Day 37 of Week 6 February 2026

Lake Champlain February 2026
Photo via phone from a camera 

 Have a Lovely & Warm Weekend

Mix up a nice hot toddie

Whistle to the song, America

Browse snowshoes online

Read about ice fishing

Draw a rocking chair

Write a poem about snowflakes

Search flower websites for blue flowers

Plan for a day-cation in June

Day 4: Time off

 Almost a week into the organizing, down sizing, and declutter project, I've had it! I ache. My hands look and feel like sandpaper. A pinched finger, in something I don't remember what*, really hurt bad. It is funny only remembering the pain. At the time, I was sure it was bleeding.

My shoulders will ache awful when kept in one position too long. My neck is sore on one side, then the back and then the other side. The bad bone-on-bone knee is very sore. Otherwise, I feel all right. The major portion of the clear out is finished. I now will rest, do laundry, and take breaks sitting in my room admiring all the effort I put in to make it look nice. 

Apple leaf on a steel tray circa 2010

* I remember now.

I was fixing a frame that had a corner separated, when my finger got caught between the two pieces I was pushing on to align them. 

Thoughts on the thrift store cycle in life

Why is it so difficult to part with things? 

Easy. Methinks it’s the warmth of the company of things surrounding us, a crew of comfort saying we belong. Out the door with stuff can feel like leaving the team. For where!? Most things were bought at a thrift store. I’ll think of donating as stuff being with the home team.

Gladly, I notice that there are many more things at the thrift store that I will not buy because the prices are above thrift store range. I imagine for resellers, high prices can devour a percentage of their profits. Add higher shipping costs would make reselling online more difficult. 

Times changing doesn’t feel like it use to. Currently it feels to me that it has a no thru-way sign because the change leaves too many of us behind. It’s not worth the time to go along the out of touch highway. 

Going to a thrift store is like attending a community event. Folks are always friendly and engaging. Finding and seeing treasures is a bonus. 

After down sizing, I dread buying stuff. Unless I will use it and it is not on my buying ban list, I will not buy it. All my stuff space is occupied until enough goes out the door. 

A favorite thrift store purchase
Aluminum tray

Day 3: The wall is before me

That’s right, I’m at the wall of down sizing.

 I sat there this morning sorting a basket of junk drawer stuff thinking. Why? How many ballpoint pens does it take for me to face the fact that store sell pens, not refills?

Evidently, that number is 3 dozen give or take, not counting the pens thrown away already. On the good side, I tossed a handful of things saved for a reason I don’t remember. 

A bonus of down sizing and organizing stuff is the mind set. Going along my way, everything I do, make coffee, cook, look for gloves, put away clothes, I reorganize, adjust or add something to the donate pile. A little voice like a Greek chorus sings, When’s the last time you used that?  Give it away, give it away. 🎶

There is rolled up artwork from 2001 that will probably never be framed. I move it from one place to another. One year it was in an old store display I picked up on the side of the road.  I am sure that the pastels I will continue to keep. The quick charcoal drawings will go. Other charcoal drawings I’m keeping. Two pastels are in the pile.

Tomorrow, (today if I push it), the project will be finished. Thursday is a thrift store donation day.  That is my end goal for the touch down.*

Corner clutter in waiting

*Change of plan. Drop off on another day

When projects last longer than planned

Just keep going

I’ve seen stuff I haven’t seen in years. What was planned to be finished yesterday, (I estimate now from a better view), will continue well into tomorrow. 

The donation bags will be fuller. The shredding bag is heavier. Once that shredding is finished, old papers will be cleared out. My sewing supplies will be in one accessible place. My artwork materials are also going to be together. 

Have a Wonderful & Productive Day

or two!

Old craft project circa 2004
uncovered during craft stash sorting