Is there such a thing as having too many books? I can’t resist browsing through a bookstore. It’s getting burdensome dusting the 3 - 4 foot high piles of books lining the walls in my spare bedroom because my bookshelves are full. I should probably donate some of them, but I hate to part with the great stories. Yes, I’m at the library every week.
I had toooooooo much of my husband's crap. He was a manic spender and pack rat. He collected BEANIE BABIES. I can't make this up. He died in May 2022. I am STILL cleaning out his crap. I can finally walk into my house without cringing and my bedroom is my oasis. The day he died, I took 17 (yes, 17) contractor bags of shit to the curb. Luckily, it was garbage night. I kept this up and my neighbor asked if I was moving out. I said, no, but really I was moving HIM out. I highly recommend 1800takemyshit and auction houses for treasures (and trash). At least I'm recouping SOME of his ridiculous spending.
I have too much loneliness. Also I watch too much YouTube. Am always amazed at the amount of knowledge on just about any subject in the world from seeing unfamiliar places, learning about different lives on our planet , medical questions, excercize classes, pundits on the world, statistics-you get the idea. Guess I watch antique and thrift shoppers the most. But yes, I still get out with friends and GET DRESSED NICELY!
At my rapidly advancing age, though I do still gratefully possess a magnificent ass, I suddenly discover that I have way too many things that once meant a great deal to me, but maybe no longer do. Of course I fantasized about bequeathing my treasures one day to a willing and excited offspring, but sadly, I wasn't smart enough to produce daughters, or at least a delightfully gay son. My eldest son lives with his soon to be wife (two weeks!!!) in an LA apartment the size of my closet (and they are moving to Barcelona for a year in 2024!!!), and my second son married a woman who believes everything I touch is tainted, so no go there. My lovely china and gorgeous Waterford crystal sits unwanted, collecting dust and my increasing angst. It seems this generation has no use for impractical, non-daily use items, and good for them. No doubt one day in the not too distant future Ebay will be featuring my goodies, and hopefully find a loving home.
The one thing I currently lack is a girl buddy. As much as I adore spending loads of time with my significant other, there are times when you just need a female companion to catch a movie, drink, or coffee with. Who knew it would be so challenging to find that in my 60s???
Since we're getting ready to retire, I'm re-organizing and getting rid of stuff. It's almost overwhelming. When I was in the Navy, they used to give us a limit as to how much we could move. Since I was single and then achieved a high rank, my limit was super high. I didn't have heavy furniture but had a ton of books. I schlepped them everywhere I went just because I could. Now I find I have way too much of the following:
1. Books - over the last 20 years, I've been replacing books I love digitally so have been donating the physical books to the local library. It's been a slow job. My husband has books too but finds it difficult to part with them, even though there are many that are out of print and have a thick layer of dust due to him not every opening them again. Since he can't do it, I've taken it upon myself to get rid of his books. He hasn't even noticed or he's relieved someone else is making the effort for him. I whittled my cookbook collection down from 500+ to 250 and will be doing another purge.
2. Shoes/Purses - my mom says if I could go naked, just wearing shoes and carrying a purse, I'd be golden. This collection came from the fact that I wore a uniform every freakin' day for 22 years. My shoes and purses became a shrine to civilian life. I broke my ankle and foot, badly. After healing, my orthopedist told me no more running, volleyball or any other high impact sport. He even told me not to walk in the sand (that one I still do and wear a brace). I also had to dump my stiletto heels. No problem there. I bought platforms because they give me height without warping my feet and they are comfortable. I can wear them with no problems. I also got hooked on sneakers like Vans and Converse. I have 50 pairs of Vans and 70 pairs of Converse. Most of those are custom and some are even collector's items (like my Frida Khalo Vans). I've worn my rhinesstone Converse with evening gowns. I'm thinking of purging my other dress shoes and just having the Vans and Converse. We'll see.
3. T-shirts - I love me a graphic tee. I have one for every mood. I have superhero ones (mostly Wonder Woman). I have science ones. I have concert ones. Every color and graphic you can name, I probably have. I did a purge of those a month ago but bought some too. I'm wearing one now that I got from DragonCon, in Atlanta. I wear them for everything with jeans, tutus, skirts, and as pajamas. I may get rid of other clothing items but those will stay.
4. Clothes - enough said. Most of them have to go. I've already taken ten huge contractor bags to Goodwill. Someone will be well-dressed in Northern Virginia.
5. Cooking gadgets/kettles/cake pans/appliances - I'll never give those up. My mom says I'm the only person she's seen who lives in a two-person household with enough kitchen stuff for ten but she also admits I use all my stuff too. My brother was impressed.
We are building a new house in which we can retire. I plan to have an outdoor kitchen, a butler's pantry and a regular kitchen. That should hold all my stuff.
