Keeping Things- or NOT

I've written a few posts about keeping things and then wouldn't you know, I didn't go and take my own advice. Interesting how that happens. Anyway.... Long story short- I DID do something about it today. I cleaned out my entry way. Threw away a lot of stuff (things that I wouldn't feel good about giving away) and packed the back of my car full of things to give away tomorrow. 

In the other houses we've lived in we had either a storage shed and/or a second garage for the things that aren't used often or are keepsakes (or were in boxes that hadn't been unpacked from the house before the house before...ahem...moving on...). In this house we have one very small garage that wouldn't and doesn't hold very much of the items that previously we had tucked away. 

That's where the entryway comes in. It was gradual. Put dd's child bed frame in there...put in the Christmas decorations box...put in the coolers...the chairs...before I knew it, it seemed that the entryway was a death trap with who knows what in there!

I should have taken a photo before I started the process. I can just tell you it was a mess in my entry way. I am a packrat to a fault! There were boxes from purchases I've made in the last year just because I might need the box or the stuffing if I ship something. 

Here is a photo (don't mind the dirty floor- next is cleaning it- and those odd n ends off to the side) after purging stuff:

And here in the next photo you can see by the black line on the left how much more room I cleared up:

And although you really cannot see the doorway behind me, to get an image of how much was in this room, put a box or two along the way that the vacuum is on, with some stuffing, newspapers, and other odd items. It was a tight fit!

I stacked all plastic totes (and Christmas ornaments in a plastic bag on top of that...) together on one end of the entryway:

Next to the totes are our camping chairs (in the back with the two balls on top), and folded chairs in front. And you can see the tiki torches tucked behind the totes. In front of all are our coolers. We like coolers :) come in so handy for camping.

In the other end of the entry way is my dd's bed from when she was little. It was handmade by her grandfather. I rather have it where it is more protected from the elements. We will keep that until she moves out and can take it herself...maybe a granddaughter some day will use it :) On top of the bed frame are the k12 boxes for when I need to send back the equipment... Figured I'd better keep those!

And last but not least: 

The coat tree. We never seem to keep from knocking it over in the living room and this house has a long skinny room, limiting the available space. It is nice also to take off wet jackets in the entry way instead of tracking it into the house as well. I really should go through the items on the tree... At least one of those jackets I haven't worn in quite a while... Mental note!

It may not look great but it looks so much better and it is organized in order of use so it is easier to find what I am looking for now.

I am taking a photo after I post this of one particular area in my living room that is next on my list. I will take an after photo also to show the difference. I'm excited about this part :)

I dread the day when I have to purge from my bookshelves. But I know it's needed- even talked to dh about it last night.