Good Morning! Did someone play an April Fool’s joke on you yesterday? Not on me, as I was by myself. I had a very productive Saturday. I took everything stitch of clothing out of my closet and placed on my bed. Two bags, one for good will and the other for garbage were nearby. I went through each and every item and made a decision based on whether it was in good repair (you know how you hold onto something old even though it has sweat stains and small holes etc.), age of item, quality of item and whether or not it actually fit me and whether I have wore it recently. I even tried on a few items to see if they fit. Sometimes clothing is given to you and you accept it without really taking the time to understand if it is really something you will wear. With respect to items being given to me, some of my most favourite items were given to me and I still have a great many items that were hand me downs. I had a lot of items that were given to me that I plum wore out. They had a good life. Anyway, I filled the garbage bag full of items and the one to charity as well. Two whole bags full of things that I will not and have not been wearing. Surprisingly enough my closet does not look empty. At the same time that I was doing my closet – I went through the spare room closet as I keep items in there as well. I used to separate winter from summer but no longer. Also, I went through my dresser and reorganized and a few items did not return to the drawers. I would say that it was very successful. I have a question do you have anything in your closet that you keep for “sentimental reasons?” I have a few items. One is a jumpsuit from the late 60’s that belonged to my Grandmother, a Saskatchewan Roughrider jersey and a top that one of my client’s made me when she moved away from Edmonton. An eclectic group for sure.
The hall closet by the front door did not go unscathed. I cleaned it out and took the remainder of my winter outerwear down to the cupboard in the laundry/furnace room. In the cupboard downstairs I came across a bag of items. There was a sheer pink dress that I wore to my youngest brother’s high school graduation (1980’s), the dress and bolero jacket that my grandmother wore to my wedding (1977), a dress and tops that belonged to my grandmother from the 50’s, the dress I wore to the first family photos taken when my daughter was a baby. In the bag was a beautiful pink satin bridesmaid dress that I had used for a Halloween costume several years ago and the pink half slip & camisole that I wore under the sheer pink dress. The elastic in the slip had disintegrated, so I threw out the bridesmaid dress and the slip and camisole. I could not believe the sizes of the dresses. My grandmother’s clothing appeared to be something a child would wear (size wise) and my old clothing – well safe to say that I would never fit in any of the items again. I had a fun few minutes reminiscing about each items. The items that I kept were tossed into the laundry for a wash. I figured if they came out okay, I would keep them. They are all hanging on the clothing racks in the basement. Airing out that last bit of “chemical” smell. I will keep them in a closet instead of packed away. Honestly keeping clothing packed away is not a good idea. Reminds me of the smell from a second hand store or thrift store. Most of the clothing that people bring in are placed in garbage bags. Why in this day and age, can we not invent something that does not have that chemical smell. It ruins so much. You cannot always get rid of it either. That smell also accompanies clothing when you order on-line as well, the packaging. All plastic. We need to do better. So all of my clothing closets are all cleaned out. The one in the basement has my winter items and I left the door on it open a bit to keep air circulating. While in the basement, I put away some gifts bags and tissue paper that I had left sitting out in the “family room.” The laundry left over from Friday night was also finished. I did some other cleaning as well. Rearranged the living room other than the furniture. I made a special tribute to Alvin on the fire place mantle. The living room is filled with cards, his toys, blankets, his memory items, pictures and his Urn. We spent a lot of time in the living room, on the main floor. The kitchen and living room are all one large room with a half wall separating them. I was thinking that I have not slept on the sofa since Alvin passed. It was many years since I spent a whole night in my bed. Feels strange. Still. Yesterday was an emotional day for many years but very productive. I also hauled a bunch of things from the basement to the garage for disposable. The Electrolux vacuum that I had for many many years and that would no longer start with all of the attachments found a new temporary home in the garage. Perhaps someone will be able to fix it? I see garage sale and social media buy and sell in my future. After I finished everything, I put on my running shoes and jacket and headed out for a walk. I walked for about 40 minutes and on the way home found my neighbours Norbert & Irene outside in their garage. Irene was cleaning the van and Norbert was working on his lawn mower. So I stopped to say hello and we had a nice visit before I returned home. With no oven, I decided to just order pizza. So disappointed as the pizza place that I have been ordering from for a long time – well the pizza is not as good as it once was. The crust has more than doubled in size and the topping is so much less. Who wants to eat a bunch of bread for supper? It is very expensive and used to be worth the money. I really like the young many who usually delivers it but that is not a good reason to order pizza. Or maybe it is. He is the one who remembered Alvin by name and always was happy to see him. I noticed that his front bumper was damaged so I asked him. Apparently a moose hit him. Yup a moose. The moose was okay. Actually just at the end of the newer development by the acreages that surround the south part of this area. Insurance did not cover the damage but he says it was worse and he is waiting for a part to finish the repair. Such a nice young man. I am sorry about the pizza. I should have called the pizza place and let them know that I was disappointed in the quality. But I did not so that is on me. Unfortunately they have lost a good customer.
Looks like I have written a book. How can cleaning out closets and ordering pizza be so wordy? Time to head downstairs and make some coffee. I am going to finish my income tax today. That is a priority. I am close so want it to be done.
The sky is overcast and they forecast snow overnight (did not happen) and this morning. Yesterday was so beautiful out. People were out in flip flops and shorts. I think might have been a tad bit early but that is just me.
Happy Sunday Everyone.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Always, Carol & Alvin (My forever Angel)
My New Life @ 51 