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Celtic Radio Community > Quizes & Polls > Packrat Or Sweeper?


Posted by: Dreamer1 28-Jan-2004, 07:17 PM
Hi all,

I got to think' about this, and decided it might be fun to see how many of us are Packrats and how many are Sweepers. Packrats save just about everything for future uses, reference, pleasure at reliving memories, possible heirloom value, etc. They prefer a slightly cluttered home, filled with favorite things. Sweepers are diligent about the annual Spring/Fall cleanups, believing that if you haven't used something in a year or two it's time to get rid of it! Clutter tends to drive them into another cleaning frenzy, favorite things need a place of their own out of the way.

So which are you?? I'm definitely a Packrat. The good side is that I do tend to go back and reread old magazines that I've saved (I only save my favorite one), I can never have enough books, even without the shelf space for them. And a lot of my old toys have been fondly used by our daughters -- and we're now saving them for grandkids to use. biggrin.gif

How about you all?

Dreamer1


Posted by: WizardofOwls 27-Dec-2004, 06:54 PM
Hi Dreamer! Remember this one???

I am definitely a packrat (as my wife frequently points out! wink.gif) I love to keep books and magazine articles!

Posted by: Rindy1202 27-Dec-2004, 11:24 PM
I guess I would be considered a sweeper. I hate clutter, but I love things so may be I would fall in the middle Pack-Sweeper? LOL smile.gif

Posted by: VetteGal 28-Dec-2004, 03:45 AM
Definitely a packrat, especially when it come to parts for my cars. I have just listed items on cars I have sold over 5 years ago. If I lived in a house or had a garage it wouldn't be so bad, but, I live in an apartment. I am so pathetic! HELP!!!!!

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 28-Dec-2004, 01:08 PM
Definitely pack rat. In fact, most pack rats think I should throw some stuff out.

Posted by: Monarch's Own 28-Dec-2004, 02:52 PM
I have also to fall in the middle

I like to keep pictures and letters but I throw out everything else if I can.

Just right now I am working on cleaning you my filing cabinet. (I hate it)

So I know it's the end of the year again - I clean out my office!

Posted by: emerald-eyedwanderer 28-Dec-2004, 03:16 PM
Mostly a pack-rat. I always keep things 'just in case'. But I hardly ever use it again.

Posted by: greenldydragon 31-Dec-2004, 11:46 AM
I am definitely a pack rat. I love to keep things that I might have used only once. I tend to keep all and any books, even those I got as a gift and never plan on reading... I think I have a box, two drawers and multiple desktops contributing to all the books without shelf space.

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 31-Dec-2004, 01:23 PM
Oh count me in with the Packrats!! Definately.
But last year I was justified forever in being one - I'd driven a minivan for years and about 3 years ago had to have an expensive repair done on the windshield wiper motor (I think it was about $350!) Then last year we received a recall notice about the same wiper motor, and the letter said if we'd already had the repair done & paid for it, if we turned in the receipt we'd get reimbursed. My husband said 'oh man, three years ago; I bet we don't still have the receipt...'

I ran down to the file cabinet, pulled out said receipt, and within about a month I had $350 in my hot little hands! laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Packrats of the world, BE STRONG!!!
Siobhan Blues

Posted by: Aragorn 31-Dec-2004, 02:04 PM
Total pack-rat...I have computers and computer parts all over my closet. I still have the first computer I ever owned sitting on the floor and it even works. I have a computer monitor sitting in the living room..I am at peace with this... tongue.gif

Posted by: bigjimhainey 31-Dec-2004, 02:22 PM
PACKRAT most definately. i save everything.recently went and did some cleaning out and got rid of some stuff, but i still have a box of old computer parts and wires my wife keeps telling me to go through. biggrin.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 02-Jan-2005, 08:37 PM
Packrat....I just spent yesterday cleaning out and rearranging the dressing room and walk-in closet. Hauled 2 boxes of stuff upstairs, 3 boxes in trunk to take to the thrift shop at the library. (money goes to the library) 3 bags of trash. (empty shoe boxes, worn out shoes & clothes, etc.) 1 old homemade dresser( made out of underdrawers to a waterbed) to the trash. WOW I have room. wink.gif Next: Laundry room.

Posted by: Rindy1202 02-Jan-2005, 08:55 PM
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 02-Jan-2005, 07:37 PM)
Packrat....I just spent yesterday cleaning out and rearranging the dressing room and walk-in closet. Hauled 2 boxes of stuff upstairs, 3 boxes in trunk to take to the thrift shop at the library. (money goes to the library) 3 bags of trash. (empty shoe boxes, worn out shoes & clothes, etc.) 1 old homemade dresser( made out of underdrawers to a waterbed) to the trash. WOW I have room. wink.gif Next: Laundry room.

