tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post6367491010581154271..comments2023-11-03T04:57:11.073-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Coming out of the ClosetLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-52576345916330409982010-04-25T12:24:50.342-04:002010-04-25T12:24:50.342-04:00HI - I too have clothes that no longer fit - or ar...HI - I too have clothes that no longer fit - or are disintigrating even - but I have an emotional attachment to them. I had a silk blouse that was wearing out although the body was fine. I had a friend make a pillow out of it. I see it across the room - and it just brings me joy.fearjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783152192336732964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-22897058934111979612010-04-23T23:31:54.169-04:002010-04-23T23:31:54.169-04:00Posh said:
Another sweater that was THE BOMB in 1...Posh said:<br /><br /><i>Another sweater that was THE BOMB in 1987 (it IS way cool, even now).</i><br /><br />Okay Posh, you have to bring this to the next gathering where we all are. I must see this most awesome sweater.Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04983545713541452190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71846895770422529062010-04-23T23:28:28.875-04:002010-04-23T23:28:28.875-04:00Okay I just remembered something because Kirsten s...Okay I just remembered something because Kirsten said t-shirts.<br /><br />T-shirts are my downfall because I ran events for so many years--music events and film events. And with each event, there is an original t-shirt with original art on it. Oh yeah. I have over a hundred t-shirts between those and the t-shirts from search & rescue, SAR dog teams, fire schools I've attended for training, Shirts with figure eight knots and carabiners on them that say PMI Dynamic, etc etc etc on and on and ON.<br /><br />I have WAY too many t-shirts, but I do love all of them, and yes, I wear each one on occasion, so none of them are completely useless space hogs. Still, I have too many.Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04983545713541452190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-48444964671549059982010-04-23T23:26:59.108-04:002010-04-23T23:26:59.108-04:00Donna, I get very attached to clothes, too. I stil...Donna, I get very attached to clothes, too. I still have beautiful clothes from my skinny days that remind me of good times. I'm not going to part with them even if they don't fit me any more. Maybe one of my nieces can wear them to a retro party one day:)<br /><br />Congrats on the rooster, Helen!Christine Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260589566405262159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-34923155064156053682010-04-23T23:23:22.956-04:002010-04-23T23:23:22.956-04:00Hi Donna,
I have conquered this problem. The las...Hi Donna,<br /><br />I have conquered this problem. The last holdout was the clothes my mother made for me when I was in high school and early college. I could still wear those until about five years ago, but I never will again. Even if I lost weight, my body has changed shape and they just won't fit. I held onto them for years, thinking I'd do a quilt from the pieces. But I eventually just ran out of room!<br /><br />So now I realize that they are not my mother, and I will still have the memories of her without keeping everything her hands ever touched. As to the BOUGHT clothes that I've loved, I help myself by thinking there are people who can use those and they NEED them, and I'm being selfish by holding onto them. And when I let go of them, it always feels good--lighter--like I'm making room in my life to move and for new things to come in.<br /><br />And here's how I did it. I set aside a tub for things that I know I will never wear, don't look good on me, don't suit or are out of style. I packed everything into it and labeled it "charity box" and I put it in the garage. After six months of having no desire to open that tub and get anything out, I put it in the back of the van. I DID NOT OPEN THE TUB. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE.<br /><br />Then when it had ridden around with me for six more months, I took it to Goodwill and handed it over. Didn't open the tub. I drove away.<br /><br />That's how I did it the first time. And that space in my life felt so good to me that next time I was able to do it much faster. Now I pull stuff out, look at it, ask myself whether, realistically, I'm ever going to wear it again.....<br /><br />Three questions.<br /><br />1) Do I love it?<br /><br />2) Does it fit?<br /><br />3) Does it suit my style NOW the way I am NOW?<br /><br />If the answer is not yes to ALL THREE, it goes. No remorse.<br /><br />I have never regretted letting go of things. Never. Not. Once.<br /><br />But I had to come to the place where space and clear energy flow through my home and being able to find stuff easily meant more to me than clinging to the things. Everybody comes to that in their own time. You can't really rush it.<br /><br />Oh, and I read some books about the psychology of why we hold onto things--that helped me get my mind around why letting go of stuff was so painful and helped me put my head in a better place. I don't think I would have been able to let go of the stuff my mom made without the books.<br /><br />But it was bogging me down. We just don't have a lot of space here. I still have too much stuff, but I've conquered the clothes hoarding problem. Now I just need to get my closets built and systems installed so I have a place to put the things I decided to keep!Alexishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04983545713541452190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-23739152630030993522010-04-23T23:12:43.912-04:002010-04-23T23:12:43.912-04:00Thanks for the suggestions about
my fat clothes! ...Thanks for the suggestions about <br />my fat clothes! The nicer pieces<br />I'm going to box up and save for<br />the Flea Market at our Fall Fest.<br />The rest will be donated to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.<br /><br />Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-52079668851861794182010-04-23T22:58:25.169-04:002010-04-23T22:58:25.169-04:00Thanks, Donna! You and I - well, all the Banditas...Thanks, Donna! You and I - well, all the Banditas, really - have had such great luck with covers!<br /><br />I'm in love with this one, have to confess...Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-19037842150118158562010-04-23T22:17:09.710-04:002010-04-23T22:17:09.710-04:00Suz - Thanks. I've already gotten one fat bag...Suz - Thanks. I've already gotten one fat bag stuffed to haul to Goodwill.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-35317421301116000552010-04-23T22:14:30.021-04:002010-04-23T22:14:30.021-04:00Jeanne - That's one hot cover! I love the pre...Jeanne - That's one hot cover! I love the predominant black and the skin tones really pop. The cover gods smiled on you, girl.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-45901638862261432792010-04-23T22:13:04.197-04:002010-04-23T22:13:04.197-04:00PinkPeony - I have been called many things - but n...PinkPeony - I have been called many things - but never "perfectly put together." LOL. Have no fear, that spare bedroom will become a library before it ever becomes a closet.<br /><br />Woot on connecting with Jeanne on Camp FIre Girls. I'm an old GIrl Scout myself, but haven't a clue where my badge sash went. I found my dh's old Boy Scout shirt, and I have my son's Cub Scout shirt carefully tucked away. Funny the things we save that way.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-85681089340347106352010-04-23T22:10:58.542-04:002010-04-23T22:10:58.542-04:00Okay, vanity here...I just changed my icon to my n...Okay, vanity here...I just changed my icon to my new cover because I was jealous of Donna and Anna's new cover icons. Grins. Gotta see if it posts right...Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71129884908574045132010-04-23T21:53:34.283-04:002010-04-23T21:53:34.283-04:00Pink said: Hey, Jeanne...I still have the Camp Fi...Pink said: <i> Hey, Jeanne...I still have the Camp Fire Girls Handbook, the beret and the bolero with all of my beads and badges my mom sewed on it. <br /><br />"I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree...and follow the law of the fire." :) </i><br /><br />OMGosh! Wow, does THAT bring back some memories. I'm going to meet my sis to go through some of my Dad and Mom's things. Wonder if my vest and beret and badges are all there? :) I'll let you know...Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-73502446998214128782010-04-23T21:47:33.880-04:002010-04-23T21:47:33.880-04:00Jeanne wrote...Oh, my....I wonder where mine is? G...Jeanne wrote...Oh, my....I wonder where mine is? Grins. Hello fellow Camp Fire Girl!<br /><br />Hey, Jeanne...I still have the Camp Fire Girls Handbook, the beret and the bolero with all of my beads and badges my mom sewed on it. <br /><br />"I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree...and follow the law of the fire." :)PinkPeonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474965710589933443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-17182023250049294102010-04-23T21:33:18.601-04:002010-04-23T21:33:18.601-04:00They were nice clothes - but either the color didn...<i>They were nice clothes - but either the color didn't suit (Jeanne gave me the courage to do that), or they weren't the most flattering, or I hadn't chosen to wear them in a couple of years. Gone.</i>.<br /><br />See Donna, you can do it, one step at a time!Suzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-87339870789973293532010-04-23T21:26:02.327-04:002010-04-23T21:26:02.327-04:00Pink said: along with my Camp Fire Girls uniform (...Pink said: <i>along with my Camp Fire Girls uniform (circa 1970)</i><br /><br />Oh, my....I wonder where mine is? Grins. Hello fellow Camp Fire Girl!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-88425576400850058662010-04-23T21:22:48.840-04:002010-04-23T21:22:48.840-04:00Donna said: They were nice clothes - but either t...Donna said: <i> They were nice clothes - but either the color didn't suit (Jeanne gave me the courage to do that), </i><br /><br />Woot! Go you!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-29182818771911303592010-04-23T21:21:24.433-04:002010-04-23T21:21:24.433-04:00Pat said: -my "fat" clothes (those clot...Pat said: <i> -my "fat" clothes (those clothes that no longer fit because I did reach my weight loss goal of 50 plus pounds, but then I thought what if that weight comes back! I can't toss them out! Those outfits sit at the back of my closet and act as an additional<br />guard against weight gain!!!!!)<br /></i><br /><br />PAT!! YOU ROCK!!! This is awesome! Hey, get rid of all but a couple, 'cause you aren't ever going back there, right? Grins. Keep a couple, ditch the rest. It'll feel great. I have a friend who did this and she said it was very liberating...<br /><br />EIther way, GO YOU!!!