Her parents still live in the same 4,000 sq ft house she grew up in. Her dad has dementia, and they do have lots of help. Sister lives with them some of the time. However, even with that, it is lot for her mom to maintain. And, they recently discovered a shower leak that has caused mold. She and her sister have helped her mom clean out lots recently, but there is still just so much, “stuff.” At this point, moving them would be unsettling to her dad.
I am really glad we did our major downsize a few years ago. I need to do another pass, because even in a small space, things accumulate over time.
Just packed up 2 bags of clothing to be dropped off at the donation center.
We moved a year ago but I still have several framed pictures with nowhere to go. I have decided to get a digital frame (or two) and get rid of most of the frames I have. That will declutter some of my shelves.
Oh and a person in our local Buy Nothing group is collecting socks- singles, pairs, all colors/sizes/fabrics etc. We can drop off at her house and she will take them for recycling.
Just went through more kitchen stuff to donate to the local large rummage sale as they start collecting this week. This is like the 4th pass through my kitchen cabinets and I was still able to create a full box to donate.
Perhaps it is same reason I hold on to so much old schoolwork (that the kids will never want) - it brings back memories of a happy time. Good job getting them gone
Our Buy Nothing group is having a Junk in the Trunk event tomorrow. Like a flea market but no prices. I have 5 wine box size boxes and a couple of bags ready to go! If no one takes something it’s going straight to Salvation Army. Already gave 4 sleeping bags to the Lamb Center homeless center. Got my husband to agree we weren’t going to use them. 2 were Army Artic bags!
We’re replacing all our windows upstairs (this is Phase 1). Found out yesterday the windows have arrived seven weeks early!! Was hoping to have gotten walls primed in two rooms before this happens so I could paint while I have furniture moved and space cleared. Oh well.
I’ve spent the weekend tossing tons of stuff because the area around our windows must be cleared away. In a rabbit warren house like ours, that’s a LOT of work, esp in my sewing room where I have four tables, a Costco shelving unit, a four-block storage unit and 30 tubs of fabric.
Recycling bin is full, have many bags of clothes and kitchen gear to donate, and other items to take to the bulk/specialty recycling center.
Of course, H will be in the office Thursday when the installers arrive (and Tuesday as well), and has had a cold this weekend, so his help has been very limited.
This is when I miss the young, healthy sons who would always happily help me with the heavy lifting. They are both in Krakow this weekend, though. S1 had a conference in Amsterdam, S2 and FDIL met him in Krakow. So glad they both made that effort!
I’m officially retired (for now) and starting to downsize our STUFF (so much stuff!). I just found out our local park is having a community garage sale on Saturday so I’ve been gathering and pricing the low hanging fruit - kid games and sporting equipment and some teenager clothes. Been opening game boxes and counting pieces to make sure they’re complete and most have been. I’m pricing them low. Unfortunately it’s an outdoor sale and it’s supposed to rain a lot on Saturday. They haven’t said a rain date but my twins are graduating from college on two different Saturdays in May and I’m expecting it will be one of those. I also have my first bag ready to donate to the thrift store. And a half full trash bag. Progress in small steps!
I’m confident that sharing this photo will make everyone on here feel as though they are doing an amazing job. My friend is visiting her sister and family who live in another state. She always sneaks a photo of her sister’s home to send to our friend group text. Mostly for my benefit because I am the most minimalist of the friend group and because she knows I cannot stand visual clutter. I am shocked every time I see her sister’s home. I have no idea how these people live like this. So, no matter how you are doing in decluttering/purging/tidying process, I bet you are MILES ahead of this:
