I was cleaning off the top of the microwave last weekend and marveled at all the stuff that I could fit on it; vitamins and asperin for dogs, a basket of birdseed and water cups for birdie, bird identification books, pad of paper and pen, reading glasses, coupon box, the camera, binoculars (there is another, smaller set in the basket) and a few other odds and ends.
That is when I came across the saddest thing I have probably ever saved because it might be useful some day:
No, I don't know what got into me when I decided to save the 20+ year old ice cream scoop that lost its plastic handle. I just thought that surely that scoop would be useful for something and it would be frugal of me to save it for that occassion.
I finally managed to convince myself to put it in the recycle bin. I wonder if this is a sign that I will become one of those sad "hoarders" when I reach advanced age.
What is the saddest thing that you have saved because it might be useful some day?
Bogie--It must be something in the air, this year - or, perhaps, a subliminal message has been sent out via radio or television - to make this the year of "get rid of it"!
I've been making an effort, this year, to pare down our belongings to the sparseness that I imposed in Albuquerque. Tons of stuff has already gone out the door and more is to go. (Yesterday: A box of 26 panels of sheer/lace curtain valances, in original packaging; 100 skeins of embroidery thread, still in their boxes, that I bought in Los Angeles while working there in the mid-1980s - to finish a cross-stitch quilt top that your Grandmother H had been meaning to make since 1974; 26 unopened cards of hem binding/bias tapes - and an uncounted number of opened bindings/tapes/laces/cords; 26" CRT TV that hadn't worked since last February; 2 string trimmers, for which replacement batteries would cost $60 plus shipping & tax, each; various clothing that I haven't worn much in the last year; 2 sets of sheets & pillowcases that had been used a couple of times; one used sheet & 5 pairs of matching pillowcases; one pair of black patent strappy sandles, never worn; various cans of solvents & thinners, the lead-acid batteries from the above-mentioned string trimmers + 2 batteries from my cordless drill - to hazardous waste dump;et cetera.)
I've been blaming my crusade on my age - not wanting you and the rest of the family to have to sort through all the garbage; but, the only excuse I can find for your ice-cream scoop head is that fond memories attached to that implement. I know that I treasure the two scoops that your Grandmother S gave me!
Posted by: Cop Car | November 20, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I still have a fuel rail for a 1965 Rochester Fuel Injection system that came from a Corvair...just in case anyone ever needs one.
Lord, I am pathetic.
Posted by: DCE | November 21, 2010 at 01:49 PM
I'm see I'm not the only afflicted one, I'm feeling better already!
Posted by: bogie | November 22, 2010 at 04:48 AM
I can tell you that WichiDude has some "treasures" saved that make me CRAZY!! What in the world is he going to do with a small fiber-optic Christmas tree that doesn't work? Or 500 electric screw drivers that are so outdated the batteries are no longer made? Or the wooden box in which a couple of bottles of wine were shipped (the wine is long gone)? CRAZY I tell you!
On the other hand, I am NOT a hoarder. Yes, I did save the high chair from Crazy Kid (that is now being used by Grand Dude). I found some cake pans (that I have never used) in a box a few days ago with pages of the St Louis Post Dispatch (circa 1962) used as filler. And perhaps a FEW other items.
Perhaps we are all hoarders to a certain degree and with off the wall items. And just for the record: I NEVER exaggerate!
Posted by: Dudette | November 28, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Bogie--What Dudette was too kind to write about is that I have added to WichiDude's stash - of electric screwdrivers & other stuff. She should be thankful that I am getting rid of my Craftsman cordless drill, for which I've been unable to find the correct replacement battery, instead of including it in the obligatory tote bag of stuff that I must take with me when visiting their home (or send home with them when they visit our home). Poor WD received a bunch of electronic/computer spare parts for Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Cop Car | November 28, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Now I have a great idea for all those old computer parts that are too "valuble" to throw away (RAM from a 386, HD of 256 MB etc) - give them to Wichi Dude!
Posted by: bogie | November 29, 2010 at 04:51 AM
Oh, Lord, then Dudette can hate us both!
Posted by: Cop Car | November 29, 2010 at 01:57 PM