Accidental Hoarder

You may recall that in July, Jim and I started our master bathroom renovation (in thirty easy steps!). Since we replaced the tub, not a lot has happened in there.

And now it’s October. Time to get back to work!

Jim took the day off yesterday so we could take out my half of our double vanity, among other tasks.

Before Jim was able to use his jig-saw to cut the thing out, I had to clean out the cabinets and drawers. The cabinet on the right side was no problem: it was full of things like bubble bath, Roxie’s shampoo, and other containers of stuff.

The cabinet on the left was a different story. That cabinet was home to, well, my feminine hygiene products, which doesn’t sound unusual on the surface.

I really thought that cabinet would be easy to empty. However, as I sat there on the floor peering directly into the recesses of the cabinet, I could see the contents much better than I normally can when I’m standing up. That’s when I saw the problem.

I am a hoarder.

I pulled out a bag of Always, and then another bag. Then two boxes of Tampax. I was only at the tip of the iceberg.

Before continuing, I sheepishly looked up at Jim, who was standing there waiting for me to finish so he could grab the saw. He said, “You’ve got a ton of that stuff under there, don’t you?”

Let me interrupt myself to tell you that, for as long as I can remember, I have kept a supply of feminine hygiene products in my car, JUST IN CASE. In fact, until recently I kept them in Jim’s car, too–to his dismay. I don’t know: it’s a “thing” for me, and I have been gently teased about it for years. I stay prepared enough for myself and two or three friends, maybe four. You know the aunt who always has gum? Yeah, that’s me, sort of.

The cabinet turned out to be something like a clown car as I reached in again and again, pulling out half-full bags of pads, in several sizes and varieties. One of the bags didn’t even display the current package design. (Okay, two of the bags. You got me.)

At one point I wondered if the cabinet actually had a bottom to it, and even though there’s no danger of the mass quantity of product going to waste, it was slightly embarrassing to see my collection of blue packaging all over the bathroom floor in front of me. Jim smiled and shook his head while I giggled.

Even after consolidating the partially-filled bags, it was, as I actually said out loud to Jim, “an embarrassment of riches in the feminine hygiene products department”.

When we get the new cabinets installed, I’ll be more careful to check my level of supplies before I head to the store. I’m guessing I won’t need to purchase any more until sometime in the spring of 2018.

In the meantime, if you find yourself in that kind of bind, let me know: I’ve got your back.

9 Comments

  • Grandma W

    Well you can get organized and put them in a basket in your new cabinet so you know what is in there, or several baskets or a couple decorative boxes. I’m glad I haven’t had to worry about that in a very long time.

    Love
    Grandma W

  • Kelly

    Sadly, I identify completely. Super, regular, light tampons..Maxi pads, thin pads, ultra thin pads, pads with wings, overnight pads, pantyliners…

    I’m am also a hoarder in my car…and in my purse.

    Guilty.

  • Liz

    P.S. Garth (not his real name) was real popular with his tellers, when the office bathroom ran out of feminine products and he was able to…uh…help them out with the supply he keeps in his car. For those of you reading this who don’t know, we’ve got 3 daughters, enough said.

  • Ally Bean

    Yep, I’m this kind of hoarder, too. I think for me it is a learned behavior from my mother who hoarded such things & taught me to do the same. “Just in case….”

    • Melisa

      YES. Be prepared!
      I’m so glad that I’m part of a huge group of women who are overly prepared. I thought I was just weird. 🙂

  • Kate

    lmao
    I’m the same way. I tend to go out and buy more… not realizing that I already have from the last time. I’ve stopped doing that now. When I’m down to the last five tampons or pads, I go downstairs and write it on my grocery list that I have started. It calls for a next day emergency grocery day, but then I don’t have multiple bags of stuff.