Am I the only one who has hung on to arts and crafts projects their children did while in elementary school? Why can’t I give myself permission to toss some of them away? On the top shelf of a basement closet, an open cardboard box contains many drawings. Up too high for me to actually see, and I can’t bring myself to fetch a step stool and tackle the chore. I was guilty of storing drawings I did in college, stowed away in my parents’ big old home until we sold their house. Not that my father didn’t beg me many times to get rid of them.
What should I do with my sons’ and my mother’s works of art? Years ago, my mom sculpted this woman from Tibet.
Several of our son’s drawings and paintings are framed and hang on the wall. Same goes for my mother’s beautiful sculptures. Those are keepers-works of art. But where should I hang and place photos of future generations?
I was delighted when our older son and his wife and our two grandkids left after Easter dinner with a car full of books, baseball cards, and memorabilia left over from our son’s childhood. And a rebounder recommended to me by an Old Order Amish woman in her young 80s who claims they enhance health. She uses hers 20 minutes every day while she prays. In my enthusiasm I bought one too large for our already crowded basement. Hurray! Our granddaughter decided she can practice gymnastics on mine and begged to take it home. I was ecstatic.
I can’t bear to give away my sons martial arts uniforms.
How about our sons’ sports team jackets and trophies? Not to mention their marshal arts uniforms and belts?
I enjoy seeing books on a bookcase, but the beautiful set of encyclopedia Britannica my father gave my sons is obsolete. I’m not even sure who would take them as a donation. What would you do with them?
I consider how most Amish keep their home clean every day. Our house is clean but a clutter most of the time. A thought: if I clean the house thoroughly enough I’ll come across my missing watch. I clean my house as often as I can though. I like it to look as presentable as possible, particularly if we’re expecting guests. The other day, I was reading some independent opinions on handheld vacuums and I decided to treat myself to a new vacuum. I’ve wanted one for a while and reading a bunch of appliance reviews really swung it for me. It’s going to make my weekly clean much easier! Hopefully the next time I’m cleaning, my missing watch will turn up. I’ve actually just bought a new vacuum cleaner which is very exciting (not!) I did lots of research on websites like cleanthatfloor.com so I knew exactly which one to buy. Hopefully, it’ll motivate me to clean a little more often now! I know I’m not a huge fan of cleaning, and neither is my friend, so she told me she’s recently had an exhaust fan installed in her home (by a company like https://acelectrical.ca/services/ventilation-and-exhaust-fans/) to make the air a little cleaner and to prevent as much dust from piling up on her surfaces. I thought this was such a great idea, so I’m debating getting one too. But anyway, let’s hope this little spring clean I do will make that watch turn up…
Do you tend to hang on to sentimental things the way I do? Any suggestions for de-cluttering? Do you attempt a thorough spring-cleaning or try to keep your home neat all year round? What inspires you to keep a tidy household? How do you deal with your loved-ones possessions?
I know a lot of people who are like me. They have certain items that they just can’t bear the thought of getting rid of, especially if they concern your family’s achievements. Or even just pieces of furniture that you’ve had for a long time and you can’t think of anything worse than removing all the memories from your house. Gosh, I sound a bit like a hoarder don’t I? In fact, one of my friends was like this, and she ended up using a company called Boombox Storage, (visit here for more information) who came to her house, picked up her clutter, and stored it away in one of their facilities. Not only does it mean that she isn’t completely getting rid of it, but she also has more room to store other things in her house because all that clutter has gone. It’s actually genius if you ask me. So, are you like this, or do you do something else? I’d love to know.
Win these two delightful Amish-made dolls, John and Rebecca, made in Lancaster County, PA
Please leave a comment and enter to win two delightful Amish-made dolls, John and Rebecca, made in Lancaster County, PA, plus a signed copy of a novel from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, its sequel CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish. USA and Canada. Winner chosen at random and has three days to respond. Winner announced on next week’s Blog.
I am in the process of giving away and throwing away everything. I have junked up our house so much that we can barely move. I am sure I have 300 cookbooks, plus other books. Yesterday, I gave away four garbage bags and six boxes of yarn. Two boxes of quilting books. Much more to go.
Wow, you are on a roll, Linda! Four garbage bags and six boxes of yarn? That had to be hard, as well as the boxes of quilting books. Good for you. Thanks for your encouragement and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Take a photo of any artwork and then throw the projects away. I clean daily and also do spring cleaning.
You are a housecleaning extraordinaire, Lucy. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I limited things that our daughter made in school to one small box that way I made sure to pick things that were extra special. As far as cleaning I try to clean a little every day so that seasonal cleaning isn’t a huge undertaking.
Sounds like you have an excellent routine, Lori. I enjoy my sons’ works of art, framed and hanging on our walls. The photos are becoming overwhelming … Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Start with the refrigerator and pantry. You will have an instant sense of accomplishment!
Fortunately, the refrigerator and pantry are in pretty good shape, Linda. We go through the pantry and throw away out-dated food pretty often. On the other hand, I’ve heard you are supposed to keep some extra food in case of emergency, Water too. Thanks for your letter and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Was told if you haven’t used it in a year you need to get rid of the item.
I have heard that too, Ronda, and I’m going to hold myself to it this year. Time to let others enjoy the clothes I don’t wear. But what about the encyclopedias? Just throw them away?
Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I do Spring Cleaning. The items I have kept of our sons projects, I went through them and gave most of them to them so their kids could see things that they had done in school. Then it is up to them to throw them out.
I must not be parenting correctly because I can’t seem to get my sons to take their projects with them or give me the okay to throw them out. Several pieces are beautifully framed paintings which I enjoy. Thanks for your good advice and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I haven’t got my spring cleaning done yet either. And I did keep some of my kids art work and my youngest is almost 42 and my oldest is almost 50.
Thanks for a chance to win
Thanks for your kind words, Mary. It’s chilly this morning and raining, so I can’t put away my winter clothes yet. And I do enjoy my kids’ artwork, for the most part. Several items I should just toss away. Sigh. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Getting ready to do my spring cleaning. Just can not part with my Amish books like to share with my friends who can not get out.
Thanks for the chance to win
I gave away books and then later wanted to read them again, Linda. Like you, I’d rather share them with a friend or hanging onto the good ones will. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I do keep things. Some have gotten destroyed or disappeared in moves. I don’t know what will happen when I’m gone. My son hates that kind of thing. Im afraid hell throw everything away. There are family things that I don’t know who will want them.
My aunt, a fabulous quilter and lived to be 99, sold or gave away her doll collection. She said she knew her daughters wouldn’t want them and she’d rather make sure they went to the right places. I was quite surprised at the time, but now understand her thinking. Good luck in the giveaway, Ann!
Kate
We lost a lot do to smoke damage from a fire. Ever since then, I have set limits. Having 8 children, I allow myself 4 items from each child. Those encyclopedias, yeah I wouldn’t be able to part with those either.
Very sorry to hear of your fire, Cynthia. The residual smell of smoke is obnoxious. Oh, dear, guess I’ll hold on to the encyclopedias a bit longer. How wonderful that you have eight children! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t have any advice, because I do the same thing.
You are so kind to empathize with me, Theresa. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Hmmmm…. that makes 3 of us in a row here! Clutter, spring cleaning? what is that?
I can help a little, You can send the dolls to me, and they can sit up with my similar, one, Anna! She has been lonely for years!
Box up your son’s items after taking photos,and wrap up pretty for them for Christmas! As far as the set of encyclopedias go, IF your sons don’t want …. I’d bet an Altheimers (spell?) Memory Care home might take them for their resident library?!? Just a thought! Have fun, and them you can come show me what you did, at our house! lol
A cool idea for the encyclopedias, but the print is tiny, CJ. Maybe you’d like to come over and help me pack them up? Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
We are downsizing and have just had to face the reality of letting go of what I think of as treasures. I let my 22 and 24 year old daughters go through the boxes of keepsakes and decide what they wanted to keep since it will one day go to them. I kept things from my mom who passed away 2 years ago from cancer and my grandmothers vintage pyrex, pink depression glass, and vintage tea cups and saucers. I am still trying to go through clothing.
I have pink Depression glass too, Robin! Some were gifts from my 90-year-old mother-in-law and some I collected along the way and can blame on no one but myself. I’ve joked that one can never have too many plates, but if I were forced to downsize. I’m sure I would. My mother, a talented sculptress, died at age 69 of cancer. Alas, I did have to bid farewell to many of her pieces, although I managed to hang onto quite a few.quite. Several reside in the garden as well as the house. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I do have some sentimental items displayed. Others I have tucked safely away.
Maybe I need to do more tucking away, Cheryl! But once out of sight will they be forgotten? Label boxes and come back in a year or so? Thanks for writing!
Best, Kate
We recently moved from Virginia to Kentucky and I had 8 plastic bins filled with projects and artwork and other things my kids and grandkids have done. I can’t seem to part with them either. My suggestion is use a good size bin for eack child.
Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one, Cindy! I use plastic bins often, so why not? Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I want to keep everything, but there comes a time to get rid of things. I try to clean every day, instead of a big spring cleaning. I still have a few mementos from my boys younger years.
I’d like to get down to a “few” momentous, Carol. Do I need to keep trophies and rock collections? No. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I used to keep everything till I got so tired of the clutter. Now, if it’s something really special and I have room to display it or use it – fine. Otherwise, it goes. With the kids old papers and projects, I keep a couple special ones and the rest go. As for motivation to get cleaning done, just invite some guests over. 🙂 That’s when my house gets the best cleaning.
Isn’t that the truth, Pat? Guests are the biggest motivator for me too. However, few of them go down into our basement … Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I think that we all go through the spring cleaning questions. What I do when I start spring cleaning is to take everything out of the closet or the the drawers. Go through the clothes if haven’t worn the clothes in a year. Get rid of them. Same thing with drawers. Get rid of what you don’t need. Sometimes being ruthless. With the Encyclopedia’s you can donate them or make gifts using the books to make other items. There is lots of ideas on the internet. As for the school work and pictures from your children when they were younger I snap a photo of the school work, then place of my computer. I will always have the picture even if I don’t save the original. Saving one item from a love one will always bring you memories of them but you don’t need a lot or maybe none at all.
