Friday, May 08, 2009

stuff

a well-worn path between the garage and the house


I have a love-hate relationship with garage sales. I've had 3 of them myself and have helped with many more. It's amazing all the stuff we accumulate. Yesterday I helped pull out box after box of stuff to price for my in-laws garage sale. Years and years of accumulation. I was so overwhelmed I didn't even know what box to pull first. My husband worked well through the day and into the evening. We're all exhausted and hoping for people to show up and pay to take the stuff away. This is a very important sale because they are moving. The less they have to move the better.

I did score a few items. A hand-made teapot shaped dollhouse from Scotland. I'm going to clean it up and save it for my daughter. Also a waffle-maker. I've been walking the small appliance aisle of Target for months wishing to justify the purchase of a waffle-maker. Well I guess putting it out in the universe worked because now I have a nearly new waffle-maker for free!

On the down side: I'm accumulating more stuff! Ahhh! All this packing and garage-saling is really making me want to simplify my stuff. I'm a sentimental person so it's hard to let go. But I think it can be freeing if we do let go. Life can feel a little easier if we don't have so much stuff to take care of.

8 comments:

Ashley Inzer said...

I am feeling the same way about wanting to declutter my life right now. The problem is that I can't get rid of stuff I know I might need to use one day. I hate that. Just wanted you to know you aren't alone. Also, I wanted to respond to your question you left on my blog about the ITIWJM book....i really love the book. I feel like it is totally worth buying, or at least getting from the library. I don't have a ton of time to commit to it right now so I am behind on the read-along but I am so grateful that I found the site and the book. I can already feel it changing my life. I am enjoying this communication with my new blog friend!

kompoStella said...

i'm totally with you on the want-less-stuff-but-am-sentimental explanation. and being in the process of selling my home, the urge to declutter have become a necessity...

the doll house sounds like fun!

gracehoper said...

So many times I've been wanting something, only to have it mysteriously appear at a yardsale - never nything as cool as a handmade scottish teapot shaped dollhouse though. Wow!

Camille said...

I feel the same way. I just want to clear the clutter, have more breathing room, simplify. Amazing how easy it is to bring things in and how much time it takes to move it out!!! Keep up great work clearing.
Your kindred shoe friend. PS-I am really enjoying the unravelling workshop.

Anonymous said...

Yes I am a sucker for good garage sales....but then I look around my own house knowing I need to declutter....and....well wonder why in the world I just hit up three more garage sales.....lol

Gustoso said...

Paper is heavy to move - recycle as much as you can, and donate your old books to a local library so that if you ever want it again you can borrow it out.

everyday graces said...

emmac: I'm in a recycling frenzy right now. I have been passing the books I'm done with on to friends or donating them to prevent blindness (or whoever calls for the week). There are some books that I've held on to for reference but I should take them to the library so I can always check them out...just in case. Thanks for the tip.

gm glimmerglass said...

I'm all over the trash is cash brigade right now!

Spring cleaning/clearing out took on a whole new meaning this year and I felt so happy that the 'treasures" from my last garage sale went to people who are having a hard time $$$.

They were so thrilled and grateful for my "move it out" pricing! The "anything on this tabel for a buck" spot was a big hit and kept clearing fast and needed constant reloading. This left us with no leftovers!

Good luck and have fun as things vacate your life, and leave room for more...
LIFE!