Some more clothing went on the clothing rack. This week-end I'd like to go through my husband's closet and see what can go away.
Ongoing. Came across some porcelain dolls in storage tubs and have to decide which ones to keep. My doll collection is shrinking. Dealing with it like a pro. Surprises me. Also my dishes are disappearing. Well hello. Stacked boxes in the garage are vanishing. Praise the Lord. Thank you.
Wrapping childhood memorabilia for my children for their 40th birthdays. The wrapped gifts go back into the vinyl storage tubs where the items have been for so many years already.
I have moaned with emotion as I take each item and remember to a day gone by. This saying good-bye is difficult. We have begun our inching toward retirement Making decisions as to what to keep and what to turn loose of.
Doing this in phases. Turning back the clock I cannot.
A ceramic bank of E.T. that I made for my son when he was a little boy in the 80s was wrapped in a 1994 newspaper. Another move took place. Still in great shape as I know E.T. phoned HOME. Over 20 years since I saw this creature. He was still as ugly as ever. So ugly he is cute.
An old baseball that was signed by the Ball players was gift wrapped with the hint PLAY BALL written on the package. I think my son will guess this one. I'm hoping to have these gifts all wrapped by the end of next week. Then I'll start in on my daughter's stash of memorabilia that morphs into gifts that will return to their rightful owner.
A little here and a little there.
Looking at last year's pictures of irises admiring how pretty they were. Splashes of brilliant color about our yard, along the sidewalk fence and at the base of a couple trees. Also the front yard flowerbed has some majestic blooms. Back behind the alley are surprises. These came in a KSU grab bag a few years ago. Hubby planted them and we waited to see what colors they would be. Almost like CHRISTMAS. Loved this. These are the type of surprises I like.
They need thinned out and hope to get to that this SUMMER after they have faded. Before that happens we will write with marker on their leaves what color the irises are and type.
Up the street some neighbors have golden yellow blossoms which I think I would like to own some for myself. They are like sunshine brightening my day. When there is room for the plant to spread out they display so nicely. Next time we transplant them, I hope they will be given enough room to spread out and be even more beautiful.
Beautiful...I fell in love with Irises while living here the last 9 years.
There's so much about this place that I sure do like. I have fond memories here. My small town america experience has had some challenges in which I have had to adjust to a different way of doing things.
As we inch our way toward retirement, we continue to downsize, get better organized and de-clutter. Some things are very sentimental and I think this is alright, but don't need so much to be attached to.
I have my doll collection, books, magazines, teddy bears, pretty dishes, childhood keepsake, and pictures that I like to surround myself with. It is on my mind to downsize. This is necessary and desired.
I made a list today of things I know we can get rid of right away. This drama continues. It takes some effort to deal with these items. We will phase these things out as we turn loose of them. Round two will take place after we have dealt with these items. This is a job, but I don't want to make a career out of this. Perhaps by the time my dear Husband retires we will be completely de-cluttered.
There is no shortage of stuff to purchase for this seems to make the world go round. I think I will be content to turn loose of so much stuff. It is a great estate that has to be streamlined.
I wish I were already finished. This is a work.
Husband found out that his Father has lung cancer. Still waiting for results on collarbone biopsy. Praying for him. Life on Earth can be very short. I want my days here on Earth to be more relaxed ones with time to read God's word and pray. Listen to beautiful music. Sew. Decorate. Get my household chores done quickly so our HOME is tidy and refreshing to be in.
It's a very long story about why we have been estranged from my Husband's Father. Slowly the relationship is warming. Sometimes LIFE isn't a piece of cake as some would say. Family dynamics seems to constantly change. Not always for the better. This was a difficult pill to swallow.
With having had cancer myself, I slowed way down and fell way behind on keeping a tidy HOME. The yard needs work. Papers need burned. Rooms need de-cluttered. Playing catch up is a lot harder than I want to admit. Gotta keep on keeping on.
When we downsize even more, de-clutter, have more order....I will rejoice even more than I am to have a HOME in which to rest, sleep, think, dream, groom, wash laundry, prepare meals and eat.
Instead of phoning HOME, I actually went to the Town my Parents live in to see them. Attended my Mom's 84th Birthday Party. She has much energy. Dad's so frail. He can hardly walk, talk and know what he is doing. My Dad has faded. Mom grieves.
I was able to ask her what she will do if Dad gets worse. She replied she didn't know. We eventually got around to talking about funerals. She told me their funerals are paid for and I asked her if this was by the government. She was a tad bit snarky and told me no. We've paid for them. She always calls my Dad Daddy. Daddy picked his coffin out. They have their grave plot and tombstone. This I knew about, but not the funerals. I told her I'd come over again and take pictures so I know which ones they bought. I will ask for a receipt from the funeral home as to avoid any hiccups when the time shall come.
Mom is 84 and Dad 89. Seriously this is a matter that should be in order. With my Father-in-law having cancer, with us having had cancer, with too much out of order....we have to get our estate in order quickly. There's a drive in us to get this accomplished.
I know that it is best to have one's Estate in order as you go. I believe we truly did 20 years ago after going through so many old papers and notebooks full of order. When the boxes are gone through, pitched, regrouped, we will breathe easier.
We worked really hard in the garage all day making preparations for an Estate Sale. What doesn't go will be sold at the City Wide Garage Sale the next week-end....if there's much left over, then we will decide what to do next.
As we called it a night entering into our HOME, I plunked some artificial bright RED tulips in the front porch urns. From the street I have curb appeal with FAKE FLOWERS until real geraniums are planted in them. Bright yellow daffodils went into a metal watering can that sits on our porch. I found a large box of artificial flowers in the garage as we uncovered a magnitude of I FORGOT WHAT WAS IN THAT BOX.
Ever had one of those days?
Blessings,
d
1 comment:
Well written, as many have said you have a way with words. Sad to think are parents are fading away. We will to which is all the more reason to move forward with gusto and get things put in order.
Love you.
Hubby
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