6. Perfumes - I am a 'fume head. I love, love, love an excellent fragrance. Being overseas gave me the opportunity to find some gems (I have one from Russia, pre-Putin, that is amazing!). I love it when people compliment how great I smell. Smelling great is a life achievement. No one has ever said my fragrances suck or that I wear too much. I actually have light but beautiful fragrances that I would wear to work so as not to be invasive. I've smelled women and men who bathe in their fragrances and it can permeate an entire building. Not me. At work, you'd seriously have to get in my personal space to smell me. When I was in the Navy, I used to wear this vanilla fragrance. I would especially wear it when I was doing an inspection in a mostly male environment. I found that it would put them at ease, especially when doing inspections (people get nervous and hostile when an inspector is around). I have a scent by Tom Ford, Tobacco Vanille, that has become my premier winter scent while I wear Explicite by Ex Nihilo for the summer. I've had people follow me and was even propositioned by a 25 year old gorgeous Irishman at the bookstore, who said my scent was very provocative. Boy, go home!
Bonus: I'd say it's a toss-up between time and power.
I am the proud owner of 75 pairs of earrings. Because I wear nearly all noir, I love bright, gaudy, exotic ear bobs! I store them all in egg cartons, which makes it all even more fun.
And I have had more than enough of Trump and Republicans. I hate them viciously and you are a heroine for standing up to and successfully suing that monster.
Congratulations on that dumpster, E. Jean. Your feet will be dancing faster, your laughter will be bolder and more available and your pen dripping and slipping with abundant deliciousness. The only things I have too much of are photographs but I'm working on it.
Indeed, I safeguard my energy. So stepping over, around and sorting through the closet or makeup drawer will gobble your energy supply right up! People who know me laugh at my energy. What's my secret sauce for that? It's simple - if I'm uncertain that I need an item, a contact, a resentful and ruminating thought I get rid of it and I do it fast.
Try this exercise for one week for an hour every day. Oh, ladies and gentlemen, you will be delighted with how you will feel.
I have a bona fide sweater fetish. I have culled my collection this summer. I am mortified to say I have 30+ sweaters I will be selling and donating this Autumn when it is Not still 98 degrees and it is actually Sweater Weather. I refuse to say how many sweaters I still have because it is rificulous. However, they are all folded and fresh and in their right places just waiting for true Autumn and Winter to make their appearance. The only thing I need is a pair of black kitten very low heeled pumps for those times when a funeral or a plain black pump is needed. Why is it so hard to find a well made low heeled pump not made in China but not costing a left arm from Italy?
They stopped making my favorite lipstick called Billie on the Bike by Rodin. I have stocked 3 extras in my fridge. The last ones left on planet earth.
Over the past 7 years I have really gotten good at Swedish Death Cleaning( it is a thing...google it!) But alas, I cannot part with my sweaters.
Scarves!!!!! Which I never, ever wear. Shawls! Which my dear husband keeps buying me, and which I also never wear because if I wanted to go around wrapped in a blanket, I'd go around wrapped in a blanket.
Pairs of black jeans. OOOH look, jeans are 20% off! I must buy some! White long-sleeved t-shirts. OOOH look, t's are 20% off, I must buy some! Sneakers. OOOH ... you know what's in the mail, right???
This may sound strange, but I've had enough of this particular way of seeing and being in the world - this insistence that I measure my worth based on a system that discounts and disparages not only who I am but the health and well-being of the planet as well.
I am consciously working to change that. And by change I don't mean trying to wrestle the broken system (and those who are so enthralled with it) back into sanity, but to focus on what feels "right" for me. I can't speak for others, but I have seen that when I create from that place of joy and respect others are interested. Others tag along to play, ask questions, and share their own stories. It's FUN!
As for things, I don't have much so don't have much to get rid of. I did offload some old clothes and an stand up desk at Goodwill the other day. I also tend to acquire notebooks which are full of ideas I have for stories and 3D builds in virtual space. I don't want to get rid of them so much as find a way to fully develop those stories. I would also like to get better at finding my many books new homes, though once again that feels like parting with old friends. We shall see.
I applaud you Auntie E for filling that dumpster and de-cluttering your life. How does it feel? Do you regret letting anything go?
What Do You Have Too Much Of?
I have TOO MUCH of the name TRUMP in EVERY NEWS show or online news feed!!!!!!!! I want his name OUT of MY LIFE FOREVER!!!!!!!!
Is there such a thing as having too many books? I can’t resist browsing through a bookstore. It’s getting burdensome dusting the 3 - 4 foot high piles of books lining the walls in my spare bedroom because my bookshelves are full. I should probably donate some of them, but I hate to part with the great stories. Yes, I’m at the library every week.
