[swrinfla]

I posted in this thread yesterday, then hit the wrong button and it all went away. Senior moment, I guess!

I brought all our wdding china, crystal, silverware, etc., etc., even while telling myself that I'd never use it! As it happens, I do use it. Once a year, when my brother and his family come to my "formal" Christmas Eve dinner. I wouldn't be able to do that without "the good stuff!"

I gave away my old everyday equivalents. I was looking for something new!

Most of my living and dining room furniture came with me. Something about the practicality of doing that struck me at the time, and I take comfort in my "old things!" Several pieces, by the way, were inherited by my late wife from her grandmother, who died before we were married. They are nice things, albeit not Florida! They're well over 50 years old, so may provide something for my daughters, eventually!

Christmas stuff. The girls took some ornaments (mostly those that they attached some sentimentality to), but the bulk ended up at a thrift store, where, indeed, many of my things did. The store, a fund-raising facility, was happy to have almost anything, and I received a lump sum check for most of it, follow up checks for items they took "on consignment!"

Would I probably do things differently today? Maybe, but not entirely!

To all those getting ready to downsize, I say, "Bite the bullet and rid yourself of as much as you can. You won't regret it at all!"

SWR