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Post by lg on Sept 22, 2024 22:50:25 GMT
alsomsknit that’s a hard one. I scrapbook as a kind of art therapy and as a result I’ll be leaving behind a large number of albums for my kids to deal with. I have taken to heart the words of ae on this - the scrapbooking made me feel good and helped me, as long as I’m already gone, they can back up a huge skip bin and get rid of them all then. I am very mindful when I am decluttering of looking at an item and reframing it’s importance to my kids as I know what it’s like to have relatives trying to offload all their treasures onto me (as the only grandchild with any sentimentality of love of the past!) and instead of it being a blessing it’s a burden. But it’s sooo hard! So no real advice, just hugs from me. But I have found that the more I am going through some things, the easier it starts to be to let some items go. And, from another angle, I love the maturity of your ds not being consumed by items to feel self worth - that’s some good parenting there especially in our consumerist society! Maybe the container concept works in this instance, give yourself a finite space for sentimental items and you have to keep to it no matter what. If something is to go in, something has to come out if it won’t fit. He’d probably be okay with that instead of a house full of things.
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Post by Linda on Sept 23, 2024 0:12:39 GMT
Dropped off 12 paper ream boxes worth of donations at the thrift store today. There's another load that still needs to go but that's a good start and hopefully we can load up the car again this week and get rid of the rest.
Started to disassemble a broken bookcase but got to the stage where I need a second pair of hands so that's unfinished
Did some yard work - 2 bins worth of yard debris.
It was a good day for accomplishing some stuff that's been on the list a while.
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Post by melanell on Sept 23, 2024 10:47:00 GMT
This is so important to note! I've done the same with DD when going through her school projects/papers, as well as other items. For the most part she is less sentimental than I so it has been helpful for me to get past the saving every single precious memory stage. If it is not something that I look at frequently - and she doesn't attach meaning to it - then it makes it easier for release it to the trash bin. Every once in a while I ask Jay for his help with decluttering. It is good and not so good. The kid hasn't a single sentimental bone in his body. He is an only child and I do not want him dealing with excessive stuff. So, It’s nice when I am undecided and he says toss. Though, I have asked forgiveness over things I can’t part with because I know it will land on his shoulders. When he goes through his room, he sometimes asks for my help. The things he has tossed or given away hurt my heart sometimes. A few times I have rescued items. How do you balance just tossing stuff the way he does and having a few memories stored in a box? He is the one who made such a fuss, I simply quit taking pictures of him. From 15 on, I have school pictures. His Dad makes him join in pictures on birthdays and holidays. So, do I keep the special pictures for me and toss the large majority? He doesn’t care now. What about 30 years down the road when most everyone is gone? As far as the photos are concerned, perhaps collate a photo box with photos to include copies of select photos so that most relatives/friends are included. I know for myself, that when I am thinking back on people in my life, I always wish I could have at least one decent photo of them. As for your immediate family, I'd include a few more, maybe ones from different time periods over his life. Then I'd mark the box as "important" and put a note inside explaining what the photos represent. The same could be done in a digital format as well, of course. And you could also let him know from now that you've done this, if you wish. As for stuff, that too is where i personally find that a photo helps. I used to have a toy that I've thought about often over the years, and I tried looking them up online, but couldn't find one that i felt was just like mine. (It was handmade.) Just a few years ago I was handed a pile of photos that belonged to an aunt who passed away, and there was a photo of me holding that toy. I was so happy to have that photo, and I'm perfectly fine with having the photo as opposed to the actual toy. So if he's getting rid of sentimental things, and you don't wish to keep them all yourself, maybe photos would help you as well? When my grandmother died, my grandfather gave me a few knickknacks from their house, but a few had such a strong odor of old smoke that I couldn't keep them, and I took photos of those, too, before getting rid of them. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 24, 2024 2:19:57 GMT
Yay
An old desk chair, a broken fan, and a broken vacuum will all be going out for trash pickup tomorrow
Dh finally admitted he wasn’t going to get around to fixing them
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Post by Linda on Sept 24, 2024 19:00:37 GMT
more progress in the attached garage (used primarily as a home gym but with some storage as well)
some stuff thrown away
the interlocking mats put down to define the gym area - and got that straightened and organised.
