New Stages of Big Purge - Sentimental Values

I never thought I'd blog so often on this Big Purge project, but alas, here I am again, doing more purging than I ever thought possible.

After the massive garage sale, our basement space has improved immensely, and HH decided to actually finish a REC room down there. I caught him measuring out the space, envisioning where to frame the room and dreaming of a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. After all his help in this purge, how could I resist dreaming with him for a bit.

Now these plans require a more aggressive approach to the purging. Things I was unsure of, I planned to keep, store down there. Well, if we are to actually finish a space, dry wall, paint, carpet and all, then I see, I am going to have to take more action on some of these remaining things.

Preparing for the sale was easy, or so now I think it was, as I was certain of most things that I needed to part with. Now, these things left over, I find myself changing my mind again and again...."I might need that one day, or those are for my girls when they are adults etc etc." These decisions are much more heart-wrenching for me.

Here we are, the next step in the purging process.....evaluating some of these things that have collected dust for so long, yet do hold a certain sentimental value, one which I'd love to share with my kids when they are old enough.

How do I purge without losing important memories, traditions and keepsakes? That's a question I am wringing my hands with, again and again.

I walked through my basement....what is left?

- Several tablecloths, napkin rings and candlesticks
- An old barn wood aquarium stand, made especially for HH by a dear friend.
- A collection of wooden dolls from around the world, a hobby I had as a child.
- Oriental dishes from my own parents and HH's grandmother
- College text books from my favorite literature courses
- Wooden rocker, the first one we bought, second hand for rocking my babies
- Framed pictures from HH's grandparents and mine
- Antique train set
And the list goes on.

Each item is filled with a memory, a plan for the future, a shared history of family life and so on. I am not sure how all this will go. We may end up storing these precious keepsakes as I can't see letting go of important items as these. They have a story to tell or a lesson to teach. One day, I can see myself talking to my children, and passing along the story of these items, as well as passing along the family history to them, painting for them an image of where they came from.

Will they picture me as a young mother rocking them as a newborn in that exact chair? Will Thinker want that chair for her first born?

Will they want to know stories about their grandparents and great-grandparents and we can give them a piece of who they were?

Will they wonder at the doll collection, try to guess which country each one came from?

Will they read some great Shakespeare and go through my old books to see my notes in the columns?

These are tougher questions to answer. I find myself in new territory....how to purge without being reckless.

I've given my concerns and worries over to HH and asked for his logic and reason to help balance my emotions. I guess I'll blog post when we have navigated these difficult waters. Any suggestions would be so appreciated!

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize. It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over. Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection. But that's not all. It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on. Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right. With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well.

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word,

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick. Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass. For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving. He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me. I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom

S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

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