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Post by bee17 on Jan 23, 2011 19:57:22 GMT -5
In case anyone's wondering, I'm still here. Have been too busy during the past week to post anything. Now that my move is so much nearer, I need to work a lot faster to make sure I'm ready in time. Last time I moved, the house was in total chaos when the removal men arrived and I had to send them away and reschedule! It was so embarrassing.
Have had to give up on the '2011 items out' challenge, as I don't really have time to list and count all the things I'm getting rid of. Three more bags of stuff went to charity during the past week. About 7 bags of papers/packaging were put out for recycling, and I filled 3 bags with rubbish. Today I made two trips (on foot) to the tip and disposed of about 8 items of clothing, 3 old umbrellas, 3 make-up purses, 1 shower cap, 1 old duvet, 1 plastic tray, 1 plastic box and an old pair of sandals. In addition to all this, I've shredded a sackful of papers.
Some of the things I took to the tip were from my garage. I finally managed to face going out there and seeing what needed to be done. Fortunately, it didn't look as overwhelming a task as I'd imagined, so I'm hoping to get most (if not all) of it cleared by the end of this week. It will mean getting my hands dirty, as some of the things have got damp and mouldy and others are covered with cobwebs and spiders - yuk! Still, it makes it easier to throw them away if they've been spoiled. On a more positive note, I discovered a pair of hiking boots that I didn't know I had! They're brand new - still in the box and never worn! Have no idea when or where I bought them. I have another pair in the house which I probably bought afterwards, not realising I already had the ones in the garage. Has anyone else discovered a forgotten treasure like this?
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Post by messymimi on Jan 23, 2011 21:22:13 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
Great work! The jobs grow in our imaginations when we leave them alone and dread them for long periods of time. I'm glad you are getting through it so well.
Yes, it happens all the time, running into stuff you forgot you had. It's a bit like finding buried treasure. At the same time, you don't want to use that as an excuse to not get rid of stuff, so it's a balancing act.
messymimi
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Post by bee17 on Jan 25, 2011 13:54:17 GMT -5
You're quite right, Mimi. Some jobs do seem bigger than they actually are. However, the converse is also true - some jobs turn out to take a lot longer than anticipated.
Have been struggling today. I'm getting weary of all the work to prepare for my move and feel like I just want to go to sleep and wake up when it's all over. Part of the problem is that it's started raining after a week and a half of good weather. This morning I had to go into town for a dental appointment, so I took a few more items to a charity shop and afterwards took a walk out to my garage and brought a few things back for sorting. The rain started around lunchtime, just before I got home. Was planning to do another trip to the garage this afternoon and a friend had promised to help me, but we ended up putting it off till later in the week.
This afternoon hasn't been totally wasted, though. I spent some time online applying for a job and have also managed to sort through another pile of papers - mostly trash!
Off to get something to eat now. I have far too much food in the kitchen and need to take up the 'Pantry Challenge' again.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 25, 2011 21:13:06 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
Those gray, drizzly days can really get you down, can't they.
I hope the next few days bring more sun, and more motivation.
messymimi
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Post by bee17 on Jan 26, 2011 5:59:11 GMT -5
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for reading and responding to my posts. I sat on the sofa feeling tired and depressed most of yesterday afternoon and didn't even bother to eat properly. Also, I hadn't had a drink since the morning. I finally roused myself around 11.30 pm and decided I needed some sustenance. After eating and drinking I found some energy and managed to pack up a box full of baking tins from my kitchen. Also sorted through some more papers and took down and wrapped some of my china and pottery ornaments. In the end I went to bed around 2 am feeling a lot better, and am back on form this morning. My knees were aching yesterday but seem to be ok now. Maybe I just needed a rest.
