Someone Else's Nostalgia

Someone Else's Nostalgia
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

It's not my stuff! Not exactly.

Found when I dropped off the shoes yesterday: a box of photos for sale at the Housing Works Thrift store. It looks like family photos of someone about my age. Weddings, family trips, the Macy's parade (photos of balloons, Superman from an office building maybe 20 stories up...) even a few truly old photos.

How did this box get to Housing Works? Left behind after a break-up or hasty move? Estrangement? Did someone die?

A couple of blurry, faded, off center photos of Disney characters on parade look exactly like photos I took when I was 9 or 10. (Yes, I have them in a box here somewhere.)

This looks enough like my own stuff that it steeled my resolve to do something during the course of this project involving my old photos, a scanner and a shredder.

(And, sigh, I bought 8 photos. Shots from a road trip...small black and white photos with white borders. No people -- cars, city scenes, and hotel swimming pools that seemed notable in August of '66, I'm guessing to one of the boys visible in the box of photos.  I thought they might be useful.)

Argghh old coupons

Argghh old coupons
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

Found some old coupons that expired in 2008. Ugh and aarrgghh. While it counts as a thing, I refuse to keep them until tomorrow. I'm working on my FlyLady hotspots. so it was out of sight, out of mind!
Destination: Recycle bin

Who says they don't come with instructions (it's a Three-for)

Who says babies don't come with instructions!?  Our kids did. I decided the warranty is up on them, so I'm getting rid of the manual.  I couldn't stop at just one item today, but I kept it themed to baby stuff.

What: Book "Your Baby's First Year" Unopened, a sensor thingy from the hospital for the baby, and a freebie diaper bag.
Origin: Book - Pediatrician, Sensor thingy & diaper bag - Hospital

How long: Book 2005; Sensor thingy; diaper bag October

Why kept:  Book - Might need it. Sensor thingy - I just emptied the bag it was in.  Diaper bag - I might need it.

Destination: Book & Diaper bag- Freecycle, Sensor thingy - sadly, the trash

When we went to our first newborn appointment, the doctors gave us this book. I may have used it once or twice. When my 2nd was born, we received another one. Should I have freecycled BOTH? Yes, but I might need it LOL. I have no idea why the sensor thingy was in the bag, but I'm not going to need it. The diaper bag came with freebies inside of it which I have put in the diaper bag (one of the many, ARGH) or recycled them.

Aahhh, a square foot of counter space reclaimed

What: Two glass decorative jars
Origin: Christmas gift (one was an additional one that my partner at work gave me after he consumed what was inside -- I can't remember what was inside of it though)
When: Christmas 2008
Last used: 2008
Why kept: It might be useful

Destination: Freecycle pick up! WOOT

Confession: The three chocolates from yesterday were inside one of the jars. (blushing)

What Makes Something "Vintage"?

What:   A brand new baby gap fleece shirt, 12-18 months.

Origin:   Newport Mall, 1996?  and then my front hall closet.
Last Used:   Never, although there used to be a small pinchy teddy bear in the box, which I believe I pulled out and gifted at some point.
Why kept:   The occasion for the original gift passed; I saw the child's dad the other day, and his son is now almost a teenager.   It lived on a top shelf in my closet, way above my line of sight, resurfacing during occasional purges.   (It Might Be Useful.)  With all of the nephews I have, you'da thunk I could have released this sooner.   But I never would have found it without this project!  (I Forgot That I Had It.)
Destination:  "M", for the Little Boy.

Confession:  This one's a twofer, because I'm mailing it an Amazon box I had in the closet.

I love chocolate, but....

What: Three pieces of chocolate candy

Origin: Christmas stocking

When: Christmas 2008

Last used: I ate some, probably in February

Why kept: I might eat it... except this past year I had gestational diabetes. It wasn't worth the carbs.

Destination: garbage

Confession:

I felt guilt on several levels. Firstly, it's chocolate. I love chocolate. I hate to waste chocolate. If it was dark chocolate, I might have scarfed it down even though it was a year old and probably very stale (thank goodness it wasn't dark chocolate!) . Secondly, I tossed it.. in the garbage. I didn't compost it and I couldn't give it away. Thirdly, it seemed lame but I did need to get rid of something and I was never going to eat them!

Exiting Today, In NYC

What:   Small can of Chipotle peppers
Origin:  Grocery Store
When:  Early 2009
Last used:  Never
Why kept:   I might need it
Destination:   Food shelf donation basket in the lobby of my building

Confession:  I feel a need for a grander gesture than a simple can of peppers.   I actually gave some food to the basket, more from the heart, earlier in the season.   This was more to meet today's goal.   It doesn't feel like enough.  Hmmm.

First Thing To Go

What:  A metal eco-bottle for water
Origin:  A goody bag at a benefit
Date obtained:  Spring, 2008 (?)
Last Used:  Never
Why Kept:   I might need it.  (And, out of sight, out of mind.)
Destination:  Housing Works Thrift Store, NYC

Notes:   When I described this to "M", she asked why I haven't used it.   I already have one, I said.   She asked, wouldn't a backup be good?   I guess not so much.

Confession:   I took the toy carabiner off the top and kept it.   I might need it.   (Sigh.)