As today included me getting ready to move on Tuesday into our new townhouse, this evening was sent bubble wrapping glasses, etc. As I was wrapping each one, I was reminded at how many things we collect throughout our lives; particularly our younger years when we don't think that we can get rid of anything. As a freshman, I was very sentimental to many of my things but as I looked at photos throughout the years of EMU, JMU, and my current life, I realized that I have become very unattached to objects. I can spot several items in these photos that I still have but there are not a whole lot of these items. For example:
Freshman Year: I thought that hanging the road signs in our dorm room was a great idea. I have since changed my mind and lost the road signs at the same point.
Year two: I realized what a big fan of Audrey Hepburn I was and found an awesome framed photo at Kirklands for $30. I still have this photo hanging in my current living room. And yes, I did remember how much I paid for it....not sure why exactly. But moving on.
2nd year continued: I invested in my flat screen TV then. This TV still resides in my bedroom. At the time, I remember thinking that it was a lot of money to spend on a TV yet when I look at the TV I bought last year...it was peanuts.
As a side note, I also still have the circle chair in this photo. This chair will be moving with me as well. (Pier 1 people, best $100 I ever spent)
My first Christmas tree was bought with Liz when we lived together our Freshman year. It was 6 feet tall and cost us $20 from Target. It may not be the best tree, but it allowed a little piece of home to stay in our rooms during the holiday seasons. And wouldn't you know it, I still have that tree in my closet. (Go Target!)
Freshman year: (side bar - not sure why these photos didn't go in here in order) Anyway, birthday celebrations in our tiny dorm rooms. Behind these girls, you can see that Liz and I were definitely pack rats.
Junior year: my own room. More space to fill....okay, perhaps it was only a couple of feet, but did I make the most of it. That comforter was my first feather comforter and it actually just got switched for a new one this past Christmas (thanks mom!). It is still sitting in my closet...(okay I may still be a pack rat)
Looking at this photo from Junior year, notice the extra closet. I blame this year on when my collection of clothing started. In the corner of this photo you can see the M&M dispenser that still sits on my desk :)
Grad school: Got my own APARTMENT. Do you know what that means? Yup, you guessed it, more places for Ashley to become a pack rat.
It should be noted that during this year, I also had my first large size kitchen. Thus, the tupperware came out. LOTS OF TUPPERWARE. I have a kitchen problem.
My bedroom before it was organized in the townhouse from Grad school. Notice the white cube organizer standing up. I have since this year collected four more of these in different arrangements. (Once again...Target....Do it....no regrets)
And Senior year: I got smart that year. That year it was all about how many things you can fit in a room before it explodes. But the goal was to make it look like you actually didn't have that much in your room.
I remember moving out and my parents just exclaiming, "How is it even possible for this much stuff to be in a space this size?" Let me tell you, that was all my mother. I'll go ahead and throw her under the bus for that one. That room was probably my favorite out of all college.
Anyway, lesson to be learned throughout this memory down Memory-Lane. GET RID OF YOUR STUFF. Moving will be so much easier down the road.
