The art of decluttering - be organized!

I just want to say THANK YOU to those who follow the blog. While I don't know all of you personally, you are always there for me; you provide loads of support and always have great ideas. If you didn't know, you are helping motivate me to get my life in order. And I love all your comments. I love that some of you are, or have already, tackled your houses and the decluttering process; I love that you are getting off the bus one stop earlier than necessary and adding a few extra steps to your day. I think we are all motivating each other, and that makes one big supportive community, of which I am happy to be a part of!!! THANK YOU!!!! 

Nothing was created in a day, and our health didn't deteriorate in a day, but if you start small, you will be amazed at how short those long distances between stores really are. Keep up the good work, everyone!!! 

And if your families think you have gone mad, just ignore them. Smile and say, yes I have, but I'm alive, and I'm doing something about my crap or my health. Don't argue with them - agree with them, and soon they will keep quiet because you are not feeding their fire!!! Don't tell anyone, least of all DH, but that is my new stance. When he calls me crazy, I agree. I am!!! And well, I'm having fun. How about you?"

Go for it!!!

I will say that while we've had fun these last couple of days, it's been an exhausting exercise, mentally and physically, but the amount of work we got done is incredible. And to think I brought a small ball of yarn to crochet a scrubby -- what the heck was I thinking? That I would walk in the house and everything was already packed? 

I just wish I had one more day, because I could have finished the job completely. How many times have I said that? But I swear, we've been working like mad, and I know my aunt will be so happy when I'm gone. Well, hopefully not, but she won't have someone cracking the whip. I'm trying to leave the house somewhat uncluttered if you can believe it, because the clutter is overwhelming. 

Plus, I got her set up on WhatsApp so we can communicate quickly this week when she needs advice, encouragement, or wants to share what she's done. For some reason, our texting abilities have gone astray in the past. 

Not only did we have to pack up the house, but we also had to sort through it first. And then we packed. This is the typical scene in the house over the last couple of days. 

We sorted through a section and found stuff we no longer wanted/needed. We put those items by the front door. 

Stuff to be removed from the house

Then we moved the items to the garage or the car so we could get rid of them. 

Like magic - the stuff is gone.

I don't know how many times I have done that, and there is another pile of boxes at the front door that need to be moved to the garage this morning before I leave. 

Thank goodness for the garage/shop. It's been a godsend for keeping the house clear of clutter. We also spent some time in the garage sorting what my cousin will deal with and what's being picked up this morning. 

The picture below shows the side of the garage that the young lady is picking up this morning. Lucie has been an absolute angel; she came late yesterday afternoon and picked up all the metal stuff (two lawnmowers and two metal filing cabinets) that will go to the metal recycling this morning. Then she is coming back and will make several trips to clear it all out. Her goal is to find homes or recycling places for most of it, but much will still end up in the landfill, which is expensive. 

This crap will go this morning.

Lucie is like the 1-800 got junk for Salt Spring. A lovely, young, enterprising lady, and we are happy to support her. Sadly, I won't be here to see the half-empty garage, but I will get a picture after it's gone. I'm so excited, and seeing the clutter disappear will be good for my aunt. You know what they say -- out of sight, out of mind.  

I tell you, this is a daunting task, and seeing any clutter is overwhelming. It is for me; imagine if you were older? This is what clutter does to us in our houses -- it overwhelms us, and we become unable to function properly. You MUST start getting rid of it, and the more you do, the easier it gets and the better you will feel. 

So here's a starting point for you. If you inherited some of your parents/aunt/in-laws or whomever, start there and get rid of all their crap. Because that is what most of it is- CRAP. My grandfather had LOADS of sheet music. A good part of it was photocopied, and he bound all the edges with masking tape. I have no idea where he copied the music from, but he often did this. We all remember his love for playing the piano and singing at the same time. 

Some of Grandpa's music

We put all the music in the recycling bin yesterday. Was I sad when I tossed it? Absolutely not - I just wanted it dealt with. So imagine those sheets of music sitting around for over 30 years, untouched. Wait -- they were touched as they were moved from one place to another. So if you have stuff like that around your house --- get rid of it!!!!

Like so many things from our parents' era, most of the stuff (including furniture and dishes) is dated. Do yourself a favor and get rid of it today. Yes, TODAY!!!!! It's a perfect day to get rid of that kind of stuff, and when I get home, I won't have time for about three weeks to tackle it. Still, you bet I'm going to remember this week, and I'm going to print out those lists, or I'm just going to get my butt in gear and finish clearing out our garage and the office. 

Once that is done, I need to start back at the top of the house and attack the clothes closet (AGAIN!) I was ruthless the last time, but not nearly enough. I would love to cull my clothes down to one suitcase, my 50 lb suitcase. I only wear a few things, so why do I need all the rest? I might opt for two suitcases because I have a few coats and I wear them all. 

We had another small fire, and this time when I took the picture, I had the screen on top. I sent the pictures from the other day to Dad, and he scolded me for not having the screen on. The mesh is rather large and open, so any embers will escape regardless. The days of burning are over, and my hoe? The metal end fell off at the last stir, so I knew I was done!!!!

One last kick at the burning barrel

To make things easier, this area beside the front door is now where all the packing materials are stored. Boxes, bags, totes, etc. That way, when I needed a box, I could look at the pile and pick one. That area will stay until all the packing is done. 

The packing supply area

This area holds all the packed boxes. They are sealed and labeled. Yes, there are a few open things on the left, and my cousin will deal with those, hopefully this weekend. I have two cousins: one is coming this weekend to clear the garage, and the other will come the following week to help with the last-minute stuff and the final move. 

What we have packed

This is the area for the tape gun, labels, any information we might need this week, and stuff for the new owners. All neat and organized. 