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Post by Guest on Jan 26, 2011 8:05:52 GMT -5
Have had to give up on the '2011 items out' challenge, as I don't really have time to list and count all the things I'm getting rid of. You didn't give up on the doing, just the posting of each thing since the doing must take priority.  On a more positive note, I discovered a pair of hiking boots that I didn't know I had! They're brand new - still in the box and never worn! As you put those work boots on think (or if you're quirky like me say to those boots)  |
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Post by butterflygirl on Jan 28, 2011 19:59:37 GMT -5
Dear Bee  I enjoyed reading through your "move." I, too, am preparing for a move. I have lived in my house for 24 years and now, to save $ and due to a divorce (25 year marriage) I am moving out into my garage and renting my big house out!! This has been such an experience. I have 35 totes full of family photos, personal papers, my only son's school papers (he's 22 this June!) I had saved every single school paper from preschool through senior year!! I have managed to whittle my son's papers down to one tote to scrapbook later. Everything for me, with sentimental "papers" was: "I will do this later, doing this later will be fun, I'm saving this for fun and scrapbooking later." Well, "later" going through it hasn't been all that much fun. I must try and move out and get the place rented no later than the end of February. I have been working on this HUGE process since last June. Even before, actually. My son's school papers - took a solid week, standing at the kitchen counter, looking at each paper, then tossing into "keep" or "burn." My neck is permanently kinked! But on other sentimental papers - ticket stubs, news clippings, cards, flotsam and jetsam, I had bought at one time about 20 lovely, flower notebooks, college ruled paper. (Ten cents each! How could I resist!) At least that is one compulsive buy that is paying off. I take one notebook at a time, and that is my daily life line. I write down phone notes, inspirational quotes, bills that I paid and when, budgeting, to do lists - and, I glue in there the sentimental papers with notes about why I love this item, my memory. It's kind of a lovely, on the fly notebook/filing system/journal. So far I have gone through four books like this the past year. No more little bits of precious paper floating about! I know about sitting down, worn out. I spend at least three to five minutes a day crying to myself: "I can't do this! It's too hard!" I really enjoy my daily crying. I've also re-inspired myself by putting on the television a tape I'd made of the Clean Sweep show. I don't have television now. I play that over and over. So I'm not alone! Cheers - and how are you today? Butterfly |
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Post by bee17 on Jan 29, 2011 19:45:18 GMT -5
Hi Butterfly,
Thanks for your kind message. Am gradually getting through all the work but some nights I lie awake worrying. Have not achieved so much during the past week due to lack of energy and motivation. I've booked my move for 17th Feb so only have a couple of weeks left to get sorted. Also, I've given notice on the garage I rent, so that has to be cleared out in the next couple of days.
Today I finally parted with a chair which I inherited from my aunt. It was a quality piece of furniture and I got quite a good price for it from the dealer. I also managed to get a small amount of money for an old dress from the 1960s which I've had in the wardrobe for years (I bought it from an 'antique' clothes shop in about 1981!) Several more bags of stuff have gone to charity in the past few days.
I'm in UK, so am not familiar with the Clean Sweep show. Have been watching a detective drama this evening and managed to go through a pile of papers and a pile of socks/tights while viewing. Am currently sitting on the sofa surrounded by papers which are roughly in four piles - papers to do with money matters, sentimental items, recycling and 'undecided'. I was putting all the sentimental items in a box, but it's getting pretty full now. Most of it could be tossed and I probably wouldn't miss it, but it's hard to let go of things even when you haven't looked at them for years. I have greetings cards from friends who have died or moved on, letters and brochures that remind me of certain events, e-mails with funny stories and jokes, etc, etc.
I've been trying to find a way to pack up all my craft and cardmaking stuff so that it doesn't take up so much space. The other night I counted about 60 cardmaking magazines that I've bought in the last year (I went a bit mad!), and I don't want to part with any of them. That's in addition to all the card, paper, rubber stamps, colouring pens, embellishments, etc. I also have a lot of books to pack up and have got rid of some of the heavier ones to justify keeping the magazines. I'm very attached to my books and craft stuff and feel as if I'd gladly sacrifice all my clothes and furniture to make sure I have room for these on the removal van!
Well done to you for using up your notebooks. I have a real 'thing' about paper and I've collected dozens of pretty notebooks and pads of ruled paper. Have at least one box and two bags full of these, which I rarely use now that I have a computer. Managed to put out some of the cheaper quality ones for recycling yesterday. I think I associate notebooks with school and education and am subconsciously trying to make up for the fact that I never completed my degree. I recently studied a two-year course and thought I would use up some of the paper for that, but in the end I did most of the work on my laptop. Some of the notepads will have to go to charity or be given to friends.
