Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Why Are You Getting Rid Of That?

I gave it to you. Yes, Mom you have given me a lot. That was just part of the conversation. My Mom has given me a lot of Christmasy things. things that she bought and not heirlooms passed down. Yet, I have way too much and no where to store it all. She is very upset with me. I don't know what to do. She is a pack rat and I am not.

Our 4 bedroom manufactured home is full and I am ready to simplify! She and my Daddy have a 5 bedroom with lots of space and a full basement and it is full to the brim, all 5500 sq. ft. of it.

So, what do you do? Most of the time if I put something in the yard sale she will just buy it and if I do not use something one year (because I gave it to the Salvations Army) she says you better not have gotten rid of such and such. If you tell her you don't need or want a particular item, she'll say something like just be that way and see if you get anything else. Heavens to Betsy!!! What's this girl to do????

I love my Mom and do not want to hurt or offend her..............BUT!!!!

Suggestions?????? Please!!!

8 comments:

Nikki said...

Oh, Marva, that is tough! Thankfully, I am more of a packrat than my mom is, so we don't have that problem. As a matter of fact, dresses that she made me when I was younger, she told me just to give to Goodwill. Can you believe that?

My only suggestion is to give things to the Salvation Army when she won't know, but you already do that. I cannot believe that she can remember everything she has given you, but some people are like that.

Anonymous said...

We too are trying to simplify our home and that means getting rid of a lot of things . . . things that we haven't used or even thought of for months or even years.

I am going to suggest that you simply say, "Mom, I would love to keep everything, however I cannot. I realize there are some very special items you purchased for me and I love them, but I have little space to store everything. Mom, that is my dilemma and the only thing I can come up with is either purge many of the extras OR I can store them at your place until I need them. What do you think?

Hugs Dear Friend!!!

Julie

Leahann said...

Oh I understand completely. My hubby is the pack rat in our house. We have 3 bedrooms in less then 1000 sq ft. So I periodically have to "muck" stuff out. Then he'll come and ask me (6 months later) where is _________?

Sometimes you just have to pass things on. I think I would just say "you know mom you have given us so much that we can't possibly use it all so isn't it great that we can pass it on to someone less fortunate so that they may have pretty Christmas decorations too."

mom2twins04 said...

I feel for you and this dilemma.... I have no real answers other than keep the things that really mean a lot to you and her. Ask her if she would like them back until you can use them... then switch them out every other year or so... Tell her that your boys are at the age that you will need room for their memories too... things they make for you and hubby.
I know that after my brother passed away, there weren't enough items to share with the whole family who really wanted something to remember him by... He had limited items... but my parents tried to make certain that everyone who wanted a little something got something... His oldest boy took many things and did not share with the younger brother.... You might want to hang onto things until later on in life... than go through them... I know that none of this really helps, but I hope that you can find a good solution that you can live with without hurting Mom's feelings in the process.... My Mom and I swap boxes and bags of items... if neither one wants them, then they go to goodwill.... GOOD LUCK!!!

ADMIN said...

I agree with Julie. i would ask mom if I could store them at her house.Ii have a garage full of stuff that I couldn't bear to get rid of, and this week I went to look for something and realized-who cares? I don't need any of it, so I put it all out on the sidewalk with a big FREE sign and the neighbors took what they wanted. I feel much less burdened!
Happy New Year, Marva!

IF said...

Hi Marva!! Happy New Year to you and your family!!!! That is a tough one with Christmas decorations. Mom tried to throw out these snowmen we made together a long time ago and I dug them out of the trash and now they decorate my home every year! hahahahaha. I am too much of a pack rat! Maybe try to sneak the things out! hahah! I hope you have a great evening!!!! Hugs!

ditarae said...

Tricky situation....
I'm on a quest to simplify, simplify, also. I conquered my kitchen this past week. But it IS tough when the Moms are lurking nearby, wondering how we could possibly give away, donate or trash something they gave us!!!

MyKidsMom said...

Being a pack-rat is (in my humble opinion) similar to having OCD, or maybe even a symptom possibly? I struggle with both myself. I am SO determined to simplify this year. I know I'm going to go crazy if I don't, because I only have time to homeschool, not to keep track of a million different things!!!

Boy, it felt good to get that off my chest,lol. :)

I think Julie had a good idea. Don't know if it will work, but I definitely feel for you. And you can be glad that you didn't get passed the pack-rat gene;)

Happy New Year!!!