Going Once ... Going Twice ... SOLD!

In an effort to simplify my life, and make a little extra spending money for our upcoming trip to Disney, I am having a garage sale to end all garage sales! I'm giving in to the demons of my past and am letting go to some valuable items that I cherished oh-so long ago. Items that have been so cherished by me, that they have spent the past 9 years in boxes in my basement.

To prepare for my garage sale, I've been watching episodes of Hoarders. Have you seen any of those shows? Absolutely scary. 10 minutes into one of these shows Monday night, and I had to pause the program and go clean my refrigerator (even though I had just cleaned it the day before.) I think this show is the best medicine for anyone who wants to purge. And that is exactly what I am feeling the need to do.

So PG and I spent a good part of the day on Monday cleaning up the storage area - a little spot in our basement that hasn't been touched (really) since we moved in (9 years ago). I must have 10 boxes marked "Memories" that I have moved from one place to another through the years, and finally opened up this week to evaluate. What were those 'memories'? Oh, most of them were items from high school and college, and about 90% of it was thrown away after taking this stroll down "memory lane" this week. I decided that I really didn't need my "Intro to Costuming" binder from an ISU class I took years ago, and that the program from a play that I don't even remember seeing doesn't need to be kept. So, the garbage bags came out . . .and slowly we went through box after box.

My head is a little less stuffy now. I feel a little lighter, like I've gotten rid of some unnecessary baggage. Some of the stuff is staying for an attempt at a happier life in someone else's home. So, starting Friday at 8AM, I'm hoping someone else will decide that they absolutely can not live without:

• Three plastic 'chinese food cartons' that the Container Store suckered me into adding to a collection of other unnecessary containers
• An "All My Children" hard cover picture book telling you all the secrets of Pine Valley (in 1995)
• An old gum ball machine
• A Marilyn Monroe watch (in decorative collectors box to match) that I just had to buy (in 1987)
• 10 little soft covered books on making paper air planes that I must have purchased for a real 'bargain' long before I even had kids (I wonder how many children I thought I was going to have that I thought I would have to buy 10 of these little books!)
• A tulip flower centerpiece that actually is quiet lovely . . . . but I just don't want any longer
• a lovely collection of frames and movie poster prints that haven't been on my walls in close to 5 years
• a HUGE assortment of baby toys and clothes
• 4 different flower girl dresses in sizes from 2, 3 and 4 Toddler (Katie was a busy girl between the ages of 2 and 4!)
• a box of plastic ware bought from Target at the end of a summer season about 5 years ago (that I continue to forget, year after year)
• and lots and lots of other things . . .

So, what have I learned?

There is absolutely NOTHING in this world that I NEED . . . with the exception of my family and our health. These boxes of memories, when really looked into, are nothing to me. The life I had 10 years ago, while helped me become the person I am today, is not who I am today. I am so much more than the memories of the past - and I don't need these things to be me. Last weekend, a dear friend of mine from my high school and college days came over with her children and spent the evening with me and my family. THAT is what I need in life ... real life folks and laughter and fun ... not boxes filled with things.

So . . .

Garage Sale, here I come!

When was the last time you went through your old memory boxes? Ever feel the need to simplify all those things in your basement? I'd love to know . . .

Oh, and if you think any of the items I've listed above would find themselves a lovely new home in your heart ... send me an email! I can "hook you up!" ;)