Tuesday, August 21, 2012

I'm too 50 for that...

That's been my catch phrase of 2012, ever since I qualified for the Red Hat Society on Christmas Eve.

Drama? I'm too fifty for that.
Snotty little cliques and cool tables? I'm too fifty for them too. 

Well folks, in attempting the Domino Days organizing challenge, I have added yet another item to the list.    Apparently, I'm too fifty to organize. 

It's true. Younger Debbie was a focused organizer who would fix her target and execute her plan. Vintage Debbie seems to have developed something that I call Organization Deficit Disorder, or ODD.

I'm blaming the hormones.
I always blame the hormones.

For over a week now, I've meandered from closet to closet, pulling everything out and dumping it on the floors (and beds and tables and chairs) of the nearest room. Then I would sort of stare at it helplessly, head to the next closet, and do the exact same thing. Seriously. My house looks like a scene from one of those hoarding shows.

Minus the filth and feces and dead cats.

Young Debbie never embarked on a reorganizing adventure without a plan. She used the domino theory, reorganizing her schtuff into new storage spaces as they became available.

Looking out over the first pile in the first room, however, Vintage Debbie decided that she was just too fifty to keep moving it.  

In fact, Vintage Debbie started to get a little irked that "it" was there to begin with. She got a little testy with Young Debbie for priding herself on organization that's really not organization at all.



It's storganization. 

The art of  storing and organizing schtuff which has no useful purpose.  


It took me fifty years, folks, but I finally reached my breaking point. Not only am I tired of moving it; I'm tired of storing it. I'm too fifty to keep storing it any longer.  

The problem is that I wouldn't have stored this stuff if I didn't believe that it had some sort of value, either economically or emotionally.  For that reason, I can't just toss or donate willy nilly. Instead, I need to go through every pile with a fine- toothed comb.

Now, I've never had to use a fine-toothed comb, but I'm pretty sure I get the concept. I'm pretty sure that it requires combing, and combing, and then combing some more.

Therefore, that's what I've been doing. I've been combing through the stuff I've been storing. I'm trying to use the O.D.D. to my advantage by meandering from pile to pile and back again. I'm utterly unwilling to start room reassignments until I have completed the purge of a lifetime.

That's the reason that I still don't have anything to show for it, and the reason that all my hard work has not been yakkable.  I mean, really... who wants to hear someone ramble on about her piles of schtuff?

Oops. I guess you just did. 

So what about you?  
Are you too fifty (or sixty or seventy) for something? 
Care to share what it is?



59 comments:

Sooner Laura said...

And thus the reason for my great purge and selling all my schtuff on craigslist (or donating it) lately. I'm tired of cramming it in one closet and then another. I recently came across my Jr. High and High School graduation tassles, I'm one step from tossing them in the garbage.

Sue said...

This is EXACTLY where I am too Debbie. I love the word storganization and I think I am the queen of it. I saved a lot of things because I was sure my girls would want it someday, or perhaps for my grandchildren. Well, guess what, the girls don't want much, and the grandchildren have tons of stuff which I have bought for them. {and as I have been trying to unload a few things on Craigs ~ I am realizing that no one else wants it either!} So, I have s l o w l y been going through my rooms and trying to purge. I am now doing the books and oh boy, do I ever have trouble getting rid of books!!

Thanks for putting your wonderful sense of humor and perfect words to the situation in my life too. It's definitely a vintage thing.

Christine said...

Oh, you are singing the same song I sang last year! Went from a 1800 sq. ft. home to an 800 sq. ft. Cottage. Can you say, FREEDOM?!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

Yep, that's exactly where I am right now. I actually took a break from sorting to check my blogroll, and found your post about...sorting. I think this might be a nation wide epidemic, don't you?

I am also too fifty to keep moving this stuff, so I'm going to purge, as well. Good luck, and thanks for sharing!

Denise

Knitty said...

Hubby and I aren't hoarders because we also lack the filth, feces and dead cats. Dust bunnies don't count. I prefer to think of us as nurturing foster parents to those little darlings.

My problem is that once I move from wondering why I am saving this/these thing(s) and am ready to donate, sell or toss them, hubby says "you're not getting rid of that, are you?"

Since I can't blame hormones any longer, isn't it great I have a hubby to blame?

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

You already KNOW that I'm with you on this! I keep finding myself doing the huge purge ... then sorting again ... then purging/giving away more from the next pile. It's ridiculous how much schtuff there was (is?) Gotta get back at it...

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Sigh. It just keeps getting worse. Last time I "purged" and donated to the Salvation Army on my next visit I bought BACK most of what I donated. All I need are about seven more closets, really.
(())

Debbie said...

