Rog, our son, Colin, and I went out to the old panel van in which we moved back West in 1993 and which has been parked for several years, in the backyard, with clutter stored in it, almost to the ceiling. Colin is the perfect, dispassionate, strong, and willing young'un to help us go through it all! My Rog would just chuck it ALL and Colin probably would, too, but they both understand my emotional attachment. More importantly, Colin has a kid's way of convincing mom she needs to let go of certain items, whereas with Rog and I, I'd wind up resenting it and thinking he just doesn't care, which is NOT true. Anyway...the van is now nearly empty with only two plastic bins and four antique floor lamps which need to be rewired, then sold. There are two bins of things Colin will take to Goodwill, if no one claims them this evening. We put them and four laminated shelves out by the mailbox with free signs on them. Usually things disappear that way.

Tomorrow morning, Colin and I plan to do the same to the stuff which is in my caravan in which he and his cats ares staying. The stuff left over from that will go to the old van. That will give him and his cats a tad bit more room until he moves out, plus he can get his houseplants from his ex-girlfriend's thus cutting one last tie he doesn't need to that relationship. It all feels so good. I do have some bins we brought in to go through. One is all papers which need to be shredded. Morgan will love that. Two of them go to my brother as they include some of his books and other things.

This is stuff Rog and I have been wanting to do forever; he's never had the energy after work and after cleaning house, etc. with me to tackle them with just me to help out in small ways. I've often wished there were someone we could ask to help or hire, but the kids were all too busy with their own work and families. I can see the hidden blessings in Colin's breakup, not just in a selfish way, but also as he is doing so well...working his plan and feeling better in all ways since the beginning of this month.

Major decluttering frees up my mind, too!**bg**