As for antiques that is up to the person. I do keep a lot of things for sentimental reasons but there are times you have to let go.
You sound right on top of things, Dawn. I really should empty out all my drawers, but do need to keep some fancy items in case I actually go somewhere special. I’m already trying to figure out what to wear to a wedding in July that I haven’t already worn recently. I wonder what I could make with an encyclopedia, that would not be too time-consuming as my days are filled with writing. Thanks for your terrific ideas and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I took pictures of things and then gave the kids their pictures/projects. They can keep or toss as they wish – I have the memories. I do Spring cleaning but try to do a little something each week so don’t get too far behind. I work full-time so don’t always get a lot done at home during the week. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for writing, Ginger. I should take photos too. I work out of my home and thus must see the mess on a regular basis. Some days, when I’m on a deadline, I force myself to look the other way so that I don’t get distracted from my writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I’ve been doing my spring cleaning too. I take one room and concentrate on it until I get it done. I pack up things from the previous season and donate or pitch things I don’t use. It seems to work best for me because I see one room completed and checked off my list every few days.
Donate or pitch … or hide away for next year? There are some items that I can’t seem to replace, such as a cotton zipped hoodie without a hood. So, I hang on to my old ones. Clothes are the least of my problems compared to the papers that accumulate. Some are important little notes to myself, that are easy to lose track of. Seems I can’t win. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I do my cleaning in spurts and today is my day “off”. Tomorrow will be a different stor!
Enjoy your day off, Christine! “Tomorrow is another day,” as Scarlett O’Hara said. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I try and keep my house cleen all year round. But from time to time it starts to get cluder. When this happens it puts me in to a cleaning fit. So I will start cleaning ever thing in site.
My husband would be thrilled if I had a cleaning fit, Jenny, as long as it didn’t include his desk at home. He’s the same way as I am works from the house when he can. Thanks for sharing your cleaning routine, Jenny! Good luck in the giveaway.
Kate
I like things in order so I can find things easy. I have kept some special pictures etc my kids have done. I would love to win the dolls so much. I have never had a doll before in my life. My parents never bought me toys. The book would be a treasure to have.
Being able to find things easily would be a great bonus, Deana. Interesting that your parents never bought you toys, while these days parents seem to smother their children with too much. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Will start downsizing later this year. So much stuff after living here the last 28 years. Wanting to move and don’t need all the stuff that has been sitting around. But would love to win this contest.
I don’t envy you, Juanita, but you’re getting the move you want. I used to cruise into estate sales and thrift stores, but not anymore. We’re officially over capacity. Praying your move goes well. Good luck in the contest!
Kate
Yes, it takes a time for me to get into the mood to clean out closets and the basement. But when I get started I just keep going until I get a good bit cleaned out. When no one around I get rid of a lot of things that are useless or I do not think we will need again. I did keep a box of our children’s papers and drawings from elementary, it was a good idea to only keep one for each month. Good luck in your Spring cleaning.
Thanks, Nancy Jo, I’m getting some great ideas and feeling motivated. I’m afraid to even look in my box filled with our sons’ papers. Luckily, it’s way up high … Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Most of my clutter is books, recipes, paper stuff, fabric and sewing stuff. Our house is small and we no longer have spring pick-up where you set your stuff out that you no longer want along the road and the town will pick it up. They stopped that many years ago. We’ve had 3 roll-off dumpster within twenty years and still have stuff!! I said to my hubby this is the year we will definitely throw away or get rid of a lot of stuff. I have donated to the Salvation Army and library a lot of books and other things as long as I can get a tax receipt which does help with our taxes. My home is clean but I wish it looked more like an Amish home – simple with less.
In the past I sewed often, but don’t have time or interest anymore, Karen. I had pieces of fabric I couldn’t part with for sentimental reasons. A friend kindly sewed two pieces together into a small lap blanket for me. I gave a couple (red velveteen and part of a silk kimono) to our granddaughter. Sometimes we’ve set large useable items like sports equipment out front with a FREE sign on them and people have taken them. Celebration time when that happens for all involved. Good luck with your de-cluttering and in the giveaway!
Kate
I try not to do much cleaning anymore, just do the must do…then enjoy myself with games on puter or reading or shopping which is getting to be more online then in stores.
I am a senior now and time to relax more.
I’m glad you have more time to relax, Pauline. I find myself shopping online more also. Our UPS driver and mailman know where to leave the packages … Thanks for finding my blog and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I try to do a good cleaning going through stuff every few months, if I don’t I let things collect that I really don’t need. Would really love the Amish dolls!
Good plan, Melissa. My biggest challenge seems to be with with my dear-ones art, some of which is very good. My sons’ old school papers? One day, I’ll sift through them … but at least they’re out of sight. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate