General Discussion Board

Can't throw it away?

AngiBowman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:50:26 GMT

When I was in college, I had a wooden loft. To make it feel more like home, my sister painted flowers all over it to remind me of the flowers I planted and the flowers our grandmother loved to paint.

Well, it's been six years now. My grandmother has sinced pass and my sister is now married and teaching English in China. I can't bear to part with this piece of wood! We just hung it up in our garage this weekend. Now I can smile whenever I see it!

My husband is REALLY bad at not throwing things away. He likes his beer bottle collections and mounds of books because "you never know!" BlAH! Trust me, I know!

Can't throw it away?

darlyn63 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:24:13 GMT

I (with hand up) am a pack rat!!! I hold onto way too much stuff. I have memories to certain items....like my husband...can't donate him....lol...J/K. I get attached and it brings back memories..I still have my daughter's first Christmas dress, it's only 23 yrs old., with needless to say a spit up mark on the white lace. But it is beautiful. My sister-in-law made my kids animal P.J.s when they were 1 & 5, still have them. Can't get rid of that either, because she made them just for the kids. My sister was in my wedding party, I have her bridesmaid dress hanging in the closet...Why? It's now over 27 yrs. old.

I did a few years ago purged, only kept the special drawings and spelling tests my kids took in school. I plan on putting a box together for whenever they move out, get married of little treasures from their childhood. Things that mattered, and hope they would be like "WOW" Mom kept this for me...(they will probably have the opposite opinion). Who knows.

Socks aren't an issue anymore, I just tell my husband if one sock is still good hold onto it, eventually it will make a matching set. Another one will end up in the garbage. (I use to darn them..what was I thinking??? ). Undies no issues there either.

I am surprised, my kids hold onto very few things. When they were little a made afghans for each of them, small for there size. They have kept them. I guess I do know what feels special to them. It warms my heart to know they have.

I am trying to get better, organized. One day at a time.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:17:47 GMT

Patty, I have a TON of Beanie Babies too! They are sitting in a large zip bag waiting for me to do something with them. I looked them up on eBay in hopes of selling them, but they are worthless right now! Maybe if we hold on to them for 25 years, they will be cool again and valuable :)

Can't throw it away?

PattyTherre — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:13:53 GMT

I just discovered a very large zipped plastic bag with what has to be about 75 to 100 Beanie Babies in it. I really don't even remember where I got them all but they are adorable. I don't need them and no one in the family wants them. (I have two older sons who couldn't care less about that stuff.) But I can't give them away just yet. I have a ton of the McDonald's Beanie Babies too. I know in my heart that I should give them away but I can't. So I put them back where I found them. Sigh. I am not getting very far in my rid the house of clutter efforts.

Can't throw it away?

gaelforce — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:59:38 GMT

This is so appropriate for me right now because I have tried to bring myself to donate this item to Good Will for at least 20 years. I have even had it in a bag with other donations but each time I have taken it out at the last minute.

It is a medium sized purse that is red and has black Scottish Terriers on it. I bought it when I had my first Scottie. It isn't fashionable, it doesn't go with anything I own and I know I'll never use it again but I just can't get rid of it.

I know that it's because of the sentimental attachment and I keep telling myself that somebody else could get a lot of use from it. Still it sits in my closet. I'll probably be buried in it.

Can't throw it away?

Reviewer11 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:33:36 GMT

Oh I remember the Pepsi points rewards they had. I had gotten a beach chair with cup holder and a CD case, but I don't have it anymore. :(

I have old stuffed animals since I was a kid.

Can't throw it away?

jazac4 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:31:22 GMT

I have a christmas bears from when i was younger and i still to this day love to collect christmas teddybears that the stores comes out with every year

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:52:09 GMT

I've let a lot of things go over the last 5 months or so... d;-)

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:48:28 GMT

Good for you DUISparky, one of us can let something go! It sure isn't me :)

My Pepsi shirt mentioned at the top of the discussion board has deteriorated even more since then and the holes are getting bigger. I'm still wearing it to bed!

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:31:55 GMT

I also have my grandmother's cast iron skillets, and use them all the time. I have no idea what foundry made them way back when, as all the markings on the bottom are now indecipherable.

Uhmm I no longer have that old 1969 quarter though. I gave it away a couple weeks ago.

Can't throw it away?

rustaddsflavor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:50:29 GMT

It's no big deal to me since I still use the dishes that were in the cupboards when I moved in. I don't know how old they are but the cupboards were lined with newspaper from WW2 and she never bought dishes. I'm thinking they're depression era since that's when she moved there. I still use her flatware too, probably just as old.

The old pans were pretty rusty but I've gotten a few of them clean enough to use (I hope). They were made by Crescent F'dy, which I can't find any info on. Long gone I guess.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:26:36 GMT

rustaddsflavor, those well-seasoned cast iron pans are every cooks dream! You are very fortunate to have them and yes, should definitely use them. You can think of her every time you cook with them :)

Can't throw it away?

rustaddsflavor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:09:24 GMT

I have a closet full of my great grandmother's clothes that I de facto inherited when I moved into her house 23 years ago. They'll still be hanging in the closet when I'm gone. I also have some cast iron pans that she used to cook with in the 30's and 40's. I recently decided that since I'm not going to throw them away I should refinish them and start using them. They're cleaning up nicely and will be back on the stove soon.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:24:35 GMT

I also have several pairs of my favorite Guess jeans that I no longer fit in after having a baby. They are ridiculously smaller than I am now and will probably never fit me again, but I am holding on to them just in case!

Can't throw it away?

ashleys24 — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:29:58 GMT

I am a recovering packrat. I saved all the dolls and stuffed animals from when I was young. I even saved all of my sisters dolls and stuffed animals. Whenever they would clean their rooms and throw any out I would sneak out to the can in the garage and take them out and put them in my closet. I graduated from college a few weeks ago and am in the process of finding my own apartment. I know they cannot come with me and I really do not want to have to explain to my sisters why I have all their old stuff in my room. Our city cleanup day was last saturday so I bought some big black garbage bags and emptied my closet I probably have not looked at any of them in over 5 years but as I got each one out I felt attached to it fortunatly I had a friend helping me and she kept me focused and despite my protests convinced me I really did not need 23 cabbage patch dolls or 15 carebears or a dozen baby dolls and 5 bags full or other stuffed animals. I did keep a few sentimental ones but my friend ruthlessly put all the others in the bags and once a bag was full she tied it shut and took it outside. We borrowed her dad's truck and took the bags to the park where volunteers were collecting unwanted items. Fortunatly things happened so fast I couldn't change my mind we just backed the pickup truck up to one of the garbage trucks and the volunteers unloaded it. The truck was empty and the trucks compactor was running before I even got out of the truck to help them unload.

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:44:03 GMT

They also recycly old cell phones for those in armed forces. My church collects old cell phones to send to missionaries.

Can't throw it away?

Katrena — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:48:27 GMT

DUISparky said…

I have several old cell phones in a box in the basement that were given to me about 9 years ago. I have no idea why I still have them since I abhor cell phones. I think I'll toss 'em when I get home. Thanks for the reminder Suzi!

If you haven't tossed those old cell phones, you may want to donate them to a non-profit organization. I know our local domestic violence office accepts old cell phones and are very glad to get them.

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:41:57 GMT

I have several old cell phones in a box in the basement that were given to me about 9 years ago. I have no idea why I still have them since I abhor cell phones. I think I'll toss 'em when I get home. Thanks for the reminder Suzi!

Can't throw it away?

vivasuzi — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:02:18 GMT

Definitely part with those :) It will probably feel good to get rid of that memory!

Can't throw it away?

vivasuzi — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:01:02 GMT

That sounds like my husband who has cell phone accessories to all his past cell phones, even though he doesn't have 1/2 those phones anymore!

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:59:08 GMT

These are such sweet stories. Remember: One man's trash is another man's treasure.

I am contemplating donating all the Gap jeans and cute little Limited and Limited Too shirts that I wore while undergoing chemo. I lost so much weight that I got bone thin, basically emaciated, and for 3 years I had a new wardrobe. Once I quit chemo I regained about 8-10 of the 20+ lbs. I lost. It was enough weight to make me "outgrow" the cancer wardrobe as I called it. I still have all the jeans and sweaters/shirts and they only serve to remember me of 3 years that I suffered at the hands of cancer. I used to think I would wear the clothes again but I know I can't allow myself to get that thin and still survive. I am 5'3" and weigh about 94 lbs. soak and wet. While undergoing chemo I went down to about 78 lbs. --not good but couldn't be helped.

My family and I have discussed going to the flea market in the next few weeks to make some money off the clothes. If I don't do that they will be donated to Goodwill and someone is going to make money off some namebrand clothes!

Can't throw it away?

Katrena — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:20:58 GMT

Vetsy said…

Yes, I have a purse that I bought from Kmart... I wanted an inexpensive purse for every day use.

It was handy and convenient, it had several zippers in the front, back, and the inside.

It had room for everything I wanted to carry and I could find my makeup, phone, wallet, checkbook, and pens with my eyes closed in just a few seconds! oh how I loooved this purse!

I refused to carry any other. It was black with a long shoulder strap and made of that false looking leather. After two years it began to peel like something with a skin disease!

Though I embarrassed friends and family with this peeling monstrosity I refused to stop carring it.. throwing it away was not and option! Not at least until I could find another one that could match its caliber!

I looked every where for a purse like this one, and thought it was Crazy! that I could not find another! Not even at the place I originally purchased it from!

I finally stopped carrying it when the strap broke from it in the grocery store parking lot! I stood staring at it in my hands in anguish! when I got home, I tried to sew the strap back on... thus making the purse uglier then ever!

I finally and reluctantly came to my senses and ....no not throw it away.. I put it in the attic... I haven't found one like it since.

I'm laughing over here. I actually did sew a strap back on one pocketbook and used it for at least another year. I finally did deposit it in file 13, but I think I got my money's worth!

Can't throw it away?

Vetsy — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:44:03 GMT

Yes, I have a purse that I bought from Kmart... I wanted an inexpensive purse for every day use.

It was handy and convenient, it had several zippers in the front, back, and the inside.

It had room for everything I wanted to carry and I could find my makeup, phone, wallet, checkbook, and pens with my eyes closed in just a few seconds! oh how I loooved this purse!

I refused to carry any other. It was black with a long shoulder strap and made of that false looking leather. After two years it began to peel like something with a skin disease!

Though I embarrassed friends and family with this peeling monstrosity I refused to stop carring it.. throwing it away was not and option! Not at least until I could find another one that could match its caliber!

I looked every where for a purse like this one, and thought it was Crazy! that I could not find another! Not even at the place I originally purchased it from!

I finally stopped carrying it when the strap broke from it in the grocery store parking lot! I stood staring at it in my hands in anguish! when I got home, I tried to sew the strap back on... thus making the purse uglier then ever!

I finally and reluctantly came to my senses and ....no not throw it away.. I put it in the attic... I haven't found one like it since.

Can't throw it away?

vivasuzi — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:11:34 GMT

That's a great memory and worth saving! Holy cow, I don't think I'd have the gut to do it :)

Can't throw it away?

Brittanyls — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:56:08 GMT

When I was in fifth grade, we had an assembly hosted by this man named Steve Max. He specialized in balancing things...on his face. I was the lucky person chosen to sit on the lawn chair that was balanced on his face. It was incredibly terrifying, but I got a free t-shirt out of it. It has a picture of a child sitting on a chair, balanced on Steve Max's face and says, "I was balanced on the face of Steve Max!" It's my favorite t-shirt, even though now it's about five sizes too small. I'd never throw it away. Ever.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:57:03 GMT

DUISparky- you can go ahead and throw those keys away :)

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:37:12 GMT

Oh yeah! I also still have keys to the following vehicles that I no longer own:

1969 Mercury Cougar
1969 Chevy van
1981 Kawasaki 440 LTD (x2)
1985 Subaru Brat
1995 Toyota SR5
2001 Toyota Tundra

Can't throw it away?

beebopper — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:18:02 GMT

I am a pack rat. A pack rat with anal organizational tendencies. I have a lot of stuff and inventories. I have a ton ton ton of craft supplies and fabrics - but, I've completely lost interest in doing anything with it. I keep hoping. I also have a dream kitchen and tons of great cooking stuff, but lost interest in cooking too. and so on....

