I’ve probably already posted this, but my aunt found her mother-in-law’s engagement ring wrapped up in a tissue in curler bag. They had to go through everything carefully.
I had no idea my husband was so normal! Maybe I’m the weird one 
I managed another black bag on the way out of the house to work through the garage today (it’s pick up day). Quickly threw a bunch of dust covered stuff out that has been sitting on a shelf in the garage for many years (it was mostly trash when it was put there and if it wasn’t then it is now) and topped the bag off with a few of the empty plastic kitty litter boxes he has been saving for something (there are still a bunch). Just 2 bags this week.
I don’t think there was any money or jewelry in any of it :-S
@swimcatsmom: I’m impressed. You’re doing great.
Shredded 2 more bags of bank statements and checks from the 90s. Also filled another bag to donate from my room. Belts and purses this time.
Happykid is sorting through her clothing before heading to grad school next fall, and loaded up a giant suitcase with clean clothes to drop (suitcase and all) at Good Will. OK, it’s not like I’ve made any progress, but I’m claiming hers 
A friend stopped by today and took all 6-7 of the bags of clothes my daughter sorted in January that have been sitting in my living room - yay!! (She has 3 daughters)
It wasn’t everything but it was a darn good start.
Hmm, I should do this soon
Cleaned out some old paperwork in a closet, filled a paper bag with recycling. It was time to throw out the application stuff from my daughter (HS class of 2012), don’t see a use for keeping her passwords to the various application portals. Kept the acceptance letters!
Just put in the recycling the health and insurance bills from my late in-laws dating back to the 1990’s. Anybody know how long I need to keep tax returns for deceased people - would love to get rid of those.
Kidde, here is what Zaks says:
https://finance.zacks.com/long-save-deceased-parents-tax-returns-7994.html
Finally got sick of my big overstuffed walk-in closet (where I normally only wear my favorite ten outfits over and over and the rest of the clothes are left hanging). DH was in Boston on a business trip this week and I got bored enough that I spent about fifteen hours over the last day and a half trying on EVERYTHING piece by piece. I ended up donating literally about 1/2 of my clothes. I tried on all different new combinations of clothes and wrote down the outfits that I liked so I won’t forget them in the future. It was torture at first, but then became fun as I started making headway. I love what’s left in there and I’m hoping it will be easy to pull together outfits without all the visual clutter. My closet now looks so big and spacious and organized - I feel like I’m in a boutique. I was ruthless with my tossing. Some stuff still had tags on them from years ago… 
I need to replace one white casual shirt that I wear with my maxi skirts all the time (it’s seen better days), but that’s it…no more shopping for me for awhile.
that’s a great idea @Southmom . When I have finished with the visible clutter in the bedroom (the stuff cluttering up the living space so to speak), I think I may do the same. I know I have a lot of clothes in my closet that I have not worn for years and probably never will. It would be nice to be able to look in the closet and see things I actually want to wear!
One of my things I tossed this weekend was a green velvet suit that I probably last wore in the 80s. It has moved from London to Egypt to the US and hasn’t been worn since London. Even if I could ever fit in it again (unlikely) it is not exactly current! I think I kept it because it was expensive and I loved it at the time. But goodness…
The hardest things for me to purge were the “expensive” items. I’ve hung on to them for a long time and have told myself that “someday” I’ll wear them again. My lifestyle is pretty casual these days (work part time for a university and can wear jeans to work if I’d like) and I don’t need the blazers and jackets, etc… that I wore at one point in my life. I’ve built up a nice casual work/play wardrobe, but never disgarded all the clothes from a career that ended years ago. Hopefully, someone will find good use for those items. It felt good to get rid of it all. I like some empty space in my closet. Now, I have to be careful not to fill it up again!
@Southmom - that’s awesome!!! It is a huge task to try on every item you own. I recently did something similar in my closet and it’s amazing that now, every piece I see when I first walk in is something I’d be happy wearing.
Haven’t been on the thread in awhile, but we are having some decorating (painting and new carpet) done in the house
and since we have to move things anyway its a good time to purge. I filled one large trash bag from my upstairs sitting room/office today and have put a number of items in the pile for the church rummage sale next month. So far the pile includes a chair and several prints from the walls as well as clothing and books.
I’m slow this week. managed a bag for the work dumpster including a few more of the precious brittle cat litter containers from the driveway! Hope to get one filled up tonight for the trash pickup tomorrow. Getting a little discouraged really - it is very overwhelming.
I was trying to get one of the shelves in the very deep cupboard in the 2nd bathroom emptied (it’s crazy deep - very impractical really - I had to get a broom to try and drag stuff from the back of it to where I could reach). We must have had a massive glitter spill in that closet at some time in the past. There was glitter everywhere including on me. And the shelves have the most hideous lining of some sort on them. Icky brown pattern. Probably leave it alone for now. I think my plan is to have those shelves ripped out and something more practical put in when we have the tub replaced some time this year. The side of the closet forms one wall of the tub enclosure.
Don’t get discouraged, @swimcatsmom. It sounds like you are making progress. All the stuff didn’t get there quickly so its not going to be rectified quickly. Just keep plugging away and be proud of the efforts you are making!
yes, @swimcatsmom keep plugging away. Your posts are encouraging me!
thanks .Maybe I should start focusing on one room instead of running round like a chicken with my head cut off. Maybe if I can actually have one place that is a clutter free haven it may help. Though I may just never leave that room!
I think I’m just tired. My last day off was January 15th when we went to Vegas for a couple of days.
I have to focus on just one room or area. If I don’t, I end up making a bigger mess and getting frustrated and overwhelmed and throw the towel in.
Hang in there…April 15 is just around the corner…