Posted by Susan on June 21, 1999 at 06:11:10:
In Reply to: Re: Combining 2 houses posted by paula on June 18, 1999 at 12:19:15:
: : Two years ago we moved my husband's parents into nursing facilities, closed down their home and moved everything to our home. (Furniture and all!) The only reason this occurred was my husband was unable to be at their home when we were packing everything up and so since I didn't want to throw anything away that was important to him I packed it all up and moved it in.
: : Now I am faced with the dilemma of getting rid of or sorting through all of this stuff. My husband will still not make a decision on what to throw out or what he wants to keep. I have 6 sets of china (some antique), 22 tablecloths, 7 boxes of pictures and mementos (large boxes), furniture everywhere and more utensils than a person could use in a lifetime, and that doesn't even begin to tell you what is in this house. Except for my bedroom suite, everything I owned before this move has now been delegated to the basement and replaced with Mom and Dad's furniture. While some of it is beautiful, I feel like I'm living in their home. We also have all the financial records and bookkeeping to do now for two separate families. I have been so overwhelmed that nothing is getting accomplished. No one is really to blame for any of this, but I am really beginning to get depressed and I need some help on where to start to get this organized.
: : I used to be so organized and ready for anything, now I couldn't tell you where to find sheets for the full size bed (don't get me started on what ended up in my linen closet! : Hey Susan, : I hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but I think you are too concerned with other's feelings and forgetting your own. Your house isn't a warehouse; it's your SANCTUARY. In order to get your sanity back you need to take back Control! : If you wish to be polite then give 30 days notice to ALL of your husbands family members that a generous donation will be given to ---- charity on x day...the tax deduction received will pay for storage. Give them the opportunity to rediscover valuable heirlooms. They should sort through it not you. : What your husband can't seem to come to terms with is that his parents are incapable of maintaining a home; nor will they ever be again. It's a sad thing but after 2 years in a care home it's unlikely that they will be able to use their things again. Maybe you can help your husband realize that the best thing to do is treat this stuff as hand-me-downs from his family and do with them what you will. : Good Luck! Paula
: : Susan