Journeyhome, thanks for your post too. I tried on the boots but they're 'made for walking' and not really suitable to wear around the house. Still, having special clothes for working is a good idea. Whatever keeps you motivated!
Well it's gone midnight here, so I'd better get some sleep if I can.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 30, 2011 22:12:45 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
Worry feels like you are doing something, but really you are only fretting holes in your spirit.
If you want to try to stop the tide of worry, make a worry box, or a bag, or whatever you like. When you have a worry, something you can't do anything about, write it down and put it in the box. Leave it to G-d, or the universe, to take care of, since it is something you can't change. Every time it comes to mind, remember that you put it in the box, and leave it there.
You have my sympathy on wanting books more than furniture! That's my idea of heaven, a library.
Keep working on things, and they will get done. You can do it.
messymimi
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Post by bee17 on Jan 31, 2011 6:35:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice Mimi. I know worrying doesn't help.
Off to spend some time at my garage now. I stopped the payment for February as I planned to move everything out by today, but it looks like I might not manage it after all, especially as I can't get in touch with the friend who offered to help me. It's so annoying that he's switched his mobile off.
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Post by messymimi on Jan 31, 2011 8:36:39 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
The best laid plans of mice and men, sabotaged by the off button. 
Plug away at it, Bee, it will get done.
messymimi
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Post by butterflygirl on Jan 31, 2011 10:31:16 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
I feel for you about the worrying and the making of deadlines. Then running out of energy and motivation. It's a lot of work making this move and clearing clutter. It's not just "stuff" it's emotional as well as physical.
I set myself a number of deadlines. My latest deadline was to be out of my house by the end of January. I had to change that to by the end of February because it was too stressful. I also set myself a deadline of one week to go through my 35 totes (18 gallon) full of memorabilia, sentimental papers and scrapbook making supplies. One week was what it took to go through just two totes and one suitcase of my son's school papers! I ended up spending most of January working on the 35 tote project. I still haven't even opened 12 of those totes.
This morning I have to sit down and re-prioritize.
The important thing is not to be harsh on yourself.
You are doing a FANTASTIC JOB! A HUGE job! and you are doing it by yourself!
On emptying your garage...is there a teenage boy or an out of work handy man in your area who could go with you and help carry and stuff it all into your house so you can keep your deadline?
Alternatively, maybe the garage owner would let you prorate an extra few days or a week, if you go and ask in person.
Remember first and foremost to be kind to yourself.
By the way on your papers and cards storage: can you buy some of those lovely 18 gallon totes? Tape over the holes under the handles that are on them and you can stack them outside in the weather if you have to. (Hopefully your neighborhood is safe).
I would never use boxes. Mice, weather, etc.
Stop going through each individual paper if you are running out of time. You can tell at glance if it mainly looks like a pile of money papers, or cards and letters, or card making supplies.
Then neatly stack these flat inside the totes.
Label the outside.
I now have ten empty totes from my original 35, still have 12 more totes to go through and I am sure I will halve that.
I put my entire life into totes (except for the furniture).
This is, however, why I ended up with a 1,000 totes worth of stuff to go through. Lol!
But I'm doing it! And feeling stronger everyday.
I've even started selling some of my extra totes (and getting my money back on those, yay!)
BTW, Clean Sweep is a show about people who are buried in clutter and the Clean Sweep team (which includes organizer Peter Walsh) comes and empties the room, helps the people go through their belongings while getting down to the real and emotional reason WHY the person has the stuff in the first place, then sells the extra at a garage sale.
I wish I could fly to the UK and help you!
