Our house is on the market. Having personally boxed up our homes for 19 moves in the last 35 years, I do not plan to pack one, single item that I don’t have to. In fact, the last two moving companies I’ve used have actually asked me if I want to work for them. Why? Because I can look at a room and tell you how many boxes you’ll need and even how to square it in the truck.  

This time, though, I am not taking those 3, very tall glass vases, large ceramic planter, golf clubs, bicycles, steam iron, extra coffee machine, sewing machine, popcorn popper, candlesticks, 250 books, CD’s and yes, cassettes. They’re gone!! Craig’s list sold off the fire pit, leather recliner, stereo system, 3-drawer office file, two desks, 4 office chairs, extra printer and 3 outdated computers.

I didn’t stop there. I removed all the ‘top shelf’ items in my kitchen cupboards: dishes, pots and pans, the Le Creuset set and silver bowls and trays from Great-granny. My huge rolling pin, which flattened many a circle of dough, was next. I’m on a roll.

Next stop? Bedroom closet. Good-bye belts, suspenders (from the ‘80’s), scarves, handbags and jewelry that I haven’t worn or used in at least 30 years. Adios stockings, Good Will ‘finds’ and Granny’s mink coats. (They went to consignment.)  Au revoir stained T-shirts, freebies, and even a red and white, striped shirt that I last wore in high school!

I paused, though, at the size 7, white, leather tap shoes. They brought back fond memories of my shuffle-ball-change days. However, I’ve been wearing 9’s for the last 22 years! Some aspiring Eleanor Powell will love these. But I’m keeping my yellow, cotton, dress with the wild pattern. My husband says it looks, ‘hideous.’ He’s right, of course. It’s a Jackson Pollack gone wrong and I absolutely love it. When I put it on I feel young, light and literally float through a room. That’s how I feel right now walking through the house!

By my count, I have lightened our upcoming move by at least 1,000 lbs. and several hundred boxes. There’s an old saying: a man with only one watch knows what time it is.  A man with two is never quite sure. Well, trust me, I know what time it is now.  Wanna feel younger? Move!!!