Not quite a horder - decluttering

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  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2012

    As you can imagine when we returned home that night we found our home in total disarray.  Interesting how it didn't seem THAT bad when we rushed out to the wedding.  Sunday, we cleaned up the living areas and got out my vacuum sealer and packaged all of the leftover food for the freezer.  I then went to the guestroom pulled everything out of the closet, cleaned and sorted.  Anything that was DS's is out and against the wall so he can take it to their new home in a couple weeks.  Other than that and the wedding gifts the guestroom looks great!  You can even hang things in the closet or put something else in it.

    I then went into the sewing room and got all of the stuff used for the wedding put away.  It isn't quite back up to snuff, but so much better.

    It feels good to get stuff done!

    Congrats, 3Jays, you are doing great!

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited November 2012

    I just finished re arranging my sunroom.    Even though I added a small table and chair, it looks much better than before.   Congrats to the happy couple and family.    

    I have gotten out pictures of my Mom to scan and share with bro and sis when they come for her inurnment at Arlington Cemetery.   Date can't be set until all paperwork is sent in - waiting on the death certificate.   She was a 50 year BC survivor, died Sunday at age 99, WWII Navy veteran.    

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.   

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2012

    GramE, sorry for your loss.  What an honor to be inurned in Arlington!

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited November 2012

    Thank you.   If I may share -  Mom and Dad met at the USO in Washington, DC.   Both were serving in the NAVY during WWII.   They fell in love, got married and I am the reason Mom had to leave the NAVY.   Back in those days you could not be pregnant and stay in the military.   I used to joke that I "ruined" my Mom's military career.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited November 2012

    160 cookbooks....now down to 130. Goal is 80. Really am going to do this.

    35 sweat shirts down to 15. Now to get to shoes.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2012

    Bunkie, you made me think.  I have a whole drawer of socks, yet I only wear a dozen pair.  I hate to throw them out because they are in good condition.  It's a vicious circle.

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited November 2012

    Womens shelters would love any clothes, sox, shoes, etc.   Many of these women leave their homes with only the clothes on their backs. 

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    Once again I find myself without a job, so as I hunt for a new one, I will work on decluttering.  I am going to try to make a list of things to do and make a big effort to mark at least on thing off the list each day.

  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 1,997
    edited December 2012

    Grame I am sorry for your loss. How proud you must be to have parent to be inurned at Arlington National Cemetary. I have visited there an was in awe of the magnitude of loss and sacrifice represented there.   

    Bunkie,  I am an only child and I had to clear out my parents house where they had lived for about 60 years. A service that helped me a great deal was 1800GotJunk they took appliances, stuff that was not good for charity shops, rejected by charities,  and just dirt away. They swept the basement twice when they were done. It cost me a couple hundred dollars and was worh every single penny. They are the folks to take those refridgerators you won't want to use, old appliances use huge amounts of energy.  

    You may want to go through certain cupboards and drawers and select items you want for yourself.   My mom had some 1950's tableclothes that I loved. A few pieces of her jewelry that meant something to me, a couple old hats,  and not a lot else. I unfortunately thought my kids would want things and kept and moved tons of things no one wants.   When I was a newly wed we took every piece of furniture anyone offered, we were glad to have it. Now it seems the generation gettingmarried in their later twenties don't want old things and can afford to buy new. So for them, Grandmas things don't fit in. 

    I wish you well as you go through these things, it took me and my husband 6 months on weekends to empty out my mothers house. My mom was in the nursing home and wanted to keep every piece of her clothing. I think I am venting a bit here. It was difficult. 

    Hugs to all Ginger

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    When I left my ExDH, I was in refugee mode, and accepted all sorts of furniture and household stuff.  It didn't have to be new, it just had to function like it was meant to.

    DS and his new bride are buying a house.  It should close on Wednesday and they should move in mid-month.  They have two bedroom sets and an end table.  It will be interesting to see how they furnish the house on a budget.  I have the rocker I had before I started having babies, and had promised it to him, but I am not giving it to him until they have a lot more funriture.  I would hate for their friends to abuse it (they can be a little rowdy) because it would be the only chair in the house.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    Pressed wood and cardboard.  When we moved into this house we bought a master bedroom set.  It is really sturdy and heavy.  Doubt I will ever move it unless we get new carpet.  I can't budge the nightstand!

