Miscellaneous keep-sakes [Girls Rm: Replies from women only. Thx]

[CarCampire]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; color: #999999; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">I was going over my &lsquo;want&rsquo;s vs needs&rsquo; list the other day and I came upon several things I felt I couldn&rsquo;t let go of just yet. I was wondering what things 'full-timer&rsquo;s' normally keep that don't really fit into the normal checklist. This could be anything from &lsquo;that extra pair of shoes&rsquo; to &lsquo;some nick-nack that is special to you&rsquo;. Any things you deem precious or &lsquo;needed&rsquo; enough that you think are really &lsquo;wants&rsquo; you just cant give up? <br /><br />This is <span style="color: #ff0000;">not</span> female exclusive ~ im simply posting it here because I think the girls will have more items that the guys 'in general'. </span>

 

[readergirl925]

I know what you mean, I was going though my books and getting rid of some and I realized that I'm never going to be able to get rid of some of them.

 

[cyndi]

I'm at that point now. I'll be full time in less than a month. I've had to get rid of books that felt like they were a part of me and are absolutely non-replaceable. It felt like I was tearing my own heart out.&nbsp;<br /><br />I've never been a keeper of things that collect dust, but I do have a few. There's no place to display them in the moh. I'll find someplace to store them until I can find them a new home, someone that will appreciate them.<br /><br />I have collected blankets for years and have some really special handmade/one of a kind blankets that were gifted to me. Although I can find a purpose for them in the moho, I hate the thought of them being ruined by my dirty dog. I'll keep them until I can pass re-gift them, also.

 

[grammahugababy]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Cyndi, I know what you mean about the blankets.&nbsp; I have probably 10 quilts and afghans that are really special to me and I just folded them to fit my bed and stashed them under my mattress.&nbsp; They stay clean and safe and just add that much more padding to my bed.&nbsp; I have even put out of season clothes in those plastic vacuum bag things and stashed them under the mattress.&nbsp; they come out wrinkled but clean and safe.&nbsp; My bed is a king size memory foam mattress folded into thirds.&nbsp; Most comfortable warmest bed I have ever had.&nbsp; OK, so it really is Tony's bed but he shares it with me.&nbsp; GRIN&nbsp; Looking forward to seeing you soon.&nbsp; HUGS to you and Stumpy from Me and Tony</span>

 

[wildmountainhoney]

I am still dwindling down my junk. I kept a small storage and have kept things that I still have had difficulty getting rid of. I had 3 huge boxes of cds... I finally got an ipod, the cds are going! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;

 

[Doc T]

This is timely for me!&nbsp; Camping out of my car, it is my everything, bedroom, living room, dining room, bathroom, in "bad" weather.&nbsp; The rest of the time it is only used&nbsp;to carry&nbsp;stuff when I am traveling.&nbsp; But&nbsp; PT Cruiser doesn't hold very much and I agree that nothing I have will mean a thing to me once I have gone on to the Great Beyond!&nbsp; Soo, I have a new rule.&nbsp; If I don't use it at least once a week, it goes!&nbsp; Tools, blankets things that one does not use daily or weekly, if they are not used once a year they go.&nbsp; My friend who tries very hard to "get" this lifestyle gave me an liquid incense burner for christmas.&nbsp; She said innocently, I thought it would be nice for you to burn in your car to make it smell nice.&nbsp; I didn't have the heart to tell her, open fires of any kind are simply not done inside a car!&nbsp; So I will burn the incense in the great outdoors and when it is gone the rest gets trashed!&nbsp; <br />I do have some things that I have kept hold of for the RTR.&nbsp; Some trade, sell and give away items.&nbsp; I will be glad when they are gone!&nbsp; LOL!&nbsp; It gets easier and easier to not be a pack rat the longer you learn to get rid of "stuff"!&nbsp; <br /><br />

 

[yesican]

I have much to get rid of, but the stuff is&nbsp;going slowly.&nbsp; While getting rid of unneeded things, I'd like to collect those things that will make vandwelling easier...LED lighting, heat sorce, generator, ebooks, know-how info, etc.&nbsp; One thing that's almost disturbing to me; the ladies at work are always trying to get me to purchase items from their home parties...you know...pots and pans, nicknacks, serving wear, candles, etc., etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; They look at me like I'm nuts when I tell them that&nbsp;for me, its about getting rid of things, not getting more...That to have less is more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though I'm not&nbsp;vandwelling yet, people look at me like I'm half crazy.&nbsp; Truthfully...I think everyone's nuts...I just happen to be in the same bowl as the rest of you nuts!&nbsp; <br /><br />Rae

 

[cyndi]

Cheri, that's a great idea putting stuff under the mattress. I'mnot sure it willwork with the way my new bed is built. You should have told me that 2 weeks ago.<br /><br />I can't wait to see you and Tony! 24-25 days and counting!!!

