Tuesday, September 25, 2012

rug unrolled


What can I say but we moved.
It was successful.
We like the place.
Old boxes were opened.
Treasures were found.
Many are silly.
Objects hold memories.

I'll be back soon with pictures
and a story or two
now that I've found my pencil sharpener.


 How do you decide what's worth keeping?

34 comments:

  1. Sending you salt and bread as a housewarming gift - an ancient Finnish tradition to bless a new home, with much love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a nice thought. I didn't know about the bread part but I've never carried salt from one house to another. The funny thing that happened this time is that I didn't remember to replace it for five days - something that made meals taste odd.

      Delete
  2. That is a tough question with no easy answers. Is there room for it? Does it perform a function as well as look pretty? Is there some sentimental attachment to it? These are the questions I ask myself before deciding to keep or discard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually we stay in a place and stuff just piles up here and there. The good thing about moving is being forced to separate the good from the trash. It's those in-betweeners that are killer, don't you think?

      Delete
    2. Oh, I have kids to pass that in-between stuff onto and then let it be their problem :)

      Delete
  3. I'm glad to hear you have survived the move!

    How do I decide what's worth keeping? With difficulty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rob.

      You're right it's a tricky business.

      Delete
  4. I see Hummels! Always wanted some as a kid but never got any. I acquired plenty of other treasures, however, and have kept most of them. Don't know why I sold my HO gauge train set right after my mother died. It was a time of minor insanity in the mourning stage and was a peculiar reaction, because I really did love that train set!

    Just read marja-leena's comment about the Finnish housewarming tradition and found it fascinating. I am half Finnish and love learning about the heritage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I've kept several Hummels that belonged to my mother that I'm not sure what to do with now. I'm sorry you lost your HO train set but I understand how that could happen. When my mum died I did a few similar things when I was seriously grieving.

      Yes, I just told Marja-Leena about my salt thing - an old, old rule I never questioned.

      Delete
  5. One of the few advantages in moving is the chance it offers to lighten oneself of a lot of accumulated excess baggage :-)

    The two Hummel figurines really bring me back to my childhood - my mother had a couple (I think they may have been a wedding gift) and I think the little boy was identical with yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that is so true. It's funny that a few years go by and you look at something and say 'what was I thinking?'

      I still have three (the other is a little boy cuddling three rabbits) that belonged to my mother. It's neat you remembered the other boy and I'm glad it brought you a happy memory.

      Delete
  6. There's a story in that top photo. Now, let's hope that all of your new neighbors aren't the Illinois State Police.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought about doing a series of pictures along with a story but you do those things so much better than me. You know that might explain why Elwood hasn't returned yet.

      Delete
  7. God Nose! OMG, I haven't thought of that strip is ages!

    I look forward to more pics of things and the stories behind them.

    (I am getting lost in memories of GN, one of the most erotic comic characters I ever encountered. Thank you for that!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes, Jaxon was most cool, wasn't he? He started it all and what he pulled off led to the magnificent Vaugh Bodē, Crumb and the rest.

      Glad to be of service :-)

      Delete
  8. If it has strings attached to my heart, I have to keep it. Otherwise, I've become ruthless in what I get rid of. I'm also much less inclined to accumulate new stuff. I'm still trying to get rid of the left-behind belongings of four girls. I laid down an ultimatum - if it's not claimed in a year's time, it's going out. The year is almost up and it's all still here...

    I'm glad the move is over and that you are not going to have to suffer another minute of those crazy college kids. A snapshot of the new studio nook? Please? :-)

    I love the R Crumb figure and I'm not surprised, as I know he is one of your favorites.

    The Jake E. Blues figure brought back a flood of memories. One of my first dates with CR was to a drive-in to see The Blues Brothers movie. Some months later, I met Matt "Guitar" Murphy (rhythm and lead for the Blues Brothers) and he asked me to run away with him to his Cape Cod condo for the weekend, when he and his band (not the Blues Brothers) played a local gig. I must have looked like I had the blues, I guess. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way about the heart strings part but having lived for years without having seen a lot of this stuff I no longer need it as memory enhancement material. It's very understandable you're ready to get rid of the things that belonged to your girls. You know they're well and they've surely been getting more stuff of their own. George Carlin had it right.

      The move went just fine (thanks for good wishes) and we have more than enough space. The other place looked small when I went back to clean. I promise a picture of the new studio nook as soon as I get it set up to my liking - pictures to hang and an organizer shelf still to buy and paint..

      Mr. Natural was always my favorite of his characters.

      I'm glad our Jake character brought back such neat memories. Cool that you met Matt Murphy and I wonder if you took him up on his offer :-)?

      Delete
  9. No, Susan. I didn't take Matt up on his offer. It takes more than a man with a guitar to sway me. But only slightly! ;-)

    Looking forward to having a glimpse or two of your new space, my dear.

    ReplyDelete
  10. well I'm in a diferent situation but am coming to the conclusion that it's not worth keeping anything at all. second round of moving stuff to different storage has seen another car load go, most of it to the charity shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear, I'd thought you were nicely settled into a new spot a few months ago. I agree it does get tiresome carrying belongings from one place to another.

      Delete
    2. no it did not work out with the house share as she thought I was a live in servant... do her horses, do her dog, do the housework, get the shopping, run the gardener home... and she went on four holidays the three months I was there... lol.
      I am so grumpy today.
      I moved in wtih my mum but she has just told me i can't stay here because she does not like my three cats so I am really upset now.

      Delete
    3. I'm so sorry to hear the place didn't work out. Sounded pretty awful, in fact. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that something better comes along soon.

      Delete
  11. It's such a had decision to decide what to left go of isn't it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The worst are the things you suspect you'll need again but don't really care for - like tools.

      Delete
  12. Yay! Congratulations on your new place. How glorious must if feel to reacquaint yourself with the things that had been boxed up.

    I'm looking forward to those photos.

    P.S. I don't know how I decide what to keep. Perhaps not deciding is more what I do.

    ReplyDelete
  13. every so often i go through my old stuff and jettison a few bits - sometimes you have to be a bit hard hearted to do it, but i've got stuff that's been in boxes for nearly 10 years, so i guess i didn't need it that much...

    The usual rule is that if you haven't used, looked at or missed the thing in a few years then it can probably go - unless its a heirloom or holds some special significance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good overall plan. After a few serious long distance moves we're down to the essentials now.

      Delete
  14. I love your newly rediscovered band, Jake and the Hummels!

    Great luck in this new place, it sounds like a step up for you both. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With Stephen Hawking providing vo-corder back-up.

      Thanks, CR - we do like it here and will maybe be able to afford a trip or two now we've saved a bit on rent.

      Delete