Week 12, we’re getting closer. Time to tackle more storage areas – the ATTIC and any other area where you store things. Time to give this area some attention. Break out your brooms and dust cloths, along with some window cleaner, if you’ll need that while in the Attic.
I’ve never had an attic for storage, though most homes do. The attic access here is above my washer and dryer, with a 2nd hatch in my closet. But, there’s no way I can get up there, and the opening is so small nothing but the smallest boxes would fit. We did have an attic in our 100-year old home in Chicago. But the previous owner had a phobia of squirrels and always thought they were getting into the attic space. So, he had all access points sealed up, plastered over, and we had no idea where the point of access was, they did that good of a job.
For many, It’s where they store their holiday décor. For me, it’s unusable space, except for insulation and support beams. So, I’ll be focusing on wrapping up tasks I’ve not gotten to in previous weeks, and working on getting my office area in better shape.
If you have boxes stored in your attic, this is the time to go through them and weed out items that can be donated – old toys that are still in good condition, outgrown clothes that can be sent for donation, furniture that is no longer in use and will never find its way back into your living or dining room. Let it go, let someone else put it to good use. If you have family heirlooms stored there, consider selecting one or two to keep, and then offer the remainder to other family members, with a deadline. If that deadline comes and goes, perhaps give one more reminder, then consider lettinng go of the remaining items. As the saying goes, “there’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror.” While we don’t want to forget our history, we don’t want to become mired in the past.
If you're donating to a food pantry for Thanksgiving, pick up the last few items to add to your box and set a time to deliver it late in the week, perhaps Sat. or Sunday. This will give the pantry time to unpack your donation and see that it is put to good use.
If you are sending gifts through the US Postal Service, consider stopping and picking up Priority boxes, before the size you need is gone. When I was last there, there were still plenty available, but last year I got the last one of the size I needed. I try to keep one of each size that I typically use on hand, to avoid the last minute rush.
If you're hosting Thanksgiving, double check your table linens for stains. Treat and wash them, and break out the iron (if needed). Check to make sure you have ample seating for guests, and if not, ask family members to borrow a card table or two and extra folding chairs. Also, start pulling serving pieces, making sure they're clean and ready to use. Post-it notes or index cards can be used to label each serving dish with what it should be used for. Give thought to your centerpiece and start arranging it, if it is long-lasting. We've got a little more than a week, so it's time to dig deep. Let's do it!
I’ve never had an attic for storage, though most homes do. The attic access here is above my washer and dryer, with a 2nd hatch in my closet. But, there’s no way I can get up there, and the opening is so small nothing but the smallest boxes would fit. We did have an attic in our 100-year old home in Chicago. But the previous owner had a phobia of squirrels and always thought they were getting into the attic space. So, he had all access points sealed up, plastered over, and we had no idea where the point of access was, they did that good of a job.
For many, It’s where they store their holiday décor. For me, it’s unusable space, except for insulation and support beams. So, I’ll be focusing on wrapping up tasks I’ve not gotten to in previous weeks, and working on getting my office area in better shape.
If you have boxes stored in your attic, this is the time to go through them and weed out items that can be donated – old toys that are still in good condition, outgrown clothes that can be sent for donation, furniture that is no longer in use and will never find its way back into your living or dining room. Let it go, let someone else put it to good use. If you have family heirlooms stored there, consider selecting one or two to keep, and then offer the remainder to other family members, with a deadline. If that deadline comes and goes, perhaps give one more reminder, then consider lettinng go of the remaining items. As the saying goes, “there’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror.” While we don’t want to forget our history, we don’t want to become mired in the past.
If you're donating to a food pantry for Thanksgiving, pick up the last few items to add to your box and set a time to deliver it late in the week, perhaps Sat. or Sunday. This will give the pantry time to unpack your donation and see that it is put to good use.
If you are sending gifts through the US Postal Service, consider stopping and picking up Priority boxes, before the size you need is gone. When I was last there, there were still plenty available, but last year I got the last one of the size I needed. I try to keep one of each size that I typically use on hand, to avoid the last minute rush.
If you're hosting Thanksgiving, double check your table linens for stains. Treat and wash them, and break out the iron (if needed). Check to make sure you have ample seating for guests, and if not, ask family members to borrow a card table or two and extra folding chairs. Also, start pulling serving pieces, making sure they're clean and ready to use. Post-it notes or index cards can be used to label each serving dish with what it should be used for. Give thought to your centerpiece and start arranging it, if it is long-lasting. We've got a little more than a week, so it's time to dig deep. Let's do it!
