Simple Life VS Simple Life

[jackfaire]

I own 2 steamer trunks that are memories of the auctions my dad used to take me to.

I have my grandmother's turban that she took to wearing when her hair was thinning.

I have a menu from the restaurant that me and my friends would hang out at that closed.

I have a lot of things most with memories attached some simply because I liked the way they looked. When I had my own place my walls were decorated with them and I could tell you the story or memory attached to each.

I don't spend a lot of money on things because I believe experiences are more important than buying the "coolest thing ever". I belive that what I am doing is living simply.

I have noticed that the people I see running around in Live Simply Tshirts tend to not have a lot of possesions but what they do have is expensive name brand items not because they might be better quality but because it is name brand.

I am told the spirit of live simply is to not be a consumerist but it seems to me that my love of old things with a story is more in keeping with that spirit than the people getting the newest and the best.

Thoughts opinions?

[protege]

Jack, I hear ya. I've held onto things simply because of the memories attached to them. For example, I was given quite a few things when my grandmother sold her farm--the 1940s dining room set, her 1950s-style kitchen set, several old pictures, the table clock (which was a wedding present), etc. Sure, I needed furniture, since I'd just bought a house. But, after nearly 30 years of her "fattening me up," it was only fitting that I'd get that furniture Even though the dining room set is currently stored, I don't plan on getting rid of it. I've also noticed, that the 1950s furniture is very well made--much better than the cheap shit sold now.

As for the table clock, it no longer works. I removed the cord, and it now shares shelf space with my grandfather's beer mug. Also his, are the Lions' Club awards that currently hang in my office. I would have liked to have his coffee mug (which I gave him on his last Father's Day) but that, his food inspector badge, and his pipe, are currently missing. I hung onto that stuff, mainly because of the memories--going with him when he went to sell brooms for the club, having "coffee" with his buddies, and simply because I was always at his house when I was younger.

Other things, were kept simply because I didn't want to see them neglected. That's why I have my great-grandfather's old radio at my house. I never met him, but I thought it looked cool in my dad's office. It was on one of the shelves at his ad agency. Then the agency failed...and most of the office things were put into the attic and forgotten. Then I moved out, grabbed the radio and other things. Things like the wall clock. Nothing really special about it--it's just a cheap, 12-inch clock with a wood rim by Sunbeam. Now, it's been on my wall 4 years, and if I'd replace it, the living room would look rather strange

[daleduke17]

Right now, my wife and I don't have a lot of "collectibles", but a couple things that we have that are not replaceable are:

- my grandfather's last fire helmet. When we get our own place, it is going somewhere prominent. My grandmother took it from the storage area and gave it specifically to me because (as she put it) "I know you'll take care of it, and you like this stuff".

- One of the corner pieces from the same grandfather's casket. It is the Army insignia. My father, mother, grandmother and I each have one of the corner pieces.

They aren't that fancy or expensive, but, they mean a lot to me and my wife.

[jackfaire]

Somethings I have people would think are stupid like a hubcap i found when I blew out a tire and saw mine rolling down the road.

[Cat]

Once again I find I have kindred sprits here.

I will hold on to the silliest things: ticket stubs, a yellow jelly bean, sugar packets with the name of the restaurant on them. For me, objects so have a certain 'energy' attached to them, and some of that energy is the memory. Sadly, I am so cluttered I tend to lose said objects, haha.

As for live simply...hmm...wow, I can probably post an entire new thread, but when I first got my place I had: a chair, a futon, my tv on a milk cart, a folding camp table, and a fat tabby cat. (and books, clothes, ect) IT was heaven.

Then my mother 'helped' me by getting me furniture and shit....so my place looked "normal." Oh well

[protege]

As for live simply...hmm...wow, I can probably post an entire new thread, but when I first got my place I had: a chair, a futon, my tv on a milk cart, a folding camp table, and a fat tabby cat. (and books, clothes, ect) IT was heaven.

That's pretty much what *my* place looked like when I first moved in! Except that my cat was a Maine Coon Since then, the house has become more cluttered, and the TV no longer rests on milk crates.

[Cat]

Slowly but surely I am getting down to where I was when I moved in It won't totally be the same, I'll keep the furniture I have, but I did ditch a good deal of useless crap.

Now, I just have to be sure I don't get/buy too much more....and alas, I have a vacation and a b-day coming up!