View Full Version : May Purge
Not a big one, but donated some books to the little "Give a book, take a book" library box by the local park. I like seeing that it is being used, so love contributing and even taking a book or two every now and then.
Just posted in the April purge thread in error. So see that one if interested. I moved last week. The purging continues....
Teacher Terry
5-8-23, 1:14pm
Moving is the perfect time to get rid of stuff. What did you decide to do with your grandma’s china cabinet?
I wondered, too. I will say I lost my mother's because of what my brother did, unfortunately.
BUT, I managed to keep a Swedish crystal vase that was in there that she loved--full of little sea gulls--and a crystal jam jar from my grandmother that was in there.
Can you pull out something like that and let the big stuff go?
I still have it. I think I am going to do you suggest, Tybee. It's just a large piece of furniture that I know no one will want or want to deal with when I'm gone. I have several things of grandma's to remember her by. I don't need her entire china cabinet. I've had it for 30-some years already.
I have no idea where to try and unload it; an antique shop I suppose. Ugh, do I have the energy? Not right now.
Continuing with the yard. Broken limbs from the March storm done, most leaves done, juniper branches damaged by rust fungus done, working on weeds.
Good job, Yppej. KayLR- yes, getting rid of big old furniture is hard. Hoping you can find a way.
iris lilies
5-9-23, 12:14pm
Good job, Yppej. KayLR- yes, getting rid of big old furniture is hard. Hoping you can find a way.
Tell me about it. These large pieces of furniture exist in my home: huge 1970’s era bedroom set, giant rolltop desk, two floor clocks that do not work, oak chest of drawers. All are stored the basement or garage because I refuse to have them in main house. They belong to DH, he will not get rid of them.
I know with absolute certainty that within a week of my death, these items will be piled into this house.
But I won’t care because I am dead!
iris lilies
5-9-23, 12:15pm
I still have it. I think I am going to do you suggest, Tybee. It's just a large piece of furniture that I know no one will want or want to deal with when I'm gone. I have several things of grandma's to remember her by. I don't need her entire china cabinet. I've had it for 30-some years already.
I have no idea where to try and unload it; an antique shop I suppose. Ugh, do I have the energy? Not right now.
must you get money for it? Giving it away may be the solution.
The longer they are held the less they seem to be worth. Around here any large wood furniture pieces are now rarely picked up by any charities including Restore for Habitat or Humanity. In fact, large desks, china cabinets, big dressers, etc. are specifically refused. Understandable since few people want to transport or move the large pieces anymore.
must you get money for it? Giving it away may be the solution.
Not really. I'm glad if someone really wants it to just give it to them. I may take a shot of it and take it to an antique dealer here in town just for kicks and advice.
iris lilies
5-9-23, 1:10pm
Not really. I'm glad if someone really wants it to just give it to them. I may take a shot of it and take it to an antique dealer here in town just for kicks and advice.
An old antique dealer of stuff may want it just as a display case in their shop.
Our Hermann house had a built-in walnut case that was huge. We donated it to the local antiques seller and he now uses it in his shop as display furniture
The longer they are held the less they seem to be worth. Around here any large wood furniture pieces are now rarely picked up by any charities including Restore for Habitat or Humanity. In fact, large desks, china cabinets, big dressers, etc. are specifically refused. Understandable since few people want to transport or move the large pieces anymore.
This thing really isn't your typical 70s-era cabinet. It is quite lightweight, light in color, lots of glass. It's probably circa 1935. I've never really seen anything like it. But that being said, it's quite plain. I think that's one reason I like it.
This thing really isn't your typical 70s-era cabinet. It is quite lightweight, light in color, lots of glass. It's probably circa 1935. I've never really seen anything like it. But that being said, it's quite plain. I think that's one reason I like it.
So, must you get rid of it? DH and I, during out downsize, allowed each other one thing that normally would not be considered for use in our new, smaller home. He chose his mother's hammered brass log box. I chose my great-aunt's mahogany Gov. Winthrop desk. Mine is the more imposing--it's a dark stain and it's not huge, but not small. I know it really doesn't fit the vibe in the house, but I, like you, am encumbered by the sentimentality of it.
I know it's hard to repurpose china cabinets because who even buys china anymore? But could you repurpose it as a bookcase or something similar?
And if not, and if no antique dealer wants it, do you have a Freecycle in your area?
