By Crystalee Webb
Kristine Abbott”s office is all about fun. M&M candies welcome visitors who admire exclusive photos of Elvis, rows of Chevron toy cars and Disney characters, and hear a “gazooga” phone ring tone.
An avid collector, Abbott, executive secretary in the Teacher Education Department, brings her personality to work by decorating her office with her colorful collections.
“We like to personalize our offices. She has created an office space which brings her genuine joy,” said Winston Egan, chair of the Teacher Education Department who has worked with Abbott for10 years.
“I collect anything that”s fun,? Abbott said, gazing about her office, filled with mementos that voice her preferences.
The official ?Elvis Presley Blvd? sign, stack of Elvis CDs, books, pictures, mug and magnet declare Abbott?s long love for ?the King? of rock ?n? roll. Rows of toy cars and Disney figures assert that this 65-year-old grandmother is still a kid at heart.
“I”ve always been a toy person,? said Abbott with a smile. ?Even now, Santa brings me some kind of toy.”
Abbott?s self-proclaimed ?passion? is her Chevron cars. She owns every one of the 55 Chevron cars that have been released since 1996 and never misses getting the newest addition.
“The Chevron cars are the ones the grandkids enjoy the most because they get to play with them,” Abbott said.
Mother of seven, and grandmother of 12, Abbott passed on the collecting bug to her family.
“We have all the Chevron cars as well,? said Abbott”s daughter, Tawna Hall, who lives with her family on Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. ?It”s kind of something that we”ve taken up as a family.?
Abbott?s office collections are a mere taste of other collections at home. During the Christmas season, her home fills with more than 70 nativity sets from around the globe including Jerusalem, Mexico, Guatemala and the Netherlands. Each set has special significance.
“Her collections bring back fond memories for her. It reminds her of fun times when her kids were younger and ties her to her grandkids,” Hall said.
Hall?s sister, Terilyn Abbott, agrees, and remembers her mother?s collections from years ago.
“My mom has always had collections. Collecting is part of who she is,? she said. ?When I was little it was salt and pepper shakers. I remember having a whole shelf of them.”
Kristine Abbott also currently collects Fisher Price?s ?Little People,? shot glasses, spoons, books and DVDs.
