As you can see, Oliver got home from Switzerland with a hell of a lot of Swiss chocolate. Added to the Christmas crap that is, literally, everywhere, I can say confidently that I live in a Christmas and Chocolate Shop. I haven't even seen The Big O this morning as he is sleeping, still, at 2:00 in the afternoon. I'm trying to take down Christmas and simultaneously declutter. I've begun in the dining room, and in between opening cabinets and drawers and tossing what I don't want or need or am sick of, I pop one of those chocolates you see up there, clustered in a pile to the right. I'm being fueled by chocolate and incredulity at the amount of crap I have. January 3rd seems like as good a day as any to be ruthless, but don't think it isn't hard for me to part with some stuff. There's a three-drawer cabinet in one corner that has long been The Art Cart, and it's filled with art supplies -- markers, pencils, paper, stamps, watercolor paints, drawing pads, and various odd stuff like pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks.
Here's the thing. No one in my house is remotely crafty or artistic in the manner of The Art Cart, although we have riffled through the contents over the years for school projects, lemonade stands, etc. I really am loathe to get rid of The Art Cart, though, with that nagging premonition that the moment I do toss it, I'll need something from it -- why the hell did I throw out that Frida Kahlo coloring book? -- and have regrets. During hour three of the purge, I took a break and rode over to the post office to mail something and mulled over the art cart, the difficulty of getting rid of stuff, what that means in a psychoanalytic way and other psychic-shattering things.
Reader, I actually thought this thought:
The Art Cart could stay there and maybe when I have grandchildren, they'll appreciate the stuff inside of it.
I'm going to wake Oliver up and pop some more chocolate.
Well, actually, the thought about the art cart and grandchildren is not so farfetched. Trust me.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I'm glad that you have your Oliver back, safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteDon't get rid of the art cart. I'm thinking of the lemonade stand signs. They sort of challenge your assessment that no one is artistic and crafty in your house. I think you and the big O, for starters, certainly are. If you weren't, you would not be taking down so much christmas stuff today. see? Artistic and crafty. Plus, the art cart tucks so neatly into that corner. And is that an entrepreneur of the year sign behind it? Oliver? Your arts and crafts days are not yet over, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy entire house including the kitchen where, I'm ashamed to admit, I keep linseed oil turpentine and rabbit skin glue, is an art cart. Also I have the Frida coloring book the Alice (not Disney) coloring book and the OZ (not the movie) coloring book pristine and on my art book bookshelf.
ReplyDeleteI am continually throwing his stuff away but not the coloring books.
Ps. Is that the GIANT Toblerone bar that they sell in airports? I have always coveted such a thing.
ReplyDeleteHeh, heh, heh. Yeah. I've been doing the same thing today. Minus the Swiss chocolate One thing going out for sure is the Bobble Head Santa (WTF) that I received as a bereavement gift in June. Yes, you read that right. Somehow the end of Christmas always feels good.
ReplyDeleteOh and yeah==maybe put the art cart stuff in a bin in the attic? When you need that stuff, you NEED it.
ReplyDeleteScrew the art cart. Get rid of everything.
ReplyDeleteJust wanting to be different.
Keep it! Keep the art cart! You know you want to. You might regret it if you bin it. You just never know!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is to judiciously thin and keep the art cart in the attic/basement/garage. I only have an art drawer, but agree with Ms Moon, that stuff comes in real handy when the grandkids come on the scene and that day will come.
ReplyDeleteI would not be able to part with the Art Cart. No way. Glad Oliver is back. I'd be popping those chocolates just like you did.
ReplyDeleteIs it crazy that your thought about the Art Cart seems totally reasonable to me? I'm big on decluttering, but if you think you'll use it someday, why not keep it?
ReplyDeleteAs for the chocolate, ugh. I have had SO much chocolate lately. It kind of grosses me out.
Beware of art carts, ours became able to spontaneously reproduce turning into art corners and then art tables until eventually, like ours, they become art rooms. Reminding me of a very old Star Trek episode, The Trouble with Tribbles? the fluffy animals that kept multiplying, finally taking over the Enterprise? too funny!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get super purge-y. I usually regret it. Team Art Cart, I guess. Team Craft Raft?
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly new to your blog. I don't have a special needs child but I really like your style of writing and I find it interesting to follow your family. I just have to tell you that it totally cracks me up that you call your son "The Big O." And I vote for keeping the art cart unless it's totally in your way. You never know!
ReplyDeleteOur home, too, is all art cart, well and books, but art supplies everywhere. You never know and, given the uncertainty about getting rid of it all, I'd keep it a while longer. As virtuous as it is, de-cluttering can be very compulsive. Downsizers remorse, I know it well. xo
ReplyDeleteWell, I am going to go against the flow and say get rid of the art cart. I am purging today and find life is easier to live when it is not weighed down by stuff that we no longer need. I just got rid of three cookie jars that my mom gave me before she died. I love(d) my mom with all that is within me but I didn't love the cookie jars. My suggestion is to give the art cart to a family with small children or a daycare centre. Be free!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am going to go against the flow and say get rid of the art cart. I am purging today and find life is easier to live when it is not weighed down by stuff that we no longer need. I just got rid of three cookie jars that my mom gave me before she died. I love(d) my mom with all that is within me but I didn't love the cookie jars. My suggestion is to give the art cart to a family with small children or a daycare centre. Be free!
ReplyDeleteOh, two more things...
ReplyDeleteDoes that Santa not have eyes?
I am glad I am not the only one who has a teenager that sleeps until 2 in the afternoon.
I'm glad Oliver got to go to Switzerland - I seem to remember he missed out last time.
ReplyDeleteChocolate is pretty good fuel - and I save stuff for grandkids all the time. My girls think I'm nuts.