Sort & Conquer

I started to "tackle" the basement yesterday.  I can't believe the amount of stuff junk one accumulates over the years.  I need a refreshers course on the important things to keep and the things I can shred.  I bought a new shredder just for this purpose.

Anchor Hocking Grape Pattern Punch Bowl

The spiders scattered as I started moving boxes around.  I found some extra space on a shelf for more of my obsessive compulsive behavior purchases! (see above: I own 3 punch bowls and see below)

Snack Trays!

I own over 200 of the snack trays and probably equal of the punch glasses.  If I see them at an antique store or thrift store I will buy them.  I have avoided buying them off eBay over the past 6 years (strong will).  I used them for my daughter's graduation.  The reason I started collecting the snack trays was to use at her wedding one day (she was 3 at the time).  It all began with a $5 punch bowl at the Salvation Army downtown Minneapolis in 1994.  It came with 10 glasses, hooks and ladle.

Don't get me wrong my glassware obsession isn't just for Anchor Hocking but....many other facets that crowd my shelves and fill many boxes.  If you ever worked for Schwan's you may remember back in the day they would give dishes to the employees.  Well, I have a few collected and then the collection grew and grew.  I still collect them when I find them.  4 canister sets, dozens of plates (both sizes) and 2 platters later...don't ask me how many mugs I have (I lost count).

But with my glassware obsession I do use all of it (well most).

Sort & Conquer!  I grabbed a few boxes and sorted out "stuff"!  Luckily I just recently purchased a few pairs of shoes so the shoe boxes have come in handy to gather "misc" items I am not sure what to do with but can't toss!  The few boxes I did get to Sunday are not even a small dent in the work to come but....I shall conquer.

New things and more

August was the last post I wrote...time really does escape you.

I have been a little busy but not so much I couldn't find a few minutes to type up my musings and vent share.

The Museum is closed for the season so it is time to get moving and work on the new exhibits for 2013 season.  There is also grant research to do to get the Garth Williams illustrations properly conserved, more organization on the items the Museum wants in the new book William Anderson is writing for us, research and proofing for the new permanent signage for the Museum grounds and of course inventorying new items into Past Perfect.  I call that list Job Security!

Here is a tip for Past Perfect....please have other Museum Professionals that have been working with Past Perfect for numerous years help you perfect the program.  There tends to be a lot of moving of hands off keyboard to use the mouse.  This is very inefficient and should be resolved.  OK....I admit I am not a MOUSE fan...I love my F keys and Alt keys and love my keyboard.  Raise your hand if you love your keyboard.....and now who love their mouse.  I am sure we are a divided force much like PC and MAC!  Don't get me wrong, I will always tell other Museums to purchase Past Perfect if they do not have a system already in place.  I have been using it since 2001 and it works (except for the clicking thing).

Enough about that....

The Museum has 47 Garth Williams original illustrations that need to be conserved...this is a costly challenge since I was reading the receipt from the last Laura Ingalls Wilder letter we had conserved 4 years ago ($1300).  That was for 1 letter!  44 of the illustrations are in top shape so that is good news.  We plan on exhibiting a collection of the illustrations in 2013 (NEW exhibit)!  It is always exciting trying to locate professional framers in our small town area.  If you have any ideas please share!

NEW exhibit 2013!  TOOLS!!!!  Household, farming and tradesmen!  I am pretty excited about this exhibit.  It brings out a lot of things out from storage.

Work....work....work...now fun news!

Registered for the 2013 Spring Semester at SMSU....not full-time of course but 2 classes maybe 3 if I can find one online.  I am up for the challenge and very excited (do I say that phrase too much)!  It is about time this girl got some learnin'!

Turkey day is tomorrow!  The day I spend hours in the kitchen for a 20 minute meal....it is so worth it.  The house smells delicious and of course I love to cook!  I am 'preparing' a few things tonight to save time tomorrow.  I want to eat by 1pm so that means setting alarm and rising early (ugh) but then I can take a long after turkey nap!  I even have EXTRA turkey gizzards for the stuffing (I heard you say ewwww....they are yummy and I chop them up so you can pick them out).  I have a small "forgot these yesterday" list to pick up after work but I am pretty set!  I'll miss hanging with Kelly & Shelly and her family....and I will definitely miss Christina who is in Florida for the holiday...and my mom & dad...and my other brothers Chris & Frank and their families but still having a Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corny, stuffing, shrimp and pumpkin pie! (There is going to be a high number of leftovers...which is always a good plan!)

Ramble...ramble...ramble!  Time to hit PUBLISH and catch a couple hours more of sleep!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Have a safe and memorable T-Day!