We've always had a joke in the family about "the basement." Whenever someone goes down there for something they always make sure to notify someone with the words, "If I'm not back in five minutes, send out the search team." Well, now that mom is moving to an independent living facility, the cleaning process has begun. They saved EVERYTHING! Above are two things I found that I consider treasures. I also found a Valentine card that my dad (who just passed six weeks ago) made for my mom in their early days. She's going to frame it and hang it in her new bedroom.
Check out these eyeglasses! My mom said they belonged to my great-great-grandmother. I researched them online and they date back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. A few things I found interesting:
1. They are very tiny. They measure just over four inches across.
2. There are no sides to hold them to the side of the face. The nose piece is what holds them on. Yes, I tried them on, and it was not easy to keep them there.
3. Notice the phone number on the cloth, it has five digits!
I also found this old mortgage receipt book from when my grandpa bought his house in 1950. Notice the amount of the loan.......$3505.75. And how would you like a house payment of $33.18 a month? My how times have changed! I also remember that house because I spent a lot of time there as a child. It was a very nice house. It is actually still there although it's been remodeled. When I asked my mom about it she told me that he had the house built and he paid separate for the land. But still, wow!
The clean-out will continue and I can't wait to see what other treasures we find. I'm sure there will be a few.