Mary Beth on Valerie’s show “downsizing” - Page 3

ninjawife · ‎11-15-2011

@LindaSal wrote:
Yes we bit the bullet 5 years ago now. Moved from a 3000 square foot home on 10 acres to a 2000 square foot townhouse. It took some adjusting, especially for DH who was not really on board at the time. He has since realized it was the right thing to do. He just turned 71 and has really slowed down as far as what he is able to accomplish in a day. It was a good feeling to purge and start off on a new slate. At times I miss that big old house but I do like where I am. We are in an end unit at the end of a cul de sac and our back yard area borders a state park. It's really lovely and no more shoveling for us!!

@LindaSal I HATE moving. We live in a large single family home. We moved here 10 years ago when my mother died and we had my father come live with us. It was a difficult move for me so I plan to stay in this house as long as possible even if is more space than we need now as my father has passed and my oldest lives on her own.

We have landscapers that mow, weed and mulch for us. We also have cleaning people every other week. The only household chores we have are cooking, cleaning up the kitchen. laundry and of course snow removal. Fortunately in the past few years we have had very few snow storms.

Renata22 · ‎03-16-2010

We are trying to get rid of things. I really hate clutter, but it's also so hard for me to get rid of some things. I want to know the things I get rid of will be used, or I'd rather keep them. It's a fight I'm trying to win in my mind. It feels so good when I can go ahead and just let something go. I did a mini clean out yesterday and it was so satisfying.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

@Mom2Dogs

We are on two levels too, AND, another home on our property that was built for my parents. We turned it into a small B&B many years ago.

However, between this house and the little house, the property and all the "stuff" my husband has acquired (he's a builder), it will take weeks/months to clear this place out.

I've given up that it will happen as long as my husband is alive, so.....here we stay. He still works and we both are in good health.

I'm coming up on 73, so....no spring chicken. We'll be here until one of us dies.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

I'm looking at cabinets full of Galway, Waterford, Silver.

These things are not relavant to todays lifestyle.

I guess these things will be setting on the Goodwill shelves.

I would like to scan 1000's of photos.

Books are slowly going esp cookbooks.

MG Chris · ‎09-10-2020

@granddi wrote:
I'm looking at cabinets full of Galway, Waterford, Silver.
These things are not relavant to todays lifestyle.
I guess these things will be setting on the Goodwill shelves.

I would like to scan 1000's of photos.

Books are slowly going esp cookbooks.

I probably have close to 100 pieces of Waterford, a 25 place setting of Wedgewood with a bunch of serving bows, platters etc. to match, two or three huge sets of silverware for fine dining, tons of Crystal, a complete set of crystal glasses for at least 40, silver entertaining things the list goes on and on. One of my daughters who is 20 wants my things when I pass. So someone may want your things.❤️

katie1859 · ‎06-25-2022

Downsizing underway. Impending loan underway. Going from a 3 bedroom home to 1 bedroom condo hopefully. The market is bleak but I'm preparing and packing as we speak.
I'm a new minimalist and it is so freeing.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

We downsized early. We were still in our fifties. It was not a plan but a developer offered us and our neighbors so much that none of us could afford to turn it down. He demolished our homes and built 4 huge luxury homes or mini mansions. I was having health issues. We decided to downsize rather than buying a bigger home. The girls were already in their own apartments. I love condo life but still miss not having a yard. I think posters might be talking about different things here. I'm talking about downsizing from a big 11 room, 5 bedroom colonial to a 2.5 bedroom colonial.

CANDLEQUEEN · ‎03-09-2010

Our neighbors are iin the process of moving right now! He has a bad back and they no longer want a larger 2 story home.

They also no longer want a yard, so they are downsizing to a condo. Size wise its not that much smaller, but its all on one level with no yard upkeep.

I can understand that as you get older....

Not sure why they never got a lawn service, unless it was super pricey...His wife has a huge green thumb and lots of nice plants and flowers....

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

Was the show about downsizing or did MBR mention she was downsizing?

I know a lot of posters love VPH's decor and I'm sure many have it or are still buying it.

Sometimes you update or replenish your old decor (remember Home Interiors et al stuff?). You still want to have a pretty thing here or there. Or not, I guess.

To me, being minalmist isn't just a sparsely furnished room with blank tables. It's just not having every inch covered with *stuff*.

I still have lots of photos of family out in different rooms in pretty frames. Can't wait till school portraits come out!

I've never been one to store decorations in an attic, basement (don't have either) or the garage, they always had their own room/closet.

I love houseplants so I'm always on the lookout for nice ceramic planter pots. I guess that's my weakness-- Cause I'm still buying!

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

Yes we are. DH got rid of everything we had in the attic. It was a lot? I told him if he went first it could stay up there because I was not dealing with it.

I need to go through drawers & closets again to get rid of anything else that's been in there since last cleaning. If we have not used it we don't need it. I'm keeping all my cotton so I have something to wear.

I don't buy stuff anymore. I don't see a purpose for it. It's just clutter I have to clean. When I dust I don't want to dust all the stuff.