I am closing in on all the trash.....It's why I haven't been around too much lately....Monday, the Shredder Truck comes and I need to be ready for them....Here below is a picture of the two major things I have been working on....
I am almost done filling my 2nd three yard dumpster and in the background you can see some of the bags full of paper stuff....Here is a fuller picture of all the paper.....
It doesn't look like much in this picture, BUT, there are three plastic bins that are literally overflowing with all sorts of papers.....And there are four (4) big huge heavy duty trash bags full of papers, all of which I no longer need, and in fact, they are just taking up space.....I don't know what the tonnage is here, but I know I cannot lift any of this stuff....
This is a shocking statistic, isn't it? If true, it is pretty frightening. And I am certainly doing my bit to help that statistic.....Oy! Here below, another view of all the bins and trash bags...and I have more stuff in the house that hasn't been put out in the garage yet....But come Monday morning, it will all be out there for easy access by the Shredder Truck people.....
It is amazing the amount of paper 'stuff' we accumulate over the years....But also, there is other 'stuff'....and here below, a picture of the interior of the dumpster....the almost filled dumpster with some of that other 'stuff'! And there is a lot more where this came from.....Oy, Oy!
And a slightly different view of all the trash in the dumpster, here below.
This is my life right now and I think once the Shredder people have been here and destroyed all the papers---right before my eyes, and, I get rid of the 2nd dumpster, I will feel so much 'lighter'....though, I think I need to get at least one more dumpster, before I am through.....possibly even two....!I have found some wonderful things along the way....all of which I am holding on to and hopefully I will be able to share some of it with you....Meanwhile, back to the grindstone.....And,
More To Come......
- had this to say:
My, my Naomi.. I never thought of you as "trashy" before! LOL It sure looks like you will be starting off the new year with a "clean slate"!!
I don't have much that I don't tear up before putting it in my garbage.. pretty sad that we have to live in fear of identity theft..- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 5:24:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I applaud your efforts, Naomi, and you make me want to start down the same path. Trouble is, when I start going through it, I find all sorts of things I cannot bear to part with! Just this week, mr. kenju found a book of old advertising for pipes and tobaccos. It is wonderful, and I will be putting some of it on the blog before we get rid of it.
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 6:08:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Trash - it´s often hard to get rid of, it´s history, memories, if you do not get rid of it at once, before it´s history.
PS. We are still in Buenos Aires.- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 6:37:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
What a clever girl you are Naomi, cleaning up before Xmas and when you do something, you really do it to the fullest.
Looking forward to read about what treasures you've found!
www.terella.no- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 6:43:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
That's what it looked like when we moved back in September. I promised myself never again.
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 8:41:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Well done Naomi! After Christmas I promise I'll get started. In fact that could be our N.Y's resolution. If ONLY I could get MTL on board but I think he believes he'll lose his manhood if he throws anything away:)
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 9:04:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What does your kitty think of all of this, I wonder? :)
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 9:27:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Didn't you say you wanted ONE extra room in your house? Do you have it now? Ha-ha! That's a LOT of stuff!
It feels good to purge, though, doesn't it? I have been wanting to do that, clean out my closet and my dressers REALLY well. I have here and there, but I really need to get ruthless. I think I will this spring and break down and have a garage sale. I KNOW I could make a few dollars!- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 10:50:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Oh dear, how do you get to the mindset of letting go of so much? I certainly need to do so, but experience this strange sense of loss, as though some of these things are what keep me attached to my life. I need to get into EVERYTHING -- papers, files, clothes, objects around the house...
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 1:03:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I hate going thru papers but it is a necessary evil...I remember, when my dad died, we had to go thru all of his papers and he had bank statements all he way back to when I was a child....It was a real mess to contend with and I sure don't want my kids to have to do all of that...I applaude you for getting it done and out of the way. I'm glad that you are hanging on to the "important" stuff. There are just certain things that we need to keep....Keep up the good work...
