Gems, sparkly bits, jewelry...

I have a lot of jewelry.
Actually, I have A LOT of jewelry.
Some costume, some fashion, some genuine gems.
Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, rings, watches.
Old stuff, new stuff, hand me downs and heirlooms.
Individual pieces, matching sets.
Some I wear all the time, some for "good" only, some for faire.
None of is worth much; it's just fun. And pretty. And mine.

Today I selected as my item a pair of earrings I have had for a long time. I love them, but they are broken and I haven't been able to find the missing pieces in over a year.

Here's what they're supposed to look like:


But this is the broken one:



I hated to toss them, but they have been hanging around for a long time and I'm just not going to ever wear them again.

So, the first of the jewelry entries is done. But not the last, I can assure you.

Not even oxy got it out

I have this tablecloth. I used to really like it a lot. Now it has a spot; I have no idea how it got there, when it happened, or even what it is. I have tried everything. Not even clorox, or oxy, or clorox AND oxy would get the spot out. So, the tablecloth is out.

Unmentionables

I went shopping this weekend. Mostly for things for other people. But I did get a few things for me. A couple of pairs of new pajamas (I got rid of a couple of old pairs in exchange), some new socks (got rid of some old ones), and a new rug for the bathroom (the old one was disintegrating, so out it went).

And I got a few pair of underwear. TMI? Oh well. At least I didn't take a picture.

You see, the thing is, when I went to put them away and pull a few pairs to toss in trade, I decided to sort the whole drawer out. And I found panties that are too big, too small, too old, uncomfortable, too lacy, sans elastic in vital areas, and other issues that rend them unwearable. In total, I pulled 15 pairs to toss. So I decided that was good enough to count as an item. After all, I only bought 4 pairs.

Puppet time

Isn't he cute?

Adorable, really.

Say good-bye.
He's going to the library to join the rest of the puppets.
He'll have a much better (and more active) life there.

Scrunchies!

I was looking for a hair elastic to put my hair up in a ponytail last night, and I decided to sort through my basket of hair stuff. I have head bands, hair clips, barrettes, combs, pins, etc. I settled on scrunchies for this time.



I don't use them any more. I don't need them any more. Out they go.

Back to hats

I have a lot of hats. I like hats. I have cowboy hats, ren faire hats, Victorian tea hats, baseball hats, and well, the list goes on. I wear hats a lot, I like the look, and I think I wear them well (mostly). But there comes a time in the life of every hat when the usefulness and style is just no longer present. Such as with this one:

It used to be a cute and comfy soft straw hat. Great for gardening and other outdoor pursuits. I think I originally bought it in desperation for an SCA event, but I wore it a lot. Now it's misshapen and stiff, dry and uncomfortable. I think it may be time to say good bye to the big straw hat.

It's a racquet

A racquetball racquet, that is.

I found it tucked away in the "guest room." (I put that phrase in quotes, as no guest ever sees, much less stays in, my guest room. Not yet, anyway. That's part of the project, to get the guest room up to guest standards.)

So, anyway, I was looking for something else, and came across my old racquetball racquet. A bit dusty; it hasn't been used in years. Hmmm, I wonder where the handle loop went? Ah well I'm not kidding anyone ~ I won't be back on the court any time soon.

I've got some catching up to do. It's been a busy, crazy few days with unexpected overnight trips and a long day of work. By my count, I have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to get through. So this is the first of four posts today. Stay tuned....

So, who really killed Dumbledore??

That was the question a few years ago. It has since been discussed, theorized, and finally answered. The series is complete, the mysteries have been solved, the questions have been answered, the players have gone on to their various lives or to the hereafter.

Thus, I see no need to keep this book:

It's not necessary to my collection; it was really just a lark, a way to pass the time until the final book was released. It's now in the box of books to be taken to the library. It may be added to the collection or sold in the book sale, but either way it will be out of my house.

After all, I already know who did it!

Hello, operator....

There is one practice I began during this project that is really helping. I have small boxes, bags and bins that I use to collect things I may or may not discard. I have a box for picture CDs that have unknown pictures on them. I have one for loose picture. I have a bag for stray gloves and one for stray socks. I have a tray for lose earrings with no visible match.

