"HOARDERS"

[toggleswitch2]

The hardest part of cleaning up after a hoarder is the fear that there MIGHT be one important document in the thousands that one may not want seen by the outside world, or maybe otheriwse personal. At some point one gives up and just runs it ALL through the shredder. Those really afflicted often say. "I can't throw it out without going through it, there may be some money hidden in there". There never is.

My relative was so bad she could not close the bathroom door from all the crap taking reisdence on it. We could not eat on her dining room table and she had only a small poriton of her double bed upon which to stretch out for the night.

Above and beyond to all was the fire hazard in the ancinet old brownstone-type buildng on a GAS stove with pilot lights were:
Stacks of napkins taken form shitty restaurants. Nail-polish remover. Crosses of dried-out palm leaves from chuch, newspaper clippings in a styrofoam supermarket meat-tray. (We had ZERO success in getting her to remove flammables from the stove-top and oven).

The couch was a yard/meter away from the wall and packed to the gills behind it with worthless papers.

G.D. it ! If you are gonna hoard and leave someone else to clean it up, could it at least be something that is readily converted to cash? Gold, jewely, pearls, stock? Nope NEVER.
Perhaps parents should stress which papers have value and what is toilet-paper early on in a child's life.

Sandy, as always, best wishes. You have done a hugely good deed for the universe and I pray you will be repaid tenfold sooner rather than later.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Fear (of loss) and greed are tremendous human motivators.

With regard to the fear that there may be something of value hidden in the piles of crap:

One must simply say, it hasn't been needed or missed in years, it won't matter and can be replaced. Buh, bye!

Burn, baby burn.

 

[polkanut]

This past spring when we were cleaning out my wife's uncle's house, he fortunately lived out in the country and had a burn barrel. I spent 3 days burning 50yrs worth of receipts, tax returns, cancelled checks, wedding invitations, and church financial statements. This was in addition to all the Outdoor Life, Reader's Digest, and other accumulated junk mail. I can feel for you Sandy.

 

[danemodsandy]

Oooooooooooooh!

"...he fortunately lived out in the country and had a burn barrel."

Ooh, Tim -

You said the "B" word! I would give an eye for a burn barrel and the freedom to use it.

 

[polkanut]

All that glitters is not golden though,

There are restrictions, such as no burning during certain times of the day, no Sunday burning, a yearly burning permit (no cost though), and no burning at all when the Dept. of Natural Resources declares a fire danger. So far this summer, we've not had a high fire danger, so no ban.

 

[toggleswitch2]

ok boys being the bit-city boy that I am...
what is a burn barrel? linkie? pics?

Is it just a 55-gallon drum on two cinderblocks?

 

[toggleswitch2]

Can you get 'yo @$$ a cheap chiminea?

http://www.chiminea.net/

 

[polkanut]

You got it,

It also has a few holes punctured in it to give the fire more oxygen.

 

[polkanut]

I forgot to post it above that some people put a lightweight grate over the top to prevent sparks from flying all over the place. The barrel Uncle Edmund had also had a cover, which was nothing more than the end of the barrel, with a piece of pipe bolted on for a handle to keep out the rain and snow. When I first lit the barrel in Spring, a couple of mice came running out. They must have built a nest in there during the winter.

 

[mixfinder]

Recycler Pickup

It would be extremely helpful if JoeinFl would post the information referred to for recylers. Its a wonderful convenience to have a service that will come and pick up larger amounts of recycling free of charge. Who knows how much quality product ends up in the dump. Could you please list the number and online contact information for these services. If you could provide the link it into a state by state directory we could all avail ourselves of such a useful service.
Thanks,
Mixfinder

 

[joeinfl]

In Atlanta it's the Dept of Public Works. Just mark items clearly as recycling and put them out on the recycling day. For large amounts, I would call and give them a heads up. If it's a really large amount, they may work out a special pick up for it. Containers should be 45 - 50 gallon capacity since they have to be picked up by a person.

The link below has the info and phone numbers for Atlanta.

I just did a web search in Google for "bulk recycling pick up" and then put in the city that you are looking for. Hope that's helpful.

http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/publicworks/recycleinfo_061107.aspx

 

[toggleswitch2]

~Often persons who "hoard" are trying to make up for some sort of feeling of not having in the past.

In my great-aunt, I believed it was because she was barren. Needed to fill (overstuff, really) the "womb" with something.

 

[paulg]

My fix was in a game

My experience follows.. I am not a hoarder nor were my parents. But when my parents ultimately passed away in quick succession I ended up the contents of the house, materials and furniture and both grandparents, a late uncle as well as my own materials. Lots of stuff dating back to about 1955. I was so overwhelmed. What to save? What to throw?
IN ADDITION I assisted other needy parties with cleaning out hoarders. I am helpful with a strong back and ability to comment with some knowledge as to what to save and what not.
However, in my case I would sit in my basement and not know where to start. This is going to sound stupid. What I did was set a goal to throw away ONE IRREFUTABLE piece of garbage. Find something. Anything! Absolutely determine it is garbage and throw it away. One chipped glass, one piece of newspaper. Look at it, be comfortable with its being garbage and throw it away. Continue until bored. Don't overwork it.
This worked for me because I had TIME. However, lo and behold the piles started coming down with the good stuff being distilled out to last. However, when I had a free moment, I would go downstairs, try to find one thing that was absolutely garbage, throw it away and then get on with my day.
...My advice and a dime won't get you a cup of coffee - but my experience it was.

 

[mixfinder]

DoPW

Thank you Joe. It makes its so much easier to the have a point of debarkation.
Mixfinder

 

[gyrafoam]

The show airs tomorrow night. Since I've had a lot of time to think about it, I am excited to see it.
I think it will be very interesting.