Hugs,
Butterfly
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Post by bee17 on Jan 31, 2011 21:10:48 GMT -5
Hi Butterfly,
Thanks for your encouragement. I did some work in the garage by myself today. Managed to make two trips from there to the recycling centre and got rid of lots of magazines/newspapers, some old cardboard boxes which were damp and unusable, a few pillowcases (bought 2nd hand and never used), a load of plastic bags, three pairs of assorted footwear and some other bits of junk. Then I went back to the garage a third time and picked up several plastic crates (now empty), some cake tins, a few pan scrubbers and cleaning cloths, an umbrella and a small toy (you can see what an assortment of stuff I've been storing in the garage!). Most of these items were given to a friend, so I came back to the house with just one crate and the umbrella and toy. I should be able to at least transport the rest of the stuff over the next couple of days. Then I'll have to start focusing on actually packing up what's in the house, whether it's all sorted or not. If the worst comes to the worst I'll have to leave some stuff in storage and come back for it later - maybe in the summer.
The worst thing is the paper. I found some more piles of letters and stuff in the garage which will need to be gone through and shredded. It's all so time-consuming, as you well know. I feel for you with the number of totes you have to go through. I've been focusing on throwing out the magazines (without looking at them), as they are heavy and take up space. It helps to know they can be recycled and are not totally going to waste.
Another problem is that I have several pieces of furniture to dispose of and I've left it a bit late to try and sell them. I bought a large wall unit from a charity a couple of years ago and planned to give it back to them, but they said they wouldn't take it as these things don't sell now. I'll probably end up paying to have it taken away.
Clean Sweep sounds a bit like a programme that was on here a few years ago, called 'The Life Laundry'. I used to watch this and it featured a woman called Dawna Walter who helped people dispose of all their hoards of stuff. Almost always there were tears. I've not had time to get emotional about stuff, although I'm beginning to regret selling the chair, especially as my Mum was a bit upset that I let it go so quickly (it belonged to her sister). I probably could have got more money for it but didn't have time to search around.
Well I'm off to bed now. It's nearly 2 am here and I have to be at the dentist for 9.30 tomorrow morning. Have packed up another bag for the charity shop to take into town with me. Then I'll be going back to the garage. The lady I rent it from is an old dear who lives in a messy house. She uses some of the garages to store her own stuff, I believe. She's quite happy for me to take extra time and settle up with her when I've finished.
Bye for now.
Bee
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Post by messymimi on Feb 1, 2011 8:03:07 GMT -5
Dear Bee,
Good work on the garage!
If it is getting to be too much to shred the papers, there are other methods.
One is to have a bucket of water nearby. Dump all the papers into it. Actually, i like to use an ice chest (cooler) because it has a tight fitting lid so animals won't get curious and fall in to drown. Leave the paper in the water for a day or two. Then reach in and just mush it up. It will be totally unreadable, and you drain it and toss.
Another way is the pet method. Just put the papers in the bag that holds the dirty cat litter/dirty papers from the bottom of the bird cage/doggie flops gathered from the yard/wood shavings from the bottom of the small animal cage/you get the idea. Nobody wants our info badly enough to try to scrape the pet mess off of it. 
Hope you do find takers for the furniture. You never know, you could still find someone who wants those things, although you might not be able to sell them, it's better to give them away than pay to have the hauled off.
messymimi
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Post by bee17 on Feb 1, 2011 8:57:05 GMT -5
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for the bucket of water idea. I might try that as it will save electricity as well as time. My shredder is pretty old and only does two or three sheets at a time, depending on thickness. I was thinking about dumping it and buying a more efficient one. Can't use the pet method as I don't have any pets. Also, I'd find it hard to put any sentimental papers in with the muck. I tend to use separate sacks for paper/clean waste and for food/messy waste, even though I know it all ends up in the same place!
Didn't get to sleep till gone 3 am last night and then had to be up early and out for my appointment, so I'm pretty tired today and my eyes are all baggy. Have had a really painful knee for the past few days, but that seems to be improving. I was feeling weepy when I left the dentist so I wandered round the shops till it was ok to eat (after having my tooth filled), then treated myself to a coffee and a nice piece of cake. I also bought another set of clear stamps for my cardmaking - they don't take up much space. Am now going to have a bite to eat and then see if I can face heading back out to the garage. If not I'll just take things easy today and start again tomorrow after I've had some proper food and proper sleep. There are plenty of jobs I can do sitting down!
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