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!

Christmas Trees & Family Museums . . .

Have you ever noticed that when you put your ornaments on your Christmas tree that you are creating a family museum? If you and your family are like most families, over the years, you bought, collected, got handed-down and even made many of the ornaments. Perhaps there are a few left from your childhood that were significant to you or another family member. Maybe the ones you have purchased over the years were because the ornament reminded you of a special person or event in you and your family’s life. Could be that there is a particular collection of ornaments from places visited. The ones that are most precious are the ones that were hand made by you or your child.

 

All or many of these decorations represent your family and your memories, and that is what a Family Museum is all about. As you take the baubles out of the box, I bet you can tell a story about it as you gaze upon the shining object, touch the sparkles, and even see your reflection on the ornament as you hang it on the tree. And as you tell the story it makes you recall that moment in time when you first saw it and put it on the tree. And when you find one that has broken it might make you ponder on why it broke. Were you not careful enough with it? Did you rush it into the box not realizing that it may be in jeopardy as other ornaments were placed in the box? Though it may have broken, the memory is still there and maybe you can find another one like it to replace it or maybe even fix it.

Whatever and however you decorated your Christmas tree this year, remember that you are witnessing a gathering of memories and perhaps you should write them down, place the little note with the ornament for the future. It is essential in life to keep your memories alive and well.

My Christmas gift to you and your family are these wonderful quotes I have assembled and listed in my book,

Create a Family Museum and Save Your History,

to read and keep in mind as you go through life.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

 

 

Quotes:

 

“Keep all special thoughts and memories for lifetimes to come. Share these keepsakes with others to inspire hope and build from the past, which can bridge to the future.”                                          ~ Mattie Stepanek

"Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children's children."                                                         ~ Deuteronomy

 

“A morsel of genuine history, a thing so rare as to be always valuable.”             ~ Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States

 

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

“If you don’t recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them, too. The tales may not seem very important, but they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are.”                                               ~ Madeleine L’Engle, American Writer

 

My book is available through the publisher’s website:

Orders@HeritageBooks.com and available on Amazon

 

  

 

Let the Holidays begin . . .



As we finished the month of October with many fascinating Halloween characters, took down the ghosts hanging in our yard, we hung the Thanksgiving flag from the veranda and the wreath on the door and filled the cornucopia with small ears of colored corn and lots of funny-shaped gourds grown in our yard.

On the first of the month, my son & daughter went to see the reenactment of the First Thanksgiving at the Berkeley Plantation on the James River on Route 5 in Charles City County, VA.
In 1619, English settlers observed the first official Thanksgiving in America with Native Americans. Read more about it at: http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/first-thanksgiving.html

The next Sunday was Veteran’s Day, a solemn occasion of reverence, respect and regard for all those who served our country. My husband and son went to the Veteran’s Day Ceremony held at the Victory Arch in Newport News, Virginia. Songs, Anthems, speakers and tributes were performed, with the resounding cry from the lone trumpeter playing Taps. This is a good time to honor your family veteran by placing a remembrance to them in your Family Museum.

And if this isn’t enough, next weekend starts the holiday season off with a staggering display of holiday cheer and delight at Busch Gardens Christmas Towne. My son is a train conductor on the steam-powered locomotives taking park guest on a Railway train ride around the park. https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/christmas-town/

Then on Thanksgiving Day, not only is it a national holiday, it is also a special day for us for it will be our 49^th Wedding Anniversary. I guess we will be having turkey for dinner and of course, champagne to celebrate the occasion.

Once Thanksgiving is over, out comes the Christmas decorations. As this holiday season is longer, we take our time opening a plethora of boxes filled with Christmas lights, garlands, ornaments, and wreaths, decorating and truly enjoy the bright color lights and festive colors throughout the house.

 So let the festivities commence and save these memories in our Family Museum.                                                           Happy Holidays
 

I want to take this moment to write a few words about the devastating fires in California. In my previous post of Oct. 21: Lost Memories can be replaced,” I wrote how lives can by rebuilt by finding replacements for their lost heirlooms, giving them a sense of place and history again. Now more than ever it is important to consider creating a Family Museum to protect and proudly display ones' heritage. God Bless and carry on . . .

Lost memories can be replaced . . .

