fewer cars

We sold the Smart.  After 9 years it only had 58,000 kms on it.  I mostly ride my bike. Now we only have one spare set of tires in the workshop.  This also created the opportunity to purge the pink breast-cancer-awareness miniature ice scraper.

the void

It's getting harder to document the big purge.  I'm getting rid of things so fast now that the stuff is gone before I remember to even photograph it.  I began as a minimalist by following the advice to 'get rid of fifty things'.  Fifty is a joke.  I am certain that I've purged hundreds, if not thousands of items.

The void left behind by removed clutter creates space full of pure potential energy.  It's inspiring!  What will I do will this space?  It's important to avoid shopping after a purge.  The compulsion to shop never fully goes away but I believe the best plan is to shop slowly.  If one must shop, just browse, don't buy anything yet.  Treat it like breathing.  Slow the breath, don't stop breathing.  There isn't much point in getting rid of all the clutter if one is only going to replace it with newer nicer clutter.

So here I am, sitting alone in an empty white room contemplating.  Also, to simplify my life I don't use electronic devices after eight pm so I'll bid you goodnight.

Carry water, chop wood.

During enlightenment, unload the dishwasher, load the dishwasher.

maximalist minimalist

Is it okay to customize a gift?  Today I altered a set of red printed harem pants.  I let out the waistband and took in the ankles.  It is so convenient to be one's own tailor.  I adjusted them to my specifications.

I remember grimacing at tapered legs in my teen years.  Now I can predict the fashion future.  Whatever it is that we wouldn't be caught dead in now is what we will be wearing in the near future.

The pants are bohemian, bordering on piratey.  I think that it is safe to say that I won't be noted as wearing the latest trend.  In my own mind, I'm always one step ahead.  In other people's minds... well, other people are probably worried about their own problems and not thinking about my red pants.  Until now!

I've been reading Jennifer L. Scott's Madam Chic books and thinking about her ten item wardrobe concept.  All of this purging of possessions has gotten me almost to the point of having a ten-item wardrobe.  I love the idea of a uniform,  maybe not the same one every day, but just a few outfits.  I don't need fifty different ways of mixing and matching.  I know what to wear; I know who I am.

If I only have ten articles of clothing and these pants constitutes one item that means I'll be wearing them often.  People are going to think...  whatever it is they usually think about.

new business

I'm not taking on any new projects. I'm finishing all of the old ones, one at a time. When I'm finished I will be purified.

Help!

I'm an heiress.

the quilt

I've been so sick since boxing day.  Some kind of laryngitis with a nagging cough.  I haven't been able to do much, but I was able to finish my quilt.  I sat on the couch and sewed the last stitch.

I made it for free.  All the fabric and thread were given to me by family and friends and I borrowed the tools that I didn't have.  Here you have it.  My first (and likely last) quilt!