View Full Version : May purge
Digital purging:
Cleared out thousands of screenshots and unwanted photos from Google Photos, going back to 2009
iris lilies
5-5-25, 9:21am
Digital purging:
Cleared out thousands of screenshots and unwanted photos from Google Photos, going back to 2009
I try to delete photos from ICloud storage each week. I pay $.99 per month for storage.
I try to delete photos from ICloud storage each week. I pay $.99 per month for storage.
iCloud is more a sync service. Google is much better for long term storage. I pay $20/year for 100 GB of storage. I’m also a heavy Google Drive user.
iris lilies
5-5-25, 1:18pm
iCloud is more a sync service. Google is much better for long term storage. I pay $20/year for 100 GB of storage. I’m also a heavy Google Drive user.
But I NEED the sync service.
which reminds me, all of a sudden, my calendar is not syncing. God, I am so annoyed when this random tech crap happens. I have no time to delve into this for the next several weeks. And I’m ignoring any advice that tells me to uninstall the calendar and reinstall it because I’m extremely fearful I’ll lose anything already written on the calendar.
One time I went to the Apple Store and they had to fiddle with my calendar and when I asked if all the entries would remain, they told me the entries would remain. The entries did NOT remain.
Set of tiered tray decor and the container it was stored in.
But I NEED the sync service.
which reminds me, all of a sudden, my calendar is not syncing. God, I am so annoyed when this random tech crap happens. I have no time to delve into this for the next several weeks. And I’m ignoring any advice that tells me to uninstall the calendar and reinstall it because I’m extremely fearful. I’ll lose anything already written on the calendar.
One time I went to the Apple Store and they had to fiddle with my calendar and when I asked if all the entries would remain, they told me the entries would remain. The entries did NOT remain.
I use iCloud for sync as I have an iPhone and two iPads. Google Photos is the long term storage. I have a 50GB iCloud plan. I’m well under the max.
In the process of reorganizing photos from photo albums to a photo organizer. Grouping things like all photos of oldest, all photos of youngest, all photos of boys together, vacation photos, pet photos, etc.
Two photo albums have been emptied and decluttered. Three more to go.
Just stripped 3/4 of the flooring from the firstfloor laminate and took it to the dumpster. Will finish this weekend. Then it will sit until the installer (and the kitchen remodel) goes forward the end of June. Had to be done now before the kitchen demo in two weeks. Husband was enthusiastic so took advantage of that.
The Armstrong laminate that was in the house wore well over 28 years but was not waterproof or even resistant. Took no tools to get it up after starting.
rosarugosa
5-14-25, 6:28am
Just stripped 3/4 of the flooring from the firstfloor laminate and took it to the dumpster. Will finish this weekend. Then it will sit until the installer (and the kitchen remodel) goes forward the end of June. Had to be done now before the kitchen demo in two weeks. Husband was enthusiastic so took advantage of that.
The Armstrong laminate that was in the house wore well over 28 years but was not waterproof or even resistant. Took no tools to get it up after starting.
Good luck with your kitchen remodel! Ours involved quite a bit of upheaval during the process, but it was so worth it in the end!
happystuff
5-14-25, 7:41am
Digital purging:
Cleared out thousands of screenshots and unwanted photos from Google Photos, going back to 2009
UGH! After my trip, I need to do this. Maybe not purge everything, but definitely get stuff off my phone and organized.
Took 4 bags of books and puzzles to the Goodwill, along with two shirts.
One more photo album decluttered. Three total so far.
I am going to try one thing a day for a while. Maybe I will be able to do that, then work up to two, then three.
happystuff
5-15-25, 4:21pm
Just found out the exact date of our summer town wide yard sale. As it turns out, I have a scheduled donation pickup the week before. It was motivating, as I've spent a good part of the day filling both the donation bins and the yard sale boxes!!!
Finished the photo reorganization. Got through the last two photo albums and put everything in the organization bin. Five photo albums gone!! Still have to go through each packet and downsize a little the duplicates.
iris lilies
5-15-25, 8:08pm
Finished the photo reorganization. Got through the last two photo albums and put everything in the organization bin. Five photo albums gone!! Still have to go through each packet and downsize a little the duplicates.
Major, major accomplishment!
Major, major accomplishment!
Yes, it was. Basically 21 years of photos. I bought one of those hard plastic containers that have 16 small "packet" containers inside to hold the photos. I divided them up into Oldest Son, Youngest Son, Boys Together, Vacations, Pets, and Miscellaneous. Literally took all of the 16 packets to hold everything. I thought I was going to have to buy another one but I downsized the "pet" photos considerable and got them all into one pack therefore freeing up two that I could use to finish off oldest son's and youngest son's photos.
