If you haven’t used things in 10 years, yes, I’d let them go. Maybe hang onto a favorite vase or two.
The “vases” I use the most are the clear glass ones that came with the florist shop arrangements. The fancy schmancy ones have been sitting collecting dust… I rounded them up, and off to the donation pile they went!
I have antique vases that stay on certain tables, and keep them full of flowers. My regular clean out is collecting all the florist vases that accumulate and taking them to good will. I may keep one or two, if I want to be able to bring flowers to a friend easily.
Two large bags donated today. H and I parted with out of style clothes, and filled another bag while talking in the garage as he was leaving to drop off the first bag. I may fill another bag or two in the garage today. We seem to both be on a roll and ready to part with the things that aren’t necessary and loved.
I have three vases. The rest get goodwilled as they come in. As for family stuff, I scan it, then I toss it. MIL asked for a baby book back and I said I’ll give you a CD of it. She was appalled. I was like, don’t give me that (junk) stuff if you want me to keep it in a non-digital format. Her house is super cluttered, mine isn’t. It’s no mystery what happens to that stuff (crap). If something smells old, man, it doesn’t even make it past my garage…
My church collects the florist vases to use when altar arrangements are broken down to take to nursing homes & assisted living facilities.
I have spent the last 4 hours cleaning the bathroom linen closets (not linens, but deodorant, Q Tips, 1st aid cream, 10,000 skin and make-up samples, etc.). This is exhausting. I’d rather be outside in the 95 degrees trimming the lilac bush or something. Sigh. There has to be an easier way…like maybe a backhoe 
My sister has been in a major purge and inspirational. She is getting rid of big space items, like baby swings and equipment. She can see progress really quickly. Unfortunately for me, mine is more of the smaller item/paper type “stuff”. And…she’s 20 years behind me in the baby department so some of it is coming here for my granddaughter and the next baby.
Does it count that H and I have spent the past 2 days and my brother and SisIL the past 3 days cleaning out my folks’ hugely cluttered home? Each day, my brother’s van is full of stuff to toss and other stuff to donate and our trunk is as well.
My folks have managed to fill all the 4 closets in the hose with their clothing, plus add a 2nd lower extra rack to hang more shirts for mom and a wheeled cart for dad to hang extra shirts on in one of the bedrooms.
Today, I was sorting jewelry. Mom has 3 dresser drawers full of jewelry. Much of it is cheapo costume stuff, but she has many, many strands of pearls, a few rings, earrings, a ton of pins, tie tacks and even cuff links. The thing is neither of my folks wear ANY jewelry. Most of her nicer and more valuable stuff is in her safety deposit box, which has more stuff, some of which was very expensive but probably way over-priced and most of it not anyone’s taste.
It was helpful working together–it would have been simply overwhelming to do it without the help we had.
It has reaffirmed our decision not to buy my folks any more “stuff” or clothes. They gave way too much, including food (which they don’t eat and have to toss after it goes bad). We also want to not acquire so much “stuff” and clean up so we don’t end up making our kids have to do what we are doing for my folks.
Contemplating another cross-country move within the next few months. Too much stuff made the trip here with us two years ago. Too much of that stuff is still in the category of “I just can’t part with this yet.” Lots is in the boxes from that move, and depending on where we end up may need to remain in boxes for another year. Arrrgh!
You all are my role models. Thanks so much!
Just thought I would post that today’s Arlo and Janis comic is quite relevant to this thread! In case you have not seen it, try
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis
and look for the July 12 comic.
(Technically, I guess it is the 13th here already, as I am posting this.)
5 large trash bags filled with d’s paperwork from middle school until the end of her sophomore year are now sitting out in the garage waiting for her to toss or sort through. Junior year went in a box and remains in her room for priority sorting.
This was sparked by me trying to find her ap# for this year - big fail on that. At least her bookshelf is visible again.
Does anyone else feel super grubby after digging through tons of old stuff? I feel like a layer of grime is coating me, and I’m sneezing. Ugh. I don’t consider my house to be dirty, but I’m feeling it. …
I wasn’t able to “do” any of the items on the to-do list or file very much today, but I did fill a whole bag of paper to recycle as well as a stack to shred.
DD, who is a grown up (grad student) was here for the weekend and filled 3 bags of clothes to donate, including some things that must be from elementary or middle school–I saw one shirt that was a size 10/12!
I’m working on the “wastecan a day” method at my office where rumor is we’ll be moving to a new location in town. I am the sole staff person of my program and I have LOTS of stuff. Books, materials and files galore. I’m trying to tackle something - a shelf, a drawer, a box - everyday - so that when/if move time actually comes, my things are a little leaner!
S2 is home for a long weekend. He’s taking back to his place all the artwork he did during college, and the posters he had on his walls in high school. It’s his last box from home. All physical traces of S2 have now been removed!!
all the paint cans and toxic stuff leaves the garage tomorrow. Has been waiting for 6 months.
Do keep wondering why I must be the one one to say, “it goes”. It is not like H enjoys having this stuff.
Also, my trunk if full of cans to be donated to the local schools. (again)
I’m sure that’s a little bittersweet, @VeryHappy!
It is, @doschicos. But last Thanksgiving, we loaded up the car with everything of his that we could – HS papers, college textbooks, clothes, the huge garbage bad filled with yarn [he crochets] – and met him at S1’s house halfway between us. We unloaded our car into his car, and he took all the stuff back to his place. That sure felt good! This last box was one thing that didn’t fit into the car, so I’m thrilled he’s taking it back with him. He and his GF own their own damn house, so I don’t think he needs to store any of his stuff at Mom and Dad’s!
I donated two computers and one printer to Goodwill this afternoon. I’m looking forward to ridding the basement of more of my ex-husband’s “collection” of old computers.
took a load of toxic waste (paints, cleaners) to the toxic waste site.
Was told that they would get all out of our trunk–to stay in the car.
$5
An hour later and 15 miles later we found a bunch of stuff that they failed to take…grrrr