Creepy sailor boys, frogs and broken mice

Why do people save the things they do?  I received 2 boxes today that my brother packed up and sent to me, with items belonging to my mom that I guess he thought I might want.  Not sure why exactly .. !  Can you say .. things that make you go HHMM-M-M ... ?


These things were not the heirloom pieces you might expect.  There were some cups.  Okay, she liked these I guess.

But did you know they were still doing The World's Fair in 1982?  And for some reason it was important to her.

Okay, the magazine from when JFK was killed.  I understand that.

But what importance did she put on this tiny frog, that she wrapped him in newspaper and packed him carefully away?

There are some really old books that are kind of cool ..

I think this one belonged to my grandmother.

1896
And then there is this ancient teddy bear .. I don't know who it belonged to.  Logic would say it was my mom's when she was a kid but for some reason I'm wondering if it belonged to her brother who died before he became a teenager.  But, who knows?

And what does anyone make of this creepy old bisque sailor boy?  I'm tempted to toss him right away because he's just .. icky .. but sometimes old things are worth something, icky or not.  But him?  Eew.

There are several magazine covers from Women's Day, most marked 5 cents, this one was 7.  I tend to think these were pictures she liked, nothing more.  There are also pictures from calendars and cut out from other magazines.

Okay, this thing is a flute of some sort.  I'm a bit afraid of it.  I mean - I had my tubes done years ago but this guy smacks of fertility to me.  Just sayin'.  I certainly wouldn't have lovingly packed him away.  Where did he come from?  Who gave him to Mom?  Or did she like it enough to buy it herself as a souvenir perhaps?

Can you imagine your teenager reading a book entitled Home and School Entertainments?  Uh huh.  Bet there are some nifty hi jinks in there!

And oh my gosh look!  It was profusely illustrated!!!  What does that mean, exactly?

And then there is this sad little mouse.  I mean, he's cute and all.  But his ear is glued.  Badly, I might add.  Where did he come from and why did she care enough to glue that ear and pack him away?  Sort of amazing how little I know by looking at this stuff.  

Guess that proves that stuff is only stuff, and it's not the stuff that matters.  But it still makes me go hmm-m-m-m ....

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.. about those collections ..

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... there is nothing I own (that I can think of) that I expect my kids to keep after I am gone.  I was reading someones post about cleaning out 3 generations of "stuff" from a relatives house, and how you should think about the people left behind when you collect things, store things, save things for a special day.


So I have some collections.  Vintage glassware and some other things.  None of those things need to be kept - hear me kids?  I would hope there would be a big garage sale where it would be sold to people who would be thrilled to get a deal or excited to add something to their own collection.  Okay, or might be happy to find stuff to turn around and sell on eBay.  And in the end - if the stuff doesn't sell - stick it all in a box and drop it off at the local thrift store.  


It's only stuff.  I do not want to cause anyone more work than is necessary, no rending of garments or anything, but these things make me happy right now.  So if my kids have to clear it out I can only make one promise - I won't leave so much that it's like cleaning out a hoarder's house.  No, really.  I promise.  There will be floor space to walk on and nothing stacked to the ceiling.


As far as I am concerned, I won't be going anywhere for a long time so no one will have to worry about anything - anytime soon.  But with my Mom's passing she left some things, like artwork she created that none of us quite knows what to do with.  And there is guilt involved in finding a new home for it.  I mean - Mom, your paintings are quite good but I just don't have a place in my house for native American art.  Sigh-h-h-h.


So I will try to only leave things my kids will think are crap and won't have any guilt about getting rid of.  Or something.  Just sayin'.  Isn't is nice how I think of them?


Besides, the real hoard will be quite easy for them to dispose of because it's all on my computer.  The real hoard is images.  Thousands and thousands of images ... for the same reason many hoarders give for collecting all the stuff they do - I might need them someday.  Huh?  I know, right?

Never said I was normal.


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two phone calls and one email from school

She simply cracks me up.

Subject: My Stuff

MaaaMaaaa

My room is getting situated and my fridge will be delivered tomorrow. Can you pass the message on to Andy that if he's still up to it, he should come tomorrow, but also let him know that I don't get out of class until 3:15? I was hoping you could stockpile a few things for Andy to bring, just cuz, well, you'll be better at it than him. Also, I'll be checking my email daily, I'm sure, but probably with less frequency as usual, as I have to use the computer room, and its really. freakin. hot. in here.

Please gather:

1.) MORE HANGERS! like, you can open my wardrobe and take all of those, and if there are any laying around my floor or whatever

2.) GRANDMA'S QUILT--located in the back left corner of my room on my laundry basket

3.) PINK SHINY PILLOW--on my floor

4.) ROLLER BLADES--In the front room already

5.) BLUE BENCH--in garage

6.) BLUE TABLE--also in garage

7.) BENCH CUSHION--in front room

8.) MORE FAT QUARTERS--not neccesary, but I've been making great use of them--If you feel like, send a few of different patterns on, no preference really.

And then I was wondering if you could do me a favor--a leafy favor. There are no house plants in this town! I went to Walmart and they only had outdoor plants. =( I really wanted some life in my room, and really wanted like, at least one big leafy plant--something... in a pot... with leaves... that you water? LOL It really perks up a dorm room, I think. If you wouldn't mind going and finding me a plant, that would be MAJORLY awesome and I would MEGA appreciate it.

Have Andy call me plleeeeeease. You can call my cell if you need me, I'll probably be out of class by 1:30 today. Thank you for helping with my stoof.

Love and kisses,

Dani


*wraps arms around myself* - she still needs me. :)
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