2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

dND

Florenceem said:

My friend has suggested getting a fireproof box for important documents - anyone got reccommendations - lots on the big river site to chose from.

I got this one @Florenceem
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MV7MYRM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

It's just big enough inside for sheets of A4 - the walls are around 4 inches thick and it weighs a ton!!  It's got to keep the inside temperature below 233C (415F if you remember the book), otherwise the paper self combusts and house fires are very, very hot. 

I wasn't thinking at first but then it hit me; Don't put the different sets of paperwork in plastic wallets or sleeves in the box. They melt at quite a low heat and while the paper might not burn you'll probably have a lump of plastic with your paperwork embedded within!

Lots of time was decluttered today.  On Monday I took a trip over to a greengrocer/wholesaler to get some Seville oranges and the first kilo of them has been prepped today and is having an overnight soak - I'm trying out a new to me recipe.  It's taken a few days to get round to it because I was tempted by a tray of mushroom.  Half the tray - the plastic stacking sort - is now frozen as a sort of duxelles mix so easy to add to anything I'm cooking or as I had last night, it makes a quick mushroom omelette. 😁 The other half today became garlic mushroom and is currently freezing in portions.  I was also tempted by a tray of very ripe/overripe avocados for £1.  There were 20 in the tray, 3 were unusable and along with all the other shells and stones will be enriching my compost bin, and one was perfect for eating. 😋  With the rest, I scraped out all the good bits and now have 16 portions of guacamole in the freezer.  And I wonder why I never have space in my freezer. 🤣🤣

The lava lamp bits have been posted back so one parcel decluttered as was the ironing pile.  All in all a good day despite the wet and windy weather down here.  

Tomorrow I'm making the first batch of marmalade.  Depending on how that looks I'll decide on the recipe for the next batch, (I have 3 kilos of oranges).  I'm thinking of entering it in the local show later in the year so it's got to set well and I have to make it look good.  I was thinking of entering my raspberry jam but then I realised I'd used the French kitchen trick of turning the jars upside down and then back up the right way to get a good seal and that leaves traces of the jam on the glass in the headspace.  I'm sure that would be a no-no in judging.  Hopefully I can get some suitable jars in the first batch and then I can be a bit more lackadaisical with the chopping and bottling of the remaining 2 kilos. 🤞

Well done everyone and hugs to all that need one. Dxx

oceandreamer

Just some paperwork decluttered today and lots of apps off my phone.  I will have to get one of my (grown up) children to sort them out on the screen and move them so they are organised.  I don't have the patience to figure out how to do it but at least I only have one icon for each app now and have removed all the ones I don't use.

vulpix

Granny Kate, pleased to hear you are buying a new step ladder. A rickety step ladder is how I fell out of my Mother’s loft. 

Florenceem, hugs. Time is in slow motion waiting for a funeral of a loved one. Xxx

Mrs SD, DD said the flight to Shetland was a white knuckle ride. I never thought to count balls of wool decluttered. 

Went to the SA chazzer in Chesterfield. £11 spent on a cotton traders shirt for Mr V, a jolly silk scarf, a black beaded evening scarf, a gilet for me, a Wallis evening bag , a light shade and an unopened M&S spring bulbs gift set. Didn’t need any of it but love it all. Actually I have been looking for a light shade for ages.

The light shade completes the small spare room. Total spent on it so far £8. £3 for the light shade and £5 for a globe lamp. We brought the bed with us and the drawers, bedside table and curtains were thrift gifts. I will make a roman blind eventually.  have bought the fabric,£15.

The house is furnished now. Just a few things I will replace when the right thing comes along. Still trying to not spend more than £100 per room. This doesn't include future decorating and new carpets.

The landscaper is coming tomorrow. There will be many bushes and self seeded saplings decluttered. This will be the most obvious change we have done at the house. He is digging back to earth and levelling the ground. I have asked him to save the ornamental rocks for future use. 

 Vx

TC77

@vulpix ,what fab finds, and how much you've done in your new home in such a short space.

Much less done here but in office all day, decided electronic stuff can wait for dd2 to sort/sell so moved from overspilling shoe box to a more sturdy one that it all fits in and shoe box out (v tempted to keep any storage boxes) and a pair of socks retired. Moved a couple of frogs along but do feel its 2 steps back and half a step forward. Unsubscribed from some lists so 124.
Hoping as working tomorrow I can drop CS bag off although I would like it to be fuller. Being led along by watchers for items I'm trying to sell but then they don't buy which is disappointing.
Off to declutter some exhaustion 

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, not a good decluttering day today but I had a lovely time with E and D. We had brunch that lasted until 3pm 😂. 
The bedroom bin and bedroom recycling were emptied and a session of ironing before I had tea and as OH was out for tea I was able to settle down and watch all the footy on tv 😁.
Tomorrow I am meeting a friend S for early lunch. She lives in Paris but is over for a few days, haven't seen her for over a year so lots to catch up with 😁

@Vulpix glad your dd made it to Shetland ok, sounds very hairy 😁. Great finds in the cs 😁

@London_1 wanted to say I wish more teachers of young children taught them where food comes from. I remember doing food chains with some 14 year olds trying to get them to realise all food ultimately comes from plants and when I asked where beans came from they replied "the shop" 😐. Uphill work with that class 😂. Your son is doing a marvellous job 😁. 

