What to Keep? Lessons Learned at My Momma’s House

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On May 29, my family moved into a new home.  Fourteen days later,  I spent the weekend cleaning out my momma’s house in preparation for her move to Pace, Florida. Due to her moderate dementia, she was unable to help. I had feelings of guilt, deciding what to do with all this stuff in my childhood home, and what to keep.  Thankfully I had family taking care of my mom and helping me in her house.

Finding a box of dance costumes, mementos from my days as an Acadiana High Wrecking Ram cheerleader, and Hallmark Christmas ornaments dating back to 1978 brought back wonderful memories.  It was heartwarming to find books my mom read to me as a child.  Unfortunately, the dance costumes and children’s books did not withstand the attic environment due to a lack of proper storage.  Finding special toys had me think about what to keep for my children and how to preserve these items.

In good condition were my mother’s Charity School of Nursing cape, my father’s National Guard canteen, and Knights of Columbus 4th degree sword.  My children enjoyed seeing these items and how they related to their grandparents.

My dad, John O. Guilbeau (third from the left) with his two brothers Ned and Paul Allen.

So what did I learn by this process that I am now implementing in my own home?

The fact that I needed to rethink the organization in our new house helped light my fire.  Caring for humans ranging in age from 3 to 82 while adding my mother’s belongings to our house required me to regroup.

Reduce, Streamline, and Preserve

Schoolwork and Art Projects

With the school year starting in whatever manner your family chooses, there will still be papers and projects. My current method of labeling a cardboard box and throwing every paper they came home in the box was not working. It was time for a change.  There are so many great ideas on paper and project storage, such as plastic bins with hanging files by grade, keepsake books,  and books for art projects.  I have a young baseball-playing artist so you can imagine how full his box is.

Wyatt with a picture of his favorite baseball player Ron Guidry.

My new plan is to review school work and projects monthly.  Besides keeping notes from the teacher, report cards, and examples of handwriting progression, I will keep two or three exceptional items each month.  I may still throw them in a box, but once sorted every month, the items saved will be stored in Sterilite plastic drawer bins.  I plan to take pictures of meaningful things that I don’t keep, which I can store in digital files with the child’s name and grade.  At the end of the school year, I can do a quick review of what I have saved to see if I can reduce even more.

Memorabilia

Seeing how many items were damaged at my mom’s house by insects, moisture or heat, I put my kid’s special items such as favorite board books, small toys, and greeting cards they received in zip lock bags or large sacks.  Including a handwritten note about the item will enhance the keepsake.  Limiting what I keep and taking pictures of semi-important things will be included in a digital file.

Clothing

I have a storage bin of meaningful clothing for each of my boys.  I mean, how can you throw out New Orleans Saints t-shirts or New York Yankee jerseys?  During this move, I downsized what I initially kept and transferred those items to space saver storage bags.  Later I may decide to have the special clothing made into a keepsake quilt.  A friend’s sister took the lace and buttons off her wedding dress to make pillows for her children to use at their wedding – oh so special!

Carol Delarue School of Dance memories!

Too bad those dance costumes did not withstand the heat because my boys would have loved to see me perform!

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Monique Cossich
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Monique and her family moved to Pace from Nacogdoches, Texas, in 2018. She is wife to Marc and forever mom to Laine (9) and Wyatt (5). Her mom, Rosie, moved in with the Cossich Krewe in June 2020. Monique is passionate about learning and is currently on the Admissions team at the University of West Florida. When her journey to “mommy-hood” became difficult, she and Marc pursued adoption through foster care. Since 2011 the Cossich Krewe has been blessed with 18 foster children. Her pom-poms shake for the New Orleans Saints and the New York Yankees. You will probably find Monique at the ballpark or the football field, depending on the time of year, handing out her special PBJs and snacks. She loves being a sports mom and every exhausting thing that comes with that title! Monique is a “what you see is what you get” girl - she is all about being raw and honest!

3 COMMENTS

  1. Oh Monique….you are my hero!!! Your unending ability to keep with it all is miraculous!! Your love for your family is inspiring!! Love to my favorite superwoman…mom…wife…❤️

  2. I’m trying to do these things myself and having a difficult time… So happy you shared your ideas… Hugs and prayers for your family and your sweet mom !

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