Cleaning out my grandma’s home was a chore I didn’t look forward to helping with. Skipping past the items of sentimental nature, I want to describe the most interesting finds.
Grandma’s home was a modest one-level home in a pleasant small-town setting where she had lived alone for more than a decade.
I don’t know how long the attic hasn’t been visited. Boxes and baskets were just waiting to be explored.
My first find was a box full of Tupperware containers, still in the plastic bags that she would have received them in. A quick internet search later I found I didn’t have anything rare, but these vintage patterns were attractive enough that the eBay pricing got me excited.
The next box I opened was smaller and contained various personal documents; most were tax returns and bank records. But I did find some receipts where items had been purchased. One was a receipt for a console stereo from the 1960’s. Attached to the receipt was the small ad from the local newspaper where the store had it on sale. I was amazed at what $199 was able to purchase.
In this same box was an old bible that had someone’s name hand-written on the inside cover along with the date: January 23, 1943. I am going to research the name some more to see if this is our family or not.
Also, in the box, I found a set of ceramic salt and pepper shakers in the kangaroos. The black writing on the bottom just said: “JAPAN”. I don’t think they have much value. One identical set I found on eBay said they were from the 1950s and priced at $12.00.
The next box was filled with cookbooks. About 20 of them. Some were commercial ones from Betty Crocker and Better Homes and Gardens, and some were church projects. Many had various hand-written recipes.
I picked up the next small box and found a dead mouse under it. Yuck.
Inside the mouse-press box were various linens. All were neatly packaged in plastic bags. Scarves, hankies, small blankets, and some white gloves. All in perfect condition. Probably 50 in all.
I was so impressed with the history I found just in the first few boxes.
I still have a dozen plus to go.
I thought this would not take much time, but I will admit the nostalgic feelings I encountered made me take some time and enjoy the sentiments from my grandma’s past.
I will try to write a follow-up to this message… watch for part two.
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