I put sewing machines in the category of tools–when you need it, you need it no matter how long it’s been since you used it last.
Had to get mine out last week and it’s been a long time.
I totally agree. If you already own it, keep it – unless you have no idea how to use it and no interest in every using it.
I set up an ebay account and have posted three things for sale already this morning!
I’m ashamed to admit that I have been following along and participating in this thread since it started and I still haven’t run out of things to throw away or donate! Of course, an awful lot of life has happened in those years, children have moved in and out, parents have passed away leaving behind things as well as estate paperwork, etc. It seems like every time I clear a spot, something happens to fill it. Although, if I hadn’t done some clearing I would be in a real mess now. This summer I’ve made some progress in the garage. I generally consider that my husband’s area but since he never throws anything away, I’ve taken the initiative with a few items.
I’m still working on clearing some space in the house but I’m to the point where other people need to part with their things so it’s a little more difficult. Not impossible, just difficult.
A productive hour - one bag and two recycling bags later - cleaned out the costume bucket, old souvenirs (maps from 1995), old HS notes, found 2 more recorders, 15 years of hallmark ornament books, and a coat with a broken zipper.
Success!! Mr. parted with his boxes of reprints, and I did not even have to wear my RBG lace collar and kidskin gloves. 
Like Tiredalready, I have noticed that each time I clear a spot, something else fills it. Too much stuff from parents’ homes. Boxes of books from a sibling who moved–I think if we haven’t felt inspired to read any of them in two years, we probably never will.
I did throw out some vitamins and supplements this morning with expiration dates of 2012 and 2013. Oddly enough, things in that category seemed either up-to-date or five years old. Nothing in between.
"I’m ashamed to admit that I have been following along and participating in this thread since it started and I still haven’t run out of things to throw away or donate! " Sadly, I’m in the same boat. However, catching up on this thread did motivate me to start a new box which I thought would take all week to fill. It only took half a day to find enough stuff we can part with before I needed another box.
Just posted on my local facebook marketplace the wheeled duffel bag I bought for my daughter to use at college that she never used - hopefully this finds a buyer (or else goes to church rummage sale)
Doing a happy dance here. H finally (and I mean finally) cleared out his closet a few weeks ago (after moaning that I have more space than he has in his closet). It is all in a large clothes basket and I forgot about it. He just now said he does not remember what he wanted to keep…so as I wash I will purge… 
I find ways to make things nearer, but involve “change,” and my husband gets grumpy. Then he takes ove the space I’ve abandoned or made for myself.
H is a throw everything away kind of guy. I am one who doesn’t want to repurchase things that have been tossed.
We have two Bernina Sewing Machines. My mom came from Switzerland and had 3 years training in sewing, so she was a pro. Her dad bought her the top model Bernina sold in the US in 1951/1952. It is a hot rod - it purrs. The body of the machine is noticably wider than my other Bernina. None of my siblings wanted it. I would have taken the sewing cabinet she had forever, but I should have taken it on an earlier trip when I got the piano. Now I just take it out of a box and use the kitchen table when I sew.
I received a Bernina Portable, which fits in a case, is a high quality machine - bought for my HS graduation in 1974 for $400. I am pretty good at sewing, but mainly just do simple alterations at this point in life.
I recently had both machines serviced - the ladies at the local store drooled over my mom’s machine. Evidently the long time store owner has a similar machine.
H had me make parachutes for his student rocket team and his rocketry adventures, but he used you tube to learn to sew his own (he hated asking me to sew - he likes being a do it yourself guy) - and he does a terrific job with what he needs. It is like another feather in his cap of abilities. So he has ‘his own machine’ the Bernina Portable. It is a great machine.
DD1 is getting married and a lot of things are now going to their apt. Almost everything of hers will be gone from the house except her piano which will get moved to their more permanent home…DD2 is pretty good at sorting her stuff, and when she moves after college graduation (May 2018), we shall see how much she takes.
We just had our living room and dining room updated. So any clutter from there is out and not going back in.
H can’t park his vehicle in the garage for a while.
I interview for a new job on Wed (with the CEO). Already had a 2 hour talk with my future new boss, after our first meeting had to be cut short due to executives unexpectedly showing up and she had to meet up with them.
So whatever I get done for the wedding guests coming Thursday (I am not scheduled for any work days, so working like a slave at home).
It will feel good having the house looking good.
Doesn’t everything get busy all at one time? At least it doesn’t coincide with other ‘big’ things in life…
Garbage and recycling bins in both houses are FULL. Mr. tossed way more than I expected!
Our recycling evidently limits households to 2 bins/week. Most weeks I put out one. I had an extra (3rd) one with old newspapers (heavy) and they left that at the curb and emptied the lighter stuff! So I did call - heck, when you pay for service, you pay for service. They did apologize, and I did get it taken the next week.
It does feel good getting the clutter out of the house. Taking some framed pictures of DD1 to her - and she can give a few to her future MIL. My mother framed loads of pictures of her grandchildren, so I still have extras…
I win this week’s prize!!
We finally got rid of the Ethan Allen desk, chests of drawers, and bookshelves that my mother bought in 1966. We’re talking a massive wall unit, 102" long by 78" tall. It’s been living in our garage, I’m sad to say, since we moved to our new house almost five years ago. No one wanted to buy it on Craigslist – even for a very reasonable (IMO) $250. I finally offered it up on Freecycle and had five people who wanted it. First come, first served – she was a lovely woman who will get good use out of it.
My goal for 2017 is to be able to put cars in my garage. Radical idea, I know.
We have been trying to sell two beautiful 1878 Eastlake small dressers.
Not a bite.
Excellent condition and the lock and paperwork we have identifies them.
IKEA is in and these are not.
D and FSIL say they are not interest but when they move here with nothing next year
They just might change their minds
saw somebody selling an aquarium and realized I still have the tank and stuff from my daughter’s goldfish when she was little - just dumped it all out!
If you had put the Ethan Allen bookcases on Ebay, and if I had seen them, VeryHappy, I very likely would have bought them. I don’t think acquiring someone else’s discards is in the spirit of this thread, though.
Damn!!
I didn’t put them on eBay because I wouldn’t have shipped them to someone. I realize there are local pickups only on eBay, but it just never occurred to me.
Well, I didn’t want to get rid of them for the money – I just wanted to get rid of them.
Next up: Our old propane Weber grill. (We’re now using a small charcoal grill, which we prefer.) I’m more than willing to give this away.
I started cleaning out drawers in my home office while waiting for some videos to upload. I have two videos and four bags of garbage!