Home

[amyb]

---

@magicmoodz wrote:

@gidgetgh @amyb 

I just had to share something silly I did today. I was cleaning/sorting/decluttering things in my linen armoire this afternoon when I came across 3 old dishtowels that belonged to my mom.

Now I am a bit of a dishtowel snob and only keep them in great condition. Trust me, these 3 towels have seen better days, but I just cannot throw them away. I have never used them, I don't even know how or why I have them, but for some reason they represent my mom in sentimental ways. So once again, I tucked them behind a stack of towels only to visit them the next time I declutter that armoire.

---

@magicmoodz I totally get it too! I'm glad to know it's not just sentimental me. It can be the littlest thing, but it means something to us, for whatever reason, or memory it connects to, or emotions it conjurs up. I love it.

I totally could relate to you tucking them back there safely, with care. It was same for me that day I went through my mom's trunk and tossed that cardigan. I took everything out to see what was in there, and folded the "keepers" gently and neatly back in there. It's comforting, for whatever reason, to have a few of those "pieces of mom" still here. Thanks for sharing with us.

[gidgetgh]

@magicmoodz @amyb 

Speaking of dish towels, I have had this dish towel forever.  I got married in 1991 and I had it WAY before I got married. I think I got it at Richway, which, at least in my area, was what we had before Target.

Anyway, it is threadbare. I haven't used it in forever.  But I, who have decluttering ice water running through my veins, will never get rid of it. My sister or her kids can hurl it into a dumpster one day when I'm gone.  

First, I always thought it was adorable.  Second, again, I had it before I got married, during a time in my life when I was fine on my own, living by myself, working and happy. 

When my husband died and I moved (albeit close by), it was a really big deal to me to bring as much furniture and stuff from that time in my life when I wasn't married.  Those things were almost like family members to me. It was almost like those things represented a time when I was ok and maybe by having those things around me, even though I lost my husband, I would be ok again.  Lots of symbolism and comfort for me in my personal pre-marriage things. 

I don't use this towel, it is too fragile, but I will never get rid of it.  

[lynnie61]

@magicmoodz   I can relate to the dish towels.  I've bought so many for years for my mom, but she used the old one's that HER mother gave her.  When moving last year, I found a big bunch of potholders, brand new, that my grandma made.  I have several of them in my kitchen now.  Just brings back wonderful memories.  My grandma quilted and "traded" her potholders in the 60's and 70's for other items.  

I found an old linen calendar towel. Remember those?  I did pitch it, but it was 1976.  My mom probably kept it for the bicentennial.  Who knows what else will turn up in my childhood home that has lots of memories.  I just can't keep EVERYTHING.  

[amyb]

@lynnie61 @magicmoodz @gidgetgh Aw, you guys have touched me with your stories tonight...that I so can relate with!

I know this is a decluttering thread. But what we hold onto, and why, the psychology, mystery, behind it all, different yet similar for each of us....is fascinating, relatable and just very human.

Love these stories. Thanks, everyone, for sharing.

I said it before, but it says something, that I'm not sure I can articulate...that it's these simple objects that represent so much to us...more than anything of big value...that matter so much. 

Anyhoo.....I totally get it @gidgetgh all you explained about your "pre-marriage" things and how they helped you feel secure on your own again...totally makes sense.

And @lynnie61 all your mom's potholders etc.

@magicmoodz your dish towels.

In my mom's trunk is this ratty, silly, pilly throw...someone gave her at her assisted living at one point to throw over her feet while sitting in her recliner at night. It's aqua, with yellow moon faces on it...celestial look to it. Polyester, pilled. My mom had so many nice things, beautiful taste, and we certainly had plenty of her own cozy, beautiful throws and blankets to use. I'd say mom, don't you want to put your nice soft blanket on instead? She'd smile sheepishly to me because she understood, as if to say "I know it's silly but..." she'd always say "No....I like this one, it's comfy" (I think she liked that it was lightweight and small)...and she'd laugh. THAT was the one she'd have me put at the foot of her recliner over her...pilly old small throw someone from the home gave her. I have that in the trunk and will forever. It made her feel "tucked in" and "cozy" each night before I'd hug her and leave her place and she'd say "let me know you got home...thank you for everything." "Love you dearly...me too." ❤️ So, yea, I get it, ladies.

[Twins Mom]

After pulling three bags if clothes and books from DGD's bedroom, I went through them today to sort.  Books being saved for other Grands, some clothes also for them, and one and half bags organized for Savers.  Finally out of my car....  A few more things put in donate bag and then dropped off.  Some progress.

[rnmom]

@lynnie61 - Oh my goodness, I remember the old linen calendar towels! What a blast from the past! I haven't seen one in many years and would love to see one again. 

[magicmoodz]

@amyb @lynnie61 @gidgetgh @taquito 

I've had a bit of a cry reading your sweet posts this morning. At the same time, it is so heartwarming to read that we all share a common bond in treasuring items belonging to our moms. As worthless as they might be to anyone else, they can fill our hearts with such happy memories.❤️

[RedTop]

My latest decluttering effort has been in my desk drawers.  The middle drawer was stuffed with my genealogy notebook and hundreds of scraps of paper with names and date information.  I finally sat down at the computer, slowly working thru the notes, adding the information on the correct family tree, storing on a flash drive.  It has taken hours over the course of several weeks to get this done, but the notes and the notebook are no more.  The desk drawers are neat and orderly.  

As for dish towels, at the present time, I have 2 kitchen drawers full.  Not because I have a thing about them, but because my girls like to gift colorful ones for Mothers Day and Christmas and they add up.  As soon as they are stained or worn, I use them as cleaning rags.  

Last year when I cleared out my parents house after Mom passed, I found OLD dish towels from my grandmothers house and my aunts house in the kitchen drawers!!  All were faded, quite worn, stained, with burn marks and holes, and I could not believe my eyes at finding them in my mothers house!  They went out in the trash without a second thought, and I still can't believe Mom saved them.

[amyb]

Hi all~ pair of old SG leggings (not the cropped ones I set aside, last wk, for working out), a long pair with little circle dots, I would just wear for working, comfortably, around the house.  But I noticed the print was faded at the knees, I'd had them a while and am over "that look", even 'round the house. Hadn't worn them in a while.

I have another pair...floral (I know, sounds scary!)...but actually very pretty floral, (brand "Salaam Clothing", beautiful, custom printed clothing, made in Vermont, we carried in two different boutiques I worked for)...earmarked for possible donation. Not sure I'll be wearing these again. I'm just over a "tunic & floral legging with boots" look of 10 years ago. I still don't hate these, though, (we know I love my floral prints! Lolol), just for maybe hanging out, but feel it might look dated, silly now. 

I think trends are over it too. Salaam is a beautiful brand for dresses, tops & skirts, still, (check them out if you like that stuff), but these might go. Have not worn these in over two years.TBC....hm. I've noodled this before, then tucked them back in my drawer again. Me: 🙄 sigh.  

Gotta call my "fussy consignment", for appt. I've got two tops, 2 Lug bags & going to run the 2 homegoods items by them, (they're in the car trunk, for GW, but if I'm going to consignment, at least the "word art" sign they might take...they sell a lot of those.) Whatever they don't take is getting donated.

Nothing much new here, that's made big changes in wardrobe/home, but little by little by little....

I did refresh my bedroom wiith a pretty light yellow spring bedspread & shams yesterday. 🌼 Flannel sheets, chenille bedspread, gone, for now! CT has been chilly the last few days & "green spring" is still a ways away, but I was DONE with "winter" inside my home now!  

That's it...for now. Happy first Spring wknd, ya'll. 🌺 🌼 🪻 

[amyb]

Not my leggings, but a pic from the Salaam website 🖤

I still like that funky girl look. That said...they're all on sale...probably a sign that trend is not as popular these days...and not sure I see myself donning this look. And yet...I've decided, they're going to "live in my drawer" for now. 🤷‍♀️ I'd wear them around home or for errands in fall, not for any "serious outfit." Sigh...the plight of my clothing "purge" journey...is.......my challenging area! Love clothing, fashion, being creative with looks, several different looks depending on my mood etc etc.

Their fabrics, btw, are beautiful, with a beautiful hand to them, in case you check them out...not inexpensive, but quality.