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[rnmom]

I'm not really decluttering here, just tossing broken/worn out items as we come across them. Hubby tossed another trail camera that doesn't work. That only leaves him with one. I did get 2 more to give him for Christmas though.

My son tossed a pair of jeans that were ripped out but I will probably replace those for him too. Tossed a pair of socks from my other son, almost all of his socks have holes in them. I told him to get out and get some new ones (he has a particular brand he likes) so I can toss the rest with holes in them. 

I tossed a pair of work gloves that were trashed. 

So not really making any headway at this point, but maintaining. 

[Harpa]

@rnmomIt's good to maintain!

A while ago, I was thinking that if I bring home something new, I would toss the old something. (This was more for clothing.) And whatever I toss, I'll never miss. Not sure yet if it's a philosophy I'm holding to.

But I did let go of a favorite YSL robe. I had a replacement robe already in my closet.

Is there anyone out there that says, "Wish I still had...?" 

[amyb]

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@Harpa wrote:

@rnmomIt's good to maintain!

A while ago, I was thinking that if I bring home something new, I would toss the old something. (This was more for clothing.) And whatever I toss, I'll never miss. Not sure yet if it's a philosophy I'm holding to.

But I did let go of a favorite YSL robe. I had a replacement robe already in my closet.

Is there anyone out there that says, "Wish I still had...?" 

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@Harpa Yes... a few things from mom's home, (can't quite recall them now but I know I've had those thoughts.) Also from mom's Christmas stash, an ornament I made as a kid...that's funny...I can picture when, how, why I tossed it. First, it was kind of big & garrish compared to my others...but I remember having painstakingly made it from a kit, (and how I loved making things as a child, I did all kinds of arts & crafts) ...a satiny ornament you stuck beaded pins into in a design from a pattern. BUT...testament to what a HUGE undertaking clearing a parent's home is...when you are in the final stages you are, what I call, BLOOPED! And it was the last fill-up of the truck to take to storage that night, I was standing in the garage, suddenly sifting through last minute things, and up came that ornament...exhausted from decisions I tossed it!

It had memories of my childhood-crafty self attached to that, and it actually WAS pretty! I've survived the loss, lol...but yes, I regretted it...that was a small thing.

A BIG thing, funny enough, I was just thinking of this morning (watching a YouTuber talk about the value of her inherited furniture pieces.) My grandma's secretary. SO many reasons I wanted to keep it...SO many reasons I made myself let it go.

Why I wanted to keep: Reminded me so much of sitting  with her watching tv in her favorite "family" room, where that secretary stood, near the entry of her home,  with some of my favorite "chotckes" of hers, and it was a piece my wood-refinisher "Poppie" had likely worked on.

Why I made myself not: Not a lot of room left for something like this in my 1100 sft condo. My condo is coastal, cottage with lots of white, ivories, airy things...this was heavy, bulky, old timey, dark wood, that needed work. Would I have repainted it?....could have...likely wouldn't have. Would I have loved my grandpa to come refinish it...yea...he wasn't around anymore, of course.

Still I wish I'd found a way...there were options to solve some of the above. It meant a lot, I love old timey things mixed in with my things and have eclectic taste. I felt painting it, (vs. restaining dark), though modernizing & making it pretty, would take away it's integrity...but I could have done either one of those things.

I saved my grandpas small bible that was inside, a small metal ashtray-looking tray of his that says "Grandpa's change", a BIG satin Valentine card from the 50's grandpa sent to grandma...and some other things. I took pics of it. But to this day I wish I'd had the home for it, and made myself find a way. But..... I WAS BLOOPED!

Tks for listening to my "Ted Talk" on decluttering regrets! 😆

[Harpa]

@amyb  Oh, I hear you! I am very sentimental over some things. I wish I had kept a painting easel that was made especially for me. Believe me, it was one-of-a-kind.

Also made for me was a beautiful desk/secretary/book case. Oh my!! If I only had one more room so that I could still have these pieces!!

But....as folks were saying in another post, things change. And hopefully (and in some ways, it is good that)  we do, too! At least nobody can tear away happy memories!

[amyb]

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@Harpa wrote:

@amyb  Oh, I hear you! I am very sentimental over some things. I wish I had kept a painting easel that was made especially for me. Believe me, it was one-of-a-kind.

