Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

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My Mother Says I am a Hoarder


kitchen counter style

 

 

 

 Hoarder:

"Compulsive hoarding, also known as hoarding disorder, is a behavioral pattern characterized by excessive acquisition of and an inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment."

 

Okay, I like stuff. No one ever called me a minimalist. Though my closet isn't full. My garden shed has more books than tools in it that is odd I admit. Decorating, creating "mis en scenes" I adore. But does that mean I am a hoarder? I don't buy plates anymore cause I have enough plates for a sit-down wedding for maybe 1000 guests mix and match that is. I am exaggerating. Does that make me a hoarder? I sell stuff. I give away plenty too. I am not possessive of most of the things I have. An empty space says to me, "Fill me."

Blank spaces or just pregnant spaces in the waiting.

 

 

kitchen stuff

 

 

Last year when my mom came to my daughter's wedding, she came into our home looked around, and with a deadpan face said, "Yep you are a haorder. You and your Godmother are alike."

My Godmother isn't a hoarder though she does have way more stuff than I do. Grant it she has been collecting longer than I have and has a much bigger house. Gulp. My mom likes stuff but she doesn't collect little bits and pieces. My mom goes big. I go all over.

I am not a hoarder I do not have trails nor pathways in my house.

 

 

not a hoarder

 

Admittingly, broken things do not bother me. My son Sacha use to say, "We have chairs you cannot sit on, mirrors you cannot see yourself in, Lights that are well worthless for brightening a space. But hey it looks good."

Practical isn't a fan of beauty.

Pretty is, practical does.

 

 

so I like towels

 

So I have a few antique linen towels.

I use them. Well, not these because they aren't easy to get to.

But that doesn't mean I am the H word, mom!

I know she was teasing sort of.

 

 

love domes

 

Collections speak, kind of like a large family, it fascinates.

Right?

My mom pointed to my domes, "Hoarder," she proclaimed. But I think she wanted some so that is why she said that. I have six domes left I sold plenty. Though you know if I had a bigger house well I would have kept them.

Having collections doesn't make a person a hoarder or does it?

 

cut board envy

 

Cutting boards, old ironstone, straw baskets, and trays. 

I guess the only way to stop is to stop going to the brocantes.

Gabriel my newborn grandson has helped with that. As long as he is here there is no other place I would rather be.

If I am a hoarder I am a happy one.

Comments

11 responses to “My Mother Says I am a Hoarder”

  1. lil

    From the internet… “Collectors carefully arrange and categorize their collections. A hoarder on the other hand may take any random item they like and think might be useful, save them for future use and stack them anywhere at home without organizing it.” Sounds like you are a collector!

    Reply
  2. Kathie B

    A colleague and I translated a Portuguese tale about extreme hoarders, as part of an short story anthology we’ve submitted to a publisher. The title?
    “Síndrome de Diógenes”

    Reply
  3. Ann of Avondale

    Hello fellow hoarder! I struggle with it everyday. I just donated 33 blouses and much, much more clothing and my closet doesn’t look like anything is missing. I’m going to do a second pass and get rid of more. I have donated hundreds of books and I still have 4 book shelves full of books. I’m working on getting my “Inspiration Room” under control and not to mention the garage. Have you heard of Marie Kondo? I watch her show on Netflix just to get motivated to clear out ALL the excess stuff in our house. A work in process. Thanks for reminding me of that fine line of hoarder/collector.

    Reply
  4. Ali

    Yes collector, better word…and a much more interesting person. However, if and when you are having a decluttering sale, we will all be there, standing in line waiting.
    Ali

    Reply
  5. Diogenes

    Too funny! I wonder why they call it that? Hmmm…that said, no one ever called me a minimalist either.

    Reply
  6. Diogenes

    I have lots of books too…they’re hard to part with.

    Reply
  7. Christophe

    Corey, you’re definitely a collector NOT a hoarder! As am I. I love anything that has a name on it, so I’m envious of the “huile a bruler”, the mustard jar and the measuring glass. I also like those old plastic signs in the style of your “La Piece.” I recently found an ice cream sign like that, and although damaged snapped it up for a minimal amount. It’s a rare day when I walk away from a brocante or vide grenier empty-handed.

    Reply
  8. Charland

    All you have to do, is buy another house and start filling it with wonderful things.

    Reply
  9. Mary

    Hi Corey, there is no way you are a hoarder! Hoarders keep “Stuff”, not collect with a discerning eye! True hoarders have trash they can’t throw away. And their houses are filthy. I hardly think that describes you! You like beautiful, interesting objects that tell a story. Thank goodness!

    Reply
  10. Mumbai

    be a happy H….and enjoy all the beautiful ancient things. Sure pretty is never practic ..but who needs practic when your eyes get glow and your soul
    feels ?….what ever it is.

    Reply
  11. Marilyn

    And happy is what counts! Nope, not a hoarder!

    Reply

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