There is a star on President Obama’s head. If I lean a little to the right, I can see the purple ball earring he is sporting.
I’m sitting on my couch watching the Presidential News Conference on television. The way the light hits my TV screen, I see the reflection of my living room. And in that living room? My Christmas tree. Yes, folks, it is July 11th and I STILL have my Christmas tree up.
It’s not entirely because I’m lazy. I have been known to work extremely hard (well, sometimes…). Besides, it’s not like it’s the kind of Christmas tree full of Santas and gingerbread men. It is a small, color-coordinated piece that matches my living room quite well, and blends with the décor. I didn’t even WANT a Christmas tree (even a 3’ one). I only put it up on Christmas Eve day because my parents were coming and my son was going to be home. I felt an obligation to participate in the festivities for their sake.
It wasn’t always this way. I used to decorate my house from stem to stern (including 3 different trees), prep elaborate dinners and parties, and wrap gifts as if they were being entered into a contest. Since my divorce however, and as I get older in general, I’ve become quite a Scrooge about the whole holiday. But I digress…..
So what’s the holdup? Well…..to put the tree away, I’d have to go down into my basement. First I’d have to try not to KILL myself tripping over the junk I’ve piled on the stairway leading to the basement. On rare occasion, I will open the door to the basement (a door that is always locked) and put something on the steps so that I don’t have to go all the way down INTO the basement. (That kind of makes it sound like my basement is miles away. “Make sure your canteens are full, your bladders are empty, and then mount your donkeys folks… we’re going to – THE BASEMENT.”)
Dun-dun-dun-DAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH…..
Seriously, it’s a mess. More of a mess than my upstairs space is (and that’s saying something). I’ve realized that almost everything in the basement is left over from my “former life”. There’s nothing down there that I use regularly (except the Christmas tree). The door is opened only when it absolutely has to be. It’s a bit like a dank, dusty, mildewed shrine to what used to be.
It has become apparent to me that shoving (and keeping) all that stuff down there (both literally and figuratively) is preventing me from doing what needs to be done in the present. It’s not the tree I need to get rid of; it’s the crap in the “basement”.
Oh, look at that. Obama has a pinecone in his nose.
Just wanted you to know that my cousin actually has “Christmas in July” at her beach house in RI where she gives away cheap and silly gifts….so you could actually use your tree for your Christmas in July and give away some of your basement stuff!!! Or you can bring some of it over to sell in our Tag Sale on Saturday, although it is probably easier to have a Tag Sale at your house. I really enjoyed this very timely blog since I have a similar issue with the far, far, away basement and am tackling my own organizational projects. So, I will ask you the question that helped my roommate and I get unstuck, and you have to answer it honestly with the first thing that comes to your mind and let yourself feel any feelings it brings up: What happens when the “crap” is gone and the basement is clean? Then you will be ready to go to clutter diet.com like I did for the best way to get the job done.
Happy Basement Crap and Writers Block Removal Day!!!!!! Love ya, Sweetie!!!!!!
What happens when the “crap” is gone and it’s clean? I have to let go of my past and move on. Figuratively and literally. Been needing to move for a while, but the overwhelming mess conveniently keeps me stuck. Now where did I leave those BIG GIRL pants?
Thanks for the comment. xo
Gee Michelle, How come it always comes down to those big girl pants? Are they in the basement? I think you just need a little dose of me to get you unstuck. You know me I don’t usually get stuck. I just keep going and therefore don’t have time to stop and take the pants off. Laura P.
Laura,
You’re right. My Big Girl Pants must be in the basement. I truly admire the way you face your challenges (the word “challenges” is putting it lightly) head on. I’m working up to that way of being. If I look back, I realize I have come a long way in some regards, but believe me (as you can see), I’m Kicking and Screaming my way through this process. Fall down, get up…..fall down, get up……
I think Jim C. gave up on me a long time ago…..
I admire you as well. You do it with much more humor. I on the other hand rely solely on sarcasm. This is not always good because some people just don’t get it. But as you have found out humor sometimes is all that gets you through the day. If you can’t laugh at it you cry and being in a big puddle all day is a little messy. Glad to see you are doing what you love and what people love about you. I look forward to many more postings.
I’m glad to see you back at it again. I miss “hearing” your voice. You’ve made so many incredible strides in the last year, with more on the way….That old junk doesn’t stand a chance!!! Keep up the good work.
“Make sure your Martini glass is full, your bladder is empty, pull on the BIG GIRL pants, and mount the donkey” because you are moving on to bigger and better things!!!!!! And we will be right behind you with our pom poms cheering you on every step of the way!!!!!! Can’t wait to see you enjoying your fabulous new life!!!!!!
Ok, we took our “Decorative Christmas Tree” down when the Easter Bunny came and Christ arose from the dead. Oh, my, now that’s funny. Ok, please…let me clarify. Christ did not rise from the dead because we took down our Christmas tree!
Moving on…I notified Chunky Monkey of your return.
Signed,
“Yur Thespian at Large”