Making do with less
Comments
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I am going to join the group, too! I need to get off the d@#n computer and get busy. That's my major problem is being on the Internet and I can't get anything done. My husband's office is a junk hole with boxes upon boxes of old photos. I bought photo boxes prior to dx and have only filled one!
Better run to get busy!!!!
Cathy -
Iodine!
Brave! Brave! Brave! I was scrolling down and thinking just what you wrote ... The alley idea is great too ... or the local hospice .... or hospital volunteers (books, etc.) ..... a tax idea... donate to an organization that provides receipts and the donation becomes a tax deduction. Not that it helped me much when I made my move, but the receipts help the organizations too.
A little story ... in 2001 (before 9-11) I made a decision to sell both of my houses, leave my job and move to Italy... and I did (2002).
Did the yard sale thing (in January?!), sold what I could ... gave away others ... and donated to Purple Heart and my local library. The family was shocked, didn't come to the yard sale but they accepted donations (lol)!
When I looked around at my "stuff" and realized how much of it was important to me and how much was "only stuff"....I traveled very light to be sure!
If you could see the size of apartments here that families live in you would be shocked. Economic certainly, but also a matter of the idea that their "home" extends to the piazza, the open market, the church, the town concerts, etc. "If you build it, they will come"? -
HI,honey, I'm HOME. (a la Jack Nicholson in The Shining, one of my favorite scenes...)
The exchange surgery went well except for a bit of nausea later. Can't figure that one out as they said they were giving me something for it. The mastectomy didn't produce any nausea. Oh, well, better now.
Marilyn, I know this is kind of creepy, but sometimes I almost envy (not exactly) those people who lose their homes and everything in a flood or something because then they are really starting from scratch. Of course, I know this is a bit sick and I don't want to experience that sort of loss. I guess it's just an admission that I am not fully capable of de-crapifying, to quote someone here. How wonderful that you actually did it!!! You have my admiration.
And, about the internet addiction. It's always that evil box calling out to me, too. I actually have to shut down after a certain time so that it won't beckon me. That is the only thing that works.
Back to work. Rest a little. Work a little. See you later. Love reading all your reports.
Tina -
Tina,
Happy to hear your surgery basically went well ...
Just thought I would warn you ladies about the "de-crapafy syndrome"...
I have "de-crapped" two complete rooms of my home now ....my youngest brother is a single dad to a 14 yr so I help him where I can....he came over to use my computer last night (one of the rooms I de-junked) and now he wants me to help him with his home!!!!!!!!
I showed him this thread and he grinned, smiled, and laughed at our words ....
Lesson to be learned here!!!! be cautious telling others about our "decrapifing" or you might be enlisted to help them too!!!!!!
Little brother and I have agreed to help each other one room at a time.....I didnt mention the nightmare in my garage .....boy does he have a surprise coming
Lesson learned!!!! -
I'm Irene, and I'm a crapoholic.
I too have a basement and drawers full of crap I'll never use. Although I am getting better. After buying new bed pillows recently I actually threw away the old ones instead of saving them "in case I can use them for something, some day" (patting myself on the back). I've also started a Goodwill pile in the basement. Of course, I started it over the winter, and it's still there....
I tend to hold onto stuff "just in case" or because they remind me of something or someone. I'm thinking I'll start taking digital photos of sentimental items/clothing and get rid of the actual item. That way I can reclaim the space, but hang onto the memories attached to them.
I'm tired of being stressed by all the crap. Feel like I need to get organized, but can't because there's too much stuff. -
Hi Irene,
Crapaholic....thats tooooooo funny!!!!:)
Maybe Tina should change the name to this thread to "Crapaholics Annonomous" and apply some rules like we each have to dispose of at least one thing each week then post here about it .....or post here if we just "cant do it" so that we can encourage each other:)....this is such a fun post!!!!!! -
jpann, I would never think of issuing rules because I know nobody will listen to me anyway! Why court failure?
Irene, you're too funny. Crapaholic, indeed. Do you feel better now after getting it all off your chest? LOL Might as well purge wherever you can.......
The new moniker would be fine with me but what about the powers that be? Would they wash my mouth out with soap?
And that garage situation.......Hmmmmm, maybe you had an ulterior motive all along, said the spider to the fly? Way to go, girl!
Now, I'll tell you a story about a crapaholic. A very dear, dear lady, in the truest sense of the word. Kind and gentle and intelligent and lots of fun.
Dottie was a "maiden-lady," never having married. She was a medical lab assistant at an internationally known research foundation. I met her when she was later in life, just a few years short of retirement and working in a medical bookstore.
Dottie and I formed a fast friendship. However, I was never invited to her home. She had an outwardly appearing lovely house with expansive yard and gardens. Outbuilding for rabbits and sheep and greenhouses.
One day, after she had injured herself and required some knee surgery, I convinced her to let me go over with some lunch to share. Oh boy! Did I ever understand then why I had never been permitted into the house.