Oh wow is there any of us 50's gals who isn't right there with you?? My purge started when we moved from the big house my kids grew up in, to the small little two bedroom we are in now, and then again when my mom moved in. And yet there is STILL too much stuff! Whatever is it all? haha....My hubby definitely wants to hold onto things longer than I do...it's a battle over here. But he turned 60 this year and it is finally kicking in for him too. BTW, I love to read blog posts on purging...gets me going! Enjoy your day!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Oh.

My.

Friend.

So there.

*sigh* Slump, slump, slump.

Barbara F. said...

Organization is such a sore point with me that I refuse to read these young women mommy blogs who talk about organizing with a two-year-old or at least three kiddies and a hubby and who work from home and who manage to have 17 of every canned product neatly on shelf in the tiny pantry in their 150 year old house while clean cooking their clean dinner and planning for a vacation while sewing their kids clothes, oh well enough ramblings! I get it Deb, I get it! xo

Maryann said...

I don't know if its a 50's thing but for us the "purging" began after we had to clean out some relatives homes after they had passed...the stuff people keep! Then i had to do some real looking around my own house...not much better...just different useless stuff. We had an impromptu purge the other day when young son was helping unload the dishwasher, by the time we were done half the dishes were gone and things actually fit in the cabinet and it felt wonderful! i need to do so much more though...good luck on your purging efforts

Creations By Cindy said...

LOVE this post today! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Ann said...

This is why I miss the moving vans. They used to come every 2-3 years.It was a forced whole house clean up and toss.

They haven't come in 12 years and I am overwhelmed. Just as I think I have a handle on things, I come across a box of stuff and wonder why it's been kept. Then I find more.

It's never ending and I sure don't want to leave it all for my kids to deal with!

Thanks again Debbie for an eye opening post...and welcome to the club.

Cheers!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

You are a blogging friend who is good for my heart! I am always either smiling, laughing or challenged in spiritual ways when I visit you. Today it's just a big ole hoot!!! :) And today, it's exactly what i needed! Don't quit now, it only gets worse after 60...

Denise said...

As you well know, dear sister, I'm to 50 for all my stuff, too! However, you are way ahead of me because you're pulling it all out. I keep wandering from spot to spot "thinking" about how to handle this purge. I wish we could move to a smaller place and embark upon a giant purge. You have inspired me to begin once again and just have empty drawers and shelves. Thanks!!!

Shanee said...

I don't think it is a 50's thing....I think it is A HORMONE THING. I have to believe that or I would have to admit to being nuts most days! Kudos to you for dragging it out. I just keep making mental lists of places that need organization or purging and I organize them mentally at night...by morning all that organizing energy has passed! Good luck and thanks for the smiles today.

Loree said...

Well I'm only 43 but I am sick and tired of all our schtuff!
Kids clothes Yuck!!!! They grow out of them so fast. I am tired of having too many clothes for too little space. My daughter and I are going to do come major clean out when I get home this afternoon.

Noelle the dreamer said...

It would appear this is hardly a problem for those of us who moved many times throughout married life! I will admit though that since we have NOT moved in 10 years, there are a few things which garter dust here and there...Books never counts and I remained speechless when I saw your bookcase (singular?). To part with a single one hurts!
Major cleaning is something I would call seasonal...with organization the object but somehow I always hear 'Where did you put this now?'...
But if hormones are to be blamed for anything, ex-RAF hubby would say 'moving furniture/cupboard contents' might explain constant changes here...
As I said, 'where did you put this now?' is very normal here!
Blessings,

hidden art of homemaking said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I LOVE this post...if I wasn't laughing so hard, I would be crying because this so absolutely, positively describes my life RIGHT NOW!! and I am almost 60..next year...just did a big purge of sewing room and dining room but hutch is still loaded with stuff that needs...something...
love, love, love this post...you certainly have a way with words..
happy sorting...Mona

Alycia Nichols said...

Preach it, sister! I am in agreement with it all!!!!!! With me at 54 it's both a hormone thing AND a shoulder and back thing. I could make it past all the hormonal crap, but my body hurts so bad that I'm just not able to keep up anymore!!! I hate that! Young Alycia was a go-getter from sun up to sundown! Now I can barely GET UP if I get down! :-) It's awful!!! I miss the old me! I'm too young for this!!! I used to organize stuff just for fun. Not anymore! Now it seems like a death sentence! I pity whoever has to sift through all of my belongings (the endless sets of dishware, the countless decorative accessories, etc) after I'm gone. Whoever it is, I hope their hormones are on balance and their body is right! :-) Hang in there, gal!

Angel said...

My dear Debbie, you are the funniest "vintage" person I've never met!

I totally get it. I have begun some purging of my own and I have a long way to go. By the time I finish, I hope to feel 10 years younger!

Chatty Crone said...