The labeling area

The bedrooms are pretty much clear except for the clothes, other items my aunt will need, and the furniture, which will be picked up at the end. That leaves the large kitchen and eating area. 

I set up a small folding table in the eating area. This is where our young kids used to play when we came to visit. I remember M scooting along on her butt across that black-and-white checked floor. While it's been an exhausting couple of days, I would NOT have changed it. I've enjoyed the visit so much, and there are so many memories in this house. And the fact that I can help someone out  - it's all therapeutic. And a HUGE learning lesson for me. Even though I know all this, I need to get myself in gear, because I do NOT want to be in this situation when it's time for us to move. 

Especially the "dirty" areas, like the garden shed, the garage, the cold room in the basement. Those need to be cleared!!! 

We are not panic packing; there is no need for that. And as for me, I don't want to panic-pack when I move. As I mentioned earlier this week, I want to be able to call the real estate agent, put my house on the market, sell it, and move without having to declutter. It will all be possible; it is well within my reach, except for that basement, and I need to start dealing with that. 

Oops - I got sidetracked. So about 3 in the afternoon, we were finally ready to tackle the kitchen. I know, we had to deal with the garage, then make trips to various recycling places, get some groceries, and finally get to work. 

I will say that my aunt is a trooper. What we dealt with for the next 6 hours was the culmination of her life as an entertainer, a cook, a mother, and so much more. 

I would bring out dishes and other kitchen items and put them on the table. She could sit at the kitchen table and direct me to keep, donate, or throw away. It worked quite well, and I got to hear all kinds of stories about her life and where this dish or that dish came from. While we didn't clear the space entirely, we dealt with the things that have the most memories. 

Our staging table for decluttering the kitchen

It was hard work for both - physically for me, mentally for her. But we did accomplish so much. 

We also had to deal with this buffet-style cabinet, which was filled with glassware. And the counters were covered with more stuff. 

Progress!!!!! 

There are two sets of dishes still in there, both china. I think she has decided to keep the small set and use it every day. Yeah!!!!! We're hoping Lucie can pick up the other set today, but that is not my decision to make. Otherwise, all the upper cabinets are empty except what she needs to eat this week. 

We cleared about 1/3 of the lower cabinets, and she will have that task this week. I'll set up some boxes so she can put the giveaway stuff in them, and I suspect most of it will be giveaway, since the place she is going has meals except for breakfast. 

The last thing to deal with in the kitchen is the food. Again, she can putter through that stuff, and hopefully by the end of the week, it will be done. So all is good, and she will have something to occupy her this week. Otherwise, she'll have loads of time on her hands. My cousin will have 1 1/2 days to help with the final pack, so even if she doesn't tackle the kitchen, they should be able to do that.  

I still have a small box to pack this morning and move all the discarded glassware to the garage for Lucie to deal with. I'd better shower and change before I leave, or they may ask me to sit on the plane wing for the flight home! Sadly, no upgrade for the flight home. I'm in the upper half of the list, but it is long! 

It's funny how, when we move, we look around our house and comment on how shabby this or that looks and why we didn't fix it. The new owners will think we are lazy, dirty, or careless. I know my baseboards need painting, and the walls need repainting; some rooms haven't been painted since we moved in 23 years ago. It's not my priority. But we do have some things that we need/want to fix for us! While we enjoy the next 10+ years in our house. 

And here is a deer that we spotted from the kitchen window. Oh -- should I tell you the story about the booze? We found quite a few half-empty bottles of booze in one of the lower cabinets. We weren't sure how it would affect the septic system, so I went outside and dumped it down by the field. There might be a few drunk voles to deal with this morning. Then I put the bottles in the back of the car where they will be taken to the liquor store for refunds. 

One of the two deer in the field

I'm sure the car is going to stink this morning. I should have left them on the ground beside the car. To make matters worse, we left two bags of orange juice containers in the car because we forgot to take them to recycling (you can get money for them here). So if someone looked in the back of the car, they would think we had one wild party!!!! I had a good chuckle about that. 

We have a huge bag (again) of electronic waste, and we forgot to take it to the recycling depot. So my aunt will have a few small tasks like that to deal with. I'm going to send her a WhatsApp message each day to remind her what needs to be done. 

OK -- I will confess that I sent a box of stuff home to myself. I found a few books that I wanted to browse through and a couple of jigsaw puzzles. I didn't have time to browse the books, and trust me, I will share them with you because they look like fun. So that went home by mail, and I have a few things in my suitcase. More on that when I get home. Why the heck didn't I bring a slightly larger suitcase? 

Well, not to worry. 

Now ---in light of what I just said, DO NOT JUDGE me on this. 

But the next time someone asks you if you want something, just say NO THANKS. I already have a house full of clutter, and I don't need more. 

Unless it has some special meaning, like the demitasse spoons, which I must steal one this morning before I leave. And yes -- I have read the Spoon Stealer book. It was very good. I have a few stolen spoons at home. At least I think I still do. I must check that when I get home. 

But here's the other thing about an uncluttered house. I cleaned my kitchen cupboards and drawers before the pandemic. I can't find the post where I did that, but I'm pretty sure it was at least ten years ago, probably around 2017. And I cleared out HALF of what was in the cupboards and drawers. My kitchen is in pretty good shape. But the result of that decluttering is that it is super easy to maintain. Each item has a place, so when you are done, you put it back. Simple!!!! Guess how much "maintenance" our kitchen items require? NONE!!!!! 

That should be the same in any area of your house. 

Oh god -- I feel a list coming on!!!!

Some tips for decluttering BEFORE you move. 