Also made for me was a beautiful desk/secretary/book case. Oh my!! If I only had one more room so that I could still have these pieces!!

But....as folks were saying in another post, things change. And hopefully (and in some ways, it is good that)  we do, too! At least nobody can tear away happy memories!

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❤️

[Twins Mom]

Dropped off to Savers - one really nice basket I used to use to hold newspapers to read, then as holder for mailers.  I really did not need it but I found it attractive.  Also donated a nice suade pair of Mary Jane heels that were great dress shoes.  Did not need last year and not comfortable for my feet this year....donated to make someone else happy.  

I did go inside and found a nice baking sheet that looks better than one I have.  Pitched old.  

[Catiele]

I have finally started today. Went through my dining room hutch. Filled a green garbage bag. It is full. Tomorrow I will continue in the bedroom. This is a major job for me. Have only just started.

[amyb]

Hi everyone...

A few little purges yesterday...

A pair of undies.

Tossed a ceramic bowl from a set of colorful ones I picked up cheap at Christmas Tree Shoppe (RIP 😞) years ago. Good size for cereal, soups, I use them all, all the time. But I looked inside this one and it was starting to craze and the paint job looked "compromised." I looked in the others, faint signs this may happen to them all. "Made in China" and I am aware of the "possible lead" in cheaper ceramics. By now if these are going to do harm to me, they probably already have! So, it's on my radar. I have other bowls to use from my regular white dinnerware, and I have two Polish stoneware soup mugs. Maybe I should just finally toss all of these. But they are a better shape for soup than the ones from my dinnerware set, and the others look ok for now.

I have old, slightly crazed ceramic mugs I drink from regularly, that are old favs. Any thoughts on crazing & the lead factor?

Years ago I Googled to research the dangers, trying to find out if Temptations had lead in it...because I have T. baking dishes I use pretty regularly. Never really found out.

Tossed an old, red glazed cast iron saute' pan, Technique from QVC. Always liked the pop of color & substantial weight of this...but hated cooking in it. Everything stuck, and got black in the pan, 20 minutes each time, trying to scrub it clean. Stopped coming completely clean, even after soaking, using baking soda, barkeeper's scrub etc. Ceramic also looked like it was wearing away inside. Finally decided yesterday....NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! 

I might eventually invest in a Caraway set of ceramic cookware to replace all the non-stick cookware I've tossed. I know people who have them and they're pricey but worth the price. Cook beautifully, and clean up by practically just rinsing them off! I have two T-fal ceramic pans I picked up last year from Marshalls that have performed just ok, for now, but nothing like the Caraway. Caraway runs Black Friday & holiday specials, so I'll see. I'd also like one cast iron pan...never owned one, but follow Brenda Gantt on socials and she does everything in hers. I don't fry as much as she does, but I believe they're good for everything. I'd love to find a good, old vintage one.

Ok another Ted Talk by me, in between my purge list. That's it for now! *highlighted purges for those that only want the Cliff notes! 😆 

***Update...I forgot...I also tossed a one serving little non-stick pan that I used to cook one fried egg in, fit perfectly, but integrity of the non-stick was scratched. I might like to replace with a cast iron that size...I've seen them. Sounds like I'm replacing all but I've tossed more cookware the last few yrs than I plan to replace.

[Silhouettes shadow]

I'd like to toss my house (period).  It's not cluttered, just that it's an over a hundred year old victorian that is too large for two people.  Lot's of needed repairs that keep on showing up and causing financial hardship.  

  We have extremely limited housing for senior couples in our area and there's no place to go right now.  If we were financially able, and could find an apartment to move into, I'd honestly be more than willing to find a family in need and hand over the house to them for nothing.  Unfortunately that's not the case at this time.

  Not much of anything to declutter, just getting to old to keep up the ole house.

  Good luck to those of you who are working so hard to declutter.  It's not an easy thing to do for most anyone.

  "Be Blessed"

[AuntG]

@Silhouettes shadow I can imagine you'd find a buyer who'd love to take on the ownership of an old Victorian home, but the difficulty would be finding something suitable for the two of you. Our home was built in 2000, and we've had to make repairs, but we tell ourselves about it's paid for and has been maintained. I bet if we sold it, a two bedroom condo would cost as much, so we are staying put for now.