...I done got B.U.S.Y! construction On the new house is underway. We have asked the builders for an approximate move in date. They like to leave a little wiggle room both ways but barring major delays (which are always a possibility)They are guessing some time between mid September and mid October.

Now that things are moving, every day that I don't do something in preparation, IE sorting,throwing away, packing, sorting, finding and sorting problems, sorting, etc, etc, etc adinfinitim, is a wasted day. Did I mention sorting? My assessment of the situation is that I can't afford to waste too many, maybe none at all. I thank my lucky stars that I had the good sense not to do any of this back in the days when temps were in the 60s and 70s. Now I get to work of a bout 20 pounds of belly fat. :sad_smile:

Been stackin' stuff on the curb for several days now. It's a parade of cars and trucks going by picking through rubble. They seem to sense that this is gonna last a while. They are gettin' a lot of stuff some of it pretty good just not needed any more and I don't have the energy or the inclination to try to sell everything.

I did sell all my offshore stuff. I doubt I'll ever see the big pond again,'cept maybe from the air... The untold trips aboard The Dolphin hunter with Farmer Jim, my off shore skipper and a small group that crewed with us go to make up major part of my life. I know I won't remember every single fish but I will always ALWAYS remember how I loved watching the sun come up on the run out and going down on the way in. And sleeping under the stars on the 2 and 3 day trips. The feel and smell of the salty breeze, The deep blue of the water. And most of all the precious time spent with dear friends. The laughter. The action. The quiet moments of reflection and appreciation of God's bounty, sigh....

My across the street neighbor saw me stackin' stuff on the curb and came over to see what was going on. He made off with 3 sheets of ply wood a lot of scrap lumber And propane gas ring and two tanks. Move or not I'll never use any of that stuff. He is an avid fisherman and I knew it. He asked me if I was going to be getting rid of any fishing stuff. I said I was getting rid of my off shore stuff but I had to get a couple of bux for it. It was all good good stuff. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So I didn't. Sad to see it go but it will be well used and well cared for. Time for me to move on. Keepin' all my freshwater stuff anticipating some Striper action along with catfish and crappie.

Now I'm aware of something I hadn't thought of before. Our trash pick up is Tuesdays and Fridays. The last 3 pick up days have seen some unhappy faces when they pull up to my house. I have a 4 bedroom 2 bath 2 car garage, ;an 8x10 Morgan building and and 10x16 barn w/a loft along 3 walls crammed with all the stuff that can be crammed in 41 years.

I'm finally and truly up against it now but I'm in my groove now and I have a system that seems to be working well so far: I start working on it right after breakfast and hit it hard with no rest stops until I pass out from the heat. Pam throws water on me and I go in the house and drink beer until I pass out again. (an exaggeration but not much of one) I plan on staying with this system until I am done or get to a point where I see I'm gonna finish in time and ease up a bit. So y'all don't worry about me, I got PLENTY of beer.

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Real men love cats!

We've moved two homes recently, which would have justified getting a dumpster for. At each home, on the first very heavy rubbish day, hubby got up early and waited for the garbage truck. He'd approach the driver and "apologize" for the heavy load, while handing over a folded $100 bill. On other heavy days, he'd top up the gratuity with a couple of twenties.
We don't feel like we're taking advantage, and they don't feel used. Smiles on everyone's faces.
Good luck with the move.



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

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Slava Ukraini!

Have fun! remember cleaning out 50 years of stuff from my parents house and garage.

Now that right there is a darn good idea and I'm all over it. Tomorrow when my guys come by I'll make it right with them and everyone will feel better. They have a hard job and I will feel better about helping them out when I cause a burden. Thank you for the inspiration.

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Real men love cats!

My God! We broke ground on our retirement place in MA last July (1 full year ago) and you could be in before us! Our latest projected move-in date is mid-September of this year, but that could easily get delayed by our MA "stretch energy code" rules & regulations & tests (required to be passed before we can get an occupancy permit).

Admittedly, we effectively lost 2-3 months due to winter issues and then another month or so due to COVID-related issues, but you beat us no matter how you slice it.

God Bless Texas!!!

Well we are just at the beginning of this process. A lot could and may well happen. We aren't in till we're in. What's the term...cautiously optimistic. Hope things speed up for you. That is entirely too dang long. if that happens to us I have us a bug out bag and you can begin your search for me on the island of Barbados.

