One Toe In and Barely

Barely, get it? Hahahahahahaha...sometimes I crack myself up.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. ~Thomas Edison

John really likes this quote. A lot. Me? Not so much. Both John and I are up to our elbows in culling projects. He is working at his place; I am working at mine. He's hauled lots and lots of "stuff" to the Transfer Station (a.k.a. the town dump) and I have hauled lots and lots of stuff myself.

I recently read that, when ideas for blogging topics feel stale, a blogger can create a list. Create a list? How stale lame is that?! But, in an effort to lay some words down, I'll list my accomplishments doings since the last time I mentioned I had to be doing. Here goes...

1. Stair clearing 

Massive mounds of stuff lined them. I don't worry about this too much because no one ever sees the stairs except for John and me and a little grand who has no hesitation about declaring truth and loudly: "Nonni, this is a big mess!"

2. Paper shredding

This was the most challenging. I just wanted someone to hold my hand and say
that everything was going to be all right. I was ruthless. I saved nothing. No old bills from 1982. No manuals for vacuum cleaners that no longer exist. No old insurance papers. All gone. (And, yes, a lot of old letters, too. I read them for the last time. I made the decision to let it go. There's no going back after things have been shredded.)

3. Books 

Every book has been touched and every book has either been given the boot or a reprieve. Each book had to be justified. I was almost ready to purchase another bookcase when I came to my senses. Another bookcase is not the answer...fewer books is the answer.

4. Crafts 

This was tough as well because I could think of a project for every stretch of lace, every snippet of fabric, every extra shirt. In the end, I asked myself how much time on this earth I have left. Even if I had a hundred years, it wouldn't be enough time to use all that I had accumulated. Out, out, out. Someone else may be blessed and if I need something, I know that it will come to me again.

5. Jewelry 

I passed some along; I took some for myself; I am getting rid of the rest. Period. Case closed. My family can bite me. I don't care. Where are they? Not here, that's where.

This photo is a gift from Donna at Cottage Days and Journeys who thought "A Ride on the Byte Me Boat" would be just the right touch for # 5. =D  It's a little less offensive than "bite me." I love it! Thanks, Donna!

6. Sheets and blankets 

Save my favorites, boot the rest to Goodwill. Enough of this. If I ever have a houseful of people again, we'll double up. ☺

7. Dishes 

Cabinet and cupboard space is at a premium around here. If I don't use the dish or like it, out it goes. That includes all those plastic containers from the convenience store. Going, going, gone.

8. Sheet music

Someone may have to hold my hand for this one, too. I am not quite ready for this.

9. Old clothes, shoes, purses

Two gigantic bags full are gone with more waiting in the wings. I can't justify keeping a pair of high heels I only wore once a minute longer. 

10. Old makeup, cosmetics, lotions, medications

When we cleared my grandmother's home a decade ago, we found the morphine used during my grandfather's final illness sixty years before. I don't want that happening around here.

And so, the tip of the proverbial iceberg has just begun to fight. Now there's a terrific mixed metaphor! Next up...old pictures. I think this one ought to go. (Where did our eyes go?)

~Sister, Nan, Moi in 1987~

If anyone is still reading this, you deserve a medal. How shall I inscribe it? 

Hope that all is well with you...