Letting Go Of Things

I’m in the midst of trying to de-clutter my home. I’ve been at it for a while. It’s amazing, somewhat shocking actually, the amount of stuff I’ve accumulated over the years. A lot of things have been packed in boxes tucked away in closets or the downstairs storage room for more years than I can remember. Honestly, I don’t even know what is in some of those boxes anymore.

But when I open one of those boxes, I find it hard to let the contents go. Why is that? Part of the reason is sentimental, I think. Sometimes I recall the amount of money I originally spent on it and can’t bear the thought of simply putting it in a thrift store donation box or worse yet, tossing it out.

I’ve given a few things away to people who will enjoy and appreciate them but let’s be real here, not many people that we know want our old stuff. It simply is not their jam. I know it’s time to seriously ponder all of the options.

(1) Keep it all. (2) Give away to friends or family. (3) Donate to charity for them to sell. (4) Try to sell it myself on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji or Craig’s List. (5) Organize a garage sale in the spring. (6) Throw it in the trash.

Let’s examine all the options, one by one. I could keep everything, bury my head in the sand and ignore the problem. Ultimately though, somebody down the line will have to deal with the disposition of it all. I don’t really like the thought of everything being tossed in a dumpster because they do not know what to do with it or just want it dealt with as quickly as possible.

There are some things that I can give to family, especially heirlooms passed down to me from other family members. Donating to charity is always an option so that maybe someone else will get to enjoy them as I once did. Throwing things out, unless they are broken or otherwise rendered useless, is off the table for me.

Trying to sell them online would take a lot of time and energy that I don’t have. The same goes for trying to run a garage sale. These options would take more work than I would likely gain in cash from the effort. So where does that leave me? I guess I have to stand up, put my big girl pants on and make the tough decisions required.

As things stand now, all of this stuff is weighing me down and sucking the life out of me. I know as hard as it will be to part with things, I know that I likely won’t miss them either. After all, they’ve been packed in boxes hidden away for years without a care or thought from me. Wish me luck with it!

Is The Grass Greener?

Why do other people’s lives or situations seem better than our own? Everyone has needs and desires. When our needs are met we then look to fulfilling our desires. And it's only natural for us to look at what we have and compare it with what someone else has. If we perceive they have it better, we wish we were in their position. Thus summarizes the phrase, ‘the grass always greener on the other side’.

But is it really greener on the other side? I suggest that it may not always be the case. Yet we still always covet that which we do not have. And it starts at a young age too. Is this some kind of instinct or behavior trait built into our DNA?

The feeling that other people have lives that are more impressive, fulfilling, or happy than our own can come and go throughout our lives depending on what's going on in our careers, relationships, and families, but it's definitely normal to feel it at some point. No matter how good you may have it, you still have a sense that others have it better, whether or not that's ever the case.

You may, however, be building something up in your imagination to be better than it really is. The grass isn't actually greener; you just believe or perceive that it is. I suggest you research the actions you are planning to take in case you've sugar coated them in your mind. What looks ‘better’ from the outside may be worse for you when acquired. Other people may be hiding the negative aspects of their situation and only putting their ‘best foot forward’ to the public. Be happy where you are, make changes if you can but make them for the right reasons to your benefit, not your detriment.

What is Art?

There was a post on an ATC group that I belong to this morning that really irked me. A new member posted the photo below with this comment…’I am not a real artist but I love to recycle and am enjoying making things with my many vintage playing cards.’

I came right back with my own comment…’ Excuse me for disagreeing with you, but you ARE an artist! If you create art (ARTIST Trading Cards) you are an artist. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.’

She came back with, ‘So sweet! You just made my day.’

To which I replied, ‘Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Keep up the good work!’

It upsets me imagining how many people around her have tried to discourage her and have told her that what she does, and enjoys doing, is not ‘real art’. I agree with the old saying, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’.

It got me to thinking about what the meaning of ‘art’ is. What I found was that there's no universal definition of art, though a consensus has emerged that art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination.

Yes, this lovely lady certainly accomplished that in my opinion. She used materials that may otherwise have gone to the trash or recycling bin and created art. That is not something that everyone can or will do. I applaud her for her efforts and for the courage to post about it on that group page in spite of what others were saying to her.

NOTE: The last two images are ATCs that I have made in the last year.

Trip to the Craft Store

There used to me a number of good craft stores in my area in years past. Who remembers Lewiscraft and White Rose?

Lewiscraft was a Canadian craft supply store chain that operated from 1913 until it closed in 2007. The store sold a variety of supplies for crafting. Lewiscraft Inc. was founded in Toronto to sell supplies needed to make leather accessories. An expansion in the 1970's pushed the retailer into a variety of other craft goods. Lewiscraft Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection at the beginning of 2006, and closed a number of stores before their fiscal year ended in April. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to stem the mounting losses and by 2007 the last stores were closed.

White Rose Crafts and Nursery Sales Ltd. was a chain of garden and craft stores in Ontario. Alexandre Raab, a French immigrant, founded White Rose in 1956 and opened his first White Rose location in 1957 on Hwy. 7 in Unionville. At its peak, the business had 42 stores across the province. Raab sold White Rose in 1991 when he retired. In 2002, White Rose Crafts and Nursery Sales Ltd. filed for bankruptcy. The business ceased operations in 2005.

Michael’s opened its first Canadian stores in Toronto in 1993. Michael's is an American based chain store that sells arts and crafts, framing, floral arrangements, and wall decor. In addition to a wide selection of arts & crafts and home decor products, Michael’s carries a range of seasonal products. The breadth of selection, price, quality of merchandise, availability of product, and customer service was above and beyond either Lewiscraft or White Rose.

I believe this is what ultimately led to the downfall of these Canadian retailers. In recent years, however, things have changed dramatically. More times than I can count, I've gone to Michael’s looking for something specific (that I know they used to carry) and left empty handed. And prices have skyrocketed on the products they do carry. It's very unfortunate and disappointing. I basically will only buy something there now with a coupon, and even then I know I'm paying too much. The after season clearance sale prices are not bad, but selection at the point is very minimal.

And today, once again, I could not find the ONE thing I was looking for and came home and ordered it from Amazon. I wonder why I even wasted my time going there.

Falling is a Bad Idea

In fact, falling is a REALLY bad idea especially at my age. Honestly, I do not recommend it to anyone, no matter how old or young you are. The repercussions down the road can be quite unpleasant. But that is exactly what I did this morning and I am suffering for not paying more attention to where I was walking.

So, as a reminder to myself, and as a warning to everyone else, I have compiled a list of suggestions to help you avoid falls.

• Get non-slip mats in the shower and tub. • Install grab bars in the shower or tub and by the toilet. • Install handrails on both sides of stairs. • Keep walkways and steps well lit. • Reduce clutter. Get rid of loose wires, cords and other obstacles. • Repair loose floorboards and carpet. Scatter mats are tripping hazards. • Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach locations. • Mop up spills immediately. • Use assistive devices like a cane or walker, if required. • Use a bath seat in the shower. • Wear rubber soled shoes on bare wood or tiled floors. • Have good lighting throughout the house and install nightlights.

Believe me when I say, falling is a bad idea. Take the necessary precautions to avoid it. You'll be glad you did.