[gargirl]

but the MASSIVE de-cluttering is well under way.

I am tired to my bones from all the sorting, dragging, heaving, ferrying etc that I have been doing... and it is only the beginning.

: Tomorrow the dumpster arrives. Please don't yell at me, only a small portion of the stuff that can't be free-cycled is actually ours. The previous owners of our house left SO SO SO much crap! In the shed, the basement and under the deck. WOW!!!

I have been freecycling like crazy, but people keep blowing me off.

I really want to keep as much stuff out of the landfill as I can but I am getting desperate. We need as much stuff gone as possible so we can paint and then start showing the house.

The past two days are just a blur of activity. I dragged rotting wood around the house and burned it, scrubbed siding, moved JUNK into a pile and somehow kept making meals and everything.

So so so tired... in my bones.

 

[MidgeMommy]

Did you try 'open' freecycling everything? Basically, put it on the curb and post a list? That way, people feel like its easier to get to, and passersby will sometimes 'dumpster dive' for it.

That's how we've always gotten rid of big stuff, the exception being rotted or trashed stuff from outside.

 

[Oceanone]

That is so awesome, you must feel so relieved, even though tired! Good luck!

 

[jee'smom]

Good for you honey! It feels SO GOOD, doesn't it?!!!

 

[mommaof3boz]

You might try what pp said about curbing it with a free sign on it. But overall you have enough to do right now without messing around with freecycle. While this momentum is up and going, forget the guilt and just be proud of your accomplishments!!

 

[amyamanda]

Argh, I posted a reply and my Internet connection ate it.

Good for you! It's a super-huge challenge, sifting through years' worth of stuff and trying to decide what to keep and how to responsibly dispose of it. Keep at it and you'll be so glad when it's done.

There is a swap shop in Greenfield run by the American Legion. I have not been there, but I frequent the one in Bernardston (also run by the A.L.). You can leave useful things of just about any sort, and stuff cycles through pretty quickly. I can't seem to find info on where the Greenfield one is located, but I've heard it's at the "dump" wherever that is. The Bernardston one is open on Thursdays and Sundays. Bernardston might be a bit far for you - 45 minutes? Anyway, it's a great way to "dispose" of things you can't use that are still useful.

If all else fails and you have to dumpster something because you couldn't find anyone to take it, if it was a gift I'd think the karmic responsibility rests on the giver (for imposing junk on you). Makes me feel better to think of things that way. I am also someone who cannot stand throwing away anything remotely useful. Sometimes the greater good is achieved by doing that, though.

I love the "free sale" idea - advertise it with signs like a yardsale, and put a notice in Freecycle and also in the Craigslist free section. You don't have to list everything, just give a general idea. I'd then sit in my kitchen and watch the treasure hunters come and go. I bet you'll get rid of a ton of stuff that way - but I think advertising is the key.

Best of luck!

 

[Serendipity]

good job mama! i have been doing the same thing and it is so tedious and exhausting, the end will be great though so keep plugging away. i've had the same trouble with freecycle-ing and selling. it takes a LOT of effort to do all that when you are talking about 500 things!

 

[miss_sonja]

congrats on all you're doing!! It's a huge task, especially having to deal with other people's stuff (and there's nothing wrong with a dumpster--it can be the best option).

 

[eden/averymum]

honestly I al JEALOUS!!

 

[sabrinat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gargirl but the MASSIVE de-cluttering is well under way. I am tired to my bones from all the sorting, dragging, heaving, ferrying etc that I have been doing... and it is only the beginning. : Tomorrow the dumpster arrives. Please don't yell at me, only a small portion of the stuff that can't be free-cycled is actually ours. The previous owners of our house left SO SO SO much crap! In the shed, the basement and under the deck. WOW!!! I have been freecycling like crazy, but people keep blowing me off. I really want to keep as much stuff out of the landfill as I can but I am getting desperate. We need as much stuff gone as possible so we can paint and then start showing the house. The past two days are just a blur of activity. I dragged rotting wood around the house and burned it, scrubbed siding, moved JUNK into a pile and somehow kept making meals and everything. So so so tired... in my bones.

Good for you!
That's my gripe about freecycle too. People think since you're giving it away there's no reason to be courteous. It's aggravating.
Sometimes I just drop stuff off at the thrift store and don't hassle with the reciept. I figure it's ultimately the same deal. It keeps it out of the landfill and someone else gets to use something I no longer needed.

 

[momto l&a]

I think your dumpster idea is a great one.

I know for myself that when I purge I want it out NOW other wise I have thses piles sitting ready to go but they dont

 

[avent]

It sounds like you're doing great!

We also had a lot of junk from the previous owners, who left it all in the basement. It took about a year to get rid of it since we didn't want to pay for a dumpster so we had to break it into small batches and stick it in our regular trash every week. What a pain!

Re: the freecycle "come and get it idea" check your Freecycle rules if you decide to do it. The rules of our local chapter forbid the "it's all here, come and get it" type postings.