I had toooooooo much of my husband's crap. He was a manic spender and pack rat. He collected BEANIE BABIES. I can't make this up. He died in May 2022. I am STILL cleaning out his crap. I can finally walk into my house without cringing and my bedroom is my oasis. The day he died, I took 17 (yes, 17) contractor bags of shit to the curb. Luckily, it was garbage night. I kept this up and my neighbor asked if I was moving out. I said, no, but really I was moving HIM out. I highly recommend 1800takemyshit and auction houses for treasures (and trash). At least I'm recouping SOME of his ridiculous spending.
I have an abundance of creative ideas. It would take more lifetimes than I have to do everything in my “projects” folder.
I don’t have enough dopamine. This means also, at times, not having enough time or money. It’s the ADHD life...
I won’t do pharmaceuticals, but have found that velvet bean and mushroom tea really work to deliver the dopamine and I still have all the creativity.
I have too much loneliness. Also I watch too much YouTube. Am always amazed at the amount of knowledge on just about any subject in the world from seeing unfamiliar places, learning about different lives on our planet , medical questions, excercize classes, pundits on the world, statistics-you get the idea. Guess I watch antique and thrift shoppers the most. But yes, I still get out with friends and GET DRESSED NICELY!
E. Jean, had to laugh about "Do you carry too magnificent an ass?"
Thank you for that. I guess I carry too much seriousness sometimes!
At my rapidly advancing age, though I do still gratefully possess a magnificent ass, I suddenly discover that I have way too many things that once meant a great deal to me, but maybe no longer do. Of course I fantasized about bequeathing my treasures one day to a willing and excited offspring, but sadly, I wasn't smart enough to produce daughters, or at least a delightfully gay son. My eldest son lives with his soon to be wife (two weeks!!!) in an LA apartment the size of my closet (and they are moving to Barcelona for a year in 2024!!!), and my second son married a woman who believes everything I touch is tainted, so no go there. My lovely china and gorgeous Waterford crystal sits unwanted, collecting dust and my increasing angst. It seems this generation has no use for impractical, non-daily use items, and good for them. No doubt one day in the not too distant future Ebay will be featuring my goodies, and hopefully find a loving home.
The one thing I currently lack is a girl buddy. As much as I adore spending loads of time with my significant other, there are times when you just need a female companion to catch a movie, drink, or coffee with. Who knew it would be so challenging to find that in my 60s???
Since we're getting ready to retire, I'm re-organizing and getting rid of stuff. It's almost overwhelming. When I was in the Navy, they used to give us a limit as to how much we could move. Since I was single and then achieved a high rank, my limit was super high. I didn't have heavy furniture but had a ton of books. I schlepped them everywhere I went just because I could. Now I find I have way too much of the following:
1. Books - over the last 20 years, I've been replacing books I love digitally so have been donating the physical books to the local library. It's been a slow job. My husband has books too but finds it difficult to part with them, even though there are many that are out of print and have a thick layer of dust due to him not every opening them again. Since he can't do it, I've taken it upon myself to get rid of his books. He hasn't even noticed or he's relieved someone else is making the effort for him. I whittled my cookbook collection down from 500+ to 250 and will be doing another purge.
2. Shoes/Purses - my mom says if I could go naked, just wearing shoes and carrying a purse, I'd be golden. This collection came from the fact that I wore a uniform every freakin' day for 22 years. My shoes and purses became a shrine to civilian life. I broke my ankle and foot, badly. After healing, my orthopedist told me no more running, volleyball or any other high impact sport. He even told me not to walk in the sand (that one I still do and wear a brace). I also had to dump my stiletto heels. No problem there. I bought platforms because they give me height without warping my feet and they are comfortable. I can wear them with no problems. I also got hooked on sneakers like Vans and Converse. I have 50 pairs of Vans and 70 pairs of Converse. Most of those are custom and some are even collector's items (like my Frida Khalo Vans). I've worn my rhinesstone Converse with evening gowns. I'm thinking of purging my other dress shoes and just having the Vans and Converse. We'll see.
3. T-shirts - I love me a graphic tee. I have one for every mood. I have superhero ones (mostly Wonder Woman). I have science ones. I have concert ones. Every color and graphic you can name, I probably have. I did a purge of those a month ago but bought some too. I'm wearing one now that I got from DragonCon, in Atlanta. I wear them for everything with jeans, tutus, skirts, and as pajamas. I may get rid of other clothing items but those will stay.
4. Clothes - enough said. Most of them have to go. I've already taken ten huge contractor bags to Goodwill. Someone will be well-dressed in Northern Virginia.
