Almost everyone living here has enjoyed the lovely, long stretch of warm weather that launched this autumn. Until two weeks ago, I hadn’t really thought of summer as “over”. But last week, it hit me. I finally cut down the last of the flower beds and brought the outside chairs inside. It’s bittersweet. I’m sad to see summer go, but enjoy the autumn and the romance of winter. People who live in the south miss all this.

I really hadn’t given much thought to the “closet shift” but Pennsylvanians know the wool eventually needs to “come out of the closet”. I just took my flip flops away from the front door (where they have been worn and cast off repeatedly for the past six months) and put them with the other summer clothes that haven’t made their way to the back of the closet yet. I think this might be the latest I have ever waited to do this chore. I don’t remember having any summer things “front and center” at Halloween. Nevertheless, the task is not done.

Candidly, I hate this chore. It’s a pain in the neck. After all, I’m juggling three wardrobe sizes now. I’m not naming any numbers, mind you, but my “bottom” is a different size than my “top” and I have a complete “lower size” group of clothing (that I’m sure I’m going to be fitting into any day now). While I’m in the middle of a season, I can gloss over the reality of this, but the truth stares me down when it’s time for the seasonal shift. I think the “size issue” is why I hate the chore. My dad says he knows what make clothes not fit right anymore. It’s the dark that makes them shrink. Nice, Dad.

I really like watching the shows about how to get organized. I like the advice they offer. I’m not a neat freak, but I do like a clean house and really don’t keep a lot of clutter around. The “keep, toss, donate” rule is simple for me to follow –with the house, that is. But in my closet, those last two words: “toss, donate” just don’t sink in. I look at a suit jacket and remember about how difficult the choice was to spend what I did to buy it. I look at a dress and remember the wonderful occasion for which it was purchased. I look at a blouse that fit so well (two sizes ago). I know in my heart what I need to do, but it’s easier said than done.

One television show that I just love is “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”. I would love for him to show up at my house. I’d be mortified, for sure, by the tough-love advice and observations I’d get, but I need them! It’s maddening, though, that this male gives such good advice when the males I live with have no clue about what “seasonal shifting” even is. Nothing like a gay guy to tell you like it is, sweetie.

Anyway, I used to keep my clothing in one closet, but I’m secretly encroaching on another closet in the house. My dresser drawers are getting hard to close and the things inside them haven’t been worn for years. My undergarments are in desperate need of replacing and I own shoes that are actually getting dusty. It’s time, I know. But before I go to make my peace, I’ll end on a high note to get me in the mood to handle this task. By the way, the first photo is not my closet. For fun, I took these actual photos. The photo in the beginning is taken from this website that is all about organizing: www.dalemannodesigns.com/images/closet.jpg.

Some good advice I’ve received over the years:

” Always store clothing after it has been washed or dry cleaned;
” Always have one season-neutral suit dry cleaned, pressed and ready to wear (this advice is for both men and women);
” Always have two “emergency” outfits clean and pressed that are appropriate for any occasion;
” Fold sweaters and dresses rather than keeping them on hangers;
” Avoid storage in extreme temperatures;
” Keep shoes in their individual boxes or place them on racks or in bins;
” No wire hangers (yes, Mommie);
” Donate to The Salvation Army, the clothing boxes (that have recently popped up everywhere) or take your gently worn pieces to The Clothes Closet at St. Stephen’s Church (W-B); and finally,
” If you could use some extra bucks, go to a consignment store. Click on this link for some valley stores. Change the location if none of these are near you:
http://www.local.com/results.aspx?keyword=consignment+shop&location=Wilkes+Barre%2c+PA&courtesycategoryid=25184700