2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

Gers

My gentle decluttering is going on in the background - no massive effort, just looking and deciding about things as I come across them. Thankfully, and amazingly, I don't have a ROD, probably just drawers!

I've come across this paragraph as part of an article in The Guardian today as part of paid content from Vinted and particularly like the final sentence, something which I struggle with!

Do: take photos, or find other ways to immortalise
Ask yourself, is it really the object you’re struggling to part with, or just the memories attached to it?

Find ways to immortalise sentimental items without keeping them in their entirety – whether that’s taking photos to look back on, passing things on to loved ones for their own homes (provided they actually want them), or turning them into unique art. Silk scarves look fabulous framed, greetings cards can become collages and old baby clothes can be made into a patchwork quilt or wall hanging. There are professionals who’ll do this, if you’ve already sold that sewing machine on. But whatever you choose to do with treasured possessions, heed the wise words of Lodovica Comello, Italian host of Live Better For Less: “you’re not giving away the memory. The memory stays with you, not with the object.”

Florenceem

Hi, I travelled home today - left Nottingham at 12.12 and got to Ramsgate at 16.12. I had my bestie fussing about how I was going to get from the station to home. I had a really heavy suitcase, a rucksack on my bag, two bags to carry plus a handbag. I had an offer of a lift from another friend. I had said that I would get a taxi from the station - there weren't any when I arrived but my dil was in the area and picked me up.

I had nothing fresh in so I went straight out to Lid.

I hadn't had anything to eat since toast at 7.30 am apart from a few sweets. I have made a pot of tea and had a jam doughnut. Too tired to cook so I will have sliced beef in a buttered demi baguette..

suzeesu2000

@Soontobeoap I have a lot of hand made cards you can have if you want them? I’m in Freshwater and tea can be provided😁

Been a heck of a day! DH was feeling a bit better so, crowbar and little sledgehammer came out -I knew he meant business! By 0900, the huge wardrobe was in pieces. Then came the horrid job of getting it downstairs and out to the yard. Apart from 1 piece, it’s all down and out. I may have cracked a bone in my wrist, My shins look like I’ve been playing rugby with the bruises, my knee is purple, I’ve stabbed and scratched myself all over from the screws and bits and everything hurts! All good fun 😸I might not think that in the morning!

Packed up one big ticket item and 2 others. Friend brought back all my boxes she borrowed so that helped a bit. Got one load of darks washed and dried and did one load for friend as her washing machine is out of action for a week.

Had a real old favourite for dinner today: Steak and kidney pudding, steamed pots, cabbage and gravy. We both cleared our plates.

Lady on FB this morning said 600g Lurpak, using the code she gave, was 1p in Iceland today. I had already got this weeks order in the basket so I took advantage. If you didn’t use the code, it was already 50% off on special offer, so I stocked up.

Glad you’re home safe @Florenceem
Safe travels @Mrs_Salad_Dodger
Have a good night all, sleep tight xx

GrannyKate

Checking in late today as DGS4 a bit poorly last couple of days so stayed at home with me today. Just a low grade virus I think - he has been eating this afternoon for the first time for a few days ( a sure sign he isn't well). He spent most of the day lying on my bedroom floor looking at his screens but mid afternoon I sent him out to play on his bike and he is much brighter and asked for more food so he is ok for school tomorrow. DS2 has landed home from Rome - he spoke to children but won't get back in time to see them tonight. I had to cancel going to my history meeting but sent my homework in for someone else to read.

Builders started today so hall is prepped for plastering tomorrow. I intend to get 2 remaining doors replaced and flooring done so it will be expensive - needs doing. Sox has supervised by getting in the way - builder is a cat person. Some old coving and wood outside so I may drop that off at tip tomorrow. Small crack above kitchen door following banging about on hall side of wall. Builder will repair and luckily I have a small tester pot of the kitchen paint.

I had three frogs on my list but it was very much a 'computer says no' day. One job done uploading all our passport details for Eurostar next month and downloading tickets to email and Apple wallet on phone. I will try to do better tomorrow.

908 Eurostar booking completed and tickets downloaded

909 Old architrave and skirting stripped out, holes etc filled in, ready for plaster tomorrow.

Glad you got home safely @Florenceem even if you were loaded down.

EnergyShifter

I'm off work all week. So the last couple of days have been spent working in the garden. I've tidied up the "working area" at the back and thanks to the newly acquired black bins & a couple of massive plastic flower pots I " wombled " yesterday, it looks very neat. For so long I've barely been able to get to the back of the garden and I'm spending so much time there recently. There's a little robin-redbreast that comes to visit me from time to time that always makes me smile.

Sofa got delivered yesterday - old one is now in the front garden tucked away behind the bins awaiting bulky waste collection.

I think I need to actually spend some time in the house tidying up and catching up with admin.

Thank you for my medal @Mrs SD - have a lovely trip x

Florenceem

BlueJ94 - love the musical tree.

This morning we took F to his old special education school where he is receiving some one to one help after the loss of his brother. F doesn't say much about his brother and in some ways he is fortunate to not really experience grief like the rest of the family. F is always cheerful - not very talkative when he first gets up but that is normal.