If you are like me you are on a roll don't quit now. Wanna come and do my house next!! I think we need a thread to get us motivated to clean and give and throw away all those things we haven't used....

Watch ya think Valpal?? smile.gif

Posted by: 3Ravens 02-Jan-2005, 09:04 PM
Packrat, packrat, packrat! laugh.gif My daughter and I had been cleaning up for Christmas, and found stuff from last Christmas that never got put away! It's not unsanitary around here, just very, very, cluttered! tongue.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 02-Jan-2005, 09:23 PM
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 02-Jan-2005, 08:55 PM)
If you are like me you are on a roll don't quit now. Wanna come and do my house next!! I think we need a thread to get us motivated to clean and give and throw away all those things we haven't used....

Watch ya think Valpal?? smile.gif

Sounds like a good idea to me. I need all of the help I can get. Usually I get a couple of rooms done then run out of steam. By the time I get back to it, I have already collected alot more stuff. Our garage is full of boxes because I was going to have a "GARAGE SALE". Yeah right. LOL So "NEW RULES" it has to be very important to be kept. If not, off to the thrift shop. Maybe I'll make it to the garage by spring. wink.gif

Posted by: dragonboy3611 03-Jan-2005, 07:58 PM
I am definetley a sweeper. I will clean out almost everything in Spring and Fall cleaning, unless it is very meaningfull to me!

Posted by: 3Ravens 03-Jan-2005, 09:42 PM
Tch, tch, tch, Dragonboy, how did one so young develop such bad habits?!? biggrin.gif

Posted by: WizardofOwls 04-Jan-2005, 10:01 AM
QUOTE (3Ravens @ 02-Jan-2005, 11:04 PM)
Packrat, packrat, packrat! laugh.gif My daughter and I had been cleaning up for Christmas, and found stuff from last Christmas that never got put away! It's not unsanitary around here, just very, very, cluttered! tongue.gif

For some reason, this suprises me! I had you pegged for a sweeper, hands-down!

Posted by: catlynelizabeth 04-Jan-2005, 08:00 PM
I am descended from a long line of packrats. In my house we have a lot of books that I especially can't get rid of, old tapes, magazines that are from at least last year. Although every once in a while the my parents go on a cleaning sweep and we clean the house.

Posted by: Rindy1202 05-Jan-2005, 07:12 PM
QUOTE (3Ravens @ 02-Jan-2005, 08:04 PM)
Packrat, packrat, packrat! laugh.gif My daughter and I had been cleaning up for Christmas, and found stuff from last Christmas that never got put away! It's not unsanitary around here, just very, very, cluttered! tongue.gif

Making me nervous just reading your post. Just kidding. Had to say it. Hope you got it all done done done.... smile.gif

Posted by: Dreamer1 05-Jan-2005, 07:40 PM
You guys are great! You make me feel a lot better about all the stuff I save laugh.gif !
(I've found some pretty creative ways to save things from the trash bags, too.) I LOVE hearing about being reimbursed $350!! Way to go!! thumbup.gif beer_mug.gif

Dreamer1 tongue.gif

Posted by: LiliMarlene 06-Jan-2005, 09:57 AM
Packrat definately, I save everything. Actually, it's about time to go through the house and just start tossing, lol.

I do the book thing too, though I have read most of mine, on another board that I post on, some of the ladies are starting a book exchange, I sent them my list, lol, of 165.....and I have almost 300 other books, those were just the ones I didn't want anymore!



Lil

Posted by: valpal 59 08-Jan-2005, 11:31 PM
I got the utility room done today. WOOHOO!!!! clap.gif Next weekend the pantry.

Posted by: Rindy1202 08-Jan-2005, 11:41 PM
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 08-Jan-2005, 10:31 PM)
I got the utility room done today. WOOHOO!!!! clap.gif Next weekend the pantry.

Way to go VAL! Nice to hear from you. Hey I will do my pantry next weekend and you do yours. Let's us each other as motivators!!! Is that a word. laugh.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 09-Jan-2005, 01:29 PM
Works for me. I need all of the help I can get. The dreaded "I don't want to" is trying to set in. smile.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 09-Jan-2005, 10:29 PM
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 09-Jan-2005, 12:29 PM)
Works for me. I need all of the help I can get. The dreaded "I don't want to" is trying to set in. smile.gif

Ok Val, that is a deal. We have a cleaning date for either Saturday or Sunday you pick I am open either days.

