While I’m not exactly recovering a king’s tomb, I am finding some very interesting stuff up there. You see, son one and son two have made the decision it’s time to abandon their old rooms. Both are convinced they won’t be living at home again. Given the way some children are bouncing back, I’m strangely ok with their resolve.
Now is the digging out phase. Both are convinced there’s nothing to be discovered that would endanger either them or me, so I’m making a plan. The first goal is to section off the room. Then the stuff shuffle begins.
There have been interesting discoveries. First uncovering: an extra set of iPod ear buds. Someone was about to go pick up a pair, so that was a convenient find. I’ve also found a couple of dozen working ink pens. (So that’s where they went!)
Not every find is a happy memory. Tucked into a shelf with the graduation tassels and band medals are a couple of disposable cameras. One bears the name of a young woman who killed herself a few years ago. No one has had the nerve to have those photos from a senior dance developed.
If archeology helps to draw a map of a civilization’s lifestyle, I’d have to say they were interesting times indeed. But like so much ancient history, these prized possessions are about to find their way to a storage box labeled and forgotten, only to be discovered again years down the road.
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So what all do you keep? I still have a plaque from a speech I gave in the 4th grade. I haven’t seen it in 15 years, but I know it’s in the basement. At what point do you dispose of your history? Do you need a ritual, or does it simply head to the trash? What about all those children’s drawings and cards and strange art projects? Help. Please!
May I suggest reading Karen Kingston’s Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui? It’s a quick read and in my opinion very motivating. In 2001 we had to move my mom to a senior living arrangement and I cleaned out her house – 52 years worth of saving stuff. It was so draining. The things that meant anything to me I had taken long ago. There really isn’t much that needs to be saved. I’ve read things about photographing items, etc. but how many photos do most folks have lying around that they rarely look at anyway? Please try to get the book – it will help. Also, Peter Walsh’s book It’s All Too Much is worthwhile as well. About the young woman’s camera – would her family like it? Seeing those photos might be a keepsake of a happier time. I don’t know – it’s just a thought.
Thanks for the reading tips! I’d much rather read about something than do it.
I had the same thought about the camera, but I don’t feel it’s my decision to make. That one just gets to wait.
P.S. Also, have you ever seen Flylady? I don’t subscribe because it’s a barrage of emails but do try to check in and do the Flyzone and Missions which are quick and definitely help me keep up with things. http://www.flylady.net
Oh yes. I’ve used a version of “give away, throw away, put away” for a long time. I do really well with most of the public areas of the house. It’s the basement, back closets, and now kids rooms that can be very scary.
Ok, Pat. Only one bag of “put away” left.
You know, thanks for the encouragement. I laughed at myself when I typed I’d rather read about it than do it. I found the call number for one of the books at the library. And then…I spent half an hour whipping away at the rest of the pile in the kid’s room. There’s a tall shelf he needs to tackle, but other than that, it’s done.
Closet? Clean. Chest of drawers? Cleared. Corners? Vacant. Yea me!
Now I’m going to start tonight’s dinner (pot roast) and then head to the library for that book.
I’ve saved. A few very special items from my long ago years for my children to look at “when I’m gone.” But I have a few bins for each of the kids of things from their lives and I keep it not for them, but “for their children to see.”
I don’t know if they care as much as I do. My son probably doesn’t. Maybe my daughter does – she’s the sentimental type. I’ve given her things to her to do what she wants with them now that she is married and has her own child. But my son and his wife live in Colorado and never have room to take his things back with them.
I like the thought of videotaping/photographing some of it. That’s one way of getting it to Colorado!
Kudos to you and your cleaning, Cindy! I had thought I would be doing the same today but after a trip to the grocery store I remembered that I needed to use my “Kohl’s Cash” today or it expires. I got home and put groceries away and then off I went…very busy and long lines. I did get some needed items for myself though. Once home there wasn’t much time before dinner prep was calling my name. So, here I sit. Oh, well. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “After all…tomorrow is another day.” What book did the library have?
Janet – you could always do what my mother-in-law did 12 years ago and just send her kids boxes filled with their stuff. One day I came home from work to find 3 good sized boxes at our door filled with little plastic football players, ribbons, trophies, etc.. My husband didn’t keep any of it and his mom didn’t mind. She was just glad that she didn’t have to make the decision to keep or get rid of these things herself so she said that the shipping costs were worth it!