And I have a bin for extra and unknown wiring and miscellaneous electronic stuff:

There are wires that I have several of, wires I have no idea what they do or where they go, wires that go to things I don't even have any more, and a few that I am certain I will never need. I have been VERY careful to collect these and not get rid of any without being CERTAIN of what I am doing. But there are a few I am pretty sure I'm safe tossing out.
Like these:

Phone wires. From old phones? Old modems? Who knows.
I do know that I'll never need them. I'll never go back to dial-up (even my phone isn't dial-up any more). If I get a new phone, it will most likely come with a new wire.
So, out they go.

Just a pretty

I found this on a table in my living room.
It's pretty.

Just a little cut glass heart.
But I have absolutely no idea where it came from.
None whatsoever.
So, I tossed it.
(Does that make me heartless?)

You see, I have LOTS of pretties that I have a reason for keeping.
I've collected them in my travels.

They have been gifts from loved ones.

They mean something.

Gelato and Cool Whip

Not at the same time, of course. Part two of catching up for the weekend is a combination entry for Saturday and Sunday. And we're back to the storage containers. I was looking for a rubbermaid container for some leftover cheesecake (I know, hard to believe there would be any leftover cheesecake *grin*), and here is what I found:



Actually, that doesn't look too bad. It's been much worse. But I decided it needed a bit of a clean out, so I pulled the Cool Whip containers and the gelato containers to recycle.



Actually, this is a good chance to let you know how much I LOVE Palazzolo's gelato. It is about the best I have ever had. If you have a chance, get some! It's pricey, but worth it for a bit of a splurge. My favorite is the cappuccino with the chocolate covered espresso beans. And I'm not even being paid to say that. :)

Hair style in a bottle

I'm catching up after a busy weekend of excellent Mom time, SU basketball and snuggling. Hope everyone had as good a weekend as I did (so far, at least ~ go Eagles!). Let's start with Friday's addition to the "things no longer mine" entries.

Let me just say that I have straight hair. Nearly pin straight, very little body, practically no wave (much less any curl). I have a lot of it, but it is fine, straight hair. And finally, after 40 years, I have come to terms with that fact. And you know, it's not so bad. It takes a bit of a curl when I want it to, and it takes to color and highlights very well. See, it even takes blue pretty well:

It's very shiny and smooth when I treat it nicely. It's easy to work with on normal mornings when I am in a hurry to get ready for work. So, it's not all bad. Actually, it's pretty good.

With that in mind, I decided to clean out the bathroom cupboard of several styling aids. I finally have come to admit that just styling your hair with things made for curly hair does not make your hair curly. At least it does not make my hair curly. It makes my hair sticky, frizzy, stiff, dull, and many other things. But it doesn't make it curly. So, out goes the collection of hair products I'll never use.

I think that some of them might be put to good use by Mom, so off they will go with me to Syracuse. You see, her hair used to be long and pin straight, as well. And over the years, it has become curlier. Does this mean there is hope for me? One can only wait and see.

Stay tuned for the next catch-up entry.

My first mug

As many know, and many more are about to find out, I am a rennie. A playtron. I attend renaissance faires and festivals ~as many as possible ~ in full garb, with fun ren speak, and using real ren accessories.
See:
(that's me on the right *grin*)

So, over the past several years I have collected, nay amassed, quite a collection of garb accessories. And I use them, every time I attend a faire or a festival, I do use them. But sometimes it just becomes time to say goodbye. And for me and my first mug, it is that time.
It's a great mug. Leather with a wood bottom, a cover and lined with wax.

Well, it used to be lined with wax. But one can only re-line a leather mug so many times before it just makes you go ewwwww. And when you don't want your ale in your mug, it's time for a new mug. Last year I made the leap to a new mug. And so, I am sending the old one to the great ren faire in the sky. Okay, I am sending it to the dump. Lots of memories in that mug, and lots of ale, too. But as long as I have the pictures and the memories, and a new mug for my ale (see the picture above; I'm using the new mug), all will be well.


The pictures don't really show the ick factor.

Organizing items

One of my major goals this year is to be more organized. I really want to have some order in my guest room, my apartment, my life. With that in mind, I went to the store today ~ Big Lots, and they're not kidding with that name ~ and bought an organizing cabinet with three drawers (for wrapping and crafty things), and two 10 gallon rubbermaid totes (one for camping stuff the other for, um, something).

