Aimee feel all you can feel.

So, I have water. And hot water in the kitchen and the bathroom sink. But no hot water in the bathtub. Have no idea what's going on with that but it looks like it will be a few days before it's figured out.

This morning wasn't fun getting ready for work.

Work was okay and it's not that cold. Although it's still damn cold, although it's going to warm up. Just long enough for some stuff to start melting, and then freeze again.

I need to actually start using my shredder before I throw things in recycling.

Meara, I did a google search for "how long to save pay stubs" and this was the first hit:

[link]

They say you can toss most papers after 3 years. But, I'm still a bit of a hoarder. So, bank statements, saving every one I can find. Brokerage and retirement statements, same thing. Pay stubs, I will follow the advice for places I work all the time. For one off's or short term gigs, I save all stubs.

Now the question... what to do with greeting cards, letters, etc? They don't file well, and I find I have many small boxes filled with them. That's what's junking up my closet.

So I got banking statements sorted and paper clipped by year. Utility bills have been sorted and thinned. Running low on light in the bedroom and low on energy, plus Mom will be over soon to watch the Philly Eagles game, so I called it a day. Lots of progress. After mom leaves, I may try and sort my retirement account stuff. Oye, that's a thick folder from old job, which was twice a month. Current job is quarterly, so that file is a lot thinner.

All this would have been a LOT easier if I had just filed as I went. I suppose that's my New Year's Resolution this year. To get back on track with personal papers/bills/banking stuff. God forbid, if something horrible happens to me, and a family member had to go through all this? Would not help the healing process, I tell you what.

First world problem - I can't open my dishwasher.

My oven just got replaced and it is either deeper than the old one or I just can't shove it back far enough, but it blocks the dishwasher door by about 1/2 an inch. And the dishwasher is full of stuff.

I have put in a service order but I'm pretty sure maintenance is busy with snow and pipe related stuff sine we had a hard freeze and a bunch of snow overnight.

Now the question... what to do with greeting cards, letters, etc? They don't file well, and I find I have many small boxes filled with them. That's what's junking up my closet.

See, that I'm OK with. I mean, partly because I don't get that many letters and greeting cards. But what I do is toss "mementos" into a box, and every once in a while I go through the box and thin it out--like, I might toss a movie stub and some christmas cards in it or something, but two years later, they make me go "oh, that's nice" and toss all but one of them.

I like keeping special cards too. Depending on the type of card and sentiment, I might cut the front off the back and recycle the flap and envelope. This makes them file much better.

My stepmother taught me to use pretty greeting cards to decorate gifts, rather than ribbons. When you are traveling to Grandma's house, it makes for much nicer wrapped boxes after a long trip bumping around in the back of a car.

Yes, I come from a long line of hoarders. Yes, I am trying to combat it. Yes, I will have a lot to take to the shredder.

I keep finding more to toss.

I really need a good fire ring in the back yard.

I really need a good fire ring in the back yard.

I need a black hole.

Yes, I come from a long line of hoarders. Yes, I am trying to combat it. Yes, I will have a lot to take to the shredder.

This is a very timely conversation.

A wonderfully, gloriously helpful thing happened today, in that a good friend took me, 30 lbs of paper and untold electronics to the local e-cycling/shredding event. We estimated that I dropped off about 250 lbs total. Two mac g5 towers, my beloved 1999 iMac, a 2000 Macbook, a 1997 studio display, keyboards and various, sundry bits and bobs.

I don't consider myself a hoarder, but I have been shifting this weight around, stubbing my toe on it, for YEARS. So now, I feel like a new woman!

I'm just sad to let go of things that still work!

It's a life lesson around finding value where it does not actually exist, I suppose.

Also, I normally get to do my year-end burning ritual, but my friends who used to lend me their fireplace have moved. So much change...

Bonny, that's a lot! Good for you!

Count me with those that need to let go of a lot of stuff I have moved too many times. The talk of mementos and cards and such brings back a delightful memory and for that I thank you.

Stephen and I lived next door to his crazy Uncle Bill. Yes, we all called him Crazy Uncle Bill. I don't think I ever got further into his house than the kitchen where I would share some tea or coffee and visit for a bit, but I could see into his living room. Every bit of wall space and appliances were covered with pictures, cards, newspaper articles and such. The flat surfaces apparently were completely inadequate because he had strung clothesline back and forth I don't know how many times in the living room and had clipped with clothes pins more of the same. Countless pictures and tons of articles of interest. And they changed. He read the paper every day and would find room for his latest find. Of course I gave him pictures and cards I thought he would like too.

Rather than simplifying being my goal perhaps being Crazy Aunt Laura might be achievable....