The Sweepers smile.gif unsure.gif

Posted by: jpmoore 10-Jan-2005, 11:16 AM
I'm on the fence.

Packrat: books, music, personal mementos

Sweeper: everything else.
In fact, I would just love to drop off a dumpster at my house and fill it with all the pooh.gif that is taking up space around the house. My wife has magazines that are 30+ years old.

Posted by: oldraven 10-Jan-2005, 02:30 PM
QUOTE (VetteGal @ 28-Dec-2004, 02:45 AM)
Definitely a packrat, especially when it come to parts for my cars. I have just listed items on cars I have sold over 5 years ago. If I lived in a house or had a garage it wouldn't be so bad, but, I live in an apartment. I am so pathetic! HELP!!!!!

You just described me, Vettegall. laugh.gif I try not to gather too much crap, but I have so many more plans than time or drive to cary them out. I have a spare tranny for my truck and car, a set of alloys for a car I've never had, a box full of extra parts for my truck, should an alternator or starter go. I even have my old spark plug wires on the wall, in case one blows. tongue.gif

My garage has more parts than cars to take them.


Posted by: maisky 11-Jan-2005, 08:01 AM
I USED to be a packrat. However, we have moved SO many times over recent years that I am a sweeper, now. Anything other than pictures or other small objects that haven't been used in a year are dumped.....WAIT!! Don't touch my fishing tackle!!!! angel_not.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 12-Jan-2005, 06:25 PM
fishing tackle? That stuff is worth a fortune if you throw any throw it my way would ya?
Do you ever think we might use it "speaking in terms of anything you throw out?" I can't seem to get over that hurdle. smile.gif

Posted by: maisky 13-Jan-2005, 06:32 PM
Ok, so there are STILL things that I am packrat about. I hold on to my fishing tackle in hopes I will one day get to use it. I have lures that I have used and carried around for a LONG time. They are very big........ rolleyes.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 13-Jan-2005, 07:34 PM
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 09-Jan-2005, 10:29 PM)
Ok Val, that is a deal. We have a cleaning date for either Saturday or Sunday you pick I am open either days.

The Sweepers smile.gif unsure.gif

For me it will have to be sat. afternooon. Sat. morning I have to go to Borger. Wal-Mart, United and beer store. Sun. is 50% water changes for 5 aquariums, bills and laundry. wacko.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 13-Jan-2005, 07:43 PM
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 13-Jan-2005, 06:34 PM)
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 09-Jan-2005, 10:29 PM)
Ok Val, that is a deal.  We have a cleaning date for either Saturday or Sunday you pick I am open either days.

The Sweepers smile.gif  unsure.gif

For me it will have to be sat. afternooon. Sat. morning I have to go to Borger. Wal-Mart, United and beer store. Sun. is 50% water changes for 5 aquariums, bills and laundry. wacko.gif

Ok first take a deep breath oookkk, slow down girl! We will get it done. Saturday afternoon it is. I think I need to buy new shelf liner I am sure mine is old. I am going to have to get myself mentally ready for this there is no backing out right? unsure.gif Oh may be we will find something we have been missing. Like the year 2000 foods ugh!!! What time zone are you? What do you think of posting before and then after we are all done? We don't have to just more of a reason to get it done... Any whooo talk soon..

To the SWEEPERS cheers.gif

P.S. With out the Pack Rats we wouldn't have a job now would we hmmmm

Posted by: Annabelle 14-Jan-2005, 12:55 PM
I'm a sweeper!

I've found over the years that simplier is better!

That less is more!

Do you really need all of those dust collectors?

Do you feel like dusting?


I've found other more important things like people in my life, not possessions!

So over the years I've been pitching or just giving it away to simplyfy.

A

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 14-Jan-2005, 01:46 PM
QUOTE (Annabelle @ 14-Jan-2005, 01:55 PM)
So over the years I've been ... just giving it away ...

A

May I get in line? tongue.gif biggrin.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 14-Jan-2005, 05:15 PM
QUOTE (Annabelle @ 14-Jan-2005, 11:55 AM)
I'm a sweeper!

I've found over the years that simplier is better!

That less is more!

Do you really need all of those dust collectors?

Do you feel like dusting?


I've found other more important things like people in my life, not possessions!

So over the years I've been pitching or just giving it away to simplyfy.

A

Annabelle, glad to know you are also a sweeper. What you said about the people part is so true. It's really hard to find darn good friends. I do find my pantry and cubboards are difficult to keep.
Carolina Scotsman you know you can jump in here any given time.. Another sweeper are ya?

