For Boyfriend, it's another story. He's been at the house since the minute he got the keys, tearing down a (non-supporting) wall, clearing out junk left by the previous owner, bringing loads from his apartment in a borrowed van...and in general, tiring himself out real good - he's doing all this after a full day's work, you understand! He's like a racehorse that's been kept behind the gate - exploding onto the track with pent-up energy. In vain I tell him to pace himself - he's a man on a mission.
He started me off packing things about two months ago. My Daughter thought this was funny, but I'm no spring chicken and packing tires me out. We took our time and he put the boxes out of the way of the living space, and it's now starting to look a little bare in here, even though I still have everything I need to be comfortable.
In fact it makes me wonder why I'm keeping all this stuff in the boxes at all. For example, I went through my wardrobe, keeping only the clothes I felt I was likely to wear in the next two weeks, and packing the rest. When I was done, I turned and looked at what was left. There are enough tops left hanging that I could wear a different one every day for two months with no repeats! If I have all these clothes still hanging up, what in the world do I need the other ones - the ones I packed - for? And I don't consider that I have an extensive wardrobe!
In the kitchen, my teapot and wine glasses are packed. But I can still enjoy a glass of wine with a friend, just not in a wine glass. I can still make tea, just in the mug. I have no shortage to contend with, I have all that I need. So what's with the four boxes of kitchen stuff?!
And don't get me started on my sewing supplies. There's a saying in quilting circles: "The one who dies with the most fabric wins." I don't know the half of what I have - but it's too much, whatever it is! Patiently, Boyfriend said "Just pack it babe - you've got the rest of your life to go through it." Only I do hope it doesn't actually take me the rest of my life...
I remember a time when I wanted things, so badly that I'd go into debt to buy them. I would pounce on my paycheck and rush to the store to get things: clothes, jewellery, CDs, DVDs... there were things I just HAD to have!
Now I look around at all these boxes and wonder, what for? What was so all-fired important about getting all this stuff?
Now what seems to be more important to me is having the money to go for a visit to see my Daughter. I'd rather see her than drink out of designer wine glasses.
I've heard all kinds of theories about the universe in my time. The universe is expanding, the universe is shrinking... Well, my universe is no longer in an expansion phase. My needs are simpler now.
