Gettin' thin.

When we set out to do this Gypsy Odyssey thing, the plan was to move to some area of the country, rent an apartment, and live in the area for a few months before moving on to another area. This would mean, we felt, that we would have to take a whole lot of stuff with us… just normal household stuff that people need in their everyday lives. So, we sat down and drew up a list of things which we felt every household needs. Without going into intricate detail, suffice it to say that by the time we were done loading eight boxes, three suitcases, a vacuum cleaner, wastebaskets, a 25 inch TV and numerous other items into our car, there wasn’t much room left. At one point, it became a choice between taking the cat or a soufflé pan. The cat won.

So, off we went. However, the first part of our journey involves going around the country visiting friends and relatives. But every time we stop anywhere for more than a day or two we have to unload everything from the car. Needless to say, this becomes a bit of a hassle. Not only that but it is a bit of a drag not having any room in the car to do anything more than just breathe. To paraphrase the old joke, the car was so full that we had to step outside to change our minds.

So, while are here in Austin again for a few days, we’re taking the opportunity to rethink what we reallllllllly need. Today we opened up all the boxes and started the agonizing process of deciding if we really need ten bath towels or could we get by with just four. Do we really need twenty sets of underwear or could we maybe do the laundry a little more often and take only a weeks worth. Do I really need that can of WD-40 or could I just bum some off a next door neighbor. On and on throughout the afternoon, momentous decisions like this were made. After the dust finally settled, we had ditched the vacuum cleaner, the TV and a total of three boxes worth of stuff that we’ll just have to do without. The car will still be quite full but at least now the cat will have a place to lay down other than under Margaret’s feet.