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Dun-dun-DUNNNNNN!
She’s
on a mission!!
The
subject of downsizing for a change in the near-ish future has been coming more
and more to the forefront of our lives. Mine, in particular, simply because I
have the MOST STUFF to downsize. And most of it takes the form of books and
craft stuff. And possibly a piano, which I am totally loathe to give up without
a rather big fight.
The
last couple of visits with Lia have shown that I had a lot of kid books and
games that were no longer needed. I gave most of those to a friend with 3 granddaughters.
The rest are going to SA. After the visit in July, I really went to town among
the kid books, sorting into keep/donate piles. Some books from my childhood I
am keeping. Someone else can get rid of them when I’m gone. Then I was inspired
to go through MY books. There are 2 bookcases in the guest room. The book
shelves in the craft room are filled with books on 1 ½ walls. The rest is craft
stuff. There is a large book case in the hall. A smaller one in the front room.
Then there is the family room…OMG…SO MANY BOOKS! I tried to be as hard-hearted
as possible, going through these. I filled the front room floor with books to
donate and whenever Marv brought a box or two home, I’d fill them and he would
take them to SA in Chico on his lunch hour. When I looked at the amount of
books left, there were still too many to reasonably fit into a smaller living
space. So I went through the books again. You might have heard a small scream
wafting in the air when I did that. That was my soul. (I REALLY love my books!)
I have done this 2 more times. You might have noticed the scream getting louder…
I fear that I may have to do this a couple more times before I get down to the
core of books that I absolutely will not give up.
In
between times of going through the books, I went through closets. I found that
giving up clothes was MUCH easier than going through books. I can be very
hard-nosed with clothes. I even went through my SHOES…that is what defines a
woman…her shoes!! No problem. Purses were a little harder. I LOVE purses. At
this stage in my life, I carry too much crap with me to warrant anything than a
largish purse, so the little ones had to go…*sob* EXCEPT FOR THE CAT ONES. THEY
STAY!!
Then
came the kitchen drawers and shelves. That wasn’t too difficult. Who knew I had
7 serrated pumpkin carving knives? When was the last time I carved a pumpkin??
Last time we carved pumpkins, I used one of the knives and Marv used his power
drill…
I’m
still debating about the electric rice cooker. I was given a really nice
Tupperware microwave rice cook that I like a lot. And I’m really considering
giving up my electric mixer. I can’t remember the last time I made anything
requiring a mixer.
Then
came my music. Obviously, if I don’t have a piano there is little need for music,
but I’m gonna hold on to hope. I still was able to go through it all and get
rid of a fair amount. I don’t play the piano a lot anymore, but every once in a
while I will sit down and play for a couple of hours.
Some
of you may be asking “WHAT ABOUT THE CAT STUFF???” Good question. I’ve already
mentioned the purses. The cat books were dealt with in a sane manner. The
figurines and “things” are a bit harder. Gifts are definitely staying. I’m
trying to just keep the ones that are near and dear to my heart. Which is hard
when it comes to cat stuff…it’s ALL dear to my heart! I was rather proud of
myself when I gave up a cat ice cube tray and a cat loaf pan. It was harder to
pry the cat jello mold out of my hands, but into the box it went.
Sarah
is taking some of the kitchen stuff, and at the last visit she went through the
house naming the furniture she wants. All in all, it’s a good start. I had
already gone through some of my stamp sets for the church rummage sale last
year. We have another one coming up and I will probably be donating more.
This
all may be getting ready for something a couple years down the road, but
considering the amount of stuff we’ve accumulated over the last 42 years (40 of
those years in this same house) you can’t start too early…(when you hear that
final soul shriek, you’ll know I’ve finished my job)
So
here is the book tally donated SO FAR…
Hardbacks
– 317
Paperbacks
– 356
~*~*~*~*~*~
“I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage,
with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and
letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post
which any human power can give.”
Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, Paris, 7 Feb. 1788
Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, Paris, 7 Feb. 1788
