Target 2026 items out

Monday continued: I have unpacked our bags, everything has been put away in its designated place or added to my washing basket. Forgot to mention that I sorted my accounts out yesterday afternoon & checked the PB site - I won £25 & DH won £50. The washing is sorted into loads & I will do the laundry tomorrow. Dinner was bacon, egg, oven chips & baked beans. Wudupa.

790 - 793 Kitchen recycling, newspaper, plastic bottle, drinks cans - recycled 

794 - 795 Kitchen & lr detritus - binned

Now I will do some more cheerleading & at least finish posts dated 2nd May:

TC77, great work finding someone to take the “complex suspension files” 👏 

Florenceem, yippee to having a 2nd pain free night 🥳 What a lovely thing for your bestie’s son to do 🥹 Just wondering if you could offer The Penny Pincher papers to your local library 🤔 

TC77, great work tackling the boxes you brought back from your dad’s 👏 Excellent decluttering despite being at the “make more mess stage of decluttering” 👏 especially as you are rediscovering previously hidden furniture 😊  A Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way. Looking forward to seeing the photo of the newly upholstered stool 😊

Oh Dizzycap 🥺 I have no words, just great admiration for how well you are handling your situation 🥹 gentle cwtches coming your way 🤗

retiredinfrance, absolutely no need to be ashamed about not posting for a while ‘wagging finger emoji’ RL has a habit of getting in the way especially if you are feeling tired 😔 Excellent work reducing stocks & resisting temptation on your visits to CS 👏 Also well done on taking up the slack with the gardening ☺️ A medal 🏅 is on its way for the very MSE way you are tackling the huge hike in fuel prices 🥳

GrannyKate, hope your DD & her hubby enjoy the cruise 😊 & that you manage to get your packing done 🤞Great work selling the truckle bed 👏

Florenceem, excellent work by young J 👏 Your robe looks wonderful very exotic 😊

TC77, This “Missing having my work phone to call my mobile when it’s gone awol.” did make me laugh 😂 Good luck with your 2nd round of clothes culling 🍀 

Dizzycap, pleased to hear that you are happy about the rain 😉 Also very happy to hear that Babyface is doing so well ☺️

SuffolkSue, nice to see you out of lurkdom 😊

vulpix, very pleased to hear that you had such a wonderful day with DD1 ☺️ Fingers crossed that you managed to get some sleep & that you will soon get back into a better sleep pattern 🤞

Willowtree222, sounds like both you & DD had a wonderful time in the Lake District 😊 The falconry experience sounds marvellous 🤩 

Moorviews, lovely cheerleading ☺️ Good luck with your decluttering of baby equipment 🍀

Soontobeoap, keep up the good work 👏

2Scratters, good luck with your FB MP listings & your search for vintage bed linen 🍀

retiredinfrance, pleased to hear that you are being so successful in reducing your petrol consumption 👏 Well done on reducing your toiletries & make-up stashes 👏 I appear to have been remiss in making your 2026 awards - one Gold Star ⭐️ on its way for going past a quarter of your 2026 target 😊

Yorkie1, great cheerleading ☺️ Pleased to hear that your injured hand is almost recovered 😊

Dizzycap, relieved to hear that you are managing to get some extra rest & being successful in getting Babyface to rest as well ☺️

Excellent decluttering Rootle 👏

suzeesu2000, warm rain is always a bonus as it seems to soak into the ground better 😉 Good luck renovating the lizards 🍀 Excellent work tidying up your notes for your family tree 👏 A medal 🏅 is on its way. Pleased to hear that you had a lovely restful weekend ☺️

Yorkie1, interesting observations about family trees 🧐 

I have caught up a little more, now only 30 posts behind 😊 Hope everyone has had a good day 😊 Sleep tight 😴 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️ ⭐️🎖️🥇 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅

DSis Awards:

Decluttering Target 2026: 795/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £165.11

GrannyKate

Morning all. Nothing much to do this week except last minute holiday sorting. Family History meeting this morning and quiz Thursday but prep already done. I have set Wednesday aside for some frogs which are sitting on kitchen island croaking at me. Hair appointment Friday. DS2 back at work but not full time yet. Children going home a day early but they came a day early last week. I ended up doing the 50 mile drive to their mum's and back yesterday. I popped in a different branch of Mr M on the way back and got a couple of holiday t-shirts.

A bit of gardening done and I hoovered through house and washed kitchen floor which was sticky. I am going to try and do some tidying today. Suitcase weighs less than 13kg (allowance 22) but I don't want to take a bigger one so may swap a few things out. I did buy a larger size case for Portugal but prefer to use the smaller one. Just remembered by folding walking stick and got up and put it with the hand luggage. I am going to see if TKM have a better daysack than the one I have for hand luggage. I may use some of the cash from bed sale to get car valeted whilst I am at Thursday's quiz - the place is opposite church hall where I go. The children want mince and veg with pasta for tea which is quite easy. I usually feed them Tuesdays if they are here as DS2 has college after work. DD arrived in Norway and sent picture of herself swimming in deck pool totally alone - not surprising as there was sleet.

Sox is very needy but doesn't want to be cuddled or picked up - suitcase is theatening him. He continues to excavate the back lawn and has made himself a hole to roll in the dust and get dirty. He gets dry food all the time with half a container of wet food twice a day. We have come down to about four types which he likes, if he is in the mood, all pate, mousse and terrine ones which are not easy to find. I put it down and if he doesn't eat it I take it away. He always eats tinned tuna when it is coming his way. The only food stuff he takes an interest in around the house is licking out vanilla protein pudding containers and the milk remnants at bottom of weetabix bowls. He won't drink milk if I give it to him but he seems to like cereal flavour leftovers. It is only 8.30 but he has been in and out at least 5 times since 6am.

445 Calenders and diaries all updated

446 All May cards posted as birthdays are whilst I am away.

447 Papers and quiz questions done for this week's meetings

448 Suitcase packed

449-455 Seven clothes items to DiL for CS bag - her work are collecting for women's refuge either to sell or use I guess.

I have cardboard packaging and wood which I will try to take to the tip before I get the car valeted.