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited December 2012

    I live in an apartment and as people move in and out, they offer various pieces of furniture for sale.    There has not been one piece that I would consider buying - not to be a snob, but cardboard, pressed wood, imitation wood grain -- all it is.    On the other hand, if something happens to me, there are only 2 pieces worth anything.   A trestle table - solid oak and a hope chest that was my grandmothers.    Maybe the oak cabinet I keep my TV on also...    

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    Well, I was super productive yesterday, although not too much stuff got tossed.  I cleaend out two of my laundryroom cabinets, a drawer under my washingmachine, and the pantry.  Oh, and the cabinet under the laundryroom sink. I also took stuff off the top of the cabinets in the laundryroom, and that required many trips up and down the stepladder.  My hips are pretty sore from that.  I think today will be stuff in lower cabinets.  

    About the only thing I sorted out to get rid of was about 1/3 of my cleaning towels.  I have never used all 7 dozen in one day, so I took some and bagged them up for DS to use in his gun cleaning. 

    My parents have agreed to have a yard sale at their house at sometime after the ifirst of the year, so I will sort things into boxes for that.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited December 2012

    Gingerbrew - Thanks for the advice. Once I dump this bug I will be in full swing.

    I have 20 Woodland Santa's. Who really needs that many Santa's? I guess me because I am keepimg them.

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited December 2012

    I won't say (who except it is not me) who has santas on each of her stairs going up 1 1/2 stories in the main front hallway/entry/foyer.    Guess I could count them one of these days...

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    Christmas decorations aren't the same as regular clutter in my book.  I have a few boxes, however, which I do not display, nor do I plan on it.  Just sentimental stuff.  I need to get rid of them.

    Yesterday was well used cleaning some mirrors and glass ware.  I also emptied four drawers from my antique bin table and sorted through the stuff.  Put only things I need/use back in it.  Also collected our boxes of playing cards, checked for damaged and missing cards and tossed those which failed the test.  I know it is a little thing, but it means I made the effort to get rid of SOMETHING!  I put a cardboard box (28" cube) in my kitchen nook and am placing anything I don't want in it.  I plan on filling it up soon.  Just think of the room I will have!

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited December 2012

    GramE - I feel much better now. I said I was not buying anymore but if I found a Santa Fe or native Anerican one I would do it.

    Teka - I know. It started with my little apt in Ca that had no room for a tree. When I was cleaning clutter last week I found 2 more I had not seen.

    So where was I today? At Michaels looking for another one.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited December 2012

    Teka - I did find another Woodland Santa there. They have a lot but I have so many. I also found one on ebay but passed on it. I am going to have to go to NM one year and get one there.

  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,484
    edited December 2012

    OK - What is a Woodland Santa?  I must be missing out on something!!!

  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 1,997
    edited December 2012

    I was wondering the same thing? I am picturing a gnome in Santa attire? Am I close?

    Ginger

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    Or, perhaps it is a Santa in the brown/courderoy style suit?

    Came acrossed a couple of things I might put on Ebay.  I haven't sold anything on Ebay before, but I figure there is more of a market there than walk ups at a yard sale.

  • Unknown
    edited December 2012

    You might consider Craigslist as well.  It's free.

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    I still have that weaving loom I want to get on Craig's list.  I really need to make that a priority.  That would free up a good chunk of space in my garage!

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 2,234
    edited December 2012

    This might work:

    woodland santas

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited December 2012

    This is what I was picturing:

  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,484
    edited December 2012

    So - Woodland Santa is not a particular brand but rather a type.  LIKE!!

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639
    edited December 2012

    Just be careful if you post on Craigslist. Wa had a murder from a posting on Craigslist. They came to the house and held family hostage. I wouldn't list anything that would require them coming to your home to see or pick up.

  • wren44
    wren44 Member Posts: 7,967
    edited December 2012

    Meece, Try posting on some weaving sites. Here, there's a store that specializes in yarn for weaving. My friend's father's loom was snatched up by someone starting a museum.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited December 2012

    luvmygoats - It is just a Santa Figurine that they make that is dressed like he is out in the woods. I go for the rustic value because I have a lot of desert and southwest decor from my 22 years in Ca and NM. They sell them at Michael's etc and they are about 16-20 inches tall.

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited December 2012

    Meece that is about as close as you can get. I am going to take some of my living room soon.