Getting Rid!

[Tilly2]

I have just spent the last hour going through three boxes of school text books, poetry books and schemes. I have managed to sort out 43 items to take to the recycling centre. It's a start, I suppose, but it's made me very sad.

[Mags22]

Still got my French verb book from the mid-1950's!

[Tilly2]

They might have some new verbs by now, Mags. :-)

[Tizzi24]

Well done! I didn't keep any of my school books, so glad I'm not a hoarder!

[Quoi]

What part of it is making you sad?
I have the hoarding gene and I dont know why I cant throw things away.
I have been trying to throw away 1974 for a while now.

[Tilly2]

They are, or were, the books that I used in my teaching career. That is what is making me sad. They were not my books from my own school days. They would be antiques now!

I might have another sort through next week and keep only those that I could not possibly part with.

[DTCwordfan]

exactly tilly, no need to destroy part of your heritage - it's what has made you as a person - in part!

[Tilly2]

Exactly, dtc. Every book has a little something that I have loved and used.

[Graham-W]

I've still got my "New Intermediate Physics" from 1969. Most of the physics has changed now. I guess Boyles Law and similar are still accurate.

[Tilly2]

Why have you kept it, Graham?

[jno]

I still have my grandmother's history textbook. It ends with Victoria still on the throne. But it's actually brilliant, clearly written and heavily factual, and I used it myself for A-levels long long ago. She died before I was born, so it didn't have sentimental value for me, but boy was it useful. I still look up historical details in it from time to time.

[Tilly2]

That's the sort of book one keeps forever, jno.

[jno]

I was unable to give it to jno jnr as he didn't study history, so I will wait for grandchildren who do.

My grandfather - who seems to have been a right toad - burnt most of my grandmother's possessions after she died, so I have nothing else of hers and my cousins (some of whom did know her) have very little either.

[Tilly2]

That's a shame. Toad seems about right.

[quinie]

Hi,Tilly2 I've been ruthless in my decluttering lately.Threw out notebooks I had at school-one had French and German songs etc in it so I had a wee sing-song to myself lol-can still remember La Marseillaise and was singing it along with the French football team.Notebook was dated 1944 so my memory isn't too bad yet! Long term memory ok. One book I can't throw out is the New Testament Revised version 1881 presented to my grandmother on 6th February 1883. btw did you enjoy teaching and what age group did you teach?

[jennyjoan]

Tilly I have regretted throwing out some books of my own which I know I could refer to now. ie Irish and Algebra. Very much regret that. Thank God I still have an extensive memory of French, English, Art.

[maggiebee]

Got rid of all my school books ages ago but have all my Sunday School prize books including Star over Gobi and Deborah's Secret Quest.

[Tilly2]

Quinie, I thoroughly enjoyed the being in the classroom with the children part of teaching and the planning and the preparation of lessons. That was by far the best aspect.
I taught in Middle Schools, years 5-8, for many years and then moved into Special Education. I then went on to become a member of the county advisory team and, after retirement, taught GCSE English at the local Further Education College.
That's it in a nutshell. Thanks for asking.
Now, It's all going to the tip!

[quinie]

It's marvellous to have job satisfaction,Tilly2. lLovely to teach middle school (Primary school here in Scotland).Hope you're enjoying your well-earned retirement.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, quinie, I am. The best bit is being able to go on holiday during term time. That's a novel experience for us.

In fact, it was being away that motivated me to have a clear out. I was thinking, 'What if we don't make it back? We have so much clutter that the family will have to get rid of.'

I decided to do something about the stuffed study when we got back. It will take a bit of time though.

[shoota]

You need a puppy to cheer you up.




Yes you do!