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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Archaeological Dig

This is what  is required when you pile crap on top of existing crap. During the excavation portion of our basement storage room makeover, we unearthed items we did not even remember we had. We also found 2 moving boxes that had never been opened, since our return 5 years ago!

When the movers were packing us up for our return to our Northern, Virginia home, there was this one guy who kept shoving odd items in boxes that were labeled and slated for other rooms. After, speaking to him several times to no avail, my inner Felix started freaking out!!!  I asked him not to touch another thing. I spoke to the crew leader and he directed this guy to sit in the truck the rest of the day. He did not return the following day. The rest of the pack-out and move was smooth sailing.

We all have things that are important to us. Maybe they are valuable or perhaps sentimental.  I once had a thing that was neither. I just liked it.  We unpacked and begin life. I was a bit upset after unpacking when I discovered that my thing was gone.  I just learned to live without it.



September 2010 a vintage treasure found. A 5 year mystery solved. In a box, that was clearly labeled for ONE item was my thing!!!!!!!!!!!! Along with many other things, such as a hand hooked rug, a peg rack, and bags to a vacuum cleaner I no longer owned!  My husband gave me a look followed by "I thought all the boxes were unpacked?" Of course, I am pointing to the label in a lame attempt to defend myself.



 

The top part only is what I thought was in the box!
 If you look closely on the right and left side, you can see the piles of stuff that we began sorting after excavation. The conservatory found a new home...

 There was one other unopened box too. It was labeled this:


Thankfully, that was all it contained. It was a favorite of both my children. Very sentimental.

This simple piece of wood with the little iron clips of leaves and squirrels was the first item I ever purchased from Anthropologie. I don't know the year, but it was in the 90's because I had been at a client meeting in Maryland that day when I happened upon the store.


I think it's ironic that I found this in the fall. It will likely be hung up in the laundry/mud room and go back to it's old job of holding papers, invitations and reminders...

Ready to see the basement storage room makeover? Okay, this week...promise...almost done organizing the photos...but, until then...a sneak peek:




All photos courtesy of A&A

11 comments:

  1. You so need to come and visit and spend some time in my attic - I bet you could find my wedding photo album that's been missing for 7 years (is that bad luck??)

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  2. Buzz, I don't know if it's bad luck, but you must find it! Looks like your own dig is in order. I did find a box with my highschool yearbooks...talk about a trip down memory lane!!!

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  3. Had to laugh,
    as in our many
    moves over the
    years, I'm amazed
    at the packing.
    You unwind and unwind
    the brown paper wrapping
    only to discover....
    a Tupperware lid! or
    a box of Chex! or
    a Lego figurine! They
    wrap each thing as if
    it were gold.
    I collect squirrels ~
    they were my sorority
    "mascot" and they just
    make me smile.
    Great post.
    xx Suzanne

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  4. We have moved 12 times. I also get so upset when disjointed items get packed together. We have a basement full of unopened boxes just waiting for us. This weekend! We move again in 8 months and we have to get organized. You are inspiring me. My one heart break...Waterford Crystal cream and sugar have never been found. It was a wedding gift from my bridesmaids. I can't wait to see your pictures!

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  5. While your garage storage is truly amazing...I am completely intrigued by your new found treasures! :)

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  6. I love to be organized - what a great system!!
    xx-Gina

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  7. This makes me feel SOOO much better!! We just marked our third anniversary of moving here, with WAY more stuff than anyone should EVER have, and I am still finding things packed away in boxes where they don't belong. While you're going through stuff, if you find a small box of dog collar hardware, let me know. I'd love to know where it ended up.
    ..Connie

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  8. Oh my gosh! I stared at your "thing" for a couple of minutes wondering what on earth it was. I was so happy when I scrolled down to see that it was a rack. I'm not even going to tell you what I thought it was! Since my move, I've been "shopping the house" for treasures and re-discovered a box full of fabric, a Waterford vase, and an 8 x 10 signed and framed photo of Cary Grant!
    Can't wait for the after shots of your basement!
    -ME

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  9. I can't wait to start unpacking boxes! Even though I am just renovating, it will seem like I have moved to a different house by the time I get to the unpacking again.
    Thanks so much for your comment on my blog, I found the drying rack you mentioned @ ballard designs and I think it might be perfect. I have a space where a drop down ironing board is in the laundry and I think I can fit this type right inside. Thanks again.
    kathleenjackson.blogspot.com

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  10. Mary Ellen, Hmmm...now you have me wondering. Clearly not my best writing...let's just blame it on exhaustion! Glad you found Cary Grant!!!

    Troops and Roses, so sorry about your missing items...nothing worse than losing something sentimental.

    Kat, you are so very welcome!

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  11. Those jobs just never get any easier do they? alas, it is always fun to stumble upon something you have been missing for a while. Kind of like finding a $5 bill in the pocket of a jacket. Why do we get so excited about that?

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!