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-6058958280186443492010-04-23T21:14:31.172-04:002010-04-23T21:14:31.172-04:00Hi Donna...I feel your pain. Your post reminds me ...Hi Donna...I feel your pain. Your post reminds me of Lillian (who resembles Paloma Picasso but much prettier)the mother of a close friend. She turned a spare bedroom into her closet. She's the kind of woman who always looks put together, perfectly coiffed, effortless style. Years ago, I had to travel for business and she taught me how to pack my clothes in a suitcase (lots of tissue and dry cleaning bags) so they wouldn't wrinkle. <br /><br />As for me...ugh. My best friend gets first pick before I put anything in the Goodwill bag. When we moved, I had a garage sale and sold 40 pairs of pumps and flats...half of which were never worn or worn just a few times. I know that sounds terrible. I work at home now so I don't need to dress up. I do have some nice pieces that are almost 20 years old but they're classics and I will keep them...along with my Camp Fire Girls uniform (circa 1970) and the coat my aunt made me with my name sewn in the back (circa 1968). I have clothes that are so old that they were made in the USA. LOL! Pedal pushers from the GAP that are 15 years old, A Tommy Hilfiger school girl jacket made in Japan from the early '80's. I still wear them. <br /><br />It's not my intention to add to your burgeoning closet but if you like vintage clothing, here's one of my favorite sites. <br /><br />www.coutureallure.com <br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone. Congrats, Helen.PinkPeonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474965710589933443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-16753932152260095832010-04-23T21:02:42.203-04:002010-04-23T21:02:42.203-04:00I think Cassondra's ears just perked up.I think Cassondra's ears just perked up.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-21629056920058758862010-04-23T20:42:36.149-04:002010-04-23T20:42:36.149-04:00Donna, I kept a lot of packing material (I keep pa...Donna, I kept a lot of packing material (I keep padded bags which I find are fantastic for putting inside the rather fragile prepaid plastic envelopes Australia Post provides). But there's just so bloody much of it! Yeah, had a good time stomping on some of the bubblewrap - sounded like a firing range here yesterday!Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-56614297915183809492010-04-23T20:10:23.858-04:002010-04-23T20:10:23.858-04:00Anna -
LOL on the bubble wrap. I do the same thi...Anna -<br /><br />LOL on the bubble wrap. I do the same thing!!!<br />I think my hoarding tendancy on bubble wrap started when I signed my first contract. I had visions of needing to wrap books and prizes and whatnot in bubble wrap before shipping. I think I've used some of the wrap for filler when sending packages - but nothing like what I've accumulated.<br /><br />Before I published - bubble wrap was mainly used to pop and irritate the dog (grins). It's one of those versatile items.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-77466876574466043842010-04-23T20:07:08.937-04:002010-04-23T20:07:08.937-04:00Beth -
You obviously don't have my accountant...Beth -<br /><br />You obviously don't have my accountant gene (grin). I wish I was more aggressive about tossing the old to make room for the new. Bummer about the boots. I have a wide foot and thick calves so it's really hard for me to find shoes/boots. I hang on to the few I have - even the old sneakers. Now those I CAN easily replace, but old habits die hard.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-26331795465218851612010-04-23T20:07:06.295-04:002010-04-23T20:07:06.295-04:00Beth -
You obviously don't have my accountant...Beth -<br /><br />You obviously don't have my accountant gene (grin). I wish I was more aggressive about tossing the old to make room for the new. Bummer about the boots. I have a wide foot and thick calves so it's really hard for me to find shoes/boots. I hang on to the few I have - even the old sneakers. Now those I CAN easily replace, but old habits die hard.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-61024126057623167282010-04-23T20:04:12.899-04:002010-04-23T20:04:12.899-04:00Pat - Congratulations on the weight loss! Fifty p...Pat - Congratulations on the weight loss! Fifty plus pounds - that's fantastic!<br /><br />I would say toss the fat clothes as incentive to keep the weight off but I'm too practical to do that myself. I did toss some stuff in the donation bag today. They were nice clothes - but either the color didn't suit (Jeanne gave me the courage to do that), or they weren't the most flattering, or I hadn't chosen to wear them in a couple of years. Gone.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-67295081424154616702010-04-23T19:42:10.038-04:002010-04-23T19:42:10.038-04:00Hey, Helen, I hope he's behaving himself! He l...Hey, Helen, I hope he's behaving himself! He loves to visit you! <br /><br />Donna, your post made me giggle. There must have been something in the air. I have a BIG built in cupboard in the main hallway that basically I just shove stuff into. It had reached a stage where when I opened the doors, the stuff shoved back and I drowned in debris. Anyway, I had a clean-out yesterday. It's not exactly tidy but I've sorted out the worst of it and thrown out stuff I'd kept (honestly if bubblewrap was money, I'd be a billionaire!) for ages thinking I'd use it and then never had. It was bin day too so everything went before I could start regretting it and nutting through the rubbish to get it back.Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.com