General 10 Important items part 1

There are only a few items that I have that are special and need to go to special people. One of those items was passed along today. Some items were passed along in June 2013 and 2014. Two items were passed along in March. Some items much earlier.

In March 2014, I gave Amanda S the red-white-blue afghan and that has been previously mentioned in this blog. A dragonrider print went to Kathie S also previously mentioned. Along with the print went a little purple dragon with a rose. It jumped up and down and said it needed to go with the print. Kathie appreciated both and understood the purple dragon talking to me. 

In June 2013, I went to Phoenix Arizona to see Amanda B graduate from high school and Jeremy R graduate from community college. I took with me my mother's hope chest, my mother's black teak jewelry box, my porcelain butterfly collection, Philippine Island spear and arrow holder, the flag that was over my brother's ashes, Space Shuttle picture that my father was given when he retired. If I've forgotten anything I'll make another post or add it in.

In June 2014 I went to Phoenix again, this time for a Forever in Forks event. I took pieces of my mother's jewelry that I had recently found and my military pictures. 

In July 2009 I went to Mesa Arizona for a WesternCon and met up with the nieces and gave each of them a strand of pearls from my mother. 

The pearl strands, the teak jewelry box, hope chest, flag, shuttle picture, PI spear, and butterfly collection RWB afghan are the important items so far. Today I gave David B the sunset picture from 1995 trip to Uig Scotland. There are only two special things I can think of left - the commissioned dragon library painting and my mother's diamond stud earrings.  

There were two things that had been previous distributed - sterling silver flatware set and three hand made table cloths. Those were passed along before my mother died to Jay and Val. I don't think the other nieces / nephews know about those items. Kind of funny that Mom and I talked about the family heirlooms and who should get them...figured Jay and Val had best chance at stable marriage and family....not so sure any more. The two oldest boys have flown the coup and not looked back. 

I have no idea who should get the last two special items. Both I will keep with me for a while. The diamond studs were a gift from Dad to Mom for either their wedding anniversary or her birthday while we were living in Germany. Most likely for their 20th wedding anniversary in August 1962. Quarter carat diamonds in platinum setting. 

The painting I commissioned Jennifer O'Meara to paint to go over my library door. It has a dragon wearing glasses and books all around and a computer. No one special comes to mind for this or the diamond studs. Since I'm keeping them, no hurry I guess. 

There were four (4) strands of pearls total. All bought while living in the Philippine Islands. All but one knotted on both sides of the pearl. Three are white and one is pink. I still have the pink strand that is need of being restrung as it broke and it is the one that wasn't double knotted. The pink strand was found more recently in the flat jewelry box. 

While I was growing up I was told that I would get one strand when I married, my brother's bride would get one when they married, and Mom would keep one. Well....I got my strand when I graduated from high school. That told me that my parents didn't expect me to get married. They were correct all those years ago. My brother had to get married and did so in Colorado while were in Germany. Mother was not going to give the strand to his wife. So I decided in 2009 to give one strand each to Valerie, Kandi, and Kirsten. Kirsten also got the pearl earring posts this June. 

General 9

I've been reading. Did get the owl trivets and Celtic Advent wreath to UPS store on Wednesday. Items got to their destinations on Friday. Did get to the Harvest Festival in San Mateo on Saturday. Found some nice taper candles to go with the holders. Didn't find any pillar candles though. Instead got a personalized ornament and some handmade ornament holders. Strangely found a close to suitable white nightgown at the Vermont Store along with the usual 'granny flannel' nightgowns. Did find a lightweight green jacket with hood...do not remember ever getting it or buying it. Almost too cold for it. Tying to get upbeat again and back to work on cleaning and organizing. 

General 8

Got into that cabinet some more and found some interesting things: 2 pharmacy tiles, one Star Trek shower curtain well worn, one oil glass lamp, one glass hurricane candle holder, two more butterflies, butterfly done in wood, and the boxes for my Cape Cod red candle holders. The pharmacy tiles can go to Pharmacy College at UoA. The three porcelain butterflies to Kirsten. Think I'll keep the wood one for awhile. The red Cape Cod candle holders I'm keeping for awhile. The other glass ones...thinking about what to do with those.

Pictures: 

The owl trivets going to Amber. She thinks they are cute.

Picture of sunset when visited Joanne in Newburyport, Ma and the vase with whales go to Joanne. The vase I got at the animal park back when it was in Redwood City and reminds me of the whale spotting trip we took when visited her.

