Days 52-59

I know I haven't been very good with posting daily. Lots going on. But the mission has still been underway. I *think* we may have a buyer on the ten gallon tank setup, but not sure. If there are offers, contact. The lucky boots did not sell and the necklace and 2 pairs anthro pants are still on ebay for a few more days under angel2213101.
My friend and I did more giving and trading, and I had to get the bear to my friends sister. I still have to send stuff to her mom and other sister.
Yesterday, I have to admit on the blog, I cheated. A tooth broke and I was in severe pain. I had to get it extracted.  I checked the damned child support, and even though he only made 2 payments in 2 months, by letting it accumulate, I had enough for the emergency tooth. If it wasn't an emergency, I wouldn't have gone against my word. So, take 2 on that. The DVDs are gone except for the Office set and some of the candle holders. We've also started to make bags for a spring yard sale, even my nine year old wants to get rid of stuff. I'm glad its catching. We are looking to move in June/July, so we'll probably be getting rid of a lot. If there's something you're searching for, feel free to ask. Bet I have it or something that can help. Hey, its worth a shot, right?
I still have bins for Corinne and Renie, its been a rough month, but I haven't forgotten and hopefully in a week or so we can all get plans and schedules together. I also have to drop off the toybox to a friend, thats gone too.  Forgot it when I brought the Audrey Painting.
Start making bags, folks.  Friends are more than welcome to join the yard sale or swing on by.

Day 51 Good Friends and Good Finds

Sometimes getting rid of material items just falls into place. In high school, we all traded each others clothes and "went shopping" in our friends closets. If we really wanted to wear it again, we knew where the items were. Most of the time,  we were happy with our trade outs.
I have one pair of jeans left. A friend of mine had a whole bin of jeans and let me look for a few pairs. 3 fit perfectly. Today, I went around my drawers and closets and thought of what she would like. And the items I found... I never wear. Go figure. They're her style. They belong to her. I made an entire bag for her to pick and choose clothes and jewelry. The one necklace I asked her to take and take care of because it was a gift, but due to its content, I couldn't have it in my house anymore. Nothing dirty or crazy... just personal reasons I couldn't even hold on to it. She promised she'd take care of it and I know she will love it.
Have a trading party. You're never too old, and when you need jeans, it helps get what you need and get rid of what you don't and no one spends a dime. I have space in my drawers now. And I made sure to make my bag equal so that trading is fair. I highly recommend going back to trading.  Today I dont have just one item I'm letting go, but an entire bag. Jewelry, clothes, housewares, kitchen fun, etc. And in turn, I have 3 pairs of jeans I needed. Good friends and good finds.

Days 47-50

On a night where we all needed to get out, and I had to grab a small piece of furniture for the new fish tank ( selling the 10 gallon with hood,heater, and thermometer and filter btw. Contact if interested, north jersey local only) the man and I webt to ikea and a friend of mine and her little boy came and met up with us. I never saw ikea as a place to "hang" but we spent 3 hours there, hanging out, looking for needs and making the cutest little boy smile in a time when all of us needed a break. We felt like 14 year olds in a big toystore. It felt good.
As with giving things away, along with the 10 gallon tank setup, my friend also wanted that huge ikea piece of Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys. (Top ten greatest movies). I've had that piece for a while, and although I do love it, im not using it and dont need it. She's currently redecorating, so, you guessed it, its hers.
Still going. Feel free to contact via email about the fish tank.

