Tupperware Tears

Who knew that inanimate objects, things like tupperware, could could bring tears to my eyes. If you would have told me yesterday morning that I would be standing in my kitchen in a just a few short hours crying over tupperware, I would have laughed at you. Then I would have thought about your statement and considered what aspect of tupperware could potentially bring tears to my eyes. The more I would have continued to consider this ludicrous statement you had just made, the more I would have seen just how possible it could be...for me to cry over something as silly as plastic bowls and containers I mean.
At this point you may be wondering where I am going with this, and why, in fact, I am humoring the idea of myself getting emotional over plastic kitchen ware. Well, let me tell you. If I would have thought about this silly event before it happened (and yes, it really did happen...I cried over tupperware-don't judge), I just may have seen how likely (yes, likely, not merely possible) it was because I know how emotional of a person I am. Sometimes I am so emotional that even I am unsure of the situation.
Here's what happened and my evaluation of the situation:

My family is doing a garage sale in about a month. In order to prepare for this yearly event, I have started going through all the nooks and crannies in my home to weed out the items we no longer need. Being a pack rat, this is always hard for me. (Remember how I said this is a yearly event??) Anyways, when I decided it was time to go through the kitchen cabinets, I suggested Ryan complete this task with me for several reasons.

1. It's boring to sit in a kitchen sorting through gadgets alone, and I HATE to be bored.
2. Ryan and I never agree on anything so it makes for some lively conversations when
trying to make decisions together. Plus, Sunday is one of our only two days to do
anything together each week.
3. I stink at getting rid of things, and he encourages me.

Although these all seemed good to me and reason enough for him to help me, as soon as we started, I wanted him to exit MY kitchen. I made it through the first few cabinets quite easily. I only moved several items from cabinet, to box, back to cabinet, and finally back to the box, where they stayed. By the time we made it to the tupperware cabinet, I was feeling pretty good about myself and the amount I was letting go. This is where things got a little blurry....it's hard to see clearly with tears in your eyes after all.

Once we got started on this cabinet, this is what it looked like.

(Told you it was blurry-ha ha) Anyways, as soon as Ryan started to notice my hesitance at ridding our cabinet of anything plasticware/tupperware related, he began to take out each individual bowl, container, lid, etc. and lay them out in stacks and piles by size and type. When I asked why, he said he was going to match each item with it's lid and then categorize them so I could see the ridiculousness of the situation. This is where my hands started to shake and I began getting a little anxious. I no longer wanted any part in this activity that I had originally suggested...I wanted all of my containers back in the cabinet and wanted to call it quits.

Now, Ryan is a funny guy. He is quite clever and quick witted and soon had me laughing hysterically about how funny this all was, as well as had me realizing how silly my reaction was. Soon however, all hell broke loose and my laughter turned to teary eys, and then to tears of laughter, and then to just plain old tears. I DID NOT want to get rid of any of my plastics.

Now, at this point let me address the thought you may be having. Why did I feel this event was worth blogging about? "I'm not sure exactly" is my answer. But here's what I think. First of all, it's important to be able to laugh at yourself. I'm not good at this at all. I hate looking silly and do not like being laughed at...even by myself. But, I am trying to get better at this, and even I can see this humor in crying over tupperware. Secondly, I think it is very important to be able to recognize one's own faults and this story highlights one of my worst faults: I have to be in control at all times! I hate losing control and I hate being wrong. I didn't want to get rid of my kitchen items because I didn't want to. The reason why I wanted to keep ten of the same size and color isn't important. What is important is the fact that I began to get mad, nervous, and anxious at the idea of Ryan making me do something I decided quickly that I didn't want to do...even though it all started out as my idea. It didn't matter that he was right and that we did need to get rid of some stuff. What mattered is that once my carefully organized plastic ware was spread out all over my kitchen, I wanted it back where it belonged, no questions asked, just because. Thirdly, I have huge attachment issues. I hold on to things, people, memories, for way too long. Even when I know the time for letting go has long since past.

All things said and done, here is what we ended up with. (After I reorganized Ryan's handy work today of course.)

Three things:
1. Yes, it looks better.
2. Yes, I need to work on my control and attachment issues.
3. Yes, I am aware this is all a little ridiculous.

Breaking the Ice

My husband and I enjoy the show "American Pickers." If you haven't watched it, it's basically about two men (Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz) who, according to the website, are on a mission to "recycle America." They travel from coast to coast in search of vintage and antique items they can restore and sell in their shop, Antique Archaeology. Many times they purchase their items from normal individuals whose homes they just popped in on. When dealing with a difficult seller, they have a strategy they call "Breaking the Ice." When Mike and Frank break the ice, they find one easy item to haggle on, and typically end up paying a little more than the item is worth. Typically, this first deal is not their best, but it's a start.

That's exactly what this first post is for me. It most definitely won't be my best post, or the most enjoyable post to read or write, and I may not feel extremely accomplished after finishing it. But...I will have broken the ice.

Ryan has been "encouraging" me for months now to start blogging, seeing as how he enjoys it so much. He went so far as to create this blog for me last summer, and it's been sitting blank since then. I've thought about it off and on, but couldn't get motivated. However, seeing as how I typically have a lot to say, and this year has been a year of firsts for me and my family, starting my first blog now seems appropriate. So this is me...breaking the ice.

And since all good posts have a picture with them, I see it fit to post a picture of the most important thing in my life that has kept me from "breaking the ice" for the past 10 months.

Marydith Rose