View Full Version : August Purge
Feel like I am starting this month of on the right foot by getting rid of a dirty plastic floor protector - the kind that goes under a desk chair. :)
Feel like I am starting this month of on the right foot by getting rid of a dirty plastic floor protector - the kind that goes under a desk chair. :)
Good job! And here I am still lingering over coffee. :)
Good job! And here I am still lingering over coffee. :)
I'm not sure why, but I ended up with an early start this morning. Not complaining, though, as I'm getting stuff done. Something tells me I'll "crash" earlier than usual tonight. LOL.
Tossed two owner's manuals, a used bank statement book, a screw multi- tool, and a keychain.
Also a decorative pillow.
Went through two pairs of old socks painting this weekend and wanting to protect my pedicure. Normally I do everything at home barefoot.
When I get home from work, two bathmats will be getting the boot. Too small to really do any good anyway. Barely big enough to have both feet on them at once.
Every morning I have been taking something to work for the big dumpster. Today it was crown molding I took down in preparation for the replacement ceiling to go up.
iris lilies
8-4-21, 2:48pm
An anti-tossing thought: Last week I sat in my Hermann living room amidst construction debris and saw where I could put each existing piece of furniture, case furniture, that I have now. We don’t really have a ton of furniture in our Victorian house, it’s not a huge house. And we have a fair amount of built-in cabinetry.
So, I will be taking at least two pieces of furniture that I am not in love with but I like well enough and they will stay in Hermon for quite a while until I get other things that fit more in the 1940s house.
Teacher Terry
8-4-21, 2:57pm
IL, it’s definitely fun to get furniture that really fits the style of the house and things you love. Looking back I am glad my 3 year old couch wouldn’t go up the steps. It would have been to big. My new loveseat is great.
So here is the story of a weird little guerilla decluttering project I've got going on. The small house across the street from us was owned by Mr. & Mrs. O. Mr. O died about 20 years ago, leaving Mrs. O alone in the house. Several years ago, she apparently developed dementia, and her sister-in-law moved in to help take care of her. Eventually Mrs. O went into a nursing home and then passed away maybe 3 -4 years ago. SIL has occupied the house since then, and made some updates, replacing the front door and a few windows. She seemed like a sweet woman and the neighbors all pitched in with lawn mowing, leaf cleanup and snow shoveling. About 6 - 8 months ago, SIL vacated the premises. We were told by a neighbor that SIL had dementia and had gone into a nursing home. SIL had a grandson who came by to help her occasionally, but he lives a couple of hours away. Neighbor apparently talked to him when he came to pick up SIL's possessions, and neighbor's impression was that he would not be back again because house is still in Mr. O's name and grandson has no ownership or expectation of ownership of the house. We are guessing that the house might be vacant for quite some time.
Anyway, SIL had done some decluttering a few years ago, and just piled crap in the driveway (apparently Mrs. O was quite a packrat). It's part of the view out my kitchen window. It doesn't make me crazy or anything, but it's not a pretty scene and I would prefer that the pile of crap wasn't there. I told my intentions to the abutting neighbors, and they had no objections, so DH and I are starting to tackle the pile of crap. Last week, DH put out a barrel of rotting garbage that was in the driveway. This week I filled 3 bags with small crap and 1 large item with a green $2.00 sticker, which is required in our town for disposal of larger items. The plan is to chip away until it's gone. I figure I can bankroll this project. :)
I'll admit that I do have a tiny bit of trepidation, because I have no authority whatsoever to do this, but it's really crappy crap, so I feel like the risk is low enough that anyone will ever care. There was a particleboard desk that DH touched and it collapsed into several pieces, because it's been sitting in the rain and snow for several years. There were lots of old plastic plant pots filled with water, so it was also mosquito hatchery. As a retired person who is reasonably able-bodied, I figure this is my little beautification project on behalf of my neighborhood.
Good for you RR. In his earlier retirement my dad used to clean up pine needles from a messy house down the street that got all over the road and made it slick. No one ever objected. Instead other people on the street also pitched in to help.
iris lilies
8-4-21, 9:57pm
Rosa, you are doing the right thing. Cleaning up your little corner of the universe is a good thing.
Teacher Terry
8-4-21, 10:12pm
Rosa, I think that’s very nice of you.
When DS is mad with me he will not take anything from me (other than the roof over his head). So some foods I got for him have been sitting in the freezer for a couple months. I started eating them last night.
I noticed he bought a bunch of trash bags, not wanting to use mine, which is hopefully a sign he will be cleaning up some of his mess soon.
