We built our home in the 70's and there are many things around here that fit into that category. Take for instance the panelling in the basement. It was the thing to have in one's basement at the time. Now it just looks quite dated to me. I would love to paint it. My dear husband who indulges me in anything I want, is totally against painting this panelling. Since I love him dearly, I don't push this issue too much. Heck, I wouldn't mind painting the brick fireplaces. He also has an aversion to painting brick.
I have collected many of these Cat's Meow houses during our travels all over the USA. My sister and I would buy lighthouse replicas when we visited lighthouses together. I do cherish those times we spent together looking for the next great lighthouse. I display them over the doorways in various rooms of our home. Some are on the mantel in the family room.
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| Williamsburg |
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| Conway Railroad and The Old Man in the Mountain |
I really don't know what to do with these items now. Sure I could try to sell them. Being sentimental can really haunt you. Times spent with loved ones, that are no longer here, make it particularly hard to get rid of certain items.
I guess my cautionary tale for today is--Be careful what you collect!
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
William Morris
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
William Morris
Hmmm, what can I say? A former, serial collector here and I empathise completely. I also find that attachment is a strong bond that hampers clearing out and moving on. These days, I find I often don't buy anything new because I cannot give it space, or justify adding more things to dust ~ I truly do not like dusting!
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea to display those houses over your door lintels! A great, eye catching way to display them. ~~~Deb in Wales
Deb, I like the way you think. I'm afraid I don't dust as often as it's needed. Seems to be a job that could be done daily at my house. ♥
DeleteHi Martha Ellen, I FINALLY got my photo albums brought up-to-date about 30 minutes ago so now I'm free to start my decluttering. Your cautionary tale totally caught me off guard. I thought you were going to give some wisdom about how to get rid of stuff! ☺ That's the best advice I've ever heard--Be care what you collect! I think putting your Cat's Meow houses over the doors is out of the way enough that you can just leave them there if they hold some meaning for you. Perhaps you could pare them down to only those that carry a special memory. The others you could save for a yard sale and give some other collector a great deal of joy when you let them go for practically nothing!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I've got no wisdom here about collections. I guess I was just feeling sorry for myself about having spent money on things that no longer bring me joy. I like your idea about saving a few of the Cat's Meow...maybe I'll do that very thing. Good luck in your decluttering process! ♥
DeleteReading your comment about having spent money on things that no longer bring you joy ~ same here. I try and focus on the joy they did bring me, but find little solace when I think what I could buy with that money now ~ as in something really useful for the garden or kitchen! lol
DeleteI know exactly how you feel! I have a huge collection of Precious Moments figurines. I began collecting them when I started highschool. I collected them for years and received so many as gifts from family and friends. A few years ago, I lost interest in the collection and sold many of the ones I had purchased myself. I can't bear to part with ones that were given to me as gifts, for sentimental reasons. I still have 2 shelves in my living room with the figurines, but I am seriously thinking of wrapping them up and storing them in the basement. I need room to display my books!
ReplyDeleteRosinda, it's quite a dilemma isn't it? If sentiments didn't get in the way it would be much easier to let go of things that we no longer find joy in. ♥
DeleteI just had an idea for you ... instead of putting the little houses over your doors around the house, how about building a shallow rack or shelves and filling a large space with them like art?
ReplyDeleteAs far as collections go, I totally understand how one can move beyond the need to collect certain things. For years, I collected wooden textile spindles. I have two of every type I ever found (collecting them in pairs). They looked great in our last house, displayed on the family room mantel. Here, I haven't found a single place where I can put them out and have them look right. It just looks like clutter, so they stay in their box. You know, I don't think I've missed them one bit.
Connie, I kind of feel the same way about the Cat's Meow items. I don't think I'd miss them either if I got rid of them.
DeleteThanks for the thought about building a shallow rack--I'll ponder that idea before I let them go. Thanks for stopping by! ♥