Maybe if I organized by craft room I'd get inspired.

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:45:56 GMT

Hmmmm ya never know. This one's in pretty bad shape and unspendable.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:33:55 GMT

DUISparky said…

I've got a '69 quarter that I've had since '79.

Someone wouldn't throw away a quarter, so that doesn't count DUISparky :)

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:14:31 GMT

I've got a '69 quarter that I've had since '79.

Can't throw it away?

bkovacs — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:57:03 GMT

GigiandAdonai said…

I also have record albums that date back to the early '80s.

Heck, I have vinyl record albums and 45-RPM singles that I bought in the 1960s! My home is filled with crap that I can't throw out, including old books, car parts, electronic doo-dads, etc. I think I still have a fatigue shirt from when I was in the Army, which was 1971-1974. My wife and I own two houses with a total of 14 closets, and all of them are packed.

--Bob

Can't throw it away?

PattyTherre — Sat, 09 May 2009 07:02:25 GMT

Oh yeah, stuffed animals. No way. If I have one, it's mine for life. I'm allergic to them too but I have a 4 foot bear in my room that my husband won at the state fair on our first date over 25 years ago and I have various stuffed animals in rooms and in a big bag, I did give one HUGE rabbit I won to the Ronald McDonald House though. I consider that a breakthrough. lol.

Can't throw it away?

PattyTherre — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:59:40 GMT

I can't get rid of ANYTHING. We were cleaning the "extra room" last week and I wouldn't let my husband or son throw anything away of mine. I could find redeeming value in everything even though I didn't even know it was there for years.

I made a vow to get rid of all jeans/pants, no matter how pricey or new, that are over size 5. I am a size 3 and I plan to keep the 5's. I have millions of 7's and some 9's and even though some have tags, they have to go. I also need to dump all my old tops and stuff that are too big or way out of style. I don't wear them. I just don't want to get rid of them. Shoes are impossible for me to get rid of. It's so hard to toss them or give them away.

I still have three Gateway computers in my office that are at least 11-12 years old. I don't know WHAT to do with them. They work just fine but are obviously not state of the art anymore. I have actual real wrestling belts from the defunct ECW (Not the WWE version) and WCW that I have no clue what to do with but have trouble parting with. I need someone to come over and get rid of the stuff while I'm not looking!

Can't throw it away?

dmlichnerowicz — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:48:37 GMT

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who can't toss the old stuffed animals!!! I'm 30 and still have (albeit in a box in my garage) the rattiest, smelliest, probably dust mite and mildew-infested Benji dog that I got as a child. My children will never touch it for fear of what they'll catch from it, but I just can't toss him!

Can't throw it away?

njchicaa — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:27:06 GMT

I love to throw stuff away! In this tiny house, we have no extra room for things that we "might" use "someday". Unfortunately, my husband is a packrat like his father and hates to throw anything away. We just finished off 3/4 of our basement so now the whole basement's worth of contents is crammed into 1/4 of the space. It is absurd. We are going to spend the next few weekends going through everything and PURGING.

I'd rather throw stuff away and have to buy it again in the future than hold onto everything I've ever owned and live without any space.

Can't throw it away?

LadyMagic — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:23:45 GMT

I have an old pale pink robe. I've had it a few years and it has definitely seen better days. But it's soooo comfortable. I wear it when I'm ill, I have it on right now. As soon as I find a new comfortable one, I'll donate this one.