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Real men love cats!

Do pace yourself; wouldn’t want to see you out of...sorts.



Seriously, take care...downsizing is not easy, specially when it’s a lifetime. Good luck on the move!

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50 Years of DSOTM

My Father said if He had the choice between a move and a complete burn out, He would choose the fire.

Sounds like an adventure and at the right time! Enjoy!

good luck, pace yourself and stay hydrated... it is a daunting task.

my best friends unmarried sister passed suddenly and his son inherited the house and all her stuff... she was a hoarder, but collected antiques as well... grandma is a special person that can't let go of control and has to inspect every garbage bag for hidden treasures... she is from the " its still good / we may need that someday" group... it has been 2 years and the house has still not been emptied and sold... costing taxes and insurance for the grandson... thankfully he has a good job and can afford it... but just a nasty thing to watch... they won't accept my help because it will expose the family "problem"... they have been taking things out in garbage bags a pickup truck load at a time and moving them to the family farm, for just one more look before dumping...
I am glad you are not having the same "issues" that so many appear to have lately...

I feel your pain. I moved into the house I live in now 41 years ago and the only move I intend to make in the future is to the graveyard.

I think I need to get on the ball for cleaning out my house. I think I have a tendency to save everything. Maybe start on the shirts and coats that have shrunk in the closets.

Well that didn't work out. NO garbage pick up in my hood today for the July 4th holiday. No sweat though. It'll just have to wait until Tuesday. ;^)

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Real men love cats!

There are two distinct types: those who actively save stuff and those too lazy to throw stuff away. Different for sure but the results of both are the same. Me and Miss Pam never had a chance because she is the former and I'm the latter. That adds up to a lot of stuff.

I'm finding stuff I haven't seen in so long that I don't remember ever seeing it before. Case in point: a really nice soldering iron kit. I have never soldered anything in my life and wouldn't know how if I had to.
I also ran across my dads old tool box. I haven't seen it since we moved in here in '78. Some cool old tools in there. I might just hang on to that, not that I need tools all that much these days....

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Real men love cats!

I think I'm a hybrid of both types And my gf is similar. I occasionally think of moving down to join her but the thought of having to sort out the house sends me to the couch in fetal position. OTOH, the thought of the pleasure of starting afresh does have a certain appeal. The trouble is not unlike Woody Allen's comment about dying: "I don't mind dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens", ie getting there ISN'T half the fun.

Her mum (91) is similar. When she passes, we're both going to need medication to deal with the "stuff" in her house.

"I might actually have a use for this..." is my downfall. I seem particularly attracted to bits of scrap metal. (I blame this on having a welder.)

As to your dad's old tools, you'll likely find things in there that were actually - GASP! - "Made in the USA". I've picked up a number of old tools at second-hand stores for this very reason, figuring that if they've survived the previous 50+ years, they'll probably serve me well for whatever time I have left.

Good luck with the move, whenever it happens.

American made for SURE! His thing was paint brushes. He was always painting something on the house or some of his wood working projects. I don't know much about them but he had a "special" brush for each job. Different bristles, beveled and/or tapered edges, width and I don't know what all. It all depended on the kind of paint he was using and what he was putting it on. Only the best quality would do. His procedures for cleaning them was a ritual to which he was dedicated. And every time he went to use a brush it was absolutely like new. I do so miss that ol' man.

Assorted drill bits and wrenches and screw driveres,etc. every thing is good condition.

He would be sad to know how much I hate, loath and despise painting.

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Real men love cats!

"Different strokes (and brushes) for different folks" as they say.

I can relate. When you have a welder any piece of metal might be useful for some unknown project in the distant future. But the only way you'll ever actually need that piece of metal is if you throw it away. It can sit there for years but the day after you ditch it you'll get involved with something and realize it's exactly what you need. The only way to avoid this is to keep everything.

You obviously have a welder as your analysis is 100% correct. We are clearly similarly-affected "Brothers of the Bead."

We had only lived at our previous place for 28 years, but we had accumulated a "lot". Took 2 garage sales, and several trips to Salvation Army before we were ready to attempt to move. But, we had to move twice, our house sold so quick we had to get out before the new one was ready. Thanks to a good friend that had two houses we stored 99% of our stuff and lived in the friends city house for about 5 weeks before moving. Really glad that we don't plan to go through that ever again.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244