Here's to Sweepin beer_mug.gif thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 14-Jan-2005, 05:18 PM
QUOTE (maisky @ 13-Jan-2005, 05:32 PM)
Ok, so there are STILL things that I am packrat about. I hold on to my fishing tackle in hopes I will one day get to use it. I have lures that I have used and carried around for a LONG time. They are very big........ rolleyes.gif

Darn maisky, I was hoping to get your tackle! Oh well guess I will do without those big expensive lures!!! smile.gif I hope you will get the time and catch ya a big one on it!! thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 15-Jan-2005, 11:21 AM
Speaking of fishing tackle, I'm glad my dad is a pack rat... he's got the coolest old aluminum-looking tackle box and the lures are charming, many hand-painted and a bit worn with use.

Being an artist, I see them as potential subjects for a still life painting!

Siobhan

Posted by: Rindy1202 15-Jan-2005, 12:44 PM
QUOTE (Siobhan Blues @ 15-Jan-2005, 10:21 AM)
Speaking of fishing tackle, I'm glad my dad is a pack rat... he's got the coolest old aluminum-looking tackle box and the lures are charming, many hand-painted and a bit worn with use.

Being an artist, I see them as potential subjects for a still life painting!

Siobhan

hey there Siobhan Blues, that is one advantage of keeping things. That would make a wonderful painting. How would you do it? How would you arrange them etc? I have some of my Fathers tackle, old fly reels, tackle boxes, I am even saving his leather fly case with original flies in it. Anyhow if nothing else its great to have and hold and remember. smile.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 15-Jan-2005, 12:46 PM
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 13-Jan-2005, 06:34 PM)
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 09-Jan-2005, 10:29 PM)
Ok Val, that is a deal.  We have a cleaning date for either Saturday or Sunday you pick I am open either days.

The Sweepers smile.gif  unsure.gif

For me it will have to be sat. afternooon. Sat. morning I have to go to Borger. Wal-Mart, United and beer store. Sun. is 50% water changes for 5 aquariums, bills and laundry. wacko.gif

Ok Val I see you are on line also. I am going to get started I will post when I am done. It is below zero out and there are no excuses right? Wish me luck.. smile.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 15-Jan-2005, 07:22 PM
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 15-Jan-2005, 11:46 AM)
QUOTE (valpal 59 @ 13-Jan-2005, 06:34 PM)
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 09-Jan-2005, 10:29 PM)
Ok Val, that is a deal.  We have a cleaning date for either Saturday or Sunday you pick I am open either days.

The Sweepers smile.gif  unsure.gif

For me it will have to be sat. afternooon. Sat. morning I have to go to Borger. Wal-Mart, United and beer store. Sun. is 50% water changes for 5 aquariums, bills and laundry. wacko.gif

Ok Val I see you are on line also. I am going to get started I will post when I am done. It is below zero out and there are no excuses right? Wish me luck.. smile.gif

I am done. I can't believe how much old food I had in there. Luckily no weevils or any other strange things. I hope you enjoyed yours Val as much as I did. Hope you are done. Have a good evening. Thanks for the encouragement!
smile.gif

Posted by: Highlander_Medic 16-Jan-2005, 02:29 AM
Hi all,
I think I'm somewhat in the middle. I like to keep certain momentos of past good times, but at the same time like a neat home. I keep a little clutter (like my desk) but it is contained in one place. There are certain things you have to get rid of though (like ex-boyfriend related items... and old clothes that don't fit!). I keep the important stuff!

_Medic cool.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 16-Jan-2005, 10:05 PM
QUOTE (Highlander_Medic @ 16-Jan-2005, 01:29 AM)
Hi all,
I think I'm somewhat in the middle. I like to keep certain momentos of past good times, but at the same time like a neat home. I keep a little clutter (like my desk) but it is contained in one place. There are certain things you have to get rid of though (like ex-boyfriend related items... and old clothes that don't fit!). I keep the important stuff!

_Medic cool.gif

Hi Medic, you know I think that is the perfect place to be. I hate clutter of any sort. If I have clutter my mind is cluttered. It drives me crazy. I really admire people who have it all together like yourself. Hope you are enjoying the forums...

Slainte smile.gif

Posted by: jpmoore 17-Jan-2005, 11:55 AM
QUOTE (Rindy1202 @ 15-Jan-2005, 08:22 PM)
Luckily no weevils or any other strange things. 

Actually they can be quite tatsy - on a cracker, with a little salsa!

angel_not.gif








just kiddin' Rindy! I am trying to bump up my post count to 50!