Can't throw it away?

dreamwoods — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:01:07 GMT

When I have something that is hard to toss. It's still in good shape, it's sentimental and it's in the way. I donate it to somebody who needs it. That good feeling of doing something nice just pushes away any feelings of missing it.

Can't throw it away?

Katrena — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:22:02 GMT

dreamwoods said…

That's cool. I am keeping all of my sons "loved" clothes" and am making a quilt. His newborn clothes are in the and it goes outward with his age. I'm giving it to him at graduation. Which also allows a sentimental dad the time to master a craft. The only downside I fear is that the center won't have the strength of the perimeter.

What a nice idea!

Can't throw it away?

dreamwoods — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:24:40 GMT

That's cool. I am keeping all of my sons "loved" clothes" and am making a quilt. His newborn clothes are in the and it goes outward with his age. I'm giving it to him at graduation. Which also allows a sentimental dad the time to master a craft. The only downside I fear is that the center won't have the strength of the perimeter.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 03:55:55 GMT

AnnaBanana said…
I have been toying with the idea of moving my printer off the Rubbermaid Hamper it is sitting on (LONG STORY!) and then moving the desk chair back to the side of the desk and putting the printer on that! That way I could get back into my bedroom closet again!!!!! How are you doing, Buddy?

That is a great idea AnnaBanana! You should look at that chair all the time instead of having it in your closet :)

Can't throw it away?

AnnaBanana — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:00:57 GMT

I have been toying with the idea of moving my printer off the Rubbermaid Hamper it is sitting on (LONG STORY!) and then moving the desk chair back to the side of the desk and putting the printer on that! That way I could get back into my bedroom closet again!!!!! How are you doing, Buddy?

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:19:20 GMT

AnaBanana, that is so neat to have something so old. Too bad it is sitting in your closet :) Can't it be used as a chair somewhere in your house? I love that you would rescue your chair if a disaster struck :)

Can't throw it away?

LisaCarey — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:29:45 GMT

I do that with shirts - when I get Bryan a new one I sneak in there and throw one out -- use it for cleaning or whatever. He may have caught on (if he reads this post he will for sure!) as he puts many of his clothes away.

Can't throw it away?

Katrena — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:02:32 GMT

this2shallpass19 said…

Katrena, my husband has the same problem with socks. He will wear them until they fall apart. I throw them away when he's not looking :)

I could give a really long list of things the spouse could throw away! LOL

Can't throw it away?

krislynn — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:23:12 GMT

I still have my maroon prom dress in my closet. My goodness that dress is over 18 years old. The oldest thing I have that I will never part with are my Raggedy Ann doll and my Scooby-Doo doll. My parents gave this to me when I was 2. A few weeks ago, I was doing some Spring cleaning and found Raggedy Ann and Scooby Doo. Now that brought back some memories.

I have an Adoption Doll (Holly) my aunt gave to me on my 13th birthday that I will never get rid of. I have Holly in my bedroom now sitting in a rocking chair. I still have the original Little House on the Prairie and Little Women books that I received as a child. I have been collecting Carousels since I was 18 that I will never sell.

Can't throw it away?

AnnaBanana — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:08:47 GMT

My PC and other desk top stuff snuggles very cozily on top of the red cedar desk that my parents bought when they were married in 1938! When I began spending a lot of time on the Net at home, my poor rump couldn't take the hard chair that had been a mate to the desk so I will never regret buying a nice comfortable ergonomic thing which took 45 minutes to ensemble and was more comfortable to roost on.

Here's the problem, no matter how I try I just can't throw that old chair away (the one that matched the desk originally) even though I don't use it anymore. And if a disaster was headed this way, that is probably one of the things I would fight to rescue. Because I have no other place for it, the old chair now sits in the middle of my bedroom closet which I haven't been able to walk into now for years -- but it really means a lot to me and I just can't throw it away.

This was really an interesting thread, Kaylen!