1. Start piles around your house as you put "like" items together
2. Start small, but START
3. Once the "like" items are together, you can now evaluate what you have
4. Then sort into what you want and don't want, what is good to donate, and what is garbage
5. Then find a nice home for the things you want (be ruthless and honest) - do you really need three sets of dishes? Or 25 coffee mugs? 
6. Then get rid of what you don't need; throw it away or give it away, but be mindful: donating to a thrift store is NOT always the right move. How many "BEST MOM" mugs do they want? NONE!!!! So some of that stuff (sadly) ends up in the landfill. 
7. Think the next time you want to buy a cute, very specific gift, it will likely end up in the landfill, so maybe a gift card for Tim's is more appropriate and useful. I'm thinking teacher gifts here -- get more creative. How many teacher mugs does one teacher need each year? 

OK -- that's it for today. By the time I edit this, it will be time to get moving. I have to finish packing my suitcase, move that stuff, have a bite to eat, and then I'm off. OH -- and have a shower! 

It will be a GLORIOUS day, and hopefully there'll be no fog to contend with as the seaplanes fly on visuals!!!! 

Ciao!!!!!

More tips for healthy living spaces and your health!!

 I forgot to answer one of the comments about the duplicate winter quilts. That was the second of the $10 quilts that I taught starting back in 2003 or some timeframe like that. Not home to fact-check the date. They were called $10 quilts because the students paid $10 to participate. If they didn't finish their work, they paid another $10 for the next month's pattern, and they got a piece of fabric at the same time. There were multiple variations to that process. Our store (The Hobby Horse) didn't quite follow the same rules as some of the others in the neighborhood. 

Although I didn't do the double quilts on the very first one I taught (Pieceful Year), I did on the next two years, this series of four seasonal quilts. Yes, I have two autumn (ready to quilt), two spring (ready to quilt), two winter (quilted, but need to be bound), and I haven't started summer, but to complete the series, I'll make them. Thankfully they are small. 

I also did two Cabin in the Woods quilts, and after that, I shook my head and said, "no more duplicate quilts!" These were taught in person, and it was easy to have part of it made and then part of it finished to show the students. No Zoom back then, so you could do some work, take a picture, and then finish it. 

The winter and summer quilts were sort of secondary quilts, and we didn't really focus on them in class; they were bonus homework, and probably I and anyone in that class never got them done. My two winter quilts are done. Why did I focus on those? They're on my Visual To-Do list, and the end of the year is coming! Having a list or goal is a great way to focus. 

Other than a few things for new classes and the constant need to make new samples, I have NOT started a project just for fun. And you know what? I'm OK with that because I still love all the UFOs that I'm working on. I can't wait to start one of the Christmas quilts in January. I'll have to study that Visual To-Do list and dream up new projects and goals for 2027. 

The beginning of next year is already taking shape, and I might have a monthly trip for the first few months, so I'll keep that in mind as I plan how much sewing I can do. 

I still have a "few" that I'm not going to finish, but that's OK. I made good progress, and I love the concept, so I'm going to continue with it. Which quilts/projects will make the cut? 

Have a look at the comment that Elle made yesterday. She has added a few other tips, as I know she had one day to clear out her family home. I'm not sure I could do that, but you know, when push comes to shove, you just do it! I'm not sure about the Trust thing, but I know that all the documents are in place. That's out of my wheelhouse here- I'm taking care of my parents, and my cousin is doing that stuff for her mom. 

When packing, FOCUS is the name of the game. It's been so easy to get distracted, and then we have to get back on track. It's not just packing; we are also sorting things to donate, things to throw out, and things to pack. 

It was a dull day here, and we had several personal papers to destroy. We called to confirm that we could have a burn, so we did. Well, that simple little job took several hours, as there was other garbage to burn. But it is done. 

When I first started the fire, I put a wee bit too much stuff in the barrel, and it was smoking like mad. 

My witch's brew!!!!

But then I got the hang of it, and I had a roaring fire for at least an hour. There were bags and bags and bags of stuff to burn. 

My beautiful fire

At one point, I got out a hoe, and near the end, I used it to rake through the ashes to ensure that everything burned. It got pretty hot at times, and I even set the hoe on fire once. Oops. But all is good; we are done with that task, and it cleared out a bunch of stuff from the house. 

Burning is so much fun! 

My aunt sat nearby, and we had some grand conversations! 

We sorted through some stuff that had been hanging around and even had to break into a briefcase. We found a few old bits of currency. I'm not sure how much of this was valid, as one or two pieces were, in fact, facsimiles. Thanks to my Monday Sewing ladies. I think I kept them on their toes all day, asking questions: "What is this?" I knew some of the answers, and I was testing their knowledge. But we had fun with it. 

Bits of old currency

We found some old Canadian currency. That one dollar bill at the back is very old. Those can likely be exchanged for existing currency. It is packed, and we'll deal with it after the move.  

Old Canadian currency

We found some old Canadian pennies. Yep, those are antiques; the earliest is dated 1907. They are thin and about the size of a quarter. They are not worth much, around $8 CDN. 

Old Canadian pennies

I also used the Google picture search function on numerous occasions to find out what some stuff was. That's a pretty interesting thing to do. And amazing how much information is out there on the internet. As someone mentioned, the internet is one big dictionary, or in this case, encyclopedia; you can search with words or pictures. 

We found old passports. For whatever reason, I like to keep my passports, and so we kept these. This one expired in 1965, and it was like a small hard-covered book. It's taller than passports today, and bound in a hard cover with a spine. It's a great souvenir, and it would be fun to photograph the inside to keep digitally. I know there is no reason to keep it, but in the spirit of decision-making, we did. 

Canadian passport from the 1960s

The next passport, this one expired in 1970, was the same size, but with the soft cover we have today. You can see the old (left) and the new (right). 

