Going through ‘stuff’ in an attempt to declutter

If the Guinness World Records had a “stuff” category, we’d win in a landslide.

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We are not hoarders, we just have “stuff” that has been piling up for years. This includes items from two estates — my parents’ and Debbie’s grandparents.

After my parents’ estate auction in April 2011, we rented a big moving van to bring “stuff” to Iowa from Oklahoma. Most of those items, including family photos, are still in the garage.

We’ve sold some of the items through the years via garage sales or online through Facebook. These included an older riding lawn mower, books, toys, television stand, furniture, a quilt rack and household goodies. But there is much more tucked away in our garage and house.

One year, we held at least five garage sales.

A week or so ago, we started the process of decluttering for what seems like the umpteenth time.

Our goal is to be able to get our Suburban into the garage when a storm brews up. Right now, it’s next to impossible.

With the help of our oldest nephew, Gavin, we are going to have an online decluttering auction at the Parker house this summer.

Gavin is owner of Hometown Treasurers, a Montezuma-based business that holds auctions for area folks.

We are currently just over halfway through the garage going through items. In places, plastic tubs and boxes are four deep.

And to be honest, it feels good.

Outside of getting our vehicle inside, just having a sense of organization and being able to find things without sending out the search and rescue team is calming.

A few years back, we took part in a decluttering exercise. It was 2017 and the goal was to get rid of 2017 items from Jan. 1 — Dec. 31.

We made it, but not by much.

I ended up cleaning out the kitchen junk drawers to meet the goal. There must have been 50 or more ink pens that didn’t work. They all went into the trash.

And if you are like me, “stuff” seems to sprout legs and walk away.

“I laid it right there last week,” you try to reason while searching for whatever it is you are looking for.

Somehow it ended up on the floor under a stack of unread mail or pile of laundry in another room.

“How did it end up there?” you wonder.

Sometimes it is a challenge to find the salt and pepper shakers at supper time.

Debbie seems to know where I put things, and while I’m in a panic, she calmingly knows right where I left it and will get it for me.

It is good to have someone on your side when in a panic or any life situation.

I admit, it is hard to get rid of things.

We are doing good. I’ve only pulled one item back out of the auction since we started — a John Deere fire ring that I bought in Oklahoma some years back. I consider that a small victory.

My hope is to have it welded to a tractor or semitruck rim and set up a fire ring in our backyard.

I also found a nice embossed ice tea pitcher with animals in my parents’ items. My plan is to enter it in the Heritage Division at the Iowa State Fair this year.

I’ve been entering antique items in the Iowa State Fair for more than 15 years. I won a sweepstakes ribbon a few years ago for an antique Will Rogers clock Debbie bought me on eBay. It was made by the United Clock Company in the 1940s.

Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash in Point Barrow, Alaska Aug. 15, 1935, was considered Oklahoma’s native son. He is also the namesake for my high school in Tulsa.

And while we are cleaning, I might find a few more collectibles to enter in the state fair. And I’m sure there are some important papers or photos that got tucked away on a shelf that will reappear.

While searching for decluttering tips online, I found a number of helpful hints and rules on how and what to do first and how to toss and what to keep.

I don’t know if there is any right or wrong way.

For Debbie and me, we have two tubs — one for keep and one for discard. And the trash can is close by to toss things that need to go.

By the time we get done, the Parker house is going to be decluttered and, as my friend, Ron the Barber would say, looking good.

The key challenge will be keeping it that way.

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.