Can't throw it away?

wildcatkatie — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:26:42 GMT

I absolutely will not throw away the Raggedy Ann doll my dad gave to me for my first birthday in 1986. He got her at the FAO Schwartz in Chicago (funny that she lives here now). She's an original - with plain black button eyes, a heart sewn over her chest that says "I love you" and red yarn hair. She's gone everywhere with me - Nationals, Olympic Trials, college, my new apartment. She still goes home to visit Minnesota for the holidays. I refuse to leave her in my bedroom at home in Minnesota... I feel like I'll be 80 and still have her by my side!

Can't throw it away?

wildcatkatie — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:22:08 GMT

Jo said…

I keep ALL yup that is all t-shirts from places we have gone. They are in the attic but for my youngest daughter's high school graduation I found someone who makes quilts. I gave her as many t-shirts as she wanted and she made an amazing quilt out of it. I wish I had done a pillow case. It's priceless. I thought my daughter would leave it at home but it has gone everywhere with her

This is such a great idea! I have held on to all of my Northwestern swimming tshirts and Pi Phi sorority tshirts from college and hope to have my mom make me a quilt with all of them when I am done working out in them. :) Eventually I'll be too busy to go to the gym!

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:41:03 GMT

When you grow up in a very abusive/dysfunctional home it brings back some of the sweeter moments of a childhood that would be soon forgotten. But hey, into life a little rain must fall and after the storm, the rainbow!!

Can't throw it away?

LisaCarey — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:18:04 GMT

How sweet Gigi! I too have something that has followed me. My dad was in Germany (in the military) and brought me back this adorable music box of a "house" there with a water wheel. It still plays music and it has been with me since I was a teenager - from moving out of my parents house all the way to Houston Texas.

I however am not a pack rat . . . about once a month I grab and throw, recycle, sell, giveaway and hope that will last me till the next month!

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:00:04 GMT

Gigi, that's a great story about your doll. It probably puts a smile on your face everytime you see her :)

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:51:47 GMT

I also have record albums that date back to the early '80s.

I have a t-bear that my aunt and uncle gave me when I was born. He has been loved like the Velveteen Rabbit.

I also have a doll in a red velvet dress that I got in the fourth grade for my b-day. I saw it in the window of a hardware store. I thought it strange that it would be there but the owner said he always stocked something dainty for the little girls who might come in. I stared at the doll every time I passed by the window and I told my mother that I wanted a doll like that. Then one day on the way to the grocery store I looked up and noticed the doll was no longer there. I ran inside and asked the owner where the rest of them were and he said that was the only one he had but he was sure I would find the doll of my dreams. I guess he knew something I didn't because a week later my Dad gave me the doll on my tenth birthday. Looking back the doll was probably only $10 or $15 but it was worth more than King Solomon's mines too me. Today she sits in my large guest room amidst all the Barbies and porcelain dolls. Her skin has yellowed some and the little white socks have yellowed but she's still the doll I loved so many years ago and now she tells a story all her own.

Can't throw it away?

jasyjen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:23:28 GMT

Oh yes, I have many things. I have one Garfield nightgown I had since I was about 16 that I WILL NOT throw away. It's tight fitting, but I still keep it.

Can't throw it away?

DUISparky — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:11:42 GMT

I have several pairs of jeans, t-shirts and even shoes that are 20+ years old. Some are pushin' 30. My riding boots are 26 years old, leather jacket is 20 years old and leather vest is 25 years old. I have a box full of old hand tools that are at least 50 years old and a drill that's at least as old as I am. I also have books that I got as far back as 1975, and record albums that I've had since '70 or '71.

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:26:22 GMT

Katrena, my husband has the same problem with socks. He will wear them until they fall apart. I throw them away when he's not looking :)

Can't throw it away?

Katrena — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:46:24 GMT

I still wear some clothes that I wore in high school.
I have quite a few socks that should be in the garbage right now but I keep forgetting to throw them away and end up washing them and wearing them again.
I have a hard time parting with shoes that fit really well--the manufacturers seem to change the style and increase the price every time I've gone shoe shopping lately.
My work gloves have holes in the fingers.
I've actually sewn patches on my kids' pants that they really like.
My car has nearly 300,000 miles on it--I'm shooting for 1,000,000.

