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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 8, 2023 15:53:03 GMT
This week I finally started working on the dreaded guest room. We left all the furniture in storage (other than the dresser which was kept out during the remodel) and slowly it has filled with stuff from elsewhere in the house. It's a mess! I'm breaking it down into small chunks and started with the two closets this week. Those closets are organized and clean now. So far I've donated some dresses that were too large and a handbag that I rescued from DD's donation pile and then never used. DH finally agreed to throw out a pair of topsiders that the dog had chewed to bits as a puppy. Should have been tossed a few years ago, but you know how that goes!
Next up is going through all the dresser drawers and a large box of old linens and baby clothes from the 50s. For many years I collected vintage linens and have decided to seriously reduce the size of my collection. There is a local lady who buys/sells them so once I have them sorted I'll be calling her to have a look see. I also need to get all the old cameras and gear down to the camera store that buys them. Not expecting a lot, but they will be out of the house and any money will go to my travel fund!
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Post by cecilia on Jun 8, 2023 22:54:29 GMT
Haven't been out to the shed since I fell. Think I managed to jam my finger which has been bothering me since then.
We took the recycling off Tuesday. The drop off is right across the street from the homeless shelter we volunteered at so it worked out well.
I think I might have found a place to give the craft supplies too. A school based organization is having a yard sale to raise funds to go to TN. Going to give it to them for the sale. Hopefully whatever they don't sell goes to the school.
Trying to work on junk journal kits for the arts and crafts fair. It's mainly experimental paper/canvas stuff that I don't want.
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Post by alsomsknit on Jun 8, 2023 23:38:09 GMT
If you enjoy podcasts, Peter Walsh was recently on the Retire There with Gil and Gene. They were amusing and I picked up a few ideas.
I listened on Spotify. Unsure of which platforms the podcast is hosted.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,688
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jun 10, 2023 23:49:54 GMT
I finally dropped off two bags of donations that have been sitting in my spare room for the last few weeks. We used to have a 24 hour bin for donations but our local St Vinnie's removed it and replaced it with a smaller bin that is only available when the store is open, and I just never think of it in during their business hours. I'm glad to finally have them gone!
Then I started a new bag of donations this morning, adding a couple of pieces of clothing that I no longer wear.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 11, 2023 11:26:48 GMT
It's not the things themselves that were emotional, it was the letting go of another small piece of your mom and your own past. And sometimes it's the most mundane things that hit us the hardest, and when we least expect it. (((hugs))) Very true.
And I think, it was finding something that she had plans for. Something that she had put away for future use, but that future didn't come.
Lavenderlayoutlady and others, be careful with the storage of batteries. 9 Volt batteries can short out if they touch other metal or batteries and cause a fire.
Good to know!
The batteries I have are still in their original packaging, although some are opened, and then the whole package is put in the ziploc.
I knew the pile was growing but I didn’t realize how much was going until I bagged it up. It ended up taking five large shopping bags to contain it all. I’ll be dropping those at the thrift store tomorrow. That's a ton of progress!
cecilia Sorry you fell! Hope your soreness heals soon.
It sounds like you are still making progress as you go.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 11, 2023 11:48:58 GMT
Yesterday I helped my two youngest work on decluttering some stuff from their bedroom.
The main goal was to pull stuff out from under the beds so that I could vacuum there.
Some stuff went into the basement.
Some stuff was trashed (we are still working on the mindset that it is okay to trash stuff other people gave to you, without guilt.)
Next trash day I am going to set out the large play kitchen that has sat for several years untouched in the basement. I asked them both about it, and they said they are finished with it. (oddly enough I'm the one with conflicting feelings about it, but I think that's the whole "my youngest kid is no longer a baby/toddler" thing). I'll set it out the day before for curb shoppers to take.
I have a large grocery bag set aside with school uniform pieces, just waiting for the school to announce they are accepting donations again.
And then there are literally hundreds of children's books, sitting in lidded tubs in the basement. Books that have all been read. Many that are not even age appropriate (too young) for the kids. They are the books that were taken off the livingroom bookcase (that is full of age appropriate books) more than a year ago.
Many had been thrifted by my mother and given to the kids, and the kids don't think about them, but I have a weird guilt about not keeping them.
My thing is, I don't want to throw them away. They are good books. Good condition. Good content.