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 17-Jan-2005, 02:35 PM
QUOTE (jpmoore @ 17-Jan-2005, 12:55 PM)
Actually they can be quite tatsy - on a cracker, with a little salsa!

angel_not.gif



And good protien as well. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 17-Jan-2005, 09:10 PM
Funny you two! I really don't like them. One time I was eating a cherry fruit pie several years ago and set it down on the table and it was like a nightmare! There were worms alive moving all over. Needless to say I haven't ate another pie any brand.
Still raises the hair on me neck... puke.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 18-Jan-2005, 08:46 PM
[QUOTE=Rindy1202,15-Jan-2005, 07:22 PM]

[/QUOTE]
I am done. I can't believe how much old food I had in there. Luckily no weevils or any other strange things. I hope you enjoyed yours Val as much as I did. Hope you are done. Have a good evening. Thanks for the encouragement!
smile.gif[/QUOTE]
Yes, I finally got it done. Had to do it on Sunday aft. Actually found some things I had been looking for. Same here--no critters. Thank goodness. biggrin.gif NEXT....

Posted by: Rindy1202 18-Jan-2005, 08:57 PM
Hey there, do you have like a guest room? I have two beds in mine and I haven't cleaned the room in awhile. I would like to get it done. Let me know. I am glad you didn't find any critters either... smile.gif

Posted by: BoggleBoy 05-Feb-2005, 04:36 PM
Oh god...I am the King o' Packrats!!! But that's how I get a lot of the stuff I use in my art work.

Posted by: Rindy1202 06-Feb-2005, 04:18 PM
Anyone been SWEEPING? I keep hoping the spring fever will hit me...
Motivation??? I too am a packrat that is why I have to sweep.....

Any one heard any good cleaning tips??

Slainte

Posted by: valpal 59 06-Feb-2005, 09:50 PM
I seem to have lost my get up and go. Been working lots of overtime. Exhausted by the weekend. I have a guest room upstairs. Looked up there and it mainly needs dusting and vaccuming. The other room up ther is storage. Man is it bad. Just a path thru it. When I don't know what to do with something, I just take it upstairs. Really need to clean it out. SOMEDAY. biggrin.gif

Posted by: BluegrassLady 07-Feb-2005, 10:59 PM
This is the year that our house is going to get cleared out!!! rolleyes.gif Our married kids keep bringing things home for us to "store" for them cuz they "don't have any room"!! Ha! For example I now have about 10 large plastic storage containers filled with their summer clothes, or clothing items that they just can't get rid of or clothes that the grandkids are going to grow into etc. etc. etc.. My kids graduated in 1989 and 1994 and I still have my son's junior high baseball jacket in the closet!! Plus his varsity jacket, my daughter's cheerleading jacket and various "prom dresses" to mention a few items! Everytime they buy a piece of furniture the old comes to our place "just in case" they find a use for it sometime down the road! A few years ago we had a building put up that was going to be a combination workshop/studio for hubby and me. It is full of "stuff"! Today daughter and I tackled a room downstairs and when we were finished we actually have an exercise room complete with all the various exercise equipment that has been purchased over the past several years. Tomorrow we are supposed to start exercising. biggrin.gif The playroom is next! By spring we are either going to have a whopper of a yard sale or everything is going to charity. Freedom from clutter!! Yeah!!! laugh.gif

Posted by: Rindy1202 08-Feb-2005, 06:41 PM
Ok, BluegrassLady, what did you use for motivation? Can I have some? I need to do a lot this spring. It is coming isn't it? smile.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 08-Feb-2005, 08:23 PM
PLEASE send some motivation my way. Mine seems to have gone to a galaxy far, far away. smile.gif

Posted by: BluegrassLady 09-Feb-2005, 07:21 PM
Valpal, I'm not sure where the motivation came from, maybe from my daughter who wanted to get back exercising, but wherever it's from I'm running with it. Never know when it's going to fizzle out on me!! tongue.gif Yesterday daughter, daughter in law and I exercised for the first time since before Thanksgiving. Today we were all so sore that we decided to walk on the track instead of using the equipment. Then we went shopping!! Shopping is a great motivator... biggrin.gif Tomorrow it's back to cleaning! sad.gif

And yes, Rindy, spring is on its way. Today I saw the beginnings of many spring flowers sticking their heads out of the ground. However, tomorrow we have a chance of snow showers. Good thing those spring flowers are strong. smile.gif

Posted by: IrishBecca30 10-Feb-2005, 09:11 PM
Is there such a thing as being both packrat, and sweeper? Well, if it is, i'm defiantly both!

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