I am afraid you all may be sick to death of my blog posts before too long as currently my life is consumed with the ugly, dirty, cluttered and neglected. It stands to reason, then, that it is the ugly, dirty, cluttered and neglected that I record here. 'Tis this new season of my life. That said, I still want record these moments for posterity, for that one day in the distance where we can look back on all it took to make this place OURS. Frankly, I wouldn't come along for the ride if it weren't actually MY life, so I won't expect anyone else to. Unless you are gluttons for punishment. Or Insane.Either way, I fully expect you all to drop off like flies before the month is out.
We ( read: *I*) was very, very, very disappointed (and that doesn't even describe it) to find out the other day that the auction house that was supposed to take almost everything from Grams house instead took almost NOTHING. And so~while these two weeks were supposed to be spent ripping out wallpaper and carpeting and repainting...instead it is clear that the responsibility to clean out the house and rid it of its contents is resting squarely on MY shoulders.
Rooms that look like this, mind you:
(and yes, ALL the rooms are this way.)*GROAN*
I am going in.....
If I am not back in a week~ call for help!
27 comments:
Awww Rebecca, I'm sorry. Praying for you during this time. Praying specifically that some help would come your way either in the form of actual working in the house or helping you with your children.
Aww. I would be disappointed about that too!!! I, for one, am in this with you for the long haul (and maybe that is easy for me to say since I'm states away and don't have to help! ;) )...will be praying HARD for you in the coming weeks!!!
um wow... thats more then the average project. wow.
praying for you.. and im not going anywhere either! : )
-Bobbi
I intend to read everything you post about this wonderful, although overwhelming, time in your life. I will live vicariously through your posts as I wait for the Lord to bless us with our own home.
I can't help but think of all the treasures you may uncover while sorting through all Gram's stuff. A daunting tasks, to be sure, but one that may surprise you with unexpected gifts!
WoW! When you said you had a house, I had assumed barebones furniture, if any. hmm... that will take a lot of work.
But did you see that chair in the room? or the lamp? I see awesome possibilities for a garage sale or a craft show..After the roads are mended, After the moving and packing and cleaning and stuff is done, After you have settled in.
I know you all are working like beavers right now, and can use all the help you get, and i have only one tip.. when the talking inside your head (the worries, the to-do lists, the home decorating )gets unbearable, take a timeout and pray for 15 minutes. whether it is in a locked bathroom or under a tent of the blanket, touch base with God and refocus.
I will end with my latest favourite quote: " Dont tell God that you have a big problem, tell the problem that you have a Big God!
Everything is possible, and you have such a simple request.. I'm sure your prayers will be fruitful. I will add my prayers too. Good Luck!
Oh Rebecca, I feel your pain!!! I went through this 4 years ago when we bought our farm from my husband's uncle. After the first year of BEGGING his family to come get their junk we finally just took the screen out of the upstairs window and threw it all out and hauled it to the road. It was really sad (to me) because their were pictures and things in there but we don't know anyone in them and no one else cared. Anyway, with some sweat and lots of prayers you'll come through with a lovely home. The only thing I would have done different was skipped a few of the bigger projects and just waited until we could afford to "do it right". Ex: I spent weeks and weeks stripping and refinishing the original cabinets and they still look bad, the drawers are too heavy, and the doors don't shut right. Probably not a good use of time! Anyway, sorry to ramble. Keep the posts coming! :)
Bless your heart... I have two words for you--Salvation Army. Do a quick "keep", "trash", and "donate" throughout the house and call the Salvation Army to pick up the "donate" items with their truck. Done! (keep records for tax purposes and get a receipt). Take the "trash" to the dump, and enjoy the few pieces you choose to keep as reminders of the people from your family who lived there for generations. Good luck! You've actually inspired me to tackle my basement, which is unheard of. Going down there now...
Exactly what Ulli said! Use a big wheelbarrow. Lol! This is not a bad thing, just something to work around. In this economy many people can not even get a house that needs work! Our house was a fixer-upper and we got a great sence of accomplishment in fixing and improving room by room - as we could afford. Anyone can get a loan to gut a house all at once, but it's a special kind of satisfaction knowing you did it 'in the black' on your own. ;)
Cait from GA
Same advice as Ulli and Cait said. 'Keep', 'Donate', 'Trash'. The Flylady has the following advice which helped me immensely.
http://flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp
Of course, I was decluttering our own cluttered space and not someone else's. If it gets really overwhelming as to what to decide to 'keep' vs 'donate', may I suggest a few keep sakes and donating or yard sale. Especially with the floods around your area, I am sure you would find people who are looking for things to start over and maybe blessed by what you share through donations or yard sales. You will be in my prayers.
Did that very thing with my husbands grandparents 'junk' .. and oh the treasures I found.
Enjoy the journey Rebecca... the auction people didn't pull through for a reason...something special might be awaiting your fateful hands! My favs were the ancient written words of a generation passed..
No yard sales here and the 'keeping'
seems unlikely too since we have a whole house full of stuff already that, while I am not working at Grams, I am trying to sort through to donate as well.
My piles look more like this:
Donate. (Salvation Army)
Junk. (Garbage)
BURN. (EVERY POSSIBLE THING)
:-)
PS. I should mention that the stuff has already been amply picked over for special words, documents and photographs so no worries about burning a legacy or anything. And, actually, picked over of 'good stuff' as all the children and grandchildren have gone through and lain claims on the good stuff.
