Friday 15 June 2012

Anniversaries and Clearing Clutter

I don't know about you, but we usually don't make a big deal about our wedding anniversaries unless it's a big one. It was our 37th yesterday so we decided it merited a nice dinner out together to mark the occasion and it was all the more enjoyable because it was low-key, in our favourite local eating venue. It was lovely not having to think about cooking a meal for a change and we reckoned we deserved the treat for putting up with each other for so long! Seriously, it made us appreciate still being married and that's perhaps the whole point of an anniversary.

I've also been getting to grips with all the scraps of paper and clutter I've been collecting for far too long. I'm two thirds of the way through transposing ideas, lines and paragraphs of writing, and random observations on to the computer, or into my 'ideas' book until I get round to turning them into stories or whatever. And what's amazing (and terrible) is the number of them I'd forgotten all about. Now I just need time and inspiration to turn them all into saleable work. Strangely enough, it's all helping to clear my mind at the same time and I've sent lots of completed, redrafted stories away and even finished two completely new stories. Wonder how long this will last?!

Rosemary

17 comments:

Teresa Ashby said...

Congratulations, Rosemary - it will be our 37th in September too :-) 1975 was a good year to get married :-)

Well done on getting to grips with all your scraps of paper :-) x

Joanna said...

Congratulations, Rosemary, On your anniversary. That sounds a nice way to celebrate it. We don't usually bother, but we really should treat ourselves. It's our twenty-eighth in September, but the last time we went out to celebrate it with a meal was our twentieth.

Well done for the sorting out! Especially as it led to more stories being submitted. That's always a good thing and just shows how useful it is to have a declutter. I'm planning to do mine as soon as I finish this draft. I can't be seen for scraps of paper, one of which just says 'toothbrushes' on it. What on earth does it mean? I'm certain it's not a shopping list!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Oh, that's a coincidence, Teresa - a good year indeed! I know a few couples married in 1975 and at least two on the same day as us.

As for the paper trail - I cannot believe how much I've been hoarding! I'm still not through it all but it's going to be such a relief when the scraps of paper are gone. Until they build up again.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Joanna - we've been trying to treat ourselves a bit more on certain dates! I'm smiling at that 'toothbrushes' - hope it suggests lots of ideas!

Joan Fleming said...

Congratulations to you both on your anniversary, Rosemary. There's nothing like getting rid of clutter to clear the desk - and the brain. I must try to do the same some time soon!

Frances Garrood said...

The clutter thing is the ones- and only - reason I'd like to be a nun. All basic needs catered for, but no STUFF.

Congratulations on the anniversary!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thank you, Joan! The pile of scrap paper is gradually disappearing...

I know what you mean, Frances! Thank you.

Paula Martin said...

Congrats on you anniversary, Rosemary!
As for a clear-out, I think I have six or seven different notebooks, and keep telling myself I should sort out the wheat from the chaff in them all! It's a 'get around to it' job! So well done, for getting round to it, in your case!

joanne fox said...

Congratulations on your anniversary.

It's very cathartic to declutter isn't it. I've been at it too, but my husband keeps telling me off for overheating the shredder!

Patsy said...

Congratulations on your 37th anniversary! It'll be our first in 1 year and 3 1/2 weeks ;-)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Paula. As well as a pile of scraps, I also had to go through a few notebooks as I have too many for different things!

Thank you, Joanne - I've just been tearing mine up and putting it in the recycling bin!

Enjoy the most exciting day of all!

Cara Cooper said...

Congratulations on your anniversary and on getting rid of some of your clutter. I wish I could say the same, I am the Queen of Clutter & amazed my husband puts up with it. We celebrated an anniversary today - of our first proper date. The romance thank heaven is still there after 11 years, I just hope it is after 37!

Vikki said...

I laughed to myself when I initially read the title of this blog post as it could have had another meaning...congrats to you and Dad:)

Diane Fordham said...

Congrats Rosemary! I love going through my old notes and scraps of paper... always looking for a piece of treasure :-)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Cara - I've enjoyed seeing the scraps disappear! Well done on your 11 year romance - I'm sure you'll have many more to come.

My mind is obviously on a different plane from you, daughter dear!

Thanks, Diane - it's quite fun findign unexpected lines!

Karen said...

I have a long list of ideas waiting to be realised! It must be very satisfying to finally turn them into something saleable :o)

Congratulations on your anniversary.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Karen - there're still a lot of ideas here which need work!