Hoarders

Whenever I live through a week like last week, I can’t help but wonder what is in store for the rest of the year.

My husband was off work for the week between Christmas and New Years. We opted to stay at home for the week to get things done around the house. I haven’t worked so hard in months.

We were up in the attic having one of those throw-it-away days. My husband dared me to cast out my high school trophies. I agreed, if he would toss the dart board that he had in college. It is so riddled with holes that I doubt if a dart thrown today could find a place to stick.

I didn’t want him to know that I usually don’t get started on anything that requires any physical labor until the second or third week of January. Putting up the holiday decorations, cooking, wrapping presents, family gatherings and keeping the house straight can zap a person. After Christmas, I try to rest until after the New Year.

“Surely this old Monopoly junk can go,” he said.

“Don’t you think every household should keep their old Monopoly game?” I asked. “What if we needed extra game pieces? Didn’t we play it once downstairs and the bank needed extra cash?”

We talked of going downstairs. The Christmas decorations could be taken down. He mentioned when I put away the decorations, try not to throw them around. Then our attic will be in some sort of order.

He wondered why we still have a stack of eight-track tapes. Probably for the same reason we have a Charlie’s Angels poster still in the corner. I thought. Over on a shelf is a stuffed bear that he won for me at the Indiana State Fair. It was never mentioned getting tossed. We did have a ghastly eagle throw and a box of sweaters that is too small to cover half my stomach.

This “stay at home for a week” has been busy. Three of the five days we never left the house. I need another week just to recuperate. Oh, and next year, the week between Christmas and New Year, we will have something planned.

Nancee Harrison is a past columnist for the Greene County Daily World. Visit www.blondeladywithdarkroots.com or email her at blondeladywithdarkroots@gmail.com or send comments to Nancee, Daily World, box 129 Linton IN 47441.