And it starts . . .

 

Now that I made the decision to move it means that I have to go through my stuff. I really have no idea how one person can accumulate so much stuff. It's quite amazing really. What is also amazing is how much I toss out each time I've moved and yet, how much I still keep. Some stuff I have easily tossed out, thinking, "What the hell was I keeping that around for?!" I was pretty brutal when it came to my closets and my dresser drawers. So I thought I'd share some stuff with you. To take responsibility (so to speak) for my pack-rat ways.

I found a manual for a printer I haven't owned in at least 5 years. At least. Also a manual for the microwave I loaned to my BFF about three years ago because the apartment I moved into came with one over the stove and she needed one. Also, for the mixer I use when baking - and really how freaking hard are those to operate?! And last but no least, a manual for a 12" occillating fan . . . again . . . DUH.

And what's worse? I found more in another box on a different day. I'm totally serious. I have no clue what I thought I'd need so many for. I'll be giving these to a co-worker who does photography on the side. I'm pretty sure she can use them more than I can.

I can hear the roar of laughter from the new generation. I guess I was being nostalgic in keeping these floppies, but I finally let them go. And hey kids, I just tossed out all of my high school homework. Or well, at least my last two years worth. 

I think I'm still hearing laughter. Crazy thing is - it still works. And I found a CD in there when I opened it up. The ear phones were shot, though. I'm not sure about this one because it does still work. I could yard sale it, if I were going to have a yard sale. Kids these days would take one look at it and ask "Sooo, how do you download songs on here?" 

Yep. That's what's left of my cassette collection. My stereo still has cassette players on it. The trouble is these are so old now and I played them so dang much that they no longer sound any good at all. But oh the memories.

Now, here's one I want you're opinion on. In college I took an embryology class. This project took our entire class of 30-something kids about half a semester to complete - mostly because there are varying stages of what we did. What's in those jars are skeletons of mice and chicks. Two chicks, the rest are mice at varying stages from fetus to 3 days old. You might think this is sick, but the mice were bred specifically for this project. All of us kids came in late at night and/or early in the morning (so late/early security had to let us in) so that other classmates could use the next stage of solutions. In the end, the skeletons were dyed blue and red - one color shows bone and the other shows cartilage - showing how their skeleton starts out as mostly cartilage and over time how it hardens into bone. Now, I've put these on display since leaving college because I worry about other people's reactions, as not everyone is into science . . . so they've remained boxed for 8 years. Keep? Or toss?

So I discovered just how many freaking candles and holders I own. I was a bit flabbergasted to be honest. Now, after moving to Sticksville, I went to The Dollar Store and bought several candles and a few holders. My reasoning was that when the power went out I didn't want to use only my nice candles. I wanted some cheaper candles to burn. My goal was to get what I wanted into one box - the box shown in the picture.

And I succeeded. Okay well the tin on the left didn't fit, but I keep all my tea-lights in there and OHMIGOD it smells divine when you open the lid, and I knew it wouldn't fit in the box. I mean, it's self contained . . . (ahem) . . . the only other thing that didn't fit into the box was the really tall candle holder next to the box. Other than that, I kept what I knew I would and could use. Now, if anyone hears me asking for candles for Christmas this year, they have my permission to slap me.

This is just a small taste of what I've done so far. I have boxes of comforter sets and sheets that I'm hoping to give away to a co-worker. Also, some of the candle holders that I no longer want I will try to give away as well. I have several bags of trash already, and a few bags of clothes for donation. I have to say I am freaking proud of how I attacked my closets and clothes because I'm never that brutal. If I can maintain that, I'll be in good shape! Wish me luck!!