@daisy_1571 those steps look great. I have a set of 2 steps very similar which live upstairs but down stairs only the big extendable ladders which are a bit cumbersome at times, I really need another in between set. I think I got mine from bnq but can't really remember so when I am a bit straighter I will have a look in the range 😁

@ilovetea you could probably get the watch sorted at a jewelers, they have special tools for the job 😁

@Green_hopeful there are probably instructions for the air fryer online somewhere if you google it 😁

@BlueJ94 if I could sort my room of doom in half an hour I'd be ecstatic 😂

@Florenceem I have to admit I stopped using freegle because of the number of people who didn't turn up, so annoying isn't it? Hugs

@Dizzycap I won't say I enjoy the dentist but I have realised it is one of those things, like the mamogram that just have to be endured 🙄

@dND my Dmum used to make marmalade in the pressure cooker, it frightened the life out of me so I have never tried 😂

Ok time for bed, hugs to anybody who would like one

132 bedroom recycling
133 bedroom bin
134 ironing
Take care everyone
134/2026

weenancyinAmerica

@London_1 - Has Ben checked the website for the Museum of Garden History in London. They have a lot of educational programs and activities on their website. I have been there several times as I love seeing the gardens. On one of my first trips in the US, I came home with lots of pictures - almost all of gardens, including window box gardens. Even my first pictures in Ireland were almost all of window boxes, except pictures taken inside of Welsh Dressers with china. I figured I could always buy postcards of the regular sites. 

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 oil 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

Wednesday continued: I spoke too soon as there is still an issue with the cloakroom loo ☹️ We have put the last of the drain cleaner down the loo & are leaving it for longer than stipulated before flushing through with hot water……….Sadly no real improvement 🙁 DSis got up early & has done her laundry using the td to dry. I have managed one task - phoned my bank, paid my CC bill & checked my accounts +  I updated my paper accounts 🙂 DH took the car to As*a picked up a bit of shopping including lasagne & garlic bread for our dinner + filled up with petrol. 

132 - 138 Kitchen recycling, newspaper, 3 plastic bottles, drinks cans, booklet - recycled 

139 Kitchen detritus - binned 

Excellent decluttering GrannyKate 👏 especially the emails & the tomatoes made into purée/stock 👏 Good luck with the rest of your renovations & decorating 🍀 

Ms_Potato_Head, sorry to hear This “I'm currently a little deflated after a negative week at work,…..” 😞 but well done with the decluttering 👏

A beautiful post London_1 ☺️ DGS Ben is making such a difference in his pupils lives, truly inspirational 🥹 I especially enjoyed the tale of the bonsai 😊 Sorry to hear about the tummy bug 😞 although relieved to hear that you had a good night’s sleep & are feeling better 😊

daisy_1571, thanks for the recommendation 👏

Excellent decluttering ilovetea 👏 As to the power cuts, I hadn’t realised we were in the 1970’s ☹️ Just wondering if there has been any explanation as it sounds more like planned power cuts rather than weather related 🤨 

Green_hopeful, you have hit the nail on the head with This “i realised that we should do those little things we see all the time but don’t get ‘a round tuit’. It makes such a difference. I have sold loads of houses and said we should have done those little things sooner so we got the benefit.” 👏 What a lovely way to spend the day 🥹 I do hope you had lots of baby cuddles 😉

Florenceem, what a pity that the sink is still leaking ☹️ Hopefully your builder friend will be able to do the complete dismantling & repair very quickly 🤞 Just wondering if you had to chase the Freegler or if she contacted you? I have to say that I was rather sad combined with miffed when I read This “Not impressed with the pastoral care from my SA  corps - I live near - it is lunch club today - they could have sent a meal round. I always take a meal to someone when they are unable to attend.” 😔😖 Good luck with your continued decluttering of paperwork 🍀

BlueJ94, good luck clearing/tidying the room of doom 🍀

Florenceem, are you referring to the office as your room of doom? as I remember that you did an inordinate amount of decluttering last year ☺️

BlueJ94, already a lot better 👏

Green_hopeful, the underlined part of This “My garage of doom is so full the gardener said he didn’t think we could get a cigarette paper in. To be fair to us there is a little path through and we have 1/4 of it with our tender plants but we need to have another go at it when it’s warm and not raining.” did make me smile 😀 Re This “We were let down by a freecycler this week…….It’s one of those dry buddies from the kids house clearance and via our dining room. Lots of interest so it will go but i wish people would just say if they have changed their mind.” maybe they are embarrassed although I still think it is rude. 

