As I sit here and look around me at a house full of boxes I wonder why "Mrs F" kept this stuff. It's 6:10 AM so before I start on the boxes I thought I'd let you know how I feel about this subject. I'm calling in a dumpster about the size of my driveway and throw this #$%& away before she arrives. :rant-rave:

Hey 16....CONGRATS!!! You finally made it. I can empathize with staring at boxes. Like most others, we moved things down here that we ended up donating or throwing out within the first 6 months. Hmmm, at 50 cents a pound to move it, some of that was a real waste.

Now the fun begins...happy unpacking 16!!!

I can relate to the above. When I married I moved into my husband's apt--all he had was melamac dishes--(I'm sure we all remember those). I wanted some "glass" dishes. Told my mother-in-law and next thing I knew I was receiving china place settings for every birthday, etc. I think I used it once on an anniversary (in 44 yrs). Mine is boxed up--in attic--awaiting my granddaughter's marriage!!! House here in TV that we bought was completely furnished--right down to the dishes, silverware, etc. Been here for almost 2 yrs--still boxes in attic I brought that I haven't gone through. I do have one box of memorabilia that I could not part with---boxed it up with a note in it that who ever was responsible could dispose of it after I'm "gone." Just could not bring myself to do it. Good luck--whatever you decide to do will be right--and enjoy your new home.

I guess that is one of the good things about the military. You earn to live "light" due to many travels. So me and wife have actually very little when we move to TV. WE clean through every closet, shed etc at elast once a year. Believe it or not, all that is in our two car garage is two cars and a Harley! Nothing else! No boxes, stacks, etc. Our shed out back just has the lawn mower, and few garden tools!

Army Guy

Prior to moving from Milwaukee to Florida in 1995 I let my children choose whatever they wanted from the house telling them not to wait for me to die to fight over it. I kept my own good China which has been used less that ten times in the last ten years. My problem is who to leave it to? Five daughters all in different places and ten granddaughters also scattered. Five grandsons and two sons who probably would rather not have 'dishes'? Ask the kids what you have that they would like to have and give it to them. I am glad we did because Katrina took whatever we had in our new house when she flooded us out. My good china was at a daughters house thank heaven but I still have to make that who gets it decision. I dont have yard sales ( although I do support them on weekends) so I usually donate my things to the Battered Womens Shelter or Vietnam Vets. In regard to the kids Christmas decorations: choose one item from each child and put it into a treasure box. A previous poster was right in saying that the decorations get beat up and dull looking after time. I lost a huge collection on antique ornaments that cannot be replaced. Thank goodness for Wal Mart and Hobby Lobby and the after holiday sales. What goes up must come down.
I am ready to pack and load now to sell this house.

I have just moved into my new home in Hadley three weeks ago....About most of the things that I so carefully packed and put into the 55 boxes that came with me: I have opened the boxes, looked inside, and asked myself why I brought this stuff!! Don't get me wrong, somethings are important for memories and of course I want them but opening the three boxes of my mothers stemware and realizing I could be out playing golf instead of cleaning all of it, really gets to you. I only wish my daughters had wanted it. Its a new lifestyle and my mentality is "new beginning, simplify you life so you can have fun!" I wish I had really thought of "simplifying" better before I went through all the time to pack stuff that will now probably take up permanent residence in my garage! My daughters took most of my furniture and most of my Christmas things. I only brought the Christmas things that had the most sentimental value at least...My advice would be to really think of the lifestyle you want here in TV and ask yourself before you pack anything if it REALLY will fit into what you picture your life being here.....remember FUN is the operative word here!! :pepper2: Good Luck!!

Oh Angel,

you echo my sentiments exactly! We are definitely on the same page. Thanks for the reinforcement before I actually sell and start packing!

I have been a horder and saver all of my life and I have posted in the past, I had the auctioneers come and take 2 moving trucks full to the auction. I dont miss the stuff one bit. When it comes time to pack up this house I will remember your words, you are right on!

Chuck it all
 

For the last 10 years or so we have spent many vacation weeks in time shares.
You know the places, 1-2 bedroom condo like apartments, tastefully furnished, equipped to cook a meal, feed 6 to 8 and easy to maintain.
As I would leave I would always say "bring a few pictures and some memorabilia and I could live in a timeshare".
Did I take my own advice? NOOOOOOOOOO.
As I sit here in my 2nd week of unpacking I too am muttering.......why oh why did I take all this:censored:

As to the family china....I have twelve six, count 'em six,piece place settings of haviland limoge china with serving pieces, including a coffee pot! Can anyone help me sell it on ebay?

As you pack just think TIME SHARE!!!!!

If we move permanently we would like a bigger house.
 

You guys are right of course.

I have another problem. I may be selling the house that we so carefully furnished in Hadley WITH the furniture. I love it. It is beachy and white and cheerful and so right for Florida and we have all this GOOD DARK furniture up here. It cost WAY more than the stuff in the Camellia. I like the tropical feel of the house we just fixed up BUT we have this heavy, dark, bulky, more expensive stuff in our Cincy house.

Sigh.

Chuck It All
 

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

come on down with clothes and a FEW things that you cannot part with. 5 years ago we moved from Il to Mexico Beach, Fl. We were always gatheres and pack-rats...so we had tons to let go, which we did. Since we have been down here in Florida, we have gotten rid of 'Northern' stuff over and over again. Now as we are wannabes, we continue to get rid of things in anticipation of moving ASAP when the house sells. Our final thought......don't bring much down. By the time you pay for transporting your things, you can purchase items that you really need for about the same cost as the cost of moving them. Travel lite!!!

What to leave behind ??
 

Any thought of concept or freedom regarding your ability to make your home yours. You just paid for it. The Villages actually owns it and will govern the daily running of it via their comic book bible "the COVENANT".

Sorry, SABRMnLgs. This post make no sense and has no bearing on what we might bring to TV.

Right!