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[mustang66lady]

@Writer with Flair

I love your concern about the clothing and shoes for school kids!  I don't know of any charities around here that do this.  I know someone does collect new and gently used coats for kids but that is usually closer to Thanksgiving.  I always tried to pick up extra pencils, erasers, crayons, scissors, etc and send with my grandson to school.  I figured the teachers could discretely distribute to those in need or at least have them on hand for those that needed them.  I also try to gift the teacher with the same at the end of school so they will be ready for the incoming kids in fall. Hate to hear of kids doing without of such simple, but much needed items.  I will try to seek out a place to donate shoes and such in my area-it's a great idea!

[RespectLife]

@ChiliPepper

@novamc1  and I will let you know the secret to moving and purging...IF we ever figure it out!

I tend to stay put long years like Nova...not quite 38 though!  I had 17 yrs. in the first house.

That was an easy move.

Since I was mostly home during those years raising the kids and then only working PT....the only things I had to get rid of was baby toys!  All our money went to raising the kids and living.  No extras were purchased in those days.

However, in this current home, since the nest became empty....and I discovered the 'joys' of shopping....OH BOY!  Whole different mess at this house!

My makeup alone will need a Uhaul...a second one for my clothes, another for shoes...and two more for handbags.  But HEY....I LOOK GOOD!  Ha ha!!

Truth be told....I am actually a bit ashamed....even though I LOVE and use it all...excessive in all ways.  (head hanging)

Then there is our antique and Carnival Glass collections....

While 'collecting' is fun...it comes with a loss IMHO.  My carnival glass is just gorgeous!  I can barely part with ONE piece let alone a curio cabinet full.  GOT to do it somehow!

Here's what I learned:

Very few ppl ever make a profit selling the things they collected...

Very few children EVER want to keep what the parents have 'hoarded'.

LOL

My advice is NOT to collect anything in the first place!  LOL

My poor BIL's dearest Civil War collection went for pennies on the dollar...and my sis was left to deal with cannon balls, swords and rifles!  Try shipping 3 cannon balls!

Bless your heart @novamc1

Your move is MILES!  Mine is only minutes!

[mustang66lady]

@RespectLife

You said a mouthful when saying the things we collect, our kids probably don't want.  I think for me, coming from and being raised by Depression Era parents, you take care of things and pass them along.  My parents were raised in nothing, being from huge families-15 in my Mom's family and 13 in my Dad's during the Depression.  When they began to have money, they took care of things and we were taught to do the same.  Today's society is completely disposable.  When I look at the things I throw away, let alone what my kids throw away, it's disgraceful.  My Grandparents are rolling in their graves. 

[novamc1]

@mustang66lady@RespectLife@ChiliPepper

So true, so true!!

Collecting anything--no matter what the history or quality-- is going to be lost on the next generation, it seems.  Homes now are furnished in disposable IKEA-quality goods, or if what you have did not come from Pottery Barn (or look like it came from  Pottery Barn), forget it. 

Part of the reason for "temporary" quality in home furnishings might have something to do with the fact that today's young people do not feel they will  be able to stay in one city or one home for a long time--and that probably has to do with the changing nature of jobs and our economy.

I dealt with a delightful couple yesterday who bought a very  high-quality bed frame from me, and we were commiserating on the taste-level of today's younger people, the low quality of imported furniture, etc.  The wife said she had turned over a  solid-wood dresser to one of her kids, but with the proviso that if it somehow was not wanted in the future, please return it to Mom.

That's how we older folks roll, I guess. 

I'm having to turn loose of my long-time love affair with vintage glass, and the only thing that makes it not too hard is that I have no idea what I would do with it in the future except pack it, unpack it, find a place to store it, keep  it clean and unchipped.........and then what?.  That's what we have to ask ourselves, I guess.

[mustang66lady]

@novamc1

Thank you for your take on this!  It's funny, before my first husband and I divorced, we were shopping for a sofa at one of the nicer furniture stores in our area.  I sat on one I thought I would like, and dropped my hand to feel under the middle front of the sofa.  The salesperson came over and said, "You know good furniture.  You're looking for the fifth leg, aren't you?"   I told him yes and while I liked the sofa, it wasn't for us because there was no fifth leg.  Nowadays, you can't find them on any sofa, or at least I haven't.  Not hardly any truly nice furniture stores around now-mostly chain stores with furniture that only lasts a few years before it begins to fall apart, if it lasts that long.  I never connected the lack of durability of furnishings with the economy of the millennials having to be almost gypsy in order to survive because they will have to follow the job market.  How very sad! 

[RespectLife]

Boy, you guys aren't kidding with the poor quality of furniture!  Even in my lifetime, I have had some pieces turn to junk!

But the quality of the pieces my grandparents (especially) and parents purchased live on. 

What on earth has happened to REAL wood?  It has turned into particle board and laminate!

I have 3 chairs that were my grandparents that are still fantastic.  They are going with me.  I couldn't bare to ditch them.

While they will truly need reappolstering, at what I know will be a tremendous cost, they are as solid as can be. 

I have a Secretary desk that was Gram's and 2 tables that were my parents that I just can't let go of.

They are not really my style any more, but I have decorated the guest bedrooms around these pieces.

Oddly, all the furniture I will get rid of is most of MY purchases!  A huge oak TV center, an oak grandmother's clock, an oak roll top desk.  All VERY good quality....but I don't like oak colored items anymore!  My lovely oak dining room set is not needed.

I know I will be lucky to get a few bucks on these pieces!

[ChiliPepper]

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@novamc1 wrote:

That's how we older folks roll, I guess. 

I'm having to turn loose of my long-time love affair with vintage glass, and the only thing that makes it not too hard is that I have no idea what I would do with it in the future except pack it, unpack it, find a place to store it, keep  it clean and unchipped.........and then what?.  That's what we have to ask ourselves, I guess.

@novamc1

@mustang66lady

@RespectLife

Do you all suppose it will be freeing?

Gosh, I hope so. It's painful thinking about it.

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[mustang66lady]

@ChiliPepper

I think maybe it will be; when I look at all that I have, all that I have collected plus the antiques that DH brought into our marriage that will go to his daughter, I actually think it might be fun to start over not just knowing less is more, but living thru it.  Before that "freeing " feeling, the bandage has to be ripped off and I think that is what we all dread.  Plus, I think it is almost burying loved ones again, when we get rid of something they once loved.  Those things, I may have to leave to the kids to deal with once I have completely lost my mind or am 6 ft under!

[ChiliPepper]

I guess we could start with the non-sentimental "things".

The extras. Sort & keep the best of the best I suppose.

I mean, how many --------- do I need LOL???

[ChiliPepper]

Top Tips For Learning To Let Go

Attachment to objects can make it difficult to let go. Here are a few tips to try to ease the pain:

– If the item does not bring you joy, is not used, or is unlikely to be used, then it should be removed. If it is broken, useless, tatty, and has no sentimental value, then it should be removed.

– The hardest things to throw away are gifts, as well as old stuff. Don’t feel guilty about getting rid of these when the time comes. The other culprit is miscellaneous bits and bobs- that a lot of people confuse for being useful- stating, “that will come in handy some time.” No, your rusty paperclips will not come in handy some time.

– Don’t try to go from extreme hoarder to extreme minimalist, overnight. This might be too much of a shock to your system. Instead, get rid of the easy stuff first, or set yourself attainable targets for de-cluttering. You can always go back for more later.

– If you struggle to throw things away, ask a friend or family member to come and help you to de-clutter your home. They will have a external and independent perspective that will help you to work out whether you are keeping hold of a load of junk.