Ed T, several years ago Katlaughing started a thread that evolved into these. We have kept them going because every so often it becomes clear that members and lurkers benefit from it, and for some regular posters, it becomes a place to catalog forward movement.

Most of us have fitness goals, so this wasn't only for clearing out the surplussage in our homes, garages, yards, workplaces, etc., but also a way to cheer each other on. We've had some remarkable progress here, and this group was a core that saw Michelle (LilyFestre) through the surgery and chemo of ovarian cancer. A spouse was lost last year. People are retiring, are moving, are doing things where it helps to drop in and report progress to others who are interested.

We lost KatLaughing last year in the summer, and she didn't post a lot near the end (we didn't know the end was so near) - but we knew she read it. So for a lot of reasons, this set of threads has become habit.

I've tried to tie the threads together so if you go to the top of any of them there is a link back to the previous one. I run them quarterly now, not monthly - thinking up a clever name that fits in the number of characters is not particularly tasking, but it begins to feel trite.

There are a number of people who have participated, accomplished their goals, and moved on. There are others who I expect one of these days will get serious about the piles of stuff they have previously described and will decide to come over for moral support or ask for a few tips on articles, books, program, or suggestions on where to start.

My house is much less jammed with furniture than it was when it all started. I've learned how to sell on eBay, I've donated, I've listed on Craig's list, and I've given things to people who needed them. My children are at a point where they take things I've held for them back to their homes. I still have lots of hobbies and interests and the tools for those interests that take up space. Organizing, thinning, swapping out one set of tools for another - it's all part of what these threads are about. If upon occasion someone reports a headache, flu, upset stomach, lower GI, etc., it's part of the process. We've shared links and health tips, remedies, and more. I do believe, though, that you posted the first outright fart-only post.

SRS