Too much to do, what do I do first?

[DonnainME]

My in laws moved out in May but left TONS of crap both in the yard/shed and in the house. We were taking them and they were coming to get stuff in June but haven't taken or came by to get stuff since then. They left junk cars in the yard and TONS of junk everywhere. I have decided we need to get off our rears and start getting rid of this stuff no matter if they are happy about it or not.

Now, I'm not sure where to even start. We can't get much done every day because of my business and TONS of other things to do with my daughter.

We started working in the breezeway today. We have pulled and taken 3 bags of TRASH to the dump already and have 3 bags of bottles (.05 each) to take tomorrow. We aren't even 20% done with the breezeway. Now, I'm thinking we work everyday on the breezeway until it's done then start working on the shed and yard until Winter gets here (in Maine it gets ROUGH). I also think we should do a little in the house each day until Winter THEN concentrate on doing the house cause it'll be warmer in there. What do you all think of this plan??

It's going to take a LONG LONG time to get this house normal. They had 20 years of JUNK left here. I'm thinking if they won't willingly come and take stuff we will box up things that we think they may want to keep and put it in the damp basement in boxes. THEN it's on them. Whatcha think?

Also, they have a freezer left here with stuff in it that is ANCIENT. I have a new freezer that we are using - we aren't using theirs. I am going to tell my MIL that if she wants to go thru this freezer, she will need to come over this Sunday and help, if not, we will when the dump is open and throw away what we think is bad. This is a person that thinks nothing really goes bad as long as it's frozen. This is also a person that when we cleaned out the fridge once got a pkg of pork (that had been partially used) FROM THE TRASH because she said it would still be good. Anyway, almost everything in that freezer is freezer burned and yucky. There are only a few things I would save. I think getting their freezer OFF would lower our electric bill MORE.

Donna in Maine

[dutchtulip]

Well it sounds like to me you are on your way to decluttering your life and getting your home back.

Your plan for cleaning up sounds good to me, but you are gonna have to stick to it everyday.

I would get the old cars out of the yard NOW, scraped metal is bringing in some good money right now, it has started to even out, but still, get rid of them if they don't want them. Then give them the money since I assume it would be theirs anyways.

Also since you are in Maine, maybe try to do the outdoor stuff more, since your winters are touch and go.

Good Luck to you. You will feel 100% better after even the littlest accomplishment.

Aj

[Greebo]

Would DH support simply telling them, "You have 30 days to get your stuff, or its going to the dump." ?

Mind you, that message should come from him, not you...

[hugxlaughxsmilexlove]

They have definitely had enough time to get everything out. Sounds like you got a plan. Come get it out get it out! And if anything is available to sell - it's yours (IMO)

"My house, my rules"!

[leezza]

Donna,

On the same line as Greebo said, how about writing a letter for your DH and having him sign it??? You could send it registered mail so that way they have to sign for it….keep your copy and keep the return slip also.

The letter could start like this and you can fill in around it:

“Dear Dad & Mom,

We know how busy you have been with all of your activities, But right now we are doing everything we can to get ready for the coming winter. We would really appreciate it if you could stop by and pick up any items that you would care to keep. We will be going through things and getting rid of anything that needs to go.

Your Son,
___________”

Just an idea,
leezza

[peanut]

Sounds like a plan. I'd guess they don't want the stuff if they haven't come back for it??? Best to double check through DH. If it's still questionable, then I'd go for the registered letter. You never know when we old folks might go funny and decide something (like getting rid of our stuff) is elder abuse!

Jean

[Starlight9803]

I agree with nanagail, I would simply tell them "you've had since May to get this stuff out of here, either arrange to pick up what you want within the week, or it is gone" Guess I'm really mean though, if they refused to pick it up and still didn't want it gone, I'd pile up our truck and trailer and go dump it in THEIR yard heehee

[mira]

Wow, that's a tough one. I would definitely work on the outside stuff first (having lived in VT I can appreciate Maine winters), encourage them to come get their stuff and definitely GET RID of the freezer and it's contents!!! Nothing is worth poisoning your family for.

I don't know if this is available in Maine but when we lived in CT there were hauling companies that would come look at what you had. If there was enough good stuff that they could sell they would just take it all and the sellables were theirs in lieu of a hauling fee. It's much more important to get rid of this clutter from your physical and emotional life than to try to work your way through 20 years of someone elses stuff. jm.02

Good luck and sending you an extra dose of patience and sanity.

[Lady_V]

Who's names are the cars in? I ask because I don't think you can scrap them or even donate them unless you hold the title/slip on them.

I'd say try to clean the yard the best you can now, before the winter rushes in. If DD isn't in school yet, how about 'hiring' her and a few of her friends to clean the lighter, less dangerous stuff... the payment... a sleep-over, pizza and a movie.

I would definately ask DH to send the certified letter to his parents and give them until the end of September (I know, more generous than they deserve) and include IN the letter that they left in May... that way if they want to be pety and go to small claims court, they left in May, you gave them until September 30 to completely vacate.

In turn... if they DO go that route, and they were paying 'rent' while living there, you could counter-sue for rent June, July, August, September because according to the law, they still occupied the premises even though they were not physically there... I know, touchy area.

Best of Luck!

[Greebo]

But cars not belonging to her on her property can be towed away at owner expense.

[Holly]

You don't have to have the title to scrap the cars.
They are only going to sell parts off them and then crush them.
We do this some for extra money.( not sure about donating )
We clean the house next door when someone moves out. You wouldn't believe the mess this last one has left.
Good Luck Donna

[geckoace]

you do need the title to donate a car, i dont know about scrapping but where i live you can call your local gov and report it abandoned and they will haul it away for free....

[momof2joys]

I would just get a hold of them and tell them that they need to come and pick up their junk or it is gone.
I would give them 30 days, I would also continue to throw away the trash.

My best friend also is going through this problem right now!!! She bought her house last October and the people she bought the house from gave her $100.00 to let them keep the stuff that is in the shed for 60 days, if no one came and picked things up from the shed, they could do what they wanted with it. Well, earlier this week the previous owners called and wanted to get some things out of the shed. Well it has been 10 months so my friend has already gotten rid of some stuff. Lucky for her, the previous owners are pretty understanding and did say that the deal was done last October.

I would maybe ask them if there is anything that is really important to them that they would want to keep. Maybe you could set it aside for them.

Other than that, GET RID OF THE JUNK!!!! It will make you and your family feel much better!!

[DonnainME]

Thanks everyone. We are working on it. DH will NEVER tell them to come get it but I will start just getting rid of the stuff. They come by at least once a week - they should take stuff when they are here. They see we are starting to do things and I told them I was getting rid of the one van.

We told her that she has to come by on Sun and go thru the freezer or we will. That is my plan for Sunday - get started on that freezer. It may take me a few days - I won't go thru it if the dump is closed (Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun is when it's open) because I don't want rotting food here - frozen and getting ready to go is ok but not thawed. KWIM?

We have been pulling wood up over the bank and cutting it for the wood stove - only have wood for heating. I don't know if I mentioned earlier but we were approved for HEAP but won't know how much until October. We don't have money to buy wood either. I hope we get a decent amount from HEAP and get a decent amount from our property.

I can scrap the van, I am also thinking about seeing if the people that come for it will buy some of the other scrap metal we have.

Thanks everyone. I will keep you all updated.

[mira]

Good luck and remember that old adage about how you eat an elephant....one bite at a time.