The Celtic Advent wreath for Christine is she still wants it. 

This is sunset on Uig Island Scotland. This was entered into county fair and got honorable mention. This goes to David Buchanan as he was with me on that trip. 

General 7

Actually went to the mall. Apparently women are no longer wearing slips. No slips to be found in Pennys, Sears, Victoria Secret. No satin nightgowns either, maybe wrong season, but would think there would be some. Did find something red, on sale and coupon lowered the price. That will go with the blue I have on order. Did enjoy the pizza pretzel and frozen yogurt. Found cards only at the Hallmark store, no nice box or paper, just plain white box. Will ask Kathie to put bows on the boxes as they won't stay nice shipping. Bypassed cookies and cinnamon buns. Did find a house coat for me....saw one with butterflies but only S or M...the one I got has a cat on pocket and was on sale. First new thing not a TShirt I've bought in long time. 

At home and can't find what I want for white on line either. Bummer. I'll let Kathie know and she and Amanda can fill in. 

later update: forgot to mention when I got there and saw full parking lots I asked myself - Why am I shopping on a Saturday? Stay anyway. Inside not so crowded. 

Contacted the vet tech student, Amber, she would like the owl trivets. Hooray! another item finds a good new home. My friend Christine is interested in the Celtic Wreath. I'll post pictures tomorrow. 

Records 8

Stupid box manufacturers! They have downsized the dimensions by 1/2 inch so the albums no longer fit. Bummer. Sent message to Anna asking if she can wait until gone through all the records and I'll deliver personally in Spring or Summer. 

General 6

Having problems getting up and out to get a different box to ship records in. Did remember something that I had that might be a nice wedding present for Amanda S. Found that and a couple of other things. The original item was a set of owl trivets, one large and four small ones. Also found a Celtic Advent wreath and a set of crystal candle holders. All back in the days when I would have a nice place and people would come over and decorate for holidays. Except that never happened, so the items have been tucked away in closet. The candle holders will be going to Amanda S. I've sent message to a Scottish friend to see if she or her children might be interested in the Celtic Advent wreath. Thinking the owls might go to a Twilight friend that is going through Vet Tech training. Also found another butterfly that needs to go to Kirsten. All of that cleared out one section of a cabinet. 

General 5

My Plan A for shipping records didn't work out. The box was just a little too small. Bummed. Thought need to get a book box movers use, that was the right size for records. Eventually checked the garage and found one that may work. So tomorrow check and see and then if not go find some packing boxes. Hoping the bubble wrap doesn't take up too much space height wise. Find out later today I guess. Not much done. 

General 4

Started gathering items to pack up a ship records to Anna. Shortened one pair of work out slacks so I won't be walking on them while wearing my slippers. Mailed the two letters. Looked for honeymoon sleepwear for Amanda...no red-white-blue ones. Saw a couple of ones that would be sexy and still modest, ie satin or silk instead of see through lace. And read. Nothing much on downsizing or organizing really. 

General 3

A quiet Sunday. Did laundry and filled out my ballot. Wrote a couple of short notes to friends. Nothing on the downsizing effort today. So....

One of the things I really wanted to make sure got to the right person was the red-white-blue afghan my mother knitted for me when I first went into the military. I had complained about how cold the control room was. We didn't have pant suit uniforms yet and the skirts were regulation 2 inches above knee. So she knitted the RWB afghan as a lap robe. It was too big for that purpose, but was useful in room. 

I asked Val if she though Justin and Jamie would like it and appreciate it. She wasn't sure since they had not been in touch with them in some time. So I posted on Facebook if anyone had family that was military and would like and appreciate the RWB afghan. One reply from Gwen and her daughter is in the AF, but has some afghans already. I started thinking maybe contact the AF Academy chaplains office and see if there might be someone in need of a touch of home and not getting it. 

About this time a fan fiction writer I've communicated with and we are FB friends mentioned her daughter feeling a bit down as her boyfriend was getting ready to leave for Marine boot camp. It hit me, warm fuzzy goosebumps and all, this is where the afghan is suppose to go...give her something to wrap in while he is gone. I sent Kathy an email asking if she thought Amanda would like it and appreciate the handmade nature of the gift. They were both thrilled with the gift. While I was at it I asked Kathy if interested in a Dragonrider print. She was agreeable to that as well. 

