That's the number of Sharpies I have unpacked (so far). Don't let the roundish number fool you. All but 8 and 12 of those came in packs of two or three or even one at a time. I have every color of the rainbow and then some, every size and shape the fine people at Sharpie make, from tiny, thin lines to giant thick ones, including Sharpies that hang from your key chain.
When I was packing, sorting, selling stuff, many sources, including my world-traveling sister, told me only to pack those things I wouldn't miss if my container fell off into the ocean. And I dutifully sent most of our memorabilia home to our parents' houses. And then I pared down A LOT, and I thought I was only bringing the most necessary things with me. And I DID do a pretty good job, overall. I brought art supplies they don't have here, enough activity books to keep the boys entertained in church and restaurants until they're 12 and 14, toys they have played with non-stop since they arrived, books we are so happy to be reading, and lots of other things I have sorely missed.
But 70 Sharpies??
I do use Sharpies, almost daily, because I am a labeling fiend, I have small boys who can't seem to keep track of all the clothes they are wearing, and I buy cheap shoes (Sharpie-ing those bad boys up can make them last for YEARS, I tell you). And they probably do sell Sharpies here, though I haven't seen them, and, if they do, I bet they cost much more than I have ever paid or want to pay. However, if those Sharpies had fallen into the ocean, I wouldn't have missed them. Or a bucket of counting bears. Or seven blank notebooks. Or an old flip cell phone. Or a giant Canadian flag.
You know what I was happiest to unpack? Two rolls of Quilted Northern toilet paper and a box and a half of Puff Plus Lotion kleenex that I had forgotten were under the sink in one of my old bathrooms. I practically shouted with glee when I uncovered those! Who'd a thunk it?
So now I have a new goal, in keeping with my new home: keep purging, until I'm down to what we could take on the airplane with us without paying excess baggage fees. This means a few more loads to take with us when we visit the States and a massive garage sale/friend donation when we leave or move to a new house, whenever that is. It means donating all my now empty boxes to women at my church group, some of whom are moving themselves shortly. And it means not buying very much new stuff, which is easier than it has ever been with the prices here.
Which leads me to goal number two: replace things with experiences. You know what doesn't take up any space in a suitcase? Visits to castles and and a boat trip up the Rhine! And both are on order for our upcoming trip to Germany. It's going to be great!
I think it's going to take some time for us to really make this switch, but after all this sorting and packing and unpacking and re-sorting, I am ready to be done with the STUFF!
Who's with me?!
When I was packing, sorting, selling stuff, many sources, including my world-traveling sister, told me only to pack those things I wouldn't miss if my container fell off into the ocean. And I dutifully sent most of our memorabilia home to our parents' houses. And then I pared down A LOT, and I thought I was only bringing the most necessary things with me. And I DID do a pretty good job, overall. I brought art supplies they don't have here, enough activity books to keep the boys entertained in church and restaurants until they're 12 and 14, toys they have played with non-stop since they arrived, books we are so happy to be reading, and lots of other things I have sorely missed.
But 70 Sharpies??
I do use Sharpies, almost daily, because I am a labeling fiend, I have small boys who can't seem to keep track of all the clothes they are wearing, and I buy cheap shoes (Sharpie-ing those bad boys up can make them last for YEARS, I tell you). And they probably do sell Sharpies here, though I haven't seen them, and, if they do, I bet they cost much more than I have ever paid or want to pay. However, if those Sharpies had fallen into the ocean, I wouldn't have missed them. Or a bucket of counting bears. Or seven blank notebooks. Or an old flip cell phone. Or a giant Canadian flag.
You know what I was happiest to unpack? Two rolls of Quilted Northern toilet paper and a box and a half of Puff Plus Lotion kleenex that I had forgotten were under the sink in one of my old bathrooms. I practically shouted with glee when I uncovered those! Who'd a thunk it?
So now I have a new goal, in keeping with my new home: keep purging, until I'm down to what we could take on the airplane with us without paying excess baggage fees. This means a few more loads to take with us when we visit the States and a massive garage sale/friend donation when we leave or move to a new house, whenever that is. It means donating all my now empty boxes to women at my church group, some of whom are moving themselves shortly. And it means not buying very much new stuff, which is easier than it has ever been with the prices here.
Which leads me to goal number two: replace things with experiences. You know what doesn't take up any space in a suitcase? Visits to castles and and a boat trip up the Rhine! And both are on order for our upcoming trip to Germany. It's going to be great!
I think it's going to take some time for us to really make this switch, but after all this sorting and packing and unpacking and re-sorting, I am ready to be done with the STUFF!
Who's with me?!
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