And when is enough just plain too much?
That is the burning life question with which I am grappling as I finish up my "settling in" process.
I KNOW I already promised I was FINISHED with my moving posts - - - but I tell myself this is not REALLY a moving post. This is a BURNING LIFE QUESTION post.
It is not MERELY my blog which is eclectic - - - I am quite eclectic myself. DUH, as if I needed to tell you that!As I have been settling into our little nest, I have wanted to keep mementos of all the eclecticity that has been my life around me.
And so, I have placed family heirlooms next to school teacher memorabilia next to family keep sakes next to Burr Camp nostalgia all over my abode.
These cherished items are literally sitting next to and on top of each other in every nook and cranny of our small duplex.
I could point them out to you and tell you the significance of each - - - but that should really be another post, no?
In fact, it is somewhat of a miracle that all of my boxes are now unpacked and everything has found its place and is in its place.
Which brings me back to my original question - - - When is enough enough and not just plain too much?
I can live with not having any style whatsoever except eclecticity - - - I've known that about myself for years. I have made no claim to being a decorator.
And I am enjoying having all my little treasures out and about where they can be seen and not heard.
But today as I walk about the rooms, looking here and looking there, I am forced to ask myself that aforementioned burning life question: "Is this enough enough or is it just plain too much??? Should I box some of this back up and store it away for another day?
Oh no - - - please say it isn't so - - - please say I don't have to do ANY more boxing!!!
I'm NOT Manny Pacquiao, you know!!
..
19 comments:
If this is too much too you do not come to my house! lol...I have stuff everywhere. I am not a hoarder but I do have a lot of stuff. If it makes me happy then it stays. I do rotate some items in and out as the season dictates. I think it looks great and if you are happy, then keep it!
In our last move (to this house), I felt exactly the same as you do. The "important" pieces were in the house and there was a TON of stuff in the garage that still needed to come inside. At first, i was tempted to just set fire to all of it, but thought better of it. Little by little things came inside and now ~ my house is stuffed to the gills! I gave in. I like all the 'things' I have bought over the years (memories or not) and it makes my house look warm and cozy. Ok, I HATE dusting all of it, but if you wait long enough, you really can't see it anymore!
BTW: we own the exact wooden desk that you have AND the exact blue chair. I KNEW I liked you Keetha!
Hugs in dust,
Jan
PS....keep it all! You'll regret it later.
I am with Linda... come visit me and you will see what too much is:) I have everything ANYONE ever gave me and I can tell you EXACTLY who gave it to me! I LOVE dodads and have lots! So Keetha, in your nice clean NEWLY organized home... IT ISN'T TOO MUCH! Just enjoy and step away from the boxes! Have a blessed day, HUGS!
If you love it and it makes you happy to see, keep it! If you don't love it, pack it up. I think it looks warm and cozy!
I cannot believe you are already unpacked and organized!!! Well.. actually.. I can, because you letting all those boxes sit around would be more unbelievable. Maybe I am wrong.
Tell me about your elephant book ends!! I'm going to guess that they are either from Zambia, South Africa, or Swaziland. :)
Lastly, I loved your reference to Pacman Pacquiao!!
It all looks perfect to me. I decorate that way too.
I think it all looks great! Where is the clutter???
But, if you ever decide you need to part with the little antique dresser, I'll send you my address....:)
I think we all have this question ... as we grow older and have more things that mean a lot to us. The only thing is you can try to go without some of it and see if you miss it, but it they give you joy, then don't do a thing! It all looks nice!
I can only speak for myself, and when I get tired of dusting all the stuff, then I know it's too much stuff.
Di
If you are starting to question it you must be reaching your saturation point, Keetha. It all looks so pretty right now...nice and clean. Enjoy it for a while then see what you think after Christmas...My rule is nothing goes on the floor just because...that is when enough is enough for me.
Only you and Fisherhubby can decide that. I mean, as long as no one schedules a Hoarders-style intervention, you should be good. Right? ;-)
The rule of thumb that I use is when I no longer like looking at it and it just becomes "stuff" then it's time to get rid of it. If you can't get rid of it, then yes, it's probably time to box it for a while then decide if it's a gonner.
Hey! How 'bout them Badgers?!!!
It's only too much if you think it's in the way - I'm like you! I'm not much into color coordinating, yet somehow it always works out because I seem to like similar colors and shades in my apartment and voila! It all fits! But I want to be comfortable and enjoy my mementos and knick knacks because they all have meaning and remind me of people and places; So, if you think it's too much, then pack up some things and hide them away for a while and if you miss them, then bring them back....that's what I do and it seems to work!
By the way, you have nice things. I love the elephant book ends ;-)
Headless Mom posted my entire comment! I agree totally with what she said.
Only you and FH know what's enough and what's too much.
I think that you leave out what makes you happy
If it's to much to dust then cut back and change them out now and then
When I had to pack up as much as I could live without when we were showing our home to sale enjoyed not having so much to clean.
We ended up not moving and I ended up having a garage sale and figured that if I could live without it those last few months I would be fine without it and I enjoy having less.
Re: Dust. Your blog says it best "dust is the protective coating for fine furniture", works for me.
I am amazed how fast you moved in and unboxed. Some of that thinking right now will help me get ready for a winter season.
Thanks, Keetha. You've thanked me before, but it's nice to hear (or see) again. And thanks to Fisherhubby, too.
Some great keepsakes!
I'm not the one to ask. I have never ever unboxed all of my possessions (and my husbands.) I have childhood things that have been boxed for 25 years. I go through it before each move, look through, cry, laugh, squeal with delight that I still have (fill in the blank) and then box it back up again.
If you love it and enjoy looking at it, then keep it out. If you don't mind having items boxed up and want to rotate the treasures, then by all means do it.
I had to Google Manny Pacquiao - you are so clever!! Boxer LOL
Kristin - the pack rat
Hi Keetha,
Love your posts from WR. Having made several long distance moves, I've regularly purged my belongings and still think I have too much. It is completely your decision. I am amazed you were able to move from a large home into the small duplex and fit everything you brought, but I have to remember you have a basement. I've not had a basement since 1989.
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