Not quite a horder - decluttering

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Mom and Dad died about 6 mos apart. Heirs were my uncle, me, and his 3 children. We discussed what we wanted or what had been promised, took a few things that were special to us and got an auctioneer to take care of the rest. Mom had a loaded gun under her mattress as did my uncle's wife. Both were only for intruders. We don't have a gun. I'm not furnishing a weapon, they'll have to bring their own.

I agree about the secrets. I had diaries, which I wrote in only while depressed. I spent almost 2 weeks shredding them without reading. I don't know about DH, but no one can read his handwriting (including him), so the secrets are safe.

blessings, smilemaker, minus2,

So agonizing to read about cleaning out a parents' house. Must be so difficult with memories not to mention sibling conflicts. So sad. 

Mom is still alive and thankfully is slowly getting rid of her belongings. She has done so much already. 

I dread the thought of anyone having to go through my things. I like having my journals but don't want anyone to read them! Ever. I think I could ask a friend or my niece to destroy them when I die. 

Had a big day working on getting rid of stuff. I sorted papers and brought 5 bags of paper to recycling, threw out 2 bags of clothes and have a pile to take to Goodwill. Problem is I am so sore sorting moving boxes. Not sure what I did. I figure I need to get rid of 1/2 of my things. I am resting today in hopes my neck will feel better tomorrow. 

Bunkie, I am an only child too and understand your journey. Currently I am down with a back injury from an car accident in September, I can't walk more that 30 steps or stand more than a moment or two or the burning pain starts in my back. I can't bear to walk the pain really pulls me down toward the floor. I no longer can stand up straight just since the accident.  I see a surgeon on thursday and hope he can give me my life back. I worry about all the things in this house and what would I do if we have to move.  I read this topic and write occasionally because it hits so close to home. I don't want to put my DD and possibly my sons through what I went through.  

Everyone dealing with parents leavings I really recommend you have a friend or husband go through the bed room drawers and cabinets to remove anything you would not want to see and to never ever tell you what it was. My moms secrets were in hidden letters, I don't know the rest because dear husband dumped the rest.  My friend saw serious  things no one should see of their parents and it scarred her painfully. Having a forward team, not your kids, can make a difference that I recommend.  ( I am not thinking of sexual aids, although it would be nice not to deal with that category of things.) 

Think of me on Thursday when I see the Dr. I want to go to Target, and the Zoo, and the grocery store. I really want to walk around and go somewhere besides the DR in a wheelchair. 

Love you all 

Ginger

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and they grow on all clean horizontal surfaces while you sleep! 

Good luck Thursday. Hope you get good news.

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Wren - I have been considering that. Was it a big job? I have an older home and was scared it would mess up something or leave a scent. Even though I have all that hepa stuff I still get a lot of dust.

Getting the rugs out just has to help. My Grandma lived in an old log cabin and boy did she have various molds in there. I am a fan of duct cleaning and using filters on the vents. I think you have to check with your furnace company to be sure the airflow is not impeded. 

My DD had her crawl space cleaned out and then they put plastic all over inside and it works for them. 

I did see Dr today and have to wear a hyperextension brace for three months. I hope it relieves the pain and I will walk again. I wonder if I can go to physical therapy during this time because I need to be stronger to move about and have even a little bit of endurance. My Grandma's lived to 88 and 93 my Great Aunt 104. I am just so out of shape at 68.  I need to begin getting things out of this house. We brought way way too much with us. 

Does anybody have a book or something to use as a guide to make sense out of downsizing to fit a new and siimpler smaller space? I will need to have some things sold off and we are not in a good spot to have a garage  or yard sale. 

Laters my dear pocket pals 

Hugs Ginger

There are people who specialize in helping people downsize. One had a program at our senior center recently and has plans to do it again. You might check with senior centers close to you to see if anyone has one scheduled. Some of the assisted living places offer classes also. The basic idea is to keep only what you love and what makes you happy. DH and I once agreed that we could both move out of the house and it would still be full lol. Consignment stores take stuff that looks ok and works: furniture, appliances, dishes.

"Saving" that drawer is part of the mourning process, Patmom, and you will know when it is time to go through it.  Meanwhile, you can put all those little treasures your dad collected in a special box, label it "Dad's Drawer."  No need to sort for weeks, months, years.  You'll have gotten a good look at all of it, and maybe culled a bit, but some things just don't lend themselves to scheduled decluttering.