There is nothing much going on around here since Christmas, hence I have had little to say. I still don't have much to say, but I thought it best to check in.
Here's hoping your New Year is off to a good start and that you have managed to skirt the horrible flu that is going around. We have, and we are grateful for that (and for the flu shots.)
Molly the dog has been here visiting again yesterday and Sammy the vagabond cat came to the deck while Molly was here, but thought better of coming in, since Molly almost tore down the French doors when she saw Sammy. We thought Sammy might never darken the doorstep again, but on this frosty cold morning, he was looking in the kitchen window again. Since Molly had gone back to her home, I let him in pronto and fed the ravenous little guy, who promptly curled up on a comforter and slept for 5 hours with very little change of position.
January always puts me in a clean-up mode. I started (yet again) in my office/laundry room, which (along with the garage) has been the catch-all for the whole house for years. My mother was a pack rat and I swore I'd not be like her - but to my dismay - I'm almost worse. Mom kept clothing, dishes, kitchen utensils, costume jewelry, collectibles and anything she thought someone might need to use or own at some point in the distant future. I am a paper keeper. Books, pamphlets, leaflets, posters, art prints, old school papers, gift bags, wrapping papers, ribbons, cords, string - you name it and I probably have some. Until now.
Upon finding some old posters from the 80's that daughter one discarded years ago, I asked her if she wanted them now, to sell on eBay and she said no, "No one would want them." I thought about it for a day and decided to mention them on Facebook. Within 20 minutes, I had 4 takers; one of whom is local, making delivery easy. Later I mentioned a poster from a local event, and someone from my neighborhood wants it. It just proves my idea that everything in the world has a collector, if only you can manage to connect with that person. So much of the stuff I have collected over the years is in that category. It might be hard to find someone who needs or wants everything, though, and donating is not always the answer. Neither is a garage sale, since the odds of the typical attendee wanting my ephemera is slim at best. I just want it to go to a good home, where it will be cherished and kept for posterity. Is that too much to ask? After all, if I thought it was good enough to keep for 50 years, why not someone else???
11 comments:
I de-clutter all the time and sell as much as I can on ebay and give the rest to charity. But all it does really is make way for new junk!
Oh I hate to quote this old cliche but "One man's trash is another man's treasure" and we often encounter the truth in that.
When you see what actually sells on eBay, I wouldn't hesitate, especailly with posters.
Exactly, I'd do a garage sale but it's more work than I care for so its off the shop that supports a local free clinic.
I've never ventured to see anything on ebay, mainly because what we have to sell is usually huge and/or awkward shape and I would never get it to the post office!
But there are still piles of interesting things around our home - especially papers and pictures, old this and that!
There's a site called freecycle, where people list their give-aways in their local networks. I joined and have been surprised by how much stuff is listed and taken everyday. Check it out:
http://www.freecycle.org/
That's one area where the internet pays off ... you can get the word out and it seems like there's always someone out there for anything you might have.
Glad you are keeping 'flu free. Nice to see you at the scrabble board even if you do use ridiculously long words.
I'm jealous!
Amazing that you easily found homes for emphemera.
Reminded me to search out some 1970s paper doll books tucked away here. They are selling on ebay for many times what I paid. The Archies are the most amazing one; selling for more than Barbie.
To think I let a little visitor cut up Princess Diana in her early days!
We also have way too much stuff. Our biggest problem is books – we may have 5000 or more – and it is hard to give them away. We also have accumulation from years of living in the same house. But, as you, I’m really going to get a handle on this. I need to do a triage then I may try to sell some on Ebay – it must not be so hard.
I need to get going on my clear out for this year. I did make a start but was easily distracted. I never think of selling items, First refusal goes to young folk starting out on their own, anything left goes to charity shops.
Grannymar
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