cleared the walking path - for some reason stuff migrates into it
straightened out two of the three shelving units - I'll do the other tonight or tomorrow
still need to do a cardboard recycling run but that isn't likely to happen this week since we have a storm coming and DH is out of town F-Mo and I don't drive
and a good sweep is also needed as well as cleaning the windows
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 25, 2024 0:59:04 GMT
that isn't likely to happen this week since we have a storm coming and DH is out of town F-Mo and I don't drive Are you anywhere near the path of Helene? Stay safe if you are! |
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Post by Linda on Sept 25, 2024 1:01:47 GMT
Thanks **GypsyGirl** and yes, right now we're in the cone of uncertainty. Schools have already closed for TH and FR and storm preparations are underway |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 25, 2024 12:35:13 GMT
Decluttering has taken a back seat for a while because we’ve been busy with other things, but it might get kicked into high gear quickly. A longtime family friend has recently experienced a pretty intensive health scare and may need to stay with us for a few weeks. Our options for putting her up would be clearing out the front room and setting up a bed for her in there, or flip flopping the first floor office with the front room and putting a bed in the office which would be smaller but more private. Our guest room is on the second floor and stairs would be difficult for her so we would have to figure out some type of accommodations on our first floor. We think she will be in a rehab facility for a few weeks first so we’ll have a little time to deal with things.
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Post by Linda on Sept 25, 2024 12:49:06 GMT
crazy4scraps - I'm sorry about your friend - she's lucky to have friends like you. Good luck with the room switches
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Post by MadamG2U on Sept 25, 2024 14:25:09 GMT
Thank you for the warm welcome. I have been moving along and took the advice of one room at a time. Donated a ton of clothes, shoes, household stuff to the church. It was such a good feeling to see it go and to see the open space. Had to take a slight break, putting the house on the market as well as searching for a new smaller place. But its coming along.
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Post by Linda on Sept 25, 2024 14:58:05 GMT
well done MadamG2U - it IS such a nice feeling looking at an open space. I got the garage finished up this morning - dealt with the tools shelfing unit, reorganised the pantry shelves, swept, washed the windows inside and out. About to head back outside and wash more outside windows and then I'll come inside and wash the insides. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446 
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Post by amom23 on Sept 25, 2024 16:27:53 GMT
Yesterday I got my load of donations dropped off. The store was closed last week when I stopped. This morning I tidied up the pantry and our storage room in the garage.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 26, 2024 13:43:54 GMT
I put almost all of my costume jewelry in bags to donate. I retired 5 years ago and really don't ever wear those items. I have a few nice pieces I wear all the time.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Sept 26, 2024 14:44:08 GMT
I put almost all of my costume jewelry in bags to donate. I retired 5 years ago and really don't ever wear those items. I have a few nice pieces I wear all the time. Good for you! Last winter after my MIL passed away I was so overwhelmed with just how much costume jewelry she had that I ended up donating almost all of mine. I also bought a smaller travel type jewelry box and put all of my "real" pieces in there so in the event I pass my family will easily be able to identify what is real vs what is not. |
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Post by cecilia on Sept 26, 2024 20:44:06 GMT
Hit a block going through Elvis's toys.
Been trying to get ready for the local arts and crafts fair next weekend. There are some ornaments I can not find for anything. I found my empty ones (after I bought some more). I have plenty of ornaments to stock but I wish I could find the others so I can have them all together.
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Post by cecilia on Sept 26, 2024 23:10:19 GMT
My Dad found a box of Christmas stuff. It has some ornaments I made it it. Also has general Christmas stuff we have for booth. Some of it will get donated.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 28, 2024 3:21:39 GMT
Well my decluttering got a jump start this week even though I’ve been kind of sick and not feeling like doing it. Our neighbor lady from the lake was released from the hospital today and it turned out she wasn’t approved for a transitional care place so we needed the front room cleared out ASAP. I took a load of stuff to Salvation Army, another good sized box of nice toys to the spot for the donation toy shelf place, moved some things to the basement to deal with later and took a few things back to the lake cabin that should have been returned months ago. There’s still a few things that need to get gone, but at least the space is reasonably functional for now.