Days 43-46 All You Need Is Love

If there's anyone that actually read and followed the blog, my apologies. It's been a very rough week.
Although my goal is to realize what is truly needed and wanted as far as material objects and getting rid of things, this week showed a bit more of the wants and needs for the heart and soul.
As far as giving anything away, I've made 3 donations for friends this week, amongst having a trade day with a friend to have her take what I didn't want and see what she had that I could use.
The want and need for the heart this week was being able to see an old friend, back on stage, singing in memory of a deep loss for us both. We both wanted and needed comfort. And I dont think he has ever put more heart in his music. He and his wife were a great need and want to the point I just didn't want the night to end and let them go. No material object can create that.
I also put what I could into getting myself together to get a custom order of soaps and salves done for the woman in town who loves my products and they help her skin conditions. I needed to help someone. I wanted to help someone. And this lovely woman got one hell of an awesome homemade natural basket full with all my emotions.
On Valentines Day I know I needed to get myself together. Getting the tattoo the day before was a big help. I had too many ideas and none at all simutaneously but needed and wanted to get it done. Many people think of tattooing as a randon body marking. For those of us that take it seriously, its a way to follow old traditions, mark your life, and with pain, bleed it out to make a scar that will last forever a bit easier to look at and remember. Everyone has scars from their life. I mark mine to put them out in the open, make the horrible beautiful, and wear my scars on the outside. It may seem odd or not your style, and thats fine, its not for everyone. But as I said, those of us who take it seriously consider it a very holy ritual.  I was not able to have a piece of cloth ripped for my friend, and I can't picture life without him in it so I ripped my skin and put him right where it belongs. The artist was an old friend, and mutual of my friend who passed and refused any payment. I took that money and bought yellow roses for his family. I wanted to thank them for all the love I received because of them, and I wanted yellow to not only honor a soldier, but because it is the rose of friendship and honesty.
For my family, I made a special dinner and thanked them foe being by my side and helping me through a time I have felt emptiness and completely alone. I know they're here and I love them more than life. I wanted and needed them to see that.
The pictures are the boys making me smile at the gig, the tattoo, the basket of homemade soaps, a teddy bear whose tag and shirt made me need to buy it (if you know, you know why, look at the tag) and the most important lesson... what you may want and need and can't have. My lost friend holding me about 10 years ago. These times, my most sad, is when he was there. What I want and need can't happen and I have to accept that, I know. I try to think of all the times we laughed or held each other through our troubles. I need to remember I was given a gift, even if so short lived.

With material items, it gets me even more. In the end, all these meaningless trinkets dont matter. All you need is love.

Days 41 and 42

I have to take a brief hiatus from the blog with the recent events going on. I will still keep to the project I started. What I want and need right now is nothing material. Kind of takes the whole idea to another level. For yesterday, and today I am going to do my best to put my emotions on hold and help friends and family who want and need support more than I. I have to hold off cleaning out the old computer for a bit, there's a lot of memories I can't deal with right now, but do want to find, cherish and share them with those who would appreciate them as well. In time.

Day 40

The whole point of this project is to keep up with it everyday. Some days have been trying because of ebay issues or trying to find a story behind an object. Today is just trying because after yesterday (read the blog) my brain just isn't working.
In reference to the project, now, instead of wanting to get rid of "meaningless objects", I find myself attaching to anything and everything.  It's fresh. I know wounds heal, but this one will leave a huge scar.
I really need to get myself to do something today, step one is this blog. Apologies for the lack of excitement, but its a huge step for me to even write.
I got an idea for the soap side business a few weeks ago, mainly due to my lost friend. He always opened my brain to great ideas. Last year, I sent a big care package to him overseas. He knew my care packages all too well. I do have fun making them and put a lot of fun and care into it. I thought with all the business revamping and "theme" baskets that we should do a military themed one. A basket of homemade soaps and shave bars for men and women serving with any special adds as per the family or friends request. I found bulk blank dog tags and camo paper wrap online to supply to make them. Now instead of the list of new items to make first, this will shoot to the top of the list. They will be "Scott's Overseas Care Packages". I've been trying to buy some bulk candles from a friend of a friend (ex military) that started a candle business and has been doing nothing but candles to help. Whether its veterans, Rockaway, Breezy Point... his heart is making candles and donating. I'm going to ask him for bulk prices for a specialized candle for Scott and set up the profits in an account for his soon to be son.
I have to arrange everything, but today im giving up my profits from the few sales frim this project and putting them into the supplies to make the care packages. And believe me,  these will have more care in them than most. I'm buying all I can with what's left on my paypal. Money can't bring anyone back, but a care package to a soldier overseas can go a long way. 

Day 39 The Day The Whole World Went Away

I've been blogging about getting rid of insignificant objects for those loved ones who have passed or left our lives. Yesterday, I lost a huge part of my being when a dear friend passed.
I am at a loss for words and go between crying in ways I did not know were possible and talking to my ceiling telling him all these random things that pop in my head. This person was one of my biggest hits yet, and I have lost quite a few. There is yet another piece of me missing now, that can never be replaced.

The family is asking for donations in memory to go to the wounded warrior project as he was a member of the United States Army. He has a son due in May and we just spoke on finding the Stitch doll he bought my daughter 8 years ago to send down and pass to his soon to be baby boy. 

