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I really don't want to get rid of any of my "creative clutter" - I can think of ways to use all sorts of bits and pieces, especially since I have started doing mixed media mosaics, such as this...
So I guess what I really want to do is organize this clutter enough to be able to clean underneath it all.
Nice. How did you get the artichoke to grow in the magnolia? I must be hungry because I am picturing melted butter in the bottom shell where the Holy water goes.
No wonder you don't want to be rid of your stuff. I don't want to be rid of most of my stuff either, and for the same reasons.
JuneyBug - thanks for making that point; once it is organized it is no longer clutter...so if you have too much stuff to find what you are looking for it is clutter, but if you have it organized on shelves or labeled in boxes so you know exactly where to find it that is what to aim for.
I have never had any use for the adage 'if you haven't used it in a year toss it out". Horrors! Think of all the genealogical archive materials that have been tossed by busy-housekeepers!
Yep! I used to think that I was saving stuff for posterity, too. then my son had the nerve to tell me he didn't want my KRAP, he married a girl who doesn't want my KRAP, and she doesn't want extras of any kind of stuff either. She asked me if a young friend had "asked" me to make a quilt for her coming baby. (As if one should "not" make a quilt for a person who might not appreciate getting it.) Maybe she is right. Anyway I have no delusions that they will want to know what I struggled with (Bible study notebooks) worried about, or loved.
It's all going to the dump when I'm dead - so why not send it there now? Unless I'm using it, want to use it again, or can find somebody who needs and wants it, they can find my stuff at the thrift stores. And that will include all the family heirlooms, too. I'll find good homes for all of them now or in my will.
I have to admit that part of me wants them to have to clean up this mess and do all the work when I'm dead. but I think I can enjoy my home if it's neater and better organized. Also decluttered.
So you have to choose your goal, just as I get to choose mine. You can keep all that you want to keep. You can accumulate more and more. You can add to your stash daily if you wish. I'm making a different choice - not a right choice, not a wrong choice; just a different choice. Enjoy :)
gavafreind,I dont have any children of my own, but I have a stepdaughter and step son,I told my stepd.you know you will end up with all my crap and baskets ,she chuckled and said I will just have a garage sale and sell everything for 25 cents each,sooo with that being said I had my own garage sale,she did pick out things she did want,thats when I decided,less is more ,I do recycle,reuse,donate ,as much as I possibly can now,there is a basket in my closet that is for good will,when its full it goes out the door.If I havent used it or worn it in 2 yrs it goes now,I only have 3 closets,I had to make the choice.And I will mostlikely sell off antique furniture before I go ,since it seems Iam the only one who really cares about the old stuff even though its perfect and has an excellent resale value,maybe I will take a trip with the proceeds,she is not even interested in my jewelry,that shocked me,that trip might be a really nice one !!!!
Good for you, huggergirl! I doubt if my son would even trouble himself to have a garage sale. It's kind of like a rebellion thing, maybe. My dad was a stuff keeper. He kept the broken pieces of faucets, parts from things he discarded, etc. He had 5 acres with shops and buildings all over to store his stuff. When he died we put a few items in his casket. I put in a quilted wall hanging, my sisters added some stuff they had given him. There wasn't much room in the casket for very many things. And all his stuff stayed in his garage, his den, and the little shop. Now we are beginning to process the grief and donate some of his things to some who will enjoy using them. My dad was a wonderful man who was very smart, loved telling jokes and stories, and he enjoyed working and taking his grandkids fishing. So I'm rebelling against the collection habits of my dad, but the collection gene is in my blood. My son wants to rebel against the collection of my stuff.
If I give away the pins my dad collected from 40 years in the Elks lodge it won't bring my dad back, it won't change the way I feel about him, nor will it make any difference to any of his kids or grandkids. Maybe some of the Elks members will make a donation to their favorite charity in my dad's honor when I give all of the pins to the local lodge. I'm working on the closet where I stored some of his things. And it's kind of hard to do this, but this is going to give me peace when I have a calm, arranged space.
Gava
May I tell you something (understanding that I don't know your son or daughter in law and I know that you do)
When I was young -- I told my mom to 'get with the program' 'come into the 20th century' 'get rid of all that orange glass' 'get the NEW stuff'--- Corelle!!' Give up the italian ways...this was 'Merica!! OUT went the depression ware... in came the Corelle... out went her tortoise shell plastic BEAUTIFUL purses...and in came "pleather" (an exaggeration ..but you get the point I am trying to convey)... I made a terrible mistake. And, I bet I hurt her feelings. I am so very sorry for being so rude and so stupid. So, the point I am trying to make is that you have to do what you think is best for your kids ---even saving the "Krap" that they don't want ---with the knowlege that they WILL grow up and get smarter. You know what is good 'stuff' and not. Also, if I may be so bold... daughter-in-laws sometimes get replaced -- and their 'replacements' may be very sentimental kinda gals... you never can tell. ...
Thank you, missingrosie. Thanks for your perspective. It was my intention to give away all the heirlooms to others before I die. Maybe the Lord will let me live long enough to see my son become a human being again. Revenge would be so sweet if my grandchildren want to keep and save all the wonderful things I've saved for them. I told my mother-in-law just before she died that I was going to have lots of fun sharing all the tablecloths, doilies, afghans, and bedspreads with "my" daughter in law someday. I'm still hoping that someone will want them.
Forgive yourself, your momma probably did, just because she loves you.
