Alis girls Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 My dad's loft has been long overdue for a clear out for 18 years. Mum died nearly 19 years ago and was a serious hoader- sadly nil of much use, so wont be on Antiques roadshow just yet. In between me and OH wroking, having 2 kids and moving house twice we have never got round to doing it. Yes its shameful. Dad is 80 next year and has mild vascular dementia and can be difficult. Hes been on about the loft for yrs and if we have offerd to come up and help out hes always found an excuse. Even last week he was saying he felt it would be too much for me after me being ill but I was having none of it. So up we went Sat morning with YS to Leicestershire. After a quick brew it was up the ladder and to work. My goodness my mum shouldve been on the programme re hoarders.I do think its a mental illness of sorts. We filled the car up and did one load to the tip and cleared at least a quarter of it. Dad was surprisingly jolly and rewarded us with a pub meal and petrol money. I found loads of fabics and do wish I'd had the time to find a good cause. We have a bootful of goodies for the charity shop. Some things like a bag of jiffy envelopes all used were weird My old carry cot was up there, my cot and in a distant corner my dolls house which I will if in good nick take to a shop. You may ask we we didnt get a clearance company in? Well I feel dad is vunerable and also he can get short tempered and difficult. We plan to go up in April and do another lot. Wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Wow...well done! I bet you all feel better for that.......a good clear out can be very cathartic! Good luck with round 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I love a good clear-out too. Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I would keep your doll house and put it in YOUR loft It is amazing how quick your own children grow and have their own.Here speaks the voice of experience,when my grand kids came along we bought some 'vintage' fisher price replicas of what our kids had had.They brought back such memories,I wish I had hoarded instead of passing on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I would keep your doll house and put it in YOUR loft It is amazing how quick your own children grow and have their own.Here speaks the voice of experience,when my grand kids came along we bought some 'vintage' fisher price replicas of what our kids had had.They brought back such memories,I wish I had hoarded instead of passing on. About the only toy I managed to hang onto was the dolls house my father made for me and my sisters one christmas, mum passed toys on around the family although she kept some of the toys from my youngest brother for grandchildren. We've been working on the loft and I just pulled it down, we're a long way from grandchildren but I'd like to restore it and put it somewhere I can see it. I kept a selection of baby toys, all the brio, duplo and a beautiful wooden castle my boys had and they are all in the loft. (I also have too much fabric in the loft ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Oh gosh - avid hoarder me. I can just visualise me in my old age with newspaper towers. Hmmm maybe not. More like bundles of fabric. I also kept my doll's house. It was one my dad made and was a replica of my grandmother's bungalow. The roof broke years ago - well it was a good makeshift indoor seesaw, but the silly little things like a clock that he made and all the furniture I still have. Even a little fish tank. I wonder about the cutlery though - have a feeling they are lead!!!! Also some hardboard cut outs of funny headless people - the idea was you stuck an acorn on the bumpy bit and you had to make a face on it and then it looked like something out of the Beano! I'm glad your dad was having a good day and it made things go much more smoothly for you. I think if you got someone in to clear it all they would have swooped right through and at least with family there was a possibility of coming across something that had sentimental value over monetary value. But as I look around the junk here I think well I know someone who has moved into a home and you can't take everything with you, they are material things and I'd lose it all if we had a fire. I have my memories - well if I can't remember it then I won't miss it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Well done on making a start. My parents were not hoarders in the real sense of the word, but they had a lot of stuff and clearing it after they both died was a sad (and eventually impossible) process, we had to get house clearance people in after we'd taken what we wanted. It's really made me reflect on how much stuff I have/buy/keep and I've tried to be a lot less acquisitive since then, and I am particularly cautious about putting stuff in the loft just for the sake of it - it only goes up there if I know I want to keep it, but won't need it very often. I can't get into my own loft at the moment, following a knee injury last August, and so I'm reliant on other people to put stuff up there ... that's why the Christmas decorations are still in the spare room, honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Olly we had to get someone in for my FIL's house as my BIL said he'd started but the stuff was piled floor to ceiling. OH was so cross as we were trying to sell house - we found a guy purely by chance who was great. Anything he thought we could use or might be worth summat he handed to us. It was cleared in a day by him and his friend and we were there doing other bits downstairs. You have to be tough, whilst at dads OH found a get well card that my mum was given from workmates - I said to my husband - "bin it she didnt get well did she" - its too late for sentimentality sadly. If I appear on Antiques road show with some gem or other will let u know We have made an effort not to store much in loft. I have a lot of bits around the house but dont buy ornaments anymore apart from candles and