• a big glass block. i made it. so i can throw it away.
• a fragment of a story i wrote. boring.
• another air conditioner remote control. i can't believe they make these.
• a small tub of body butter. which seems to have gone off.
• a key. no idea what it might unlock.

• a sheaf of papers. elementary school reading list?
• six photographs printed on plain paper. surely these exist in a more durable form elsewhere.
• a drawing. no one's best work.
• a software cd. sneaky bugger!
• a pile of old jewelry. sent off to a fundraiser.

• one small skateboarding helmet. that was a fun phase.
• three t-shirts. if they didn't get worn all summer...
• one poster. i still love you, barak obama.

• a magazine. i only read these when i buy them at the grocery store, never when they come to my house.
• 5/6 of a black rubber box. associated with electricity?
• a package of page protectors. which we must have needed at least one of at some point.
• two pieces of art. it speaks to you, then sometimes it does not.

• two small dinosaurs. the jurassic period is almost over here.
• a magnetic metal bookmark. in this item, simplicity is more valuable than innovation.
• a tiny metal sculpture incorporating an alligator clip. if it were also magnetic i would have kept it.
• black suede boots. sexy, yet unworn. pointy and pointless.

• a small portfolio of fifth grade art. but i frame the best ones.
• a tiny notebook. ubiquitous and so charming.
• one kids' book. i want to keep everything today.
• small blue vase. last of five, but finally.
• phone charger for the car. it is a tiny bit dangerous to get rid of these.

• cool paper bowl. made by someone else's kid.
• a plastic folder. feeling very guilty about those plastic islands.
• one hat. i am hoping we are almost too old for dress up clothes. 
• a piece of hardware. from... something that apparently doesn't really need this piece to function.
• a flask. i guess i only need one flask.

• grammar and writing practice book. what? we're not using that?
• a stack of watercolors. process, not product.
• a small pink stuffed elephant. so much cuter than it sounds.
• a rubber duck. with a painted tartan hat. oddly creepy.
• a hairbrush. from shortage to overabundance.

• a pair of toy boxing gloves. where do i begin?
• one splint. let's be optimistic.
• last year's ski passes. i wish i were skiing.
• one fish magnet. so large that it obscures that which is posted.
• a small plastic cup. remarkably indestructable.
• another magazine. i swear they breed.
• two picture frames. i blame ikea.
• five pieces children's art. there is more where that came from.

• one piece kid art. sweet, but not memorable.
• two magnets. useful, but not pretty.
• two. more. rocks. i am not making this up.

• clay fairy painted by my child. the charm has moved on.
• jewelry box. what to do with those last residents?
• four books. digging deep now.

• a black sweater. so i only wore it once. five bucks, not so bad.
• a pair of reading glasses. my fourth-best, barley held together with safety pins.
• a clay cup. might inspire me to be sentimental if i could remember which child made it.
• a paperback. part of an art project which has fallen by the wayside.
• three shopping bags. some people keep these, and seem to find them useful.

• my bank of america account. yes, bank transfer day was three months ago. i've been occupying a very busy life.
• one piece of kid art. the kid herself never really liked it.
• a bunch of ink cartridges. yes, they should be recycled. no, i will never remember to take them to the store with me.
• twelve erasers. disintegrating. only the pink pearls have longevity.
• three pencil grips. you will never have used one of these if you were born before 1990.

• a blue towel. we have plenty of towels, but most of them are usually on various bedroom floors.
• a blue skirt. i just can't get the hang of skirts.
• a fantastic homemade new year's banner. put it up or put it out.
• two books. favorites, going to two favorite people.

• two towels. if the kids think we have too many, we have too many.
• one bath mat. i want to toss it every time i put it on the floor.
• a stack of origami paper. frustratingly small.
• another meltable bead artwork. thanks, ikea.

• two dog bowls. no more clanking of tags on metal.
  a small piece of art. pretty.
• scrap paper. i don't want to make that many lists.
• a cd case. i might go live in the cloud.
• a chinese yo-yo. fun for about two minutes.

• a piece of kid art. nice, but...
• a golf ball. ubiquitous.
• a strainer. one plus a colander should be plenty.
• a bag of tea. yuck.
• a sunglasses tether. uncomfortable.

• three aluminum cups. for gina.
• one small piece of art. no place for it.
• a sheet of address labels. there will always be too many.
• seven single socks. i feel sure the pairs will suddenly appear.

• one painting of a rooster. broke it as soon as i finally decided to get rid of it.
• one plastic flower pot. thanks, burgerville.
• one sprayer hose nozzle. still have two.
• a package of various sized and shaped spouts for bottles. i think this may have lived in the garage when i moved in.
• a plastic hook rack. no.

• thirty-two cds.
• five cassette tapes.
• one pair of slippers.
• one beaded bracelet.
• one tiny hand-made pillow.
• one wooden box.
• one bed canopy.
• twenty-five magazines.
• one pair of pajamas.
• one pair of pajama pants.

i am so happy to be done with this stuff.