OOoh - sorry for the creepy title!
Part of what I do when I sit out in the garage is look around at all I have accomplished and remind myself that I am hardworking, courageous, smart. I like to think that takes some of the sting out of the resentment.
I will never tired of all this empty space
I was sitting here last week and mid-rant thought "what if I move that cedar chest and add another shelf?" I knew there was at least one extra long shelf in the attic. Easy peasey. I emptied the cedar chest, purged and organized its contents, and stored them in that big storage box I bought to live inside the guest closet. Then I hauled the chest out into the open. At one point, I thought I would repair and paint it.
heavy, damaged, and stinky
All afternoon, I had a sad, gloomy feeling. But when I went to bed I firmly banished the ghosts by stating: "This is my house. I am in charge of all of these things. I will not create a situation of overwhelm for my children. None of us will drown in possessions or someone else's memories. We all deserve to love and remember without the added burden of what to do with Mark's 3rd grade artwork and photos of Marie's second husband's grave. Plus, I am doing the best I can to care for my home and it's contents." *
clean and neat, 'twill be sweet
This garage serves my purposes. I can park my car here. I can easily access all of my Christmas decor and etc. It will be clean and neat - not smell like mothballs and decay. The cedar chest, a coffin of old memories, can go to someone who is willing to put the work into restoring and using it. That person will not be me. Adding another shelf will be a quickie task this week!
Gina
*why do people take photos of freshly filled gravesites heaped with flowers, and then save them for photo albums? Its chilling. My opinion.
I didn't know pictures of fresh gravesites was a thing. Nope for me.
ReplyDeleteYour garage looks amazing! I fantasize about ours being redone with new drywall including the ceiling, etc. as I try not to think about 75 years of dust and other things behind the walls that are open at the top lol. Not the priority right now but maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteGarage A++
ReplyDeleteYour garage looks great and you are an inspiration to us all who have too many possessions in our houses that our children won’t want to deal with. Jenny
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your tidy garage. Mine is stuffed with husband's stuff that he won't part with because of...just in case. I'm curious of what your husband would say or do when you suggested cleaning the garage?? Did he refuse? Did he get mad? I tell my husband that we are just getting old and not in great shape so it would behoove us to simplify our stuff to make it easier not only on us, but our kids when we die. He agrees with the concept, but won't do the purging. Sooooo frustrating! --Barbara
ReplyDeleteThat garage looks lovely! I am a toss everything kind of person so my family knows not to leave anything lying around where I can get to it. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe garage IS beautifully spare and organized! And I love your words of wisdom regarding other people's stuff and memories!
ReplyDeleteYour garage looks amazing!! I'd like to do something about the state of ours but I know it won't happen. It's not worth the upset it would cause.
ReplyDeleteI will take a page out of your book and get myself out of this slump I am in.
You are absolutely courageous, hardworking, and smart. I have been admiring all that you have accomplished and hope that if I am ever / when I am in your shoes, I could emulate you. “What would Gina do?” should be my adopted mantra, similar to, “How do you eat an elephant? A spoonful at a time.” —although one should never ever endeavor to ever literally eat an elephant.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people take those photos! I love your beautiful, airy and spacious garage. You created that calm space and deserve every bit of it! It should work for you!!
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