The last 10%

I would estimate that 90% of our things are now packed in boxes. (Which have been numbered, labeled, and inventoried, because I am nothing if not my father's daughter.)

Of course, 10% still remains. Most of that 10% are things we are taking with us on the road, clothes that still need to be packed, and miscellany that we either continue to need or that just doesn't lend itself to packing -- lamps, house plants, pens and paper, tools.

Somehow, though, the house feels like a snow globe that's been turned upside down and shaken by a vengeful toddler. There is not a surface, let alone a room, that is clear of STUFF. How is it that the last 10% can wreak such havoc? How is it that a house that is only 10% full can feel more cluttered than when it was 100% full and we didn't have a square foot to spare? How is it that it took us no time at all to pack up 90%, but every time we think about doing something about the last 10%, we are completely at a loss?

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In semi-related news:

Swine flu. Avoid it if you can. Really slows down the process of doing anything about the last 10%.

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