I bought a nice little leather pencil case.

At first I thought it was a real indulgence, and then I told myself to shut up because it wasn't really leather and was only seven dollars. I tend to quantify everything in terms of the orders of Pad Thai I could get for the cost of something--and unless it's a lunch special in a small town, you can't even get a serving for this price, therefore quantifying the cost as a pittance.

Anyway,  it was back to school time and I enjoyed putting my favorite pens in there and a couple of pencils too. I put my favorite casual, long-shaped lipstick, and even a tampon. Finally I had a place for things like that! Finally something that I always had a youngster that made me feel more like an adult, or at least feign the appearance of an organized, female one! Overall, I felt really together. Overall, I felt really happy.

Within a week I lost it.

I realize this post would really benefit from the inclusion of a photograph of it here. Maybe this is the whole issue. I think this is a case of my love and admiration for a thing only really happening after it is gone. Otherwise, why didn't I take a picture of it anyway? Why do I only have pictures of objects that have since been sold?

Well, that's not totally true. To prove it, here are some pictures of things that I also don't have anymore for a variety of reasons--none of which could be classified as "lost":

I got this for a dollar at the Bins and sold it for 50 on Craigslist--BUT! I still own the horse...even though all of his legs are broken off.

Dolphin Temporary Tattoo. Go figure.

My first cat, Bonnie. She's dead. I do still have my sister who is alive and well.

I gave away Bruce Willis' debut cassette as a joke at a Christmas exchange. This dress is also gone. As is my natural hair color. I still have those earrings though. They are made of beads attached to paper attached to a stud.

And so so so much more. I can only hope that heaven is a lot more like the TV show Hoarders than any religion is comfortable discussing.