Teacher Terry
8-5-21, 12:49pm
So a few days ago I have a dream that I have a storage room attached to my condo. When I open the door it’s huge and full of my ex’s junk. I immediately start figuring out how to get rid of it. Ugh!!
iris lilies
8-5-21, 2:06pm
So a few days ago I have a dream that I have a storage room attached to my condo. When I open the door it’s huge and full of my ex’s junk. I immediately start figuring out how to get rid of it. Ugh!!
That is sad/funny.
Teacher Terry
8-5-21, 2:39pm
I said it was a nightmare and one of my friends called it a “mikemare.” She also labeled him the junk master. My friends were all laughing. I do have a storage space on my balcony but it’s small and not full. In my dream it was huge and bigger than my condo.
I said it was a nightmare and one of my friends called it a “mikemare.” She also labeled him the junk master. My friends were all laughing. I do have a storage space on my balcony but it’s small and not full. In my dream it was huge and bigger than my condo.
Did you have the dream after the IL post about having the garage bigger than her house, dwarfing the house? That was a visual that stuck with me.
RR, when you started out using the word 'guerilla', I wondered what was coming. Sounds like a good project for the neighbourhood's benefit. Sad when a property gets lost in the transition stage between former and future ownership.
Teacher Terry
8-5-21, 7:41pm
Tybee, I had the dream the night of 8/3. Not sure what day she posted about the garage. Just looked and that dream is definitely IL’s fault:)).
Good for you, rr! What a wonderful task to undertake! Good luck with it.
A blanket that our former day care lady made for my youngest. Not being used and just taking up space in the linen closet.
Things that have been sitting in my basement for many years are continuing to go to the work dumpster. Side railings to old steps went earlier this week and today I am starting on these heavy, ugly pieces of concrete that were stepping stones in the yard for the previous owners. Taking one every day it will be about three weeks' worth.
Is it still considered decluttering if the items are only in your house long enough to be gone through and discarded? Got a bunch of stuff from the new vet office I took my cats to tonight. Bag full of info brochures and books along with some items like a wet can lid and small bag of dry food. Tossed most of that including the bag because I don't need any of it. Well versed in how to take care of cats, don't have left over cans of wet food that need a lid to be stored, won't feed my cats that crappy brand of dry food, and don't need a bag for anything.
iris lilies
8-6-21, 10:54pm
Tybee, I had the dream the night of 8/3. Not sure what day she posted about the garage. Just looked and that dream is definitely IL’s fault:)).
oh no! Sorry, but haha!
I usually have butternut squash soup for lunch weekdays and it stains the plastic spoon. Rather than trying to clean it and often not succeeding I am tossing the plastic spoons. I have a lot of them, including ones from my DB and DSIL when they moved over 10 years ago. Once I'm through them I want to start using a metal spoon that doesn't have the same ridges on the back that are hard to clean.
Oh gosh, yeah, get rid of those spoons!!
We are working on organizing the barn, and last week I got rid of three paint roller handles, an old ikea cd holder we never even put together, old dry wall tape, two paint cans.
We are going to start on the boxes of books with idea of halving them.
Going to take 3 things of Clorox Bathroom Bleach Foamer into work on Monday and ask the Facilities guy if the Custodians want them. I got them during the pandemic when I couldn't get my usual Scrubbing Bubbles. I never ended up using them and I don't reach for them when I run out of bathroom cleaners because I have my Scrubbing Bubbles again. I don't like the spraying mechanism on it as it tends to spray too much and is harder to wipe up.
One of our customers is a brewery and I had a beer from them sitting in the back of my fridge for a few months now that I finally passed off to my brother. I also continue to make toothpaste with the baking soda in there. Somehow I ended up with two containers of it in the fridge.
A sweater that had stretched so much I could fit my leg through the sleeve if I wanted to. A few other pieces of clothing. A framed picture of me and a couple other people with a message about friendship on the frame from the woman who was my friend but has stopped staying in touch with me because I reached out to others about going to a beach that she didn't want to go to (after I got together with her at a place of her choosing). She was one of the people in the picture.
Large box that had car parts in it
Several old litter boxes
Two office chairs that were supposed to go before
Wooden chair that has been broken for at least 12 yrs
Bean bag
rosarugosa
8-12-21, 5:45am
Got rid of a couple of broken old trash barrels. We're steadily eliminating the unsightly clutter from the "working area" of our yard.
We also put out broken exercise bike and the scrap metal collector picked it up. DH said the manufacturer apparently didn't expect it to be used on a regular basis, and it broke after only 2 years.
Still hauling old concrete stepping stones out of the basement, one per day, to go to the work dumpster. It hurts my back but I should finish up next week.
I still have one more chair to get rid of. A rocking chair that someone bought me when I was pregnant with oldest. Never used it. That was 20 years ago. Nice chair. Just needs a cushion. Might put a "FREE" sign on it and put it on the main road of our housing development. The issue is how to get it there. Too big to fit in my car.
Decided not to remove the rest of the concrete slab stepping stones from the basement as my back feels worse, especially getting out of bed. Maybe once I replace the sinking in mattress and have better support and my back heals I will try again.
happystuff
8-14-21, 10:48am
Not an actual "purge" - yet! So probably more in the lines of "dealing with stuff" - LOL - but I finally got another donation pick-up scheduled! My donation corner already has 1 1/2 boxes of stuff and I have time to go through more areas to declutter. Very motivating to have a date!
rosarugosa
8-14-21, 1:09pm
Decided not to remove the rest of the concrete slab stepping stones from the basement as my back feels worse, especially getting out of bed. Maybe once I replace the sinking in mattress and have better support and my back heals I will try again.
Your back should definitely have priority over the stepping stone project. Hope it feels better soon.
TY RR. The new mattress and foundation should help.
Cleaned out my "she-shed" in late July. Got rid of a broken Aero-bed, a nasty blanket, some Christmas crap, a few dozen plant pots and seed-starting cells, and several other items I haven't used. I can now walk in it and see where things are!
2 pair running shoes, 1 sandals, fanny pack, 2 back packs, 6 Polo tee shirts, Franklin Planner & accessories, a bunch of original boxes for electronics, sun glasses, DVD.
Shredded a bunch of files. Too hot out to go work in the yard, so I decided to clean and organize a bit.
My GPS broke and is in the trash. More incentive for me to get working on a phone with data.
frugal-one
8-14-21, 8:23pm
Culled a number of books and looked up value for those to sell. Two more bookcases to go.
My back felt better so I brought another slab of concrete from the basement for the work dumpster. There are two more after that. There are also two chunks that are too heavy for me that will stay there. One was the base for a clothesline and another a swing set, both long since demolished.
Teacher Terry
8-15-21, 6:34pm
I found paper plates, plastic silverware, cups, etc that I used for outside parties. Giving them to a friend of mine that camps.
Gave a neat old wind up Timex that I had gotten for my dad to my son yesterday.
Ran out of birthday wrapping paper and used up some old Christmas wrapping paper that I had gotten for my dad to use when he was in assisted living.
Found a HUGE model airplane kit that my SIL must have given my husband before we got married. It was still in the original box. It's from a place that sells expensive stuff for people who like unique or modern stuff. Can't remember the name but it's German or something. Obviously my husband didn't have any interest in it so it will get put in my trunk and left on the loading dock for someone to take if wanted. I might also take some of the model trains that my husband bought for our sons who have zero interest in them and stick them on the loading dock as well.
Broken dresser drawer and all the miscellaneous crap that was in it
Hard floor shampooer that hadn't been used in a really long time.
Threw out a small-ish box of old cosmetics and bath stuff. Today I have spent about 4 hours sorting, photographing, (& uploading, editing) office attire from my closet to sell on Poshmark. Already seeing people sharing and showing interest! 17 outfits hopefully gone soon. Cha-ching!
Also made a donation pile of stuff not worthy of online selling.
I have decided to give up my dream of vegetable gardening. Despite adding manure and using mothballs and netting I cannot beat the animals. Next year I am only going to grow herbs, which they generally leave alone.
So at some point I will take apart and get rid of the raised beds. Admitting you have a problem is the first step....
happystuff
8-17-21, 7:45pm
Threw out a small-ish box of old cosmetics and bath stuff. Today I have spent about 4 hours sorting, photographing, (& uploading, editing) office attire from my closet to sell on Poshmark. Already seeing people sharing and showing interest! 17 outfits hopefully gone soon. Cha-ching!
Also made a donation pile of stuff not worthy of online selling.
Is Poshmark mainly brand name/high end clothing?
Is Poshmark mainly brand name/high end clothing?
Not in my case, it isn't. :D But no, I see mid-range labels posted. Of course, the higher end, the more you can ask for. They give a recommended range.
I have decided to give up my dream of vegetable gardening. Despite adding manure and using mothballs and netting I cannot beat the animals. Next year I am only going to grow herbs, which they generally leave alone.
