Time to Say Good-bye

I have enjoyed this for many years.  I even remember
where I bought it.  But I'm tired of washing it, and of
 moving it so I can dust.  I say a fond farewell.  May
someone else enjoy this container as much as I did.

It's time to say good-bye to things that you loved, but seldom use;  to dreams that don't fit anymore;  and to something that was useful and perfect at the old house 22 years ago, but  it hasn't been for the last 12 years.  Can you think of some item you won that fits in those categories?  I could, and I'm letting mine go.

Believe it or not, this was a very cute
curtain for a basement window.  It
was exactly the colors I had looked
for in cloth.  But, I found it in a sheet.

I have not made or tried to sell any jewelry for several years.
All this is doing is taking up room.  In fact, I have some
granddaughters that would probably enjoy my old beads.

At my house, 264 items have been decluttered since March 2013.  Can you find one item a day that is making your house cluttered? That would be something you don't like, trash that might come in handy someday, or something you have not used in a year?  If you have a precious memory attached to it, you can take a photograph.

365 - 261 = 104 Items more to reach my goal by the end of December 2013

Rather than posting my clutter every day, I like getting it done all at once, so I don't clutter up everyone's Facebook pages.  And it is rewarding to see that I get closer to my goal every time I post.  

I have always enjoyed the results of getting rid of clutter, but this makes it more memorable.  It reminds me a certain amount of clutter cannot be helped, but I do not have to let it rule over my life and household.  Moreover, I am reminded to be careful what I bring into the house.  Some people use the rule of thumb:  "Bring in an item, get rid of an item."  I am not quite there yet, but that is a great idea if you have clutter everywhere.

Ridding yourself of clutter will make you feel a bit lighter.  It will give you a sense of freedom, and it certainly makes cleaning easier.  Jump right in.  You don't have to get rid of five things in a day.  Just start with the idea of disposing of one item of clutter each day.  That will add up in a year.

                23 more items are leaving the Bolton household.

I think Christmas shoppers are going to like this garage sale, 

which I plan to have the first Saturday in October.  I 

have read that the best time to have a garage sale is the

first Friday or Saturday after the 1st or the 15th of the month.

I am pricing as I put things aside, all I will

 have to do is put the things on display that day.

Garage Sale or Not?

Garage sale or not?  

Right now, I honestly don't know.  Sometimes, one must face that what seemed a good idea is a bad idea.  My other choice is simply put up a sign, throw it out on tables, and not try to make everything pretty.  I love arranging things.  Also, just asking for a donation sounds better  than making tons of change and wearing myself out more than I am already worn out.  Seriously, I am thinking of putting a sign out and taking my chances.  After three hours, anything not gone, goes to Habitat for Humanity.  

Usually, I take my "giveaways" to a charity, but I thought I would try to recoup some of the money spent on traveling to visit family.  So to my readers that pray, I ask you that you will pray I make the wise decision and that I will be in the center of God's will.

Did I really used to live in a world where people changed purses and held onto old ones?  



It's not for me anymore.  I really do not like changing purses.  Hmm...I may have another one somewhere.  Maybe I will run across it tomorrow.

  Trash                                                                              Still Useful                                                                                                               

Every day I get closer to my goal.  

Here it is!

Hubby Helping Declutter?!

 Wow!  My husband actually asked me about two items outside today.  I don't know how it happened, but the pretty little sheep statue finally lost it's second leg:  I had already fixed it once or twice.  And, we have an old edger from two relatives back that is useless, because we couldn't replace the blades.  I jokingly told him--that is probably why Mrs. Sweets got rid of it.  And  Mr. McCanfix decided that he might be able to use the parts.  When he died, we inherited it, because we had sidewalks, even though it never has worked that good.

Mr. McCanfix was a great one for saving parts.  Not everyone can make room for parts, but he was handy and built his own shed.  However, when he passed to the next world, there was a lot more than a shed to go through.  I used to think it was because people that went through the Great Depression saved everything, but it is more than that.  When did being frugal turn into hoarding things we will never use?  What is the line people cross over?  Some people not only cannot let go of things they bought or were given, but they keep other people's castoffs too.  Now, I realize that is great when you are really going to use them to make something useful, but many people keep accumulating and accumulating and ...Well, you get the idea.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you after the "hoarding" aside, that it is lovely when my husband jumps in with enthusiasm to let something useless go.

