Jarring

7/25/2017

My reuse/repurpose heart cannot bear to toss perfectly usable bottles and jars. Never mind that I have no place to store them, that I’ll never make seasoned oils in those with elegant long necks, that I have scores of other containers for storing/
sharing leftovers. If it’s washable and has potential for shaking, gifting, or storing, I save it.

To my credit, I have all the lids. And my environmentally-minded intentions are good. But do I really need proof of how much gelato I consume? And don’t all those jars pleading to be filled with something homemade make me feel more than a bit guilty?

Fully aware I’ll need some of them someday for something, I’ve opted to reduce – which goes well with reuse and repurpose. Canning jars and corked bottles have moved to the donation pile, others to the recycle bin. The remaining 19 (of 46) are safe.

For now.

13 Comments

Dee Dee Chumley link

7/27/2017 08:19:05 pm

Proud of you! I'd say 19 out of 46 is a major accomplishment. During a kitchen purge a couple of years ago, I discovered I had an impressive collection of twisty ties. I was prepared for any plastic wrapper emergency!

Natine

7/29/2017 04:13:58 pm

Thank you, Dee Dee. I thought it was 16, but then I found some in the dishwasher. And there may be a few in the refrigerator...HAHAHAHAHAHA. And one can never have too many twisty ties. Just sayin'. ;-)

Shel Harrington

7/28/2017 02:35:57 pm

lol - you KNOW I can relate! Love those gelato containers, but I'm convinced they breed when they are in the plastic container drawer - I should probably leave that drawer open!

Natine

7/29/2017 04:15:23 pm

If you leave the drawer open, you'll 1) be faced with evidence of gelato consumption, and 2) potentially witness plastic container fornication. Keep the drawer closed. :-)

chrkos

7/29/2017 04:36:06 pm

I do believe wire hangers breed when placed in dark closets...as well as plastic bags from the Big Box Stores. ;) Good for you that you were able to do a purge! I have to do the same with my various 'can't get myself to throw away a perfectly good' items.

A story: I used to save boxes--you NEVER knew when a good box was needed for a Christmas gift box, for example. All of the boxes were stored in our attic (in the old house.) The attic really wasn't made for storage--not much insulation or air circulation--so it was cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. This, of course, made the boxes a potential fire hazard. The Husband had given up trying to talk me into cleaning up the attic, but The Daughters wouldn't let it go. They decided, one day, that enough was enough and cleaned out the boxes. When they were done, there were enough boxes to fill the back of the truck! I had saved a Dirt Devil stick vac box, and the vacuum had been dead for about five years. (I saved it because 'you never know when you might need a box for a hockey stick.') That was the end of my saving of boxes--I think it was a rude awakening for me and I realized I 'had a problem.' :D Now, I only save gift BAGS--they don't take up as much space.

Natine

7/31/2017 04:13:50 pm

That is HYSTERICAL! I have a collection of gift bags, too. SInce I rarely give gifts, they're not much use. Want mine for your collection??? Hahahahaha...

chrkos

7/31/2017 04:25:09 pm

HAHAHA!!! Now that would REALLY send my family over the edge...importing gift bags from Florida!!

Connie

7/30/2017 06:49:46 am

Such a great metaphor for all the clutter - and not just STUFF - in life that is reducible, reusable, recyclable. Sigh. So much could be let go.

Natine

7/31/2017 04:17:11 pm

Truth. For example, my weight is certainly reducible. And my charge card is reusable. And LOTS of paper pilesto recyle...hahahahahaha...

Beth Clark

7/30/2017 07:51:53 am

With parents who grew up in the depression era, I can't help but have this same dilemma. They didn't discard anything. Sadly, our transfer station does not recycle most plastics or glass; however, I have a son-in-law who is willing to recycle at his transfer station making it easier to discard. When the library recently had a drum circle, I was able to clear my attic of oatmeal boxes and had enough for every child. .

Natine

7/31/2017 04:20:01 pm

My parents grew up during the Depression, too, Beth, and it boggles me that they aren't more into recycling. My mom used to reuse tin foil and wrapping paper -- big family joke! I can just picture you with your kids and their oatmeal "drums." I've always wondered how those containers could be reused! :-)

Jill link

7/31/2017 06:50:54 am

Wow! Your jar collection looks like my stacks of journals. Nice job having all of the lids, Natine! :)

Natine

7/31/2017 04:21:04 pm

Thanks, Jill! So what is it about writers and the need to keep everything we've ever read or may read someday...??? :-)

Jarring

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