Tuesday, August 1, 2017

IWSG: A Sentimental Journey

                   
                                                                       


It's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit Alex J.  Cavanaugh and the rest of the talented writers who are always willing to lend a helping hand.

This has been a very bittersweet summer, as we are moving from our family home of 28 years. Our boys fled the nest a few years ago, and in a few weeks we'll be downsizing to a new apartment in the downtown area of our North Shore suburb.

The good news is that we'll be conveniently located just steps away from the grocery store, restaurants, shops and movie theaters. The bad news is that I'll probably be sneaking off to Dairy Queen every day.

It will also be an adjustment fitting everything from our home into a two-bedroom apartment. We've had some luck selling our furniture on Craig's List and a garage sale site on Facebook. We've also given away bags and bags of clothes, and small household items, but some of the most unlikely objects suddenly have sentimental value.

I decided to go to my mom the hoarder for advice:

"How can you throw out that ashtray collection that I bought you when you first got married?"

"Mom, you were the only person who ever smoked in our house, and we don't have room for them."

"Well, you never know. Smoking might come back in style."

Our boys' new condo has more space, so we gave them our old dining room table that seats up to 12 guests. My mom helped cheer me up when I showed her our new dining table that seats four.

"I guess this means that you won't ever be able to have your own kids over for dinner."

My mom didn't want to hear about having a lack of storage space.

"You will have daughters-in-law one day, so you need to save everything for them. By the way, don't even think about giving away any of my clothes. You never know when I'm going to wear them again."

As I look around my home, I see the large, green wooden coffee table where both of my boys learned to table walk. It's the same table that my son turned into a stage and performed one-man shows with props and costumes, while his baby brother looked on.

The boys a few years later

My husband, mom, brother and I would cheer after every performance, and my three-year-old star would always ask, "Are there any questions from the audience?"

Without missing a beat, I would raise my hand and say, "Are you married?'

He'd act mad, but he always called on me.

Currently, we've been trying to sell that table online, as it won't fit with the other furniture in the new apartment. We found an interested buyer who likes the table so much that he's willing to send us a certified check, sight unseen, and a mover will be happy to pick it up. He's even willing to sweeten the deal by adding $30 for our trouble.

I think I'll offer him my mom's ashtray collection instead, because you never know.



33 comments:

  1. Good for you for making that big move. It is a new chapter and I am sure you will make wonderful memories there also. Four seats at a table sounds just right. Six people means you go out to eat and maybe someone else will pick up the check Best of luck to you, Julie, and your husband and enjoy what life has to offer you in your new digs.

    I am remembering that old joke, Life begins again when the kids leave home and the dog dies.

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  2. Good luck with your big move. I hope you enjoy your new home. And funny about your mom and the ashtray collection.

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  3. Funny!
    I don't hold on to things much, but there are a couple odd items that do hold a sentimental value.
    Good luck with the move. And resisting Dairy Queen.

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  4. A lovely post, thanks for that. Good to be here again.

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  5. What a difficult and exciting transition! I don't know that I could ever go back to an apartment, but being in the heart of town is definitely fun. We've done that a couple times. And not being responsible for all the maintenance? That's definitely a plus. I hope the move goes well.

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  6. Huge undertaking! I started to do that and then everything turned on me and I inherited more stuff and another house. My downsizing has not happened. Instead, I'm upsizing and frantic. Good luck with your sale and that precious ashtray collection.

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  7. Good luck on your big move. Leaving a home you've had for so long can be hard, but I have a feeling this will be good for you. :)

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  8. Hi Julie - oh well done ... such a difficult, but necessary, decision to take - just very good luck and all the best in the coming year as you settle in - that's great the boys are taking that wonderful sounding dining table - plenty of room for you! Cheers Hilary

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  9. Good luck with the move! There's got to be a lot of work involved. But your mum's attitude to the whole thing made me chuckle.

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  10. One year ago we were exactly where you are now. 27 years for us, and large collections. So good to be here! Happy wishes!

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  11. We're in the middle of trying to sell our place and downsize, but it's also to get the boys out on there own, they just simply won't leave!!! :)
    Some ashtrays are collectable! Good luck!

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  12. You made me laugh with the ashtrays! Good luck with the move. I'd be worried I'd be at the Dairy Queen every day too. :)

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  13. Your mom sounds like my mom. When my mom moved, let's say it was horrible because she didn't want to let go of anything. I am scared now because we have so much but as I try to get rid of stuff, my hubby says no and keeps it. So the blue glasses that I did love but decided to have them go are now packed up, downstairs for the past 5 years. Ahhh packets unite! I'm glad you do have some very fond memories of that green chest that your kids loved to play on.