Devastation of any kind, be it by fire, hurricane, floods, tornadoes and theft, results in lost heirlooms and treasures one may feel can never be replaced. And this may be true in some circumstance, especially if the item was rare and cannot be replaced. However, many things can be, therefore, I am offering hopefully a little bit of solace with a few suggestions on how one can go about replacing their lost items.

In every city, town and on-the-road, there are individual antiques shops, antique malls with a plethora of booths showcasing and selling everything from A to Z. Even yard and garage sales. It doesn’t matter where you find your lost treasure and even if it is not exactly like the one that perished. As long as it resembles the piece(s).

Start by either finding a photograph of the lost item or search for a similarity online. In fact, it is possible to find most of what is lost by simply sitting at the computer and let your fingers tap away. Both ways, either physically or sitting and searching can help ease the pain of loss and even offer a bit of fun while you go on the hunt, because one of the greatest pleasures in life is when you find what you are looking for.

And after the replacement is completed, remember to always take a photo of it and log the items history: where and when you purchased it and what you paid for it. Insurance companies require authentication on many things and more than ever on antiques and other valuable items. It also provides a little piece of mind for you and your family.

Most of all, always remember that your memories will continue to be there even if the object of that memory is no longer with you. Life does go on and you never need to be without the things that make you happy. So go on, go to that antique store and peruse the many things that will take you down memory lane. And if and when that lost family heirloom is relocated, please start a Family Museum with it and build around it. Make it grow and flourish just as memories have over the years. Good luck!

The following page is a chapter taken from my book, Create a Family Museum and Save Your History. The words focus on the heartfelt theory of why we save things. Enjoy!

The Comfort of Things              

Everyone has an opinion. Many, particularly those in the field of analyzing human behavior, who, with my pedestrian knowledge on the study of the brain, have come to the conclusion that they are even still confused about the whys and wherefores as to why people collect, even after all their exploration and evaluations are through. Therefore, to simply state it, people collect and people save. It’s only human nature that we do. So let’s start out with an uncomplicated theory: things give us comfort.

Accumulation of things presents a tangible expression of a person or household. From the decorations hanging on the walls, to whose photographs are on display, and what collections are arrayed on mantelpieces. Material objects also help deal with loss and change and provide comfort. Collecting is also a great hobby. One can also learn about people through the medium of their things. There is a complex role played by objects in our lives, and indeed in our relationships with others. Becoming attuned to the presence of material forms can sometimes speak more easily and eloquently to the nature of relationships than can people themselves.

Does this make any sense to you? Kind of, you may think. Say, for example, you invite a new friend to your home and conversations are a bit awkward at first. Then you point out your collections of antique paper weights, each having a story to tell. Everyone had some kind of paper weight in their life and this subject may induce a lively conversation that will create a comfort zone. People like to tell stories and people like to hear them as long as you involved them by asking questions about their collections.  

So what do you collect? And why do you collect? 

When people think of collecting, they may imagine expensive works of art or historical artifacts that are later sold to a museum or

listed on eBay.  The truth is, for many people who amass collections, the value of their collections are not monetary but emotional —and often, not for sale. Collections allow people to relive their childhoods, to connect themselves to a period in history or to a time they feel strongly about. Their collections may help keep the past present, creating a comfortable atmosphere in which to live. However, do you feel overwhelm with stuff, fear that you are more connected to your material possessions more so then your relationships with people? That the more materialistic you become the more superficial you are, and that your relationships with people suffer as a result? Hogwash! The opposite is true; that possessions often remain profound and usually the closer our relationships are with objects, the closer are relationships with people.”

 

Collectors are really happy people.  Collecting is still mostly associated with positive emotions. There is the happiness from adding a new find to the collection, the excitement of the hunt, the social camaraderie when sharing their collection with other collectors. It is the comfort of things.

 

 

Excerpt from, “The Comfort of Things,” written by Daniel Miller; Cambridge: Polity, 2008

 

 

My book can be purchased at either of these sites:

 https://heritagebooks.com/collections/recent-publications/products/create-your-family-museum-and-save-your-history-how-to-find-space-create-organize-preserve-and-display-family-heirlooms-treasures-and-memories

 

https://www.amazon.com/Create-Family-Museum-Save-History/dp/0788457640/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540153835&sr=1-1&keywords=elizabeth+Goesel

 

 

Where did September go?

My family and I were so glad to see September start and even happier when it came to a close. Why?

Here’s why . . . but first I had to resort looking back on my calendar to recall all the things and events that occurred.

