Wishuponastar
April 25th, 2009, 03:33 AM
My Gram took care of my grandfather for many years. (He had Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Cirrohis of the liver) He required so much care that my Gram's house became a cluttered mess. In November, he passed away. This just added to my Gram's depression and she really has been neglecting the house. I moved in with them around September and I have slowly been going through the house, room by room, organizing and cleaning what I can. Keep in mind, most of this stuff has not been replaced since they moved in. It has suffered years of cigarette smoke damage(she does not smoke anymore) as well as the damage incurred from 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and numerous pets. I would like some tips on a few projects:
1. I tore down all the old wallpaper in the dining room, hallway, and living room. It was cracking and falling down. Is there anything I can do with the wallpaper? I hate to just throw it away, but I cannot think of any ideas.
2. I finally convinced her to start going through his old clothes. We were thinking about donating them to a local thrift store; however, I am open to other suggestions.
3. Tore up the carpet in most of the rooms. It was as old as my mom and very dirty. I don't think she ever got it steam cleaned. My grandfather and the animals have had many accidents on the carpets. I really do not think that I can use it for anything.
4. There was horrible cork tiles on my Gram's bedroom wall. They have been collecting dust and who knows what else. When I removed the tiles, there was a hard glue stuck to the wall. Does anyone know a safe way to get this off?
5. Ripped up the bathroom tile and replaced it. I'm thinking mosaic...
6. My Gram has saved every bill and receipt she has ever gotten(I swear). The are all piled up in boxes...what should I do with these??? She agrees that she does not need anything that is more than 5 years old. Also, we must have hundreds of rubber bands(from newspapers) and twisty ties (from bread). She grew up in the Depression so I understand she was taught to save, but it's ridiculous...what to do with all this unneccessary stuff?
7. There are years worth of my grandfather's prescription meds in the cabinet...what do we do with the old pills. Some of which have been expired for mannyyy years. I am saving some of the pill bottles for dried herbs, but I don't know what to do with the rest.
I am also trying to spend as little money as possible while also trying to make our house a "green house". I have done little things like putting a brick in the toilet and changing all the lightbulbs. I realize that a lot of this stuff can probably not be reused, but I am trying to come up with creative ideas. I posted here, because you guys seem to come up with the most creative and useful ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
1. I tore down all the old wallpaper in the dining room, hallway, and living room. It was cracking and falling down. Is there anything I can do with the wallpaper? I hate to just throw it away, but I cannot think of any ideas.
2. I finally convinced her to start going through his old clothes. We were thinking about donating them to a local thrift store; however, I am open to other suggestions.
3. Tore up the carpet in most of the rooms. It was as old as my mom and very dirty. I don't think she ever got it steam cleaned. My grandfather and the animals have had many accidents on the carpets. I really do not think that I can use it for anything.
4. There was horrible cork tiles on my Gram's bedroom wall. They have been collecting dust and who knows what else. When I removed the tiles, there was a hard glue stuck to the wall. Does anyone know a safe way to get this off?
5. Ripped up the bathroom tile and replaced it. I'm thinking mosaic...
6. My Gram has saved every bill and receipt she has ever gotten(I swear). The are all piled up in boxes...what should I do with these??? She agrees that she does not need anything that is more than 5 years old. Also, we must have hundreds of rubber bands(from newspapers) and twisty ties (from bread). She grew up in the Depression so I understand she was taught to save, but it's ridiculous...what to do with all this unneccessary stuff?
7. There are years worth of my grandfather's prescription meds in the cabinet...what do we do with the old pills. Some of which have been expired for mannyyy years. I am saving some of the pill bottles for dried herbs, but I don't know what to do with the rest.
I am also trying to spend as little money as possible while also trying to make our house a "green house". I have done little things like putting a brick in the toilet and changing all the lightbulbs. I realize that a lot of this stuff can probably not be reused, but I am trying to come up with creative ideas. I posted here, because you guys seem to come up with the most creative and useful ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated!