Collections - Past, present, future

My HS boyfriend gave me a stuffed Koala Bear (1970) for graduation (and a jade necklace I wore to work today). The guys name is Joe, the bear, JOJO is still in the cedar chest. That gift sparked a huge collection of KBs: clocks, salt & pepper shakers, sheets & comfortor, fleece throw, clothing, jewelry, a cookie jar I sold on Ebay for $50, several pieces of wall decor, and dozens of dust collector figurines. All that is left is the fleece throw.

This is the cooking jar I sold for $50; it's sitting at $68 on Ebay right now.

When we got married we registered for stoneware instead of china. A little unusual in 1978. My mom suggested we also register for pewter instead of silver - that was a great idea. And sparked a pewter collection of both table wear and decor items. I still love it and it does not need to be polished. When I really care about a bride / groom it is my favorite wedding gift to give. I always try to match the style to the couple.

I got a starter set in 1976 and then registered for more when we got married. We then used it and collected it for years. I must had about every piece imaginable, including the glasses. Gave it all to the MIL after about 20 years; there can be too much of a good thing.

I went through a crystal phase; candle sticks, vases, tableware, etc.

The stuff doesn't get much at a garage sale, let me tell you.

I have a gold charm bracelet my parents gave me at 13 and have added to it over the years through the kids. It pretty much stopped then. Now it doesn't fit.

I also have a silver charm bracelet given by an old beau and we collected charms for it when we did things together. It also does not fit; which is just as well since the beau isn't The Geezer.

Big watcher, not collector. However I bought my sister the Gilmore Girls thinking she would enjoy them IF she would just give it a chance. Not so much; they are coming back to me. I'm working on The West Wing so I can go from start to finish.

The son is a big DVD collector so I often buy him ones we both like:
Deadwood
Rome
Buffy
Firefly
Arrested Development
and I'm working on Red Dwarf since I read one of the lists

I usually get my books from the library as I don't want to keep them after they are read - and it's free. However, there are a few authors and/or series I collect.

All Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy books
Jan Karon's Mitford series
I'm working on getting as many of the Robert B Parker's as I can
Anything written by Margaret George
The Left Behind Series

The plan is, at some point to read the series from start to finish. It still in the planning stage as these author's are still writing so there is no finish yet.

For the tree I have the Hallmark Cinnamon Bear set; the Dept. 56 Dickens tree ornaments, and some other Hallmark collection my sister is sending me - I can't remember.

For the mantle I have several pieces from the Dickens series.

For the hutch I have six Dept. 56 churches of various styles

For the table I have the Nikko Happy Holidays, still working on this one.

This would be what I would love to be collecting now; doesn't take up much space on the shelf, doesn't need to be dusted, has a practical use. Yep, I think I will collect as much of this as I can.

Oops - I forgot to mention my newest collection; armillary spheres. I only have two but am always on the lookout for more.