But it has become ridiculously difficult to source a way of passing them on to others. The schools don't want used books. The library doesn't want them. There are two "Little Libraries" in my neighborhood, and both have signs on them asking for people to not add books. I'm not on FB, so can't advertise for free on Marketplace.
I think I will eventually set out for curb shoppers on trash day. I don't know for certain yet. I have to think about it.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 11, 2023 14:48:53 GMT
But it has become ridiculously difficult to source a way of passing them on to others. The schools don't want used books. The library doesn't want them. There are two "Little Libraries" in my neighborhood, and both have signs on them asking for people to not add books. I'm not on FB, so can't advertise for free on Marketplace. Several years ago I was able to donate a few boxes of children's books to a woman who was starting a free reading room, complete with volunteers to help the children with their reading in some nearby apartments. These are lower income apartments and many of the children are ESL. She was thrilled to get the books. You might see if there is a similar program near you. Another option would be to find a young/new teacher at a Title 1 school who would be thrilled to have the books. You could also check with your county to see if they have any programs that assist with childhood reading and would welcome the books. You mention the library doesn't want the books, but do they host an annual sale of used books that they would accept donations for? Our county library does that and they will take both children and adult books. Otherwise, setting them out in the bins/boxes for the curb shoppers with a sign will most likely work for you. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,447 
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Post by amom23 on Jun 11, 2023 17:17:22 GMT
But it has become ridiculously difficult to source a way of passing them on to others. The schools don't want used books. The library doesn't want them. There are two "Little Libraries" in my neighborhood, and both have signs on them asking for people to not add books. I'm not on FB, so can't advertise for free on Marketplace. Several years ago I was able to donate a few boxes of children's books to a woman who was starting a free reading room, complete with volunteers to help the children with their reading in some nearby apartments. These are lower income apartments and many of the children are ESL. She was thrilled to get the books. You might see if there is a similar program near you. Another option would be to find a young/new teacher at a Title 1 school who would be thrilled to have the books. You could also check with your county to see if they have any programs that assist with childhood reading and would welcome the books. You mention the library doesn't want the books, but do they host an annual sale of used books that they would accept donations for? Our county library does that and they will take both children and adult books. Otherwise, setting them out in the bins/boxes for the curb shoppers with a sign will most likely work for you. I am of the mindset that it shouldn't be so much work to donate something. Nothing wrong with putting them in a tub at the curb with a free sign. Sounds like the books were enjoyed and now it's time to let someone else enjoy them. |
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Post by cecilia on Jun 12, 2023 0:04:11 GMT
LavenderLayoutLadyI am still trying to sort stuff. Lost mojo for today earlier. (My Dad had one of his paranoid/victim type blow ups so I didn't want to do much after that. The blow up was over soda, which he didn't even pay for.) I have been trying to stay outside as much as I can. Did take compost out even though I was worried I might fall. (I didn't). Mainly took it so I wouldn't have to deal with any more of my Dad's crap today. (Before anyone says "you're an adult, you need to move out"..... I beat myself up a lot over situation. But with physical health, not an option right now).
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 12, 2023 21:15:07 GMT
Yesterday I helped my two youngest work on decluttering some stuff from their bedroom.
The main goal was to pull stuff out from under the beds so that I could vacuum there.
Some stuff went into the basement.
Some stuff was trashed (we are still working on the mindset that it is okay to trash stuff other people gave to you, without guilt.)
Next trash day I am going to set out the large play kitchen that has sat for several years untouched in the basement. I asked them both about it, and they said they are finished with it. (oddly enough I'm the one with conflicting feelings about it, but I think that's the whole "my youngest kid is no longer a baby/toddler" thing). I'll set it out the day before for curb shoppers to take.
I have a large grocery bag set aside with school uniform pieces, just waiting for the school to announce they are accepting donations again.
And then there are literally hundreds of children's books, sitting in lidded tubs in the basement. Books that have all been read. Many that are not even age appropriate (too young) for the kids. They are the books that were taken off the livingroom bookcase (that is full of age appropriate books) more than a year ago.
Many had been thrifted by my mother and given to the kids, and the kids don't think about them, but I have a weird guilt about not keeping them.
My thing is, I don't want to throw them away. They are good books. Good condition. Good content.
But it has become ridiculously difficult to source a way of passing them on to others. The schools don't want used books. The library doesn't want them. There are two "Little Libraries" in my neighborhood, and both have signs on them asking for people to not add books. I'm not on FB, so can't advertise for free on Marketplace.