the odd picture. One thing I did find were so lovely drawings of wildlife and animals - I think a friend of mums husband did them. theres one of a hen and cockerel I will frame as its lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Reading this thread has really made me think So glad you were brave and had a good day. Our loft really needs sorting. My parents died 13 years ago, all the stuff I couldn't bear to part with went in the loft, my maternal grandmother died the same time, ditto, stuff I couldn't part with went in the loft, my paternal grandfather died 4 years ago... Well you get the idea. Hubby's grandmother died 8 years ago, he's as bad as me! Also, we have our own hoarding. We live in a 4 bedroom house, hubby boarded the loft and it is full to bursting. We have 3 old PCs up there Hubby keeps threatening to look at it saying "How much stuff do we need above our heads when we die" I know I haven't looked at any of mine or my family's stuff since it's gone up! I think some stuff of my parents I could probably sell on eBay and put the money aside for my nephew and niece (I even put it on the Green Living section as an idea) but when you work full time and have an active social life it's finding the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hubby keeps threatening to look at it saying "How much stuff do we need above our heads when we die" More or less what I once said to my mother before she became ill. Their house is far too large for just the both of them, but they will never downsize, and now she's poorly, the change would unsettle my mother. They don't hoard, but they have far too much stuff. I said to her at the time 'I hope you're going to sort through all this stuff because when you go I shall just chuck it all in a skip'. It worked and she had a massive clear out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Now then jiffy bags are very handy and all fabric should be kept My garage is full of the boys stuff. One has his own home now, I really ought to load the car and deliver it to his doorstep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 DM you meannie! But I know what Spacechick means - my brother was chucking things out from my mum's house before she moved away - some were my large flowerpots that dad had in the shed for tomato swaps, seed trays - all perfect (retrieved). Then I found his drill out in the rain. Had to rescue that - it was in a home-made box, dove tailed joints and all. Drill hadn't worked for years but it was my dad's sentimental I know but . . . Plum - yes keep the fabric!!! Oh we managed to clear the loft of son's things when he moved out. He's been back with us for a few months and apart from his stuff in storage our garage is now full to the brim with the rest of it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Plum had I known you had a fetish for jiffy bags I'd have posted them to you. Material wasn't brilliant quality but I have a friend who makes things so I might pass it on to her. Other finds were a very smelly electric blanket a doctors bag (we have no doctors in the family) and an old trunk. OH managed to wrench that out my hot little mitts as he saw a look come over my face - want it want it. Dad put it in his shed so I might still get it I also found a big jug from one of those sets which had a bowl you washed in yrs ago. Thats mine - bowl broke years back.You set me thinking re dolls house - i might keep if ok in case I have grand daughters - with my luck I wont. Clare you made me laugh - i did tell dad that I didnt want the loft to clear as well has house when he pegged it and I'm no spring chicken my self so dont want to be doing this when I'm older and unable to get up a ladder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Tis done at last - third trip this weekend and a carfull of stuff to tip. It was hot up there but now I feel pleased thats one job less if dad moves or when he passes on. He was relived too. Eighteen years is far too long to wait however I am talking to more and more nifty 50 types whose parents and in laws are sitting in a house full of stuff. My friend said her mums still collecting stuff. I no longer buy ornaments and only keep nick nacks given to me that I really like. I am knackered - my OH was brilliant and next job is to try and talk dad into a new kitchen - nothing flash - flat pack built by us and a new bathroom. The kitchen units are my age 52 and well past their best, and I dont think my dad sees dirt Wish me luck with that. Oh and if anyone has hens and lives in Measham Leicestershire I heard your cockerel this morning. Built up area too - but lovely noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Well done, you'll be really glad that it's cleared - one less thing to worry about. Hope you can persuade your dad with the kitchen. He's very lucky to have you able and willing to do all this for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Well done Oddly my mums loft was virtually empty when we had to clear her place after when she passed away but her collection of dust collectors and nick knacks in every room were a whole other matter It's a wonder our house hasn't dropped through the foundations with amount of rubbish that's gone into our loft especially with four children And DH the hoarder Not to mention DS has two homes and has still managed to leave stuff in our loft and spare room I'm sure it's hereditary I shudder to think what's been stuck up there since moving in here in 1990 I'm pretty sure some came with us from the previous house of 11 years too but I can hold my head up and say very little up there's mine only because I am terrified of lofts and ladders I have made the odd mention about skips on the drive which have fallen on deaf ears I guess when we eventually move again he and children will have to de clutter there hoards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Yes, I cleared my Mum's house a few years ago and it really affects your attitude to hoarding. I was a bit of a hoarder, but when you realise