I've often said it when I see amazing things at yard sales or 2nd hand stores. Like last week I got a pretty oil painting for a dollar that was inscribed on the back. But then I like amateur art for my porch, the gift recipient possibly didn't.
I've lived in one place for over 25 years and things accumulate. I'm not good at yard sales because I can only stand to do a box or a bag at a time, not the whole house. Since some recent reno and work has disrupted several rooms, my house is looking like a hoarder house on hgtv. I've got to do something now, or give up!
Friday a friend of mine picked up a box of stuff I'd gathered together to take to her oldest grand daughter's house an hour away (friend's car was totally packed.) Gd is paralyed from the shoulders down, and she was having a yard sale to benefit a former care giver and friend of hers who has gotten a terrible illness. In my box were a couple of very nice, even moderately expensive things in perfect condition. I don't use them and they were taking up valuable space in my kitchen cupboards. If someone else loves them - so much the better. And if someone buys them from friend's gd and sells them on Ebay - then 3 people benefit - four if you count me!
Early this morning I couldn't sleep so I went and finished a closets cleaning project. I'll be giving a full garbage bag of nice clothing to the thrift store which benefits a woman's shelter in my hometown. I also found a pair of summer pants I can wear now (oops I tried them on since I wrote this - in the bag they went!), and some vintage stuff to send my niece who lives in Brooklyn NY. I did keep some dresses from the 1940s even tho I'll probably never wear them again. (I wore vintage in my youth.) Now there is space for Dh's cold weather jackets rather than the front hall. And my shoes will be with my clothes and mirror where they should be.
I felt a twinge many times in the process, "shouldn't I be selling this stuff myself and making some money?" I know I won't do it. If one of us was out of work I'm sure I'd have more incentive. As it is everything would sit in the closets and cupboards. What is important to me is to give other people the chance to use something in good condition.
Its such a relief to have things out.
Kathy
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lol, that's exactly what my daughter and i said! we've been bagging up for freecycle for most stuff, and selling expensive stuff. the last few times we had a yard sale...1)it was way too hot ..even then! 2)not enough customers, so it wasn't really worth it and 3)we brought the leftovers right back into the house! so it looks like messiest house in the country here,too...where's Niecy Nash, i need her!
ReplyDeletekudzu
I love the concept of your blog. Good for you on the decluttering. I hate when I get rid of stuff, I invariably end up wishing I hadn't. Stopped by from NEB, hope you have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteHey Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing. I can't stand hosting a garage sale. I'd rather give/donate them away.
I'm in the process of doing a closet cleanout myself. I have a lot of western things I won't and can't wear. I'm going to give them to a older lady that teaches kids. Hopefully she can hook my stuff up with some of them. I'd love to go to a show and see one of them wearing one of my things.
Oh Kathy! I'm with you (: I've found that getting rid of the stuff is much better than holding on to it. I've gone through the same thing...I could sell this! Oh, but this is worth too much to just give away! (: But as time went on, the space was more valuable than the money I might have gained. I wish you luck on your continued organization. I'm doing the same thing...room by room. Not all at once for fear I would pass out (:
ReplyDeleteMichele
XOXO
Good morning, Kathy. Did a bit of exploring this morning and this post really pushed some buttons. Post-retirement, I'm decluttering and deleting (at hubby's insistance). Like you, I go at it at a snail's pace. Ten minutes and on to something else with the full realization that by the end of the day, I will have repeated the pick over and delete process at least two more times. Process is slow but it's progress. And my spring yard sale pile is growing. What doesn't sell will go to Goodwill.
ReplyDelete