Seniors

usonian

(20,436 posts)

18. You realize, of course, that Abby, Abigail Van Buren (also known as Jeanne Phillips) died in 2013,

Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:36 AM

Sep 6

and you are getting messages from beyond (or her successors).

Well, if your house is a work of art, my place is the freaking Louvre!!

IN 1000 PIECES

That said, I've been living alone in a 3 bedroom place with 7 acres of steep land to care for, and it's really time to move near family and stores and services, less the 50 mile drive. It's pretty clear what I haven't used in 10 years, and will never use (heck, I'm 76.5) so downsizing is mostly logical, but tedious.

I found electronic versions of a few hundred pounds of books that I had paid for, so that helps. There may be a whole lot of "little libraries" showing up soon.

I took a lot of personal abuse, when I was married (ahem), about my possessions, but a great deal were and are, things with utilitarian value, for when things break and go wrong, and stores are closed. Now, I can make decisions based just on logic. The router wasn't "junk" when it helped me repair the cap on the back fence. (but was considered junk soon thereafter)

P.S. If you think about stuff as "trip hazards" and not "clutter", it helps.
P.P.S. When in the thrift store, I snap photos of cool and funky objects, rather than buying them. Logical!

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Marthe48 No Vested Interest

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Highlight:

Reading Dear Abby today [View all] Marthe48 Sep 6 OP

We've become engaged in de-acquisitioning our "art". The kids seem to have no taste for that 'art' ... marble falls Sep 6 #1

I was doing that same reason Marthe48 Sep 6 #2

Put a reasonable price on it. Let them bargain you down. The more you engage the sucke ... bargain hunters ... marble falls Sep 6 #3

We're confident BOSSHOG Sep 6 #16

Not many of us so prescient in our choices as yourselves! marble falls Sep 6 #28

I started collecting when I was 8 Marthe48 Sep 6 #30

I wrote a book just for folks like you Marthe48! nt Trueblue Texan Sep 6 #4

I use breakfast to relieve any frustration and disappointment AnnaLee Sep 6 #5

haventt heard that byline in ages . :) i agree with u. AllaN01Bear Sep 6 #6

I read Dear Abby and Miss Manners every day Marthe48 Sep 6 #7

Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, my fountain pen leaks Martin Eden Sep 6 #8

Dear Martin, Dear Martin, you have no complaint. You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't. Midnight Writer Sep 6 #21

So listen up buster, and listen up good Martin Eden Sep 6 #25

Thank you.. homegirl Sep 6 #9

We took a downsizing class when we moved from our big house to a condo. OMGWTF Sep 6 #11

Lightening is great if it is for you. pat_k Sep 7 #43

Please work on culling your possesions IbogaProject Sep 6 #10

Long story short Marthe48 Sep 6 #14

Know how you feel.. homegirl Sep 6 #26

Good, aging in place is the best IbogaProject Sep 6 #31

No need to "get back on the horse" pat_k Sep 7 #44

Thank you pat_k Marthe48 Sep 7 #45

There's a Swedish death cleaning group on Facebook radical noodle Sep 6 #24

I stopped buying, accepting things Marthe48 Sep 6 #27

I have, too. VERY difficult, but it finally took. marble falls Sep 6 #29

I only buy if something similar is going to be donated elsewhere radical noodle Sep 6 #42

You really made me smile! You have quite the way with words. Please continue to share your musings and advice! MLAA Sep 6 #12

Thanks for the kind words Marthe48 Sep 6 #32

I'll be 79 in a month, and I don't live a tidy life either. But it's well enough lived as is. patphil Sep 6 #13

Thank you patphil! Marthe48 Sep 6 #15

I feel the same way about our house. It is comforting and comfortable being surrounded by a lifetime of Martin68 Sep 6 #17

You realize, of course, that Abby, Abigail Van Buren (also known as Jeanne Phillips) died in 2013, usonian Sep 6 #18

I laughed at your post Marthe48 Sep 6 #20

Mission Accomplished. usonian Sep 6 #22

Yes, Jeanne Phillips is the current Dear Abby, not the original one. ShazzieB Sep 6 #33

I tried others Marthe48 Sep 6 #34

Two of the all time best, imo, are Carolyn Hax and Captain Awkward. ShazzieB Sep 6 #36

Try UExpress Marthe48 Sep 6 #37

Thanks, ill check that out! ShazzieB Sep 6 #39

And Pauline's sister Esther soldierant Sep 6 #35

I read Ann Landers before I read Abby Marthe48 Sep 6 #38

On est bien la. GoneOffShore Sep 6 #19

Well, I hope you do win! JTOL Sep 6 #23

I loved Dear Abby and Ann Landers Skittles Sep 6 #40

What a joyful post Ruby the Liberal Sep 6 #41