Here is a picture of the print and where Kathy has put it. The print is by Margarite Fields before she only did American Indian myth paintings. Kathy has written a couple of Dragonriders of Pern fan fictions and it seemed a good fit and a way to say thank you for sharing her writing talent with Twilight stories along with Pern. 

Here is a picture of Amanda and the afghan. I am so happy that it has a good home now and for awhile to come. Amanda and Tyler recently announced their engagement with a 23 December 2014 wedding. May the afghan continue to bring some comfort whenever they are separated.

Records 7

I figured I'd gone on long enough about the soundtrack albums and left list 8 to write about today. On another front I made some headway in cleaning out the car today. My ballot is about half done. Got the trash and recycle taken out to the bins. Need to check the mail, not sure when the last time was that I checked it. 

List 8 of records has some classical and Christmas and Sousa and miscellaneous titles. Not a lot of memories here. I did see the New Sousa Band in a concert at Flint Center with the conductor and band dressed as Sousa would have been. It was a delightful concert and why I got the two (2) albums. Rather than rock 'n roll, maybe I should find some marching music CD's to play to get me going. Worth maybe doing that. 

Must remember to fall back clocks one (1) hour tonight. Daylight savings is stupid idea and we really should do away with it. 

1 November is author day and read a book day - both together on same day makes sense. Wonder what the difference is between a writer and an author. Wonder how my author friends wish to be thought of. A question for a Facebook post maybe. 

Records 6

Did two lists today. First one was soundtracks. Lots of memories. The second and last from this first section, were classical, Christmas, Sousa, miscellaneous. Anna wants the Star Wars, Help, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. Wait to see what she wants from the second list and then ship to her. Wondering how best to pack so not break in transit. Almost wish I could drive up and deliver in person to make sure arrive safely. 

While I was working on BS Chemistry at Florida Atlantic University I needed one more elective credit, out of college. A couple of classmates were in same situation so we signed up for the same section of chorus. It was fun and definitely different from chemistry. The music department was putting on JCS that semester. Along with some basic chorus singing stuff we worked on that - we were all going to be on stage as the chorus for the play. It was a minimalist stage setting. The high priest was not a music major and sang well, but stage fright and wrote words on his cuff. We did at least two shows, maybe four over two weekends. The tenor singing Jesus developed a sore throat week between. I think it cleared up enough for him to sing but not his best. Ginny and Andy were the classmates. Good memories. The movie was released in August 1973. I'm not sure if ever saw the movie. 

Saw Fiddler on the Roof movie and went looking for the book. The book was sadder as some daughters died. I think he had six (6) total and the book covers all six. Film was released November 1971.

Anne of a Thousand Days was my introduction to Renaissance music and still enjoy it today. Good movie too. Film was released December 1969.

Doctor Zhivago...tried reading the book three times. On the fourth try finally got past the train ride and was easier to read from there on. The movie was great, Omar Sharif is one reason. The sweeping vistas another. We had a field trip as part of our English class to go see the movie, I think there were four (4) classes that went. Beforehand we had some lessons on movie making techniques - cutting away to not show the full walk from one place to another, passage of time - started my interest in the behind camera activity of movie making. Film was released December 1965.

Star Wars. That opening scene is still big WOW factor. Love the music. I was stationed at Vandenberg AFB when it came out in May 1977. I drove up to Santa Maria to see the movie at least seven (7) times. The first time I had ever gone to see a movie on a repeat basis. I was having some difficulties with life and the movie was both an escape for that short time and some inspiration. There was a black car on display inside the mall with SW design on the hood. Beautiful. 

2001: a Space Odyssey. Attending Brevard Junior College when the movie came out in May 1968. I think I saw the movie and then read the book, but I'm not sure. A girl friend had a boyfriend that thought he was too smart for everyone else. He made some comment about needing to read the book to understand the ending. I replied that I understood what was happening and going on before reading the book. He really irritated me. She did too eventually.  

Help! was released in August 1965. I thought it was rather odd. I think that was the last album I was interested in from the Beatles. Their music took a turn I didn't care for.

Records 5

Check credit union accounts, transferred money around, paid mortgage. Listened to phone messages. Got Medicare set up finally, lower premium than have been paying, sadly not enough to go to Cullen's Winter Escape in January in Tennessee, save money for SMD 2015 and move. Web site problems at Kaiser's end. Back to cleaning and records. Sent list 6 to Anna. Tomorrow movies and classical and that will be end of first section. 