5. Cooking gadgets/kettles/cake pans/appliances - I'll never give those up. My mom says I'm the only person she's seen who lives in a two-person household with enough kitchen stuff for ten but she also admits I use all my stuff too. My brother was impressed.
We are building a new house in which we can retire. I plan to have an outdoor kitchen, a butler's pantry and a regular kitchen. That should hold all my stuff.
6. Perfumes - I am a 'fume head. I love, love, love an excellent fragrance. Being overseas gave me the opportunity to find some gems (I have one from Russia, pre-Putin, that is amazing!). I love it when people compliment how great I smell. Smelling great is a life achievement. No one has ever said my fragrances suck or that I wear too much. I actually have light but beautiful fragrances that I would wear to work so as not to be invasive. I've smelled women and men who bathe in their fragrances and it can permeate an entire building. Not me. At work, you'd seriously have to get in my personal space to smell me. When I was in the Navy, I used to wear this vanilla fragrance. I would especially wear it when I was doing an inspection in a mostly male environment. I found that it would put them at ease, especially when doing inspections (people get nervous and hostile when an inspector is around). I have a scent by Tom Ford, Tobacco Vanille, that has become my premier winter scent while I wear Explicite by Ex Nihilo for the summer. I've had people follow me and was even propositioned by a 25 year old gorgeous Irishman at the bookstore, who said my scent was very provocative. Boy, go home!
Bonus: I'd say it's a toss-up between time and power.
I am the proud owner of 75 pairs of earrings. Because I wear nearly all noir, I love bright, gaudy, exotic ear bobs! I store them all in egg cartons, which makes it all even more fun.
And I have had more than enough of Trump and Republicans. I hate them viciously and you are a heroine for standing up to and successfully suing that monster.
Congratulations on that dumpster, E. Jean. Your feet will be dancing faster, your laughter will be bolder and more available and your pen dripping and slipping with abundant deliciousness. The only things I have too much of are photographs but I'm working on it.
Indeed, I safeguard my energy. So stepping over, around and sorting through the closet or makeup drawer will gobble your energy supply right up! People who know me laugh at my energy. What's my secret sauce for that? It's simple - if I'm uncertain that I need an item, a contact, a resentful and ruminating thought I get rid of it and I do it fast.
Try this exercise for one week for an hour every day. Oh, ladies and gentlemen, you will be delighted with how you will feel.
I carry too much worry I am consumed.
I square my shoulders and face each day hopeful a bit is unloaded.
What else is a girl to do?
I have a bona fide sweater fetish. I have culled my collection this summer. I am mortified to say I have 30+ sweaters I will be selling and donating this Autumn when it is Not still 98 degrees and it is actually Sweater Weather. I refuse to say how many sweaters I still have because it is rificulous. However, they are all folded and fresh and in their right places just waiting for true Autumn and Winter to make their appearance. The only thing I need is a pair of black kitten very low heeled pumps for those times when a funeral or a plain black pump is needed. Why is it so hard to find a well made low heeled pump not made in China but not costing a left arm from Italy?
They stopped making my favorite lipstick called Billie on the Bike by Rodin. I have stocked 3 extras in my fridge. The last ones left on planet earth.
Over the past 7 years I have really gotten good at Swedish Death Cleaning( it is a thing...google it!) But alas, I cannot part with my sweaters.
Scarves!!!!! Which I never, ever wear. Shawls! Which my dear husband keeps buying me, and which I also never wear because if I wanted to go around wrapped in a blanket, I'd go around wrapped in a blanket.
Swedish Death Cleaning link
https://youtu.be/f5Ds4zELIz4?feature=shared
Pairs of black jeans. OOOH look, jeans are 20% off! I must buy some! White long-sleeved t-shirts. OOOH look, t's are 20% off, I must buy some! Sneakers. OOOH ... you know what's in the mail, right???
This may sound strange, but I've had enough of this particular way of seeing and being in the world - this insistence that I measure my worth based on a system that discounts and disparages not only who I am but the health and well-being of the planet as well.
I am consciously working to change that. And by change I don't mean trying to wrestle the broken system (and those who are so enthralled with it) back into sanity, but to focus on what feels "right" for me. I can't speak for others, but I have seen that when I create from that place of joy and respect others are interested. Others tag along to play, ask questions, and share their own stories. It's FUN!
As for things, I don't have much so don't have much to get rid of. I did offload some old clothes and an stand up desk at Goodwill the other day. I also tend to acquire notebooks which are full of ideas I have for stories and 3D builds in virtual space. I don't want to get rid of them so much as find a way to fully develop those stories. I would also like to get better at finding my many books new homes, though once again that feels like parting with old friends. We shall see.
I applaud you Auntie E for filling that dumpster and de-cluttering your life. How does it feel? Do you regret letting anything go?