I'm sure that reading between the lines on this blog you can tell that the Micro Manager and I are quite opposite. With the posts on downsizing it's very obvious that we are opposites. One reader left a comment in jest that "a war was developing between Red the Declutterer and Jean the Hoarder". One of us was very busy finding things to "decorate" the house. There are enough "things" to decorate a few houses. I know that she had a great time collecting items and displaying them . She bought very few things in a store. I sometimes ask her "Where did you get that thing?" She always knows. Many things were picked up on garage sales or were given. The mother in law gave us many paintings. There are probably 20 of these creations in the house. The Micro Manager liked paint by number. She also liked the needle work patterns. She also took a ceramics course and produced quite a few creations to hang in a wall.
Then I also noticed a pattern in a few comments where it was obvious the spouses were in opposite corners of he downsizing issue. It was interesting that many different compromises were made. And then thee are the people who know they should be downsizing but just can't get started.
The room with thirteen things on the wall is now down to two.
When I went out with the Micro Manager I recognized that she was opposite to me in quite a few areas. I thought it would complement our relationship . However , when it comes to down sizing we've spent quite a bit of time discussing. However, I don't think that Mr. Pudding is right that we are in any kind of war. A siege maybe, but not a fight.
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Just a healthy discussion on differences in opinions :)
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of healthy discussions around here.
DeleteNow that made me laugh :)
DeleteEvery relationship has the person who collects more and the person who collects less but eventually all the collected goods have to be rehomed or disposed of.
ReplyDeleteI hope the conflict doesn't escalate :)
Don't worry. There may be differences of opinion but things work out.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI like the bear and swan paintings. My hubby and I are somewhat opposites. Take care, have a great day!
The MIL did the bear and the swan was a paint by number.
DeleteSue isn’t so much a hoarder but has trouble parting with things. She wants to find a use for anything and everything, not necessarily for us but for someone, anyone, somewhere, anywhere.
ReplyDeleteFor some there is a use for everything. I have little interest in material things.
DeleteI like those three saved displays. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteSad , but the end of the line is coming for many of these treasures,
DeleteI understand 'opposites'. It is why I have a nickel plated grill for a Model A truck in my spare bedroom. Side note: we have not, nor have we ever owned a Model A truck. Tim thinks the grill is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had a 1929 model A sedan. My brother and I paid $45.00 for it. I wish we'd kept it.
DeleteI've just donated a large bag of clothes and books to raise money for a children's hospital - it's a start.
ReplyDeleteYou have to regularly part with treasures. A move helps to get rid of some things.
DeleteAmusing post, Red! Obviously you two have figured out how to compromise and get along as you have been together quite a while! ;)
ReplyDeleteQuite a while is 59 years.
DeleteWhen I think about downsizing I mostly concentrate on boxes of stuff that have been gathering dust in the garage for years. I think about all the old clothes I need to get rid of. When I look at the art on our walls and truly treasured keepsakes I think the kids and grandkids might want that stuff. I guess it's a struggle between what's treasure and what's trash.
ReplyDeleteMy kids live away from here and want very little. They are 51 and 53 so have enough of their own stuff.
DeleteThe swan one suits me.
ReplyDeleteA lot of paint by number stuff was pretty good.
DeleteWe do some discussing also...:)
ReplyDeleteEverybody has their own definition of discussion.
DeleteYou're doing great. I had a hard time downsizing but as time moved forward I forget most of what I had. :)
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that once it's gone it's seldom missed.
DeleteHmmm. One woman's treasure is another woman's junk, I guess. Good luck on your continuing project. "Discussion" is good,
ReplyDeleteYes, there are many exchanges .
DeleteYou have a very practical approach to handling the "opposites attract" situation. Kudos to you both. My husband was like me, a keeper of certain things. But our interests were different. So he could have decluttered for me, and I could have decluttered for him, in no time flat! Now that it's just me, I've had a hard time getting rid of some things of his that I would have easily sent off before he died. Slowly, slowly, I'm getting rid of stuff from both of our "collections".
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of someone else's stuff would be difficult.
DeleteThings are going here, slowly but steadily. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteIt's a process that can't be rushed unless you have to move in a hurry.
DeleteI like the bear and, in spite of the religious bent, the hands.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, You are really on a roll with interesting posts, and I don’t recall you posting so frequently. Keep up the good work. By the way, my MM and I have been together for 52 years, so I have to give you thumbs up for 59! Years ago you told us you enjoyed listening to the radio. I wonder if you still do that or have you changed over to YouTube or internet radio? John
ReplyDeleteYup. Art and I are opposites in sooo many ways. And yes, he's the saver. He just hates getting rid of things. I have a friend who quietly tosses things when her husband isn't looking. I can't do that. But I'm slowly, slowly convincing him to let me donate some things or toss them.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I like the bear picture too. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is so difficult for me to downsize.
ReplyDeleteJust two people negotiating! Deciding what to remove from a home is a process that takes time. And it can be difficult because memories are stirred up.
ReplyDelete