Me thinks I see a pressure cooker, and I like the chairs, and I see a roaster, and a water jug thing(?) and a pretty box thing with a rose on it, and a desk(?) and... this is kind of like wheres Waldo when you think about it. One state over and *still* to far to come help.
The good thing about kitchen cupboards is if they are in that bad of shape, you can take the doors off and hang curtains. I like that look almost better anyway.
Quick sorting skills for Rebecca please Lord!
Wow Rebecca you sure have a big task before you. I am excited to follow along so please do blog as many pictures as you can! I am another one who immediately thought "Oh the treasures you will find" - I am sure it will be worth it but you will have to be ruthless with lots of stuff.
Hi Rebecca! I am normally an anonymous stalker...err, I mean reader. But I am being bold and commenting today because I wanted to tell you that I will keep reading your blog even if all you ever do for the rest of your life is clean-though I hope for your sake that you don't!! :) I find you incredibly inspiring. :) Btw, what is your name on pinterest? I just got it and I would like to follow you...if you would permit me. :)
in Christ, Betsy
I see that and think - what an opportunity to find great treasures. I know it's not easy right now, but start sorting out the good from the bad.
Many thrift stores will do pick-ups, so if you can get everything ready (I know - big job), you at least won't have to take stuff anywhere.
It will be okay. Remember, one day at a time. One task at a time. It will all come together....
Quite the contrary, the blog is just getting even more fascinating!
This looks so bad at first, but you will feel so victorious when done.
And I can't wait to see what all you accomplish so keep taking those pics!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Stefanie is absolutely correct - I'm fascinated. Hey, how far are you from the Baltimore, MD, area? I have never met you in real life and the next four Saturdays are already scheduled, but it sure looks like you'll have work in November that might need some assistance. I feel a little odd even offering it, especially since I have a couple rooms that look like that and I can't even blame my ancestors, but if you're within 2-4 hours of us and want some help... the offer is there.
I have no doubt that in your capable hands there will be much beauty from the ugly! Can't wait to see it all :)!
Quite the opposite of being bored, I am eagerly reading your updates, impressed by the fact that you are finding the time - in the midst of everything - to blog for us! :-)
You all sure do know how to encourage a girl! You are the best.
Betsy~ On Pinterest my name is Rebecca Newman. REALLY original, I know. See you there! (And thanks for popping out of lurkdom. I love it when that happens!)
Mar~ wow. You are something else! Thank you so much! Sadly (For me. HAPPILY~ for you), we are quite a WAYS from MD. But the offer? That is just about the nicest thing. Ever.
Louise~ cue scheduled blog posts! Late night/ early morning snippets of time I blog as fast as I can (and sometimes several posts!) and then schedule them in advance.
I haven't stopped because...FRANKLY...I need the moral support! ha! (totally not kidding though....)
...i'm totally keeping up with you.
been meaning to post a comment for um 7 days now?
not sure where the days are going. I have 2 hours tonight.
all.
by.
myself.
:-)
children are sleeping and I have time to comment on EVERYONES blog!
so,so excited for you and this new ADVENTURE!
I can't wait to see more of what youun's are up to.
I rarely comment--I never seem to have anything worthwhile to add to your wonderful posts--but I read often and am looking forward to the documented journey you're on. :) My prayers are with you as the road ahead will be long and laborious, but I feel certain that the fruit of your hands will be a tremendous reward. I say, keep the posts coming when you're able--I'm all ears--um, er eyes, er--well you understand.
May the Lord bless your endeavors as you seek to serve Him in all things. :)
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rebekah S.
You're never going to get it all done and done perfectly in the time frame you have. So take a deep breath and do what MUST be done and know that the rest will come in time. Even while you're living in it. Somethings are going to have to wait and that's just the way it is. But remember this is a season.
Personally, I love the house, I love the views you have and I love that you'll have a place all YOURS to do what you've both longed to do.
How are things going over there?? Maybe Wed. after Samuel goes to school I can come and help you, I can either help pack or go to your new house and rip out contact paper, whatever you want!!! :)
Not to knock the lovely relative(s) that owned these things, but this truly motivates me to be mindful of the legacy I leave behind for my own children. . . do I really want them to have to spend so much of their time sifting through "stuff" after I'm gone? Do I want them feeling guilty throwing away all the trophies and ribbons I won as a child? To have to decide whether something is useful to anyone and figure out how to sell it or give it away? That's emotionally and physically tasking for you, no doubt, to undertake this chore. Seems sinful in a way to leave so much of this behind for others to take care of.
My mother-in-law is a hoarder. . . but instead of living in chaos and unsanitary conditions, she spends her days in anxiety cleaning and organizing all of her possessions (which she calls her "legacy"). Her home is like a museum, and the toys of my husband's childhood are locked up and only taken out to be enjoyed once a year (at Christmas when we visit). You can imagine how nervous she gets when children come and stay with her. Her "things" are very important.
Let this be a lesson and reminder to all of us!
I think you underestimated the number of housewives in the world. The internet is teeming with them, and we're all eager for the diversion of vicariously sharing someone's life while simultaneously avoiding floor-mopping. Bring on the posts! (Okay, I may be projecting a bit here...)
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