By Jennifer Carrasco

First,came the Hags. Those chittering crones, one on each shoulder, who needled and whined. "Jennifer, you have too much stuff. Cull and Discard. Cull and Discard"

I was making arrangements to move up to Providence St. Vincent's on the Mount and my new apartment is only 275 sq.feet.

So I started with my books.  "My darlings," I said, "You need to go." I took 1/4 to my hometown of Pomeroy, the Navel of the Universe. I took 1/4th  to our Seattle library. And some I discarded. Do I really need to keep that cockroach nibbled edition of "How to Mend Your Erotica " Nah. The rest I kept. Mostly poetry and books like "The Cicero Translations" which I vow I will finally tackle.

Then my studio. Artists LOVE free stuff. I told Tonia and Michaele that they could have everything if they cleaned out my studio and hauled rejects away to the dump. My studio became so pristine it didn't recognize itself.

After that, a Last Hurrah Party for 70 guests where I spread out my paintings on my bed, priced them, and raffled some. Served wine. Copious wine. And food. Poof! All gone.

Two Ikea pilgrimages followed. One to scope out possibilities and eat Swedish Meatballs. (thanks Lucia) and one with my designer buddy who is superb at placement. (Thanks Sabrina!) Sabrina also found my red comfy Ikea chair and ottoman. We also ate Swedish Meatballs.

The Final Move was accomplished by having a brilliant engineer nephew and niece, a brilliant niece who lives full time in an RV, and a brilliant organized sister. 

"OK Auntie J. What do you absolutely need from this cabinet/shelf/drawer?" The rest goes to GoodWill or Dump/It/On/A/Corner/With/A/Free/Sign." 

These relatives understand Space.When they are not designing rockets or wing flaps, they are placing the kitty litter box at the most efficient angle, or getting rid of unnecessary coat hangers. 

Also, they know design. What to group with that temple carving and Chinese scroll? Of course! The door handle Auntie found in an alley in HongKong! And how many inches between the two paintings over the bed? Bsst! Drill and done. (Did I mention they know tools?)

"Keep Auntie busy sorting her books so she'll stay out of our hair." 

"Here Auntie J. Your books and some of your tchotchkes. You arrange them".  

Time flies. I turn around and the room....is done!!!  Wine o'clock!