Todays item is the Stitch doll for his son, donation to the wounded warrior project and I ordered a tree to be planted in Israel in his name to grow for his son, in his memory.

Anyone that would like to donate, the wounded warrior site has a place to click "in memory of", I ask you please put his name, Scott Ganz.

Day 38 Past is Prologue

Well, I am pleased to announce that almost everything from January is gone! Yesterday, I found a good home for the coffee maker, all 3 pairs of sunglasses, the egyptian candle holders and the toybox! I even gave my friend a few more things like a puzzle hopscotch game for her son. Her and I will have a date with Renie in March for the consignment and donation bins, which actually gives us more time and incentive to get rid of more. There's 3 items left on ebay, the Lucky Brand goatskin bomber boots, the 2 pairs of Anthropologie pants, and the Betseyville purse for charity. The only private sales left are The Office seasons 1-5 DVDs and DVD board game lot and the crystal coasters.
Now, still stuck on the necklace, I'm posting it today on the blog, and if I can get on the one working laptop, I'll be listing it on etsy instead of ebay and putting the dvd lot on craigs list. Hopefully they will all go.
For today, I have to really think about a past blog where I spoke of getting rid of insignificant items from those who have passed on. One person in particular I have several items from that are virtually meaningless to anyone except for me,  such as a purple mirror. I did give a bunch of things to his mother, but the other bins and random scatters I just can't part with yet. I'll work on it.
People don't just leave your life by death. Sometimes for one reason or another,  they just aren't around anymore. I was reminded of this when I saw some collectables still in boxes on my shelf. I was going to sell them off, but I knew of a person from my past that would light up just to receive them. I gave them to a friend of mine that knows said past friend and had her take the credit for passing them along. I don't want or need the credit and it gets 2 items out and some past gone too.  So for today, I'd rather not name the objects as I'd like to just be anonymous but I promise, they're out of my house. C'est la vie.
Moving on...

Day 37 The Necklace

Well, the computers got looked at. The two desktops have to be cleaned of files and junked and the laptops are salvagable. Today we're going to get an external hard drive and get the printer working again as well as clean out the computers and kick them to the curb so we can get a new desktop. We got a really decent price for one, so, what the hell.
I got my ebay bill yesterday.  Thirty dollars. On top of the fees they took out on two sales. Paypal did the same. Altogether ebay cost me about 50 $. The boots, purse, and pants are still listed but after that, I dont think I'll be using ebay again. The two bubble vests for girls will be split. One to the bin for the mom im giving to this friday and the other to clothing donations for charity.
The espresso maker and The Office DVDs im going to have to find homes for. I think I may offer the espresso maker to my friend who helped with the computers if he wants it as a thank you.
Chloe's fabrics are going to ship with the Chanel scarf back from the dry cleaners Friday. So, overall, things are going.
For today, I am still thinking about that necklace. I doubt I could get my money back for it or even close with the way things haven't been selling. I know, its a hard lesson to learn,  but I'd like to try. If the damned thing makes me feel that uncomfortable, why should I keep it? If anyone is interested, ill send pics privately. Im willing to get less than I paid but not too low. Contact for serious interest and pics. I'll put the money towards the desktop. If I can't,  I'll give it to my daughter, as all moms do with jewelry.  Im just afraid at 9 years old this expensive piece may ruin or get lost.  ( its already happened 3 times lol). I'd also like to throw some help to my friend whose home is destroyed by flood damage. Any sales, I will send half to her donation link.
Today I am willing and forcing myself to get rid of that necklace. Just trying to figure out how.