We have a funeral to go to tomorrow at the cabin, and she wanted to go to her place there for the night (and another friend is staying with her overnight) so that’s where she is tonight. We’ll cook for her and help her out as needed, then bring her home with us on Sunday night when we go home. Not sure how long she will be staying with us at this point. We’re just glad she’s okay and on the mend.
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frankiegirl
Full Member
Posts: 184
Dec 22, 2020 12:42:01 GMT
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Post by frankiegirl on Sept 28, 2024 11:16:39 GMT
We cleaned out our garage attic over the past three weekends. I have a lot of Christmas items that I've never used or used a long time ago. Lots of stuff that came from my parents house (nothing antique or sentimental is in the give away pile). I just kept moving it around because you never know if you might use it one day. Five, 10 years later I still haven't used it.
Last year we took some lighted Christmas houses to the memory care center that my dad had lived at for 2 years. My mom had a HUGE collection of them but I have nowhere to put 30 or more houses. We kept the ones that we liked.
So I called the memory care center to see if they would like to have them. They said yes immediately and I took them the next day. They were so thrilled.
I remember how lonely some of the residents rooms looked during the holidays. You would be surprised how an item can spark a memory.
So I called the center to see if they would like more items and they jumped at it. So more will go the center.
When my dad was still there we took a bunch of costume jewelry that had belonged to my mother and they used it as bingo prizes.
When we went a few days later, several of the women were wearing the jewelry and I will admit it made me cry. They were so excited to show us their new jewelry and I know my mom would have loved to see them wearing her stuff.
So don't discount giving to a memory care unit (I always call first). It seems some of the older items (like quilts, afghans, knick knacks, crochet ) really spark memories. Even if it's just for a moment.
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Post by lg on Sept 28, 2024 12:38:30 GMT
frankiegirl that is AWESOME- what a blessing to the residents and I’m so glad to hear you got to see them enjoying your donations. So much better than sitting in a box in your attic!
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Sept 28, 2024 12:44:52 GMT
A few years ago, I did an October challenge where I got rid of a number of items that matched each day's date. By the end of the month, I had decluttered almost 500 items (496, if I remember correctly). I think I'm going to do it again. It only takes a few minutes a day (less than a minute in the first few days) and is something I can easily manage. I really want to overhaul my closet and get rid of things I no longer need now that we live in a warmer climate. I'll focus on my closet for as many days as possible, and once I run out of items there, I'll move on to random kitchen items, extra linens, decorative pieces that no longer work in this house, and so on. We did downsize a bunch with our last move, but there's always more to do.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 28, 2024 14:45:12 GMT
So don't discount giving to a memory care unit (I always call first). It seems some of the older items (like quilts, afghans, knick knacks, crochet ) really spark memories. Even if it's just for a moment. Thank you so much for this suggestion! I'll admit I had not thought of it but it does make perfect sense. How nice it must have been for you to see the ladies enjoying your mom's old jewelry. One thing my mother did model well for me was giving her special items to the daughter's and granddaughter's while she was still alive. When I protested she said that the enjoyment from seeing us enjoy it meant so much to her. I am trying to remember that as I continue to go through our stuff. |
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Post by cecilia on Sept 28, 2024 17:08:34 GMT
I don't know what to do with the empty plastic Christmas ornaments balls. Part of me wants to keep them "just in case", part of me wants to donate them.
