Purging Petronilla Part 1: 112 things in 01/2012

Purging part 1 of 2 is happening this morning! If you missed it, you can read about the goal in this post–and I’m so excited to hear from all of you who have joined the purging craze! It does good to a woman’s heart to make her little space in the world a little less cluttered and a little more organized, doesn’t it?

Aaaaaaah.

Our first round of purging happened the other weekend, and we got rid of 60 things. (This was just after the burglary, in which some items were involuntarily “purged”, heh heh. I wouldn’t exactly have chosen to get rid of my engagement ring . . . but anyway.)

Ready to see? First, this little set of espresso cups that I bought my husband in Spain (during our dating years). I have affectionate memories of buying them and surprising him with them, but after 6 years of carting them around, it’s time for me to admit to myself and to the world that we don’t use them anymore.

I mean seriously–you can see the dust on the surface of those cups, right? Yuck. They had to go.

Next up, a few items of clothing that no longer have a place on my body.

That purple shirt does nothing for my, you know, chest. Adios, muchachos.

I have enough trouble making that area look not flat-as-a-board that any shirt who refuses to sign up for the curve-enhancing program must be chucked. It’s a personal policy that I must cling to unswervingly.

Next: a fruit basket that we don’t use (we have a different fruit bowl we like much better).

Some books–duplicates, plus depressing French books that I haven’t read since college. And on top of the pile, a chunky bracelet I just can’t pull off:

A set of silverware (we counted this as 1 item). It was my grandma’s, and after asking my parents and sisters if they wanted it, nobody wants to take it off our hands.

It’s not really valuable, and being silver-plated, it requires special care. Not sure about you, but I’m not a huge fan of things that require special care. I prefer my Target stainless steel ware, so I let go of sentimentalism and purged.

Goodbye, and I hope you find a new and beautiful home.

A cookbook I never use . . .

. . . and VHS tapes! A whole heck of a lot of them.

I ordered 6 of them on DVD (and therefore didn’t count those items as part of the 60 that we purged, since we’re replacing them instead of ridding ourselves of them forever).

Goodbye, you almost-obsolete pieces of technology.

Also going obsolete: this film-based camera. I’ve been a digital girl for years, and it’s just been kicking around, causin’ trouble.

Other items that went: old make-up (into the trash), old cassette tapes (into the trash), and old umbrella (into the trash), an old pair of sneakers from . . . high school? Into the trash! Hoobeddy habbiddy!

Here’s the haul, which made its way out our door in 4 bulging bags:

This is how I felt when it was over:

Hip hip hurrah!

Part 2 and the remaining items next week. Let me know if you want to join in, and if you’ve already blogged about it, feel free to send me your links so that I can include them in my final post!

You can also read about Layla’s Purge, Heather’s purge and Sarah’s purge–thanks for joining in, ladies!

21 thoughts on “Purging Petronilla Part 1: 112 things in 01/2012

  1. Suzie

    I also joined in the purge but, I’m making a little bit of money off of it too. On Facebook they are starting “Yard Sale” pages for certain cities, I don’t know if it’s in your area yet but, you should check it out (or start your own). It’s easy for me because I live in a small town, so whoever I sell too can easily pick it up from my home or work. (All haved picked up from my work so far). I started cleaning out cupboards piled with books, craft-stuff, walkie-talkies and yes, an old Minolta film camera (that I believe I got when I graduated high school 25 yrs. ago!). I’ve sold almost everything I’ve posted so far and have made about $50-60 each week, so it’s a nice little bonus! Just thought I’d share 🙂

    P.S. Love the movie, “What about Bob?” hee hee

  2. Amrita

    No matter how much I purge, stuff keeps stacking up! Guess that’s just life huh 🙂 And I love purges because of all the memories you dig up as you uncover stuff to give/throw away. I just realized that you taking pictures of things you’re purging is actually a neater way to still keep those memories without all the space they take up 😀 I’m going to document purges too and then get rid of things I’ve been holding on for memories.

    1. Jenna Post author

      I know the feeling–puring really drags up those memories, which make it harder to toss or give away the stuff! I agree, pictures are a great way to preserve the memory but also not take up any space.

    1. Jenna Post author

      You have a sharp eye! It was actually the correctly made alligator that someone gave me. I have no idea where the shrimpled beak one went . . . and how did we come up with the phrase “shrimpled beak” in the first place?? Because it’s eminently hilarious.

  3. Veronica Miller

    I was thinking I would get rid of some VHS tapes but forgot-thanks–who needs them any more! The only one’s I’m keeping are those with home movies on them. Need to get them on DVD, though. Anyway, great job–love your happy face at the end. Can’t wait to get mine on! I’ve only gotten rid of like 15 things so far–needs to get on it stat!

  4. Kimby

    Yay, hooray, Jenna! (or, as you said, “Hoobeddy Habbiddy” 🙂 — we speak the same language!) Glad to hear the purge is going well. Less stuff to think about, move around and/or DUST!

  5. Joanne

    I’m with you on the non-boob flattering shirts. Really, I should just walk around in a push-up bra all the time. Then I wouldn’t need ANY of my shirts. Think of all the purging!

    Though…it might make going to work a bit awkward.

    GO YOU. I’m so impressed!

    1. Jenna Post author

      Yep, but it feels good to stretch that ‘letting go’ muscle. I figure the more times I stretch it, the easier it will be to use regularly.

  6. Liz

    I got rid of 46 things last week. But…I went over to a friend’s house who was going through her closet and collected a whopping 30 items of clothing (red pea coat, trench coat with wool lining, skirts that complement my booty, yes please! and thankyouverymuch). So technically I’m down to 16 things. This minimalist has not given up yet! I still have a box of technology-type things to go through and my collection of summer clothing…

  7. Layla

    But Jenna, we’re Christians…shouldn’t we only want to own shirts that make us “flat-as-a-board” LOL!! (totally kidding).

  8. Carrie

    Ha! I have an espresso set that I bought in France. Is it cute? Yes. Have I ever used it? er… um… well, nevermind. Did you already toss that Blues Bros. DVD?

    1. Jenna Post author

      Yes–we already tossed it. =( However, it was the weird director’s cut (it had extra scenes that added NOTHING except length). We bought the theatrical release instead.

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