I got an email from 1-800-GOT-JUNK recently that had an image of a letter that basically said “Dear Junk, I’m breaking up with you.”  Since I had recently noticed that my desk area is very cluttered, with piles that spill over, making me fear I’ve got the pack-rat gene, I’m working on cleaning up some of the mystery piles around the house.

I found a a credit card I had been missing, cleared about an inch-tall worth of old paperwork and can see the surfaces for my coffee table and a piece of counter top.  I’m going to put the sponge I’ll never use in the kitchen at work and I unearthed a Christmas present I forgot to give a friend.  I also have a few things to return and exchange.

Some things make me smile, like finding a good book I haven’t read yet.  Some things remind me of family that is scattered around, with that bittersweet feeling of good memories while you are missing them.  Some things make me sad.  (One of these days, I’ll actually listen to the recording of my mom’s funeral.)

Some pieces of life feel like that.  Piled up in a corner and ignored.  Then you take the time to look at them and you find missing treasures or things you can give away. There are also things I should “return”, like realizing I might be able to continue relationships with old friends I’ve been out of touch with if I returned their last call/email/visit.  Today I was also “exchanging” my Doritos for celery, carrots and pretzel chips.

Also like life, I still have some “stray” stuff that I don’t know exactly what to do with.  Where do I put the exercise manual that came with my “air ball” chair so that I’ll actually use it?  (Why can’t they just print them on the ball????)  At some point, I’ll talk about the “one-use items”, like the grapefruit “tool”, but that’s for another day. ❤

Sidebar story on why I’m on Got-Junk’s email.  A few years ago we lived in a 1-bedroom apartment with a patio that was in the direct sunlight.  My husband bought an awning “tent” in the spring to use in the summer.  Then the 2-bedroom was available and that patio was shaded.  The awning box lay on the ground for about 2 years, and chipmunks moved in.  I decided to drop the money on Got-Junk, rather than risk a possible crazy chipmunk incident.  😛