Guess what I’m thankful for today? Junk! Clutter! Stuff! Boxes and boxes of stuff!
Actually, what I’m really, REALLY thankful for is that my junk, clutter and boxes and boxes of stuff are gone. Gone I tell you! Far, far away from my house and out of my life! Shew! What a relief to have hundreds of items cleared out of my house!
Over the weekend, some friends of ours were having a rummage sale to raise money for their kids to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Over the past three years, I’d been socking “stuff” we don’t use anymore down in our basement for a future yard sale. Ugh, but I really didn’t want to take the time or put forth the effort to have that yard sale. So the stuff kept accumulating in our basement.
When I heard our friends were having a fund-raising rummage sale, I was SO EXCITED to take the contents of our basement over for them to sell. I didn’t care about the money I could get from my stuff – I just wanted the STUFF GONE!!! And this way the money would go toward something wonderful – a mission trip!
We spent all Friday afternoon lugging boxes upstairs and into our vehicles, then driving them over to our friend’s house and unloading them onto their porch. Check out all the loot that came out of my basement!
I felt like all my junk couldn’t possibly amount to much…but when I checked in after the sale, the kids said they had raised a very nice amount to help with the cost of their trip! Hoorah! I got rid of a bunch of stuff…they got money for their trip!
Beyond all of that, the boys and I also spent several hours clearing out boxes and other recyclable items and getting them down to our recycling center. Suffice it to say that after this clean-out-day was over, we were all quite filthy. Filthy and clutter free!
Check out how full my van was. Now that’s a lot of boxes!
Oh, but look what I found hiding under all those boxes.
Who knew you could build a fort inside a van full of cardboard!
I love that we had such a productive day. I’m so thankful that the weather cooperated, we were all healthy and we could work hard together to clear out all that clutter! Ah, it feels so good! But look out! I’m in clean-out mode now! The kids better hide their favorite toys before I throw them in the next rummage sale box!
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Oh. My. Goodness. That is A LOT of stuff. Don’t you feel lighter, now?
Kris
I am looking forward to doing some real cleaning out and organizing over the summer. That’s when I have time to really get into some projects. It’s such a great feeling to purge!
I know I would feel better! I always keep a box in the garage and just pitch an item when I don’t need it anymore…the pile is growing and growing!!!
By the way, I just tried the taco mix and the ranch mix….very nice! Thanks once again.
Me too! Yes, in clutter-busting mode and it feels so good! We got rid of a bunch recently and when it was over I told my husband, “Okay, that was phase 1.”
What a coincidence. I, too, have just relieved our house of several large bags of clothes and toys we don’t need any more …. stuff I was going to sell on ebay or at a garage sale but also never got around to it. I have given it away via the ‘freecycle’ network so I know it’s going to be used and not get thrown in a landfill waste site somewhere.
It is such a relief to have all that stuff out of the house, but I am very grateful that we had it when we needed it.
Ahhh the best feeling isn’t it! I’m so addicted to it that I can’t help but circle my house looking for something to get rid of just to experience the “high”. Wheeeeee!
Laura, you are an inspiration! Where on Earth do you find your energy???
We did the same thing this past week… donated an entire vanful of stuff to our church rummage sale. The proceeds went to fund our youth group’s missions trip to Brazil this summer. It did feel good to see the big blank spot in the basement where all of the boxes of clothes and baby paraphernalia had been… Now, a few more trips to Goodwill and the basement will look so nice! :)
Are you for hire????? I’ve got a bedroom that needs de-junking! :)
Mr. Linky isn’t liking me this morning! Here’s my link:
http://weewaughs.blogspot.com/2010/04/she-hurt-my-feelings.html
I linked up today–feeling very on top of things! :0)
We’re about to tackle the sorting/purging in the next week. I can’t wait!
Kathleen
I’m hoping to doing some cleaning out soon! Right now we’re all sick, minus the Hubby but he has finals this week so he’s out of comission too!
Way to go, Laura!
Laura,
Isn’t it the best feeling. That’s what I’m working on today. Our Youth Group is having a fund raiser — Love having a place to give the stuff we don’t need to a place where it will help our youth!
There is no better feeling to me than having an empty shelf or a sparsely filed storage area and things all in their place! It doesn’t happen often but when it does I love the feeling.
Love your blogs!
Have a blessed and happy day!
Good for you! That was inspiring :) Enjoy your new-found space!
Sarah
I’ve been cleaning out a bit of junk for charity, as well. Must be a spring thing. :) I’m joining Gratituesday for the first time today. Love the idea.
Getting rid of clutter and not doing a garage sale! That’s my kind of woman!!!! I love to get rid of clutter too, but I don’t want to deal with the whole garage sale thing either. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one! Way to bless others with your stuff!
I’m getting ready for a yard sale this weekend…so can relate!
Wow! That is a LOT of clutter! What a wonderful opportunity to clear it out of your basement and help a good cause at the same time.
Bravo! I am in the mood to chuck some stuff myself :)
Doesn’t it feel great to declutter! I feel like a weight is off of me! :D
Have a great day!
Sherry