My grandparents saved EVERYTHING {we’re talking bent rusty nails and things}. I save practically nothing. So I guess my mom, is probably somewhere in the middle.
The last time The Girl and I visited my parents at their condo she took us down to the storage unit and told us the next time we came back, we needed to clean it out for her because she couldn’t find anything, nor could she walk around in it.
Now, as a full grown adult with an able bodied mother I wasn’t really sure how this was my problem. But you know, Moms, no matter how old you are you are still their child and they get to boss you around.
Mavis: “Can we get rid of this?”
The Girl: “Is that an old rotary phone?”
Mom: “I’d like to keep it. It’s fun, and it might come in handy someday.”
Mavis: “You know it’s just going to end up in the trash when I have to go through all your stuff someday.”
Mom: “Ya. And I’m okay with that.”
And pretty much… this conversation repeated itself about a 522 more times over the next hour and a half. The Girl questioning obsolete relics, my mother not wanting to part with crap, and me rolling my eyes. Good times.
But hey… not only did she find the cheese grater she’s been searching high and low for, now she can walk around and find things. Miracles. They really do happen.
This is all the crap she sent me home with.
To get rid of at the next garage sale.
Or keep.
Have you tried these Ziplock Zip ‘n Steam bags before? At first I was like who on earth would steam vegetables in plastic in the microwave? Seriously, how lazy is that? And then last night I used one to cook some broccoli and it totally worked. The HH even said the broccoli was “perfect” and wanted to know what I did differently. 😉 It was hilarious.
What I kept.
Oh, and in case you were wondering how my mother’s freebie Christmas gift stash was coming along for this season….
I’d say she’s doing pretty well. She’s currently hiding all her treasures behind the chair in the guest room. Toilet paper, soap, sugar packets, shampoo, bubble wands and mini ketchup bottles. She’s got it all.
Mom: “Oh, take a picture of this.”
Mavis: “Mom, I can’t put a picture of Trump coffee on the blog. I’ll get a bunch of hater comments.”
Mom: “Oh but it’s good coffee. I plan on giving it to the HH this Christmas. So far I have 32 packets saved for him”
***************
Have a great wednesday everyone,
~Mavis
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Em says
I’m in the process of going through my parents’ stuff, trying to find good homes for the stuff worth keeping, throwing away a lot.
I have a lot of paper. I’m scanning some things, and getting rid of the physical paper.
I need a new hobby.
Jenell says
Hilarious. I Love her:)
Mary says
I don’t know your Mom but she is so much like mine. I just hope I don’t totally morph into her as I age, I am now 51. We can all change, right? Or make the choice to not become them?
Lisa Millar says
This was a funny post to read. Great way to end the night!!
Who knows – That ‘Trump Coffee’ may become a valuable collectible in 50 years!! Snicker….
Well done on the clean up!! 🙂
Linda says
My dad has low vision and only microwaves his food. I would love those ziploc bags so I could make him his own veggie packs.
Heather says
To the ponytail question, if that is your mom, in a ponytail, you have many years of ponytails ahead of you.
Hazel says
Did you know that ‘trump’ is a euphemism for passing wind (!) in English so we’re just sniggering at Trump Hotel coffee :))
Nicole says
HILARIOUS! You girls made me laugh. Great way to start my day.
Vicki B. says
Oh, the red utensils! If I lived there, I’d totally buy them at your next yard sale!
Great job on the clean up!
And can I just say those pillow shams look like eyes? It took me a few seconds to figure out what they really are – LOL!
Coconutty says
Yes, yes, this! I was totally going to comment on this, it freaked me out, it totally looks like eyes looking right at you! :’D
MH says
Can I have those tongs? My hh just broke ours. 🙁
Every time we buy my parents something lately my little brother will remind me that it’s just one more thing I will have to get rid of someday. They still use the same soap dispenser in the bathroom that they got back in the 80’s (but it still works!) . Yep, it’s going to be lots of fun.
Brianna says
My parents have been downsizing since 2008. My mother came home a few weeks ago to find a construction crew and equipment in their yard, only to realize that my father’s joke of needing another garage size shop to tinker in is a reality. He can’t get rid of anything and now he will have more space. She is constantly filling her trunk and taking it to donation. Their house is empty, but the garage just doubled in size. Just be glad that your moms storage unit is 10×4 or so! I love her freebie collection, it cracks me up and is a bit taboo and eccentric.
Jamie n. says
You should keep the glad press’n’seal wrap! It is wonderful for painting! Use it instead of painters tape, especially on carpeted stairs 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Hey, thanks for the tip!
Em says
Brilliant!
Emily B says
So, about that broccoli…. Those bags are nifty, but you get the same effect if you toss some tiny trees onto a microwave-safe plate, cover in plastic wrap tightly and nuke for 90 seconds. Works beautifully every time! Learned this trick from the restaurant I worked at for 10 years.
Anna says
Rotary phones are n9w collectable and worth a little just an fyi
Julie C says
But I don’t think that’s an actual rotary phone. It looks like it has buttons, instead of a rotary dial.
Herdog says
I’ve been reading “100” for years now and I have somehow missed the story on your mom’s Christmas freebees. Please do tell…again.
Mom and I’ve been go through her ‘stuff’ and we’ve done a good job. Now I need for her to come to my place so we can go through my Cr&p! I’ll I can say is, poor kids.
BTY, I watched Tim’s Vermeer last night and loved it. What a great film. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh Herdog you are in for a real treat. Here is the story –> http://www.stage.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/what-does-complimentary-item-mean-to-you/
Jenn says
I lost both of my parents almost 4 years ago and I was left with a nightmare. Not only were my parents pack rats, but so were my grandparents and Aunt. So when they died, my Dad bought a huge storage building and put off of their stuff in it. So not only did I have a whole house of their stuff, I also had a storage shed full of other people’s crap. If it wasn’t for friends, that came and helped me and hold stuff off for donations and the dump, I’d still be going though it. But now I have stuff that is hard for me to part with. I have a cedar chest full of pictures that I have no idea what to do with. I can’t throw them away, but at the same time, they are taking up space. So I applaud you Mavis, for at least helping your mom organize her storage!
Vy says
I have that EXACT phone in a box, waiting for my garage sale! It’s going to be Aug 20th and your recent “garage sale tips” were very helpful.
Everyone in the house is decluttering and we’re pooling the money to go on a family vacation. Less stuff + vacation makes me a happy lady!
Susan says
Your mom is hilarious! I could’t agree more with the part about mother still trying to boss you around, no matter your age 😉
Ashley says
Seriously. Your mom is AWESOME!!!
Lea says
Your Mom is hilarious!
That storage room looks great! Can you come do my furnace room now? 🙂
Lea
Lace Faerie says
Oh, I applaud your kind efforts to organize your Mama’s stuff. My late Mama was a serious hoarder and garage sale addict. When she passed, she left so much stuff for us to sort through. I say us but I mean me, the oldest. None of my siblings could bring themselves to clean out my parents’ home of 25 years. When my Grandma died we found suitcases full of rock-hard hotel soaps, match books, note tablets and 10k pens from hundreds of businesses!
I am making a serious effort on fighting my genetic pack rat tendencies. I don’t want to put my kids through what I went through!