My Spring Cleaning

Cleaning up after dead people (like in this movie, "Sunshine Cleaning") is pretty extreme. But many of us have had to do just that if we have inherited estates (minus the blood and gore, of course.) My inheritance involved an old brick house filled a hoarder's collection of mess. The property also had an old trailer house that had to be torn down and hauled away, and another old small frame house. To add to the hoarding, there are four sheds/storage house slap full of everything from A to Z and a dilapidated barn...all filled with anything from fine china to old calendars, doors, knick-knacks, windows, glassware, vintage treasures of varying shapes and sizes, and then there is "just junk!" I have wanted to call in the professionals like Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz on the television show, "American Pickers," but I'm not quite comfortable with me and my junk being on public display.

We are slowly going through the debris, sorting, then cleaning and re-boxing what is either valuable/keep-worthy/garage sale sellable. We have rented a booth at a vintage consignment shop, too. But mostly, we have chunked away tons of trash. I plan on have a huge garage sale very soon now that the weather isn't harsh...glad I'm retired. Or is the word re-tired??? Being really tired...twice?

My Survival Tips/Tactics:

1) Go in prepared for war! Masks and gloves, trash bags, boxes. Windex, clorox, cleaning supplies, paper towels, storage bags, and goggles if there are going to be wet splashes. If you are outdoors, think about safety with snakes, rats, other crawlies...look before you touch or move items. Wear clothes that protect you. We take a pistol and a hoe just in case...but we are from the South...and that is just what we do here.

2) Game plan...one area/job at a time. Otherwise you will be going around in circles. And become very frustrated and overwhelmed very quickly. Not good. (If you fail to plan, you plan to fail...just saying.)

3) Know ahead of time that it's going to take "time." Plow on and don't get frustrated, but set goals. If those plans don't work out just like you thought, it's not the end of the world. Relax and set new goals.

4) As I said before, sorting is key. So, I have at least four piles at all times... keep because I truly want or need, sell for "good price" items, get rid of in garage sale stuff, and CHUNK!

5) Frequent drink breaks....not the alcoholic kind, though...well, maybe at the end of the day. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And eat a good meal before you get started. This job isn't for the faint-hearted.

6) Realize that there is a time and place for sentiment. Don't get stuck in the past. It was good when it was happening. Don't keep everything...be willing to let go and allow others to love your stuff, too. If you truly see a need for it and don't have one already or it just sings to your soul, then a few items are okay to hold close. I have a tea cup and saucer with my grandparents names and wedding date inscribed on it...1913. (Ain't nobody gonna chunk that out!)

7) When you see a glimmer of progress, do a happy dance. No kidding...celebrate that feat! It will recharge you and you'll work faster and be more lighter hearted. Big jobs can wear away at confidence and morale. That's why I said...small bites at a time while eating that big-azzed elephant.