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  14. Hi Arlene, I am looking forward to starting a new adventure! Yes, this will mean less cooking which I definitely won't complain about! Thanks for the pep talk!

    Natalie - Thank you so much! My mom saw to it that there was never a shortage of ashtrays at my house. We were thrilled when my mom quit smoking years later, but I did find a secret unopened pack of Virginia Slims when I helped her move a few years ago.

    Alex - I had a feeling you weren't a pack rat! You're much too organized and efficient which are admirable traits. I'll try not to go too crazy at the local DQ, but they do have happy hour prices! Thanks for hosting another great IWSG, Alex!

    Carole Anne - It's nice to see you again! Thank you for the kind words!

    Chrys - Yes, it will be nice not worrying about maintenance. We had to replace our air conditioner last year, and usually when one thing goes wrong there's another problem that follows. Thanks Chrys!

    Hi Hilary, The boys had us over for a barbecue on July 4th and it was so much fun! They were wonderful hosts! Thank you, Hilary!

    Julie

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  15. Nick - My mom does have plenty of attitude! Thanks Nick! Hope you're doing well!

    Hi Susan, I'm glad your move went well! I think it will be a huge feeling of relief once we've moved in. Thanks Susan!

    Yolanda - Your boys probably are smart enough to know how good they have it! You must be a wonderful cook and I'm sure they enjoy your company. My older son moved out first and he was generous enough to ask his brother to move in a few years later. Now they're both very close to work which makes it more convenient. Once the house is sold, you might want to sell their beds too or at least put them on the front lawn, so they get the hint. Good luck! Thanks Yolanda!

    Christine - Yes, the DQ Blizzards are addictive! Thank you, Christine!

    Birgit - Our moms would definitely hit it off! Maybe since your hubby likes the blue glasses so much, you can get rid of something else to make up for it. My hubby won't give up his obscene bike shorts. He's been squeezing into them for years, but I know how sad he'll be if they accidentally disappear. We just can't win! Good to see you, Birgit! Thank you!

    Julie



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  16. Crystal - Yes, we do look forward to being in the heart of town, and we'll be walking distance to the beach. I spend a lot of time working on the computer, so hopefully I'll get out and walk more. Thanks Crystal!

    Lee - Upsizing could be fun, especially as your family grows. Your home has probably been in the family for years, and I'm sure it's filled with many wonderful stories. Sounds like a writer's dream! Just try to donate whatever you don't use, so you don't amass a collection as large as your house. Thanks Lee!

    Julie

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  17. Hope you have fun on your new journey! Way to look on the bright side: Dairy Queen.

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  18. Oh my, this post hits home for me. In less than a year and a half, my husband and I will also be moving and downsizing and trying to sort through our belongings to see what to keep and what to get rid of. I know it will be a difficult job that brings lots of bittersweet memories. Best of luck to you in your new apartment. It will be nice to be able to walk to nearby places. And it will be freeing to be able to have less physical stuff in your surroundings.

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  19. Jennifer - That's why we had to move before the weather cooled off! Thanks Jennifer!

    Connie - It really is liberating knowing that my kids won't have to worry about unloading our house someday. Good luck with your move, and try to get rid of things little by little, so it's not too overwhelming. Thanks Connie!

    Julie

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  20. Oh wow! See how much I miss by not yakking with you on the phone...? I had no idea you were in the middle of downsizing and moving. Your mixed feelings about it come across loud and clear in this post. I can practically see your tears behind the humor. Good luck, kiddo.

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    1. Hi Susan, I've been a little overwhelmed with all of the packing, and just got a little choked up thinking about how quickly my boys have grown. Tomorrow is my son's 29th birthday! I like where we're moving and it does give me peace of mind knowing if I drop dead tomorrow, the kids will have less stuff to go through! I do miss our entertaining phone conversations and will have to call you after we get settled in. Thanks Susan!

      Julie

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  21. I so understand this. We moved this summer, too. Downsized, but not as much as you. From 4 bedrooms to 3. And from two levels to one. Love not having stairs many times a day! We still have boxes, but things don't fit as they did. So having to touch and decide on every item. I'll cheer you on and wonder where you are in the process when I think mine will never end.

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    1. Hi Carol, One level and three bedrooms sounds perfect! Congratulations on your move! I'm sure you'll find room to unload the rest of your boxes soon. I know once we're settled in I'll be relieved not to have so much baggage. Thanks Carol!

      Julie

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  23. We have a huge coffee table that does not fit in our living room since we moved into an apartment. My daughter refuses to give it up as she learned to walk around it in our house. We never had any walkers for any of our kids.

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