Advantages of Being Pack-Rat! / General / Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Newcastle, Ontario
Posts: 5,645

thumperantiques May 28, 2008

We must be the worst family of pack rats EVER. Even when I finally decide to chuck something, hubby steps in and decides he "might" just need it someday. Well, our 34 year old son has come home, after 7 years abroad in Asia. He's been teaching English and has decided if he ever wants to be able to teach adults or perhaps at a university, then he needs more education, so he's heading back to school in the fall, for 4 years. It's nice to have him closer for a while.

He has an apartment rented and moves into it June 4th. However, after being gone for so long, he has nothing in terms of funiture or household items. He did manage to get an apartment that came with a dining room table and chairs and a couch (although we could have provided those as well, but nice not to have to move big items). Well, I'm pleased to say that we have outfitted his entire apartment with stuff from our basement, except for a new mattress for the futon. I could not believe the stuff we had - spare Ikea chairs, book shelves, toasters, dishes, kettles, towels, bed, bedding and on and on on.

It all happens because my hubby can't resist a sale, and he is the manager of a huge grocery store, that also carries household items. If they are clearing something out at a good price, which they do quite often, it comes home. I can't complain too much as I got a beautiful library bookcase and another lovely shelving unit for my stereo for next to nothing, but what on earth do we need an portable airconditioner for, when we have central air - well now I know, my son will take it bear_grin

My niece helped me sort through some of our basement last year and her comment was, "the next time I get a wedding invitation, I'm shopping in your basement" LOL! Anyway, I'm over the moon as we will be clearing out a lot of stuff and it will actually be used, saving us and our son, tons of money. We've already told him, when he's graduated he can either sell the stuff or give it to good will, cuz it's not coming back :crackup: :crackup:
The down side is that hubby thinks his extra buying is a good thing and will probably start all buying stuff all over again bear_sad !!!

hugs,

Brenda

Posts: 8,574

Dilu May 28, 2008

Thank you Brenda. Wonderful story, amusing stroy, so necessary in todays climate.
And your hubs sounds like one I live with...."You just never know" are probably his favorite justification too....

gollyhugs
dilu

PS how wonderful to have your son home for a bit!

Wilmslow Cheshire
Posts: 758

Cheshire Cat May 28, 2008

Hi Brenda ,
Think I like your husband ,he likes shopping bear_original
hugs,
Louise x

Valewood Bears
Yorkshire
Posts: 6,537
Website

valewoodbears May 28, 2008

:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: Oh dear Brenda, you could always have a basement sale when your hubby is away.

Pauline

Newcastle, Ontario
Posts: 5,645

thumperantiques May 28, 2008

Louise,
Neil looooves to shop. When we go on holiday to the U.S., it has to be a good shopping area. I must have one of the only hubby's that enjoys shopping more than most women! Lol

Pauline,
I do have garage sales when I can - it just gives him more room to buy more things! It's sort of like having an alcoholic, working in a liquor store :crackup: :crackup:

hugs,

Brenda

Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 22,132

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorMay 28, 2008

thumperantiques wrote:

Louise,
Neil looooves to shop. When we go on holiday to the U.S., it has to be a good shopping area. I must have one of the only hubby's that enjoys shopping more than most women! Lol
hugs,
Brenda

My hubs fits into that category, too . . . isn't it great? bear_rolleyes

Newcastle, Ontario
Posts: 5,645

thumperantiques May 29, 2008

Hi Sue Ann,
Yes, for the most part, I really do like it but there are times when he just goes overboard. When we took our grandson and daughter to Disneyworld last month, he just never quit. Corson learned pretty quick, that when Nanny and mummy said no, he smiled and sald, "I ask Papa - he will buy it" and he was absolutely right! That was irritating!

hugs,

Brenda

Susie's Bears
California
Posts: 153
Website

SillySu May 29, 2008

My husband shops....at bear shows!! Seriously, he has waaaay more bears than I do. Sometimes he comes over to the table, grabs something and comes back with something new after trading my bear off! It's funny really but occasionally I have to remind him that it would be NICE to come home with some money! Ask Donna....she's seen my house! Plus he's in construction. I have a large 9foot by 8foot oak bookcase coming that had to be cut in half because it won't fit in the door! It was made by a cabinet maker for a woman who decided after paying for it that she didn't like it after all. Good luck on that one I'd say.....

The Silly Bear
Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,119
Website

Aleta - The Silly Bear May 29, 2008

Hi Brenda!!
I'm afraid Bill and I are much like your hubby. Now that we are buying "for the shop" we have amassed an obscene amount of pretty things. Our downfall is the incredible bargains to be found at auctions, garage sales, flea markets and antique expos. Oh my, my!!

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta