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In reply to the discussion: Reading Dear Abby today [View all]

usonian

(22,881 posts)
18. You realize, of course, that Abby, Abigail Van Buren (also known as Jeanne Phillips) died in 2013,
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 10:36 AM
Sep 2025

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!

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Reading Dear Abby today [View all] Marthe48 Sep 2025 OP
We've become engaged in de-acquisitioning our "art". The kids seem to have no taste for that 'art' ... marble falls Sep 2025 #1
I was doing that same reason Marthe48 Sep 2025 #2
Put a reasonable price on it. Let them bargain you down. The more you engage the sucke ... bargain hunters ... marble falls Sep 2025 #3
We're confident BOSSHOG Sep 2025 #16
Not many of us so prescient in our choices as yourselves! marble falls Sep 2025 #28
I started collecting when I was 8 Marthe48 Sep 2025 #30
I wrote a book just for folks like you Marthe48! nt Trueblue Texan Sep 2025 #4
I use breakfast to relieve any frustration and disappointment AnnaLee Sep 2025 #5
haventt heard that byline in ages . :) i agree with u. AllaN01Bear Sep 2025 #6
I read Dear Abby and Miss Manners every day Marthe48 Sep 2025 #7
Dear Abbey, Dear Abbey, my fountain pen leaks Martin Eden Sep 2025 #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 2025 #21
So listen up buster, and listen up good Martin Eden Sep 2025 #25
Thank you.. homegirl Sep 2025 #9
We took a downsizing class when we moved from our big house to a condo. OMGWTF Sep 2025 #11
Lightening is great if it is for you. pat_k Sep 2025 #43
Please work on culling your possesions IbogaProject Sep 2025 #10
Long story short Marthe48 Sep 2025 #14
Know how you feel.. homegirl Sep 2025 #26
Good, aging in place is the best IbogaProject Sep 2025 #31
No need to "get back on the horse" pat_k Sep 2025 #44
Thank you pat_k Marthe48 Sep 7 #45
There's a Swedish death cleaning group on Facebook radical noodle Sep 2025 #24
I stopped buying, accepting things Marthe48 Sep 2025 #27
I have, too. VERY difficult, but it finally took. marble falls Sep 2025 #29
I only buy if something similar is going to be donated elsewhere radical noodle Sep 2025 #42
You really made me smile! You have quite the way with words. Please continue to share your musings and advice! MLAA Sep 2025 #12
Thanks for the kind words Marthe48 Sep 2025 #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 2025 #13
Thank you patphil! Marthe48 Sep 2025 #15
I feel the same way about our house. It is comforting and comfortable being surrounded by a lifetime of Martin68 Sep 2025 #17
You realize, of course, that Abby, Abigail Van Buren (also known as Jeanne Phillips) died in 2013, usonian Sep 2025 #18
I laughed at your post Marthe48 Sep 2025 #20
Mission Accomplished. usonian Sep 2025 #22
Yes, Jeanne Phillips is the current Dear Abby, not the original one. ShazzieB Sep 2025 #33
I tried others Marthe48 Sep 2025 #34
Two of the all time best, imo, are Carolyn Hax and Captain Awkward. ShazzieB Sep 2025 #36
Try UExpress Marthe48 Sep 2025 #37
Thanks, ill check that out! ShazzieB Sep 2025 #39
And Pauline's sister Esther soldierant Sep 2025 #35
I read Ann Landers before I read Abby Marthe48 Sep 2025 #38
On est bien la. GoneOffShore Sep 2025 #19
Well, I hope you do win! JTOL Sep 2025 #23
I loved Dear Abby and Ann Landers Skittles Sep 2025 #40
What a joyful post Ruby the Liberal Sep 2025 #41
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