Happy 4th of July . . .

 

Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

 

 

 

Being of independent mind & spirit, I have taken on a new enterprise that may seem to be opposite of what I have been advocating and championing on my blog; keeping, displaying and preserving family heirlooms and memorabilia.

As I search through all the boxes, closets, the attic and basement, even the garage, and after assembling four Family Museums: Parents side, children’s side, maternal & paternal grandparents sides, there were many other  accumulations of possessions that were no longer needed or wanted. I was perplexed as to what to do with these belongings until I met with a friend from days gone by and asked her what was she doing these days. She said she opened a booth at our local antique mall because after her three boys were married and in their own homes, she, too, wondered what to do with all the things accumulated over the years. And she also inherited many family antiques and did not have the space for them. So that got me thinking. After family discussions, we all agreed to do the same, hence, we opened a booth at the antique mall and call it “Eclectic Collections.”

So during the month of June, we sorted through, inventoried and priced many items. Then during the first three days of July, we hauled over many bookcases and set them up in our space, brought in over a dozen boxes and set the collections on the shelfs. And being the 4^th of July today, we are taking the day off and celebrating our wonderful independence to be able to do freely what we want with our lives. It is truly an honor to be an American citizen.

Once our booth is completed, I will take some pictures and post them. Until then, enjoy the holiday, give thanks to your family and friends, and especially for those who have fought bravely for or independence throughout history and more than ever today. God Bless America!

 

When you clean out a closet you go back in time . . .

This week, like every year at this time, I switch my fall/winter wardrobe of sweaters & jeans to my spring/summer shorts & tops. But I did something this time that took me down memory lane.  I said enough is enough. It is about time I give away some clothes I have not worn in years and will never wear again. As you get older, life changes occur, and you no longer dress like you use to, it is time to let go and start anew. Making three piles; one for donating, one for keeping, and the big one, to sell. Yes, I decided to part with some outfits that were so near and dear to me. These clothes actually identified me: stylish but quirky, expensive but worth its cost, and then there were the memories. Oh boy!

As I pulled each garment out, took off the protective cover, hung it up on the door to take a long look at it, I pondered on the time and reason when I wore it. My daughter was home that day so I took each and every outfit to her and asked her, “Do you remember this one?” Her reactions were funny and mostly her patience with me was appreciated as I sat there and recalled the story behind the outfit. She was present for all the times I wore these clothes, so she too, went down a memory path. Do you know that clothes have stories to tell? I could probably write an amusing book, each chapter a narrative about finding the dress, suit and gown, why I needed, mostly wanting it, and what it cost then. When I researched the designer label and found out how much it costs today, I was flabbergasted.

 After I pulled out the last outfit, I asked myself, now what do I do with all these wonderful clothes? You will never believe what solution I came up with. Especially me, the Family Museum Curator that advocates saving and preserving family heirlooms, not that a dress is a family heirloom, but its history is worth a fortune of memories for me.       

I decided to take a booth at our local antique mall and sell these vintage clothes along with other family things that are not wanted anymore. This was a difficult decision for me, but there comes a time when I had to stop holding onto gowns I will no longer wear let alone fit into. And now the work begins. It is not easy to prepare something to sell. There are several procedures that must be followed and there is also an expense that is incurred. I ask myself, will all this work be worth my time and energy? When I know, I will share this info with you.

Until then, here comes summer. The shorts and t-shirts reign supreme in my closet and when the first autumn leave falls, I will be at it again.

And don’t forget to get your poppy this Memorial Day. This is a great time to remember the lives lost to preserve American freedom. It's a solemn holiday most often spent by sharing a day off with loved ones. But as you enjoy being with friends and family, take a minute to remember everyone who can't be with their loved ones.

And let us not forget our brave men and women who are at this moment in time, protecting America and you & me!