What does it really say about our society that we have allowed every holiday to be turned into

[Luminous Animal]

5. I live with 2 packrats...

About once every 3 years, I can't take it anymore and clean the "stuff" out. Everyone once in a while I feel so overwhelmed by stuff that I freak out and my husband and daughter point out all the stuff that is mine. AND then I point out that most of that stuff are things that they've given me. And then, of course, I feel like a chump... as though I am ungrateful for all that stuff that they have given me.

I actually convinced them to not give me anything anymore. That lasted for 3 years during which I had to abide with sad faces on every gift giving occasion.

If my family were to pack up and move, my personal stuff that I would want to keep would fit into 7 boxes. Each of them would need 50... at least.