An older version of the Canadian passport with a newer version

We made a trip to the dump, yep, like everywhere, you need to pay to get rid of things. But it was good to get rid of some of the small odds and ends we no longer need. 

As for the hangers, I don't care if an organization can use them -- we got rid of the wire ones. We are donating the nice wooden ones today, but the rest goes. We are dealing with a situation here where the clock is ticking, and time isn't on our side. We have amassed quite a bit of stuff to take to the thrift store today. 

I have two days, and while we are on track, we are just slightly behind where I envisioned we would be. We have tackled both bedrooms, and while there is still stuff in them, we've decided whether it gets packed, dumped, or what. Also, everything is packed in those rooms. So that is good. The kitchen is very large, with a huge eating area. 

The eating area is a bit of a shambles, so after dinner last night, we started on one side and worked systematically around the room. We made it about halfway around last night. We must continue this morning because that room has to be clear and packed by the end of today. I also need to bring up everything to pack from the basement. While I've had a look, I'm not really sure what is being packed and what is being dumped. 

And then we need to tackle the kitchen proper. While my aunt (bless her soul) has already done a lot of clearing and sorting, there is still a lot to go. We have two days! I want to try not to panic pack if we don't have to, but tomorrow might be a panic-packing day. 

Not to worry - we will do what we can. The important thing is not to leave odds and ends around -- the goal is to work around the rooms.

Packing with seniors (I'm allowed to say that because I am also a senior) means they look at the obvious stuff but don't look behind doors, under beds, or in those little nooks and crannies. So that is my job, and then I ensure that a decision gets made about everything! My aunt will be very happy to see me go!  

You know what I'm going to say next. It's not the big stuff, the towels in the linen closet, the dishes in the kitchen, that's troublesome to pack; it's all the crappy stuff you didn't deal with because you didn't know what to do with it. 

MAKE those decisions now. Clean out the junk drawer. Deal with the stuff that belonged to a loved one who is no longer here; yep, we are dealing with some of that as well. It's all these piddly little things that eat up time when you're getting ready to move. So if you take a little bit at a time NOW -- then guess what? When you are ready to move, it will be easy. 

It makes me want to run home (OK -- I'll fly) and then spend three days in that office and literally just dumping stuff. But I can't just toss an entire box without looking at it. I need to touch each thing; do NOT try to change me- that is how I am wired. And then, without putting it back in the box because you don't know how to deal with it, you MUST deal with it! This is the HARDEST thing about decluttering. Make a decision, relive the memory it brings, and then decide whether you want a SMALL box of little mementos or a picture, and toss it. Be ruthless! I mean RUTHLESS. 

I am looking for a word to signify 2027 (the word for 2026 was goals), and I might just take on RUTHLESS for 2027. I can make it on the embroidery machine, and then I'll carry that darn thing to the office or wherever I am decluttering. How can I embellish the word ruthless? I mean -- how to enhance the word. For GOALS, it became a soccer theme and is quite cute. I'm sure you all remember that little wall hanging. 

Whatever you do, DO NOT set it aside to decide another day. I've been sending pictures to various people asking if they want such and such. In ALL cases, the answer was NO. So don't assume your family/friends want your castoffs. They do NOT!!!! 

Yes, I could work faster, but this is NOT my stuff, and I don't have the authority to rip through it. And I'm OK with that. My aunt and I are having the grandest of conversations as things bring back memories for both of us, or I hear more of her stories. It's been a great time so far, and we still have two more days! 

Someone must have been reading my blog and prepared the following words of wisdom. There were more in the series, but I got the most fun from these. 

How many times have I said this? 

Chair squats!!!

Or this? 

Bone density!!!! 

And here is one about healthy eating. OK -- so I had a muffin yesterday. I'm OK with that - I might have one today, and then I'm back home. I'll be OK. 

So true

I don't care if pills will help -- I want to live my life WITHOUT pills for as long as I can!!! I can sacrifice eating those sweets! It's really no big deal. 

This one doesn't really apply to me right now; I think I'm pretty good at seeking help when I need it. 

See medical help if you need it.

And this one is definitely me, which is why I'm back at the gym, staying active and eating better. 

Speaking of eating better, I found this yogurt in the grocery store, and I bought some slivered almonds for my snack. It's plain, so it's a bit bland; I'll flavor it at home, or I'll check how much sugar is in the vanilla flavor. 

High protein yogurt

And when we were at the grocery store yesterday, someone was handing out samples of this. Some of these shakes are horrible, but I tried two different ones nd they were pretty good. So I found a couple of healthy, high-protein snacks to replace the muffin. YEAH!!!!

Protein shake

It's so easy to get complacent in anything in our lives. What we eat, what we ignore at home, and so many other things. I do NOT recommend moving frequently to take care of that stuff, but sometimes we need to look around our houses and at our bodies and really take a look. Do we like what we see? If not, only YOU and ME can take care of ourselves and our surroundings. 

And it's best to take care of it sooner rather than later. I don't want to worry about clearing out clutter when that time comes. If that means clearing out the clutter NOW, then when it comes time to move, there will be so little to move that it will be a non-issue. That's what I'm going to aim for. And imagine how easy it will be to move, no matter your age! 

Imagine that on the day you decide to move, you simply pack your clothes (one suitcase), call the moving van to box up your few possessions, and that's it. The rest is already gone because you don't use it. That's my ultimate goal. Then, no matter how old I am, I'll be able to handle it. Think of all those hidden places - the garage, the basement (OK - so I'm still in denial about that darn basement), the top shelves in your kitchen cupboards, the linen closet, under the bathroom sink, the garden shed, the side of your house- yes, people collect crap along the side of their houses. GET RID of anything you do not need. And trust me, those spaces can hide a lot of items. I've been through most of those areas at my house, and I've left very little. 

One of the bathrooms upstairs is completely EMPTY. Except for a few items in the linen closet that should be donated, the 12-foot-long vanity is EMPTY. I'll take a picture when I get home! 

And guess what? If you are no longer physically able, hire some young men, a junk removal service, or something. Why not ask your kids for a junk removal service this Christmas if they want to give you a gift? OH, that's a great idea: junk removal, a decluttering agency, or you can hire me! I'm RUTHLESS, especially with other people's stuff, and I don't take no for an answer! I will make you decide, or I'll do it for you! 

And keep the lines of communication open -- I'm chatting with various family members to see what, if anything, they want. Taking pictures of items, sending them, and asking questions as you go means things don't sit around while you wait for them to come to you. Get it done NOW!!!!

I've got a lot of work to do! 

It's going to be a glorious day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Memories and moving

I'm so glad to hear that I am not alone in my AI thoughts. I love the comment that it's literally one giant dictionary; however, that's what AI is. It scours the internet for information faster than the speed of sound. If it scours a source with incorrect or outdated information, it will give you that. At THIS POINT in time, AI can't discern right from wrong; it has no "intelligence" per se, and it has no consciousness. But at the rate they are developing it, BEWARE. 

Developers and people in that industry are saying we need to SLOW down AI development because it could potentially take over our world. Remember, OUR world is very much connected to the internet. Imagine if AI took control of the internet? You laugh, you scoff --- don't, because it could happen!

So if you use AI - beware. What tasks are you asking it to do and why? Does the task even need doing? How much control are you giving a machine? How much brainpower are you losing by handing the task over to a machine? 

I know this is going to be a total oxymoron when I say, " How much of your life have you given to the machines? My blog contains a lot of information about me. If AI searched, they could create a mini me in no time. That's a risk I take. But how much data have you shared because you want to participate in a freebie, a giveaway, or just because you thought it was a good idea? All that data is stored somewhere! 

How many people did you tag because you needed to ATTEMPT to win something you didn't need or want? 

Ever wondered why every new appliance comes with Wi-Fi connectivity? Oh -- it's convenient for you to start your oven when you approach your house. Meanwhile, whatever is in there has been sitting uncooked all day? NO -- it's for the companies to amass data on what you cooked, how long, when, etc. It's not about your convenience - it's about collecting data. 

I use Microsoft products, and their AI agent is Copilot. When I open a blank document, be that in Word or an email, I get a prompt. "What would you like to write today?" Seriously? I HATE that, and I need to find out how to turn it off. It's darn intrusive, and it's awful. I think that AI being so intrusive is the biggest reason I hate it.

Guess what we are learning? We are learning to let a machine write for us. So where does that leave our brains? 

AI technology will never go away and will keep encroaching on our brain capacity. It is up to us to use it wisely!!!

Well, enough about that. It's time to tell you what happened yesterday, and oh my --- it was a monumental day. 

The travel part was just fine. I didn't get an upgrade, but seriously, 5 hours on a plane isn't that big a deal unless you are in a middle seat, which I was not. I had just enough time to get through security, and I looked at the line at Tim's and decided I didn't have time for that. I went back to the other food place and bought a hot breakfast sandwich, and it was very good. It costs more than Tim's, but time is money, so I may just avoid Tim's altogether in the future. I got tea on the plane.  

I watched the 7th Harry Potter movie. I use English subtitles on the plane because it's hard to hear all the dialogue. I do not bring my big headphones. OK--- so that leaves the final movie, and well, I'll watch that on the way home. I think I watched all the Harry Potter movies on a plane this year! 

I may or may not have one more air trip after this one. Probably yes, but a shorter flight. 

And yes, I achieved my 50K status this year with the airline, so that will be good for the rest of this year and all of next year. Yeah!!! Lounge access is probably the biggest deal, and I should be higher on the upgrade lists, so we'll see what happens. This is the first time I achieved that status. I'll enjoy it while I can, as it won't last forever. 

I took a bottle to fill with water on the other side of security. But it wasn't really meant for this type of bottle. I am NOT carrying a heavier reusable water bottle, so I keep this one for travel. I put the bottle under the tap, and nothing happened. But when I put it closer to the sensor, the water came out but missed the bottle. AHA, if you angle the bottle so the bottom touches the sensor and the top is under the tap, that works much better. Could AI tell me that? OK -- I'll stop harping about AI. 

My travel water bottle

I could find a lighter weight bottle, but I cannot drink from something metal. I need plastic. I've probably been scarred from years of drinking from a metal dipper when I was a kid! Yep -- we didn't have running water in our house. We had a large crock of drinking water, and we shared a communal metal (chipped enamel) dipper. The thought is, well - at the time, that's all we knew. 

Then I landed in Vancouver and took the shuttle to the float plane docks. 

I love the float planes!!! Although there is one problem. Before boarding, they give you the safety lecture. When you get in your seat, you attach the lifejacket strap around your waist. It's connected to the seat. Should you need it, you are supposed to put the top strap around your neck, not inflate it on the plane, and so on. Will I remember that if I need it? Doubtful!!! 

The floatplane safety lecture spot

It was one of the larger planes, seating 9 people, which was a bit surprising, since there were only three of us plus the pilot. But when we arrived at the dock in Ganges on Salt Spring Island, a fair number of people were waiting. I think they even had a second plane coming over to pick up everyone. The day couldn't have been more glorious. The sky was blue, the temperature was warm, and it was beautiful. A perfect day for flying over the water. 

The float plane

There's the Vancouver Airport from the air. 

Vancouver Airport from the air

And I saw several large ships, including this container ship. It's amazing how many containers are on one ship. All that weight and it floats on the water!!!!! 

A container ship

And there are so many small islands in the Gulf Islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. It is a beautiful country, and I am always in awe every time I come, and I've been here many times. 

Some of the smaller Gulf Islands

While I waited for my aunt, she had to park in a different lot, so we missed each other. I spotted this wind sculpture. YES --- the gallery where I bought the one for my backyard is right here!!! 

A large version of my wind sculpture

You know the saying - be careful what you wish for. When my parents left the farm, I so wanted to get a dumpster, or dig a big hole and then systematically go from room to room and deal with all the stuff. What to keep, what to donate, what to give away to specific people, and then eliminate the rest. Throwing some of that crap in a dumpster would be so satisfying. Alas, that wasn't to be, and I don't know how many times we went through rooms, searching one more time in case we'd forgotten something. It was horrible, and it went on for years. 

My aunt, who has lived on Salt Spring Island for 34 years, is moving, and several years ago I told her I would come help her pack when she moved. Don't worry, her family is also helping, but this week, it's just the two of us. 

The timing is not perfect, but you do what you have to when the time comes. So here I am. 

When I walked in, there was stuff strewn EVERYWHERE, but that is typically the case when you are getting ready to move. She must have a guardian angel looking out for her because we were barely home when someone came to pick up a couple of pieces of furniture. A neighbor happened to be here, so the two of them emptied a big wall in the living room. 

This is PERFECT. So we started in one room and moved boxes of stuff to that empty space. This is the stuff she is keeping. 

The start of the keep pile

A few of those boxes need to be reboxed with better labels. We found a few more things that wouldn't fit in the first box we tried. That's a job for today. 

But then my super organizing skills kicked in, and I'm in my glory! We are trying to deal with ONE room at a time, and we did a pretty good job at clearing out one room. Now my aunt has been pretty good over the last couple of years at getting rid of things, and she had emptied most of the furniture in that room before I even got here. Where did it go? I don't need to know. 

We have piles in the house, several piles of things other people want, garbage, donate, burn (instead of shred), and so on. And the minute we unearth something else, it's fate gets decided, and then I walk it to the appropriate pile. I won't be going for a walk, so I'm relying on that process to get some steps in. 

But here's the issue. As we get older, I think we all get overwhelmed by everything. Your brain just doesn't function quite as you would like and I don't mean dementia - it's just that the thought of undertaking a large task like moving because a MAJOR life change. It's already a major upheaval, no matter how old you are. 

So while you may have dealt with big things, it's the little things that will kill you!! As I survey the house, I think about my own house and how I will pack things when the time comes. Thankfully, we don't have a ton of furniture, and we'll toss most of it when we move because we've had it for years. 

We have rooms in the house, a basement, and there is stuff in the garage. After surveying everything yesterday, I think we have a plan of attack. I have THREE days to do as much as we can, and I think we'll throw out or give away a lot of it since she won't need much of it when she moves into her new little apartment. 

What do you do with all those pictures/slides/negatives, etc that you know you should have dealt with before? I think we are going to pack them up and take them to the new place, but then I want to come prepared one day to deal with them. We don't have time right now, nor the proper equipment. 

A random box of slides

I know I have said I would deal with the phones multiple times, and I never did. I will book a trip, especially to deal with that stuff, or ship it back home and deal with it there. But I need to set aside time, and I mean serious time, to take care of it.

Why? Because memories mean a lot to me. They didn't when I was younger, but now they do. I want to preserve some of those memories. I was looking at pictures of my grandpa's garden and the gladiolas that were his pride and joy. We don't need hundreds of pictures of the gladiolas, but one or two will do. We can put them in a digital book, and we are done! Then when future generations of the family want to see what things interested their ancestors, we will have that information. 

Then we have found a couple of small boxes of pins and other odds and ends of jewelry. I found this bracelet and had no idea what it was. My aunt immediately piped up about where it came from. I took a picture and searched Google for it, and well, it's a bracelet from Wales with four Welsh symbols on it. Do you know what they are? 

A Welsh bracelet

Since I am going to Wales next year, I decided to keep the bracelet, and it needs a good cleaning so I can arrive wearing Welsh symbols! It's probably a cheap tourist bracelet, but it's memorable, knowing my aunt (dad's side) bought it, and I can wear it when I visit family on my Mom's side! I'm kind of sappy and sentimental like that. 

And then, of course, we found a couple of memory books, and here's a picture of my grandparents (dad's side) and M and her cousin, who now has his pilot's license and owns his own plane! 

Grandparents and two of their grandchildren 

And yes, my kid is eating a bag of Smarties! 

So what is my perspective on this situation? And keep in mind I am writing this down to clarify it in my head, and to get deadly serious about it when I get home. My saving grace is that only one room in the house needs serious attention: the office. Notice: I am in total denial about Studio B. That's a situation to deal with another day. 

