As I was considering MY age, I started thinking about the age of things around me. And while the things around me aren't OLD (well most of them anyway), I really am not surrounded by new things. Here are a few examples:
1. My House - Here is my house.
I would have described my house as "older" although since its not as old as me, I have to rephrase that. My house is "not new." Our house was built in 1968, so its 44 years young. It needs a new roof. Our roof leaks in a hard rain (although since it hasn't rained in forever that hasn't been a problem lately). And our basement leaks too (see above comment about it not raining here forever).
2. My Car - My car is so dirty, that I couldn't show you a picture of it. Now remember, I live in the country, on a farm, on a gravel road, that cows walk across. And when cows walk, well, let's just say that dark stuff on my car isn't mud because, as I mentioned earlier, it hasn't rained here in forever. Sunday morning on my way home from church the odometer rolled over to 150,000 miles. My car isn't old, I bought it in 2007. I put a lot of miles on my car. It needs new tires. I am hoping to get 200,000 miles before I trade it in.
3. My Microwave - Again, sorry, no picture of my old Sears microwave. I bought it in 1986. It is 26 years old. SERIOUSLY!! But it still works. I mean, all I do is reheat leftovers, pop popcorn, and boil water to make a pitcher of tea. So why would I buy a new one?
4. My Vacuum Cleaner - I have an Oreck Vacuum Cleaner that I bought in 1996. That makes it, yep, you're right, 16 years old. I really like my Oreck. I took it to an Oreck store last summer and had it cleaned and the little "hook" that you hang the cord on replaced. It (the hook) broke awhile back, so my cord was always just laying on the floor. I will use it until it won't work anymore.
5. My Bedroom Furniture - My mother-in-law purchased our bedroom furniture when she got married. It is made of ash, a light stained wood. She used it for years. When my husband lived at home he used it, and when we got married we moved it to our house. We don't use the headboard and footboard anymore because it's a "double" bed and we wanted a king sized bed. So I bought a very inexpensive metal heardboard probably 6 or 7 years ago and that's what we use along with the dresser, chest and nightstands. I would LOVE to get new bedroom furniture one day. But for now, my 58 year old bedroom furniture is working just fine. It was made back in the days before veneer and particle board. It is solid wood and I think it will last forever.
6. My Kitchen Table - I have a solid oak kitchen table and chairs that we bought around 1987. Honestly, I don't remember exactly, but we've had it about 25 years. I had to have the top refinished last year. It is solid wood and, like my bedroom furniture, I think it will last forever! One day I hope one of my kids has that table and it brings back good memories for them.
7. My Washer and Dryer - Of all the things I have, my washer and dryer I would call fairly new. I bought them in December of 2006, so they are not quite 6 years old. I average about 10 years per washer and dryer. We've been married nearly 27 years, and this is my third set. I think I must be pretty hard on washers and dryers. My husband is a farmer and the clothes I am washing for him aren't just sweaty. They are FILTHY. Sure hope this set lasts a long time. My mother-in-law had a Maytag washer and dryer that she used for 30 years. I don't think they make washers and dryers to last that long anymore. Not even Maytags.
Are you someone who buys new, or keeps the old until it quits on you (like me)? Honestly, I'm just kind of CHEAP and I want to make certain I get my money's worth. I like to buy good quality items that will last. So . . . how old is the stuff at your house??
Oh, I loved reading this.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday to you, too! :)
Everything is all relative isn't it?
Interesting post! Well, let's see. Some things are fairly new like the couch and recliner I bought new last year. Some things like the table and chairs, bedroom furniture is just a few years old. Other things are old because they're antiques that I bought several years ago like the Hoosier cabinet, etc. I have a few pieces that were my grandmother's that mean a lot to me. We also have downstairs a round oak table and chairs stamped 1875 on the bottom that is one of the first things we bought after we got married.
ReplyDeleteI like a blend of things, old and new, but I'm not one that has to run out and buy new every year or two. I like to buy well made stuff and have it last a long time. I know a woman that has changed couches more often than I change my handbags! That's not for me, I don't like to waste money.
fun reading! My house is 110 years old; my Acorn cook stove is 98 years old; my farm truck is 24 years old but the farm equipment is less than 20 years old.
ReplyDeleteIf it ain't broke, why replace it?
Interesting. We have mostly family antiques and other collectibles. Just bought a new recliner for hubby. Stove and fridge maybe 5 yrs old, those are the newest things.
ReplyDeleteI love this post...so fun!! Because our stuff is OLD! I've been married 20 years and the only thing new we have bought in those 20 years new is...a new bed, we slept on box springs and a matress for years. We bought our refridgerator (4 years), a stove (19 years old), washer and dryer (19 years old) we bought a new couch and chair (4 years ago, hand me downs before that). I have no desire to have the newest, I love old things and prefer them with their stories. The dressers in our room and my sonshine's room are older than me. The house is older than me. I use an old bench (older than me) as a coffee table. I'm all about
ReplyDeleteThis was a sweet post because it's nice to know there are people who don't have the newest and don't feel they need it.
Oh and the leaking basement....I can totally relate to that too!
I loved this post! Loved it! I love your honestly, your frugalness (is that a word?), your humbleness, and your lesson.....life is not about the material things! I, too, am a penny pincher! We keep cars forever! My husband drives a 1988 truck! I drove a 2000 van until a couple of months ago when we had to get a NEW (2008!!!!) Buick. You are my kind of gal! ;0)
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