My dil was already on anti depressants after the very stressful house selling/buying along with her father having cancer. My son seems to be more affected by the loss - he is having counselling from his work. He told me that when he is in the garden and a lorry goes along the road and uses the horn - he feels very shaky. My son was not a smoker but has been smoking since the loss.

My suitcase was very heavy on the way to Nottingham - I had a concrete Leeds plaque for my sil. I put my laptop in my suitcase for the journey home and I had the linen fabric which I bought at the market. Apart from the fabric and sweets - nothing new is coming in the house.

I have emptied two bags from my travels. I need to open my suitcase as my diary is in there. I had to almost sit on the case to do the zip up.

Bestie just phoned me - someone from my old corps who doesn't have my number found a photo which includes Mr F and I.

Bestie has forwarded it to me - we will try to get it on a canvas.

My youngest daughter text to ask if I was watching the final of GBSB. Too tired tonight for that.

J is coming here tomorrow to work on the door/porch area.

TC77

@suzeesu2000 I hope you're not too brusied tomorrow and not hurt your wrist as they're difficult to get right again ( my experience)

@@Florenceem I hope you had something more to eat after your day.

Didn't get the cleaning and tidying I wanted but did more frogs and got some compensation from further bank call and posted important letter and more calls including better insurance quote but still considering options. Washing included 4 tops from dd2 which went in cs/rags bag.

Took cs bag but 2 nearest places not taking donetions so brought back. Also donation hub don't want bedding at the moment and so i still have the king size new duvet dd2 was going to drop it off but didn't.

Deleted emails and letters from ank and a few other papers. Also pj trousers finally given up so will be washed and put in textile recycling. Forgot to count the picture fram3 I stood on.

1394

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

Tuesday continued: forecast high 18°C, low 13°C & a WNW wind making it feel 4° cooler. We left at 09:50, overcast but dry which lasted for about 50 minutes when we had a short sharp shower that lasted about 4 minutes. Overall another good day for motorcycling - overcast for most of the day but with some sunny spells, several short showers - 10 seconds, a heavy shower for 60 seconds & a light one of 20 seconds but quite windy & noticeably cooler than yesterday.

We arrived at our hotel The Crooked Inn, Saltash at about 17:15. It is hidden away & currently awkward to get to due to a large roundabout being built. However it is a lovely place with a great courtyard. Weather has brightened considerably - lots of blue sky & a temperature of 19°C although the WNW wind is making it feel 2° cooler. DH had a shower & I washed, changed for dinner & went down just before 19:00. Dinner was delicious but service was slow although there was an excuse as the restaurant was full. DH had crusted Camembert for starter followed by a rack of ribs with chips & coleslaw. I had leg of duck & breast of duck with Boulangère potatoes, broccoli, sugar snap peas on a bed of puréed carrot. 🤤 Supposedly apple & rhubarb pie for afters which was more like apple & hint of rhubarb crumble with clotted cream. Back in our room by 21:30. I watched the final of the GBSB on iPlayer & was not surprised at who won (as both P & E appear to have been besotted with her since about the 2nd episode) Although my favourite winner is still Asmaa from Series 9 - her final dress is still spectacular 🤩 such a talented lady 🥹

Excellent work dealing with frogs TC77 👏 Your decluttering numbers are ticking along very nicely ☺️  Good luck to DD2 now that she is back at uni 🍀 Is this her last year 🤔 Good luck decluttering the vax 🍀

Brambling, the Copper Kettle is still there but sadly was closed when we arrived & we left too early for it to be open this morning 😞 Pleased to hear that the decorators are hard workers 😊 The colour painting will transform the rooms quickly ☺️ just hope that Sox doesn’t also get transformed 🤭 Great decluttering 👏 & fingers crossed that the craft books also make their way into the CS bag 🤞😉

BlueJ94, you little devil 😈 That porridge looks yummy 😋 

Willowtree222, hope the organising & sorting of deliveries goes well 🤞

TC77, fortunately I went back to sleep quite quickly each time & also dozed on the back of the back 😉 Good luck sorting/decluttering the stuff from your Dad’s house 🍀 Pleased to hear that successfully dealing with emails & bank issue have cheered you up & you can now face tackling a few more frogs ☺️ Good luck 🍀

Blue_Doggy, sorry to hear that you have been feeling unwell 🥺 However despite that & being busy, you have still managed a good deal of decluttering & I am especially impressed by the number of books you have decluttered 👏

Excellent decluttering Rootle 👏 you are ahead of the curve so 39/52 has earned you a Gold Star  ⭐️ which is on its way 😊

Hope the gardeners do a good job Brie & that they decide to take the gas BBQ - saving you a Tip trip 🤞 

You have been busy Willowtree222 👏 I was tired just reading about how much you got done 😉

I have caught up a little but am flagging now ☹️ We have one more landmark tomorrow & then heading home. Not sure what time we will get back so unless DSis has cooked we might have a takeaway 😉 Sleep tight everyone 😴 

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️⭐️🎖️🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️😇🏅💐🌻💐💐🌻🥇⭐️⭐️🥇 

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐️ 🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅

Decluttering Target 2026: 1553/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £373.61