sentimental
Five years to live
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
That's the timeline I've started to imagine when I look at my surroundings and pick out things to maybe or maybe not get rid of. The "if I died tomorrow" idea is no help, because obviously I would spend a last day doing something other than decluttering and writing about it. "One year to live" is too short a time to be useful in making decisions because I would need very little to get through a year. Most likely I would call in movers and have them take loads of stuff away except for what I wanted to give to family and friends. So I'm trying to use five years as a term to gauge how much I want to keep something. If I think I will use it or enjoy looking at it, smelling it, touching it for the next five years, then I'll keep it. If not, I'll get rid of it. As soon as 2010 rolls around I am going to get brutal and make more of these decisions. This pace of one or a few things a day has gotten me out of my "keep everything" mode and prepped me (I hope) for more agressive organizing and shedding. This paper towel is from 1980. From my very first assignment in ceramics class at art school. After our projects came out of the kiln, we put them on a big table with our names on a paper towel in front of the item. The next morning we came in to see what grade the instructor had given us. I got a 10/10. Yes, I've kept this paper for 29 years. The ceramic object itself (a shoe) is on a shelf in the spare bedroom at my parents' house. Otherwise I'd post a photo of it too. I'm thinking I might play with matches and give this a ceremonial burn.
Skipper in a sailor suit was my fave
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I've added a new tag. Sentimental. I loved playing with Barbies when I was a girl. I think my first Barbie was a talking one — “Stacy and I are having a tea.” My brother pulled too hard and snapped her neck string on the first day, but my parents either bought me a new one right away or must have been able to exchange her, because I ended up with a talking doll that worked for years. We were on a family trip to California at the time; I remember watching the moon landing in the living room at my aunt and uncle's place. l still have a couple of dolls and a Skipper case somewhere, but this Barbie and Midge case came to me about 11 years ago from a friend who was moving and divesting herself of some things. I recently managed to sell it for $15 (the plastic lining on the inside was a bit ripped up and other plastic was cracked) and that money is going towards my SPCA donation fund for this year. My mom used to hand sew beautful clothes for my Barbie dolls. Those I still have. So much work for such teeny dresses. Thanks Mom!
