Retirement

[oliveoil]

Lotus-------
I started sizing down in my house in the first room that I always started with cleaning------ & in my home that was always the master bedroom - I started in!
I took three huge boxes into the room--------& put donate-----pack to save----trash or recycle!!
When I had the boxes full--------I bagged up the donate & put in the Back of our PU truck camper------& put a sticky note on it that said donate-------to drop off the next time we were in town------
The pack & save------- went into suit cases---& trunks--- for us to live out of-----as we were getting ready to move right away-------& off season clothes went into the trucks------& the clothes we were wearing went into the labeled suit cases--&--- I had more trash then recycle in the bed room------but found in other rooms of the house I had a lot of recycle things------ so trash went into bags------ & recycle went into recycle containers -- when my boxes were full I sorted --------& put it where it needed to go------ then to the next room--------
I had tons & tons & tons of family pictures------ so I set one hour each day or evening to sort pictures------- & I sent pictures back to the families that they had given them to us---------
I scanned the ones I wanted to keep copies of--------
Then all the main pictures of our own family & kids & grand kids-------- I put out big plastic tubs with their names on the side------ & as I sorted I put their pictures & family pictures into those tubs-------- & then when they came to visit---- I gave them the tubs with their names on the side!
I had tons of quilts-------- & I had my kids & grand kids come & pick what they wanted------& I picked what I wanted to keep & packed the ones I wanted in those bags that suck the air out & you can stack!
I had several complete sets of dishes & pottery & china & crystal---------etc.etc------
I had several antique trunks-------I told my grand sons we are starting you each "bachelor trunks"---- as some day you are going to need dishes & things to set up your own home or apt------ so pick out what ever you want-------
They picked out what dishes they wanted & wrapped them up in the trucks with dish towels & table clothes- etc.etc---- that they also picked out-------- I had several sets of silver---- & they each picked out a set of silver to keep in their trunks!
I had tons of Christmas decorations--------most all had family meaning--------so we went through all the Christmas decorations & they kept what they each had made over the years----- & other things they wanted to keep!!
Then I had lots & lots -of plants & yard art-------- & knick-- nacks-------that kind of thing------- I invited six of my close girl friends over------for lunch on the front porch-----as they house was a mess-from packing & sorting-----& told them to pick what they wanted from my house plants- & yard art------ etc.etc------ each have something they liked & some thing to remember me with----- oh------ they also went through my cook books that I didn't keep or my kids didn't want---- & went through our book collection----------what they all didn't want we sold!
That is just a few of the things I started out doing to size down----------
hope that helps-to get you started!

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Oh gosh, Bec, that's just going to add to my clutter now!! Not really, those are all things that I will use quite a bit. I felt very happy when we talked that I now knew where they were and are coming home tomorrow! I'll have them in time for the FL GTG! yippeeee
You are gonna make it, girl!

[Mollysmom]

Hey Becky,
when you're sorting through things, be sure and look for that diamond necklace I loaned you, and that ruby ring - I'll take those back if you find them -
HA !!!

[Lotus]

Trudy....Funny girl!! Sounds like something Carolyn would say!! I did find some thousand dollar bills!! I'll bet they are yours also.

Becky

[Nasoosie]

NO NO NO, Lotus! Those bills are MINE!!!!

Just reading about all this sorting and decluttering and downsizing has my brain addled (more than usual) and going in circles.

But I love reading about all the possible ways to get my own 'stuff' sorted out.

Keep on talking, you all......I will keep on reading and taking notes!

[Sparkle]

OIC. I thought you were downsizing down to RV size. Yes, it's still quite a job. But also an opportunity to get rd of things that have been there for years not being used. I went from 3200sq ft. to 1100sq ft. which was a big help when I did downsize to 12sq ft. I am a big believer in lists. I've been know to take out the garbage, come in, write it on my list because I forgot to do it, then I cross it out. Hmmm, definately getting a little weird here.