Thursday, September 1, 2011

I've Caught the Downsizing Bug

I mentioned in my last post that I found an organization that doesn't sell what's given to them, but gives it to needy people in the community I live in. I packed my SUV and delivered a ton of stuff today...








While the lady and I were unloading my SUV (I feel so pretentious when I say SUV, but that's what it is). I mentioned that I have furniture that I'd like to donate and do they pick up.  The answer was the one I wanted...yes...they do pick up.  So, this is where the downsizing bug comes in and now I want to get rid of all of it.  I also know that's not going to happen because there are some things I want to keep...tools...bowling balls to be turned into yard art...a box of Hummels...a box of silver (silverware and the like)...printers...yard art...to name a few.  I don't know if it will be enough to justify the PODS price.  I'm still working that one out.  

I'm starting to see noticeable signs of progress.  Today I broke down two shelving units in the garage...


In fact, the garage is starting to look empty and that's a good thing.  My SUV is full again with stuff I'm going to take to Home2Home tomorrow, the place I've been writing about.  

One side of the garage has stuff earmarked for Goodwill and there's not that much.  I took a load there right after my moving sale.  I figured I'd better do that before any of the stuff made it's way back into the house.

Home2Home also takes pictures, so I'm taking my mom's oil paintings.  I must have 20 pictures she painted.  It's been tough trying to decide what to do with them...you know...feeling guilty at the thought of not hanging onto them.  She did a nice job, but they're not my style.  When I was loading them into my car I looked at each one and then I found one that really appealed to me...



I don't know how I missed this one before, but I did.  Fortunately, I found it before it was too late and it's going to Tucson with me.  Now I don't feel guilty.

Monday the people from Home2Home are coming to pick up the couch and loveseat, coffee table, end table, dining room table, and six dining room chairs.  They won't take the buffet because it's too big.  At least I have that worked out with the people leasing the house.  Now I won't have to deal with it for a year.  

The next thing I'll schedule for them to pick up will be the dressers and desks.  I have two chairs in the family room that swivel and rock, which I really like, so I think I'll keep them.  

I swear, I'm going to get down to the bare minimum and stay that way so that my son won't have to go through this in 30 or so years.  

Loving the sunshine,

Jeana




13 comments:

  1. I think you are making the right decision...nothing worse than paying storage and then coming back a year later and saying "What in the world was I thinking"?...

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  2. Good job on the downsizing! whew, what a job. So many of the things that we think are precious to us are completely meaningless to our offspring, not all, but definitely some.

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  3. good job on the donating front!!!...sounds like a great organization!!

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  4. Getting rid of stuff is liberating. So the way you are going, you will soon be free:)

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  5. I like that painting! U could take pictures of the paintings then u would have those for memories, until u stop feeling bad, that is what i did :)

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  6. I think you'll find the more you get rid of the more liberated you will feel, at lest that's the way it worked for me and I hope it works for you.

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  7. That painting is beautiful its good you found one and even better you found it before you gave it away. Giving the stuff to Home2Home is great. I would much rather give to something like that than to some organization that charges poor people top dollar for the stuff.
    I am happy for you and you will be on your way before you know it.

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  8. I'm glad you're taking at least one of your mom's paintings. Did you take pictures of the other ones? I've been taking pictures of sentimental items that I'm getting rid of..that way I still can 'see' them.

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  9. You are making GREAT progress!! YAY!! When we were "purging" everyone told us how it is so liberating (and it is) and how we are doing our son a favor (and we were). Good for you!!

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  10. Jeana... I agree that taking photos of the paintngs is a great idea. The "Downsizing Bug" is a good bug ;-)

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  11. Glad you found that place and you can help others as you downsize. I really like that painting and I'll bet you are going to find it is a real treasure in years to come. Good going!

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