Treasure in the attic

I've had lots of things swirling around my head and I haven't blogged for awhile, but I have been in project mode, and um ...when you are doing your projects there isn't time to write about them, Right?? What is it about spring that makes a person want to clean up and out?  To trim those trees,move those bushes and flowers, paint that trim and wash those curtains, and on and on.  I have done all those jobs lately, however there is a project I have had in my mind for a couple of years,....many years really but you have to be in the right frame of mind to tackle it and the weather has to be not too hot and not too cold, can you guess it? Yes, I am cleaning out my attic.  Now I have never been too much of a collector like a good portion of my family, but after 20 some years in this house and 3 daughters that were involved in many activities, things accumulated and it was time to pull it all out and cleanse my life of a good portion of it. Let me tell you my attic was full, full I say.  I could barely walk up there. Many times I thought about starting the task and then I would work on it a little and leave it alone because it seemed too overwhelming. Another day another time.  The time was about 6 weeks ago that my project began and I am still not finished.  I doled out the girls things to them for the most part.  You know the old dolls and stuffed animals, scrapbooks, old books, jewelry, girl scout stuff etc.  What they didn't want went to Goodwill or to someone who I knew needed it.  Old baby clothes, junk and a lot of notes, cards, letters and pictures I just got rid of.

During the process  I would sometimes sit in the garage, go through papers and cry.  There were times that I became overwhelmed with the whole deal and felt like walking away.  Sometimes I did walk away for a bit.  I am not a wasteful person so I cannot just throw things away that might be of use to someone. Tom said I was like a beaver making piles everywhere.  It was crazy.  I told him it had to be worse before it could get better. (I don't think he was buying it.) We had overflowing bins of recycle and trash for several weeks.  At one point when I got rid of some high school stuff I felt something snap in me.  I felt free!!! Like some of this stuff that was holding on to me was no longer a burden. I call it my breakthrough moment. My life will go on without these things.

In the process of photo organization

I took VHS home video's to be made into DVD's.  I offered my collectibles for sale that I don't love anymore.  I have organized the cards and letters I couldn't throw away.  I have bought plastic bins to store the things I still need and want so they keep better and I can see what is being stored without pulling it all out.  I bought a couple photo albums to organize loose pictures.  Tom and my clothing has been cleaned out except for what we wear in each season. My Christmas wrapping paper has one of those containers made just for storing it.  It is so nice to not have all the extra STUFF hanging and sitting around. I pretty much know where everything is.

Here is a wonderful wrapping paper organizer from Bed Bath and Beyond. I had to order it as they don't carry it except at Christmas.

I certainly have done some soul searching in this quest. (heaven knows I've had plenty of time for it) Life is not about the things you have, but about the people who you love and pour into and who pour into you with their love.  Those times I cried were not because of all the organizing I was having to do but from reading the sweet letters from my mom who is no longer with us in this world.  It was from reading little love notes  and pictures from my girls who are now grown women with their own families and live away from home.  But to me they are still my little sweet girls that I took care of for 20 some years.  I cried from reading the sweetest love cards from Tom who has been faithful to me for 35 years and has loved me dearly. Those things I read and looked at were a reminder of a wonderful past with my family and friends.  I am reminded  that things are not what I should treasure. People should be my treasure and you can't store them in an attic! 

My Christmas decor and trees and wreaths

Area of toys for the grandkids

Tax and ministry papers and mine and Toms childhood treasures

A few art pieces I cant part with and winter stuff and Tom's fishing weightors

So with my organizing almost finished I feel very accomplished.  It was a big job but it was worth doing.  I am really going to try and live simply and enjoy time with family and friends eating and hanging out making memories.  I don't want to spend  too much time or money on things that will end up in the attic.