All I've got is a photograph, but it's not enough...

I've been organizing in our office and finding a lot of "treasures" that have made me laugh, cry, and smile. Magazine articles, programs from funerals, autographs from favorite bands are among the few things I've come across. A lot of the items, especially those from college, make me feel my age, but it's not a bad thing. I was amused by this photo from August of 1995:

The 12 of us in the photo, along with the person who took it, were gathered for a joint wedding shower for two of the women. This snapshot captured a group of amazing women and I feel so fortunate to have known all of them. At this moment, a little over 13 years ago, we were all co-workers.

Some random facts about those of us seen, and not seen, in the photo:

• 5 of us still work together. Yes, at the same company.
  
• 4 of us do not have any children (yet we all still work with kids).
  
• 3 of us (+ the photographer) attended the out-of-state wedding of another in the picture ~11-12 years ago (and had a blast!)
  
• 2 of the women are mothers of twins.
• 1 person died 5 and a half years ago.

Lots of memories, along with some harsh reminders about the unfairness and brevity of life. I met up with the dear friend of mine who took this old picture for coffee this afternoon. It was awesome to catch up with her and her sister, who I'm also close to. We won't wait so long next time.

I suppose this post is a reminder to myself to keep in touch and nurture friendships. People's lives changes, they move on and away, so it's often not easy. Sometimes all you have left is a photo and it's just not enough.

Packrats R Us

Today is E's 39th birthday. He's not thrilled to be entering the last year of his 30's, but he's dealing. I want to publicly wish him a Happy Birthday. He's a brilliant, funny, nerdy guy who is also a very loving and supportive husband. I know that I drive him far crazier than he does me, and I really appreciate that he puts up with me after all these years.

We've spent most of the day cleaning out our garage. It's actually a pretty good feeling to throw things out. Our recycling bin is so full now that I tried to move it and it almost tipped over. We still have a ways to go. It's a cycle:

• Clean out the garage.
  
• Move crap from the house into the garage.
  
• When the house becomes full again, purge the garage.

A neverending cycle.

E's in the shower now and I think we'll go out to dinner. We kind of had a birthday dinner last night and have some fun things planned for tomorrow. It's weird to think that next year, he'll be in his 40's and my parents will still only be in their 50's (the early half for my step-dad).

Out Of The Closet

I finally bit the bullet and cleaned out my closet today. A much overdue task. I'm sure there are plenty of you who are neat and tidy all the time and can not comprehend the closet that becomes a hulking disaster that can no longer be closed. Here's a sampling of finds:

• A pair of chunky-heeled brown shoes that I'd forgotten that I own.
  
• An adapter for E's headphones that he "lost" two years ago.
• Four brand new pair of socks, still in the bag from Target.
• 15 tampons in various purses and bags.
• My smallest black purse that I've been missing for several months.
  
• A pair of strappy black heels that I really like and had forgotten.
• $1.76 in change, mostly pennies.
  
• 2 lipsticks and 1 chapstick.
• 2 books...one mine and one a friend's.
• Wrapping paper decorated with raw meat.
• 2 rolls of scotch tape. One of them is in a Coro Coro Kuririn (Sanrio hamster) dispenser.
• 2 asthma inhalers. Good place for them if I ever need them, eh?
• 2 lollipops (still in their wrappers).
  
• 9 AA batteries.
• 3 doggie poop bags.
  
• A pair of 3D glasses from a screening of Monster House.
• A blonde wig.

I threw out a few pair of trashed shoes and lots of dry cleaning bags. My shoes are all neatly lined up. My big issues is bags. I have a lot. I actually like and still use quite a few of them. I stowed some tote bags in the garage with luggage, neatened up the bags I want to be accessible, and filled a Trader Joe's bag with several I'm taking to Goodwill.

I feel a sense of accomplishment. Now on to the rest of the pig sty house!