There were piles of newspapers everywhere, on the floor, on the tables, and plenty of magazines and scientific journals, too. Every surface in the house (and there were LOTS of tables, etc.) was piled high with stuff. Even the kitchen was loaded. Counters, sink, all piled high. To top it off, and this is the real kicker, even the kitchen drawers were pulled out to enable more stacking!!!
The poor lady was so embarrassed to be finally revealed. Time went on, she got older, had a couple of strokes and died. Everything in the house was just the same. All those papers and books, etc. that had been saved for another read were still there waiting. Need I say more?
Seriously, though, just think. Even if we got rid of ONE thing a day, that would be 365 things this year. So, keep on keeping on.
Tina -
Tina, I was teasing about the rules...I agree, "why court failure" ....
I dont think powers that be would have an issue with the name change, but was actually just joking about that too ...
Hmmmmm, the garage thing....yep, maybe your right...boy is little brother gonna get a surprise ...I have 4 brothers, wonder who I can pull into my web next and what area I can trade off with them ....although 2 of the last three are married and the single one is NOT a crapaholic...he could pick up, pack up and be gone in 12 hours or less I bet!!!! He never keeps stuff but our moms storage is full of his stuff!!!!
Anyway Tina, I really enjoy this thread....thank you for starting it....
Hugs
Jule -
I'm enjoying this thread too. My neighbor used to say she suffered from CHAOS which is "can't have anybody over syndrome".
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Tina, I didnt know you know my mother!!!!!!!!
She's not quite that bad but close.....She loves her collections and BELIEVE me she has plenty of them!!!!! Mom is also like that lady....outwardly her home looks great....and it isnt as bad as you described, just LOTS of stuff everywhere....She hasnt had a twin bed in her house for YEARS, the other day I was helping her with her laundry and was putting away a set of sheets for her.....this closest has 4 shelves (including the floor) in it....1st shelf has twin, 2nd shelf double (only has one in the house, but has 6 sets!!!), 3rd shelf Queens (also 6-8 sets), then the kicker.......the bottom shelf (the floor of the closet that I refered to earlier) KINGS!!!! My mother doesnt even OWN a king size bed!!!! Her theory, I myself and two of my brothers own kings and she got them on a good sale!!!!!! She said I found her xmas stash.....My thoughts on that????? Thank God I found it!!!!! Those sheets would give me nightmares if I woke on them!!!!! by finding them I got to point out which ones I would like to have ......
Can you tell my brothers have never had a fair chance in life with me around????
Hugs
Jule -
That sounds like my mother-in-law. She does not get rid of anything. I never did either bc. Now I am and we want to start going through her house now while she's still alive so we know what the heck some of it is.
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Yay, BMD Thank you, DavisFamily
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I have a neighbor who asked me to come over to help her with a 'puter problem. She said the house was messy. I cringed when we walked thru to the little room where the 'puter was. Only one of us could get in there at a time due to all the stuff there.
They had added a "family room" a few years ago: you couldn't go in because it was stuffed to the ceiling with junk -- and it was a huge room. Her TV room/kitchen had no place to put groceries, they were on the floor in paper bags, no place to put them away! The triple garage floor was COVERED with paint cans.
I could not wait to get out of there.
On another note: I was "freed" to get rid of saving kitchen things in an article on cleaning out your kitchen that said to keep NO MORE than 6-8 butter/margarine bowls and lids at a time and to throw away the rest. I had saved those damn things till they were taking over all my shelves! I dumped them all. I had so much more space for storage! -
Well my office is almost completely back together. Many trips have been made to the trash and recycle bin. I still need to go through my filing cabinets. I am going to try to finsih up this week-end. It feels so good to have my own space clean, painted and organized. I have more room and it just feels so much better.
Does anyone know what will happen if I try to hose off some older mini blinds? I would love to replace them but I just don't have the cash. -
Brenda, I would use a warm water solution of salt, vinegar and a sponge.
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My aunt used to take them to the bathtub to wash - rinse off with the shower.
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I found it easier to take them outside, lay them on a sheet of plastic (old shower curtain?), then spray them with whatever cleaner (vinegar does work well) and hose them off. The bathtub was awkward, messy and tiring.
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I honestly don't try to clean them. My aunt has now decided going to wal mart and getting a new set is the way to go and I agree!!
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Thanks ladies. Before bc I would have gone to the store and bought newer, better ones.
I think I will try it outside as the bathroom does seem like a pain. I was afraid the stings would break or that they would not work anymore. -
Jule, I loved your mother's linen closet story. Aren't we humans funny beasts?
I have to tell you all about my makeup drawer overhaul. Mostly everything is headed to the dumpster. You know those free samples you get when you buy something? The colors never look good on you, well about 10% of the time, BUT you hate to toss that stuff because it's VALUABLE????? Out, out it goes.
I have found that I use very few products.
