Today has been a bit 'atypical'... in that I seem to have accomplished a few things that I've been putting off. It is only 1:30 in the afternoon and already I've cleaned out the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, organized my writings into completed stories, not completed stories, short stories, essays, poems, thoughts, etc., showered, dressed, and am ready to get on with the next de-cluttering.
It may not seem like a lot, but believe me... it isn't easy
at 80 for me to get a lot done... and it's frustrating. I want to do so much (and
so much needs doing) but I tire easily or get distracted. Yes, one can say,
there's always tomorrow (but at 80, you can't be sure...).
Anyhow, I'm in the process of putting together all my old
writings. I've decided to put them all into a book... not for publishing (well,
it will be self-published) but only for me. I've decided to call it either
"In Loving Memory (of me)" or "In Remembrance of a
Life" (Title could/may change later).
And with this agenda, I've been able to get a little further
into my decluttering mode. I even took a large Tupperware container of costume
jewelry that had belonged to my mother to the Salvation Army recently. It's
been sitting in my room for almost 20 years. I'm not much of a jewelry person,
but my mother loved jewelry... and I simply could not throw it away (couldn't
sell it either). At least this way, possibly someone could enjoy it.
DH and I have been in Texas for 55 years as of this past
Sunday (March 15). We moved here from Florida on the Ides of March 1971
during a sandstorm with a 2 yr old son and a 10 month old daughter... and
we were both 25 at the time (#3 surprised us in 1973).
We rented for a few years, then bought a house, then
built this house in 1985... a little over 40 years
ago. (Kids were 17, 15, and 12 when we built it. Now they are all in their
50's, and married) So yes, there's a lot of closets, drawers,
and cabinets (not to mention attic and garage) that need cleaning
out.
I'm not a hoarder... but I do have trouble
throwing out stuff that is either sentimental or still useful. I know the rule:
divide it all into "Keep", "Donate", or "Throw
out". But what about "May be needed later?" Yes, I know, if you
haven't needed it in the last few years, you probably won't... right?
I have to add this here as I just read it in an article entitled "30 Days to a Decluttered Home" in the AARP Bulletin. These were the first 2 Mistakes they mentioned:
1. Holding on to things because you feel guilty, thinking that a dead person would be mad if you got rid of them. (how true... and probably why I kept my mom's costume jewelry for 20 years)
2. Saving "stuff for someone else" who may never want it - your kids. (True also... to some extent)
Ok, this is getting boring even for me. Going to say
"Happy St. Patrick's Day!" (late, I know) and close.
I know this isn't really a St. Pat's Day pic... but it's so darn cute!
One more thing before I close this, I made those British Flapjacks again. These came out great! This recipe is definitely a keeper. I won't post it as Lyle's Golden Syrup (a key ingredient) is probably hard to fine unless you have a British Emporium close by.
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Rian I read this twice to let it all sink in--first of all, love the packed garage meme, and that tasty looking frog cake... but I so much enjoyed reading about you gathering your writings, and taking that big step with your moms' old jewelry and such. I know that kind of stuff is hard to let go of. When I moved into this apartment in 2017, I took my Dad's old clothes (that my Mom gave to me in 2000 after he died) to the thrift store up the street. It was hard. Anyway, I enjoyed reading your history of your home there. You made a lot of memories there. :^)
ReplyDeleteDug, when I retired (2011), I thought I'd have all the time in the world to get things done. Well, that was 15 years ago... and the time has flown by! And it's as if someone/something is spinning the world by faster and faster... and suddenly there's not a lot of time left. We're fortunate, DH and I to have had these retirement years together... many don't get this luxury. So, yes, I'm grateful... but just wanted to say that we spend so much time "waiting"... waiting for something... for things to get better, things to happen. Well, I know my " window of opportunity" is getting short, so I'm trying to motivate myself to get some things done. Wish me luck...
ReplyDeleteRian this was so well said. I can definitely see how things are going faster & faster. I'm already feeling that, I'm sure if I live to 80 I will really feel that too. I am wishing you lots of luck and hoping things with you & DH continue for a long while.
DeletePublishing your writings will be a gift to your family. I wish my mom had been inclined to do something similar.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love decluttering, there are things I keep out of guilt. Not many, but some. Part of me thinks it's foolish and another part of me shrugs and says it will be my executor's problem. Lol. Eventually I will let go of those things...maybe.
