Have you ever.... ?

During my career in the Coast Guard being transferred was simply a fact of life. Losing or involuntary thinning of household goods was also something we had come to expect, especially since we did 2 cross-country (Alaska to Massachusetts, Massachusetts to California) and 3 full coast transfers (California to Alaska, Alaska to Oregon, Oregon to Alaska). In one case, if it wasn't for our express shipment we would have been left with nothing for close on to 6 months. 

How not true is that the case now. Its been 18 years since I retired from the service which means 18 years without a regular thinning of the herd of possessions, clothing and the like.  As we finalize our preparations for selling the house we have to come learn what many couples are porobably already familiar with - a collection of stuff that is just that, stuff. Granted each discovery was a trip down memory lane but I swear, some of this stuff neither my wife or I can recall having, much placing in the back of a drawer (bell bottom jeans, really?).

So getting rid of the old, unused, unrecognized is the work of the day (actually month!) as we reduce, compress and consolidate to get down to what will fit in 300 square feet of home while still allowing us to go out in public without embarrassing us or grossing out others. Goodwill, YMCA and several local shelters will applaud our largess. We'll just neglect to tell them they are doing us a far bigger service then we with our paltry donations Lets face it, it is far cheaper than hiring another moving company to "involuntarily thin" our stuff.

Have you ever wondered - Does stuff seem to reproduce when no one is looking?