I think photos are one of the hardest categories to deal with. At this point, I just throw any photos in one large box in the closet and pretend it will disappear. The online photos are even more onerous. DH tried to clean up some of the digital grand-twin photos and gave up as there were literally hundreds sent through the years. He still has several boxes of old family photos that his parents didn't clean up prior to passing away. Every time he tries to eliminate some, he gets sentimental so it doesn't get done.
I think photos are one of the hardest categories to deal with. At this point, I just throw any photos in one large box in the closet and pretend it will disappear. The online photos are even more onerous. DH tried to clean up some of the digital grand-twin photos and gave up as there were literally hundreds sent through the years. He still has several boxes of old family photos that his parents didn't clean up prior to passing away. Every time he tries to eliminate some, he gets sentimental so it doesn't get done.
I am not a very sentimental person and we never look at those photos I organized. For a second, I thought about getting rid of all of them but didn't. Hopefully when my boys get married and start having kids, the grandkids might want to see what Dads looked like when they were younger. Separating them out between each kid, the boys can just take theirs when I pass and split the others if they want.
I am not a very sentimental person and we never look at those photos I organized. For a second, I thought about getting rid of all of them but didn't. Hopefully when my boys get married and start having kids, the grandkids might want to see what Dads looked like when they were younger. Separating them out between each kid, the boys can just take theirs when I pass and split the others if they want.
That's a good idea. I was able to go through photos my dad left behind at his house and reunite the photos with the subjects' children, after 80 years in the case of my dad's old high school girlfriend. The son was floored and very, very happy.
rosarugosa
5-17-25, 6:32am
DH and I culled a big box of pottery, and sister took it away to rehome it. Our cousin visiting from Georgia last week took a few pieces.
happystuff
5-17-25, 7:28am
I have three digital sources to go through just to combine my photos from my recent trip! Should be fun, but the thought of doing it is a bit daunting.
Went through texts, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, and Signal to delete any messages I didn’t need to keep. I also keep an empty email inbox and regularly delete what I don’t need. There’s no reason to keep messages you’re not referring to, plus that eats up phone storage.
ToomuchStuff
5-19-25, 3:31pm
I have an older laser printer at my old house. When Steve died, I picked up a newer, black, laser printer for his house/work/estate stuff when it was on sale, in part because it was wireless, then I have an all in one color laser printer. (this came in handy when printing more copies of the death certificate)
Took the wireless black printer (Brother HL-6200DW) to work today for my "work wife" as she calls herself. She is going through school and her inkjet is dried out, so she has been using the libraries or her sisters. Had a spare toner and sent a ream of paper (toner was picked up on one of my deal of the day sites around the time I bought the printer, still on the starter toner). I don't know what they do now, but when she finishes with her teaching degree, do teachers still print a bunch of stuff, or is it all digital now?
Working on sorting, labeling keys for my family. Plan on going home tomorrow and working around the house.
Just started the new Chemo today, so not giving up.
All posted on local Buy Nothing group:
Big pile of stationery I’ve had for years. Don’t write letters anymore as it just hurts to write that much.
Travel backpack
Big wheeled duffle
Canned veggies and beans I bought too much of.
rosarugosa
5-20-25, 6:56am
An acquaintance was looking for cinderblocks on FB. I asked DH if there was any reason why I could not offer her the one that we have. I think it might have been here when we bought the house 40 years ago, and it actually seemed like a win-win opportunity to get rid of it. DH (who for the record, is a lot less into "stuff" than I am), said, "But that's our cinderblock! You can't give it away. It must be very, very old!" Mm, okay, I'll not pry away the precious family heirloom cinderblock from your hands. I never knew it meant so much to you. :laff:
Ah, Rosa, You just never know what sentiment is attached to a cinder block.
rosarugosa
5-20-25, 12:24pm
Ah, Rosa, You just never know what sentiment is attached to a cinder block.
Apparently not, lol.
Two kitchen canisters. "Just in case" items that I have vowed to no longer keep.