Today there were two albums of a number or artists - Johnny Mathis, Burt Bacharach, Barbra Streisand, Ed Ames, and The Letterman. Single album by Bobby Goldboro, Carpenters, Captain & Tennille. I wasn't able to find some of them in Discogs.org. 

No special memories associated with any of these. Johnny Mathis is appearing in December at Flint Center I think, be nice to go if had someone to go with. 

Records 4 List and Disposition

Vinyl Records      

AB=Anna Buttram  SR=Streetlight Records  nSR=reject by SR  RR=Rasputin Records  nRR=reject RR

First Section, right side of bookcase

List 1: 

Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy, $15-$65  to AB

Touch of Leonard Nimory, $12-$79  to AB

Santana Abraxis, $24-$38     RR

Sony & Cher Live in LV Vol 2, $1-$10    SR1

Three Dog Night Greatest Hits, $8-9   SR1

Helen Reddy’s Greatest Hits, $13   nSR, nRR

Elvis Presley 1969 Year in Review, $31     SR1

Jim Croce You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, $5-$30   SR1

Barry Manilow Live, $1-$7  never opened    SR1

Diana Ross An Evening With, $20  never opened    SR1

Beach Boys Made in USA, $2-$8   to AB

List 2: 

Best of Bitter End Years, $2-$25     SR1

Dick Clark 20 Years of Rock n Roll $2-$12    SR1

Beatles Rubber Soul, $17-$200  SR2

Beatles Something New, $5-$100   SR2

Beatles Meet the Beatles, $3-$100  SR2

Superstars of the 70’s 4 album, $8-$20  to  AB

Royal Guardsmen Snoopy and His Friends, $5-$32      RR

Best of Bill Cosby, $2-$8  nSR, nRR

Bill Cosby Wonderfulness, $1-$16 nSR, nRR

Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow, $1-$11   nSR, nRR

List 3: 

Herb Alpert Tijuana Brass Going Places, $2-$10  nSR, nRR 

Herb Alpert Tijuana Brass Greatest Hits, $2-$30   nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Beautiful Noise, $2-$15    nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Hot August Night, $2-$30     nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Moods, $2-$15      nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Serenade, $2-$15     nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Love at the Greek, $2-$15     nSR, nRR

Neil Diamond Gold, $2-$15  never opened    SR1

The New Christy Minstrels Chim Chim Cher-ee, $3-$15  nSR, nRR

The NCM Exciting new folk chorus, $1-$24  nSR, nRR

List 4: 

Donovan the Best of, $2-$35  never opened    SR1

Roger Miller the Best of, $4-$30   SR1

Lynn Anderson’s Greatest Hits, $1-$8   SR1

Seals & Crofts I’ll Play for You, $2-$15     nSR, nRR

Kenny Rogers They Don’t Make Them Like They Used to, $2-$16  never opened    SR1

Kenny Rogers 20 Greatest Hits, $8-$18   never opened     SR1

Joni Mitchell Miles of Aisles, $2-$20     SR1

Paul and, $1-$15 [ Noel Paul Stookey from Peter, Paul, Mary]    nSR, nRR

An Evening with John Denver, $2-$65   nSR, nRR

John Denver One World, $2-$10  nSR, nRR

List 5: 

John Denver Windsong, $2-$15   nSR, nRR

John Denver’s Greatest Hits, $2-$20   nSR, nRR

John Denver Spirit   nSR, nRR

Kingston Trio …from the ‘Hungry I’, $1-$20   nSR, nRR

Kingston Trio Time to Think, $1-$13    nSR, nRR

Best of the Kingston Trio Vol 3, $2-$50   nSR, nRR

Best of Peter, Paul, Mary 10 Years Together, $1-$15    nSR, nRR

Simon and Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water, $2-$100    SR2

Simon and Garfunkel Sounds of Silence, $2-$12    nSR, RR

Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits, $2-$35   to AB

Streetlight Records 25 Oct 2014 #1, $28.00 for 15 albums.

Streetlight Records 29 Oct 2014 #2, $4.00 for 4 albums

Rasputin Records 29 Oct 2014 $2.00 for 5 albums

General 2

Errand running today so short downsizing update. Took second batch of records to Streetlight - 4 albums for $4.00. Took all the left over records to Rasputin - 5 albums for $2.00. Need to clean up the list and put on Freecycle. Then to Goodwill. 

