Urk

All of you people who have never suffered from procrastination and/or been a pack rat. . .you suck! lol The rest of you will feel my pain. (sigh) I've spent the past two weeks working on getting our spare bedroom dug out. Well, I've finished the first level of sorting, as Michael put it. Yes, we have levels. Why? Because I have too much stuff!

Ok, there are reasons for most of it. But then there's that 25% where I go. . .what was thinking when I moved last? Oh, that's right, I wasn't. Because I never think when I move. I never go through stuff. I just pile it all together and say, "I'll sort it out when I get to the new place and start fresh." Um, no. Cause at the new place I just ignore it. (sigh) You know, like a cat with its paw over its eyes, "If I don't see you you're not there?" That would be me.

Now, some of the stuff I've schlepped around over 4 moves in 13 years hasn't always been with me but it has accumulated. It's amazing how much stuff can pile up over the years.

Magazines: I had a gazillion subscriptions at one point (about 10 years ago) and threw out a good bit of them but still had far too many. They are now down to a few plastic crates (about 5 I think). This may sound like a lot and it probably is but when you figure that I threw out I don't know how many times that. . .well, it's not so bad. Mostly what I have left is fantasy stuff plus things that could be useful for academic ("Psychology Today") purposes.

Cards: My God, I have my own Hallmark store. I always joked that I kept them in business. Yup, I did. Do. Sheesh. Well, once I get them sorted, I will have a nice emergency stash. A good chunk of the cards are going to be donated to Michael's church because they are ones that I got, unsolicited, from charities at one point. That's what I get for donating when I can (I have 4/5 that I try to but haven't been able to for a long time). Then there are the cards and letters that people have sent/given to me. I have every one, I think. It may sound insane but it's hard for me to just toss a card, even a simple one. It's like tossing away a smile because that's what I do when I see the card. So, I keep them. Every one. I have since I was a child. I think it's because mom used to so I guess she started the idea but by my teens it became a habit. And I won't change that one even though it takes up space. Even the cards from people I no longer speak to (for whatever reason) because the memory is precious. Guess I should write for Hallmark too.

Stuffed Animals: aka Plushies Ok, this one I cannot be completely blamed for. I've had them my entire life and still have, in pretty good condition, the ones from my childhood. The ones that are my fault are the Beanie Babies. I admit that cause I was an adult when they came out. However, I didn't buy them solely because they were a collectible at the time, I bought them because of my love for stuffed cute toys. Yes, I know how old I am. I don't care. Live with it. lol

Collectibles: aka Dust Catchers lol Had to put that on there because that's what dad would have called them. Mom is partly to blame for this one because she would do series of items from time to time. That and buying me things to decorate my room. I also put under this category anything themed that anyone has ever given me. So, this is a big one because it's not what I've bought. My contribution to this category is maybe a third. Unless you count each bookmark separately in the stash and then, well, it jumps up. lol I looooove collecting bookmarks!

Paperwork: Good Lord! I have school stuff from back in high school! Not much. I so need to go through it cause this is taking up too much space. At least the plushies we could toss in the attic in sealed containers. I am not too upset with myself here because most of it will probably need to be saved "just in case" since it is a professional tool but still. Michael wasn't kidding when he said that the house would go up like a match. Sheesh.

Photographs: Way more than I thought I had but then, I've added to the stash over the years. That's gonna be a fun project when I have time. (laughs hysterically) ahem

Miscellaneous: Odds and ends of things that I will stash in a drawer to use at some point.

You know, it would make life simpler not to have all this stuff but I can't seem to get rid of it all just yet. I am getting better though. When I get frustrated enough. . .I toss it. Some things I may donate. Some I will give to friends to add to their piles of stuff. So, it all works out in the end. I hope.