Goal: 52 Things Will Leave the Mouse Pad Update

Dear Friends and Family,

I am going to try and have 52 things meaningfully leave the mouse pad this year. What do I mean by meaningfully? No, it doesn't mean I'm giving away things loaded with meaning. It means it's purposeful decisions to remove something that has found a home in our home. In other words, clearing out old bananas doesn't count, they never found a home. Clearing out old toys counts since they would linger in the basement given no active actions on our parts.

The List (most recent departures listed first):

1. We've got friends coming over in a couple of weeks. Nothing like company to motivate a little clean up - especially of the basement where they'll be sleeping. It was also a good time to do a sweep of the basement for stuff for my sister. Looking at the baby stuff, I started sorting it into three piles... one small pile to keep, one small pile to give to my sister, and one large pile to throw away. In the toss column: 2 old breast pumps and one box.
2. Also in the toss column was a peg toy we inherited, but it's missing pegs.
3. Next in the toss column was a set of giant pipe cleaners that P never really grew fond of.
4. And, to round out the toss pile were a random Halloween themed cup and five empty boxes.
5. For my sister? two booster seats
6. a cooking for baby book
7. some baby toys: a computer
8. a baby animal puzzle
9. a bird house with four birds
10. a table with stacking blocks - all things in like new condition with all of the pieces that P had some interest in playing with
11. junk: 4 planters, 1 watering can
12. useful, just not for us: 1 hose reel, 2 hoses
13. useful, just not for us: P's toddler pool
14. junk: 2 rusty lounge chairs, 1 stool
15. junk: 4 solar lights that no longer light
16. junk: a bucket and a lid
17. useful, just not for us: a basket
18. books: Gone with the Wind, Brave New World
19. toy: Mr. Potato Head MLB edition
20. baby gear: the Boppy
21. odds and ends: new drawer used for kitchen towels
22. odds and ends: guest bathroom counter
23. useful, just not for us: crock pot
24. useful, just not for us: hurricane with almond candle
25. junk: old bath salts and perfumes
26. baby gear: foam roll
27. baby gear: 256 2 oz breast milk storage containers
28. toy: truck (combo riding and push toy)
29. toy: dog security blanket
30. toy: battery-operated toy train
31. toy: stacking pyramids
32. toy: hammer and eight nails
33. useful, just not for us: cane

We'll see if I can get to 52 this year. I'm cautiously optimistic.


Cheers!
mouse