that one day some poor soul will have to go through countless boxes and drawers of your treasured possessions (aka tat) you definitely start chucking it away ! It is actually quite liberating having less junk around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 I am determined my boys wont be doing this for me. It is a form of illness in many cases although many of us come from "i'll put it away it might come in handy" sort of families. Sadly - rarely does. I will start a Omlet decluttering help line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Well done from me too! I am in the process of doing the same to mum as she has not thrown anything away for over 50 years I think We are hoping to sell up and move in to a big house in the country together so she needs to sort out what means something and what doesn't, for a start. The local animal charity has had a van load of stuff from the loft already and I didn't notice any difference, they are coming again on Wednesday and more furniture and loads of boxes and bags of stuff are going. We have thrown countless bags of junk out and other charity shops get regular small amounts too Don't know where she found space. I think for her it was a shock that her house was valued at a lot less than mine when the estate agent came around, and it was mainly because of clutter and old decor. I've been selling her cupboard and shed finds for months on ebay, made easier by the fact that she also saves old used jiffy bags and other packaging sundries We have nearly decluttered one whole room and it looks so much bigger. I have told her where to put her remaining furniture so that the room looks more spacious, and the walls have been relieved of dozens of pictures and plates It has made me think about what I have in my house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 Well done Charlotte - its a fact but you have to depersonalise a home to sell it. I think we are related as our mums loved jiffy bags. Dad and OH were at the tip - sweltering and a lorry came past with a smelly load of green stuff out of gardens OH sthe lorry tipped the load into the green bin and a horde of flies flew out. Everyone ran for cover. Dad and OH jumped in car along with 5 flies and sped off - opening windows to let the flies out they were lucky as no more joined them for the ride home. gave me time to hoover round and shift a bit of furniture and find dusty carpet which can now see the light of day. Mum collected loads of cut glass - any ideas where I can off load this.?I expect E bay is the obvious but not sure of market at present. Oh well back to the drawing board. I hope you find some goodie to make a bit of money Charlotte - I hoped we might find something which if sold might help ES thro uni. No such luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Mum collected loads of cut glass - any ideas where I can off load this.? If it is a named brand, there may be second-hand specialists you can find on an internet search. Retired Swarovski pieces can be sold here http://www.thecrystallodge.co.uk/, though they do well on ebay too. I used to check sold prices on ebay first, to get a feel for a price, and then see what the specialist sellers were offering. Went into my dad's loft the other week. It's a really tiny roofspace and totally crammed with useless tat, like old electric fires and lamps that don't work . It was far too hot at that point to stay long, but I'm thinking we'll be going back for a clearout when it's more bearable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I think we are related as our mums loved jiffy bags. I'll be meeting up with you on the next series of Long Lost Family then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Well I had a good look the other day and thought - yep time for decluttering, so I've emptied my wardrobe, kept some things for cleaning and messing around in, some reasonably OK for general wear and stuff for best. Then I went through the jumpers - I had loads of ones my mum knitted. Now most have been bagged up and ready to go. Then I looked in the airing cupboard - some old towels are useful for chicken bathing and the flannels are going to be for polish and cleaning stuff - and then the old polish and cleaning stuff will be chucked. Some duvet covers and pillowcases are bagged to go, although I've kept some sheets for practicing machine quilting - it won't mess up my fabric and I can use the old cut off bits of wadding from my quilts. It all looks a bit empty but I'm hoping the bin bags in the hallway can trigger off DD into adding some of her clothes - that are breeding like Tribbles. Well actually she just buys more all the time and the darned stuff is everywhere - like Tribbles!!! Open a cupboard and they drop down on you - although now you have to step over them in the hall, dining room, spare room, lounge - some in the garage where OH has hidden some in a bin bag. The only thing she said she has been missing is a pretty cardigan. Oh well! Next target is the books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Oh and her clothes that are in the hallway and lounge get bagged up and put in the dining room - she has a week to retrieve what she wants or it goes into the garage. It will stay in the garage for one week and then the contents will be taken to the charity shop!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 You have all inspired me, I have started to sort stuff out, I have been through the utility cupboards over the last two days and got rid of things we don't need. I have found that we have a cupboard just full of light bulbs some were my mums hoard. I will wait for OH to get home and then we can go through them and see which ones we need and which ones we can get rid of. I have been through all the drawers of our lovely desk which was my Dad's the drawers now have things that we need or want to keep rather than stuff in them. I have not braved the roll top desk part yet. Thanks for the inspiration Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
