unpacking can be avoided no longer

All summer I kept telling myself that I would finish unpacking when it got cold. When it made more sense to be indoors all day/night. When it wasn't 98* inside the house anymore.


Even though its been chilly up here for a while I still somehow found a way to put it off a bit longer. It's called looking for a new job and starting a new job. And then looking for a new job and starting a new job, again... a month later.


A buddy visited not too long ago and encouraged me to finish unpacking. She is right. I hatched a plan today and even made a few illustrations. I have the next 5 steps or so planned out, mostly geared around getting rid of some stuff I know needs to go to create more space for sorting everything else. I am really ready to let go of a bunch of stuff that I have been holding onto, it more ways than one.


It will also be great to dedicate my studio to making art, instead of using as an enormous closet. I might even have a dedication ceremony. Yes. I will. With yarn decorations.


So I just unpacked a trunk that was a high school graduation present from my uncle and aunt. It has lived everywhere I have since I was 18 and frequently been used as a coffee table. 
One of the first things I found? 
A box of raisins. 
From Price Chopper. 
Price Chopper. 
This is a store I shopped at in upstate NY...in 2004. So yeah. Some of these babies have been packed up for a while.


Other various contents of the trunk:
silk screened art I made in 2001, just before 9/11
socks from the last time I visited Troy and went bowling, the socks say "BOWLING ROCKS!" 
It does.
corduroy curtains
a duvet for a comforter I no longer own
scarves, of course
assorted magazine clippings, mostly photos from National Gepgraphic
a measuring cup and an off-set spatula
weird socks, including several pairs of toe socks


I am proud to tell you that I now have a trash bag full of stuff. And that I have moved the items I am saving for the time being to the appropriate places; the kitchen and my studio.


I am determined to keep the momentum going, despite being quite overwhelmed by such a daunting task. I am going to try and work on it little by little, every day until it's done. Sort of like a diet. I am putting my junk on a diet.

I plan on using music, cookies and beer to keep me motivated. So no diet for me!