1. START sorting and organizing now in preparation for your inevitable moving day. We have three days (I know some of you have done it in less, but I'm not the person to make the decisions) to get things mostly in order. 
2. Deal with the small crap stuff NOW. That is probably the worst thing of all to deal with. Oh, I'll keep that and make something special from it (I know, do not judge me because I say that all the time), but if after a year you haven't touched it, then perhaps it's time to go. 
3. Put LIKE things together. I cannot say enough about this one. If you have piles of the same type of crap everywhere, you won't get anywhere fast. The place looks like a hurricane hit, and you struggle to remain focused. 
4. Be methodical. Start in one room and keep at it until that room is done. If you continuously flit from room to room, you will never feel like you are accomplishing anything. 
5. If in doubt, throw it out. Those wire hangers? No one wants them. Throw them out, but keep some to hang up your clothes in the new place. 
6. If possible, make periodic trips to the recycling/garbage to keep the situation under control. We have huge piles of debris in the living room and the kitchen, and since we need to go to town today, my goal is to pack that into the car and get rid of it. That reduces the clutter and helps you focus. 
7. Keep a clean spot to work/live/eat/watch TV or whatever. You need some calm in the storm, or you will drive yourself mad. 
8. Enlist help if you can. My cousins have been here, but unfortunately the timing didn't work for us to be here together. However, I think that is actually a good thing. There is ONE decision maker in the house, and if there were too many helpers, it would be overwhelming. So we are taking turns, and it's all working out nicely. I won't be here for the final move date or the final push to remove all the remaining junk. 
9. Take pictures. If you think someone else would like something, take pictures and send them. I have a few pictures to take today, and then we'll see which pile those items go in. 
10. Be ruthless and brutally honest about what you need and don't need. What you want and don't want. 
11. DON'T wait; this is a job we should all be on top of. It's amazing how life's detritus creeps up on us. START NOW while you are physically and mentally able to deal with the situation. 

And here's one more thing before I close down for the day. I've mentioned this before, but I'll mention it again. It's all about those damn dishes. What to do with the dishes? If I don't come home one day and M comes to the house to collect a few things, or someone else wants something special of mine (sorry, we're talking dishes here, not quilts or a sewing machine), I want them to take my china mugs with the bicycles on them. I use them EACH and EVERY DAY when I am at home. They are my favorite dishes; they don't match any of my other dishes. I throw them in the dishwasher, and they are fading, but I don't care. The memories they bring me, and the memories I hope they bring to whoever gets those mugs, will be special. 

So your kids don't care one iota about the damn china and crystal because you never used it. But that special mug, or cup or whatever --- that's what they want! 

Use the special stuff! And use it NOW!!!! And that gold trim on the fancy dishes? Yep -- you've been told not to use those dishes in the dishwasher because the gold will disappear. So???? Why is that a problem? Put those darn gold-rimmed dishes in the dishwasher!!!

I think I have blabbed on enough. I woke up early, so I'll need a nap this afternoon. I think we both will after all the stuff we are doing. Not only is there a physical component, but it's emotionally stressful. However, we are having loads of laughs, reliving great memories, and while the timing wasn't the best, I wouldn't give up this week for the world! 

I just wish I could do this with my parents, but alas, I don't think that is going to happen because my Mom just can't cope with giving things away, even if it's a pile of clothes she's never worn. It's sad to be so attached to things, but that's the way it is. I might tell her about this week and see if that helps. 

And guess what? I'll get to help unpack!! That won't happen for a couple of months, and I've already volunteered! Unpacking will be another opportunity to clear out crap and deal with those photos once and for all! 

It's going to be a GLORIOUS day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

A checklist for aging!

If you get a chance, go back and read yesterday's comments. There is some very valuable information in there from people who have dealt with or are currently dealing with family downsizing, elder care, etc. 

This ongoing experience is teaching me a lot. See—even when we think we know it all and have nothing left to learn from our parents, they step right back into our lives and teach us more! 

While we mostly learn WHAT to do, we also learn valuable lessons about what NOT to do. Here are some of my insights:

Avoid hoarding: It's tough. My parents' generation lived in the depression (or were born during the depression) and had nothing, so having things around them - even unvaluable things is important. Can you imagine the kids of today living through a depression? Do they even know what that is? 

Let stuff go! If you no longer need something, get rid of it! Your house looks nicer; you have physical and mental room to enjoy life. 

Do NOT wish to die in your home! This was Mom's story all along—she was never going to move from the farm (by the way, she was born on the farm about two miles from where she spent her entire life). There is the issue of safety and, in her case, getting the proper medical attention needed - well, that is for both Mom and Dad. They were EXTREMELY reluctant to move, but once they did and they settled in - guess what? BEST decision THEY ever made. A little secret here—they did NOT decide; their health needs dictated that they move, but we'll let them think they had a choice! 

Don't wait until it's too late! If you wait until you are older to move from your house, you are that much frailer, less able to make decisions, and getting rid of stuff is that much harder. I have an age in mind for when to move, but you know what? I may have to reconsider that, and sometimes, I think it would be so nice to go on vacation, lock the front door, and not worry about a thing. Freedom! 

START DOWNSIZING NOW: I don't care if you are 15 or 65 or 95 -- you can't take it with you. Start getting rid of anything you never use. I must take that to heart with my stuff—there is so much in the house that we don't use, and we have been downsizing for 15 years! I'm thinking particularly with clothing, and I've already gotten rid of half of what I had. And I need to tackle those quilts --- they need to go! 

STOP BUYING STUFF: If you think you want it, don't buy it yet. If you really, really want it -- then go back and buy it. OK -- I need to have a wee chat with myself because I have had a buying spree or two and I need to stop that DEAD!

Get all your paperwork in ORDER NOW: That means wills, health directives, POA, and any other important papers. Birth certificates, bank and investment accounts, and whatever else you deem important. Oh yes—let's not forget our social insurance numbers. If you still live in your house, what utilities do you pay for, etc.? Dig out all the account numbers and type it up or put it in a folder or whatever works, but get it together. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions if there is something you don't know. Dad threw me for a loop yesterday when he asked, "Who do we call if someone dies?' Wow— I had never thought about that. I assumed it was 911, even though it is no longer an emergency if they are dead. We Googled it and chatted with friends, and yes—you call 911. 

