3rd times the charm?

I am planning my 3rd and final(God willing) trip to NY to finish packing up my mom's things. I am not crazy about going to do this on 9/11, but it's the date that worked for everyone so I can see my girlfriends and continue this tedious chore. I have to go by myself again to maximize the space in my car so there will be a lot of traveling in two days, loads of emotions, and very little sleep.

Her stuff is still taking up too much space in our crowded two bedroom apartment. We have managed to move all of the boxes out of the living room and into our walk in closet(which is no longer a walk in due to so many boxes and bags). I am making plans to get rid of a good chunk of this stuff now which will make me sad but also take a huge weight off of my shoulders. My sister took a good amount of stuff home with her after our vacation to North Carolina(we still couldn't see out the rear view mirror but oh well!) After a bit of research I have decided to donate her clothes to the Salvation Army and then at the end of September or beginning of October, I will have a yard sale to get rid of the stuff that we don't want and whatever is left over after that we can donate.

After months of going through endless piles of stuff, this is what I have learned about my mom:

1. She wanted to improve herself in every way possible.

2. She was a member of most clubs out there(movie clubs, book clubs, shopping clubs...)

3. She kept everything! Letters from my sister and I, thank you cards, invitations...

4. She liked to have many projects going at once.

5. She had a desire to learn.

6. She made lists.

7. She attached paperclips to everything.

And what I learned about myself... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, however I am trying to eliminate the endless lists habit. I vow to work on one lists before starting another one. I also vow to leave said lists on refrigerator so they don't resurface 10 years later in a pile of junk. I am also trying to eliminate the use of paperclips from my life. And last but not least, I vow to keep the sentimental things and throw everything else away!