So at some point I will take apart and get rid of the raised beds. Admitting you have a problem is the first step....
I've pretty much done the same thing. Only growing herbs and tomatoes now. Just not worth all the time and energy. I keep my herb pots close to the house so I can just run out and snip some quickly if I need to. That would also deter animals unless they're particularly brazen.
happystuff
8-19-21, 8:32pm
Not in my case, it isn't. :D But no, I see mid-range labels posted. Of course, the higher end, the more you can ask for. They give a recommended range.
Thanks for the explanation. I've heard it mentioned often by different people and sort of assumed it was mainly higher end stuff.
I have some tomato cages in the basement I will take to work, see if anyone wants, and if not put in the dumpster there. Since I will have time to make up from the electrician I may not do it right away since I will want to clock in as early as possible, but probably by the end of the week I will start on it. I am thinking I have three or four days worth of that and some very open trellis type fencing to take in. I have finished with the concrete stepping stones.
Today is our city's bulk recycling day. We're getting rid of some block foam, 2 table leaves to a table we no longer have, an old microwave and an old grill that doesn't function.
Yesterday I cleaned out my kitchen linens. Lots of raggedy dishcloths gone.
rosarugosa
8-21-21, 12:36pm
I have some tomato cages in the basement I will take to work, see if anyone wants, and if not put in the dumpster there. Since I will have time to make up from the electrician I may not do it right away since I will want to clock in as early as possible, but probably by the end of the week I will start on it. I am thinking I have three or four days worth of that and some very open trellis type fencing to take in. I have finished with the concrete stepping stones.
I know one of our local community gardens was looking for tomato cages. There might be a similar need in your area.
Working in the storage room again today. Found a box of curtains from my husband's apartment that he lived in ovet 24 years ago. Put them in my trunk to take to the dumpster at work. Moved the remaining hot rod parts into the attic with the rest. Room is looking really nice now. Even the oldest mentioned something about it this morning.
I returned four items to stores today!
No one at work wanted the tomato cages so I put them in the dumpster. I will have one more load of them when this year's garden is done.
iris lilies
8-28-21, 9:56am
DH took his piles of metal to the scrap dealer yesterday. He came home with over $200.
We have someone coming to take away two metal wardrobes we have had in the attic for 45 years...They were too big for much use and I am so glad to give them away.
happystuff
8-28-21, 12:24pm
DH took his piles of metal to the scrap dealer yesterday. He came home with over $200.
Good for him! Decluttering for profit is a great thing!
Got rid of some mismatched bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
Used one of the two gift cards I received. Came home and put the other (partially used) away and I was crying remembering when DS gave it to me and was still in my life.
Gave my son an heirloom from his grandmother, and the waterproof watch and down jacket his Granddad wore. "Lent" granddaughters three antique Polish dolls from the doll lending library--if they never come back, that's fine, but usually they trade them in and take another for a month or so. Gave that family a jigsaw puzzle I completed.
Husband got rid of about three contractor bags full of stuff from the barn, no idea what was in there.
Still have not touched the books.
happystuff
8-29-21, 4:26pm
Went to craft weekend with siblings. Gave a glue gun and a little folding type - standing bag to hold little things, to two of them. Suitcase I used also saw its last trip and ended up in the garbage. Came home with the stuff from the suitcase in a reusable grocery bag. (I pack light - lol) So, 3 items down.
My notebook of gardening notes since I'm giving up vegetable gardening.
My DW cornered my DD on her last visit to quiz her about some of her stuff she still has not taken to her new home. She has been married over a year and keeps putting it off. Anyway we got rid of a box of her knicky knacky things so we met some head way. We had "personal sized" watermelon sitting on the kitchen counter, unknown to me it had a knife hole in it - probably from picking and rotted and was wept a big mess on the counter and under all the cook books. It was a sticky mess, but it gave me opportunity to clean them up and pull out several cookbooks that we never use and they too went to the donation box.
My wife got rid of a clothes basket that we never use, as well as a blanket. Shredded a big pile of mail - does that count? ;)
Maybe we will tackle the garage, on Labor Day. Have to really psych myself up for that one!
Gave to people from my Buy Nothing group: two hand towels, a sheet set, a pandemic homeschooling kit, a bath mat, 2 shower curtains.
Total for month: 11.
Considering I was out of town and then very busy this month, I suppose it's better than nothing!
Greg paper counts in my mind. It is my biggest nemesis.
I badly need to do a digital purge--going to schedule that for one day a month, a think, and the first is a promising day.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.