Remember that when you leave this Earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given, a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. -St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

"Just in Case"

Like many RV'ers, I emptied my house, selling and giving away almost everything - keeping just the essentials.

During the last two weeks in the house, I was rushing, trying to dispose of the last of it. There were many small things, odds and ends that I packed into storage totes and shoved into the RV.  I drove around with boxes in the space behind the drivers and passenger seats.  

Now I am into the final phase of remodeling the interior of the RV and have to deal with "STUFF" again. 

A large bag of clothes were recently donated. They were in the closet of the RV for over 2 years and never worn. This frees up some space in the closet for my sewing machine and quilting supplies.

A large stack of travel books are gone. The information is easily available on the internet. I usually read on my Kindle now, so I try not to keep more than a few books in the RV. 

I took a lot of little things from the house - "just in case". These are the items that I am having a hard time getting rid of. What if I toss/donate these items and then find I need to spend money to replace it later? It's all of these little items that usually end up in a "junk" drawer. 

Some of the items: too many flashlights (is one enough), too many tools, miscellaneous hardware parts.  Soaps, lotions, cleaning supplies and lots of first aid stuff (what is the bare minimum that I need - I think I have 4 rolls of first aid tape). Lots of matches, a few lighters, several pocket knifes (isn't one enough). Bungee cords, tape and glue, office supplies. Several pairs of work gloves, pruning shears, folding tree saw, folding shovel. Too much silverware. Scissors: kitchen, sewing, embroidery, folding and small craft scissors. I recently donated a big bag of counted cross stitch supplies, but I did keep a fishing tackle box full of DMC embroidery floss.

Instead of tossing it all, I organized it.  I purchased some neat storage boxes that fit perfectly in my overhead cabinets and outside compartments. I put sewing supplies and office supplies in the overhead cabinets and tools and other items in the outside compartments.







~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~

I have finally corralled all of the power cords in one place. I picked up a small, square, zippered tote/box at a thrift store for less than $1.00, it has pockets on the outside, too. Wouldn't it be great if there was a universal power cord so we only had one cord for all of our electronic devices?

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~  


I am curious What do you have with you "just in case"?


9 comments:

  1. When I first started loading the Alfa it felt like I had tons of room. Now every easy to get to place is full. I still have room in some difficult to get at places,. I am starting to relax and expect to start purging soon. If I can buy it again, and I haven't needed it yet, it might just go.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad to hear that you were able to make room for a sewing machine. We're not full-timers, but I always carry books, even though I exclusively read books on my Nook when we are in the motorhome. Books are heavy, I know. But I always fear that the Nook won't work or it won't have power, or something like that. It's crazy, I know!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Teri, when you get all organized I would sure appreciate it if you would drop by and start on mine next. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Storing food is my issue. Really hard to do in an RV but I try to fit it in whenever I can.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yep, I have way to much.... Just in case stuff also. Time for another go through. After all it is almost Spring!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! You've accomplished a lot! These storage boxes look very convenient--where did you find them? The storage in our new TT seems cavernous now but I'm sure that feeling won't last long.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Boy do your bins look tidy. And I love the sayings you have on them. How did you do that? I think I have too much of everything. But for sure clothing. I haven't worn "the dress" in 4 years but as soon as I get rid of it I'll need it. I have 4 seasons of clothing and have worn each of them at one point or another but it sure takes a lot of room. Too many tools but who knows what may come up. I've thought about getting rid of things I haven't used and then oopps there is the ONE time in all the years that I've needed it. Will there be a second?? Out of room here for sure so nothing new can come in. That eliminates shopping and saves on the wallet.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good job! I have lots of scissors, flash lights, and trash bins - always in reach. 4 seasons of clothing and lots of food... music and craft supplies... I'm always weeding out, still more to do.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do have things I could have tossed (I've purged a couple of times), but I find many I DO eventually need. Like my folding shovel. It stood up in my closet for almost 3 years, then I needed it to dig out of the sand a few weeks ago. Some things are just "there" because... I have clothes I haven't worn, but want to keep just in case and I like them too much to toss. When I'm in a purging mood now, I usually just reorganize things which always frees up space and there are some things that get tossed. And reorganizing allows me to put the things I use most often in the easiest to reach places.

    Your overhead doors are neat!! Are they carved? Or are those decals? I'd love to do that to mine. I love the storage containers and labels. I do the same thing... love my label maker! :)

    ReplyDelete

Hi, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Drake Tax Software

Overnight stays in these states:

Overnight stays in these states:
It is the sandstorm that shape the stone statues of the Desert. It is the struggles of Life that form a person's character ~ Native American Proverb