Hi Ladies :) - I'm still checking in when I can and while I can to read posts but obviously haven't got a lot of time now.

I've started the packing and counting the short days in which to do it too.

DS was an angel last night - he is an obsessive hoarder and knows even if you move his things an inch. He keeps absolutely everything. Anyway we went through his things together and he reluctently threw away FIVE bin bags of toys! :eek:

Now here's the problem - I have just realised why I've never de-cluttered properly.

I have 100's of pads of writing paper - I like writing and although I don't need this much ONE DAY it will run out and I'll just end up buying more!

I have fabric paints my Dear Dad gave me (but not the kind I use) but he gave them to me - end of story?

I have LOTS of tins of paint that Dear Dad taught me I can mix, use etc and it costs lots of money.

I have LOTS of everything!!! That even if I don't want it - I could sell it to help with the money for our holiday OR make it into something different?

Of course I have so much that this would take the rest of my life, assuming I could find what I needed when I wanted it, but you get the attitude?

I just CAN'T bring myself to put it in the rubbish and LEAVE it there - it is sooooo wasteful. But I don't have time to sell it and I can't take it with me either. The other house is smaller, I can't take my workshop AND it's hard enough moving what we do need alone - let alone all the things that I'm sure I can do something with one day.

OH PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I'm sitting amoungst a pile of STUFF and I just can't decide what to do - I'm just moving it from one place to another and watching the precious hours tick past!!!

:(

How about giving it to a charity? Then it is not being wasted, and you don't have it any more. And some one else will put it to good use.

Maybe it will be easier to let go if you know it will be used by someone.

Originally posted by Kimmomo3
How about giving it to a charity? Then it is not being wasted, and you don't have it any more. And some one else will put it to good use.
Maybe it will be easier to let go if you know it will be used by someone.
I agree. I know it's tough Bev but try & think that you are making someone else extremely happy by donating the paint etc. Maybe someone who is wonderfully creative like you but can't afford the stuff needed to express themselves. ;)Take a deep breath & hang in there. Keep thinking new adventure...new adventure.{{Bev}}

Do you have any friends or family who are crafters/writers, etc.? Perhaps you could share your bounty with them.....? I feel your pain, I'm a bit of a hoarder myself *sigh*. Keep trying...maybe you'll get rid of some of it. ;)

I agree with these girls... find someone creative and give it to them. I know all too well the feeling of being creative and not being able to express it because you don't have (and can't afford) the right supplies/equipment. Then you will know it is being put to good use. And maybe they will make you something with it as a thank you! :D

Hang in there.... it will all be better soon. :)

yes i agreee with them or what about the childrens school, i know our schools can alway use craft supplies. Hang in there dear. i am still thinking about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't it funny how the day always (well almost anyway) goes smoother than you 'imagined' it in your head? LOL.

I took the toys straight to the dump, which seemed very wasteful but I have neither the time nor the inclination to sort out the casserole of bits and pieces now - so that's where they went!

I took lots of craft supplies to the school (which if I'm honest REALLY hurt!) but they were very appreciative, and to be honest the thought hurt more than the actual 'doing' now they are actually gone I feel much better.

I took 4 bags of clothes to recycling, I planned to take those to charity, but I can't park easily there and recycling seemed just as OK at the end of the day?

I actually opened all the paints - that I haven't looked at in two years! :eek: and there were LOTs of 'bits' of similar colours - so I mixed a whole tin of new green paint to do DS bedroom at the new house and a whole tin of yellow for DD's room. I did chuck a whole tin of pink but the tin was so rusty I couldn't get the lid off anyway?!!

I tidied all the craft supplies and sorted them out so now I actually KNOW what's there and where it is :D

AND I got my hands on lots of large cardboard boxes for packing (I'd had trouble with this?)

So all in all - not a bad day I don't think? Or at least not as bad as I had imagined!

Thank you girls :) Just your support always lifts my mood and makes me think 'Yeah, You CAN do this!' I LOVE you all.

I'll keep you updated all the time I can as well - however boring it is LOL

OH I am so happy things are working out!!!!! Hang in there. We are all behind you and i love your updates i don't see where they are boring at all. :) my mum always said the waiting is the worst part because you imagine everything so much harder than it is when it happens and i have to agree with that thought. Remember this will get done, and you will be moved soon. Take care and we are thinking of you!!!!!!!!!