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Post by Linda on Sept 28, 2024 20:32:00 GMT
cecilia - honestly I would donate - if you do end up needing them - they are easy to replace and you won't have to put the energy/space into storing them or remembering where they are if you DO need them
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 29, 2024 1:50:45 GMT
I don't know what to do with the empty plastic Christmas ornaments balls. Part of me wants to keep them "just in case", part of me wants to donate them. Are you wanting to make something out of them to sell? I would Google “what to make with plastic Christmas ornaments” or search on Pinterest and see if any of the ideas look like something fun and interesting to do. If nothing piques your interest, donate and be done with them. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Sept 29, 2024 15:59:45 GMT
This is so important to note! I've done the same with DD when going through her school projects/papers, as well as other items. For the most part she is less sentimental than I so it has been helpful for me to get past the saving every single precious memory stage. If it is not something that I look at frequently - and she doesn't attach meaning to it - then it makes it easier for release it to the trash bin. Every once in a while I ask Jay for his help with decluttering. It is good and not so good. The kid hasn't a single sentimental bone in his body. He is an only child and I do not want him dealing with excessive stuff. So, It’s nice when I am undecided and he says toss. Though, I have asked forgiveness over things I can’t part with because I know it will land on his shoulders. When he goes through his room, he sometimes asks for my help. The things he has tossed or given away hurt my heart sometimes. A few times I have rescued items. How do you balance just tossing stuff the way he does and having a few memories stored in a box? He is the one who made such a fuss, I simply quit taking pictures of him. From 15 on, I have school pictures. His Dad makes him join in pictures on birthdays and holidays. So, do I keep the special pictures for me and toss the large majority? He doesn’t care now. What about 30 years down the road when most everyone is gone? I understand how you feel. I have a now young adult child who is very similar. Add being trans and not wanting any baby/child photos & memories of themself at that age. And they also are not big on me taking photos of them currently (from teen and beyond), but they will sometimes snap a selfie that they feel represents who they are well, and send it to me. A few years ago they pretty much gutted their room, and kept very little, which to me was kind of a shock to the system, but to them it was cleansing. And who am I to say what should be held close for them? But I totally get you. I totally understand. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Sept 29, 2024 16:36:58 GMT
I don't know what to do with the empty plastic Christmas ornaments balls. Part of me wants to keep them "just in case", part of me wants to donate them. Are you wanting to make something out of them to sell? Can you sell them just as-is in your stall? A dollar for the lot is still a dollar made. Otherwise, donate. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Oct 1, 2024 20:57:12 GMT
I just spent less than an hour cleaning out 3 kitchen cabinets, the refrigerator's drawer freezer, the upright freezer and our small beverage fridge. A lot came out of the cabinets. The freezers not so much. The beverage fridge just needed some organizing. Afterwards I hauled everything out to the trash. Sometimes it's really hard to get started, but always feels so rewarding at the end!
I have a house guest coming next week plus winter is just around the corner which makes me feel the need to do all the cleaning/organizing before the cold and snow arrive.
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Post by ntsf on Oct 1, 2024 22:33:49 GMT
I did it!! I replaced the crappy old stainless silverware with my 1924 deco sterling silver set. dh was opposed, but so what. I have an almost complete set of 12 settings. I got some silver polish.. so we can polish some of it. I'm going to put it on third top shelf of dishwasher and see what happens.
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Post by cecilia on Oct 2, 2024 23:47:41 GMT
Donating empty plastic ornaments that didn't come with ribbon attached, so donating about half of what I have. Hope I sell a bunch at the arts and crafts fair this weekend so I don't have that much to store. Going to try to store supplies for next year with what I don't sell to make it easier for me.
Still haven't donated Elvis's toys. Can't bring myself to open his last box, either. I miss him so much.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446
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Post by amom23 on Oct 3, 2024 17:59:36 GMT
I'm doing one of my least favorite jobs.....defrosting our upright freezer. The freezer isn't self-defrosting and really needs to be done 2x year. At least that's what I think is best. Sometimes I wonder if it gets frost build up quicker since it's in our laundry room? Tomorrow I'm planning a Fall stock up shopping day at Walmart and Costco so it was time to get the freezer looking good.
Yesterday was so nice I worked outside doing some more things to get ready for winter.
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