#1. Mascara. I've used all brands, some very expensive. I have decided Maybelline Soft Black does the job just right for the right price. KEEPER.
#2. Eyebrow/eyeliner pencil. Again, have used everything under the sun. Thanks to Looking Good, Feeling Better, I discovered Revlon's Wet/Dry Eyeliner Pencil. Chocolate Bar color is just right for my light coloring. Dark enough for definition but not harsh. You have to learn to apply in small dashes, then smudge with pointed sticky thing or one of those pointed Q-tips. Makes a HUGE difference. About 5 bucks. KEEPER.
#3. Blush. There are lots of good blushes but my favorite for absolute natural looking color is Tarte Cheekstain in Flush color for me. Tickled is good, too, but a bit deeper and browner. This is pricey, looks scary dark in the tube, but once you learn how to use it is beyond anything else. $28.00 KEEPER.
#4. Lipstick. Am addicted to Lip Fusion. I have dry lips and this works better than anything at keeping them soft and moist and colored at the same time. KEEPER.
#5. Eyeshadow. A feather-light dusting of brown. KEEPER.
Nothing else needed.
What was I doing with all the rest of that crapola except storing it?
Tina -
Jule, can you see my standing there next to your mother???
Can anyone tell me why I am holding on to queen size sheets when I have a king size bed??? I finally found a place to bring my old towels - the local animal shelter. Now if I could just find someone to take my old curtains........... -
All my sheets are worn out so bad you can see through them. I never have been one to spend money on sheets and towels. My MIL and mother started mailing me towels because I only had a few good ones for them to use when they would visit. On one trip out here my MIL showed up with a whole bag of brand new towels. She said she found them in the back of her mothers linen closet and figured we could use them since they probably don't take showers in heaven.
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Oh ya and the towel thing!!!!! I have a HUGE linen closet of towels.....I could use two towels everyday for 3 wks and still have left overs before I would need to wash ....
Hey Valerie, you and mom would get along just fine ....
Hugs
Jule -
Tina,
The make-up thingy....I dont wear alot of make up and am good about throwing the un-usable stuff out, but the nail polish....NOW THATS A DIFFERENT STORY!!!!!
I probably have two or three bottles of each color they have ever made and I bet if I tried to open some of them I would need tools to get the lid off....I have a whole drawer full plus my more favorites on the top of my dresser.... -
I'm done with the kitchen and headed to the living room. My problem in there is all of my granddaughter's stuff. Toy box, rocking chair, doll cradle and doll high chair. Got any ideas on what to do with all of this stuff. She's not here very frequently.
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'De-crappifying'..gotta love it!!! Love the forum title "making do with less"... I definitely have to work on that one. Two years ago I sold my condo and didn't know what I wanted to do so bought a 37' 5th wheeler and moved into a lovely rv park in a Quaint resort town...close to the water etc. I finally sold the majority of my furniture but still kept a 10 x 10 storage locker. After two years of year-round camping I decided I like the life style so upgraded to a 5th wheel with slide outs that increase the living room size to 16' and high ceilings etc. but to move the stuff from out of and underneath the other rv....how does one collect so much stuff in such a small space? I was always one of those people who had to buy something if it was on for a good price so here I am working on eliminating stuff. To top it all off my son is here now, as well, with all his 'stuff'...definitely gotta get this new place decluttered...am scheduled for oomph and hyster in 11 days and need everything organized before then. What are the rules? Help!
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Update: I cleaned out my kitchen utensil drawers. Everything I never use!! I can now find stuff. I cleaned out my tupperware lazy susan. I will continue with books, clothes, holiday decorations... I am on a roll!!
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YIIIPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Way to go!!!
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OMG, you ladies are doing great!
Did I tell you about the pile of slips, YES SLIPS AS IN OLD FASHIONED UNDERWEAR, that I found in one of my drawers? Now, when do you think was the last time I wore one of those? Maybe 20 years ago??? Even had a pair of SLACK LINERS in there, to wear under itchy wool slacks. Can you believe it? Of course, out they went. Just into the trash.
Jule, we all have our weaknesses. You do know that 95% of that nail polish is probably unusable? Ha, but I'm sure you don't need ME telling you about that. LOL I'll let you wrestle with your own demons. Me, I have my own. Oh, boy, do I.
Newbie de-crapifyers welcome. Guidance from me is "Just start somewhere." Baby steps. Maybe others here can offer a pearl of wisdom or two. It really feels great to see empty space in your living quarters/drawers, closets, etc. A funny psychological phenomenon, but real. Your being expands into the spaces. You feel more at peace. Plus, cleaning is easier!
Now, I think I will go inspect the socks in my sock drawer. Anything with a hole is OUTTAHERE. Remember, at least one thing a day.................
Go, go, go.
Tina -
Happy September 1st! Happy Labor Day Weekend! Happy Back to School already or soon to come!
I know that I will be happily soon making do with less. My house, and therefore a tad, my mind, is a mess!
What a great thread!!!!
Tender
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