i tried going through bins and getting rid of things yesterday. things such as worn shawls and scarves that were made by me, the girls and friends. it's not easy letting these handmade items go . . however, they were all very worn with wear.
we had three of these beautiful crocheted hats from a handwork class we took years ago with a fellow homeschooling mom, who wanted to practice her waldorf teaching skills on us (she had just taken a workshop). i'm hoping i didn't get rid of the other two hats, but i may have because i know they were small and i think they went to good will.
i remember very clearly when my mom bought this scarf for me out on montauk at one of our favorite local shops . . .
and i remember the year i made these ruffle scarves for all three children . . i remember trying to hide what i was doing when at the playground.
and i made these potluck scarves another holiday year; all were patterns from the knitpicks catalog.
korrina wove this on a loom she received for christmas . . ages ago. well, i kept all the above items! i didn't do too badly, however, as i now have two empty bins.
the bin cleaning was yesterday . . today we had a major project as we needed to replace our hot water heater, which was over fifteen years old and was leaking.
this is our new one. it was installed by our coop's maintenance workers, and it was quite a project, as was the cleaning up i did afterwards.
this evening greg and chanda are dismantling the bunk bed in chanda's room and exchanging it for the single twin bed in morgana's room.
pluto attacked me right after i took this photo. he's still a very young cat . . we've been reminiscing about how little and cute he was last christmas.
It is hard to let go of all pieces of clothing that have memories attached to them. I feel exactly the same. A new hot water heater! I hope it won't leak. Is it a gas one? Whenever out garage floods, the water extinguishes our heater and it is very hard to turn it back on. We also dismantled our bunk beds. Miriam got one and Flora got the other one. That was also kind of sad to do, but it was necessary because we were short of one bed. Miriam was sleeping on a futon, but the mattress is really thin and she needed a real bed.
ReplyDeleteWe put the bunk bed back together in the other room, the one Morgana uses when home. However, it we rearrange things, and manage to get rid of several things (like the bicycle whose tire I need to have repaired - yes, we have a bicycle in that room!), we would have space to keep the beds separate, which would be nicer, as only small children really enjoy sleeping in a bunk bed! We also have a futon, which can be very handy for guests, but not the best for every night. Miriam must be enjoying a new bed and mattress. We don't have gas in this apartment, everything is electrical. So far, the heater is working very well, and it was easier to adjust the water temperature when showering.
DeleteYes, the transitions, the changes that growing up brings, are not easy! It's also very mind opening to see what my mother was going through during my young years, in terms of her life and in terms of our changing relationship. There are times in my past when I wished I had reached out to her more often, and hadn't been so distant, but of course that is part of being involved in one's life, being busy, and making one's way in the world. I know she was happy doing things in her own life too . . I'm just missing her and her perspective on her grandchildren. You must feel wistful this year also. I think about your mom and dad, and I pray your mom has more movement and cognizant days, and that your dad is hopeful and stays well. It's not an easy time. I send you love and a big hug. xoxo
I never answered to this, I just found it in my inbox. A bike in the apartment? That is a bit odd, but we have odd things in our house too.
DeleteI know what you mean with reaching out more. When we realize that we were a bit cold, it is almost too late, but I guess that is just part of growing up.
(sigh) Yes, all a part of growing up!
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving! Sounds like you have had a crazy busy week. Letting go is extremely hard especially when there are so many stories attached to the things that we own. I hope that sharing them here has been a comfort to you :-) I bet Chanda will be pleased with her new space, your place always looks so cosy and inviting.
ReplyDeleteI have been organised this year and I have posted your parcel today! I am sending some Advent cheer and hope you will be able to make use of the items in the package and that they raise a smile :-) Much love San and all xx
Thank you so much, San. It has helped to share and to hear that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Chanda does seem pleased with her new space and seems more motivated to keeping it looking nice.
DeleteYou are very motivated! Your parcel will be well received! Thanks so much for sending it. xoxoxo