Can't throw it away?

vivasuzi — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:44:43 GMT

I have lots of things :) Part of my goal this year is to PURGE. My husband and I don't want to be packrats and decided we are going to purge this year and then do this once a year. So I had brought all these stuffed animals when I got married and so far I have Purged those 3 seperate times. I had these two dogs (one used to be mine and one was my sisters). So last time I was purging through stuff, I decided I just had to get rid of the one dog that was dirty (I used to draw on it). It was so tough! I decided to keep the other dog b/c it was still in really good shape. It's funny that I have such a hard time getting rid of those! The only stuffed animals I have left are in great shape so I plan to save them for my kids. I can always run them through the high heat dryer and I got some stuffed animal cleaner to make sure they don't have any dust mites or germs.

Anyway, I guess that is mine :)

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:42:22 GMT

I attempted to make myself a t-shirt quilt with t-shirts from the various camps and places I traveled thru high school. Like a dummy, I cut all the shirts to make square panels but then couldn't quite figure out the quilt-making thing. I threw all the panels away when I bought a new home. But I do have a keepsake t-shirt quilt now!

When 9/11 took place I collected a variety of In Memory shirts and patriotic shirts. Since my favorite holiday is the Fourth of July I decided to use the shirts to make a t-shirt quilt. This time I had a friend whose SIL was making them for the Greetk society at USC. She made me a beautiful full-size quilt and put stars and stripe borders around each panel. In the center of the quilt is a panel for Richmond, VA (Capitol of the Confederacy) where I was born so that makes it more momentus.

This next item isn't a piece of clothing but it is something that I just can't throw away. My Daddy gave me a ceramice black/white figurine with two puppies. The ear has broken off one dog and the tail on the other but it has sentimental value. He grew up in poverty and this was given to him as "toy" when he was a child. It's about 55-60 years old. I remember seeing it on my mother's knick knack shelf all during my childhood and now it is displayed on my music shelf at home. When I look at it I am reminded of two childhoods, my own and my Dad's.

Can't throw it away?

Jo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:51:09 GMT

I keep ALL yup that is all t-shirts from places we have gone. They are in the attic but for my youngest daughter's high school graduation I found someone who makes quilts. I gave her as many t-shirts as she wanted and she made an amazing quilt out of it. I wish I had done a pillow case. It's priceless. I thought my daughter would leave it at home but it has gone everywhere with her

Can't throw it away?

GigiandAdonai — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:26:16 GMT

The oldest thing in my closet is an Easter dress from 1989--20 years old! I think I have held on to it b/c it's memories from college. At the Christian university Olan Mills would come out and do roommate pictures and I still have the picture displayed in my living room with my roommate and me and in the picture I am wearing my Easter dress! I actually wore it about 2 years ago to work. It's a simple pastel pink dress that as long as it fits me will probably never go out of style--unless being "too cute" is out of style.

Two weeks ago when we went to clean the house for the friend who is dying I put on a pair of old Calvin Klein jeans because I knew we were going to get messy and I even got dirty. The jeans have a t-bear patch on one knee, two holes in the crotch--yes, you could see my panties if I wasn't wearing a long sweatshirt, one belt loop has come undone and the hem is frayed. I love these jeans though because they are actually the only ones that really fit me! I haven't worn them in several years but they came in handy the other week.

Other than those 2 items I don't think I have much else. I clean my walk-in closet out twice a year. Whatever I didn't wear all season I donate to Goodwill at the end of the season. I am actually getting ready to do that next month when I have the extra days off during my vacation!

Can't throw it away?

this2shallpass19 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:41:16 GMT

I have an old Pepsi t-shirt that I got about 13 years ago from redeeming Pepsi points. It is worn and ragged with holes all over it, but I refuse to throw it away. I like to sleep in it because it is so comfy.

Do you have something that is so old and worn out that it should be thrown away, but you just can't do it?