And It All Comes Down To...

We're emptying my parents house. For those of you that don't know my Mom has been gone for almost two years. My Dad is down-sizing. What a process. I think they moved there in 1957. I thought he'd been doing a pretty good job of houghing (real word look out WWF peeps!) over the years. One and so far 1/2 dumpsters later...yeow. BIG kudos to the dumpster company that came today SUNDAY and picked up and dropped off another. Tips for emptying out the house of an old guy (said in a most loving way). Keep him away from the dumpster. Do not ask if he wants to keep something. Today's random keep: a tape dispenser. He LOVES that tape dispenser! I understand it's stressful. He kept saying he couldn't believe there was so much stuff. I think there are 300 screwdrivers in that house. I found a jar with 100 washers. I'm sure they are the ones the hardware store is out of.

What's been most interesting is the things that are the hardest to deal with. The items on the front of the refridgerator. Finding the top of your parent's wedding cake. Finding the pulled out 1954 Modern Bride (modern...1954???) advertisement for your Mom's wedding dress. The dress that I wore.

I have a huge hummel that was broken into many pieces years and years ago and glued back together. Worth nothing but so defines my Grandmother. In the living room. I have the pitcher that my Mom made koolaid in. The item that I truly thought about when I woke up in the morning for a week and said I wasn't going to take. Dumpster diving is not beneath me. I have three pair of unworn silly mid-calf white socks that TLP has been wearing lately to send off to him. There is the green bean casserole casserole dish. There are two sets of salt and pepper shakers SO WE DON'T HAVE TO USE THE STUPID PAPER ONES AT THANKSGIVING!

Overall...kind of fun. My brother rocks. My husband rocks. They did some serious work the past couple of days with a smile and a laugh the whole time. Sister Sledge (hammer) was their trusty companion. And...these little guys are making their way to a new home.