Ski bum, Parts III, IV, & V

2/28/10 Downhill skis, poles, & boots, returned to Katie; Cross-country boots, returned to Mom; Three pairs of useless cross-country boots, trashed

I closed out February with a triple downsize and, more importantly, had a great day because of downsizing. Here's how:

Earlier in the week, we talked with my parents and sister about driving over to visit them this weekend, since they are always chomping at the bit to see Chase. However, the double-whammy of infant-induced exhaustion and nonstop rainy/snowy weather prevented a Saturday trip and nearly scared us off a drive over there today.

However, yesterday's ski give-away made me eager to return Katie's skis to her, which we borrowed seven years ago for Joanna to use. (Katie hasn't been much of a skier recently, which I hope is not due to the fact that we've had her skis for over half a decade.) In the process of organizing her stuff, I discovered that I also had some of Mom's cross-country ski boots.

Side note: I also found three completely worthless pairs of cross-country boots, which I trashed. Three months ago I would have considered that today's downsize and intentionally left the others for future days, but I'm all about unloading stuff rapidly now. Yee-haw!

Right or wrong, I have to admit that without the downsize of those ski items in the back of my mind, I don't think I would have motivated to drive to Winthrop today. But the silly ski-delivery mission tipped my hand, and we headed over.

And, what a great little trip we had. We got caught up on the latest news, shared time with family, had a delicious lunch, and even went for a refreshing walk (which Chase slept through, but the fresh air did him good, nonetheless). Oh, and we took pictures; lots of pictures.

I shouldn't have needed the downsizing push to get us over to Winthrop, but without it we probably wouldn't have spent the afternoon with family, and that would have been a loss.

With our move to Denver looming ever closer, these impromptu family gatherings are certainly numbered. I thank the Downsizing Challenge for helping today's to happen.

Ski bum, Part II

Editor's Note: I'm considering this earlier ski downsize, "Ski bum, Part I"

2/27/10 Two pairs of cross-country skis, two pairs of ski boots, and one set of poles, given away on craigslist

With the Vancouver Winter Olympics drawing to a close and New England in the middle of a bizarre multi-day rain/sleet/snow storm, I figured it was time for some winter sport downsizing.

Several years ago, after complaining to a colleague about my old cross country skate-skis, which I've had since high school, I was given two more pair of equally-old skate skis. And, predictably, I not only accepted the gift, but thought of it as a huge stroke of luck. In the intervening years, I believe I have used these two pairs of skis a grand total of twice, possibly three times. The other thousand days or so they have been stashed in the rafters of my shed.

Time to say goodbye.

Without a planned downsize for today, I decided to try my latest trick, which is to put up something on craigslist with a deadline. This, Dear Readers, is advice to heed. I posted the skis this morning with the note that priority would be given to anyone who could pick them up by today or tomorrow. Within a few hours, I had several people all willing to come ASAP. Ask any reporter: deadlines are motivational.

The skis, appropriately yet coincidentally, went to a family from my school district who plan to use them for some quality mother/daughter time. Ah, clearly a better use than clogging up my shed!

The downsizing lesson is to be careful what we acquire in the first place. I had no need for the skis, nor did I really want them, but when presented with an opportunity to get something for FREE, our minds tend to short circuit a bit.

I need to rewire mine so I don't end up with such clutter in the first place.

Boxed in

2/26/10 Giant pile of boxes, recycled

Here's a little irony:

I began eBay-ing as one way to downsize. In order to mail off my eBay sales, I started to collect empty boxes.

And boxes.

And boxes.

Suddenly, a corner of my troublesome basement has become my own personal Tower of Babel, made entirely of empty boxes. Which -- second irony alert -- toppled as I took the picture!

In short: my downsizing was an excuse to hoard. See a problem?

I can't explain how hard it was for me to break down those boxes this evening. My blood coursed with fear: what if I make an eBay sale tomorrow -- even though I don't have anything for sale on eBay -- and I don't have the perfect box? Calamity shall ensue.

Suddenly I'm desperately hoping NOT to sell anything on eBay. Does this really count as downsizing progress?

I'd show you...but then I'd have to kill you.

