Boxing Memories

My Favorite Place in London to go “Junking”!

I used to love to scour antique malls and flea markets for that special something. For years I’d haunt antique booths from local fairs, to antique  malls all across the country. And when I lived in London, I frequented the famous Portobello Road, as well as the surrounding countryside.

Recently, I partnered with a girl friend to stock her booth at an antique mall in Nashville.

After a week of major de-cluttering,  I unloaded 12 boxes in her booth, filled with china,  1940’s and 50’s vintage table cloths, occupied Japan figurines, baskets, garden accessories , rattan chairs, paintings, and picture frames. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Stuffed to the Hilt!

Memory lane doesn’t even come close to my experience packing, unpacking and displaying those objects. As I unpacked each box, I relived the moment where I bought each item. Who I was with, what time of year, the town. Some of the objects have sweet stories behind them.

My mom and I were in a toy store in New Orleans in the early 60’s and I was trying to decide which Chatty Cathy doll I wanted Santa to bring me. The blond or the brunette? I couldn’t decide so she told me Santa would know.

Chatty Cathy sits waiting…

Today, almost 50 years later a perfect brunette Chatty Cathy, still dressed in her original dress and shoes, sits in a booth in Nashville waiting for her new owner.

Between me and you,  I hope she doesn’t sell. 🙂

For those of you  who’ve read my posts on de-cluttering, you know how much I labor over getting rid of things. Then I got to thinking of how excited I used to get when I’d find my precious a special treasure.

So, when I stess over parting with something now, I just think about that young homemaker, mom or professional who love to go ‘junking’, hoping to find something special. And when they see that thing, that object that they love, I can almost feel their excitement as they buy it and take it home.

There were many “someones” years ago who parted with, every special item I ever bought at an antique mall or second hand store. They made the choice to:

Scale down.

Clean out.

Let go.

Now the  years of shopping, perusing dusty shelves with best friends, have come full circle. Now, it’s my turn to let go and let someone else enjoy the ‘precious’.

Years ago while visiting Gettyaburg, I spotted a set of small green depression bowls at a street fair. I had been looking for these for several years and here they were stacked on a table in the historic town near the battlefield. I use them EVERY DAY!

Green Depression Glass Bowls

I was thrilled to find them. The lady selling them told me her mother had almost kept them but at the last minute let them go.  She told me her mother would be thrilled to know that a young woman who’d been looking for them for years, would now be the owner.

I left many beautiful and sentimental items in my friends booth.

I feel like I moved!

I’ll imagine that whatever sells, will be to someone who loves that object and that they’ll be pleased to have finally found it.

Where is your favorite place to go junking? Are you still gathering treasures or are you cleaning off your shelves? How is your de-cluttering going? Is it hard to let things go? Tell us! 

Empty Nest

 

My son at the piano.

Where have you gone little boy?

Those days so sweet are past

They said these years would fly by

And here we are at last

 But there you stand so tall and straight  

Discus Practice at William & Mary

A fine young man indeed

You represent all that we love

You are our precious seed

A seed planted in God’s soil

To grow in Christ alone

Rising up to be like Him

And to someday share His throne

Glasses I saved 25 years ago for my son.

After a week of cleaning, de-cluttering and packing, my husband and son loaded up the U-Hall truck. This morning, pulling the compact car behind them, they began the 2004 mile journey to Los Angeles, CA.

Hollywood Bound!

Packed and ready to go.

Four years ago, when my son left for college, every one told me that event was the empty nest. I knew that it really wasn’t. I knew that he’d be home for fall, Christmas and spring break and then again for the summer. I knew that it was just practice for the real thing.

The Empty Nest

Right upstairs is an empty room. My son has moved out. He is gone. And even though this time is a bittersweet one for me, I am so happy for him. He is finally going to do what he’s always wanted to do since he was a child. Pursue his dream in film making.

“I make believe”

God’s Speed… 

Where are you in your journey with your children? How have you prepared them and yourself for the empty nest? I would love to hear your stories, your thoughts, your tried and true tips and suggestions for those who still have children at home and for those on the cusp of the empty nest.

Years ago, when my son was a toddler, a wise woman told me never to wish my son’s childhood away. She told me that someday I would long to have little hand prints to wash off my living room wall.

She was right.

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