All the schools were back in business after Labor Day and we could already feel the difference in the air. No noise from the community pool which is close to our house, the stores were fairly quiet with all the school supplies sold, and the tempo of the day returned to its normal beat with the days getting progressively shorter.

 

We were hoping for our hot weather to start cooling off, but that wasn’t happening. In fact, there was Hurricane Florence approaching our eastern shores and we were told to buckle down our homes and fill our pantries. Charlie even secured his young willow tree from the savage winds.

As the hurricane couldn’t make up its mind which way or what state it was going to hit, the barometric pressure and constant heat played havoc with our nerves. Then our air conditioner decided to quit. Needless to say, this furthered our discomfort and made working

in the house difficult, for we were expecting company. Why is it that chores, repairs, cleaning and such are put off until company comes? I guess it is because now you have a need, thus incentive to get those things done, so we did and after it was all done, we patted each other on the back and took a nap.

Then the hurricane blasted the shores of North Carolina and its furious winds decided to change course, going around Virginia’s shores, to the west, then north then east again, skipping over us. This was good but it trapped the hot humid air and made us all miserable. It even made air travel for our guess uncertain but when the day came for her to fly from Chicago to us, all was fine and she arrived, safe and happy.

Donna stayed for a week and we entertained, went shopping, sightseeing, and I even gave a talk on my book to a local genealogical club where she pitched in and had a great time. Before that our family hosted our monthly wine & dine group, which is pretty easy but nonetheless, creates more work.   

The time went fast and she was back on the plane to Chicago.

 

It took us the next week to recoup from all of this activity and then the weather started to get cooler. I got back to taking care of our booth at the local antique mall and on the last day of Sept. there was an antique car show there and we enjoyed looking at all the old cars. Great way to end this crazy month.

Now it is October and we are  once again waiting for the weather to get cooler and thinking about the holidays. I also need to get back into our Family Museum and organize the things we have been adding to our collections over the months. I truly enjoy working in our little museum and happy to know that our past is secure and on display for us and all the visitors that come our way. So how is your Family Museum doing? I hoped you saved your summertime memories and added whatever pictures and souvenirs you collected along the way.

And as the evenings start earlier and days become shorter, now is a good time to start organizing your memories before more are garnered with holidays and such. Until then, enjoy October and take care. I will post again when the spirit inclines me to do so.

 

On The Radio . . .

On July 8^th I had the opportunity to be interviewed on a local radio show, The Neal Steele Show in Gloucester, VA. 
 http://xtra99.com/team/neal-steele/

As members of the Chesapeake Bay Writers, authors are encouraged to promote their books and being on the radio is one of the best methods to get the word out. The author is given a few guidelines as to what to expect and to just be yourself and talk.

Neal is a skillful host that makes the author feel comfortable, sharing conversational banter that radio listeners like. So with his skill and my desire to talk about my book, we had a good time and hopefully, some books were sold. The author gives the sales information so the audience can find the book.

My book can be purchased either through the publisher: www.HeritageBooks.com or on Amazon.

The interview was taped and a link to the podcast is given in our newsletter for members to listen to. I have copied the link here for you:

https://soundcloud.com/user-690985594-963820146/780723_001a

In the newsletter, a write-up is given informing the member of the interview and a picture of the book's cover.

Elizabeth Goesel -- Create Your Family Museum and Save Your History,
July 8, 2014                                                       
Neal Steele interviewed Liz Goesel about her book, Create Your Family Museum and Save Your History that discusses, "How to Find Space, Create, Organize, Preserve and Display Family Heirlooms, Treasures and Memories." Throughout the book there are inspirational quotes that are encouraging and motivating. So get ready to create your Family Museum. Make a concerted effort to preserve your heritage. It is a vital link to your cultural, educational, artistic, inspirational and economical legacies — all of the things that literally make you who you are.

After the interview, I asked Neal if I could have a picture of the two of us in his radio studio and he was happy to do so. The experience was at first a little nervy and a bit of apprehension creeps into your head, but when it is over, you can’t believe what a piece-of-cake it was and that you will do it again when your next book comes out. So to all you authors out there, get on the radio and talk, talk, talk!

Hope your August has been pleasant. Continue to enjoy the summer with friends and family and don’t forget to make lots of memories, not only in pictures, but all the little souvenirs you collect and when you get home, put them in your Family Museum to keep and preserve the good times.