An acquaintance was looking for cinderblocks on FB. I asked DH if there was any reason why I could not offer her the one that we have. I think it might have been here when we bought the house 40 years ago, and it actually seemed like a win-win opportunity to get rid of it. DH (who for the record, is a lot less into "stuff" than I am), said, "But that's our cinderblock! You can't give it away. It must be very, very old!" Mm, okay, I'll not pry away the precious family heirloom cinderblock from your hands. I never knew it meant so much to you. :laff:
OMG. Hysterical.
happystuff
5-22-25, 7:58am
That is so funny, rr. LOL
Decluttered a couple Summer decor items. Namely three bee signs and a Nautical gnome. No room on the mantle for the bee signs and the gnome ended up being "odd man out" because the kitchen was decorated with sunflower decor and the living room with bee decor. Nothing Nautical so it looked strange wherever I tried to put him.
All the items I posted on Buy Nothing group have been picked up. Dropped laser printer and supplies at my church today. I had hardly used it and when asked, my church said they could definitely use it.
The more I looked at my "ice cream" themed tiered tray decor, the less I was liking it so it's getting decluttered. So is my "Cinco de Mayo" themed tiered tray decor.
I am really trying to go with a more simple seasonal decor look so I am really happy to be getting rid of some things.
rosarugosa
5-25-25, 6:28am
Klunick: I don't really understand what tiered tray decor means. Could you please enlighten me?
I don’t do seasonal decor except for a few small Christmas things.
happystuff
5-25-25, 7:49am
I don't do season decor - except for Christmas - either. If I like something, it is displayed - year round. LOL.
Today I need to get back to decluttering. Have the donation pickup mid-week and then the yard sale coming up. Really want to get some up and gone, one way or the other.
Went though some smaller storage tubs in big BR closet and came away with two bags of trash.
Klunick: I don't really understand what tiered tray decor means. Could you please enlighten me?
Couldn't get one that I did to upload correctly but here is an example.
Honestly, if I didn't do seasonal decor, I probably wouldn't have much decor at all. I like being able to change things out monthly so I don't get tired of looking at the same things year after year. I don't have the room to rearrange furniture so this is the next best thing.
ToomuchStuff
5-26-25, 12:57pm
Cluttered, to declutter.
At a garage sale the other day, they had some nice tubs, that normally go on sale for $7, and not on sale could be up to $15.
They had them marked for $2.
I am starting to use them to put items for my family in each on, so no arguing when I pass.
Cluttered, to declutter.
At a garage sale the other day, they had some nice tubs, that normally go on sale for $7, and not on sale could be up to $15.
They had them marked for $2.
I am starting to use them to put items for my family in each on, so no arguing when I pass.
Good idea.
rosarugosa
5-27-25, 6:38am
Couldn't get one that I did to upload correctly but here is an example.
I see, thanks! I don't do a lot of seasonal decor. I do a bit for Valentine's Day and Halloween/fall, and a bit more for Xmas/winter, but I do have a lot of non-seasonal decor and not a ton of space in my home.
rosarugosa
5-27-25, 6:41am
Cluttered, to declutter.
At a garage sale the other day, they had some nice tubs, that normally go on sale for $7, and not on sale could be up to $15.
They had them marked for $2.
I am starting to use them to put items for my family in each on, so no arguing when I pass.
That's a good idea. Seeing families break apart over inheritances was what really pushed us to do a will back in 2018. I used to kind of shrug and say, "who cares, I'll be dead." But then I realized that not having things in order was setting the stage for acrimony and hostilities among our nearest and dearest when we are gone, and that would be unkind and irresponsible. Kudos to you for doing the right thing.
That's a good idea. Seeing families break apart over inheritances was what really pushed us to do a will back in 2018. I used to kind of shrug and say, "who cares, I'll be dead." But then I realized that not having things in order was setting the stage for acrimony and hostilities among our nearest and dearest when we are gone, and that would be unkind and irresponsible. Kudos to you for doing the right thing.
So true, TMS and Rosa! I do try to give things now when it makes sense, too. The tub idea is brilliant.
happystuff
5-28-25, 7:37am
Two boxes and two bags of various items out on the porch for donation pickup! Yay!
I also went on a tear around the house yesterday. Three big crystal bowls that had soooo much dust on them and filled with little things that ended up in the garbage - all cleaned and going into the yard sale. Not sure how much to sell for though.
Did a literal circle around my kitchen. From pantry to junk drawer. Netted quite a lot.
Saran wrap- used for son's Science class and nothing else so it got tossed
Old old old bottle of Buffalo Wing sauce
Two bags of cat treats- cats prefer the lickable kind now
14 old batteries
Scrapes of twine
Empty roll of tape
Address tables with only my name on them
Business cards and scraps of paper
5 pencils
Went to put some laundry away in youngest's room and found four pairs of shorts he never wears that were crumpled up at the bottom of his drawer.
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