Professional Clothing Drive

It starts tomorrow and run this week with multiple drop off locations benefiting the Center for Women in Transition and the Salvation Army.  See here for details.

Week 44: Stuff That's Been Around WAAAAY Too Long

I wouldn't characterize Bo and I as hoarders, but there are a few items, especially in the basement, that needed to go long ago.

For example, #294 5 Cans of Expired Soup - I can't even remember what recipe I had that called for broccoli cheese soup, but the cream of mushroom was for a Beef Stroganoff recipe.  At some point I swore off "cream of whatever" soups, and at that point should have donated these to someplace who could have used them.  Instead, this week I cut the labels off to donate to Red Bird Mission, as I have done in the past.  Then I opened each one up to wash it out and recycle the can.  What a waste! Surprisingly, the soups looked and smelled just the same as brand new cans of soup.  You decide if that is good or bad.
UPDATE: After I posted this, the Eastern Illinois Foodbank tweeted me: "FYI, food past date doesn't always mean we can't use it. Bring it by and if it's unusable, we'll toss."

On that same food rack in the basement (our pantry is small so we store extras downstairs), I found #295 Several Other Non-perishable Foods that were not expired (sounds like an oxymoron) and that we'll likely not use.  The Jello-Os were actually in the pantry, but still hadn't been touched in years.  The rice was for making homemade rice pudding (yeah, right!, well at least not anytime soon).  The pasta is not tasty compared to our fave: Barilla.  And the tomatoes won't get used cuz we rarely cook with them anyway, and if so we'll get fresh or jarred.  These got dropped off at County Market for The Food for Families Drive of Eastern Illinois Foodbank.  FYI, the foodbank can do a LOT more with monetary donations, so if you wanna support them, give moolah, but if you're not gonna use something in your pantry, give it to them instead of tossing it, like I shamefully did with the soups.

Also in the basement, and it has been not only since we moved but since I came here for college 12 YEARS AGO, #296 a Bunch of Used Candles and Wax.  In high school, I was crafty (not at all like I am now), and used to make candles as a hobby and give them to people too.  I have not made a single candle in at least 12 years.  It will also be a while before Bean and Monkey are old enough to help with that.    I thought the I.D.E.A store would take it, but they only take unused bricks of wax. I tried to Freecycle it, but no takers. Would this be the first time since I started PURGE in January that I'd need to throw something away?  Nope! Yesterday, I posted it for Free in the arts and crafts section of Craig's List and some picked it up today!  That was a close call :)

We've also owned this #297 Full-Size Mattress and #298 Full Size Box Spring for over a decade.  Bo had it before we met and he thinks it was his brother's.  I've had it since 2001 when I moved into an unfinished apartment, then it became "ours" again when we moved into our current house and it's been in the guest room.  Bean decided it was his (as was the guest room) soon before Monkey was born, which worked out well cuz we needed him out of the crib/toddler bed and out of the nursery.  So yeah, it's old but it's served us well for a while, especially as Bean's bed for the past 3 years or so..that is until he puked on it a couple days ago. Luckily 2 mattress pads saved it from bad damage, but it still got stained, and we've been looking for an excuse to get Bean a new bed.  So out to the front porch it went while I posted it to Freecycle yesterday.  I was really hoping to not have to chuck it because even Bean was wondering "Someone wants my bed with my throw-up on it?"  Yes.  It also got picked up today too :) YAY!

Week 43 PURGE: Summer Wardrobe

Apparently, PURGE has really helped us pare down the closet.  

Recently, when I dropped off some stuff at Empty Tomb their sign said they officially be collecting fall and winter clothes on October 1st.  That inspired me to take a look at our closet and see if there was any summer clothes that we wanted to get rid of before the end of September.

There was not much to give away!  We are finally at a point where we are actually wearing almost all of the clothes in our closet on a regular basis. :)

Granted, I've been pregnant this summer, so there were several things that I didn't wear by virtue of that.  Still, I found a couple tops that I was pretty sure I could part with for one of the following reasons:

1) It looked too "young."  A mom of 3 should be wearing it. (#287 Black T-shirt with glittery turtle)

2) It was cut to short.  With my body changing, even at the same weight, I'm wider, so shorter tops are exposing my tummy.  Not cool. (#288 Green T-shirt)

3) It hung too low.  I hate bending over to reach something fearing that I'm exposing myself to the world. (#289 Creamy yellow short-sleeve shirt)

Bo got rid of #290 2 polyester v-neck T-shirts.  He was convinced when I told him that there was dust on the exposed parts of the hangers because he hadn't worn them in so long.  He also parted with #291 a slithery button down shirt, which I know he hasn't worn in a while.  He said that sometimes when he picks the kids up, the slithery-ness makes the buttons undo themselves.  Not like I have a problem with that...but others likely do ;)

Lastly the T-shirt on top is #292 Bean's famous manatee shirt.  It's so hideous, but I convinced him it was cool by telling all my friends to compliment him on it.  I got it from All Things Kids for 50 cents.  It lasted the summer, but then the stuffed manatee that's sewn to the front (no, I'm not kidding) started falling off.  

In addition to the clothes, I donated #293 two water jugs.  With the baby being due soon, I know I'll get another one from the hospital.  Still, I prefer my stainless steel Kleen Kanteen, so I'll probably donate that other water jug too.