I think I will eventually set out for curb shoppers on trash day. I don't know for certain yet. I have to think about it.
Do you have a NextDoor group for your area? You could try posting them there if you do. Also, even if you’re not on Facebook I think you can still join a neighborhood Buy Nothing group through their own website here: buynothingproject.org/find-a-groupOr see if there is a Freecycle group in your area. www.freecycle.org/find-townsIf school isn’t already out for the summer, I would ask at your kid’s school or a local elementary if you can post something in the teacher’s lounge for interested teachers to reach out if they’d like to add to their classroom libraries. I’m surprised the school library won’t take them. When we were downsizing my kid’s book shelf, her 5th grade teacher happily collected three big boxes of books to take to school for the library. Ours were all in near perfect condition. I’m also surprised that you only have two little free libraries in your area! I can think of at least ten of them within 5-10 miles of my house right off the top of my head and new ones keep popping up all the time. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 17, 2023 11:34:57 GMT
Next trash day I am going to set out the large play kitchen that has sat for several years untouched in the basement. I asked them both about it, and they said they are finished with it.
I've quoted my own post because, haha, they changed their minds at the last second.
It's fine. It's their stuff. And the youngest one decided last second to keep it, so it stays.
I’m surprised the school library won’t take them. So was I, but apparently they only accept money to buy brand new books, to ensure all books are infestation-free, and don't have handwritten damage/cusses (they can't go through every page of every book, obv.) |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 17, 2023 11:36:49 GMT
cecilia There's nothing wrong with multigenerational households. It just makes more sense to pool resources, quite honestly.
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 17, 2023 11:42:28 GMT
cecilia There's nothing wrong with multigenerational households. It just makes more sense to pool resources, quite honestly. It sure does! I bet your parents need you, too, from what you've said. Giant hugs, cecilia. My dad is really difficult, too. |
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Post by cecilia on Jun 17, 2023 17:58:14 GMT
cecilia  There's nothing wrong with multigenerational households. It just makes more sense to pool resources, quite honestly. It sure does! I bet your parents need you, too, from what you've said. Giant hugs, cecilia. My dad is really difficult, too. I am typically the one who does grocery pickups/post office runs/washing clothes. Dad and I spilt driving my Mom around since she can't drive right now. (Like he takes her to Dr appointments, I take her to volunteer group stuff since he doesn't go most of the time). Most of the time now we can manage okay but he still has blow ups and it drives me up the wall. I am starting to put all the stuff from my Aunt into totes so it will be easier to store and so we can use the cardboard boxes to donate stuff in. I am keeping a vast majority of it together so my Mom can go threw it when she's ready. I have no idea what she wants to keep. I have put a couple cheesy romance novels and empty photo albums in the donate pile though. Found some photos I do not remember at all. |
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Post by Linda on Jun 17, 2023 20:01:05 GMT
I'm back to tackling the family archives.
I've gone through 3 boxes (about 9x12x2") and sorted and labelled and made sure everything was scanned and labelled digitally as well.
Working on a 3rd box of random photos - they are all scanned but now I'm labelling and putting in the right chronological boxes
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Post by cecilia on Jun 17, 2023 20:42:06 GMT
Some of the photos I have found. Wish there were names, locations, dates, etc on these.
I remember the photo inside the house with cousins. I don't remember the other two. I don't even remember being at the park or whatever it is in the large group photo.
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Post by Linda on Jun 18, 2023 1:06:33 GMT
cecelia - very relatable - it's my mum's photos I'm going through and so many lack names/dates/locations...I'm labelling as best I can which is sometimes just a name
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 18, 2023 12:17:01 GMT
Wish there were names, locations, dates, etc on these. very relatable - it's my mum's photos I'm going through and so many lack names/dates/locations...I'm labelling as best I can which is sometimes just a name I was given a shoebox of photos from my mom's side of the family, just like this. Few names, years, locations.
I recognize my mother, aunts, grandparents. But other people? Who are they? Were they close? Close enough to write, send pics, but who were they to our family?
I haven't sorted or scrapped any of it yet, because it is just such an overwhelming task.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 18, 2023 12:20:29 GMT
Okay, today's mission is to sort all the school supplies that returned home into keep or toss piles.
Anything used and not reusable (notebooks, ripped folders) - toss
Reusables - keep and put away.
