On Thursday our house will be appraised for a refi that has the potential of solving a lot of problems for us.
Knowing that was forthcoming, we have since a week ago Friday when we found out been trying to address issues that have long gone without sufficient attention. No, it is not that the house is falling apart. Rather, it is after more than 30 years here the amount of stuff accumulated had become overwhelming.
We would not have qualified for an episode of hoarders, don’t worry.
But since I started, I have now donated either to a local synagogue for their library or to the friends of the public library organization for sale about 400 books. We have recycled about another 500 — older papersbacks, very out of date books I inherited from an uncle, old teaching books, etc. Then there were about 200 or so that were in really bad condition and were trashed. Still, we have about 5,000 books, now all on shelves or in crates, those crates stored under the piano or in the utility room where they are on plywood raised several inches off the floor — there is a high water table in Arlington, and it is not unknown to get some water in the basement, even with a sump pump and french drain.
Would it was only the books. Because of my wife’s illness she had not sat down to go through papers in quite some time. She pays most of her regular bills online, but still gets hard copy of many of them. We both had old financial records no longer necessary to keep. I have all financial records from the past 5 years, and tax returns, federal and state, for a few more than that.
And then there were all the teaching materials from 20+ years of teaching. Some are things I have not used in several years. Others are now out of date (AP exams are being restructured). I also had tons of student papers and projects for which I no longer have room — I save a few exceptional ones but the rest had to go.
Then there were all the things for the kitchen and related that we don’t need. Far too many coffee mugs and water bottles. Far too many storage containers.
And lots of clothes we no longer wear.
The good kitchen stuff and the clothes in good condition went to Goodwill. The rest got trashed.
Besides the 15 boxes of books donate, the three boxes of kitchen stuff, the four bags of clothing, I have so far filled something like 40 trash bags or equivalent. Too much stuff.
Some were old journals which we no longer need in hard copy because we have access online through JSTORS subscriptions. I have finally really weeded out old papers, notes and examinations that I had going back to my senior year of high school — and I graduated in 1963!!
It has been a tiring process — I am pushing myself with a box of books, probably above the weight limit by which I am supposed to be abiding.
But I can actually see most of the floor in the living room, dining room and my study.
For the first time in years, the stairs are not piled with at least 10 books on each step — they are completely clear.
There is still more to do. More clothing to donate. More worn out blankets and sheets and towels — some of which can be used as rags as I also clean and polish furniture, counters, and yes, our wood floors.
I still have a couple of rooms to pull up old worn-out carpeting to expose the wood floor underneath, but that will not happen this week.
We will not get it all done this week. For the first time in years we both have enough energy to be able to take on a good deal of it.
It is like making a fresh start.
The only thing is that it almost officially winter, and this feels more like Spring cleaning, years worth.
Oh well.
Why am I putting this up? Between looking for a job and addressing the refi and getting the house ready, I have not been around much here recently. Someone was worried enough about me to email me directly.
So not to worry. Once Christmas day has passed, I expect to be around a bit more, especially as I have several books about which I have promised to write.
Meanwhile, all be well and enjoy whatever you celebrate at this time of the year, despite the political mess we are in.
Peace.