My hubby and I cleaned out the attic. It proved an arduous task, punctuated by the added insult of having to haul every yard-sale-worthy item down three flights of stairs and into the garage. With every dang-blasted step I mumbled, “This will firm up my butt,” over and over like a religious mantra. So far no buns of steel. Maybe they just need time to set.
In spite of all the stuff we are shedding, the attic remains full of things we never use but can’t seem to part with. Not counting the sentimental things like my wedding gown, photo albums, and high school yearbooks, we cataloged cowboy hats, Mexican sombreros, a French maid costume (for the love of God, do not ask…) old artwork, knick-knacks, and the cushion for a papasan chair we no longer own.
We counted twelve—yes, twelve—large boxes filled to near bursting with stuffed animals, the detritus of Christmas/Easter/Valentine’s presents past. These we managed to whittle down to one box of sentimental stuffers to be safeguarded, which included my own beloved bear named Teddy (I was such a creative child,) a gift from Santa when I was nine. The rest were divided into two groups, the “like new” pile, suitable for donation; and the “hazmat suit required; discard at once” pile.
Anyway, I’m thrilled that we opened up space in the attic, the better to store more stuff that we do not need but cannot jettison. We might need it later. I mean, take the sombreros, cowboy hats, and French maid costume—who knows when these things might be required to extricate us from a life and death situation? Or better still, might be used to embarrass our teenage daughter (“OMG! You are so not wearing that to the mall, are you?”) That, my friends, makes them priceless.
You know, some things are just worth saving.
Til next time,
Lisa
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thank you so much Lisa, that helps a lot. I know he tried to blame me for so much stuff, but like I told all of his family and mine none of that added up to a divorce. I do realize it's his needs, it just hurts so bad to think how many years he's
How funny....i only very recently (within last week) read the coconut oil articles on the web. (100 uses, 80 uses etc.) so i bouht some and ordered some from amazon. (Im a stockpiler.)
Have started trying some of the uses. I tried using it a
Call the Salvation Army, they come and pick up the stuff and then another nice family can use it. The Salvation Army uses the proceeds to help rehabilitate alcoholics, drug addicts, etc. If you give a sofa they redo it and sell it to a needy family at a great price. The stuffed animals can go to children that probably do not have many or else, wash them and take them to the children’s ward at your nearest hospital. Many moons ago, I gave my stuffies to poorer kids and you would not believe the happy faces of those children. That makes me happy and it feels like the stuff is put to a good use.
Hi Lynette – I usually donate to the American Kidney Fund, but I have dropped things off at the Salvation Army since they opened a facility in my town. Truth is, I could probably go through the attic a second time and find more stuff to donate. We hold on to way too much that just sits there collecting dust…like the stuffed animals which, as you mentioned, would make some child very happy.
If I have not seen it, used it, tasted it (freezer stuff) for a year — it’s got to go!! Otherwise it hangs on me like moss on a tree — useless and not all that beautiful. Good luck.
We knew some folks who moved from Colorado to Nevada for several years. When they moved back to Colorado they threw away, without opening, any boxes that had remained sealed from their original move. They figured since they had never opened those boxes they would never miss whatever it was. I always wondered if the boxes really did contain junk or something like mint condition baseball cards.
I’m not brave enough to do that!
Agree!! That sounds more reckless than wise!! I’m always looking for treasures in my junk — and — if nothing else can give them away to anyone who admires one of my ‘dust-catchers’. Speaking of which, I’ve asked my children to NOT give me anything that needs dusted, fed, walked or talked to. It has helped!!