Spring has sprung . . .

What does spring mean to you? What is the first thing that pops into your head when spring is here? Do you spring into action? What action?

Let me count the ways . . .

I bet the first thought is to do some spring cleaning. Let me tell you the ways: dusting, washing, scrubbing, vacuuming, maintenance, and more. Then there is there the inevitable organization, sorting out, clearing out, arrange and rearrange, put back in order . . . are you tired yet? You bet you are!

So take a seat, kick off your shoes, have a cold drink, close your eyes for a few minutes, and then carry on. But before you take what you put in boxes to be hauled away, given away, or trashed, look again. If you are too tired, ask for some help or another opinion. Haste makes waste and you could be getting rid of something that you may later regret. I know this to be true for I have made the mistake of getting rid of things and years later, wondered why.

Just the other day I went through some leftovers fabric I planned on putting in a yard sale and when I took the time to look at them again, I said to myself, nobody is going to pay for these remnants of fabric that I have held on for a long time thinking I was going to make something out of them, but didn’t. Then thought again, I should keep these and revisit my sewing machine and make something useful out of it. It actually felt good to do this. I know I may not get to this project soon, but when I do have the time, I will make something.

The same goes for family memorabilia. All those little things: souvenirs, knick-knacks, tchotchkes, and other things that at one time, for some reason, you bought it. If these things can still produce a good memory, and nice feeling, a dream and a wish that came true, or even if it didn’t, perhaps it still means something to someone else in our family.

So again, think about what is in those boxes. Then think about saving and displaying them. In my book, Create a Family Museum and Save your History, there are many examples how and where to save those little things. Also this blog has many past posts on the same topics. Click on any of them and you just might be inspired to save a little of your history. As this appropriate quote says:

 "You can find a lot of old memories
when you clean out your closet."     Anonymous


My book is Available on Amazon and at www.HeritageBooks.com

 

Stop before you regret . . .

I recently read an article how after people throw things out, they wished later they had kept it. It’s even possible that just a few short weeks later, regret is already starting to kick in. Perhaps it is due to the current trend to declutter, jumping on this bandwagon because it is the right thing to do.

Nonsense.

With so much hype about getting rid of things will achieve some sort of peace, as well as more space (to only just fill up again), is creating confusion. It is this rush to spring into action, throwing things out or giving things away can be detrimental. With so much dialogue about what and how much to get of rid can trigger people to feel remorseful after decluttering and losing these items forever.

There is also the philosophy that if one has a preference towards things that   leads to an overabundance of stuff, it is possible that these possessions would out shine relationships with people. What gibberish! It is far better to understand that by surrounding yourself with things that make you feel contented and more secure contributes to your well-being.

So what is the best way to avoid this path to regret? Stop before you purge. Instead, think about what you have and give attention to those things that hold fond memories; who, when and why you came to possess what you have. First sort through those items, be thoughtful as you strategize your course of decluttering and then clear-out what is meaningless. If you are already in the state of regret, consider replacing the item.

Life is really a sentimental journey, and if you trash your memories, you would end up lamenting and that can only lead to a life of melancholy, and you don’t want that. Spark your own joy by holding on to your memories.  

For more encouraging direction, my book, Create a Family Museum and Save Your History, offers suggestions, the ways and means of how to save, and a plethora of references. Find it on www.amazon.com or through the publisher’s website, www.HeritageBooks.com.


 “Keep some souvenirs of your past, or how will you ever prove it wasn’t all a dream?”  Ashleigh Brilliant
 
 

What do you do with passé clothes?

The other day I took some of my favorite clothing to a consignment shop in hopes that they could sell them. I had some exquisite vintage Laura Ashley party dresses and gorgeous sweaters, a beautiful Victorian-style velvet opera coat, and an electric assortment of leather vests and a skirt, and a very stylish pair of animal print boots. All of these pieces have been worn and cared for over the years, but alas, no longer fit. If they did, I would still be wearing them. I do not want to donate them nor do I know anyone that needs them.

I put the dresses and coat into garment bags and the rest of the items in a suitcase. My son helped me take them into the shop. When I arrived at the shop, the bags were hung from a clothing rack and the suitcase sat on the floor. As I waited I looked around the shop and could see nothing but a sea of clothing.

The shop owner opened the bag with the opera coat in it and said at the get-go, “to vintage for our shop.” But they were impressed with it and thought about taking it. But as for the dresses, they passed without any regard for the classic clothing. “Nobody buys Laura Ashley anymore and you can find her dresses for seven bucks at Goodwill.”

