Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...On "Stuff"...

We all face those decisions when downsizing, on what we want to take, what not to take and what we really need to take with us when we start our adventure full-timing. I've already pared down my clothes once, but into the closet I went this morning and pared down even more. I have to be practical in that I'm still working and will need dress clothes for the next 2 and a half years. And by the time we are ready to leave I may be a different size, smaller I hope.

I packed all my dressy sweaters into one of those space saver bags and stored it away until next season. It's amazing on how small you can make a sleeping bag when all the air is sucked out of it. Christie wants me to make a blanket of all her special T-shirts so... into one of the space saver bags they went...another project to work on before we leave (have to keep track of all the projects).

Clothes, clothes and more clothes...where do they all come from? It's like a rabbit colony, it's amazing on how piles seem to multiply when you start throwing it out. I truly am dumbfounded on how much "STUFF" we have and that's the thing it's just "stuff". Is it important that you keep those pendents from high school 48 years ago? Nobody has looked at them in how long? Why do we keep the "STUFF"?

We have a closet that we have put "stuff" into, but have not looked at it since 1990. 20 years now. Pathetic isn't it. Do I have a garage sale or just throw it out? I'm almost afraid that if I see it I will have some memory and just have to keep it. Bobbie says if it's that important, take a picture of it. I almost hate to pass it on to my kids and increase their "stuff" load. They don't need anymore "stuff".

Today I was cleaning my Great-Grand-Mother's Singer treadle sewing machine and commented on how I would like to take it with us, to which Dave said a resounding "NO, It's too heavy for the trailer". I really have to agree, even though I thought it would serve double duty, as a computer desk and sewing machine. So I will take my Bernina with us instead.

The task before us seems so daunting. Where do we start? Closets, garage, kitchen, storage shed...where? I guess pick a spot and just start. Those reading this blog, where did you start and how did you do it (de-clutter)? I'm at the point of looking at it, shaking my head, turning around and going back in the house and watching a "Harry Potter" movie instead.

The one thing I will not get rid of are the family photos. I'm working on a book of my fathers letters to my mother during WWII while he was stationed in the Pacific Theatre. Hence the genealogy project that I'm doing research on. Those will be stored and while on the road it will give me something to do on a rainy day.
Gee...I just wish we would win the lottery and get out here sooner. Every one's pipe dream.
Well back to the de-cluttering project. 949 days and counting.


See you out there...