Turn the page - 2007 is history!

[Morgaine Swann]

A new year is always a time of hope. 2007 was a big year for me in that I came to a new level of peace about my disability and living conditions. Not that I'm completely happy with the situation, but I can see why I am where I am and don't mind it most of the time.

Now, if I can just get some things done! I have a problem with hoarding things - books, clothes and art supplies mostly- and I have to get some kind of control of my physical environment because the state of it gets in the way of my creativity. Hell, it gets in the way of everything, up to and including getting in and out of my bedroom. Instead of making a list of goals for 2008, I'm just setting that one goal, and I'm going to use SARK's idea of "baby steps" to get there. Just a little something every day, instead of trying to fix year's worth of problems in a couple of days. I'm tired of feeling like Sisyphus.


I wish everyone here health, wealth and happiness in the coming year.


Peace~

[Morgaine Swann]

Yeah, the kids are great. Since I never had any kids of my own, and no one in the extended family is likely to have any, the 16 year old and her 9 year old brother are about it for me. They live about 5 hours away, so they come to visit often, though less and less as they get more involved with sports and things.

She's an exceptional soccer player and may land a college scholarship. She has also played baseball on a boys' team for many years. She's as good as they are, and they treat her like one of the guys, even though she's a pretty blonde.

He's into wrestling and is working with a group above his age level because he's so far ahead of his age group, though he's small.

Their parents are good with the sports stuff, but no one else is into art, so I'm taking that on myself to make sure they have a chance to explore that aspect of their talents.

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Morgaine, it's a blessing that you have your young cousin in your life .. sounds like nearby? I think the most negative thing I can think of about moving to Oregon from California, is that I am missing out on being a part in my sister's childrens lives as they are growing up. Having no kids and no grandkids neccessitates finding and creating other ways to inspire and encourage the generations that come after us ...

[Susan Hosken]

I keep in my life only what is relevant to my life at the moment. I keep a lot of things for sentimental reasons and because of the memories. I get rid of anything that is no longer relevant. I couldn't adhere to Dan's idea of one in one out policy. I love all my books and wouldn't like to get rid of any if i bought a new one.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

[Morgaine Swann]

I admire people who can follow the one in, one out rule. I don't want to be one, but I admire them - ha ha!

I hope what I said about my friend didn't sound negative - I was laughing about it, but it occurs to me that it might not translate that way in text. I completely know how she feels and I'm really happy for her. A few books are nothing compared to her happiness - it just would've been nice, ya know?

Everything y'all are saying about having too much stuff is true, but it just isn't me. The place I live right now is on land that has been in my family since the 1800s. I'm not likely to live anywhere else at this point, so moving isn't a concern anymore. As I get older, I may try to work something out with one of the local libraries to leave them my books when I kick off. The libraries are small and poor here - they would really benefit from having them, though I'm also afraid some of the books would be censored or destroyed. Not having heirs to leave things to is a drag. Maybe one of my younger cousins will grow up with a brain - ha ha! There's one who is 16 now that shows some promise. She's an artist, too, and I make sure she has lots of materials and equipment to work with. She was talking about the Da Vinci Code the other week, so I'm hoping that means she'll have a mystical bent when she grows up. She's fascinated with Italy, anything Italian, and especially mysteries surrounding the Catholic church, though she's never been around one that I know of.

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

wow, I like that video and song, Dan ...

Yes, we all have our old emotional baggage that keeps us weighted down and encumbered, no matter how light we think we are traveling ...

[Dan Goodwin]

There seems to be a pattern of memories here and certain physical objects reminding us of certain times or people or feelings.

IT reminds me of a song called "Travelling Light" by a wonderful English band called Tindersticks. It's about a guy who keeps moving on and "travels light" because he can't deal with the feelings and emotions of broken relationships.

Listen to the lyrics:


"it comes with the hurt and the guilt and the memories/ if I had to take them with me I'd never get from my bed"...

I guess this is a bit how I am...

[Malinda Neisess]

my husband saves old house coats and robes because he remembers which kid was held as a baby by him in which robe...
top that!

[RobynG]

No it definitely isn't a guy thing. My husband is the worst! He is still wearing his boarding school socks on a cold winters night. (The best quality sock in the world! Not many holes) He hoards everything! My daughter and I bought him the coolest most snazzy socks for xmas but he will not throw out the boarding school socks...or his fishing magazines going back to the year dot. He even has a Field and Stream dated 1956. An old uncle passed them on to him about 20 years ago when he was having a clean out. They smell musty and mouldy but, No they will not go in the bin!As for old fishing tackle....we won't go there!

[Malinda Neisess]

no, its not a guy thing, my husband can packrat with the best of us! or the worst of us :-)

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

it must be a guy thing