Community Chat

[Sooner]

@paulabugs Wishing you many more happy years with your mother!  How wonderful that she got to see that baby!

[Lilysmom1]

@Sooner et al.  I started on the basement.  This year I got rid of all the outdoor wooden furniture.  I have furniture that can stay outdoors year round.  I either sold or gifted it.  No more lugging it in and out.  

We had to replacement our heating unit so that spurred a clean out in the basement.  I sold three pieces of furniture today that were collecting dust.  I warned my DH I am on a purge roll!  

[Roscoe the Rascal]

I have always been neat and organized but doesn't mean I didn't have stuff.  My stuff was just organized is all.  But I have been moving it out and love that.  I do not need things just taking up space.  So many can use these items I once needed but no longer do.  I feel good about that.

What has helped me is donating to the rummage sales at church.  They have two a year and got me rolling.  I have just about hit every corner of this place and that was my goal.  I had made a list and just kept going.  I plan on making one for 2025 and just keep at it.    I try and make it a realistic to do list and not overshoot.  

I focused a lot on the outside and 2025 more on the inside.  I got the house stained and decks stained.  Garage cleaned out and organized.  Also some repairs to the deck that was damaged in a storm.  Had a tree taken down and no choice there and storm and big branch came down but tree was no good and should have done earlier but now done and grass growing in that spot.  I may replant a tree next fall.  

I still have things that can probably go but I have really made progress.  

My neighbor recently passed away and the house is up for sale now and they got that house ready fast.  He always took care of the place and a little outdated but he kept it nice.  Two dumpsters full of stuff they just tossed.  Made me sad but  the kids have everything they need I imagine.  Some things they took and I am sure some were donated but to see how they were tossing made me realize probably be the same they do for me someday.  

It sure surprises me how much stuff a person collects.  Sure woke me up.  My husband passed in April and so I also needed to keep myself busy. Some of the things we had talked about getting done but once a person gets sick it does put some things on hold or it did for us.   Funny thing is more my stuff than his.  I use to think it was him.  😝 

[kare29]

@paulabugs  Thank you so much for your beautiful post; it just warmed my heart.  It is so nice to see there are still such wonderful people out there.  

I am happy to see I am not alone in my accumulation of things. Everyone's posts have been inspiring!  

[Venezia]

Well, it must be something in the air!  A couple of weeks ago I decided I'd had enough with the years and years of clutter.

I started in the basement and have taken large loads of stuff to our transfer station each of the past two weekends.

I've made trips to Goodwill with clothing and just yesterday, three boxes of books, all in new or excellent condition.  I donated some books to our local cat shelter's bookcart in a local mall.

DH and I have both decided that it's time to clear things out.

But, LOL, reading this thread made me think "Why am I sitting here?  More stuff to get rid of!"  So I'm off to the basement to get to work again.

Good luck everyone!

[Sooner]

@Roscoe the Rascal I salute your courage and determination in facing things rationally when that is often so hard.  

I'm going to keep your post and read it because that is what I want to do!  I'm not to your level yet.

We have cleaned out four houses for people who have passed and I can tell you that tossing gets easier and easier--as you know it is a daunting task.  I send thoughts and prayers for you and all dealing with this!  

[Goodie2shoes]

@ paulabugs  wrote: I worked as an RN for many years and worked both in Oncology and the Nursery. Everyone I sent to Heaven came back to me in the Nursery.

First of all my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband. I know you will see him again when you get to heaven. I was also a nurse for nearly 50 yrs and I worked in the newborn nursery for nearly 9 yrs. It was a busy place but a joy to work there seeing new life and the smiles from parents and families. I commend you for working in Oncology.  Blessings to you and your dear mom !  I lost my mom to Covid in 2020, she was 88 but a true blessing to her 10 children. Keep enjoying the new babies in your family !  

[Coastalcarolina]

I wanted to add my experience aside from the donating my fav jeans.

Years ago after my daughter moved away, I couldn't touch her closet.  It is a deep walk-in, and painted a bright color. At first, it was a comfort of sorts to step in and see some of the things she left.  Over the course of TEN years, I slowly started donating, or throwing things away.  

I repainted a new color, added an ornate carved storage unit and upholstered ottoman.  It looks completely different now and it is all "girly" as my DH would say.  I am a very sentimental person and it was hard at first but well worth it now.  Good luck to all.  For some it is freeing, others not so much and have to push forward.