Not quite a horder - decluttering
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I hope to make May my excellent decluttering month as well.
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late april, early may will be our month, also... i have a ton of stuff to wash, EVERYTHING is tobe washed, per the dr. he made me take a ton of stuff, out, and of course, it all has to go back in, in two days...
even the hotel has been stressful, bc everything thats' out, is in the one bedroom here..
im ok with laundy, so i can do that easy. my next door neighbor is gone for the month, a wonderful vacation, and we can run the washer/dryer all night, if i need to...
while i was here, i sorted alot of the stuff we took out, and about 2/3 has to go back, but milled it down, some.. we got a great start, we just to keep the momentum, which is always the problem!!!even if its a little every day, the DH is now committed, so that'll help a LOT!!!
i know i want mcuh les than we have right now.. i now know I'm too emotionally attatched to some of my stuff. (thank you hoarders tv show) so, like w/ like is helping me.. when its all together, i just then, cry , and let go of all but the "best" of the stuff.. finally managed to cull down my doll collection, and THAT was hard, and of course, my moms' stuff was tough.. but, most of that is done, so there will be less tears now, im sure...and more peace of mind, i hope edited to add that.
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I discovered, accidentally, that writing down what I was giving away made it much easier. I think I was worried about hunting for something that was gone. I've only referred to my lists a few times, and it makes it easy to justify my deduction for giving to charity.
The hardest things for me to deal with are the few items that belonged to my Mother, who died when I was 4yo. I have a quilt top she pieced one summer and a bed jacket she wore after she became ill. I keep thinking I'll make a pillow out of the bed jacket or some sachets, but never have and probably never will. I do quilt, but the top she pieced was from depression era worn clothing so I doubt it could ever be used if finished.
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Wren - I absolutely understand those feelings. Of course, Clutter Guru Peter Walsh would say "That bed jacket is NOT your mother - your memories of her are in your heart..."
I would say "It was hers, I want it, and I'm going to keep it!"
Getting rid of my mom's things has been a years-long process. I let go of a few more things each year.
Please don't get rid of the depression-era quilt until you consult some expert quilters. See if there is a Quilting Guild in your area, and take the quilt top to them to see if it could be finished and perhaps displayed somewhere. If you don't want to give it away, or use it as a quilt, could you at least make a smaller wall hanging of it?
Those old pieces are absolute treasures. I am in a Quilting Class (which is funny, because most of the women in there are EXPERT quilters) and every once in a while, someone will bring in an heirloom quilt they picked up at a yard sale for a few dollars.
Then we spend the next hour ooooohing and ahhhhhing over the type of fabric, the stitches the quilter used, and which patterns were used to make up the blocks.
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I still have a little minature punch bowl and cups that I have carried with me for the last 50 years through all my moves. It was given to me by my grandmother on my father's side who I barely knew, but I keep thinking I'll give it to one of my DGD's. My DD has no use for it and told me so! It's pure crystal and really cute. I've parted with a lot of stuff but not that. I had a little white Bible that my grandmother on my mother's side gave me when I was five. I kept it and gave it to my oldest DGD when she was five. Who knows where it is now...hopefully she still has it but that is doubtful. Times have certainly changed.
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Passing little treasures on to DGD's is a wonderful idea. Ihave two DGD and we connect so well.
Things the kids don't want are viewed differently by the GK's
The quilt top. Yes get it to a quilt guild. Barbe on here has much experience in that area. She has had some trouble logging on since the triubles here. I would still try her though, she is so well informed regarding quilting.
Ginger
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When I was in my 30's, my mom started giving away some of her treasures to me.
I'd find a little box wrapped up at Christmas or my birthday, and when I opened it, it would be some treasure like my great-great-grandmother's antique creamer and sugar set.....
By that time I was old enough to appreciate the items, and Mom got to get rid of stuff early!
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Hi, sorry was not on for a few days. The painting will be inside and I have a 3 story townhouse with cathedral ceilings over the stairs and very large rooms. Years ago I painted my entire 5 bedroom house but those days are over.
Meece, I'll join you with the "May" clean-up. I challenge you all to keep a record of how much time you spend each day decluttering during the month of May. Let's see who can put in the most hours. (you're on the honor system for reporting!)
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Okay Patoo, DH and I plan to start downsizing and giving away. We will see how we do.
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i'm hopeful to get lots done in may; so i'm in, too.. the rest of april will find me still putting some order BACK after the tenting.. it was a disaster!!!
my dr wanted about 60 bags full of extra stuff out of the house, bc of my immune system problem, and now, the resp dr is doing extra tx.. so, its going to be hell trying to get order here again..
i need MAY to look forward to.. btw: i still wear my moms old bed jacket. i don't care how it looks.. its like having her arms around me, still.just a observation...3jays
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I ended up giving 3 pair of shoes to DS's GF. She said it made her SO happy! Cool. Then 2 days later, FDIL brought me a pair. So I am still down, 2 pair.
We will be out of town tomorrow, but perhaps Sunday afternoon I can at least get prepared for May. Sort of laying out the plan. I really need to see what I can get out of the garage. When I moved out from my ex, 9 years ago, he brought me my stuff a year later...without boxes. He put it in a trailer and dumped it in my garage. I just boxed things up and still have things to sort through. It's been many years since I have seen any of it. We had been in business for 17 years, so there was a lot of paperwork that was manditory to keep. I got some boxes and put years on them and have sorted through some. It has almost come to the point I can get rid of some stuff.
