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The first thing I'll probably do right after retirement is pare down my clothes accumulation. I can easily get rid of half and still have plenty to wear.
OK, so I have my grandmother's peddle sewing machine - the kind you have to work a peddle with your foot to make it sew. I also have a Bernina REAL sewing machine.
The antique sewing machine is HEAVY - due to the machine itself mostly and it's all about weight when you move. I want to pull the sewing machine out and throw it out. I've put all the sentimental stuff to rest - use to watch her for hours using that thing - I've had it for 20 years and haven't ever used it - why would I?
So, if I just throw it out, I don't want anyone saying - "You fool, that was an antique and you could have made some money on it had you bothered to sell it". I want the cabinet though.
So, what's the verdict?
Haha....this makes me remember how my mother had an antique pedal sewing machine in a beautiful wood cabinet with drawers, lovely. It was her father's, who was an upholsterer. I stored the cabinet in a friend's cellar one year when moving cross country and took the heavy iron machine part with me. When moving back the friend mysteriosly had "lost" the cabinet and I had to tell my mother who was furious with me over this for the rest of her life. I never lived it down. Finally I realized that the machine without the cabinet wasn't worth much so I let that go. I ahve regretted losing this wonderful piece ever since. The drawers were carved, it was lovely. But...what would I do with it today? I don't sew anymore, and none of my kids would want it....so I would have to give it away otherwise it would be just a @#$%& heavy piece for display in a room that I would have to move!
PS The cabinet without the machine would not be worth too much, but you could put a marble or glass top on it and use it as a nice table. (PS: hevv-vy...)
Last edited by RiverBird; 06-20-2010 at 07:02 AM..
Oh thank you!!!!!! I've called a dozen stores and no luck. I'll try target and A,azon.
On another note, project today: looking at a large heavy crockpot that could feed an army. i've held onto it "because it will be useful some day." I looked at it a very long time on my kitchen counter. I moved it out, I moved it back. I looked at it again. I haven't used it in 10 yrs. I finally moved it out onto the porch for takeaway. Same with a box of dozens of decrepit (sp?) flashlights ("just in case"). OUT. It's funny how the practical useful stuff for one stage of life becomes a liability later. I will however keep two high quality flashlites one that is a crank type (no battery needed). These decisions are TOUGH
I agree with newenglandgirl, my wife has her Grandmothers old Singer cabinet. She uses it for a make up table, or whatever it's called. A lot of times I catch her just sitting there thinking about the days with her Family. I'm glad we keep hers...
This has been on the plus side of aging for me. When I had my house under contract for sale, I moved everything I didn't need for day to day living into 3 storage units until the house closing. I found that I loved the simplicity and uncluttered feeling and later sold or gave away most of what was stored. I no longer live in that ridiculous 5 bathroom house either. The main purchase I make these days is food.
I got the folding wooden tables (4 to a set) from Target today. They are real wood, blond color, $39 for all with the rack. Made in Vietnam, very well made. I cannot wait for my son to come over and take all the heavy maple tables. Then I'm on my way to light living. The only heavy pieces I have left are a mission style wooden bed frame with mattress and a contemp maple dining table. I have to really think about these pieces. What I really want is a platform bed and a lightweight mattress do deal with. The table was pricey so it may be hard to part with that, but I am 99% committed to lightweight furntiure I can move aside with one or both hands easily. I checked out Ikea, there's some nice things there.
I got the folding wooden tables (4 to a set) from Target today. They are real wood, blond color, $39 for all with the rack. Made in Vietnam, very well made. I cannot wait for my son to come over and take all the heavy maple tables. Then I'm on my way to light living. The only heavy pieces I have left are a mission style wooden bed frame with mattress and a contemp maple dining table. I have to really think about these pieces. What I really want is a platform bed and a lightweight mattress do deal with. The table was pricey so it may be hard to part with that, but I am 99% committed to lightweight furntiure I can move aside with one or both hands easily. I checked out Ikea, there's some nice things there.
Overstock.com has several platform beds for $250 and less. With free shipping. I'm sure your son could put it together for you
Yes - I am a closet on-line window shopper!
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