 

[gypsysue]

I found that I had nic nacs that I could not part with so I had my husband make display shelves and I use an industrial grade two way ***** tape that holds them to the shelves in our motorhome. My husband made racks to hang his favorite hats on. Our place looks very personalized to our interests. I use a nook to reduce the amount of books I carry in the motorhome.

 

[Grandma]

I have been trying to get rid of a few things every week when the trash comes.&nbsp; today was trash day and I filled up two big black bags. I've already gave a lot of clothes to the Goodwill.&nbsp; That was a good feeling, reducing my closet to half. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; But, to the subject of what I just have to have:<br /><br />Laptop, Kindle e-reader, DVD player, Radio, Cd/Casettee player for books on tape, DVD movies, A 3in memory foam mattress pad, Important papers, 12 volt to AC to charge my stuff, AA, AAA, D batteries, Flashlights, Mr Buddy heater, fan, sturdy shoes, gloves, hat, scarf, sweater, coat, thermal boot socks,make-up bag, medical kit, Luggable Lou, Tissue, Lysol, plastic bags, empty&nbsp;Maxwell House Coffee can [has a handle &amp; lid with wide mouth] for a "chamber pot" , paper towel, zip lock bags, manual can opener, propane stove, 12 volt lg coffee cup, thermos, water, easy food.<br />Duct tape, pocket knife, scissors, art pencils and paper to draw, spiral tablets and favorite pens [Precise V5]--Blankets and pillows/ sleeping bag,<br />Baby wipes, spray bottles. Two 5 gal buckets, plunger/scrub board&nbsp;to wash clothes. A few favorite books [ this will be hard, I have so many] inc a Bible. Cooking utensils, Few changes of clothes, cell phone and charger. Two bars of my favorite soap: Kirk's Castile coconut oil soap [you can wash your hair with it, too.&nbsp; Thanks, for making me think of all this! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Sheryl]

I went through that too and still do on the road. I have always felt that one could never have too many shoes... I had no problem getting rid of the knick-knacks and dust collectors, since they never served any practical purpose anyway. I unloaded those a few years ago when we downsized after the kids left, along with a lot of future projects I knew I would never get to and a lot of extra furniture, so moving into the camper was not as large a job as it would have been back then. Still, I'm a hoarder by nature and after a few years in a big old farm house, I still have a lot to get rid of. <br><br>Some things had sentimental value, like my mother's handmade quilt. She passed away about 25 years ago and I have had that, along with some of her paintings stored away for years and never used. My kids were happy to get them and I sold a few of her things to people who would appreciate them. It all has to go. You just can't take all that stuff with you in an RV and the breakable stuff can be a problem in transit. Once you make up your mind to get rid of it all, no matter what it is, who owned it or gave it to you or how much you just love it, it's gets easier, but it's hard to reach that point. Put all those things in a "maybe" pile and let them sit there for awhile with the idea that you might get rid of them in your mind and see how it goes. Give the idea time to percolate and discuss those things with your other family members and friends to see who might want them. If I can give something wanted to a good friend or someone else who will really appreciate it, then I feel better about getting rid of it. I gave a truckload of stuff to my best friend and her two kids before we left.<br><br>Something else that helps is knowing that we will not be "entertaining" or have any guests staying with us in our camper You can unload all the crystal, candy dishes, cake plates, etc and fine china dishes and extra dishes of any kind. We have four plates and four bowls and four cups and four glasses for the two of us, all painted enamel or plastic (glasses), nothing breakable and nothing extra. We have four so we can occasionally offer a fellow camper a cup of coffee or a snack. We do have stainless mixing bowls and a few plastic containers with lids and the necessary utensils but not two of anything alike. If something breaks we'll buy another one then. We're not going to the moon. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>No more "guest" towels or "guest" anything. We use the aforementioned "guest" towels ourselves now and we only have two towels each with a couple of extra oldies for outside.&nbsp;<br><br>Books were a problem until we got our e-readers - a great investment and space saver and I can use it anywhere, even on a park bench with hundreds of books at my fingertips. We got ours about two months ago and were able to give away three large Rubbermaid containers full of books! <br><br>Here are some things we considered "necessary" to bring, that we think are important, so you might want to consider this type of stuff before considering what "else" you will take with you. Just a few suggestions. I hope it's helpful... <br><br>What we use the most space for is food. We have cases and cases of canned goods that sit in the back of the truck and Rubbermaid containers full of other dry goods and so forth. When we worked at a campground in the Northern Rockies of BC last summer, the nearest grocery store was an hour's drive away. Where we hope to work this coming summer will be three hour's away from the nearest grocery store. We also have large cases of drinking water for emergencies only. <br><br>My art and craft supplies takes up a lot of room, especially the paint. I have three cake icing buckets full of paints that travel in the back of the truck and an extra large Rubbermaid container full of art and craft supplies and some blank canvases that all get stored in the back of the truck with the food and water. I also have a Rubbermaid storage container full of sewing supplies and yarn. <br><br>I have a plastic four drawer storage container full of shoes in the back of the truck too. It holds dress shoes and out of season shoes, like sandals in winter and winter boots in summer. There's also a large container for out of season clothing, like down coats in mid summer. <br><br>There are the tools for working on the vehicles and camper/RV. We have two large Rubbermaid containers full of hubby's tools too and thank goodness he brought them all! We had a few breakdowns on the road in our old truck that he fixed on the spot. It held us up awhile, but didn't cost much. We also brought the axe and sledge for wood splitting, the portable clothes hanging thingie for the laundry and the laundry washing/agitating bucket, a long hose for water hookup, a long rope (used for many things since), and many other tool type things and the outdoor screen tent and lawn chairs. The generator, electrical cord, and so forth get stored in outdoor sections of the camper so they are not a consideration for storage for us but they might be for someone else. <br><br>Really, I don't know what we would do for storage if we had a different configuration, without the high capped truck back for storage! <br><br>So, you see, there are far too many, necessary, things to take that we had to consider before we started thinking about where to put the "other stuff". You can always hold onto some things, pack the RV first and then decide what you have room for.

