SPRING-Clean Declutter - Need Help

That's a good idea @Former-Member, thanks. Not nice going in the cattle drive though. See if I can find something online.

Today I dropped off one box at OP shop - got quite a few more to go here. Already sorted it, just gotta clean & pack it
Yesterday I found a giand roll of butcher paper and a giand roll of glad wrap. Looking for a place to hang them for sorting wrap.

1/2 filled another Otto bin from the shed today, and emptied the little freezer out back Bro4 claims mum gave him. Wish they'd just take these claims so I'm not tripping over it all, and having to remember... Typical baby brothers.

Thanks @Determined, trying to figure ways to do it alone. Think a lot of people, my son included, are disgusted with my hoard and the attitude seems to be:

"IT'S YOUR MESS NOT OURS,
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE LET IT GET THAT BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE SO SUCK IT UP!

They have a point so trying really hard now to find ways to do it alone. Just so tired (&15yrs older).

As for my Clayton's family, ha, they can't afford to go there. Bro2 &4 have never been there, sis went there twice in 15yrs, Bro-1 once with dad & Bro4 2wice. I came to Sydney every 2yrs or more. And they certainly wouldn't come to work - only visit - be waited on. Such is life.
Oops, bit of a whinge there.

ANY SUGGESTIONS HOW TO DO IT ALONE? I dont even have a car.

I was thinking to

- book dad in respite

- spend 7day blocks up there, hopefully only 2 or three.

- pick up boxes+++

- hire a skip

- book the charity truck pickup

- no time for a garage sale

Smc, how are you going?

Thanks for asking @Former-Member. At the moment, there's a bit too much happening on the MI side with our daughter, so am somewhat stalled.

You've got a big job on your shoulders at the moment. Hope you can take care of yourself well enough in the middle of it.

Thanks @SmcSmc - sorry about your daughter. I must have put my parents through that 😞 Just remind her in little ways that you still love her. Our kids are our hearts walking around in the world. They don't realise how vulnerable we are to them making it or not. I lost a 13yr old so I know. Most people don't so hopefully your girl will learn new coping skills and become stronger. Xox

@Former-Member, that means you know about it from both sides- caree and carer. That's a pretty broad perspective to have, and has value even in its hardship.
We want our girl to hold on to life, and hope that she can see reasons to do so. Yeah, we try to show her we love her in all sorts of ways. And we know that she knows it too, and even in the middle of her hard spots, she does find ways of returning the love.

Can I encourage each one of us to keep working on things, every little bit helps. In the Darcy household this week:

Odd socks out = 😀

Old cookware out = 😀

A few more clothes donated = 😀

I talked about asking people to help with an uncle, way back in 1980s when we were renovating. He advised me to simply do it myself as others had plenty to do and when he tried to get help they all kicked back at him. My brother helpd me once get rid of concrete in backyard and I was really grateful and kept trying to give and socialise with him. Thats about it re help. I done my own dirty work.

You can do it. Dont give your money away. You deserve it. I looked online and there were over 100 places for sale well under 150K. Maybe in a town on the Murray?? Just take next logical step. My other brother hired people to clean out his wife's hoard every time they moved, often ejected due to her mess. When you know what you have in hand, you can make a decision. Also I know some of the retirement villages will charge for services but Centrelink often pays a rental for it, so makes it possible.

Its a huge job. There are 2, with your mum's stuff as well.

SOmetimes with a lot of mess. Its best to do it in a swooping style. Don't overthink all the little stuff.

GO FOR THE BIG CLEAN.

There are ways through, and its good your son agrees with sale. He is on his journey in life and you go where it is decent enough and you can afford it. Getting together with him will happen as needed and if he settled somewhere you may be able to move again. I think it is kinder to downsize before it gets too late. Be practical.

I am thinking about it myself and actively looking and talking about selling the house. Had it valued etc. More so that my son sees we have different directions to travel. Final choices are a way off for me. He has asked to stay at least another 18 months. I think that is realistic, given his current circs and he asked in a good way.

@Former-Member I went a bit crazy and overboard with our clean out. I was expecting some remorse afterwards but so far so good. We are really enjoying the more open living space and it is good to be able to get into the shed again. And the yard looks great with all of my unfinished / not yet started projects gone.

The plan is that anything we can not find a home for when setting up our new house will be getting the axe also. A much more minimalist approach.

@Appleblossom suggestion of a property along the Murray could be a good option - depending where you could be in striking distance of Melbourne and a lot less travel to Sydney @Former-Member - just check for flood zones.