I am in such a different place then you. I am way too old to have all this stuff - but I still have kids living here and they want their stuff. My husband has model plane stuff - the whole basement is filled - my house is filled - except for my own personal stuff and then it is very light.

Lol did you get that?
sandie

Vee said...

I don't know, my friend, but that storganization looks good to me. Do you use it all? If you do, what's wrong? If you don't...another story altogether. I so need to hit the closets. I find so much that can just get tossed. What am I too fifty for? Now that's a good question. Better figure it out before I get too sixty for ...

Debbiedoos said...

Geez Debbie, you stole my line. I blame everything on my hormones too! Tomorrow my boys go back to school and I will be in full swing organization mode!~

corners of my life said...

I am totally stealing that line with a little change . . .
I'm too sixty for that.

FrouFrouBritches said...

I am too 40ish to care about the growing pile of school paperwork and mail in my kitchen. No that's not true. I'm just too 40ish to do anything about it. There just aren't enough hours in the day, ya know?

I desperately need to purge, but I've decided it's not that I'm lazy. It's that I'm too financially challenged to replace it if I need it at a later date. What if I lose a bunch of weight (yeah, right!) and I need those size 7 Girbaud jeans I wore in college. Ya know?

Gina said...

When I turn 50, I wonder if I'll be too 50 for that & have a purge of a lifetime like you are having? I've got some years to go before the big 5-0, but at the rate that I keep bringing stuff into this house, I'm going to be purging from 50 to 60!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Girlfriend you could yakk about anything! I am so going to purge this house after THE WEDDING, I feel like I have to much stuff and can't stand it!!! I hope I can purge! I don't seem to get as much done anymore, but since I quit working I love that I can think about that tomorrow.........Sign me


Scarlett AKA Carol

Jennie said...

This is a scary glimpse into my life twenty years from now if I don't start purging a little along... Love "storganization" (not the act of it, but the word)! I'm on my way to hoarder status by 40...you are inspiring me to toss and sort!!!!

Lynn said...

I'm with you! I've been scaling back for a couple years now, didn't realize I should have waited until this year:@)

The French Hutch said...

Hi Debbie, I've been there done that with nothing to show for my effort! Just reorganized all the stuff and put it back. I need to move on this too, but just haven't had the time. It's good to know I'm not the only one!

~Emily
The French Hutch

Always Nesting said...

Ha ha I love this post! Yep, I have "stuff" but since we've moved so many times, I tend to purge with each move.

I did find a pair of roller blades last week that Steve just had to buy, wore once, fell hard on his behind while being dragged behind our running dog (back when she could run) and they've been sitting in this garage for about 5 years. Of course when I mentioned donating them Steve got a tad bit "testy" so I think they will live in our garage till we move again.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Vintage Joni enjoyed your yakking today! You crack me up, you have such a way with words, and such a funny way of looking at things. I think I have O.D.D. Vintage Joni has a hard time getting excited about doing the dishes everyday! Joni

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Storganization is the exact word for what I am doing. And yet I've realized that all the stuff has absolutely no meaning so why do I keep storing and holding on to it? The problem is, getting through it all is a monumental task. My plan was to do a lot of purging and organizing over the summer, but my procrastination won over and I got very little done. I think I definitely need to start with baby steps. I'm tired of all the stuff that is just sitting doing nothing but taking up space. Good luck with the process. Best wishes, Tammy (P.S. my husband blames everything on my hormones. Ha!)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I have the same problem...just staring at the stuff...It must be the 50s:)

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I hear ya! You should see my attic!


Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm pretty sure that I am there.

Mevely317 said...

O.D.D. ... I like it! Ohhh, I've learned a lesson or two (or six) about purging. :(((

Meanwhile, must check to see if O.D.D. is covered under our group insurance!

Herballistic Garden said...

I'm with Barbara F.'s comment! I'm too fifty as well and am heartened to see so many others the same! xo wendy

Kathleen said...

I'm feeling your pain. We keep talking and going round and round the benefits of downsizing and there are many. If it only it wasn't such a mammoth task to sort through 25 years of accumulated clutter I might at this minute have a For Sale sign in the front garden. I'm just too 50+ to get stuck in and put my house in order! I need to work through this stage and move onward and down(size)ward!

Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) said...

Does it count if you clean something out of the cupboard to do a tablescape? Of course then you need to find somewhere to put the dishes from the previous weeks table. I am so with you on the storganization.

Unknown said...

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have used your phrase, "I'm too 50 for that." It is an empowering statement and I usually top it off with a wave of my hand. Kinda I use it mostly with my husband. It makes him smile when I get fiesty. Like I said, very empowering...
xo
lynn

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Debbie,
LOVE your post.
I'm a collector/hoarder(with a small'h'...it's not a serious addiction)
OK..I'm too 70 for all this sorting out and emptying of cupboards etc... I've done this and found if I emptied a space.. I filled it again.
SO I made a rule..actually two rules..
1 shelves and storage must look tidy at all times
2 if I fall in love with something and bring it home SOMETHING has to leave the house to make room for it.
That's my solution to my storganization problems......works for me!
Have a good week
Barb from Australia

Mary said...

