By Claudia Jacobs
For the Times Herald-Record
Published: 2:00 AM - 10/24/10
What is hiding in your closet? I recently made some interesting discoveries when cleaning out mine.
While emptying a big Longaberger basket, I came across a few brand new, still-wrapped-in-plastic Barbie Happy Meal toys. My daughter is 18 and in her freshman year of college. You do the math. Not to mention how that expensive basket is just sitting in my closet when it could be on display in my house.
As thrilled as I am to say I still have a waist, I can't remember the last time I tucked in a shirt and belted. Do I need more than 50 belts? Unless I grow in height, those belts will never, ever be worn.
There is a Facebook group called "Don't be jealous but I can still wear my earrings from high school." And what a collection I have! I can't tell you the last time I wore any of them. Going through those earrings was like taking a walk down memory lane. The value in this is I now have all these "new" earrings, and I've been reintroduced to many pins. I forgot how much I loved wearing pins.
Oh, how I love shoes! As a petite woman, shoes are among the few items I can buy that do not require rolling up or alterations. As much as I love my shoes, my need for comfort is becoming more important. High heels and comfort do not walk hand in hand — or toe to toe. If the shoes kill my feet, they will be purged. I'm living on a "purge as I go" system with my footwear.
Closets are just the start
I can go on about de-clogging the closet, but that is not where it ends. Every room has a closet, and of course there are the drawers, the cabinets, basement and garage. And in some homes, including my own, there is that "room." I am in the process of redecorating the "should be a guest room," but is a "put it in the room" room. That's where you don't know where to put something you no longer want and need to get rid of, so it lands there ... and breeds when you are not paying attention and purging on a regular basis.
I remember being more organized, but something went terribly wrong over time. The clog has built up. But the unclogging process isn't all bad. Besides a few funny discoveries, you find some old things that you forgot about and can use or pass along to someone else who can enjoy it.
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Project Card One: Holiday cards for our troops
Project Card One sends holiday cards to our troops overseas. Last year, a reader named Michelle spearheaded this project through the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe.
Here is the project coordinator's thank-you letter and information on how to remember our soldiers for the holidays. Support our troops!
Dear Claudia,
We had a great turnout, and thank you again for your article on Jan. 3. We could not have reached our goal without your help! As of today we have 1,800 cards and counting. I will continue writing as long as the cards keep coming in! There is no deadline; it all depends on who will deliver the cards via plane overseas. Last year we shipped the cards last minute Christmas Eve from Stewart Air Base.
The love of this project has been so healing and inspiring with friendships made along the way such as your kindness, generosity and inspiring all the readers in such a beautiful article. - Michelle
If you saved last year's Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday cards, just cut or tear off the front half of the cards to create a postcard. You can even write your own message to a soldier on the reverse side or just leave it blank. No envelope is necessary. You can donate new cards. Send your cards to Project Card One 2010, MLO, P.O. Box 68, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925. There is a drop-off box at the Greenwood Lake Post Office to save postage.
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Claudia is decorator, professional stager and owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs, Goshen. Visit www.claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call 294-8993. Send questions and photos to claudia'scorner@th-record.com.
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