Teacher Terry
5-10-23, 12:28am
Kay, if you sell it cheap someone will buy it on Nextdoor or Facebook marketplace. I sold a bunch of furniture when I downsized 2 years ago.
So happy to get rid of my manual can opener. Being a lefty, I have struggled my entire life with those things. Electric ones were always bulky and I could never get the can to sit right to open it correctly. Found a product on Amazon that is basically hands free. You stick it on the top, push a button, and it goes around the can by itself. I've used it twice so far and it's great.
took a carload of stuff to our church earlier this week for the upcoming garage sale. So glad to have it out of my garage.
I donated 3 books and returned a shirt. Total for month: 4
Yesterday I got rid of FIVE area rugs via Freecycle. We've moved from an all-hardwood floor house to one with carpeting and tile throughout. I was tired of these particular rugs anyway. BUT....
the cool part was, when the person came to pick them up, she told me they were going to cozy up some cabins occupied by forestry workers. They're kind of cold and stark cabins, so it made me feel good that they would enjoy them.
I love using Freecycle. Think I've said this before.
A friend posted on FB he was looking for a certain bit of dive gear. Turns out I had what he wanted. $150 cash for me. I’d given a pair of fins to a friend. They didn’t work for her so she sold them and sent me $43. Sold another bit of gear I found while looking for the first piece. Sold that for $100. Shipping will probably eat up $15 of that.
rosarugosa
5-14-23, 5:56am
I gave away a branch chipper and some large plastic pots via our local FB giving page, so now our shed is a bit less crowded. I also needed to dig up a couple of large 'Autumn Joy' plants to make room for a new plant (fellow gardeners can surely relate). I offered them on FB and they were picked up within the hour.
rosarugosa
5-14-23, 6:00am
Oh and here is a somewhat unusual one. My sister lives in a condo in the city. Last year, she gave me the cremains of two of her former cats and asked if I would bury them in our yard, since she doesn't have a yard. I finally interred them a few days ago.
Might have gone too far with this one but I got rid of my bedroom curtains... but I am loving it!! They served no purpose as they were never closed and only caught cat hair as our cats made their way from the dresser to each window sill in the bedroom. We live in the woods so no privacy issues to worry about. Yes, it does give the room a sort of "house for sale" feel but just the freedom of not having to wash them because of the dust and cat hair is worth it!!
iris lilies
5-14-23, 11:13am
Might have gone too far with this one but I got rid of my bedroom curtains... but I am loving it!! They served no purpose as they were never closed and only caught cat hair as our cats made their way from the dresser to each window sill in the bedroom. We live in the woods so no privacy issues to worry about. Yes, it does give the room a sort of "house for sale" feel but just the freedom of not having to wash them because of the dust and cat hair is worth it!!
I had a fantasy, impractical and short lived, that I would FOR ONE TIME IN MY LIFE have a beautifully appointed bedroom with lots of fabric appointments: drapes, bed hanging, etc. and this is the fantasy: I would shut out any cats, cats never allowed in.
haha that has not come to pass, my bedroom isn’t decorated and my cat must sleep with me.
Posted a bunch of small bits and bobs of dive gear on my FB page. Mostly gone within an hour. One guy took the majority of it. He missed it was all free. Told him if he wanted to give me $25-50 (his choice), I wouldn’t turn it down. He said he’d give me $50. Picking it up in an hour or so.
Posted a purse I didn’t like on buy nothing group. Should go quickly.
I had a fantasy, impractical and short lived, that I would FOR ONE TIME IN MY LIFE have a beautifully appointed bedroom with lots of fabric appointments: drapes, bed hanging, etc. and this is the fantasy: I would shut out any cats, cats never allowed in.
haha that has not come to pass, my bedroom isn’t decorated and my cat must sleep with me.
Didn't help that the curtains are dark blue and one of the cats is bright orange. :laff:
More weeds, dead pieces of juniper, cut down some tall grasses. It has been very rainy and there are lots of weeds.
Fifteen pairs of office shoes, boots and sneakers. :|( (I used to be a shoe freak. When I was working)
I got new rugs for my living room and dining room which necessitated new pillows and a throw (blanket) for the former. Rather than schlep around to different stores, I over-ordered stuff online so that I could try out different combinations of pillows and throws until I found one I like. Success! It worked.
The only danger: I have a tendency to forget to return things within the allowed time frame, which has contributed a lot to my already sizeable issues with clutter (not to mention my issues with money!).
