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Post by gettingsomewhere on Jan 31, 2010 12:55:27 GMT -5
you are awesome, hugs and love to ya sweetie. xxx
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Post by lostagain on Jan 31, 2010 13:45:06 GMT -5
Thanks so much sweetie! gigi - check about thrift store pick up (unless you want to take them to sell somewhere) - they bring everything and actually MOVE it for you - even down stairs.  Going through some of the smaller stuff today - OMG have already filled three bags with PAPER!  Can't believe I had so much - all stuffed in boxes. Still have a lot of paper but at least it is "meaningful" stuff  Found a box full of ...BOXES which are full of stuff. Not dealing with that at the moment. Had to shake my head and laugh! I also found a box of things that do not belong to me - I stored them for a friend YEARS ago. We are no longer in touch - any ideas what to do? Maybe try to reach her? These are photos, not something I feel too comfy just tossing. ARGH. JUst put lid back on box and kept storing it. It's just one plastic container of things so not a TON of stuff, but still annoying. xo EDITED to correct name - sorry there gigi - I called you "butterfly" because I was thinking of your avatar! |
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Post by messymimi on Jan 31, 2010 19:31:59 GMT -5
You have done a wonderful job!  Congratulations on getting so much accomplished. For the old friend you've lost touch with, have you tried to track him/her down on facebook? Lots of people are reconnecting through that site, I understand. messymimi |
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Post by lostagain on Jan 31, 2010 19:58:14 GMT -5
Thanks - yeah well we were in touch for a while, then when Bob died she did not even acknowledge that. I was SO angry - she could have just said SOMETHING - anything - that was my fault for being angry and cutting off communication with her. But I do still have her photos, and I am not going to trash them. I think I will re-establish communication, at least to return her things. Thank you for the nudge. |
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Post by gettingsomewhere on Jan 31, 2010 20:16:26 GMT -5
hey lost, i just thought i would let you know that it is very common for people, even those close to us to ignore the death of a loved one. i know that probably sounds ridiculous but in my experience many who have never been through this process agonise over what to say and how to do it, and before you know it they feel that the time has passed and it becomes an awkward situation. i have told many in this situation that it really doesn't matter what you say, but say something!! i am hoping you are able to locate your friend and resume some kind of relationship, even if it is different now to what it once was.
take care, xxx and woohooo for getting through boxes.
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Feb 3, 2010 22:52:14 GMT -5
I assume a dolly is also known as a handtruck? I paid only $20 for a handtruck at a discount store, and it's wonderful! A handtruck and a few bungee cords let's me move 3 boxes at once--up/downstairs as needed. With a helper, we could move a refrigerator.
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Post by Butterfly on Feb 3, 2010 23:37:12 GMT -5
...sorry there gigi - I called you "butterfly" because I was thinking of your avatar!  ! No worries. I realized what happened and thought it was kind of nice. I kinda wish I'd used butterfly as my screen name. I love the symbolism of butterflies and I think it's so appropriate for all of us here. I should ask the mods if there's a way to change my screen name. |
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Post by gifted on Feb 3, 2010 23:52:01 GMT -5
lost again,
Congratulations,
It is wonderful that you carried out your plan, and have gotten rid of some things. I have been lucky enough to not deal with going through a departed loved one's things, so I can't imagine how it would be.
Gigi,
When I moved cross-country, the grocer recommended egg boxes. (Yes, they put the cartons of eggs inside of cardboard boxes, or they used to, that was fifteen years ago. They were rather small, and veery sturdy.) I also like the boxes that office supply places sell for storing papers. They are not quite as study, because they are two peices, with a separate lid. Although it was a rather expensive option, it meant I could order from the office supply store, and have them delivered for free, so it suited me, since I am without a car, and hauling boxes home a few at a time on the bus was a waste of time.
Oh yes! The boxes that office paper comes in are small and strong. So if you or freinds work in an office, maybe you can get some.
Depending on the steepness of your stairs, you might put a board on the stairs and try sliding a box down on the board.
I also have a book problem.
hgf,
be careful what you say on this board! I have three defunct major appliances;2 refrigerators and an upright freezer. Alas, I do not have a pathway to the door for them., so you and your hand truck (yes they are the same.) are safe.
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Post by lostagain on Feb 4, 2010 0:20:25 GMT -5
Haha yes! Handtruck! I have always thought of them as "dollys" for some reason. I got in touch with my friend and got her address. Her photos are in albums - they're not "scrapbooked" liek with all the fancy stickers and everything. I'm going to remove them from the albums so I can get them all in a smaller box. What a relief. It is one Rubbermaid container worth of her things, so even though that's a small little bit of my junk, it will be good to get that taken care of. And trust me - I still have LOADS of Bob's things. At least I've gotten a bit started though. |
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Post by shopgirl on Feb 4, 2010 15:30:00 GMT -5
Oh Miss Lostagain, you did so well! 300 books is no small feat. And so excellent you got rid of the magazines and catalogs. Your friends sound like wonderful girls. What you're doing is probably the most difficult process of all: letting go of the belongings of a departed loved one. Tears and crying are normal, and to be expected. Give yourself plenty of slack, don't be hard on yourself. When I got rid of 300 books, I did it a bag a day. I put them in the trunk of my car, then dropped them off at the library. I rewarded myself with a fun DVD or CD borrowed from the library to enjoy that evening. It took me about a month to get rid of 300 books, but oh, what a great feeling! I was able to give a huge empty oak bookcase to my friends: newlyweds just starting out! Many hugs to you, dear girl. |
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Post by shopgirl on Feb 4, 2010 15:36:22 GMT -5
PS: Don't spend the time removing your friend's photos from her albums. Just stick the whole plastic bin in a cardboard box, slap a mailing label on it, and send it Book Rate. Worth the extra cost to not have to deal with HER stuff in addition to everything you've got going on in your own life. Chalk it up to the cost of friendship. Your other friends came through with a free dolly, so it all averages out.
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