I entered middle age a few years now...okay, a little more than a few. Our daughters are 25 and 24 years old and have not lived in our home for 6 years. After they left, I cautiously redecorated their second floor bedrooms. I did the usual, donated "Lucky" brand jeans (left from 3rd grade) and stuffed animals to a local thrift store. Next, I threw away countless plastic bags from "The Gap" and other retailers. Some of them included various amounts of change, which of course I took as my housekeeping fee. Every $6.40 helps!
I slowly bought new furniture items that I liked - a futon and frame, small roll-top desk, area rugs and lamps. It was starting to resemble my new "office" which would double as a guest room when necessary. One morning as I was getting ready to leave for work, I heard (and felt) a very large boom-crash. I gingerly walked upstairs to find the dust clearing and about half of the ceiling of my new room on the floor (and everything it grazed on the way down). Ah, the joys of owning an antique house.
Along with having the ceiling repaired, we had insulation added under the roof. All of the furnishings were salvageable, and the room looks much better than when we moved in.
Now, we have a second floor which is mainly used as storage and a dust cultivation site. It's a good place to wrap Christmas presents and re-pot houseplants. We have an occasional house guest who stays for a day or more. This really upsets the dust-bunny operation, but it can't be helped.
I think that my wonderful husband and I could be happy in a 4 bedroom bungalow. Before that can happen, there are 24 years of clutter that will need to be disseminated. Some will be given away. That long-awaited yard sale will take place next Summer. Alas, some will have to make the dreaded journey to the landfill.
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