This, of course, means I have to get rid of 3 more things today. So, I've picked 3 more cookbooks: Easy Cooking for Today, The Complete Step by Step American Cookbook, and Hershey's Easy Baking (I have the complete Hershey's cookbook, so this one was easy).

One of these days I'll run out of cookbooks I am willing to get rid of; but for now, this works.

Snakeskin Cowboy hat... really!

It's really amazing what you can find in the back of the closet. I'll just let the picture speak for this one:


Being pretty sure no one would want this (and not really wanting to know if someone does), I'll just be tossing this one away.

Jade Dragonfly

Sounds like such an elegant item, doesn't it? Jade Dragonfly. Very pretty, very fancy, very glamorous.



Nope. Sorry. Just a tube of lotion. Glycerine Hand Therapy, actually. I am a bit obsessed with moisturizing, and my hands are a particular target for excessive lotioning (is that even a word??). So naturally, I tend to collect things with which to moisturize. Thus, I have an extensive collection of lotions, potions and creams. Most of them will be kept, as most of them will be used. Not this one, however; I just don't like the scent ~ too musky, I think. Not sure where I got it, not sure when or why. But every time I use it I start sneezing and wheezing and have to wash my hands and start over with something else. So, out it goes.

And an aside:
Just a quick note about the list I am compiling in the sidebar ~ Things No Longer Mine. This is the list of things I am getting rid of as the year progresses. (Yeah, I know, I tend to state the obvious). The items in the list that are followed by a double asterisk are the ones I'm getting rid of because of new acquisitions.

Catching up

I know what you're thinking.... Jeez, she's only been at it a week and a half, and she's slacking already?! And if you're thinking that, well, I guess you do know me pretty well. I'm not the strongest person when it comes to self-improvement or resolutions. At least, I didn't used to be (or maybe I just never gave myself enough time and credit ~ after all, I have been smoke-free for over 20 weeks now). But this time, I actually wasn't slacking, I was just away for the weekend. :)

So now it's time to catch up. And what a conglomeration of items I have to toss tonight. I'll be honest here, I went to Barnes and Noble this weekend, and I bought 3 new books. So, in addition to the 4 items I need to get rid of for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, I need 3 extras for the new books.

Here's what I've selected for the 7 items necessary to catch me back up to date:



One pair of old and cracked sneakers with shredded insoles (to be tossed), one pair of brown fake leather boots that are 1/2 size too small ~ never buy boots while you're wearing nylons rather than socks (to be donated), one heart shaped keychain that I have no idea where it came from ~ it lights up when you squeeze it (to be tossed), one rechargable battery charger (to be given to my b and sil) and 3 cookbooks (to be donated).

And just like that, I am caught up! So far, so good. And so far, it feels pretty good.

Storage solutions??

Here's a question for you: when does the storage solution become part of the problem? When you have SO MUCH of it that you can't store it any more. I was looking for a simple rubbermaid container today, so I could take some scones to work. It turned into the impossible hunt for a matching dish and cover. See evidence (and this is just the BIG containers):


So, in the name of haste and frustration, I pulled out the sherbet containers and (after a several minute hunt) found the proper covers, and out they go. I'm going out on a limb and guessing that no one wants them (doesn't everyone have a varied collection of containers that are saved because they are so perfect for.... something?), so they'll be recycled. I could only find 2 actual sherbet containers which is suspect, so if I find more along the way, I'll just toss them and consider them already counted.



Stay tuned for.... Cool Whip containers! Coming soon to a blog near you....

Extra items out the door

You may remember that part of this whole deal was that for every item I acquire (through purchase, gift or any other means) I would get rid of an extra "thing" that day. And it just so happens that I acquired not one, but two things today. Very cool, much wanted things, but still....

The first thing I got today is the second season of the show The Tudors on DVD. It is one of my favorite shows (despite never actually seeing it on Showtime) and I've been waiting (mostly patiently) for this to be released; I had it on order long ago, and was so happy to have it delivered today! Yippee! Or mayhap Huzzah!!

The second thing I got today is my new toy, a 16GB iPod Touch. I have been researching them for a while, and finally took the plunge. And can I just say, it's the COOLEST toy ever!!