suzeesu2000, wishing you a successful search for 24/7 residential facility for your Mum 🥹 Always a joy when someone else cooks 😊 This “Spent a few hours working on family tree stuff. Found some very old photos of 2 of my great aunts. It’s so nice to finally put a face to someone I’ve heard tales of from mum. They were her mother’s sisters.” is wonderful 🤩

GrannyKate, hope you have a successful shopping trip 🤞 Coffee & cake is a just recompense for a walk in the rain 😉

Lovely post Dizzycap ☺️ I especially like the idea of throwing a sheet over the clutter when it gets too much 😉 I am more than happy to post you a hat if there is one that you particularly like - just PM me ☺️ A very productive day 👏 Pleased to hear that Babyface lent a ‘hand’ sorry ‘paw’ to proceedings 🙊 Very well done re This “I managed to take a slow walk; without babyface, to the RM Quad / Evri locker to post the 2 decluttering parcels for tomorrow; there were 2 perfect lockers left, and then I collected my neighbours 2 parcels from the inpost locker next to the RM / Evri Quad locker and decluttered them off on the way back. AWESOME!” have some 💐 & a gentle cwtch 🤗  Fingers crossed that you will have a restful day tomorrow 🤞

dND, sounds like a veritable production line 👏 I bet your kitchen smelt wonderful ☺️ & will smell even better tomorrow as you make your marmalade 🤩 Btw I will pop round later with some tortilla chips just to sample your guacamole 😉 I used to make my own when we used to have our Hello Fresh boxes but have got out of the habit ☹️ 

Great work decluttering apps from your phone oceandreamer 👏

vulpix, pleased to hear that DD arrived safely 😊 A marvellous haul from the CS 🥳 Great work in the small spare room - £8 spent on accessories + £15 of fabric 👏 Talk about well within budget 🤩 Please remember to take before, during & after pictures as your landscaper is working 🙏 

Great decluttering TC77 especially on a working in office day 👏 Good work nibbling at frogs & unsubscribing 👏 I will instruct Mr Sandman to come by & let you a restful night’s sleep 😴 

Lovely cheerleading Liverpool_Anne 👏 Now that is what I call a proper brunch  with friends - not finishing until 3pm 😅 Hope you haven’t a lovely time meeting up with your friend & that your early lunch extends to 3pm 🤞😊

Lovely post weenancy 🥹 Love that you only took pictures of china in Welsh dressers & gardens ☺️ 

All caught up with the cheerleading 😊  Re the downstairs loo, DH has ordered a Luigi toilet plunger which should arrive sometime Thursday 🤞 Hopefully we can get the blockage cleared 🤞 Sleep tight 😴 

P.S. it rained on & off all day although there were no heavy downpours.

MrsSD Awards: 💐🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐

DH Awards:

DSis Awards: 

Decluttering Target 2026: 139/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £5.00

TC77

Waking far too early and thought I may get some inspiration from here as I mentally go through my options of clearing something before work. 
@Dizzycap think you mentioned putting a sheet over clutter reminded me my cousin put a throw over boxes in her living room but made a sofa shape. She cleared those boxes slowly and got a proper sofa ( they had one already) whixh they planned to have 2.
I will get up and report this evening and make myself accountable.
Disappointing when people don't collect things and also don't behave or have the generosity and thought that you've given to others- @Florenceem I'm particularly thinking of you at this time.

greent

Super quick update from me:
Declutter 2026 
76. Pair of DH pants to bin 
77. Pair of DS3 socks to bin
78. Bottle of fabric softener UU, recycled and replaced from stash
79. Small pile of paperwork from office recycled


Digital Declutter 20026
737. Few old emails deleted
738 - 743. No longer used apps deleted from phone
(Includes 5/26 unsubscibing target)

26lb weightloss
-4lb  -the Xmas gain has gone- not losing any more, but not gaining! 😁

GrannyKate

Morning all.  Talking of gardening with children DGS4 loves growing things and throughout the summer he went to the greenhouse as soon as he arrived at my house to see what he could pick - mostly cucumbers and tomatoes last year.  The greenhouse here is bigger than my old one - I have emptied it but need to clean out ready for this year.  He is happy to help with gardening jobs and I made a small pond in a large plastic box and he was delighted when toads and frogs appeared in the garden.  Sox is not too sure about them.  

I need to get dressed and to the shops before my eye appointment. I will be fulltime 'mum' for a week now as DS2 going to Caribbean tomorrow and DGCs are here most of that time.  I will see if they want to go swimming Saturday.  DGD4 wants to do some cooking so I will let her choose some ingredients for the coming week.  I have frogs chirping on my desk and will try to get to do at least some of them before the weekend.

121 Opened replacement one year saver account - good interest rate but only limited amount can be saved.  I need to decide on an account designated for my bathroom fund.