To Take it or To Leave it?
The burning questions have been, should I take it or leave it? Moving from a 4-bedroom house to a much smaller 2-bedroom house means I've had to make some difficult decisions.
I did not want to hold onto stuff I don't really have much use for. Neither did I want to crowd my new home. 'Minimize,' I said to myself!
Not easy when there's so much history in many of the pieces of furniture I have. I could have made quite a few pennies with what I don't need, but I did not feel like strangers coming in at odd hours. Plus, there's always the danger of criminals posing as buyers, so, no thank you to that!
I decided to pay it forward, so I carefully thought who would appreciate what.
My housekeeper's family home burned down about two years ago, and they're still trying to rebuild, so she was the recipient of much linen and kitchenware, plus bedroom furniture. Friends who lost everything in the 2022 mudslides need furniture; their insurer at the time did not deliver as promised, so they need it more than anyone else I know. Plus, they appreciate old stuff; some of the pieces could qualify as antiques!
These two chairs are beautiful and have a special place in my heart, but, no space if I want to take my current set with recliners.
These only need the right kind of upholstery, and they will look really snazzy again.
So, a sad no!
Apologies for the fuzzy image, but that's what it looked like through eyes that suddenly started tearing; it belonged to my parents-in-law. Both sons live too far!
So, another sad no!
Not parting with this, I will need these items. Sadly, I will have to say goodbye to my darling Poe. But, the new owners will keep him, and he loves my staff who give him a lot of attention. I will come and visit as they want me to help them with the BnB for a while.
A definite yes!
Don't ask me how he managed to get up on this display cabinet, as it's really high and there was nothing he could climb on to jump from! And he didn't knock over any of the glass-framed portraits! He is such a scaredy cat, and is still being terrorised by the brown cat!
Another yes to the cabinet, but a sad no to Poe, I cannot have pets where I'm moving.
More history I'm giving away to someone who loves having tea in style. Odds, but that is quite accepted these days.
A very sad no, I had to be harsh with myself. She will truly treasure this.
I'm keeping all other original paintings, many are gifts from our talented friend Peter Wink, and some done a his wife, Cheryl, our very own @artywink, who has been kept busy with RL issues.
Just some of his paintings, I am also taking the sculptures, but did not take photos of them, they were a given!
So these were all the yeses!
My favourite trees, one by Peter, another by my late uncle, and the one in the middle, a 1927 painting from my in-laws' home, by an unknown artist.
@artywink's work.
@artywink's Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
A commercial piece, but I love the words. They became more real after I lost my darling, and the kids fled the nest!
My late uncle's work, and the round frame were made by Mom's other brother, who is 'the last man standing', as he puts it!
Another definite yes is a beautiful mosaic mirror made by my sister-in-law.
These are all my favourites, but don't think they're the only paintings I'm taking with me, plus framed family photos. I think I may run out of wall space, and will have to do another hard reset, as painful as it may be!
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Good choices for the YES answers, oh, but the saddest no is Mr Poe, however, if you can't have pets at your new place, then there is no other thing than to accept the farewell.
Very sad to say no to Mr Poe, who I'm sure knows something is up. He's been following me like a little tail😢, but at least he'll stay in his familiar surroundings😿
It's a constant process, right? And a hard one. I'm not attached to much except I'm a bit freaked out about leaving my garden to find a place down the coast....
I like that cabinet! I'm sorry you can't take Poe. That's very sad.
Oh, the garden and our green valley really is the worst; there's no choice there! The house is only a building, was a real home when it was filled with my family. I am so upset about Poe, he senses something is up, follows me everywhere!
Yes, a constant process! Hubby has been gone for 2 years today, feels like a lifetime💔
Oh darling! Two years!!! It's such a journey isn't it? Mums still got a way to go. You are so brave. It probably doesn't feel that way because you don't have a choice, but you do keep going and find a new life xx
Sometimes it was difficult to let go those stuff that we had for a long time. Times comes also we need to let go those stuff when we moved for a better place especially if the new place would give us serenity.
Yes, it is difficult to let go and although it's been good, I will have more time to do the things I really enjoy, and will literally have less baggage😉
Thank you @ronimarie82
It's such a hard decision to try and figure out what to keep and what to get rid of. I'm very glad the things you don't want will be going to people who need and appreciate them. We've done this "shedding" of our material things twice. It's kind of a freeing feeling in some respects. New beginnings are exciting and I'm happy for you!
Shedding is an apt description, I absolutely agree, it is very freeing indeed! It certainly is going to feel like starting a whole new life.
Thank you Eric.
Hard to let go of things that hold a lot of memory. But sometimes we have to. Otherwise you would need a bigger house again to cater all those things😬😁
Yep, that's the whole idea, to scale down you have to 'throw' out just hard to decide what to keep and what not!
I know those are very hard decisions. Neccessary.... but still hard.
Some other people are getting great benefits from your downsizing it seems and you are filling a real need, so that part of it has to feel good to help balance.
I know you will be glad when it is all completed.
Yes my friend really deserve a little break after that awful night when the mud came down the hill, it was terrifying to hear, I can't imagine how it must have been when in the midst of it.
I don't hold onto stuff, it already feels like a load off my shoulders!
Thank you for popping in Jacey 🌻
It's a mixture of emotions: the joy of moving and the sadness of leaving behind so many things of sentimental value. What will happen to Poe? I hope he finds a good home with a good family who will love him. I hope those who receive those armchairs are very happy, as they're made of very good wood and are beautiful. I wish you all the success in your new home @lizelle
Thank you dear @isabelpena! Yes quite mixed emotions. Especially my sweet little Poe, but fortunately he can stay on the property, my staff are very fond of him. The one who'll be living here gives him a lot of attention. I will still be involved in the bnb in the beginning so hope to visit.
Good to hear that, friend.
I know what you are going through deciding what to take and what to leave, whether to give it away, donate it or sell it. It's hard work. We also opted when my mom moved out to give a lot of things among family and friends who we knew would value those things with sentimental value that we couldn't take with us.
It's a shame you can't take Poe with you, you will miss each other. But I'm glad you can visit him from time to time if you help the new owners get the bnb up and running.
It's nice when one can bless others with something that holds memories and who you know will appreciate it.
I will miss Poe dearly and feel so sad for him who won't understand, but it is nice that I can visit. He's become a real comfort and also given me many chuckles with his antics 💙