We just did a garage sale and Craigs List massive list last week. It can be alot of work! And sometimes people don't show up - or they just want stuff for free - but it is FREEING to reduce your stuff and get it to someone that can use it. It was great fun watching a group of boys pour over the CD's that no longer get listened to - and they kept asking - are these really only 50 cents! or the woman that bought our bike - her daughter really wanted her to ride with her - but she didn't really want to - but for $20. even if she tried it once - it was ok, because the investment wasn't huge, and so the story goes.
Our garage and closets are less cluttered - we have packed the remnants in boxes for the church youth garage sale and it feels great to have gotten some things to others that can use them. Try it - instead of filling up your garbage can - let someone else use what you don't anymore.
Craigslist - great place to sell items that are still in good shape
half.com - great place to sell books - especially textbooks the beginning of each semester
onesight.org - takes old glasses and redistributes
booksforafrica.org takes all kinds of books
Habitat for Humanity ReStores - take construction and building supplies
sportsgift.org - takes gently used athletic equipment
onewarmcoat.org - takes coats in October
thewomensallianceorg and careergear.org - take business attire for women looking for jobs
therootsofmusic.com - takes used music instruments
cristina.org - the National Cristina Foundation - matches your tech equipment to needs
And I'm sure the list goes on and on - but before you toss it into the trash - think - who can use this!
And remember there is always someone looking for exactly what you don't need anymore!
There is one thing about life that is always constant....change! Whether it be everyday changes that happen, some of the purposeful changes that we intentionally choose to work on or some of the changes that we don't choose to happen and we just have to deal with the new normal that results - life is always under construction!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Under Construction
So why the ladder? I have been away from blogging but wanted to get back to the premise and what I may post in blog world. Life is under construction for me - figuratively and reality wise. I've spent the last months doing projects. On myself - on my house - and as soon as I learn more about blogdom will post pictures.
I am really loving figuring out ways to repurpose things. I notice on garbage day - just how much we throw out. It seems there is no regard for how we can re-use things. I seems at times (from my realist point of view) if it's not perfect we get rid of it. We hear about how people get rid of people in their lives - they trade in for a different model for a partner. hat's happened to committment? Marketers have convimced people to get new cars every 2 years (been there, done that) Some throw out a perfectly good item that someone else needs - with no thought as to how they could find a way to give it away. Some just get rid of it because they want a 'new one'. I wanted a new light fixture after painting my kitchen - but found I could just spray paint it - it looks brand new and cost me $7, I'm trying to really watch how I deal with that whole concept. How can I update something instead of buying new. Paint - fabric - move it - so I will share ideas on that.
Also how can we take care of others with things we no longer need? If we do a home project can we donate gently used items to organizations. I'll post ideas on that.
You may find favorite recipes - gardening ideas - things that I enjoy posted. So enjoy as I share my view of the world.
I am really loving figuring out ways to repurpose things. I notice on garbage day - just how much we throw out. It seems there is no regard for how we can re-use things. I seems at times (from my realist point of view) if it's not perfect we get rid of it. We hear about how people get rid of people in their lives - they trade in for a different model for a partner. hat's happened to committment? Marketers have convimced people to get new cars every 2 years (been there, done that) Some throw out a perfectly good item that someone else needs - with no thought as to how they could find a way to give it away. Some just get rid of it because they want a 'new one'. I wanted a new light fixture after painting my kitchen - but found I could just spray paint it - it looks brand new and cost me $7, I'm trying to really watch how I deal with that whole concept. How can I update something instead of buying new. Paint - fabric - move it - so I will share ideas on that.
Also how can we take care of others with things we no longer need? If we do a home project can we donate gently used items to organizations. I'll post ideas on that.
You may find favorite recipes - gardening ideas - things that I enjoy posted. So enjoy as I share my view of the world.
Mother's Love
Since Mother's Day is just around the corner - I have all kinds of thoughts on that day! I have a mother, I am a mother.
I have a mother and she is awesome! Mind you there were days that I wouldn't have said that along my path of life - but no matter our differences which at different times seemed many - she has been a constant. She has been a great example to learn how to me a mom. I knew she would be there for me and has been there for me. I love that saying that when we hit 23 or so - all of a sudden our mothers possess great wisdom that they hadn't in many years. I went through that phase - and now that my mom is aging and I've seen her mom pass - I want to be there for her as she's always been there for me!
I am a mother - and there is really no greater love than what I feel for my kids who are now young adults. Now trust me there have been phases when I may not have liked my kids choices - or their behavior but I have always felt so priveleged to be their mom. They are amazing individuals - so very different - but also there are similiarties. Now that they are grown I miss the family dinner times and the activities - but life is all about stages and there are many.
It is really fun to see my daughter who is now a mom - and an awesome one - and to have a new kind of love to experience that I understand now. That is the love of grandchildren. And just when you think you can't love someone as much as your own kids - these little beings enter the world and they have your total heart! We talk about how much of our brain we never use - and I love finding that there are places in my heart I've never used before.
Having just spent a week with my grandbabies - my heart is full. To hear my grandaughter call me Bibi (that's my swahili name for Grandma) warms my heart. To have her giggle and snuggle and watch her discover the world and love her brother and her mama and daddy - ah - the heart melts and bursts all at the same time!
So - just saying - I'm grateful to celebrate Mother's Day, as I know some can't. Because I'm so glad to have an amazing mom to honor and totally amazing kids to be a Mom to!
I have a mother and she is awesome! Mind you there were days that I wouldn't have said that along my path of life - but no matter our differences which at different times seemed many - she has been a constant. She has been a great example to learn how to me a mom. I knew she would be there for me and has been there for me. I love that saying that when we hit 23 or so - all of a sudden our mothers possess great wisdom that they hadn't in many years. I went through that phase - and now that my mom is aging and I've seen her mom pass - I want to be there for her as she's always been there for me!
I am a mother - and there is really no greater love than what I feel for my kids who are now young adults. Now trust me there have been phases when I may not have liked my kids choices - or their behavior but I have always felt so priveleged to be their mom. They are amazing individuals - so very different - but also there are similiarties. Now that they are grown I miss the family dinner times and the activities - but life is all about stages and there are many.
It is really fun to see my daughter who is now a mom - and an awesome one - and to have a new kind of love to experience that I understand now. That is the love of grandchildren. And just when you think you can't love someone as much as your own kids - these little beings enter the world and they have your total heart! We talk about how much of our brain we never use - and I love finding that there are places in my heart I've never used before.
Having just spent a week with my grandbabies - my heart is full. To hear my grandaughter call me Bibi (that's my swahili name for Grandma) warms my heart. To have her giggle and snuggle and watch her discover the world and love her brother and her mama and daddy - ah - the heart melts and bursts all at the same time!
So - just saying - I'm grateful to celebrate Mother's Day, as I know some can't. Because I'm so glad to have an amazing mom to honor and totally amazing kids to be a Mom to!