7.14.13 Cleaning, Sorting, Throwing, Donating, Part 2

This morning's task, clean out the antique ice box in the room off the kitchen.  I threw out 2 kitchen garbage bags of debris.  All PTA, Longfellow yearbook work, and hockey association committee notes, etc.  Also threw out a lot of newspaper clippings.  There was a point when I was at home full time when I started writing essays/columns, thinking I would like to publish.  So I had folders of favorite columnists saved, plus files on different topics, such as parenting, education, etc.  Threw it all out and feel happy about it. I also threw out summer time and preschool speech therapy folders from Zach and Katie, with speech excercises.
I threw out more video tapes.  It makes me appreciate DVR today, which takes up no external space today!  For donation, about 10 paperbacks that Eleanor gave me when they moved here that I had not read. Also found dish towels I bought at Ben Franklin crafts when they were going out of business.  I thought mom would enjoy them.  She declinedd! The days of the week "cow' design is one of my favorites!  I may stamp and embroider them, so I have a fresh set. There is also a tea service stamp design.
More thrown items:

• Guides for Windows 98
• Ink cartridges for printer we know longer have
• Poster hangers...the dreadful old ones that you cannot remove from your walls!
• All kinds of old travel pamphlets from our trips.  Clearly we were afraid to throw anything away.
• Old insurance and health plan information. 
• Reused...notebook paper and stationary

There were some found treasures though.  I have a folder for Matt, Zach, Katie, and Emily with newspaper clippings of them, early artwork, etc.  I showed Emily her portrait of our tall house!  As well as her early attempts at writing capital letter E for her name.  They had so many horizontal lines they looked "centipede style" font!

My plan is to store some dishes in the ice box, so I can move "everyday use" dishes and glassware into the buffett.

Next task may be the filing cabinet.  I already texted Katie to find out if we can get rid of all her student loan paperwork.  She said yes!  Matt and Zach?  We could make use of Zach's burn barrel.  I feel very proactive, doing this on a Sunday.  2 bags of clutter gone, and it's early in the week!  Last Thursday night I put 2 garbage bags in from the big decluttter movement, so they went out in Friday's garbage.  I used to have this on my monitor at work..."Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you CAN do!"  I am trying not to be overwhelmed that our basement, attic, and storage unit look like an episode of hoarders, and doing what I can do.  All that remains on the main floor, are 10 drawers....6 in the buffet, 2 filing cabinet, and 4 drawers in the living room.

This is the perfect accomplishment  for a rainy day.  It's been raining softly since 5:30 a.m. Wonderful, as it saves me watering the lawn, flowerbeds, and garden.  A gift from God.