When in Doubt...Donate or Pitch It.

There was shelf after shelf loaded with box after box of stuff.  It's typical what one will find in any house after decades of accumulation.  Walk down any neighborhood street and look in a garage...there is likely to be half the space loaded with stuff.

Families naturally accumulate things from childhood, things from high school and college, things from a career.  Many things are returned to the same box each time we get them out...in the event we might need it.

Stacks of 45 rpm vinyl recordings.

There comes a time when we must step up and make decisions, however difficult, on the things taking up space over the years.  For us, the time is now.

Both our parents accumulated things during their lives.  When they passed, we were tasked with going through box after box making decisions as we went.  Although many items were dispensed to other family members, we ended up with numerous boxes loaded to the top.



My wife is the oldest sibling in her family. That fact alone automatically assures she will get things that are family heirlooms, sentimental items and items that only she will identify with.

I am an only child.  That fact assures that my house will end up with many items my parents had.  Plus, the fact that I am interested in family history, adds to list. 

45s with original jacket.

There is no denying, this is not the first time we have looked at these same items.  Every time we pull them out they somehow get wrapped back up in the same piece of newspaper or plastic bag and are tucked back in the same box and placed back on the same shelf to await the next inspection.  Not this time.

At this writing, I have taken three pick-up loads of 'things' to the local Goodwill store.  Each time leaving the drive-thru, I had a good feeling.  First, because we had made the right decision.  Second, because there was more open space in the basement.

Wide range of artists.

Our children were home recently and decided on items they were interested in.  If neither wanted an item, it went on a pile for the next truck load to Goodwill. It was well worth the effort and it was painless with no debate about any item.  That made it easier for us to continue with the process.

Beatles LPs are always popular.

The past few weeks have been spent cataloging a box of vintage vinyl records I've had since childhood.  The have been separated by RPM, if they have an original jacket or not, and by small or large core size.  Time was taken to research a fair market value for each of the 301 records.  It was not only satisfying but educational as well.  In the end, those vintage records found in a box in the basement have a potential value of over $1,800.00.

Remember Johnny Rivers.

The entire collection of vinyl LPs, 45 and 78 RPM records were taken to vintage record shops to be evaluated.   A total of 21 were selected as having potential for resale.  The rest are still awaiting a home. 

There are stacks of 45s and 78s some of which are for children, i.e. Disney, The Mouseketeers; The Muppets sing the alphabet songs; Little Red Riding Hood; and Winnie The Pooh.   Most of the 45s were released in the 1980s.

What group of boxes is next?  Old photos, and items from my 35-year work career.  I trust decisions will come easy.