But I ordered most of these things within the last 2 weeks and today I returned 5 items to stores. I count this in my monthly tallying. I also gave away a bathroom scale on Buy Nothing.
New total for month: 10.
Five exercise DVDs to the charity shop. (*snort,* right. I was gonna use those. :D)
iris lilies
5-18-23, 6:32pm
Oh and here is a somewhat unusual one. My sister lives in a condo in the city. Last year, she gave me the cremains of two of her former cats and asked if I would bury them in our yard, since she doesn't have a yard. I finally interred them a few days ago.
Yes that IS an unusual purge!
Kay-I have several of those I could get rid of...Thanks for the idea! I got rid of 4 dead lavender plants...still have a couple in good shape. Humidity here is hard on them.
Tonight it will be a semi blazer type jacket that is very flowy and the flowy sleeve got smeared when I wiped myself today and I couldn't get it clean. These sleeves often get in the way and this is the last straw.
frugal-one
5-19-23, 2:55pm
Use brake clean (in the automotive dept. put on stain and immediately wash).... it gets EVERYTHING out... even if washed in.
I returned 3 more items to stores and gave away 8 more items on Buy Nothing. New total for month: 21.
rosarugosa
5-21-23, 6:03am
I gave away two pairs of shoes yesterday via Facebook group. Now the trick will be to stop buying shoes that just aren't quite right. I cleaned the closet last week, so I have 5 other items to give away or donate.
I put 2 winter tshirts in the give away pile.
happystuff
5-22-23, 8:55am
Had two boxes of clothing and misc. items picked up this past Friday. I would have liked to have added more, but was packing for camping. But at least it was something!
I returned 5 items to Amazon and took 14 items to Goodwill. New total for month: 40.
Working on the yard, digging up sod because I don't want grass in my yard that has to be mowed. I put a little in the bottom of each yard waste barrel but they don't take yard waste every week so it's a slow process.
Working on the yard, digging up sod because I don't want grass in my yard that has to be mowed. I put a little in the bottom of each yard waste barrel but they don't take yard waste every week so it's a slow process.
What will you replace the grass with?
Electronic decluttering including messages to and from a fellow activist who has gone off the deep end. Also blocked her. Haven't decided if I will go places where she might be or not.
mschrisgo2
5-29-23, 11:22pm
Working on the yard, digging up sod because I don't want grass in my yard that has to be mowed. I put a little in the bottom of each yard waste barrel but they don't take yard waste every week so it's a slow process.
where I live one could sell that sod…
Left a local online discussion group that absorbed a lot of my time after the moderator censored one of my comments. Continuing with electronic decluttering - deleted 388 messages or emails last night. At home I am busy this time of year working in the yard with reading breaks when I get hot. At work I will need to find something else to keep me busy since the boss hasn't come up with anything. Will see what comes into my life organically. Maybe volunteering on a campaign. Also finishing up on some open civic issues with the City.
Trash bag full of clothes. I could have done more because my husband has a bunch of suits that no longer fit him but our sons probably can so he wants to save them on the off chance one needs a suit.
Simplemind
5-30-23, 12:34pm
Just finished our annual garage sale. Decided to update our stereo/home theater system to go wireless and well.... just less. I know it was hard for DH to give up his tall Klipsch speakers that he has held so dear. He was amazed at how much they were worth as his sister had given them to him for free years back. After talking about what we like as an idea, Gaming (kids are gone, we don't play) AM/FM radio, CD player (that held 300) and DVD player, we looked at how we actually live and put them up for sale. Radio stations are now streaming. Netflix is stopping DVD service in a couple of months and there is so much content on streaming that we won't be watching DVD's. We sold enough to pay for a whole new Bose system that takes a quarter of the space. I love recycling!
iris lilies
5-30-23, 12:42pm
I want to get a clean, simple audio Soundsystem for our house. All the contact will be streamed. I’m not picky about sound quality, exactly, so I don’t know need expensive speakers. But that is quite a bit down the road because that is technology that I have to set up and blech.
I want to get a clean, simple audio Soundsystem for our house. All the contact will be streamed.
My wife has a cheap bluetooth speaker which she moves around the house and outside as needed. She streams music from her phone and it works well for her. I believe the speaker was under $20 and has a rechargeable battery.
When we were building this house 28 years ago, I came in before drywall installation and ran monster cable to various in-wall speakers located throughout the house, all terminating in the family room where we planned our media center. I'll bet we haven't used that system in the last 10 years or so.