 

[Sheryl]

I believe it. We are hoping to last that long, but may not. Your parent's attic is always a consideration. We don't have that option, so didn't go that route.<br><br>Maybe consider why you are hanging onto that stuff in the first place. If it has too much family meaning to get rid of it and you want to save it for you family's younger generations, why not give it all to those young people now. They might actually use them. We think that is better than saving "stuff" until our kids have to clean out our attics when we're gone and roll their eyes at all the things we kept for no reason.&nbsp;<br><br>When we do get a static home again, it will, we hope, be a tiny one bedroom cabin that we build ourselves, probably off grid. We still do not intend to ever again get caught up in the race to own as many "things" as possible before we die.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>That said, I did get rid of a few things I wish I had kept, all clothing items that I now realize I could have used and some herbs I wish I had potted and brought. Nothing at all in the "keepsake" area. As each week goes by, I feel freer and more liberated from all those things!<br><br>But everyone has to do what they feel is right for them. &nbsp;<img style="cursor: se-resize !important;" rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; &nbsp;I don't mean to sound harsh or condescending and I apologize if I come across like that.&nbsp;By all means bring it all with you and unload it as you go along. I have done that, as well and dearly wished for other things I could have brought had I had a bit more space for them (clothing and herbs). We did have to re-evaluate our belongings as we went and gained some experience <em>(not that we have a lot of experience now)</em>&nbsp;but this is the second time in my adult life I have unloaded everything, so it was easier.<em>&nbsp;</em><br><br><br><br>

 

[gp]

Grandma, you can watch your DVD&nbsp;movies and play CD's on your laptop in the DVD drive if you prefer to condense even more. It works for both, so there is no need for&nbsp;separate&nbsp;DVD and CD players.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[Janis Vanis]

TOTALLY know what you mean, girl! I mentioned in another hygiene post that I just can notttt get rid of some of my clothes. I am a minimalist at heart, but I still love to be stylish ANYways, I was considering jewelry and whatnot, and I will be taking the important /expensive pieces with me I have collected over the years, and be sure to secure them well if not just have them on my person. But I have -tons- of costume-y jewelry I'm going to have to part with, which, honestly I am looking forward to purging. As for keepsakes, I have family I can leave them with (thankfully) while we are journeying close to home. Ultimately everyone pares down differently. You have to start somewhere I say! Even if it's more than you thought, you can always get rid of things on the road; misc thrift stores, good will, etc.

 

[LucyImHome]

For sorting the sentimental things, I like the "30 minute drill". Imagine a knock on the door, told you have 30 minutes to get out, never to return. What do you take? Many things are irreplaceable, but you aren't going to have time to load your great great grandmother's hutch.
I'd whittled way down, then my MH was broken into. All of my family photos going back to the start of photography, my mother's journal, well, anyway, stuff I wouldn't have gotten rid of. The choice was made for me.
On the bright side, now I could easily fit my life into a minivan! hmmm, I wonder.....
Sometimes, the least painful way to go is to rent a small storage unit. Get one a bit smaller than you know you'll need, as additional motivation. You'll have to be creative in packing the stuff you'll store to have room. And it makes you give active thought to each item you're storing. Once the storage unit is full and you're done, give yourself a break. Then set a plan to go to the unit, say maybe once a week. Every time you go, make a rule that you have to remove something. Maybe set a timeline on when you want to empty the unit. At first it's hard. But after awhile, it actually becomes cathartic.