Is Christmas Coming? Yes.

The WEEK-END was interesting as I stayed at my Mom's to help her clean out her storage unit.  What can I say?  I need a shower to wash all the dirt off that settled on me as we worked amongst the boxes.  Dear MOM has been working at downsizing AGAIN.  It was time consuming to go through the boxes we did.  Inside many of the containers were bagged items that she had tied shut inside plastic sacks.  Bag after bag, we made discoveries of things purchased over the years.

It was a great adventure to unwrap the mysteries.  Surprise.  Remember me?  I heard Mom say so many times, what should I do?  Oh Lord.  What should I do?  Then she'd ask me, "Deanna, what should I do?"  I told her to pick a few of her favorite things and let the other stuff go.  Get rid of it and be done with it.

This has been difficult for her.  I told her to turn loose of this stuff and be rid of it.  Away we went loading things in our cars.  She has so much more to get rid of.  The bigger items she will sell, but the little nic-nacs have to go.   

I loaded my car with things that she was willing to give to charities and things that I was going to keep and in her car I put things she has housed for my older brother who has downsized as well due to serious health issues.

I told her not to carry these boxes into the living quarters he now lives in.  I won't be around when she delivers these items to him.  At 86 years of age, she has no business carrying these boxes or even putting them on a furniture dolly to locate them to his door.

Telephone him first to let him know she's coming with his personal property.  He can no longer drive so she has the transportation.  Have him come out to the car and see what is in the boxes to decide what to keep and what to give away.  He is a fan of army fatigues. Box after box are camouflaged jackets, pants and shirts neatly rolled hidden tightly inside old banana boxes.  I don't know...but he must have spent thousands of dollars on his collection.  I had to blink my eyes to believe all that he has.  Impossible to wear all the articles he has.  Impossible. 

   
After several hours of working on the storage unit, we went to Newton, Kansas to donate STUFF to the Etcetera Shop.  Just so happened to be their Christmas Open House with Christmas music playing in the air in which I got caught up in the spirit of things and just had to buy a few things like Santa Hats.  grins.  They were the lowest priced thrift items I have seen in years.  Nice switch.  I didn't buy much which is what someone who is downsizing needs to say.

https://newtonetceterashop.com/

It was a pleasant shopping time except 

my body overheated and I dripped with sweat.  Yuck.  

Just one of those things that takes me by surprise 

from time to time.

The next day we returned to continue on her unit.

A shoe horn my dear DADDY made was given to me.

As Mom held the shoehorn in her hands she rubbed it as she told me Dad had made this and asked me if I wanted it?  I said yes as the one I had before was burned in the house fire.

I was blessed to receive this.

A bird feeder he had made became mine.

Sheets, towels, bedding, Christmas things, stereo with a turn table that my folks bought with 50th Anniversary gift money received, and odds 'n ends made way to my car.

I looked like I was moving.

Another load of donation items were placed about 
the inside of my car to take to the Manhattan Goodwill.

HUBBY had stayed HOME to continue painting the Dining room 
and the Living room book shelves.  He made huge progress 

and I felt fortunate to return HOME.  Our HOME.

I mustn't take people and HOMES for granted.

As I helped go through Mom's storage unit, I made a silent vow to continue to let things go that need to be let go.  I continue to downsize.  This week-end made it clear to me that I can do this 

and need to.

I collected so much I could have opened a store.

Much has been given away.

It continues.

Christmas is coming.

Visions of how we will decorate come to mind.

How will you decorate if you do decorate?

Foods that will be prepared come to mind.

It will be a JOY to have the house back in order.

This week the Dining room ceiling will get painted.

The wood work painted.

We'll decide on the wall color.

The Living room ceiling will be repaired.

The shutters will be installed 

and the new recliners will be delivered.

It seems like Christmas already,

but first THANKSGIVING must take place.

THANKFUL for so much.

Here comes the sentimental me.

Tear drop,

d