On the same note, I also ran Cat5 data cables to multiple locations in each room of the house, terminating at a planned switch location in the basement. That provided us easy access to internal networking and internet connectivity for a decade or so, then wireless became a thing. Just like the speakers, we haven't used the ethernet network in years.
If I were you, I'd keep it simple. Grab a portable bluetooth speaker or two and be prepared to abandon them when something new comes along.
I have a small space so a $99 Apple HomePod mini speaker that sits on my desk, right where all rooms connect, has been a good choice for me. Good sound and I stream from my iPhone.
On the purge topic, got rid of a ton of small crap over the weekend. Straightened up a lot. Kitchen and LR are much calmer now.
Similar to what Alan and Tradd use, DH has an affordable Bose speaker that is very hardy and reliable with great sound quality.
https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Color-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00N32IC0W?th=1
Similar to what Alan and Tradd use, DH has an affordable Bose speaker that is very hardy and reliable with great sound quality.
https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Color-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00N32IC0W?th=1
We have the same one and love it, and sometimes hook it up to the TV/
iris lilies
5-30-23, 10:20pm
My wife has a cheap bluetooth speaker which she moves around the house and outside as needed. She streams music from her phone and it works well for her. I believe the speaker was under $20 and has a rechargeable battery.
When we were building this house 28 years ago, I came in before drywall installation and ran monster cable to various in-wall speakers located throughout the house, all terminating in the family room where we planned our media center. I'll bet we haven't used that system in the last 10 years or so.
On the same note, I also ran Cat5 data cables to multiple locations in each room of the house, terminating at a planned switch location in the basement. That provided us easy access to internal networking and internet connectivity for a decade or so, then wireless became a thing. Just like the speakers, we haven't used the ethernet network in years.
If I were you, I'd keep it simple. Grab a portable bluetooth speaker or two and be prepared to abandon them when something new comes along.
Yes, that sounds good. I tried it once years ago, but return the system because the speakers had to be plugged into electricity I guess. I don’t know that they have battery powered ones. I want to do take them out to the patio.
With our city house that we started renovating in 1989 we were not cable TV people and so we did not run cable with the walls open and that was a stupid decision for many years until it became a decision that didn’t matter a whole lot by the time we sold it.
When I get home it will be a pair of Capri pants with three rows of metal buttons that all dig into my waist.
My DD bicycle, she has been married and moved across the U.S. for nearly a decade. Gave it to a co-worker who was excited to get it. DD who lives local said we can also give
her bike away (she claims they don't have room to store it). That will leave two bicycles in the garage for the two people who live here! I ride mine to work often, but DW hasn't rode
in years - I mean years, but feels a need to hold on to the second bike...
I am in a similar quandary with my great-aunt's Gov Winthrop desk. I recently moved it from the living area into my 2nd bedroom/office, but it is just way too big, and it's dark mahogany. My office is a bright, funky eclectic vibe (mid-century modern meets farmhouse). This big mass of wood just doesn't go, yet, the other thing that doesn't go is my attachment to it.
My plan is to paint my office (it needs it desperately) and then chalk paint the desk the same color in order to visually help it blend in. I may be diminishing its monetary value, but I doubt there's much of that anyway (I've seen the same desk sell online for about $500).
It may be that its size, no matter what its color will still keep the office from being functional. This room is already a bedroom/office/sewing studio/art studio/laundry room and library. And it's only 80 square feet. If that's the case, I'll let it go. I could put it in the storage unit, but what's the point of that--just like IL said, if I die, no one in the family will want it and until then the poor thing is just sitting in the dark unused when maybe someone might enjoy it.
Sidebar: I've always thought that I'd love to know of, or start, a thrift shop called "A Storied Past"--where people would donate the goods, but also include the story behind them. I'd love to read the stories behind some stuff given away, and being able to tell my story would help me emotionally to let it go.
Catherine, I feel for you. So far the furniture in our house fits...50 years worth and when we moved in this little house was EMPTY. Big attic and large basement, 2 little bedrooms, dining room now office, writing space, as well as dining space for 4-6 if I have a bit of notice) , living room and kitchen. Now full! When we had rooms painted I considered getting rid of things, but no real need yet.
Your idea of a story behind the furniture is great. I wonder if anyone would be interested.
Teacher Terry
6-6-23, 12:39am
Catherine, your description of your office and all its duties made me laugh. My guest bedroom is also my office and my dryer is in there too as well as my drying rack. The bedroom is not very big either:)).
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