The parcels kept rolling in day after day. Every parcel reinforced the joy of Christmas! Even when I had guessed the contents of a package, it was still a thrill to open it and try on yet another beautiful dress.

And then catastrophe hit with a vengeance! Not once, but twice!

The rod in the clothes closet gave way, and each time, hundreds of dresses spilled across the floor. That, combined with a loved one’s looks of disgust, was not a pretty sight.

After repairing the closet for the second time, I asked, “What is to be done?”   

“Change tactics! Go for variety.” That’s the answer, I concluded.  

I switched my on-line focus from dresses to what goes with dresses. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets in endless, budget-worthy variety.

My changed focus expanded further as I looked for shoes and boots to go with my outfits. The possibilities multiplied exponentially, and each came with a bonus!  None put any pressure on the cupboard rod. Each, however, still required space and time to organize.

And then the goal of every self-respecting woman shopper: purses! to go with
every season, every outfit.

With each change, I was hooked anew, and rejoiced in sending the credit card into spasms of activity day after day.