100 Things

I was inspired during the summer when my brother-in-law told me about a book he had read, where the author endeavored to live with only 100 possessions.  I remember sitting there counting what I was wearing (four bracelets, 2 earrings, shorts, tank top, sweater, hair elastic, 2 sandals), when I realized my purse alone could have 20 more things. 100 things is really not that much.
This idea became very important during my preparations for this year in Vienna because 2 suitcases, one carry-on suitcase, and a backpack would fill very quickly when every pair of shoes you own is your favorite.
I felt like I was turning a corner, really starting fresh. Packing for Austria made me donate 4 huge trash bags of stuff that has been lying around in my house since I started college. And I left a whole dresser of stuff I decided I really wouldn't need (until it got colder).
And yet.
Somehow all three pieces of my luggage were over the weight limit when I checked in at the airport. Maybe this was just result of my family failing to replace the scale when the ancient one broke---probably six years ago.
But it's ok. Some people can live with 100 things. I might need a few more, because, really, living in Vienna only 10 days so far, I have used my rainboots and umbrella, both of my coats, each of the three purses, and have thought about the stack of music I want to learn. And it was absolutely necessary to bring my oversize bottles of shampoo and conditioner because they would have been way more expensive here. duh.

*It worked out, though. The flight attendant who checked me in didn't charge me an extra cent for those overweight bags.