So, here I am with two great new things, and two things have to go.

I decided that certain things like books (including cookbooks), shoes by the pair, jewelry, and clothes, would be dealt with on an individual basis rather than a whole collection as one item.

I selected 2 cookbooks to donate to the library: LooneySpoons and Dad's Cookbook. I use neither of them, neither have any sentimental value, and I can do without them.

O Holey Night, um... morning...

Well, holey gloves, anyway. Today's decision was easy. I went to walk Bailey this morning, and as I pulled my little gloves on, I noticed they had sprung leaks! As I have no less than 7 pair of different gloves, it's no hardship to toss these.

Christmas mugs

Another day of discarding Christmas items. There's likely to be a few more days of holiday posts in the next week or so; as I put holiday stuff away, I am going to be more strict about what I keep and what I get rid of.

I find these days that I am getting more and more picky about the size, shape and weight of the coffee cups I use. I have my favorites that I use, and the rest tend to sit in the cupboard. That, combined with the fact that I have received MANY holiday mugs over the years from kids in the library, led me to bring these 3 into the library for anyone who may want them. At last look, 2 of the 3 had found a new home.

UPDATE: All 3 appear to have found new homes. I am so glad!

One little pink stuffed bunny

Just a little pink stuffed bunny from a beau of long ago. This little bunny has been sitting on a shelf in my hallway for so long I pretty much don't even notice him. For some reason today he caught my eye. Bye bye, bunny.

Eh, they can't all be dramatic.

How many Christmas sweaters do YOU have?

Just a quick post today. It's a busy Sunday with football on TV, soup in the crock-pot and loads and loads of laundry to do. Today I am putting all of my seasonal and holiday clothes away for another year. I have this great Christmas sweater (okay, I have MANY great Christmas sweaters and tops). But this one is special. My mom gave it to me. It was my first one, and I love it. But I have worn and washed it so much the embroidery is half gone, the sleeves are too short (how does a sweater shrink in only the sleeves??), it's becoming unraveled at the bottom edge and you can hardly tell what it once was. So, I toss it, and have the first emotional reaction of the project. But I haven't worn it in a few years, it's not donatable or regiftable, I got a lot of good wear out of it. And I have a lot of other great things my mom gave me that I'll keep fore'er.

Nail polish to the extreme

Okay, so my nail polish collection has gotten out of control....











Seriously, who needs this much nail polish?!?
Really, I don't think my manicurist has this many bottles!!















So, after tossing 27 bottles of dried, duplicate or just plain ridiculous polish colors, it looks much better! From now on, if I add a bottle, I have to toss a bottle.

Culling the cookbooks, part 1

I love to cook. I absolutely love to cook. And bake. And thus I have an unreasonable collection of cookbooks and recipe collections and magazines featuring recipes and techniques. In fact, I have too many for the designated shelving in my kitchen and they have thus trickled out to the hall and are stacked in cupboards, too. So, I decided to start sorting through them, beginning with the various cooking magazines (mostly Wegman's magazines with a few BH&G and others thrown in for good measure). I went through all of them, cutting out the recipes I think I'll actually try; if I like them they'll end up in my recipe box ~ much more manageable. So, I am now down 27 recipe magazines. I can't really donate them anywhere, as I have cut them up, so they're out to be recycled.

BTW ~ I have decided that collections, sets and multiples will count as one item if I discard them all at once. I may run into trouble with this new "rule" later down the road when I am searching for things to remove from my possession, but for now it makes sense.

Cookbooks, part 2 ~ another day, or maybe another week.

And so we begin....

After weeks of planning and thinking and anticipating and looking forward to the start of my year of living simply, I find myself overwhelmed by the pressure. I have built this up in my m ind so much that it seems my first item must be something symbolic, something meaningful, something perfect. And so, of course, i find myself unable to pick something. I'm still thinking on it.

I will confess that I had a few moments of panic on Christmas. Not that I had so much new stuff, but that next year I'll have to get rid of so much extra stuff all in one day! Ah well, I guess I won't worry about December yet. It's really just another way to put off beginning this year.

And just like that it comes to me! The first thing to get rid of is the 2008 calendars! And so I have begun my quest for a more simple and much less cluttered life.