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I've given a lot of my clothes to my sweet DIL who needs them for her job, and to her mother who no longer works and has no money to buy nice things. It makes me feel good to see how happy they are to receive these things...I know they appreciate them and will use them. Some of them I thought I would never wear again as I had gained weight, but now I'm back to that size...oh well.
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Teka - you have a CELLAR? I am so jealous!!!!!!
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Great, so we have 3 days to rest up and then it's work work, work. At least we have the whole month of May to make dents (notice there is an 's' on dent!).
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Teka wrote:
Blessings2011,
Yes, and 75% of the full basement space is filled with junk.
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Teka - my point exactly!!!! More room to store crap!!!! How fabulous is that?
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I would love a basement, yes to store things but I always imagined that's where the sewing and crafts stuff could go and the main floor would appear orgainized all the time!
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Having lived all of my life, except now, with basements I would like to share that it is risky to ever put things you want to keep in a basement. Even when you aren't in a flood zone, a torrential rain and power outage can cause you to flood. I know the hard way. We didn't flood until we had been in that house for about 10 years of the 24 we were there. Some people know their area so well that they may feel comfortable. I am just speaking to those not used to the quirks of the basement.
Boy does my husband need to organize papers. I spent hours trying to help him find a document I gave directly to him. I always knew that organizing papers was a challenge for me. I was shocked to see that it was for my husband as well. Shook my world.
Hugs GInger
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They just don't build basements in homes around here anymore. We rarely get torrential rains. I would think they would also be beneficial because they would be a cooler place to be during our hot summer days...and nights.
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I grew up in Illinois and lived there until 2010. Basements were cooler and sometimes humid but nothing that a dehumidifier wouldn't take care of. Indeed a nicer place to be in hot weather. In Illinois we had downpours especially in August.
The lure of a great storage area is certainly strong. This house we are renting has huge storage and it sort of scares me, like we may have too much stuff even after eliminating some in previous moves.
I went through a bunch of magazine and catalogs. Now I have one basket of them and that is my goal to keep just that one basket for periodicals.
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Teka: I haven't done very well this past month on any diet. (Reply to April l6th post.) I had the two week whole body flu and felt terrible and the just as I was starting to feel a bit better I got a horrible cold. OK, starting to feel better from cold and got the stomach flu with lots of trips to the bathroom. Yech. Basically, I've been sick the last 5-6 weeks. Finally feeling all better.
Getting rid of sentimental stuff is hard, hard, hard. My goal is two apple size boxes of sentimental stuff to keep. My dad gave me a japanese serving tray and even though I'll never use it I can't get rid of it. .
I spent some time in the garage today. Got rid of one box of miscellaneous ! stuff. It's warm here in Phoenix Arizona and so what I don't get done in May will have to wait until next October. We still hit 100 degrees in Sept. I'm cheering on everybody who is decluttering in May. .
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Teka, I understand about the sentimental items. I am trying to get things out of boxes and into use or display. I was so sad when I saw the things I had given my Grandma that she never ever used.
I wonder if you could use the tray your Dad gave you. I don't know anything about what it is like but could you use it for another purpose, like as a display on the wall? Put up two little L shaped screw in pieces to support the tray from the bottom. It could be a wonderful display, or some other way so that you get to enjoy it.
I am trying to enjoy my things more.
Hugs Ginger
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Maybe the Japanese tray can hold a potted plant? It is very important to "use" the things we have. What's the point of having things in boxes/storage for years on end? When I give gifts it's not just to give someone something, but to give them something they will actually use. Unless they collect an item what's the point of giving them yet another thing, i.e. a candleholder, a vase (I hate those clear cut glass vases that come with flowers - how many of the same vases do you really need?) Perhaps my picture frames have a common look and a gifted one won't fit in? Yes, it's the wonderful thought that counts but some 'thought' should be put into that when shopping for another person. I don't buy something because I like it, but what I really think they would appreciate. Otherwise it's not really a gift but more clutter.
Just my 2 cents worth because it's not uncommon to find our older relatives with lots of unused presents.
I'm looking forward to the month of May because I'm motivated to get rid of more stuff. Don't forget to keep track of how much time you spend each day. Might help to come here after and post your time, daily, weekly, whatever, so you can keep track. Then at the end of May we can tally to see who spent the most time/got the most done.
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patoo: You are so right about the gifts. I have a friend who gives absolutely beautiful gifts, but it is something she would like or wear. I have some lovely jewelery and shawls that she has given me that just don't suit me at all, but it's the thought that counts.
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I am also looking forward to May. In fact, I might start May,, today since I will be home this afetrnoon. I was just thinking of where to start. My sewing room is probably the most logical, but maybe I will set a goal of going through 1 boxes in the garage first. As the day warms, i can move into the house.
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Ginger & Patoo: Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm going to get that tray out of the garage and use it. Not sure how yet. It's quite large so maybe I'll hang it up. I'll let ya know.0
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H&C, I have a nice tray that I use on my sofa as a stable place to sit my water or whatever. Or I have seen them used on ottomans instead of a coffee table.
I sent 5 1/2 hours in the garage today. The weather was tolerable and I got on a roll. Like with like. I set out many boxes the went through others, separating the items into the separate boxes. I took a picture of the garbage can after I was finished. It was impressive. Didn't get my sewing room touched, but it was a successful afternoon.
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Meece, I 'm impressed. Started looking at all the rooms. Think we will have to have an "estate sale" instead of a garage sale to get rid of all this clutter.LOL
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DH does not want a garage sale, but I packed several boxes up for when my FDIL and her family have theirs.
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Ready, Set
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3 hours and 7 minutes and counting...
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