Results: What We Keep

Trying to thin out the collection of cups and mugs- many of which are just shoved behind the cups we actually like and use - is proving to be a challenge. These include a handmade mug from a vacation taken in the early '60s, a cup from the company I where I spent more than a dozen years, and another from the school where I taught. Oh, and my late father's favorite coffee cup- the one he claimed was perfect as to size, heat retention, and handle comfort. Mind you, these are all in near mint condition. What should I do with them?

The hearth is home to a cobblestone my grandfather rescued when Main Street in Memphis was dug up and paved. Next to it sits a hand crafted brick from the home my ancestors built about 200 years ago- the first brick home built in the county. When I was eleven, we located the site and the farmer who owned the field graciously allowed us to dig up some of the bricks. What should I do with these?

One Christmas my kids were given an electronic game called Brain Warp. I don't remember how it was played, but the game was a huge hit at the family party that day- everyone of every age had a go at it. It's one of my favorite holiday memories and the game still sits on a shelf in the family room gathering dust. What should I do with it?

There are Christmas cookie cutters in the attic with the decorations. The same goes for Halloween and Easter cookie cutters. There are cookie cutters for Valentine's Day. Star Wars cookie cutters. Farm animals and Thanksgiving themed cookie cutters. You name it, I probably have a cookie cutter connected to it. ABC's and 1-2-3's. St. Patrick's Day. Tiny cookie cutters and regular sized. Pan sized gingerbread boy and girl. Cookie cutters that date to my childhood and my kids' school years. We won't even discuss the cookie presses (yes, that's plural) or cookie stamps. Cookie cutters. What should I do?

Then there is the ring. My sweet mother was jilted (sadly) which led to her taking a job with the DOD in Alaska during the Korean War. This led to her meeting my father (happily). I have the ring. A very pretty little diamond set in either platinum or white gold which fits no one. What should I do with it?

When I find a recipe I like, it gets copied onto a "from the kitchen of" kind of card and put in my recipe box even though I am just as likely to use my tablet as the handwritten version while cooking. My daughter tells me I should put all of these into the computer (scan, bookmark, or type) rather than living in another century. What should I do?

When my own mother was downsizing some years back, she sent me a box of things I had no idea still existed. Among other things, I found my old Girl Scout handbook, beret, and pins which she had kept stashed somewhere for more than four decades. Obviously, I come by my hoarding habits honestly. What should I do with this stuff?