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Posted by meridianday on 05-11-2009 at 10:11:
It's gatch related....
I've recently moved house. The old house was a decent size, but it was full. Really, really full of stuff. What has surprised me is that the new house is bigger, but since we are trying to avoid the clutter that turned the last house into such an unpleasant place to live, we have to get rid of some stuff. For "we", substitute "I". I'm the one with most of the clutter. I'm already having the garage converted into an extra room to accomodate my pets and hobbies.
I have spent years building up my collection of Gatch stuff, and now I have to choose what stuff has to go 
Or I have to pay £700 a year to store it somewhere else, which I don't want to do. What is the point in having it, if it's somewhere else? The idea of selling bits of it actually hurts me. I love my stuff.
So come on guys, I can't be the only person who's ever had to get rid of inanimate items that they love. How do you cope with it? How do you choose?
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Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny." Posted by Ebonyswanne on 05-11-2009 at 10:24:
It sounds like you need a shoulder to cry on...
I suppose you could make an appointment with Dr Nambu for a theorapy sesssion...sit back on the couch...only to discaover its his day off and the Condor is waiting to hear all about it and put his arm around you...after he loves devilstars.
Just trying to cheer you up!
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by Transmute Jun on 05-11-2009 at 13:23:
You have to prioritize. I moved this past year as well, and that's the perfect time to get rid of stuff. Essentially, if I haven't opened the box or looke at it in years, it goes.
Now there are exceptions, like collections of stuff which is your current obsession. But generally I let past obsessions go. So if I haven't been 'into' something for 5+ years, and haven't even opened the box of itesm, I pick out a few mementos and let the rest go. You wouldn't believe the piles of video tapes and magazine clippings and such that I got rid of.
And my guilty 'I'm keeping it no matter what' item is: my record collection. Yep, bona fide LPs, 12" singles, 7" singles, and even a couple of 10" singles. I have a record player for it too. 
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Posted by amethyst on 05-11-2009 at 16:03:
You can also prioritize stuff:
1. Value -- collectibles, antiques, items that will likely continue to appreciate.
2. Sentimental stuff -- Family heirlooms (may or may not qualify above), mementos, etc.
3. Cool Junk -- stuff that doesn't fit above
If the cool junk is taking up space but not providing a benefit, toss it or consign it. If you're holding onto your grandma's turkey platter because it was grandma's but you've never used it, give it to another family member. Valuables decide on space and interest or if they were investments.
Hubby and I have collected trading cards. Over the years we've sold off most of them. I still have two unopened boxes of the 1990 Star Trek cards, and he still has a few albums baseball cards plus some 1960/70's SF Giants players that bought because those were the players he loved while growing up. The albums have been kept to teach the kids, and are mostly dimies to $5 cards, but aren't taking up much space.
You can also ask yourself, when was the last time I needed this? When will I need it again? If the answer isn't realistic, find the item a new home.
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Perspective Alters Reality
Posted by lborgia88 on 05-11-2009 at 17:04:
I accumulate very little; in fact I'm that rare woman who can say that her boyfriend has more clothes, and shoes, than she does. For most things, the "one year rule" works for me: if I haven't used it/worn it in the past year, I can manage without it. However, I have one big exception -books. I have hundreds of books, and having to get rid of any of them would really, really hurt!
But if I had to, I think I could cope with it as long as I knew they weren't going into the trash, but instead were going to someone who would appreciate them as much as I do. Then I would feel like I'm passing on a legacy, and that would be some comfort.
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 05-11-2009 at 22:48:
I've been doing a lot of cleaning out of late too, and its been hard because of my hobbies. But I did the same as TJ...if it hasn't been touched in years how much do I really want it...close my eyes and bin it or ebay it...
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by clouddancer on 06-11-2009 at 01:19:
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I think we could be sisters LB. My clothing wardrobe is minimal, my walk in closet is practically empty. Like you I do a seasonal clear out of my clothing - If I have not worn it since last year then out it goes. As for shoes, I think I can count on one hand the number of pairs I have.
But my book shelves ... those are full. Although it does not sound like I have quite as good of a collection as you do - probably because the price of books here in Canada is about double the price in the US. *remind me when I visit next year for Comic Con to stop by a book store and stock up.*
But if I added in all the books I have collected for my classroom - for the children to read, I would not know where to store them and would have a very good collection.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by tatsunokofan on 06-11-2009 at 01:30:
Hi all!
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There's a Borders in downtown San Diego now, and a variety of used book stores downtown and in the Hillcrest and Adams Avenue area just north of downtown. So, if you've got the time, it's probaby safe to say that you'll find a few books to add to your collection.
James
Posted by lborgia88 on 06-11-2009 at 01:38:
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Sounds like a plan -as long as you can fit them in your luggage when you return home (a problem I've encountered when hitting bookstores while travelling)!
I remember, back when the last Harry Potter book came out, my mother informed me that she hadn't gotten a copy for my niece (who was then staying with her in Nova Scotia for part of the summer) as she thought my niece could wait until she got back to Ottawa in a few weeks and then read her older sister's copy. Feeling for my niece's Potter-deprived plight, I said it wasn't that expensive (I'd paid about $18 for mine, in the US) and was informed that it was going for $45 at the local bookstore where my mother lives -I was shocked, as I had forgotten how much more books cost in Canada.
Posted by clouddancer on 06-11-2009 at 02:25:
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Which is why I still have not got the last copy of Harry Potter .... wait, or did I? I was waiting and waiting for it to come out in soft cover and it never did. I managed to borrow a copy from someone in the end, but I can not remember if I ever purchased a copy for myself to complete my collection.
I have learned to hold off and frequent used book stores to buy m books now, except things like the Harry Potter books or Terry Goodkind never appear in used book stores, or if they do they are not there for long. I am still trying to fill in the gaps of books I lost when I had my flood a number of years back.
I grew impatient enough that I started looking on Amazon finding all the books I wanted and then realizing it was going to cost me $6 each book on shipping fees across the boarder, even when I was purchasing from the same seller. They would not combine orders. I gave up on that and have gone back to watching the used book stores.
Thank you James, I do remember the Borders from when TJ and I visited two years ago. I may have to go searching those used book stores though the next time I am there. Maybe I can convince LB to come with me.
As for suitcase problems .... I may have to plan on checking one on my way back home, if I am so lucky to find a lot of books I like. 
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by Transmute Jun on 06-11-2009 at 02:36:
CD< you can have the books shipped to me, and I'll hold onto everything for you until you visit. Or if you prefer, I might be able to send a couple of Priority Mail flat rate boxes across the border.
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Posted by gatchamarie on 06-11-2009 at 07:57:
As most of the times, everything that I could say about the subject has been tackled before I could do so!! The only suggestion that I could give, apart from the other valuable suggestions already given in this thread, is to scrap any other thing that cannot be displayed for you to enjoy in your house! I have strategically planned shelves and furniture (the few that I've got until now!) so as to accomodate all the items that are valuable or sentimental to me ... I like to see all these things every day! It's no use putting things in boxes and forget them! The only items I've got left in boxes are those which will eventually find themselves in future furniture additions which some day will take place! To be honest, I have put my kids' clothes, which have been outgrown but which are still almost as new, in boxes and stored them away in case of a new addition to our family ... who knows (we're trying to hold our brakes, though!)!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 06-11-2009 at 08:14:
Gatchamarie, I've gotten rid of anything my youngest has outgrown already! that includes clothes and furniture, (my youngest is 18months old and she's now in a toddler bed) I'm going through toys at the moment.LOL I guess I'm not planning on new additions to our family. (I had a few people say I was nuts for some odd reason, but I have very limited space and for our family 2 kids is enough.)
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by gatchamarie on 06-11-2009 at 08:28:
Yeah! Even for me two kids are enough! I like children and I always say that if we were in a better financial position and that if I had some kind of help from familiars I would be very happy to have more! But unfortunately life isn't that easy! This notwithstanding, if by any chance I find out that I'm pregnant again I will not complain and will welcome heartily the new, precious life that could be on its way! Accidents happen sometimes even if I don't like to describe such an event as an "accident"! It's always a gift!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 06-11-2009 at 09:04:
Very true! I had enough trouble becoming the mother of 2 kids, so no more for this camp.
I wouldn't complain either, I love kids, even though we only ever wanted 2, but I know what you mean about the lack of help outside, I'm used to it now and can work well with 2 kids around it.
It sounds like you may just end up with a 3rd little one yet
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by meridianday on 06-11-2009 at 09:58:
LOL - my daughter's pushchair is still up in the old house's attic - she's 10 years old now. I don't go up there because I have a strong fear of heights and the hatch is right over the stairwell. All the clothes that don't fit her have been given away around the time they stopped fitting. All the clothes that don't fit me any more eventually found their way to charity shops as well 
And I know the pain of disposing of books. My husband is making no sense at the moment, because he wants to avoid having bookshelves but he reads more books than I do! I have decided we will have bookshelves in the bedrooms. That way the living space remains clear but we are still able to keep them. I don't understand why he has no objection to DVD shelves though because I'm sure we spend less time watching them than we do reading books. We have boxes of books, and I know full well that there are many we'll never read again, but it's so hard choosing which ones are to go.
Thing is, although I'm not active in the fandom as much any more, I've never stopped being a Gatch fan. There are still very few days that pass without me thinking about Gatch. The size of my collection means it has to be kept in boxes where I can't see the contents, but I haven't lost interest in the items at all. Since it is a collection of toys, it doesn't get "used", but I enjoy knowing that it's there. But, some of it has to go. I've been back to the old house this morning to move some to the new house, and I am finding it hard to choose. I think the kits will go onto ebay, because I'll never make them, but then I think of my sister who does make kits, and I think how I could ask her to make them for me so I would have the models instead, so even that decision is up in the air.
Bah.
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Mallanox : "My mother was Irish and my father was an alien. I was an only child and I dress funny." Posted by gatchamarie on 06-11-2009 at 10:13:
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Like you we have decided to stop at the number "2" - that was always our wish too! LOL we painted our two spare bedrooms pink and blue just with the hope of having a boy and a girl before even knowing that we really had that fortune written in our near future after our wedding! Life wasn't so kind at times but with this we're blessed! I just don't want to definitely scrap the idea of having a 3rd child although the chances are a bit remote!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by gatchamarie on 06-11-2009 at 10:33:
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You surely have a bit of a dilemma there, Meridianday! The only thought that crosses my mind when hearing you say that you'll find a solution rather than disposing of your kits is that you are really reluctant of separating yourself from them! Why not ask your sister to help you and put them in a well deserved and visible place when they're ready (if always it's possible!)?! Rooms like studies and family rooms that could be left for hobbies or as relaxing areas, if available, could be nice places hosting such collections and memorabilia which could be displayed without looking like clutter. This could be achieved by planning beforehand good and suitable shelving units or display cabinets always in the case that there is space available!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by Becky Rock on 06-11-2009 at 21:23:
[/quote]
Which is why I still have not got the last copy of Harry Potter .... wait, or did I? I was waiting and waiting for it to come out in soft cover and it never did. I managed to borrow a copy from someone in the end, but I can not remember if I ever purchased a copy for myself to complete my collection.
CD- I recently ordered a soft cover copy of it for my son from Amazon for $11.00.
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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...
Posted by clouddancer on 06-11-2009 at 22:23:
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Thank you for the information Becky. Of course that would be $11 US, and not Canadian, I would have to go through the conversion rates. I have been too busy to check if I did purchase a copy but I have been watching the children's Scholastic Book Club orders to see if it appears on there. I saw a set of hard covers this month but not the last title in soft cover.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
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