Purgery...

Nope, I didn't spell it wrong. (Okay -- it's one of my own word creations, but its apt...)

There's been a whole lotta purgin' goin' on in this here house.

It's so much fun!

In my fit of New Year inspired organization, I made plans to unclutter my little office/work area. As I contemplated what containers, boxes, baskets I might need to corral my most important stuff/tools/junk, I realized that I really had no more room for containers/boxes/baskets on my counter...Hmmmm...

It occurred to me that I had several cupboards of stuff that I didn't get into very often. If they were empty, I could open up some counter space...And that's when the purging began!

I found sewing patterns I had never used, and wouldn't fit in anymore. I found embroidery hoops for making those lace wall-hangings that were popular in the early 80's. I found bottles of hardened acrylic paint. I found hanks of inexpensive trims and lace that I had bought at Sprouse Reitz during my wardrobe sewing days. Most impressive, I found a partial box of White King laundry soap that I had saved since 1995, in case we might do that fun snowman craft again...I had a hard time throwing it out as it was still usable. However, the evidence indicates that it might not be a craft that will be repeated -- especially since my kids are all in their 20's now.

Oh...yeah...

I had so much fun purging the craft cupboards that I went on to the Cupboards of Miscellaneous Household Supplies That You Should Have on Hand Just in Case. Of course, there was a plethora of phone cords. We could have hooked up a phone in the house, connected all the cords, and put it in the outhouse in the field for the workers. There were many little plastic bags of hardware that seemed to of specific use for something we did not have anymore, or did not know what it might be. There was a large assortment of screws and bolts and nails in a little box...and I realized that if we needed some kind of screw or nail or bolt, we never used these. We went to the shop where they are in categorized bins. There were bottles of thickened leather conditioner, and old shoe polish, and instruction manuals for stuff that now resides in a landfill. And there were partial rolls of wallpaper...and tile sealer we had never used and clothesline and Christmas light bulbs for the lights that we no longer have...

It was a revelation!  And now I look at every cupboard with a gleam in my eye...What useless stuff might be contained within? What space can I regain for my useful stuff? What treasures might I find to bring to the Thrift Store, where someone else can buy it, and take care of it instead of me?

Because, at heart, I am still a Dutch girl, and if an item is still useful I have a hard time throwing it out...I like to imagine that someone at the Thrift Store will see that extra 50 feet of clothesline, and think "Just what I needed!" and go home happily with a bargain found.

That's the way I justify my purgery.

Comments

Ridgely said…
Oh how I long to PURGE my home of all the STUFF my hoarder hubbie loves to haul home and plunk down.
Adam said…
I think you should have all the kids over for a big crafting day. If they ask, you can tell them it was my idea. They'll love it!
Gwynne said…
hey, I could have USED that clothesline! I'm off to second chance to see if I can find it :-)

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