General 1

Got chilled this morning and went back to bed to warm up. Late start in cleaning. Got the essential oils organized in the three (3) wooden boxes - single, blends, ones using regularly. Don't need any oils for November, so likely some other supplies. Got the desk cleared off. Found my Arizona rain stick and minipod with the directions. Now to get busy with backlog of paperwork for turning 65yo. Sad and hurts not having anyone to talk with about things. Tired of doing everything alone without help, without someone to talk with as I sort things out with talk - one reason for doing this blog, my way of talking out things. Surprised I got some responses to the email and Facebook post about doing this blog - seems some actually read the first one. Time to get something to eat and watch news, then back to work. 

Records 3

A short update. Took 27 records to one store and they bought 15 of them for $28 cash. Stopped at the other used record store and they were backed up with items to evaluate. I decided to come back another day. They recommended first thing in the morning and not on a weekend. 
The master list has been updated with ones rejected by Streetlight Records and those not yet taken in. 

I might try Craig's List or Freecycle before giving to Goodwill.  

Records 2

Some additional thoughts from the early morning start of this blog. Anna had originally agreed to buy the 5-in-1 entertainment center. I was trying and will try on some other items to raise some cash for me. It got to point I wanted the box out of the way and in use more than the money. I'm glad I did give it to her...turned out to be an early birthday present. I am happy to give the records she is interested in also. It is more important that the items I no longer want/need find good homes than I get any money for them. Homes where the items will be used and enjoyed. Anna is that person for these items. 

After reading the first entry one might wonder about the difference between ND and KR concerts and GL and JT concerts. Diamond and Rogers put on a show, a big show, dressed in glitter outfits. They talk about the songs and life and sing and move about the stage. I've seen both do a circle stage performance. Rogers in a smaller venue than Diamond. 

Lightfoot and Taylor basically stood or sat in front of mike and sang and told some stories about the songs. The music was the show not all the other things. 

There are some other specific memories with some albums. 
Paul and... by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary: the first cut on side 2 is Sebastian, credited to Stookey but actually written by Gordon W Wolfe. Gordon sold it to Stookey. Gordon was a physics grad student that I dated for awhile in early 1970's while at Florida Atlantic University. Sebastian was his 12 string guitar from...Martin I think. 

Santana...people are always surprised that I have an album of his. I liked the music. Yes, different from my usual folk music at the time, but always liked a variety.

The Royal Guardsmen's Snoopy and Friends. This is a fun album. One side has the three Snoopy adventures and the other songs still about airplanes and sort of Snoopy adventures. 

Downsizing journal Records 1

Thought I'd start a downsizing journal blog as a place to note what I find as clean and organize. Little personal stories about items. What I do with them. This is also a way to record what progress I've made. Nieces and nephews are likely the only ones that will be interested in the stories.

I've already distributed a lot of my mother's jewelry and some other items. I may backtrack and write about those items. For now it will be new things.

Starting with the vinyl records. I gave the 5-in-1 entertainment center to Anna Buttram. I had bought it a few years ago and opened it but never set it up. She had posted something on Facebook about wanting to regain a vinyl record collection and way to play them. When I went to Stephenie Meyer Day in Forks Washington this year, I took the box with me and gave it to her. A little more than week ago I started going through the records. I posted to Facebook to see if any other friends are collectors. One other one stated an interest. 

I made a list in sets of 10 to send to them and see which they were interested in. Anna gets first choice. The other person dropped out a couple of days ago, not living in own space, has things packed up so doesn't make sense to add to those boxes. The ones that Anna doesn't want will be taken to Streetlight records, likely sets of 25 or so. 

I've always been more a radio listener than records. Most of these have been played only a few times. I hope to get some reasonable money from them. I've looked them up on Discogs.com to see what they are selling for, most in $2-$15 range, a few higher. Now to see what the store is willing to pay me for them, hoping for at least $1.00 a piece. Later today we find out. Estimate 500 or so in the collection total. 

There were a few records that had not even been opened up. Neil Diamond, The Beatles, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, The Kingston Trio were the ones with multiple records. 

The Kingston Trio...from the Hungry i album was either Mother's Day or Birthday gift to our mother from my brother and I. There was one song only that she wanted...The Merry Minuet, wry commentary on then current affairs, sadly still applicable. There are some other good cuts on the album. 

I've been to a few Neil Diamond concerts. Wonderful shows. Wonderful entertainer. I've attended only a couple of Kenny Rogers concerts. Also wonderful entertainer. I've gone to one James Taylor concert and one Gordon Lightfoot concert. They are both musicians and singers - a very different experience from Neil Diamond and Kenny Rogers.