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 2:08:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi,
Getting rid of all of the old clutter and starting fresh is excellent before the New Year. Good for you for putting your heart into it and being so thorough. Feng Shui and the rationale behind space clearing has real teeth behind it.- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 2:47:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
This is a perfect way to greet the new year - I am in the midst of a much smaller version of that myself - it will feel so good when it's done!
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 3:44:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Wow, it looks like you're getting rid of a fire hazard! :)
We spent our day reclaiming our cabinets and drawers. I tossed a ton of useless stuff!- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 5:31:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
We have moved several times in the last few years. Each time I am amazed by the amount of stuff we have "collected" and end up throwing away.
Hope you are soon finished with your cleaning
Michele sent me.- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 5:38:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That's a LOT of work, but when it's all done away with, you'll feel lighter and freer and far less cluttered.
I think it's wonderful that you've uncovered some treasures when you sorted through all your "stuff." We acquire a lot of "stuff," also known as junk, but along the way, we let some good things get drowned amidst the junk.
New Year's Day sounds like a goood plan. I will call you that afternoon, since I know we will ALL want to sleep in after the events of New Year's Eve.
Of course, we will be in touch between now and then.- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 5:47:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
That's an impressive amount of papers. It's true they do accumulate at an alarming speed. I got my very own home shredder and I did go through at least a box full of stuff a few months ago. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of all that stuff though?
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is on the television right now. Liz Taylor and Newman were so gorgeous and young back then. You can't say there's anything "light" about Tennessee Williams!- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 7:38:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
You've once again managed to inspire me, Naomi. There's a garage wiht my name on it - and thanks to you, it'll be getting some TLC in the near future.
Hi from Michele's. It was a joy reading you on my BlackBerry at the grocery store!- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 7:40:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I love how you end your posts with "more to come..." This is a great time for decluttering, before the start of a new year. I'm doing the same thing myself as I decorate for the holidays and I feel "lighter" already. Don't you??
I'm looking forward to seeing the gems you found while weeding through your paperwork. :)- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 8:11:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I have been slowly decluttering for the past few months...with relative success!! We have recycling bins all over the village and there is a special address for larger objects,too. Paper tends to reproduce overnight...!!
- Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 11:35:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I will enjoy seeing your treasures. I have a storage closet that I need to sort out....sooner or later here. I hope that I will find treasures during my sorting.
Michele sent me. :-)- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 12:15:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Doesn't it feel great? I used to be a terrible pack rat, but since 1998, I've been keeping myself clutter-free and it's so freeing. Good for you for doing this!
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 12:32:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
That horrifying statistic of the wall of paper, (which doesn't even include unnecessary packaging!!) is evidence of a problem far worse than global warming--GLOBAL WASTE!
Waste of resources, waste of time, waste of human effort. Recycling isn't good enough. We need to work to make sure the paper, packaging, and wasteful procedures are never generated in the first place!
Most of the pollution which is ruining our planet results from "stuff" some human discarded because it is cheaper, easier, more satisfying to just "throw it away".
We need to rediscover the practical art of repair and reuse. We need to build planned obsolesence into rap music and bare-midriffed teenage idols, not automobiles, appliances and equipment.
Computers have given us the ability to record information on compact,well indexed, easily stored media. Each of us should demand "email only" for advertising, brochures and most business documents. Newspapers and maggot-zeenz should rethink their goals and business model.
Many of our tax laws encourage waste. They should be amended to do the opposite. You have no idea how quickly wasteful spending would end if it were no longer deductible!
Once we get waste under control, we can figure out how to use all the extra btu's (yummy, yummy)in our evolutionary future.- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 2:55:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Well it is true that it is somewhat surprising that we accumulate lots of stuff. We have tons of stuff here and we dont know what to do for now. We were giving some stuff to the poor since here they can sell those paper.
Anyway, kudos to the cleaning up! I bet you are tired now and you need a good ol massage!- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 5:29:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Goodbye, so long, fairwell, Adieu to all the trash. .
I'm looking forward to the treasures you found to keep and will share with us later.- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 10:10:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I too need to clean up before I move house. I have give up half my books too. I get nihtmares thinking of it!
Michele sent me here, for the last time this weekend, I think.
However I will back during the week on my own!
rooted
reading room- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 10:14:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Oh how liberated u will feel!...but keep your bras, liberation is good to a point lol!
Kidding aside, what a relief u will feel that u got all that done. We so easily accumulate sometimes with creeping subtely and other times with blatent hording lol....I have started mentally cataloguing stuff in my brain to put in boxes to do a garage sale or just bring to a charity. I did a good purge of papers last yr, but as u know that job is never done lol.- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 4:26:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
THe home sure feels light after we discard trash. I need to that so very bad. Michele sent me back again. I like visiting you, anyway!
rooted
reading room- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 8:45:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What a terrific clean out you must've had! Well done. Bet it's a load (literally) off your mind! Well done.
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 8:52:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Well you look like you're almost ready! So they're coming this monring - you're going to be busy, busy, busy!
- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 10:32:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Oh, I know how wonderful and freeing it feels to declutter like this...and I SO need to do it! Alas, it's going to have to be a job for another time - I am so snowed under at the moment, it's not funny!!!
Can't wait for all the little gems you've found though!! Great effort!!- Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 11:30:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Wow, that is one big clear out! It must be very cleansing indeed, almost like a weight has been lifted! This si something I also so need to do. Perhaps I can do it in the new year as I have alot of trash too, though I don't think I have nearly as much stuff as you! I suspect that like me, you're a bit of a hoarder? :)
- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6:23:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Well! I never knew such a thing as a shredder truck existed! They come to your house and shred all your stuff??? How COOL! Wow! You will feel SO FREE and de-cluttered when THAT job is done!!! Congratulations!
heading for the yellow pages to look for a shredder truck...- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:37:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Boy you have been doing some work! Goodness.
And thanks for helping me test my link. I took out Friday Fry and I am hoping maybe people will click "my web page" that will go straight to me.- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:40:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
OH my....you've been one busy woman! Whew! I hope you're not overdoing.
Hmm, when you're finished there...could I interest you in a trip to my house? (just kidding...lol)
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 2:39:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Our condo is way too small to be able to keep much ... so we just have what we need.
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 2:57:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
please allow me to share these thoughts penned onto this card. It is entitled My Christmas List of Blessings written by Vicki J. Kuyper:
"My Christmas List of Blessings"
My Christmas List is more than just a way to keep track of the special people God has brought into my life to love.
It's like a treasured scrapbook filled with pleasant memories of all the times God's answered prayer through friends and family.
Every name's a touchstone that leads to a place and time,
where God has used another's heart to reach out and touch mine.
It may have happened years ago or even yesterday,
but every person on my list has changed my life some way.
Through simple conversation, a warm hug or a shared meal,
every person on my list has helped me grow or heal, or laugh or love or learn or smile...The blessings never end as God allows our paths to cross as family and friends.
So please know that this greeting is more than a Christmas wish. It's a "thank you" card to God for putting on my list each and every one whose name I've come to hold so dear...
Those who've shown me Christmas joy each day of the year.
From me and mine to you and yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years ......:)- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 3:27:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
It's amazing how quickly it all adds up it seems. I need to go through and have a weeding process as well. I won't have as much as you have though, thankfully!! Our house is just too small for that!
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:38:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
So, how did it go on Monday? All clear? Feeling good about the *wink* de-cluttering experience? Last day at school today - so relieved to be starting the holidays!
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 11:03:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Naomi, Only the most gifted blogger can do a story about trash and get away with it. Good for you!!
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 3:28:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Doesn't it feel liberating to get rid of all that stuff? I love to declutter and get rid of stuff that's just taking up room. Which reminds me, my shredder burned out on me last year. (It couldn't possibly be from overuse.) I really need to buy a new one. One doesn't need to wait until Spring to do a thorough cleaning. M will be wondering what put me in the cleaning mood again, as if I really needed a reason. ;-)
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 6:47:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Wow! :)
No wonder you've been so busy!
~S- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:32:00 PM PST
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