<p>Lima, I’m a former teacher too. I pared down considerably. I kept NO papers…NONE. If it couldn’t be scanned and saved on my computer, it got tossed. No one wants those old copies of anything. All I have left (plenty of that) are books, and some materials that I still use.</p>
<p>I know it’s hard to let go of all that stuff…I had a 37 year accumulation (will actually only 15 because when our school moved, I tossed a LOT). But really…keep only the essentials.</p>
<p>That paper stuff likely isn’t useful anymore anyway…</p>
<p>I just dashed into Goodwill to see what they charge for things so I could put fair numbers on my donation receipts. Came out with a $15 Waring blender that looks like it’s never been used. :)</p>
<p>Watch out 1moremom. I’ve done that a lot: purchase something just because it’s a good price. But now I have WAY TOO much. If you’d like, you can visit here and I won’t charge you for the things I don’t need. </p>
<p>As for saving or tossing my teaching “stuff”, I just love the whole field of education. It’s true I have saved much too much. My mistake is holding onto something “in case” I’ll need it again (like when I’m tutoring). Another reason for my reluctance: my memories. Stupid me. It’s like I can remember the exact responses of the students when I do a lesson. I have this fear that if I throw those lessons out, out goes my memories too. I also want to kick myself for how much energy I put into everything. I know it sounds crazy, even to me as I write this, but I’m reluctant to toss these things because I wonder if I’ll ever have that level of energy to direct into something I cared so deeply that wasn’t my kids, my DH, my family.</p>
<p>I figured out a solution my problem, having just reread that very first sentence!!! I wish I could give someone else my stuff. I’d be so very grateful. It’s good and still useful. Unfortunately, the local teachers tell me they couldn’t use it.</p>
<p>Lima–the energy you are putting into saving things, worrying about it, moving stuff from spot to spot will be put to more productive use and give you even better memories. Savor the past and live for the future.</p>
<p>box it up
stack it up
get used to not having it
then throw it away</p>
<p>Unless there is a goodwill equivalent of a teachers supply store, you won’t easily be able to find someone to take it off your hands. It is not a good use of your time and energy. imho</p>
<p>If it is about memories, can you journal it somehow?</p>
<p>Lima…take pictures of the things you like the most. Create yourself a teacher memory book using Shutterfly. </p>
<p>I tried to give my stuff away…and with the exception of some puzzles and preschool games, no one wanted it. I emptied the filing cabinet AT WORK before I retired. Anything I really wanted in there, I had on my computer as a document.</p>
<p>I kept all of my Caldecott books, Dr. Seuss books, and all my hardbound children’s books. Everything else went to the used book sale at the library.</p>
<p>And…here is the punchline…I DO still work from time to time. I still don’t miss all that STUFF.</p>
<p>I feel like we need the equivalent of the old “Your dog went to live on a farm. He loves it there!” for things we have trouble parting with.</p>
<p>We need a van that has interchangeable magnets that go on the side - “Teacher Supplies Needed”. “Apartment Supplies Needed”. “Library/School/Waiting Room Books and Magazines Needed”. “Donations taken here!”. Then we could all run out to the van, give them our stuff and we would think it went somewhere wonderful and put it out of our minds, guilt-free. Meanwhile, it would all go where it likely belongs, to the local dump.</p>
<p>Trash day again. 16 bags today. A few more bags worth of just cardboard/paper out in the garage, but it was too cold to take them to the curb! Maybe next week . . . definitely not bringing them back into the house.</p>
<p>I am doing my best to purge. Thank goodness we moved. We had to, or we never would have gotten our act together. It is still a work in process, but I feel that if I keep working on it, I will get through all of this stuff and have a somewhat normal (non hoarderish) house again! Got the daughter to go through some of her stuff when she was home – so we have a bag of books, a bag of stuffed toys, an old fan (not that old, just not useful), and another bag of miscellany to give away. We have been having company on a regular basis since we moved, too – overnight guests – and that has also been helpful. I do a mini-purge while cleaning before each guest arrives. So, as much as I hate cleaning, I love the result, so hope the guests will keep coming!</p>
<p>We’re expecting another frigid cold, snowy weekend so I guess I will be cleaning organizing. I’m hoping that if make progress now, I will enjoy the warm sunny weekends more. I will be thinking of all of you for inspiration.</p>
<p>cleaned out a drawer in my kitchen desk that was full of USPS rubber bands. Giving them back to the mailman today. </p>
<p>I did major purging last spring/summer after I left my job. Now if I could just get H to start, given he’s now home. The guys are heading out camping this weekend (in a cabin) and I am looking forward to them being gone, so I can go through all the junk they don’t seem to see sitting around our family room.</p>
<p>Vietnam Veterans are coming for a pick-up next Thursday. I have five bags as of right now. My goal is to add more to that since I just have to place on front porch, no lugging anywhere. More article weather and two junky kitchen cabinets that could use a good cleaning out this weekend!</p>
<p>I took a bunch of surplus school supplies to the local interfaith clothing program, which also assembles backpacks for needy kids at the beginning of each school year. I would guess that a lot of communities have a group that does this for the children whose families can’t afford it.</p>
<p>Dropped off a big box of silly hats at our synagogue today that were left over from S1 and DIL’s wedding. They will use them for Purim festivities in a couple of months!</p>