228 Items Decluttered Since March

How to Decide What Is Clutter

Today, I had four things I was going to list;  and then, I started thinking that maybe I am not quite ready to get rid of one.  Maybe I need to rearrange, rethink, and reuse.  Yes, I have done that with many things during my life.  You see, I am not just a consumer that has to continually buy new things to find happiness.  In fact, there is a certain comfort in knowing I am getting the most for my money, so I like to use my things as long as possible.

I am being ambivalent, which can be a problem with an object one has had for many years.  I'm not sure it's use for me is done, because I still use the items it contains.  So, how do I decide?  Here are questions I have asked myself.

My tummy will
appreciate this.

1. Am I keeping this object out of obligation?  Perhaps, it was a gift, but you never use it or you don't even like it.  Or perhaps, you have just grown tired of it.
2. Have I used it within the last year?
3. Do I still love this object?
4. Do I need this object for a special purpose, like a holiday, wedding, etc.? 
5. Can I substitute something else for this item?
6. Do I have room to store this item?
7. Is it probable I will ever use this again?
8. Can this be easily replaced?
9. Do I feel guilty, because I spent quite a bit of money on this item?
10. Does this item make me happier?          

226 Items Decluttered Since March

Cleaning As I Go

My kitchen was not quite finished from this past weeks zone work, so while I was out there I worked on a couple of areas I had not touched.  During the numerous times I walked into my kitchen today, I would spend a little time on the rolling cart.  Since I do not have tons of counter space, I would like to keep it clear.  However, it had become the dumping ground for all kinds of things.  Here are the pictures.

I had no ideas there were so many things  
 plopped on there I might use.  This had
gotten messier over the last month
and a half, so I decided it was time
to start throwing junk away.  Do you
get tired of the mess?  You just have
to make up your mind to take care
of it.  One cannot save everything.

Ribbon on the cart--no reason,
just where it landed.

Later on, I was cooking supper, I opened my cabinets, and I found
a can and a jar with stuff that I had leaked on them.  I don't know if
there is actually anything wrong with them, but throwing away food cost
less than an emergency trip to the hospital.

Clutter or Christmas Present?

Sometimes, something you like very much has become clutter to you.  If you are no longer using it, and you have no place to use it, it is time to say good-bye.  However, there are possibilities here, other than selling it or giving it to charity.  Do you have a friend or family member that would love a new set of mugs?   Could you divide them up to make a present with tea, coffee, or cocoa in it;  and add one of those chocolate covered spoons.  Maybe, you could serve up a mugful of candy.   Since we live on a very tight budget, I think this is a good idea.  It's not like giving someone castoffs.  This would be giving someone something I really love, that I think she would like. 

I am still trying to decide. what I should do with my mugs?  They really are cute.  Garage sale or Christmas present?  I'm not sure, but I have some time to decide.

This ugly little item is a bent curtain rod. It did not go to the basement: it went straight to the trash.  I love easy decisions.  So I can now say I have decluttered 213 items.  Yippee!  There is only one problem.  The things for the garage sale are taking up room in a spare room and irritating the dickens out of me.  At first, I thought it would be alright.  But, I am having a few doubts, as in will I have enough energy to do a garage sale?   I'm also thinking about asking a couple of friends if they would like to help and put some things in the sale.  What would you do?

What is in your kitchen drawers?

Do you have odds and ends in your kitchen drawers -- things you never use?  Yes?  Me too!  To the right, I have a picture of assorted forks, spoons, and one knife, dating all the way back from the very first day of our marriage.  I was saving them for picnics and lunches away from home;  however, these have not been used for several years.  And, I do have a container full of plastic forks in one of my cabinets for picnics.  

Maybe, I should save them, because it reminds me of my oldest daughter going to college away from home.  Nah!  I think it's time to say good-bye.

Now, these are full of memories, except for the cocktail forks and knives, which I have never used.  

• A spatula and cleaner from a defunct Cuisinart
• A coffee scoop from a broken coffee maker
• A scraper from home wares I used to sell
• An egg lifter from an Easter egg kit

It's funny.  I wasn't even thinking of getting rid of things, when I reorganized a couple of drawer in my kitchen.  Now, I have that much less loose stuff to store.  Yea!!!

208 Items I am freed from or almost free if I can make it through the garage sale.

Kitchen Week -183 Items Decluttered

For the rest of the week, I am looking forward to a little less writing and a little more cleaning.  I am going to be concentrating on my kitchen and breakfast area this week, energy and time allowing.  Below, there are some items I didn't post this past weekend.

 If you haven't used an item in a year or more, it would probably be a good idea to get rid of it.  I have been narrowing down the amount of cookbooks I keep for a couple of years. Simplify!

183 Items Decluttered  

Why was I keeping a 
broken bookmark?  I have no idea.