more

As I paint

I am keenly aware

of how much

stuff

we have

bought

been given

inherited.

We didn't have much time between

surgeries and holidays

and my father-in-laws passing

to really plan on what to do

with all of his belongings

that weren't needed

or wanted
by someone we knew.

Much of it remains in storage.

Storage we are paying for

and therefore
anticipating a warmer day for a major
garage sale.

A large portion came here

as added storage to our own stuff

that needs to be 

unloaded.

Let's face it

during our 30 year marriage

we have been pretty good at

gathering...collecting
acquiring

stuff...

so we are now experiencing

stuff overload.

As paintings came off the walls...

trinkets (I just couldn't live without!)

stood temporarily

on my dining room table...

extra chairs relocated

to make room to paint...

I have enjoyed space.

Open.

Uncluttered.

Oxygen-infused

space.

Yet...

in all that excess

this weekend

an extra-special delivery

arrived.

A result of going

to Best Buy

without mom.

I wish I could say our

old set died

but that is not the case...

this is a simple case of

bigger is better

under the guise of

technology changes and enhancements

that give our home

a theater experience

without ever leaving our 

living room.

How exciting.

(sarcasm in case you didn't pick

up on that)

After a few choice words...

followed by a late night viewing

of Flight

(a flight that crashed right there on the floor

in front of me...I swear!)

In a moment of weakness

I said 

"Since this room is used 90 percent

of the time for watching

television anyway...

why shouldn't we make it as entertaining

and enjoyable as

 possible."

Or something to that effect.

The end result has been filled

with mixed emotion.

Rudy would have taken it all back

because he's a smart (brave) man

(slow...but smart)

he lives under the rule

happy wife...happy life.

James is in heaven

especially while watching

The Walking Dead...

we actually had zombies walking around our

living room!

Joe...

well Joe is a lot like me

filled with misgivings.

Truth be told...

I think he liked our old set better

and he was hoping mom would 

put a stop to the insanity.

Now the question

dancing through my head...

How long is one allowed to return items...

that have been very slightly used?

Items that were agreed upon

in a moment of weakness?

Don't just sit there...

help me out with this one!

Joe is looking for a calm

voice of reason.

Remember Rule #21...

When in doubt call Uncle Ed!?

Expect a text...

e-mail...

call!