I love Vintage Debbie! I didn't know I could blame 50 for that :) I used to be so organized...*sigh*

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Debbie, just wait until you get "too 60"! I wish I had done the purging when I was too 50. Now,I've reached a point where nothing else will fit into my house, and I know I need to purge. (I did get rid of a sugar and creamer this week, does that count?). You are so good at diving in there and getting it done. I sit back and think and worry about it and do nothing. Maybe your purge will inspire me, but I'm afraid at 63, there just isn't much hope. Do it now while you still can! laurie

bj said...

It must be the time of the year. I am doing exactly the very same thing. I have one spare bedroom that looks like a bomb went off in there. I've pulled everything out of the floor in the closet, piled it all over the room, hauled 2 SUV fulls to the thrift store, more to do tomorrow. It's just plain pathetic...I have got to get a hold of my 74 yr old self and get things in gear. I would LOVE to have it all done by Thanksgiving...a good goal to shoot for.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Well I am almost the 50th comment...close.

So now I have a name for what I have been doing since turning 50...and yes I am just a hair ahead of you on that one...I too, am too fifty for a lot of things...funny how things change.

I am enjoying finding out "who" I am again....I think I am going to find a whole new girl inside of this 51 year old...and will probably be saying..."well I use to be that way"...more often than not

Yea!! for 50's and freedom to enjoy life in a new way...for some of us...with a little less stuff

Renée said...

I'm "enduring to the end!" I want it clean and looking good. My kids call it organized hording, but I'm always glad I have it so I can share it with a friend or use it for a party. My garage is full of organized shelves, the closets are packed and I'm just tired!

A couple of enduring tips, B12 under your tongue each morning and Schiff Melatonin each night. Seems to help my much older mind remember where all the sifted and stored stuff is.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

We do a big purge once a year and have gotten rid of lots of things. I'm the ruthless one! I can let go of just about anything (got rid of all my Mary Englebreit Magazines except and first and last issue last year). See :) My husband and daughter on the other hand are totally opposite. They will go through the pile of donation stuff and pull things out. I always tell my daughter she has hoarder tendencies. She doesn't like to get rid of anything!

Tanna said...

Girl, you started me on this venture too!!!! I have restricted myself from the computer and have been EMPTYING every closet, pantry and my HORRID over-stuffed, catch-all laundry room and PURGING!! I've gotten off track the past two weeks... and had a special reason to get on the computer today, but I have to force myself BACK TO THE PURGE!! LOL! Keep 'em coming!! You are my team leader! xoxo ~ t.
ps I love the Walmart lady story... ouch.

Canadagirl said...

Oh how I can relate to this post, ((sigh)). I have to REALLY purge and you are such a inspiration my sweet friend, thank you. I will try to really purge after I come back from my trip to the coast. I miss you and wanted to come and say Hi and ((HUGS)). I hope to really be back and blogging after my trip. I am really starting to feel refreshed now. The Lord has been doing a lot of healing in my heart and guiding my steps,PTL.

Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary

Vee said...

♥ Hi, where'ya been? Hope that all is well...

bj said...

You do have the most adorable sense of humor.
I, too, have been hauling stuff to Goodwill and trying like mad NOT to bring anything from there back home with me. ;)

I read WalMart Lady...it was such a great post, Debbie. I try so hard not to judge but find that I do it waaay too much.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Hi Vintage Debbie! I miss you! I hope all is well and your break time from blog world is only temporary. It's bloggers like you that have kept me going. I always gain so much from your posts especially those Sunday ones. Hugs!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

You are missed, my friend.

Gentle Heart Homestead said...

Hi Debbie, just wondering if you are okay?!
You've kind of disappeared on us :-(
In case you need it..I'm praying that everything is alright with you and your loved ones!
Take care.
blessings..Trish

Sue said...

I'm just checking in too.

Just missing my Debbie visits.

Hope all is well in debbieland :-)

Anonymous said...

I agree with you!
I'll start looking through the storganized stuff, but then I'll look faster and faster and faster and then, just start purging.
Too much stuff. Don't need it. Love to get rid of it, donate, whatever.
Just joined freecycle. Now the thing will be to donate, not collect!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I have missed you sooooooo much. I couldn't leave a message on the previous post, but I got to tell you, I cried. You are the best, my sister in the Lord, the very best. You always bless me. Now, I hope you are blessed in return. Happy Fall to Y'all...

Love you...

XO,

Sheila

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