2/25/10 Binder full of highly classified documents, returned

Some teachers see a snow day as a day of rest and relaxation. Me? I turn into an absolute Project Machine whenever we have an unexpected day off. A strange snow/ice/rain storm is currently pelting us with every type of precipitation known to man, and school, as a result, was cancelled today.

In addition to spending a bit of quality time with my beloved wife and doing some fatherly care-taking as Joanna ran out for groceries, I also tackled several items on my house to-do list. Besides molding installation and sink repairs, I also began to get my taxes in order.

In the process, Joanna discovered a binder of information that her father had sent her. Joanna does some part-time consulting work for Meyrick -- note to IRS, this was all accurately documented by me today -- and some of the items he sent to her were clearly "for her eyes only." I wasn't privy to the conversation, but she came to understand that if the wrong people saw these papers, Jason Bourne would be likely to show up at our front door. (Or, more likely, come down the chimney.)

To prove that I'm not the only one who tends to hold onto things around here, let me explain that the binder was for work done in 2004 and hadn't been relevant in over five years. Realizing that we had managed to survive this long, we decided not to press our luck and send the precious documents back to Connecticut. We're breathing a bit easier now.

Whew, that downsizing can be a lifesaver.

The Story of Stuff

2/24/10 Decorative wall clock, given away on craigslist

Here's my Story of Stuff:

My grandmother (bless her heart) gives us a wall clock we don't need. We hang wall clock on the wall for several years, where it becomes functionally invisible. We eventually take clock down to make room for a far-more interesting piece of original art (bless your heart, Fred). Clock moves into basement. Filled with guilt, I take picture of clock and try to sell it on craigslist. A few months later, I drop price and try to sell it again. And again. Finally, I offer it up for free. Today, a woman comes by the house and takes it (bless her heart).

Here's Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff:

The Story of Stuff

Take 20 minutes and watch her original video. It's fabulous not only for its uncompromising message, but also its animation.

And, beware the mortal enemy of Downsizing: The Golden Arrow of Consumption!

Hats off to this man

2/23/10 Partially used box of disposable gloves, given away

As I mentioned before, one of the earliest -- and most useful -- pieces of advice I got when I entered education was to make friends with the custodians and secretaries.

Having already given a downsize to one of our secretaries, I realized I better make a similar gesture towards our head custodian, lest I discover that I've been permanently locked out of the staff restroom.

Fortunately, as I hope the photo above illustrates, Terry is quite easily satisfied. Truth is, he was more excited by the excuse to put on one of his crazy hats than by the opened box of gloves I gave him.

Indeed, Terry is certainly the most photographed person at our school, owing to his habit of dressing up in outlandish costumes for every holiday. Since he also serves as the crossing guard in front of the school, the whole community has glimpses of the occasional giant Christmas Elf, Leprechaun, Cat-In-The-Hat, Easter Bunny, and the like.

Terry, in addition to being the jack-of-all-trades who single-handedly keeps our building running, is a tremendously fun guy and good sport, with enough child in him to fit right into an elementary school environment.

Your visions of how the students react to all of this are correct.

Downsizing is most fun when you can give away things that really bring joy to the special people in your life. Does this box of gloves count? Well, I know Terry accepted it -- as he accepts all of us -- with open arms and a friendly heart.

I only wish I had a Bozo outfit to downsize to him. That would really make him smile.

I give, he gets

2/22/10 "The Music of Disney" audio tape collection, given away

The Great Joanna/Amanda Childhood Purge continued today as I gave away a set of audio cassettes that featured the music of Disney.

I gave them to Lori Plummer, one of my colleagues with whom I have worked the closest over the last seven years. Lori plays a lot of music for her kindergarten students, so I know the Disney tapes will come out of their long hibernation to good effect.

Lori was the beneficiary of a previous downsize, but the real winner here is Chase, who seems to get another gift from her every week. Today, no sooner had I handed her the Disney tapes, she handed me yet another board book for our little Cajun Critter. She's already given him a number of outfits, several books, and a great variety of receiving blankets, sewn by her mother.

Thus, while my own efforts to reduce my worldly possessions are moving along quite well, my son is increasing his own collection at an even greater rate.

I'm not sure whether I should consider that a problem. Should the acquisition of baby items have any impact on the Downsizing Challenge? What are my responsibilities vis-á-vis his new stuff?

Thoughts? Opinions? Admonitions? I'm all ears.