BTW, there's no guarantee any of us will be here tomorrow. The husband of one of my first cousins collapsed and died at home a few weeks ago, shy of his 66th birthday. Massive abdominal aortic aneurism. Better we should spend our remaining time enjoying life as much as possible, and never mind all the things we think we "should" be doing. 💕
Excellent description of just what I've been going through. The writings for me are journals...many years' worth. I've only culled a couple so far. Taking photos of the pages I thought were worth keeping (for some reason) and then throwing away the rest. Everything is in dusty books. I've destroyed, given away and packed most of my 12 years of pottery I made. I've been retired a bit longer than you, but have certainly bemoaned the lack of accomplishments of things that I thought I'd do when I retired 18 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I have journals too... many years worth... most I need to go through at some point before being read by anyone. I also threw away some of the pottery I'd made, actually, daughter took some, and I still have some on shelves... but the box of pottery I threw away (put out on drive to be taken away with the trash) was taken away by someone before the trash was picked up (?). Maybe they could sell it in a garage sale.
DeleteLove the froggie cake. Don't save it; just pretend to eat it! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThanks, DM. I thought that cake was adorable.
DeleteI think you and I are in the same situation. Someone once told me you have to move every seven years to clean out your "stuff" so it doesn't accumulate. We have been in our house since December 1978.
ReplyDeleteI keep making plans. Starting in a certain room. They say you should move clockwise. Set up boxes for keep, donate, destroy. Only handle objects once. All great suggestions if I ever get started, lol.
I think you had a very accomplished day! Sorting your writings is such a great idea!
Miss Merry, I guess by the time we reach our age, we are basically all in the same situation. We haven't moved that often, so very few clean-outs. My problem is that I get distracted (or over-whelmed). But trying to do a little each day and starting in rooms that have little to distract or overwhelm me... like the bathrooms or kitchen. We'll see how it goes...
DeleteAs an amateur genealogist, I can tell you future generations will be pleased to have access to your writings. My mom has been gone for over 20 years and when I found a letter she wrote in 1940 it provided a different perspective for me.
ReplyDeleteDecluttering is a constant battle for me. I have far too much clothing and a penchant for collecting 1970's dishware.
I would love to fine something my mom wrote... but she wasn't a writer. I do have some old letters my dad wrote my mom... and a letter my maternal grandfather wrote. These are precious to me.
DeleteI love the title "In Remembrance of a Life"!
ReplyDeleteI am most guilty of "I want to do this again someday" reasoning with supplies in my studio. When I moved it finally hit me that the question was more "will I be able to do this again someday". Yup! Going to be 75 in about a week and my health has been pretty poor. When you have arthritis in your hands and an eye that doesn't work--it changes the reality of the question. I may have to go through things and purge again when I finally unpack the studio. LOL! Such is life. :)
Rita, I do understand this. I need to purge through all my pottery tools and equipment, as well as my art/sketching/painting supplies, but the question is both "Will I want to do this again... and... will I be able to do this again? My eye is healing (at least I think so... not tearing as much, but enough to blurr my sight). And it affects one's perspective. And I'm 80... don't drive anymore, getting back and forth to the studio would have to be worked out. Is it worth it? Still don't know. But you are right, it is what it is.
Deletepurging...we all worry so much about it as we get older. i told my sons to take what they want, if anything, and the rest should go in a dumpster. we have one "binder" that holds all the important stuff, once they have gone through that it is time for a dumpster. as i am getting "closer" to the finish line, i am trying not to worry too much about it. a lot of the junk in the basement, the boys left here, it would serve them well to have to clean it up!! soon i am going to have to do my childhood home, my dad is gone and my mom is 92...that worries me more!! i LOVE the cake and have a small "thing" for frogs!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, we are all getting closer to the finish line... that's why our thoughts turn in this direction. I have done both my mom's and my brother's... it's hard. My mom was 94 when she passed. It's wonderful to get to that point... but hard. Mom had Alzheimer's towards the end.
DeleteI love your garage cartoon, our son has already said he's not interested in going through hubby's 'treasures' in the garage. I just hope someone is.
ReplyDeleteKids today don't always treasure what we did... but you never can tell. Hope you enjoy your reunion and get together with your sister and cousin.
Delete