I asked about the things in the suitcase. She could see I was upset so the suitcase was placed on the counter and opened. Once again before they even looked through the items, they told me all of the clothes were dated.

“Dated,” I astonishingly replied. I pointed out a most unusual green silk blouse with fringe and beads on it, and the timeless leather vests and skirt, and the designer boots.  She asked, “When did you buy these?” I replied, some during the 1980s, some recently.” “Dated,” she said again.

Closing the suitcase, she apologized and said that the only clothing she takes in needs to be no older than 10 years. I was about to retort, then said nothing.  They repeated, “These just don’t sell.” Then I asked about the opera coat and said, “You really don’t want this coat either, right?” They both nodded their heads and saying they just don’t think it would sell either.

So I called my son and told him to come back, that I was done here. He was back in a flash, grabbed my things and out the door we went, not turning back to say goodbye.

So, now what do I do with this lovely clothing? If I had the space, I would but some of it in our Family Museum. There are already several items of clothing in the museum: my husband’s Leisure Suite, Boy Scout Leader Shirt, Navy Uniform, my pink jacket with the rhinestone collar, my white gown with fringe down to the floor that I wore when I became an American Heart Association Princess, and my very precious pair of hot pink hot-pants. Even a pair of Louis Jordan shoes.

As I stored away again the clothes, I thought how it really is a shame how our society has become such a disposal society; here today gone tomorrow. People do not take care of their things and are quick to dispose of it and replace it with something newer, but not necessarily better. 

The past several generations have lost respect for, unfortunately, for more than just clothes. Many do not want their parents or grandparent’s things, family heirlooms, and much more. They are losing out on such a vital part of their family’s history by not at least trying to cherish what past generations have worked and strived for. And this goes for their own possessions, including their clothes.

I will be blunt here and tell these people to stop being so unappreciative. Their insensitive attitudes and arrogant proclaimed entitlement is appalling. If most everyone would cease being so quick to get rid of things and take time to consider their ungrateful words and actions, maybe, just maybe, our society would be  kinder. If everyone would try to be respectful of the past, we can have a more tolerable present and a positive future.

Save your clothes, save your things, save your history!

Happy New Year, but where did 2018 go?

Wow! 365 days and what do you have to show for it? I asked myself this question and what made it easier for me to recall all the things that my family and I did during 2018 came when I was looking through my calendar to find the most interesting moments to share with our family in Germany. This family is dear but not near enough to us, so when we have the opportunity to travel from Virginia to Germany, we do.

But for all the times we don’t get to visit, we email as often as we can. After I sent my e-card holiday greetings, I always email a long letter to the family. I had to check out when was the last email I wrote and I was surprised that it was way back in July. As I sat there trying to remember all the things that happened since then, I looked at the calendar, and there it was . . . all of the goings-on scribbled into the little spaces on each months’ page, enough for me to recall so I could write about it. Very surprising how much a calendar can tell you. Seven pages with pictures, off to Germany it went.

So, where did the year go? Here, there and everywhere. Back and forth to jobs, shopping, doctor appointments, meetings, a few parties, and when we could squeeze out the time, a little day trip to an event or a special place. And all through this time, I gathered more memorabilia for our Family Museum.  I think sometime in the New Year I will have to reorganize some of the things, because as you add, there are items that may need to be taken off the shelves and stored safely away. I don’t like doing this but space is limited. This gives me the chance to get creative with display methods and by consolidating same-like things into one place, such as a shadow box, more room is made for other memories.  

As this New Year begins and everyone makes resolutions; some kept, some not, this is the best time to plan your Family Museum. The most effort it will take is to find the space, but it is there, in fact, in can be in many places by incorporating curio cabinets, shadow boxes, shelves of any kind everywhere in your home. So get busy during these winter months and by spring, when the holiday season begins with Easter and throughout the year, when your family gathers for special occasions you can show off your Family Museum and be very proud for saving your family’s heritage.

Visit my past blog posts. There is information that guides you and suggestions that may interest you to create a beautiful & meaningful place in your home and in your life!

 

Also, my book Create a Family Museum and Save Your History is available at both the publishers’ web address which is:

https://heritagebooks.com/collections/recent-publications?page=3

 

 

 

And on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Create+a+Family+Museum+and+Save+Your+History

 

 

 

Till next post, from my Family Museum to yours,

Happy New Year!