2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

SpikyHedgehog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967441#Comment_81967441

Beautiful! My Christmas cactus flowered last year after not flowering for a few years. I mean, I know why it hadn't been flowering, it wasn't getting enough light and no where near enough water! The amazing thing is that it survived. It's now relocated to the living room windowsill where it's much happier.

While I was watering the back garden last night, I realised I need to rearrange the pots as there are a couple that are hard to reach with the watering can, so are in danger of not being watered.

Decluttering wise... as i waited for the cans to fill from the waterbutt, I rolled up the front of the mini greenhouse. The plastic 5 litre vinegar bottles have been there too long as they have started to go very brittle. Only one with water in it cracked, and I managed to get most of the water on the pots rather than disappearing between the paving slabs. So I removed, emptied and discarded then all.

Then looked at the tool box. That's been sitting there since we left the allotments in 2021. Full of stuff that's now mostly unusable. And rust. Old gardening gloves, onion bulbs, mulittool etc went in the bin as unrecoverable. 3 unopened packs of strimmer wire went in the shed for Elder Son to consider. One of my nice plastic sealable boxes went in the recycling on the grounds that I don't think I can use it for food again...

I brushed the remaining debris out over the black bin, then gave the box a thorough clean. We'll see if it's usable or if the rust is still there, waiting to pounce on any tools we put in a tool box.

I also noted that the bags containing bulb fibre and decorative stones are breaking down, so that's a job I need to look at before too long.

Today, took reciepts to church for reimbursement. That's a nice declutter as the poly pocket goes out, and money comes back in. A dozen church tea towels went back, but half a dozen came back...

Yorkie1

Someone I was chatting to earlier today mentioned using white vinegar to soak her secateurs - somewhat (!) rusted after a winter in the compost heap (!) - for 12 or 24 hours, which did the job in removing the rust

Moorviews

Sorry to hear that @oceanspirit both about the house and the lurgy. Hopefully everything will take a turn for the better soon.
Early morning gardening, weeding and watering today. The heat built up very fast and I can’t work in the heat. We seem to go from one extreme to the other. At this rate I shall have to be out there at 4am! Yesterday, despite upstairs feeling like an oven, I needed to shift a lot of things around to make space for more of houseguest’s belongings. It certainly made me get rid of some things and put question marks over others.

I hope this weather boosts the coffers of local businesses, it’s just what they need. Enjoy your weekend whatever you are up to 😊

Florenceem

I had a pain free night - woke for first alarm to take stomach lining tablet. Heard the second alarm and then….. woke up looked at my watch - 9.14! I thought what day is it? Sunday - so out of bed - washed, dressed and breakfast/tablets to be ready for lift at 10. Bestie collects me at 9.15 so good job she had gone to Brighton.

I chatted with corps sergeant major after the service about C. Came home and while making a cup of tea - looked out the window - there was a suitcase in my front garden with a note on it. It mentioned my old corps so I took it there - saw C - he didn't know anything about it but I left it with him. C never said - good to see you - it was the first Sunday I had stepped into the hall since December. They were having a Pentecost meal - no invitation to join them. Not even - stay and have a cup of tea.

I have carried on sorting stuff from the large ROD. How I long to not be able to call it that!

Decluttered - Christmas paper, watch, French knitter, soap, blouse, pants, 8 odd socks, 3 skirts, belt, packs of crepe paper, dressing gown, webbing, box of rubber stamps, dress, belt buckle, fabric, paper bag, cardboard box, pack of party hats, tissue paper, tea towel, wrapping paper, bag of stick on bows, brown paper, carrier bag, yarns, 3 pairs of earrings, jar of cotton reels, plastic bags, nail varnish, cello bags, container + beads, 3 notebook sets, Bind it All and carry case, tee shirt and leggings.

Yorkie1

So sorry to hear how you were treated when you dropped into your old corps. It's just beyond belief. I hope that it doesn't affect how the rest of your day has gone. x

Happy_Kitties

I need to practice moving Mrs SD as I’ve got a medical appointment everyday next week, including a scan tomorrow, but it is knackering and I will be sleeping a lot next week!

However 2 shoeboxes nearly completed, which were just a joy to do and I packed up a new storage box with charity items and then fell into bed. Trouble is if I bend over from the wheelchair I can’t get back up so it turned into a tactical mission.

The weather took time to come, started off very overcast but the weather didn’t get hot hot, just pleasant with a breeze.

Decluttering wise,

2 boxes of chocolates decluttered, the small box I ate (needs must) and a big box went to the carers.

6 items sold on V

A huge amount of cardboard decluttered. Still more to go, not sure if DD is planning a tip run next week when she visits.

3 cat toys binned

total declutter = 80

Yorkie1

Disaster averted.

New bottle of P1mms found in the bottom of the cupboard 😎🍹

Florenceem

The large ROD is ready for painting. I did have to move some stuff into the craft storage room to sort tomorrow. The only furniture in the room is a chaise longue, sofa bed and a small table. They will be covered and dust sheets down on the floor as the carpet is not being replaced. The room has not been used apart for storage since the carpet was laid 13 years ago.

I have taken my nightly tablets earlier in the hopes of waking up to let J in tomorrow.

Decluttered - crochet hooks, tissue paper, paper making kit, greeting card fronts, crochet blanket, necklace x 2, nail varnish, earrings, bracelet, wrapping paper, tape measure, green garden stick, trousers, lavender, 2 tee shirts, jeans, paper bags, jar of coloured minerals, cords, shopping bag, box of wood mounted stamps, friendship booklet, 20 bracelets, bag of old greeting cards, 4 A5 paper packs, bag of key rings & jewellery and a cookery book.

TC77

@oceanspirit so sorry to hear about the house and hope you recover quickly.

Abit of a trek this morning to the laundrette with my big winter bedspread. Hung it in the garden, part of it smells.abit funny ( it didn't before) so I will go.and smell the plants near the washing line

I did have to take the shears to my neighbour's plants that come over as part of the line was hidden.

Tidied up this morning as same neighbour coming round tomorrow for a drink but its untidy again so will have to repeat. While I notice some cupboards and drawers have more space the chaos on surfaces seems to collect stuff of its own accord and despite my best efforts.

Dropped off bag at CS. Plastic recycled, papers x 2 , large biscuit jar in new ca bag . I took out my summer straw bag which I put flip flops in. Thought I had 2 or 3 pairs found only 1 and some rather fancy black suede heels which I don't recognise . They went straight in cs bag can't think where I'd acquired them. out a litter tray with a a cracked edge - of course I had another in the shed Justin . cut up an old bank card..

Florenceem

Morning all. Went to sleep with no pain. I was woken up at 1.30 by pain.

J arrived and I asked him to remove an old telephone point and a redundant burglar panic button. I turned all the power off just in case.

J is now upstairs painting the ceiling. The sun is on the back of the house so not too hot in that room for him.

Two empty paint tins are out in the drive. I will ask a neighbour to take them when he does his next tip run.

I am just having a cup of tea and sorting my wooden sewing box - had it years - pull out drawers and on legs - expect it counts as vintage now. I am getting rid of lots of reels of cotton.

Hope everyone stays safe in this heatwave.