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Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question
Aging Well | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (495)Comment receiving replies
Isn't it lovely to be retired and get to choose (mostly) when to travel? I remember making some early trips to Texas in truly dreadful January weather - now we go (in non-Covid times) in October, and come home in April.
We are fortunate that our Minnesota season, so far, has had only 2 major snowfalls and two days with below-zero minimum temperatures. And the past 3 mornings we have had lovely "fairy fog" on all our trees.
I am not attached to very many of my possessions, and willingly pass them on, often for free, when no longer needed/wanted - I think my upbringing with 5 siblings in a 3 bedroom home, and 5 cousins who were like siblings, sharing virtually everything except underwear and socks, made me that way. My Dad would literally feed people off the street - but that's another story...
My husband, on the other hand was essentially an only - only son, sisters 10 & 11 years older. Nobody ever touched his stuff, he had places to accumulate whatever he wanted. He has a very hard time discarding possessions, even things not used for 20 years and not likely to be ever used again.
We all have such different experiences in life, and such different personalities. I have one daughter who treats belongings like I do and recycles them quickly, another who would literally keep the envelops her bills arrived in if she had the space.
Sue
Replies to "Isn't it lovely to be retired and get to choose (mostly) when to travel? I remember..."
@sueinmn We sound so similar! I am downsizing a lot of my crafts right now. Not that I am not fond of all my beads and findings, and macrame things, but honestly, am I going to use them or gawk at them? My neighbor is "into" rockhounding, and has discovered tumbling semi-precious stones and beads, so all those beads are great for her. Likewise gifting out quilting fabric/ patterns to those who can make use of them. My dad also brought people home for dinner, like your dad.
Over the years there are small things that have found their way into my "sentimental value" pile, memories stirred up that only I would recall. Nothing big, and sure to cause consternation to others, later! A stone, small brass vase...
Ginger
Sue, what is 'fairy fog'....spoken like a true 'sand between her toes' gal.?
We've had a week of chilly to cold for us. Last nite my thermometer said it went down to 33. In the 50's today. We'll have several days like this, in 50-60's w/40's at nite, then rain and warming and colder. Up and down.
I think Jan/Feb tend to be in 30's at nite, occasionally high 20's and occasionally for long freeze, but only a few nights a year. So far, I'm keeping my plants in pots and in ground watered and talking to them a lot...they're ok. I'll send pic of blooming vanda orchid hanging in my crepe myrtle and protected....the bloom is almost ready to open.....hope it makes it and I can take picture. And, get some help to learn to send....One step at a time. I'm surprised it enjoys the cooler weather so much.
Stay warm, love your precious hoarding husband.....Blessings. Elizabeth
@sueinmn, I started shivering just remembering those below-zero temps long ago in Duluth! smiles Living in a very drought ridden area of west TX though it was sheer delight to awaken to 7" of gorgeous snow a couple of days ago. We'd only had a mere dusting earlier that didn't cover the ground and was gone by noon so this is wonderful and far more than we've received at one time in several years.
I think I must fall somewhere between your two daughters in "letting go of things". While my daughter is quite proficient at donating all sorts of things, I find it a more emotional struggle about some things. Not quite to the degree, which brought a smile and nod, as your one daughter and the bill envelopes but not as easily as your other daughter either. So true that our life experiences and personalities influence our tendencies and behaviors.
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Oh how we all are so different in some ways and so similiar in others! I was an only child, so my things were important and valuable to me not in a monetary sense, but just because it's mine! Because of what went on in my family in my younger years because of money my house is very Special to me!
I have started to go through my wardrobe and eliminating clothes I haven't worn for years! They had two guys helping me unload my car at Goodwill!
Yet in saying that I kept two t shirts from 30 to 40 years ago! Not to insult anyone because of religion or sexual implecations but here is what both of them say.
First one says, "I SURVIVED CATHOLIC SCHOOL"! A dear lady friend and I would wear them to parties, always got Great laughs and a lot of "You to also, and then stories about their childhood! The other a very old friend of 40 years, we were both executives of a major car rental company and belonged to at that time called American Ski Association also Ski New Mexico and several other associations found Tshirts in some shop or bar that we would always wear the first night of a conferance. They Said, "GIVE ME ROSSINGNAL OR GIVE ME H@#$"! Always got a lot of laughs! Anyway they are still in my closet after all these years. I keep the last one my friend and I were notrious wearing going through airports it is Special to me because he has Late Stage Dementia and dosen't remember me now or remember or times together!
But a $90 Ralph Luren polo is on a homeless person in ABQ!
Had a Bad day health wise today, but going to work on the house in the morning if I feel better!
We didn't get the Big Snow we were supposed to today so we wait for another week! It's blowing through to WEST TEXAS so that should be fun driving tomorrow! May even head north to Minnesota! Very dry here this year! But it is a High Desert so what do you expect!
Sundance(RB)