Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Three Ducks

As you know, I'm a purger. If we haven't used things around our house, I get rid of them. Sometimes I get money for the items; many times I just list them for free. Nothing collects dust at our house. This is why Larry makes certain he's constantly in a state of perpetual movement.

Our office is moving in 10 days so many things have been hitting the garbage cans. Since I'm also an avid recycler, I try and keep as many things out of landfills that I can. So I've been listing more items than usual. And getting even more bizarre people come to my door.

This week, I listed three rubber ducks. Staff were given these to get excited about our conference last summer in Hawaii. (ummm, it's Hawaii...trust me, I'm already excited!) But the conference is over and I don't want them any longer. But Marie did.

Marie picked up the ducks last night. As I opened the door, she did these baby claps and bounced a little as she said, "Oh, more ducks; more ducks." It was rather disturbing to watch. She then proceeded to explain that she had an entire bathroom devoted to rubber ducks called her 'Rubber Duck bathroom' (if you could imagine that) which featured five shelves of these guys.

I'm realizing the world is full of collectors; some collecting more low-end items than others. For the most part, we aren't collectors. Larry & I each have one thing I'd consider collections. He collects depression glass wine glasses and I collect nativity sets from different countries. Each has a special meaning to us, however we don't go overboard trying to complete the collections. It we find one we like, we buy it. But we don't purchase every item we see.

Duck lady made me realize the obsessive nature of collections; sometimes you just don't know when enough is enough. Or when you sound like an absolute lunatic.

What do you or your spouse collect? Are you obsessive about it or is it just a fun hobby?

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10 Comments:

Blogger mr. big dubya said...

I have a collection of Mr. Potatoheads - I just received three more for my 40th this past weekend. I will take pics soon and post them for all to admire.

11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I "collected" teddy bears. I believe this started when I was 18ish and said something along the lines of "How cute, Teddy bears!" within ear shot of a family member. Since then for all holidays birthdays and special occasions I get something bear related. Plates, lamps, tos, jewelry. SO, I guess I collect bears stuff:)

Have a good one!

11:41 AM  
Blogger Daddy L said...

I used to collect kitschy toys and games. They didn't have to be vintage, they just needed a certain silliness. When I was 20 my whole apartment was wall to wall toys.

Fun when you're 20, depressing when you turn 30. So I packed everything away and grew up.

Some of the cooler pieces have made their way back into my life, but the bulk of them are in my basement, third shelf over and two shelves up.

Since then I barely collect anything. Does collecting grey hair count? Because I'm sprouting 'em ever since Tne Boy arrived.

11:48 AM  
Blogger Kelly O said...

I collect vintage cocktail and party books, and cocktail accoutrements. I also collect weird religious art, though the light-up Jesus head with fake eyelashes is hidden in the closet because it scares the kids. When I had more disposable income and time for the civilizing influence of cocktails, I was obsessive about it.

My husband collects music, though does that count as a collection? He has thousands of records and CDs and is definitely obsessive about collecting an artist's complete oeuvre.

3:35 PM  
Blogger Whit said...

My wife doesn't so much "collect" things as people constantly get her items that have Tinker Bell on them. It used to be dragonflys until she put her foot down.

I don't collect anything except debt and dirt.

5:00 PM  
Blogger Lola and Ava said...

I am going to confess for the Flyer that he collects action figures (lots and lots) as well as dice. Me? I collect yarn (but I use it), vintage Valentine's, and Willebeek Le Mair postcards and prints.

Big fat nerd house, this one!

Ava

5:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Uh, we do collect dust. But since you're a purger, I guess you can't help me out. I'll just have to keep the dust that we're churning out and leave it at that...

7:24 PM  
Blogger Darren said...

I don't really collect either, but Clare collects toys and clothes.

Also, I have some ducks that Marie might want. Would she drive to Connecticut?

8:57 PM  
Blogger nylonthread said...

Ceramic monkeys! Bizarre and practical, there are glazed, ceramic monkeys holding keys, containing pencils and otherwise kitchily displayed throughout our living area. We used to collect all kinds of monkeys, but then moved and established a more "adult" lifestyle. All the plush and toy monkeys have either made their way into the kids toyboxes or are in storage.

3:49 PM  
Blogger Mark D said...

Other than medical bills, I kinda collect KC Chiefs stuff (not so much any more) ... The Mrs. collects tile that she swears she'll use to design something some day ... and The Boy collects Hot Wheels cars and anything with Lightning McQueen from Cars on it.

Dog hair is also on the list, but that's not really by choice.

12:29 AM  

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