(Ha – listen to me – my house is stuffed to the gills…. time to get de-cluttering!)

So glad I stumbled in here and found some motivation. As soon as I finish the quilt, the rest of the fabric scraps are going to scrap heaven.
Really.

LOVE this list! I sent the link via email to my daughter last Friday, and she spent the entire weekend spring cleaning, “thanks for the list, MOM!” I didn’t know she was so impressionable, maybe I will make another list to send her – things to do for MOM.

1 – when you have lost a loved one, think carefully about what to go. My hubby lost both parents to cancer within 3 years of each other. He has all their stuff and their parents things. Because I value family history we are slowly pruning things – but the family history items are too important to just throw. Some things will de saved elctronically, then some of the items can go. After all the eqivilant of 1 double wardrobe worht of space is a lot in a small house. I’ve never lost a child and can’t imangine how that would feel. But I have resolved to make sure my future children know what and why i want them to keep items, or would like them to keep.

2 – Some of us have been taught by our parents not to waste – so we keep things that are not useful – society has changed and at least with freecycle.org, etc many things can go to goodwill/charity/recycle rather than the tip. But it is a hard habit to break.

3 – My job has exasibated my ’save it, just in case’background. But i am endeavouring to try and release as much as i can so that it doesn’t clutter my life and space.

4 – You can’t predict your life – i had a month to move out of the long-term 3 bed rented home i had, it was a completed funrished home, and i had to get it down – I wish i had got it down further. I wasted money and time moving and storing items i still haven’;t used, becuase his families stuff fills the sapce and so there’s little space left for mine. However less stuff is less to move (less energy, money and time wasted). Agree with comments above = don’t take it with you!

Be positive and remember ‘always look on the bright side of life’

jean – all I can say is that when you begin to feel the freedom of letting go of these old patterns, you can’t imagine how much more energy you have. it’s huge. if you read my post “are you leaking” or any of the posts that are linked at the bottom of this post, you’ll read about that phenomenon. this post was mostly just for fun!

chrissie! congratulations on being pregnant! when are you due?

jean – you go girl! we’re all cheering you on!

anne – see my comments above about #5. and yea, it’s always surprising when you realize how easily things accumulate!

heather – thanks for the input. and yes, i only use those things as examples – not to say everyone should toss them. it seems that some people actually USE their breadmaker!

deb – excellent example!

caryn – i actually should have put in a request that if someone is letting go of a breadmaker that they can send it to me! I, too, would use a breadmaker. But most people who have them don’t use them! (my friend kathy makes killer bread in hers.)

hagit – yep, i have issues with those chopsticks. i’m always torn because i don’t want to throw them out. Sometimes I gather them up and return them to the place they came from if I happen to be driving by.

deborah – you voiced the thoughts of many many women!

7th sis – habitat is a great place to take all kinds of tools, screws, paints, etc. You’re right. thanks for the suggestion.