The THINGS in Our Lives

We seldom shop at brick-and-mortar stores anymore. Most of the stuff we buy now is delivered, and I love it. There is no need to dress up because no one sees me, and I don’t have to drive the car, fight for a parking space, and then try to remember where I parked it.

So what’s the dilemma? The dilemma is what to do with all the packing material the stuff is delivered in. This really came to light a few days ago. Hubby ordered a new computer table, and it came in a big, flat cardboard box. The box was no problem— we just cut it up and put it into the recycling bin. The problem was what to do with all the beautiful styrofoam sheets surrounding everything. These weren’t the little styrofoam balls but big sheets nearly an inch thick.

Neither of us could bear to throw them away. Hubby reminisced wistfully how, as a kid, he would have made tons of neat stuff from them with an Exacto knife, a bit of glue, and some imagination—forts, airplanes, log cabins, kites, and more. I didn’t share his boy thoughts, but I felt there must be something useful that could be made. I researched but came up empty.

Still reluctant to discard them, we put them on a bench in the garage and stumbled around them for a few days. Then, the day of reckoning came. Hubby decided not to throw them all away—just some. He cut a few sheets into smaller pieces and put them in a box in the garage. I suppose the people who end up moving into our house someday will face the same dilemma: use it for something or throw it away.

We recently attended a wedding, and one of the wedding favors was a beautiful small red box filled with wonderful chocolate candy. I put it in my container of things to go through later. I forgot about it until we had a crisis in our home – WE RAN OUT OF CHOCOLATE CANDY! Then I remembered the wedding favor. I hurriedly found it, tore it open, and we savored the chocolates inside.

I noticed the shiny red ribbon attached to the beautiful box when I set it on the kitchen counter. It was too pretty to throw away, so I moved it to my desk. Yes, it probably should go in the “go through later” box, but I love looking at it since it brings back fond memories. I tried using it to hold pens, but it can only hold two pens before it falls over. No, I won’t put more candy in it – it makes eating it too tempting.

Hubby bought me a birthday gift in a beautiful box with a lid featuring a lovely muted flower design. To make matters worse, the box contains special crinkle-cut brown paper to protect the beauty items it used to house. Not only do I struggle with disposing of the box, but the crinkly brown paper as well! Who knows? I may buy someone a gift someday and use the box and crinkly paper. What do I do in the meantime? The shelf where I put used boxes for future gifts is too full—I guess I haven’t been very generous lately!

Shoes are delivered in a bag now, not a box. Remember all those shoe boxes we stacked in our closet? I couldn’t throw them away either. I briefly kept the shoes in the box they came in. Not only did I keep the boxes, but I also kept the tissue in which the shoes were wrapped!

We are not hoarders—in fact, we are minimalists. For some reason, we seem to save boxes and other durable containers!

An order of low-carb chocolate bars came the other day. What beautiful wrapping. Because we live in the desert, they were shipped in a box and enclosed in shiny insulation surrounded by ice packs so the chocolate wouldn’t melt. I told Hubby not to throw it away as I would find a use for it. After sitting on the kitchen counter for a day or two, I saw him sneak it by me and put it in the recycling bin. I didn’t tell him I saw him as I had yet to think of a use for it.

We have a huge empty cardboard box in one closet. What came in that? Upon further inspection, I realized it was our TOTO bidet toilet. I recall saving the box in case we ever had to return it. How long ago was that? TEN YEARS! The TOTO is just fine. That box is going to the recycle bin! If the TOTO fails, we will get a new one. They have several new features, like warm air drying, music, and remote control! I guess we could get a new one, but then we will have another big empty box in the closet!

Then there is our garage! We went on a streak of ordering Omaha Steaks for a while. I think it was during Covid. Omaha ships its meat products in large styrofoam containers – like very light ice chests. NO – WE DID NOT THROW THEM AWAY. Who knows? They may come in handy in case we have to transfer something cold. [Editor’s Note: Roberta, we used them when our old refrigerator failed!] Never mind that we have ice chests that are more efficient than those styrofoam containers.

There are two large green plastic storage containers in our garage. The heat has taken a toll on them. The lids are cracked, and the handles are broken. What’s in them? Believe it or not, old Halloween costumes worn many years ago but not since. No problem—recycle bin, here you go!

Of course, there are different pieces of wood, metal, and plastic from who knows where – and other stuff that is a complete mystery to me. Hubby is convinced it may all be useful someday. What about all the gardening tools and pots? We have gardeners and artificial grass. We no longer have a vegetable garden, but I may plant something alongside the artificial grass in our yard. There is nothing like homegrown herbs and vegetables.

Golf balls – do they breed? I used to fish them from nearby water hazards but haven’t for years, as I only golf a hole or two at a time now. Hubby buys new golf balls. They are that unique shade of neon green to help him see them. No, he doesn’t hit it that far. He just needs cataract surgery and can’t see the regular white ball very well. Now we have one bucket of golf balls that glow in the dark and another with the water balls I fished from the lakes. I just can’t stand to get rid of them!

Why do we still have the box that contained the Apple MAC computer we bought years ago? Oh, now I remember. When we participated in a Christmas golf cart parade, we put that box on the cart with a large red bow to represent a great Christmas gift. We haven’t been in the parade for years, but we’ve purchased another MAC since. I wonder where that box is.

How many plastic kitchen containers does one need, including all those mismatched lids? Many of mine are far from pristine, as I’ve used them in the microwave for years. Occasionally, I throw one or two away, although I always fear I may live to regret it.

Plastic grocery bags replaced paper bags because they were cheaper, more durable, easier to carry, and weather resistant. But the main reason was that tree-huggers wanted to reduce deforestation. A few years ago, California passed a law charging shoppers ten cents per plastic bag. Why? To reduce plastic pollution in the environment. When the bag charge first started, people left the store with their arms laden with stuff. It was pretty humorous to see all the juggling that took place.

Once the initial shock was over, folks started remembering to bring their own bags. Some even purchased durable bags of all brands and colors to be used repeatedly and not washed. Maybe that was the origin of Covid? At first, I would forget and leave my bags in the car. Did I cave in and pay ten cents a bag? NO! I hightailed it back to my car and grabbed my used ones.

I no longer have a closet full of paper bags, so I treat them with the greatest respect when I get one. Plastic bags are mostly kept in the car. There are so many that they covered up a half-gallon carton of ice cream purchased at the store, and it was accidentally left in a hot car for two days! Eeeww!

What should I do with the colored twist ties to close plastic bags containing vegetables from the produce section? They must be useful for something. I keep them in the junk drawer with those wimpy rubber bands used for the same purpose. You just never know.

What about that special cup containing a drink you purchased at a popular event? I just got one and was ready to throw it into the recycle. The cup is quite sturdy, has colorful plastic, and has a nice logo. It does bring back pleasant memories. I’ll keep it on a shelf in the garage for a while. If I don’t use it, I may toss it if I ever get up the energy to tackle the garage again!

Are you retaining too many THINGS in your life? Our readers love to hear your stories and opinions!