I moved on to the shelf that spans 6 feet and four shelves. Of course, in cleaning that off, I got distracted alphabetizing my CD�s and tapes. I wouldn�t say it�s been awhile, but the dust was bad enough that I have been sneezing for the past 2 hours.

Then there were all the paperbacks hubby has read and not given away yet that I had to go through. On to the cookbooks that I never open. More dust. And I still haven�t found the piece of paper I�m looking for. I knw I didn�t throuw it out. It was so important, I stuck it somewhere for safe keeping. I put it away so I wouldn�t lose it. It is a very important piece of paper indeed.

If I could have a dollar for every time I have done that, I could retire. And that�s not the end of it, no, no, no. When I find the object I am searching for, I usually remember immediately putting it there in the first place, but instead of putting it back there, I usually decide to put it somewhere else for safe keeping and thus start the cycle one again.

When I die, I imagine whoever cleans out my stuff will have a good time wondering why on earth I put a sales receipt for my bracelet in my sock drawer, or my union card in my jewelry box. I am organized, really. It�s just that I store to the beat of a different drummer.

Looking for a piece of paper that was put away recently isn�t as bad as looking for something I put away �awhile ago� That could be anywhere. Then I go through another ritual. I start by checking out my box of important things. I usually end up sitting on the bed, reminiscing about the kids while looking over their little papers with their handprints or their baby book or some other thing that I�ve save over the years.

The next step is finding old pictures and I just Have to take some time and go through all of those. Then it�s off to the dresser drawers where I decide since I�m in there, I may as well clean out the old stuff and toss it. I of course, find something that has to go in the closet and spend an undue amount of time going through and tossing out the old stuff from there too.

By the time this is all done, I have cleaned drawers, clean closets and clean shelves. The downside? I still haven�t found what I�m looking for. Maybe it�s in the Joshua Tree. (Get it?)

Later...

Later,
Cosmic