Donated 15 bags/boxes from ongoing relative’s house clean out. Now back to my own house…
Actually got a facetime call from D yesterday beaming because she had to show off her garage!
She and roommates spent one day cleaning out the house. Whatever they didn’t want they put into the garage into their own separate piles. If they couldn’t decide whether they wanted an item or not they put it into the garage figuring they’d worry later.
Next day they worked all day on the garage–and decided to get rid of everything! We are talking PILES of stuff (especially since the garage already was full of some old furniture). Already have a donation truck scheduled.
I actually have emptied another two big storage bins of stuff–I’m slowing down but still working on clearing over-stuffed areas so I can find stuff again.
Moving kiddo and her pile of bags to her sublet later tonight! 
H cleaned out one of two huge bookcases and all the books (and the bookcase) are ready to go to goodwill as soon as my car is back from the shop (blown water pump).
He’s going to do the other one as well, since we haven’t touched those books in years and the bookcases are huge and dark. We’re trying to go to all virtual/kindle books, or use the library more.
I still have 4 bags of clothing waiting to go-again, need my car back (loaner is not as big).
Interesting article about decluttering apps! Some are for selling items - interesting to read about! Apps don’t take space…except on your phone!!! 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/realestate/spring-cleaning-and-decluttering-help-apps.html
Today I finally let go of the silver plated water pitcher engraved with our first names and wedding date. (gift from an aunt). I don’t why Goodwill shopper will want this tarnished treasure, but it can now sit unused in their cupboard instead of mine!
I decided to host a “formal” pot-luck dinner with friends before donating all the wedding and inherited stuff I never use. Had a great time. Decided to keep for another dinner! Not helping!!!
I have some watercolor paintings I inherited from my mother. I don’t like them very much, but I’m not at the point where I’m ready to let them go. I did, however, pull them out of their REALLY dated gigantic frames (pickled wood, triple matted in 70s colors, non-glare glass, ugh). So now I have two sheets of d’arches watercolor painted paper that are much easier to store. Gave the two frames to goodwill (I remember my grandmother saying how much she’d spent on them, so someone might want them).
Next up is setting up a table for my H so he can put all the stuff he wants to get rid of on there-I’m an OHIO person (Only Handle It Once), he’s a move it around from place to place until you can get rid of it person. Which makes me coo-coo for cocoa puffs, but everyone has their process.
Next week is my closet, It really needs some ruthless culling- a lot of stuff got covered with paint over the past year and a half. I need to learn how to use a dang smock…
@MotherOfDragons, my H had several paintings from his mom, in a box in the basement. We had a pipe break, and a flood. The frames were ruined, but most of the paintings could be saved. My H felt terrible about letting his mom’s paintings get ruined, so he spent something like $3K having them reframed. So now the reframed paintings sitting in a box in the basement. Yes I have learned to pick my battles
^^^ Ouch. That hurts. A lot.
@MotherOfDragons Are these paintings your mother did, or ones she bought?
If they hold any sentimental value, you could see if reframing them freshens them up a bit. If not, maybe some charities will accept them for a rummage sale? I"m assuming these aren’t Picassos or anything like that. 
@bearcatfan ones she did. In terms of composition and subject they’re competent, but not my style. In terms of sentimentality, there’s enough bad juju wrapped up in them that I don’t want to display them, but have been unable to donate them.
I think that’s why a lot of stuff ends up living at our houses-we don’t want it, but can’t bring ourselves to examine why we need to keep it.
This weekend is bulky pickup so I am taking tons of stuff to the curb! Including furniture. If we don’t cut the cord on some of this stuff we’ll never get rid of it!
I just found this article. Very good, and very relevant.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-reed/downsizing_b_13377576.html?ncid=hpmgretirewell00001
I pulled almost everything out of my unfinished storage closet that is off my playroom on Wednesday morning. I’ve been meaning to clean this area for almost two years, but this summer vacation brought more urgency as I wanted to get out the cradle for the grandchild that is coming in late September. Her parents may want to keep her in a box and it may never be used, but she can play with putting dolls in it when she visits if nothing else.
Anyway, I have thrown away multiple boxes worth of stuff and probably could have tossed more, but just wasn’t ready to part with some of it. There are lots of toys in there that are good quality and in relatively good shape, especially some good wooden trucks and trains. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head who never go out of fashion. If D had been here, she might have given the ok to send most of the Barbies on to Barbie heaven, but she can do that in a few years when I move and she has to come home to take it or toss it.
I have put almost everything back into the closet that lives there and I wouldn’t hesitate to open the door for anyone to see at this point. Now, on to my closet in the next week or two. That will be a smaller project and more comfortable since it’s in an air conditioned area. Time to pat myself on the back and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the Preakness coverage!
Mr. B is getting rid of his gas chainsaws!!! I would not call it a complete victory because he is getting a GreenWorks one… At least there will be no gasoline cans!
I told Mr. that we will be very selective about things that get moved to House2. Every item sill be examined using the SCOTUS standard of strict scrutiny: if it serves a compelling interest of the Bunsen household, it can get into the moving truck. 
Otherwise, it goes into the trash. No appeals possible. It is so ordered. B-)
Just when I thought I was done …
A friend is having a garage sale to raise funds for her son’s upcoming/hopefully soon liver transplant. I filled three boxes and feel like more is coming.
@BunsenBurner , let us know how that goes. I would love to make that rule, but my marriage would not survive it.
I will! I think if I dress up as RBG, it will help. B-)
Taking a few bags out today - giving some extra sheet sets, dishes, and towels and dishes to help outfit a young family’s apartment.