They've been in the living room for four days now, staring at me.
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Post by Linda on Jun 18, 2023 12:53:45 GMT
I was given a shoebox of photos Overwhelming is a good word for it - I inherited much more than a shoebox (probably 20k+ photos)...my mum's, my dad's, my maternal grandparents, and a maternal great aunt's. Some were labelled - many aren't but just the sheer number of them.... |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 18, 2023 16:51:43 GMT
Okay, school supplies sorted, but need to put good stuff away in rubbermaid for next year.
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Post by cecilia on Jun 18, 2023 18:45:50 GMT
Taking a break from organizing. I am way behind on screening films so I am working on that
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,447
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Post by amom23 on Jun 20, 2023 14:39:05 GMT
Since my sister visited in May and we went through the rest of our mom's things I've sent a box to her filled with what she couldn't take on the plane. My brother has taken the stuff designated for him and just yesterday I met up with my mom's best friend and gave her a tote of scrapbooking stuff/photos. It makes me so happy to see those extra totes gone.
I recently replaced the bedding in our guest room and the 2 kid rooms. It was time for an update. The old stuff was promptly gotten rid of.
My next project is to go through the storage area in the basement and get rid of what needs to go and do some reorganizing. It's not too bad, but could still use a little attention.
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Post by Linda on Jun 20, 2023 17:38:05 GMT
I'm still working on organising and labelling photos...I think this may end up being my main summer project
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Post by cecilia on Jun 22, 2023 10:54:42 GMT
Trash bin is full for pickup today. I threw away all of the empty soda cases I had in my room. Threw away some bedding outside dog had tore up. I need to take some stuff to flea market to sell. Been dragging my feet on a bunch of stuff lately.
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Post by bunnyhug on Jun 22, 2023 17:32:40 GMT
New chairs for our family room have had the trickle down effect of meaning that furniture needs to be rearranged in pretty much every other room in the house  So, I've been looking through office desks, loft bookcases, and basement craft spaces--the good news is that I'm not finding much in terms of clutter or 'stuff' to deal with ... the bad news is that I now have a lot of walls where artworks have been relocated and are in need of repainting ... decluttering is a lot more fun than that! |
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Post by ntsf on Jun 23, 2023 0:14:46 GMT
I stopped by goodwill and got rid of two bags of books and 1 bag of clothes... every bit helps. and I got some stuff boxed up to send to my daughter.. and I got permission to get rid of some stuff. ..my kids have left stuff here...
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Post by cecilia on Jun 23, 2023 18:52:38 GMT
Took some stuff out of our booths to donate. We have had it for a while.
Trying to stay close to house other than trip to flea market. Between falling and side effects of new med, I am out of it.
Need to make more junk journal embellishment boxes/kits for Arts and Crafts fair. It's how I am attempting to get rid of experiments I don't want any more.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 25, 2023 12:17:47 GMT
I just tossed a battery-powered pencil sharpener that hasn't been working well lately. Sharpening unevenly, and I hate that it goes through AAs. It was several years old, and I got my money's worth out of it. I already replaced it with a plug-in electric sharpener that works well.
I'm going to toss the clothes that I don't wear, I think. I'll try to everything, and if it's too tight, toss it. Jeans that are just too long, cut for around the house shorts.
Along the lines of decluttering, I bought a wood chipper/shredder. Set it up yesterday and chipped up the pile of branches that has been sitting in my backyard for awhile now. Added the chips to the compost.
Now I have to decide when to toss the big box the chipper came in. Probably now, right? I mean, I used the chipper, it works. Maybe I'll wait the month until it's past the return it if there's a problem window.
I think I need to start being more ruthless with decluttering the house. Hopefully I'll be back on the thread later with more to add to the decluttered list.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,306
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Post by lindas on Jun 25, 2023 13:12:05 GMT
I confess, I’ve slacked off on the organizing/decluttering however I did manage to get the garage cleaned up. I still need to tackle the cabinets with all DH’s car cleaning stuff but I don’t need that space so it can wait. I have gotten into the habit of grabbing at least one thing every time I go in the basement to add to the donate pile or to trash.
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So, I've been looking through office desks, loft bookcases, and basement craft spaces--the good news is that I'm not finding much in terms of clutter or 'stuff' to deal with ... the bad news is that I now have a lot of walls where artworks have been relocated and are in need of repainting ... decluttering is a lot more fun than that!