Information should be available to those who need it. If you have a health directive with things like a DNR or other pertinent medical directions, make sure the person responsible knows about it and has the paper in hand so that, if needed, they can make the appropriate decisions. You might also want to put a copy on your fridge in case you have a medical crisis. If the person on the health directive isn't handy, emergency response teams can access the information and act accordingly. They will always try to resuscitate unless they have other directions. And the document for a DNR must be official - it cannot be a handwritten note! 

Do NOT be afraid of death. OK -- this one might be tough, but I was so reluctant to talk about death and funerals and the "what if," which I now just call "when" because, let's face it, they are going to pass, and it will be within the next decade. No one likes to think of their parents' or other loved ones' death. However, we have been to the funeral home (several times) and had other discussions, and guess what? I'm happy to talk about this stuff, and I don't need to cry. OK -- shedding a tear here! Have those tough conversations with them now - it will save you so much heartache in the future, and I think it will make our parents feel more comfortable. They have accepted fate; we need to, too. 

If you are struggling with any kind of thing in the house - DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Hire help, move, or whatever it takes, but don't just accept that as the only way. If stairs are a struggle, then move. If your house is too cluttered and you can't do anything about it, then hire someone to come in and get rid of stuff. If you can't get in the bathtub for a bath, install a shower or move to a place where you can safely bathe. 

Don't compromise your safety because you are too proud. If someone says you need a cane or a walker or whatever for stability -- get a cane or a walker. Who the heck cares if you need a cane? Have you looked around your neighborhood? If I need a cane - give me one! 

Maintain your mobility and strength for as long as you can! This means exercising to the best of your ability. And if you dislike the word exercise, then think of it as just being active. Don't use the remote - get out of the chair and change the channel. Walk to the kitchen to get something, instead of asking someone else. Chair squats, lifting cans of soup to maintain upper body strength -- whatever it takes, but do NOT NOT NOT take your mobility for granted! 

And I'm sure other things can go on that list. If you have something to add, let me know, and I will type it up pretty when I get home. I need to refine this list and put it on my fridge because I do NOT want to be caught in any of those situations, and I see a few I can improve. It's not that I need to make my life perfect, but I need to ensure that the people in my house are safe and that we are not creating issues for our children. 

OK -- I got that off my chest! I bet Mom and Dad will be so happy when I leave this morning. It's been an exhausting mental and physical couple of days, and while we covered a lot of ground, they still have a couple of things to consider. I'll be making some lists. 

We now have a book in place - well, it was before, but I've added to the book, and I have a list of all the documents in the book with the date of issue so we know that is the most recent copy. A copy of that will go in the book as well, but they don't have a working printer at the moment. That must kill them because Dad used to print everything, and the printer hasn't worked for a couple of years. That saved a LOT of trees!

Here is the wooden puzzle I bought the other day. Trust me—I have a rule with puzzles, and I am following it: I make them and give them away. This one is pricey—only a very worthy person will get it, and I have someone in mind. 

My wooden puzzle

This will be me one day. This is the stack of puzzles in the common room at my parents' apartment. They trade puzzles with other groups, or people like me drop them off, and it keeps them going. It's a great social thing, although I would have to STOP wanting to only do the puzzle myself! I can do that! 

The puzzle stash at my parents' apartment

OK -- seriously though - puzzles are everywhere here. We stopped at the drugstore, and there was a rack of puzzles, including a couple of wooden puzzles. 

Puzzles at the drugstore

And look - there was a quilt puzzle. I did NOT buy it. 

Quilt puzzle

This was one of our many stops - the cemetery. And this is Dad in front of his infant son's grave. 

Dad in front of infant son's grave

It's funny how not so long ago all trips to my parents were strictly for "pleasure." And within the last eleven years since they moved off the farm, all the trips have involved some form of getting all the crap dealt with! It's all fun and games, and while we are far from perfect and I'm sure we've prepared as much as we can, something will still rear its ugly head when the time comes. But we are far ahead of the game. That's all I care about. And I have the contacts and information if I need anything. Since I have reviewed it all many times, if any questions arise, I can answer them on the phone without reviewing the documents. 

Next time, I sure hope I can start clearing out a few things. How to convince my Mom? Mom has always considered me to be "too chatty (she uses a different word) for my own good." And let's just say that her definition isn't kind. But you know what? If someone doesn't take the bull by the horns, we are all going to get run over! She isn't a take-charge kind of person, and she can't handle seeing me do that. Who cares - I don't care. But it makes it darn difficult to get anything done.

We managed to get almost everything done, except one thing, which we'll keep working on. And I'm happy to say that my estranged brother and I had a wonderful two-hour chat in the coffee shop. It was just like old times - almost! And he is doing a great job at dealing with day-to-day stuff. I feel content going home, knowing that. I couldn't ask for more, and I'll keep doing what I can from a distance. 

I don't think I've ever talked to my brothers as much as I did this week! But everyone is on the same page; everyone knows the situation and the critical triggers for the next step. They don't know the details of some stuff - they don't need to know until the time comes. That works for all of us. 

Well, that was a very "wordy" post, and my Mom would say that I am too vocal, but who cares - get over it! 

What you do in your home, with your stuff, and with your accumulation of stuff is your business, just as what I do with mine is mine. PLEASE do not let it become a safety issue in your home, and for heaven's sake DO NOT SAY that you'll leave it for the kids. Your kids did NOT create that mess—it is YOUR responsibility to get rid of your footprint in life. Some of the houses I've been in this week make me cringe. I want to get the garbage bags and start clearing the kitchen table, the counter, and so much more. 

Thank goodness I brought all my digital data with me, as I needed something yesterday, and I was able to accommodate the request, and it is done! I love my new office setup - I can work from anywhere with ALL my digital data! Yes -- I know - it needs to be cleaned with a backup. I KNOW!!!! 

It is going to be a WONDERFUL day!!!!


Ciao!!!!