From Australia to Austria

@JudyEv Most of my "stuff" is books and records. Because I don't have any kids of my own, I have to decide who gets my half of the Montana cabin as well.

@TheHorse We have our wills sorted but it's all the paraphernalia that someone/s are going to have to sort through. We have lots of books and records too but I'm thinking they won't be so hard to dispose of. It's the knickknacks that might take time and effort.

Haha. I can quite easily give things to people who want them but it's all the other stuff that's hard to get rid of. I can just leave it for someone else to worry about but I don't really want to do that.

That's true. What are treasures to me won't mean much to others so perhaps I should stop worrying.

@JudyEv we did the same with my sweet mamaw's when she passed. didn't know 'bout her 'stash' 'f doilies she'd made whilst blind. i've a cedar chest full 'f 'em. none'f the young'uns 've 'nterest'n such. i keep debatin' usin' some to make a quilt top with. somethin' that'd show off her beautiful work. i'm havin' a tough time convincin' the hubs to e'en properly dispose 'f trash these days...there'd be some thingies 'f value the young'uns could sell, buried out there 'twixt 3 double garages, his 'workshop' 'n those outbuildin's 'n my hay barn. then there'd be my sundowner (opened the door the other day, nearly fainted) 'n other containers'n which he's piled 'n piled schtuff. the drive 'lone'd take one 'f those monster dumpsters. i've been thinkin' to price such a wonder 'n see how such works. if'n they'll bring't out'n haul 't off, i'd sure fill 't!

@crazyhorseladycx Making a quilt from the doilies sounds a lovely idea. Doilies went out of fashion big time but I still use a few. It's a shame about your husband's hoarding. Here, they deliver and remove a dumpster when you hire one. They can fill up quickly!

I should stop worrying about it I guess but with my Mum's items, if she treasured it, then I found it difficult to get rid of. Mostly I just kept the things she loved. They won't mean anything to the next person so, as I said, maybe I should just stop worrying. As for your husband's stuff, well, we've cleaned out the workshop a few times so maybe they'll have a clearing/garage sale of the rest.

@JudyEv k you have quite the collection.

@JudyEv oh wow!! do you keep numbers of all of them?

I still have quite a few little horses and dogs and a heap of larger china horses.

She is five now and a dear little girl. Her Mum is just lovely. We had some lovely times with them when we visited.

@JudyEv Oh, I bet she'll keep them "forever."

@TheHorse I hope so.

@amitkokiladitya Thanks. It's easier knowing they're going to something who will like them.

Thanks. I've enjoyed having them but now it's time to move them on.

@JudyEv i appreciate your gesture doing this is not easy

I hope so. I feel sure she will like them.

@JudyEv Those are tricky to send, so it's good you're practical and can make a box. I'm really not sure how I'd send the stuff I have if I wanted to.

I have more but this is all that will fit in the box we made for Annie. What is left will end up being someone else's worry I guess.

@Torunn Postage is expensive nowadays too - if you have to send it internationally. Even within Australia, it's now expensive.

Yes, I quite like miniature things but I won't be buying any more. lol

It all seems so nice and innocent at the time but it will be a nightmare for our sons. Pardon the pun!!

I am trying to find people who will appreciate the items, or at least have a use for them for a while. I don't mind if they don't keep them forever.

Hopefully the little girl will want to keep them.

It will be a few less things for our sons to worry about. Thanks.

Thanks. I feel sure she'll like them.

Thanks. We are very fond of them both and have been lucky enough to visit them in Austria several times.

@JudyEv You have made friends with many couch-surfers from the different parts of the world.

@changjiangzhibin89 That is true although we don't keep in touch with many of them. However, some are on FB and we touch base with them from time to time. We don't forget them, not they us.

@JudyEv I have mostly broke that habit as I got older.

Exactly what I've found. Yet at the time you sort of desperately want 'it' and will go to quite some lengths to get it.

@wolfgirl569 Me too. I rarely buy anything frivolous now.

@JudyEv That is so nice of you to think of this. Many don't and can be very stressful.

@noni1959 I have taken photos of what I think they'd like for themselves and copies of the photos will be in the safe.

That is really how I'd like to have things but one son is in Ireland and one in Melbourned on the other side of Australia so they haven't had much chance to choose any heirlooms. I don't want it to be a stressful job for them.

@JudyEv Ours does as well. We also have a copy in our safe. Proof is in the pudding!

That's a good idea. Our executor has ours.

@JudyEv I understand.

It will be a huge task for our boys if we don't down-scale.

It's only the box that is wooden. The ornaments are all porcelain. I wrote about the box a while back.