Clean Out

I could be queen of the National Order of Packrat Enthusiasts (NOPE). Could be—but I wouldn’t know for sure where my crown is—because I can’t seem to locate anything lately in my mess. So, I took a little time to clear some clutter over the past few days. It’s really amazing what you can find that you didn’t realize that you owned.

Thursday. Work cubicle. Found: 2 peppermint teabags (in case of a sore throat), a package of instant oatmeal (forget breakfast?), a pair of scrapbooking scissors (used for an invitation 2 years ago), trade magazines from 2005 (What? We were mentioned!), promotion records from 5 years ago and enough old papers to fill a 4-ton recycle bin.

Saturday. Car. Found: 4 plastic beverage cups with lids and straws (on-the-go week), a bag of VHS tapes I meant to drop in the donation box, paperwork from a visit to the Minute Clinic (3 weeks ago for a cold), a neon-bright collection of cloth grocery bags (my ongoing quest to be green—except for the plastic cups), two new CDs I bought and forgot about (slipped under the driver’s seat) and a hairbrush.

Sunday. Purse. Found: Too many pens, 2 weeks worth of receipts that need to be recorded, 5 tubes of lipstick (still searching for the perfect shade), loose change, ephemera including paperclips, buttons, a broken earring, found metal ring (all inspirational food for the jewelry designer in me) and 6 sticky notes with red ink telling me to REMEMBER (something) TOMORROW!

Today. Kitchen table. Found: Treasure including ... notes (to self) suggesting great books to reserve (A Complaint Free World – Will Bowen; Their Eyes Were Watching God; A Little Bit Wicked –K. Chenoweth); Web sites to check out (Hulu.com; couponmom.com) and great quotes (“How badly do I want what’s on the other side of this brick wall I just hit?”).

Ahhhh. I’m thinking all that clearing is just going to open up my Feng Shui for the river of fame and wealth to come flowing through my little Ohio abode. I just hope it doesn’t hit the dam in my hall closet.