Getting Back to the Basics

Many stories from my childhood still linger in the scrapbook of my head. (What a corny line, no?) One of those comes from sixth grade. It happens that I had a very limited wardrobe at that time of my life. I remember one day walking up the stairs of the elementary school to return to the classroom and a mean girl asked me in a condescending voice, "Don't you have any other pants than those three pairs you always wear?" I don't recall feeling embarrassed, but I do recall simply replying, "No. I don't."

My parents raised five children on an Air Force salary. My mom chose to stay home with us from the moment she had her first child. Having five kids meant a lot of milk and a lot of bread each week. The latest clothing and the newest Hasbro Brother's game didn't always take priority. But, my mom always had plenty of love, an unending supply of creativity, and a knack for making us feel important. That mean girl's question does not haunt me as a childhood moment that turned me into a woman with tormented memories of a needy history. It simply reminds me that I don't need "it all"--whatever "it all" is at the moment--to have a peaceful life.

Thanks to my childhood--and to the way my parents instructed me during that time of life--I don't always have to have the latest--the newest--the "best." Oh, there are things I still want! For about 10 years I've visited kitchen stores to gawk at the red KitchenAid stand-mixer. My mouth salivates when I gaze upon the beautiful, fluffy comoforter sets that would fit my bedroom perfectly. And, yes, I still battle with envious thoughts when I see people walking around with iPods knowing that I still have a bulky CD player. Yes, I still dream! Do I suffer? No.

I join the call made by my friend, Erin. Dare to use those packages of spaghetti you have stockpiled! Take a plunge and throw out--or donate--some of those items you have in the back of a dark, cobweb filled closet for "just-in-case" moments. We Americans seem to want space...lots of space. And, then when we get it, we fill it up with all kinds of unnecessary things! (But, I might use it one day!!!) I admit, I save the tops from the 20 liter water jugs we buy for drinking water. They make great bisquit cutters! But, do I really need 15 biscuit cutters? I started saving some things because I just knew that I could do some cool projects with my kids one day. I'm not even a mom yet! (I've since discarded the majority!) Oh, the stuff we keep.

One thing that has helped me tremendously is that I have been on the move constantly since I started college. A new dorm room each year...three or so apartment rooms during grad school. Two apartments after receiving the degree. A house in Mexico for two years. Two more apartments during 1 1/2 years of seminary. Another house in Mexico for about 6 months. Another apartment for a year in Mexico City. And, finally, a house in the State of Mexico where I live now. I marked 2 years in this one in October 2006, just a month ago. For all of those moves, I have consistently revised my possessions getting rid of various things. My clutter-cut tip? If you don't want to move as much as I do, every couple of years, at least pretend like you're moving. You'll get rid of things you have stored in the lost zone. I guarantee it!

Well, that's my take on the subject! I write all of that a few days after receiving some boxes from the USA filled with Jiffy Corn Bread mix, Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate mix, corn meal, English breakfast tea, magazines in English, Diet Dr. Pepper and lots of things to hoarde in my cupboards. With that said, I think I'll go heat up some water and indulge in a nice hot tea while I organize my clutter.