day 269: unthinging

Henry David Thoreau said, "A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to leave alone."  I feel more than ready to leave some things alone.  Things, objects, stuff.

We don't have tons of stuff.  I clean out often, and we have nothing in our attic and don't even have a garage.  But each room still gets its fair share of clutter here and there, and I am ready to be done with that.

 
google image

We have too many paperback books that we simply do not need.  They are stacked in a downstairs bookshelf, in boxes in a closet, and even in my husband's office at the university.  They became sentimental during the many moves we made in our early marriage, and we lugged them around everywhere.  This, I would say, is our biggest thing weakness as a couple.  And by "couple" I mean my husband, the English professor.

google image

We have too many purses.  I am an accessory nut (hey, what better way to hide your imperfections than with a cute purse or a sparkly bracelet?).  And by "we" I mean me.  If you live near me please come over and choose one of the ten I have lined up in my bedroom.  I am serious.

We have just enough of a lot of other things.  We don't overdo it on the furniture or the kitchen stuff.  And knickknacks?  Can't stand the stuff.  Love?  Just enough, sometimes too much, I guess, but I am happy to keep an extra batch of that around.

And when you come to pick out a purse, please stuff a few books in it too.  I really am serious.

22 comments

Robin | May 15, 2010 at 12:31 AM

Good for you. I love getting rid of stuff.

Sorry, I'm not taking any purses (I use the same one until it dies) or books (I, too, have way too many of those). I'm sure there will be takers.

LisAway | May 15, 2010 at 12:42 AM

Now, more than ever, I'm wishing I lived nearby! :) I have a black purse and a brown one and a summer straw colored one. The end. And I MISS BOOKS!! I need an American library near me.

You can never have too much love. :)

CHERRANNE | May 15, 2010 at 1:13 AM

I love clutter....SERIOUS. :) When I say this I mean that it doesn't bug Me in the least at all. Can I come and look at books? :-)

CHERRANNE | May 15, 2010 at 1:18 AM

Okay.....I exaggerate....But I LOVE books...... :)

CiCi | May 15, 2010 at 5:59 AM

I would love to pick out some books. I have enough purses. Don't need many now that I no longer work. When we head to the store I take one utilitarian purse and my list and cell phone and we're ready to go.
I like people who understand about an over abundance of things. Good for you.

Charlotte | May 15, 2010 at 7:19 AM

I have a total weakness for books. I can't get rid of them. It took my 10 years to think about giving up the textbooks from college. I couldn't even get rid of all of them.

I'm not a big purse person. I keep a black and brown one in size small and large for a total of 4.

Glad you have a lot of love, though, that is something I like to collect, too.

Miss Tinselly | May 15, 2010 at 7:24 AM

When we were getting rid of things, I found that the books were the hardest. Why is that? Why are we so attached to them?
We have plenty around now - The kids and I check out about ten each when we go to the library :)

Bossy Betty | May 15, 2010 at 8:37 AM

Oh, the books. They are the hardest things to part with! I have way too many, but I love them!!

AnneMarie | May 15, 2010 at 9:17 AM

I've just recently started down the purse road, but as for books--no thanks. I've got to figure out who will want all of Gary's! I'm sure it's not me. There might be a few we'll keep, but not the rest. So I'll wish you the best in getting rid of your stash.

Keep the love--that's the best, isn't it?

Connie | May 15, 2010 at 9:57 AM

I'm a believer in using the public library! I got the last purse from you and used it over 3 years! Thanks!

Kimberly Vanderhorst | May 15, 2010 at 10:36 AM

Sounds like you're a long way down the road to a good place to be. In our house, there's too much of everything. Neil is a hoarder, and I'm too lazy to do anything about it. The thrift store pile is finally starting to grow though...

laughingwolf | May 15, 2010 at 10:45 AM

could go for the books, but not remotely female enough to carry a purse ;) lol

Unknown | May 15, 2010 at 11:36 AM

It must be the time of year; I was just getting ready to post about this! I'll link everyone over here. We'll offload those purses and books in no time!

Dedee | May 15, 2010 at 12:38 PM

I love books. I'm so tempted go and visit my mom so I can stop by, but I think I'd fall asleep at the wheel. . .

Marivic | May 15, 2010 at 3:57 PM

I love books. And I love purses. Too bad I don't live in Utah or I'll be the first one to your door :-)

gigi | May 15, 2010 at 7:59 PM

My life is overcome by stuff and it is really getting on my nerves and I'm finally about ready to rid myself of most of it too. So I guess maybe I should invite people ofer to help theirselves too. Great idea ;)

The Way I See It | May 15, 2010 at 11:23 PM

I too, can not get rid of my books. I have too many. Do I really think I'll read ALL of them ever again? Still can't do it though. I love purses too and would love to come look. I love shopping for them until I find the perfect one and then use the same one for several years. It's time for a change.

Jenny | May 16, 2010 at 10:56 AM

very generous of you to pass the love on! I am so much like you.I don't like clutter, when piles start appear and things don't seem to have a place. That is the time I clean out and give away.

Melanie Jacobson | May 18, 2010 at 12:31 AM

Why, WHY, would you give away two of my favoritest things when I live so far away? Sob.

Heidi | May 18, 2010 at 8:53 AM

I swear we have 1,000 books--thank goodness we have a garage. Still, we should be using that space for food storage or something else equally useful. I keep thinking I'll reread them again, though--you know?

The Crash Test Dummy | May 18, 2010 at 1:31 PM

True that. I have way too many paper back books too. It's like a comfort to me.

I buy too many too.

But I wish I had more purses.

Anonymous | November 18, 2010 at 3:57 AM

Pray this location is just the most suitable area to submit this... I primarily hoped to let anybody across the forum who lives in Australia know about a quality high quality audio visual equipment web-site named Ordio. I uncovered them actually quite by accident when I was shopping for [url=http://www.ordio.com.au]digital radios[/url] and it just so happened that these guys had the lowest prices available. Not only that but they are remarkably knowledgeable and even followed up on my investment to make sure that I was still satisfied and content. They actually buy out bigger inventories of audio visual equipment so that they can significantly break the price down. Absolutely give their website a look-see if you're on the lookout for some home electronics.

Quinn