Almost five years ago, we downsized our house of 24 years and an accumulation of over 50. We painstakingly waded through things that we considered eventual treasures and got rid of many of them. We moved into a renovated 1885 house so were able to use the antiques we managed to save. So we’re now working on “furnishing” our yard. This requires us to go scavanging at garage and estate sales or use many of the online ways of buying junk. It is true that one man’s trash is another’s treasure.
As you’ve seen photos of some of the things we’ve done, you’ve seen unusual things turn up. There’s the baby bed that served my husband and his sister in the 1940’s-50’s. There are old bikes, urns, pottery, rebuilt adirondack chairs, wagons, kitchen chairs, signs, old decaying wicker furniture and carts along with various things we put plants into. Our house sits on two city lots. Paul purchased a spacious shed which he uses for one of his painting spaces. His artistic eye has created various art locations – things that artists like to paint. I in turn have refurbished and repainted some of those old things. Our team effort has raised many comments. “Hmmm, interesting,” “Ecclectic,” “Busy,” “Cluttered,” Looks like a museum,” “It’s like walking through a piece of history.”
Last week I found an old wooden sled that appears in good working condition. I plan to stain it and paint a little rosebud on it (reminiscent of “Citizen Kane.) We have an old pair of ice skates from the early 1900s and some snow shoes which will create an interesting corner somewhere out there. It’s fun to create little areas in which people can see something different each time they come to visit. This will eventually serve as our entertainment area, since we don’t have nearly as much room inside.
There are many little seating areas too. Within the addition of some original sculptures and paintings made for the outdoors, people can converse in fun spots. Paul even designed a new form of croquet. Instead of making it through the hoops, he created it so that people hit the ball to one seating area – sit down and talk for a while – get up and hit the ball to the next sitting area. I imagine the game would catch on for other senior citizens who would like to remain active, but need a little rest in between
So what’s my purpose in this days post? I’m not really sure if there is one, but I thought it might be fun to share some of the things we do when we age. Life can be downsized and brought right back to what it was now that outdoor yard sales are being held. We’ve found many items for little money. Soon we will have to downsize our outside space.
atimetoshare.me 
What fun! We’ve started doing something similar. My hubby found an old dinosaur head, so now we have this lizard crawling out of the ground which is a bit funny.
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I love it 🥴
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Croquet I remember (and I love the new version your husband invented); but what are adirondack chairs? J.
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Wooden lawn chairs with wood slats on back and seat along with wooden arm rests.
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I know I would love your home and yard.
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Stop by the next time you’re in Minnesota😀
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I love older furnishings— I have many pieces that belonged to grandmothers, great aunts, etc— and I’ll still scour antique shops looking for this and that-
Purging for our move was tough but I still have many of those family treasures 🥰
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Some things you just can’t let go of. I get it. Our kids don’t want any of it. Wonder what will happen to it when we die. It’ll probably end up in another antique shop.
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It’ll be sold in a yard sale for pennies on the dollar and what doesn’t sell will head to the Goodwill
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Kathy, I’m an old soul and a history lover (particularly found of the 1800’s). I’d love to come visit and sit in an area, with tea and coffee, to talk. I could learn so much and just smile. God bless you my sweet friend.🤍💚❤
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Paul used to reenact an 1800s wilderness artist. He claims he was born in the wrong century, but he loves being with people so I’m sure he’d tire of that life eventually
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I have a friend the exact same way as Paul. I took my sister to a nearby Civil War Battlefield~and asked if I could be a part of the re-enactment! 😊
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You two would get along great❤️
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❤️😀
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he’d tire of that life eventuall
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😂 yep!
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