Some Old Friends Who Will Forever Be Mine

Over the past week I have been trying to "weed out" some of my collections - though I don't have large collections, by any means, I do have several!   I was beginning to fear I may end up on some sad version of "Hoarders" if I didn't get it under control...at least a little bit!   I've decided to keep most of my artist and one of a kind bears and I am going to part with most of my manufactured and figurine bears.   I have moved some of the artist bears up off of the chairs/benches and other places that humans are supposed to inhabit and they now reside on the plant shelf many, many feet above the ground (I'll need a ladder come dusting time)!

During my adventures, I gathered up some of my favorite old friends who have been with me through the years and I remember how each one came to live with me.  The little Steiff deer and the mechanical doggie were gifts from my Mom, she loved how the dog's tail turns in circles and his ball comes back to him (it's on a string and when you wind the key on his tummy, he comes alive)!  The kitty was a gift from my Sister - one night many, many years ago we were both on line browsing ebay for antique stuffies and we came across this headless kitty - we laughed for what seemed an hour and finally she bid on it.  One day a few weeks later in the mail was that headless kitty with a head she created for it!  I still laugh now when I look at that kitty!  Her dress and bonnet came from my Aunt Eileen.  The kitty puppet and the big tiger were also gifts from my Sister.  The monkey and the dolls were gifts to myself.  The little Russian boy and girl I purchased at a local antique mall and I remember carrying them around for the longest time - putting them back and then going back to pick them up again!  Finally, I just took them to the counter and purchased them!  The little wooden dolly with the silk mohair I purchased at a yard sale about 20 years ago.  I loved her clothespin style hands!  Ahhhh, sometimes it's a good thing to "weed out" the old "stuff" but not in this case!  These old friends will forever be mine!  xoxo