Not quite a horder - decluttering

Jazzy--Good point about rewards being experiential and not necessarily a physical thing.

GoKale4320--Wow, what a lot of work on your Mom's house, and what a reward for a job well done! It can be hard to let go of past places, but it sounds like you are in a good place.

MCBaker--it would be nice to be able to hire a professional, but you can also get some really great ideas from Pinterest and other websites. I search "organization hacks" once in a while to find different ideas. That's where I saw the idea of using an underbed storage bin for shoes, and that works great for me.

Wren--there are some retirement villages that are set up like you describe, and they are beautiful. I hope you find one someday.

Jazzy--it must be nice to see the place you grew up being taken good care of and bringing joy to another family.

Wren44 - I have often thought "patio homes" would be nice. They are separate dwellings that have homeowners associations that do the lawn maintenance. I also think patio homes are ranch-style so no stairs to contend with. These are not necessarily senior living communities - I think all ages live there. Though I bet there are some senior-living patio home communities out there.

Jazzy, I like the reward being an experience rather than something tangible. I don't really want to bring in more stuff lol

Jazzygirl,

Your seating area is very inviting. I'll be right over. Hahaha.

Gumdoctor

Jazzygirl,

I sure am looking forward to new pictures of that beautiful spot.

Gumdoctor

Three subzero days expected next week. I'm leaving. Taxol be damned!!!

DodgersGirl--I am so sorry for your loss. {{{{hugs}}}}}

NativeMainer and Illimae- thanks.

Mom spent a few days in ICU but was then moved to Comfort Care on the Oncology Floor. The staff on that floor was amazing. They kept her comfortable and peaceful. And, they were very caring to the family. I hope my last days can be that peaceful.

Now we are going through all the kitchen items that dad will never use as well as a couple of cookbook shelves. Amazing how much stuff we collect when we have been in the same house for decades

DodgersGirl, Sorry you lost your Mom. I know what you mean about the house being lived in for a long time. I couldn't believe some of the things we found after my Mom passed. We need to get busy on ours, although DS is willing to burn it down with everything in it.

Dodgersgirl - keeping you in my thoughts. Hope you are not rushed to sort through everything. I only had two weeks to clean out a house in a different state that they'd lived in 60 years.

Lady Dodger, the acceptance in that statement about hospice Is wetting my eyes. My mother died some five years ago. She had Alzheimer's, but her heart gave out first. They had just transferred her from semi-independent to full nursing home, and the stress of the change was too much for her. She did well for years on the new drugs to cover the deterioration, but she finally started having seizures. My brother came here with her, a drive of several hours, for a visit only weeks before she passed. I remember bro and I having a reminiscent conversation, and her eyes flitting back and forth, trying to follow it. Bro and I are eleven months apart so our communication style sparkles with common experiences. Most of the stuff from the house had been trimmed out in the previous ten years, first a temporary move in our hometown until a place opened up in the town where my sister lives. There for most of the rest of the time, then to semi independent, then to the brief stay at the full-care facility. We had a storage unit, and divided up most of what was left.

I got the shelving unit, set it up, and got my books out of hiding. Got a small stepladder so I can store stuff on the high shelves. Got a wig. Today I am expecting broccoli seeds for sprouts, and a new set of filters for my air cleaner. Then some gifts, two packages of hats and fabric, and a replacement vaping device. Then a McCall's pattern for making headcovers. Monday is my birthday, I deserve it. I think I remembered everything.

As I get all my stuff put away and start decorating I will need to get more doilies. In order to integrate the doilies, new furniture like the bookshelves, and old furniture, I need to get some steampunk into the decor, cogwheels have some of the same form as doilies. I may buy some, hem some muslin, and spray-paint their shadows on the muslin for several places, including the top of the bookshelves. Waterworld started steampunk, and it is my favorite movie of all time.

It still hurts, and always will. I have discovered that women who are over 60 and who are orphans-- yes, we grant ourselves that status; we mother each other. No matter how old you are, there is a hole. I remember when my father had his stroke, I told him that Mom was going to be there soon. Meaning my mom and his wife. He got confused and started calling for his mother. Never realized how true it is until some of the toughest times of my life.

Dodgergirl- sending you love during this difficult time ♥️

Dodgersgirl- I so understand that feeling. Find the momentos that remind you of your relationship and keep those.

Cleaning out our mom's house was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Sending much love

Vargadoll— thanks