Day 36 Technology for Dummies

I currently have 4 computers in my house. None of them are working.
I just spoke with an old friend who does excellent IT work to see of he could come by and salvage at least the two newer laptops. I was hoping to salvage my desktop or my daughters, but they are both in the Stone Age.
I have held on to these old non working computers. Why? With the money I have spent through the years calling Geek Squad and rebuilding, I could have bought a brand new one.
I have been trying to SAVE money, even try to make a little and so far this project has wound up costing me. Who thought it would COST to get rid of stuff? Ebay, shipping,  donating... I've already spent more in 36 days than I made on two sales of a harley bracelet and Chanel scarf. That's insane.
Now I know it comes time to spend more. It is pointless to keep 4 computer fossils. So for today, I'm going to clear my files from the oldest and junk it on the curb. If the laptops don't have an easy fix, same. My daughters computer, ditto. And with some tax money, we need to get a good running computer for all of us to use. I've been blogging and running 2 businesses off of my phone for 36 days. No.
If anyone's a tech junkie and is interested in computer parts or monitors, contact before I chuck them. Here's where I get rid of 4 big objects that are worthless but hard to part with due to the cost of a new one. I have to bite the bullet here. Hopefully some more things will sell and help to go towards the family computer.
This is by far the most difficult to get rid of yet. I know its because upgrades cost, and we all do this. However, old computers are bad decoration and clutter.  If they do not work or function, that's exactly what they are, whether we like it or not. I have to say goodbye to the fossils and a good chunk of our savings,  but it needs to be done. Perfect example of the reverse. I dont want to, but I need to.

Day 35 Shreds of the Past

A while back, I had been chatting with an acquaintance of mine about our creative works and blocks. She had been doing some great work with fabrics and childrens clothes. I remembered I had a whole bin of fabrics in my storage space from my family's sewing traditions. Bright pink hawaiian fabric, pieces left over from my nursery curtains, even pieces left over from all the handsewn items my family always created. Why do I need to hold onto my nursery curtain fabric or fabric from my first Halloween?  I don't.  But im sure this artisan could make good use of it. I have yet another box to send out full of about 10 fabrics. Sew on sister! I dont need them and can't wait to see how you convert them from storage to beautiful works of art. Enjoy.

Today, the chanel scarf sold. I still have other items up on ebay and if you help sell or a buyer names you, as in the previous blogs, I'll pass along 10% of the sale as help for getting them out of here.

Ebay ID angel2213101
And please check the blog from day 32 (I think lol) to see the other private sale items to get rid of.

There's always something you have and dont need that someone else out there does. Enjoy Chloe!

Day 34 Sometimes When You Lose, You Win

Yesterday I went out all day and got a ton of errands accomplished, one of which was shipping out 3 of the gifts from the blogs. Afterwards, I set out to get a print of the weld photo from yesterday's entry. The man brought the wrong SD card and we still have to print it. I also wore the purple skirt and took some good pictures in it from another previous blog. I got a giggle because the tag said "uncivilized forever your style". After that, and the compliments, as well as the sentiment, I think I'm going to keep that one and make sure to wear it now. The other purple dress needs a good home and I'm looking for a person to pass it to.
Another story to be shared happened yesterday as I went out in search of a purple necklace to wear for the party and the skirt. I didn't need to spend much as I am trying to get rid of things and save.  My journeys took me right by an expensive jewelry shop. The woman took one look at me in a sweatshirt and jeans and told me to go somewhere and buy plastic. We went in there to look, I had just gotten my taxes in, and who knows, the man could have been trying to surprise me for Valentine's Day as he doesn't really go into the jewelry stores. The way that woman treated us was so unnerving.
Across the street was a small shop with handmade jewelry and Native American pieces. I figured I'd try and look again. As soon as I walked in I saw the perfect necklace. It couldn't have fit better. A handmade piece with a large amethyst drop. The women were so nice to me, and we chatted for quite a while. We talked about the blog, places we'd been, the story of the skirt, even my side business to which they became instant customers. I bought the necklace and promised the nice women I'd come back and say hi again. I beat myself up all day because the necklace was 118 $. How could I do that with all I am trying to accomplish? I couldn't break their hearts and go back in for a refund. I was so upset.
My phone was going off yesterday as I mentally beat myself up over the necklace. A dear friend of mine got serious damage to her home and living space from the heavy rains, In the worst of all possible times.  They cant afford to fix the problem and they cant afford to up the homeowners insurance to fix it when it rains next. They're essentially losing a home they put tons of money into and got screwed with the economic pitfall of the country like so many others. They are stuck. We started an indie go go to raise some cash to help, but all the friends that offered help, in various ways, suddenly disappeared. It hurts. This happens to all of us. We help everyone, my friends and I. We are always there for anyone who needs us but always left in the dust with zero explanation. We've been through it too many times.
I thought about that and thought on the necklace. And you know what? Im happy I bought the damned thing now. Its handmade, and one of a kind. Not to mention, these women took me in, enjoyed my company with no judgement, and want to buy my homemade work. The other woman, I wasn't good enough for. I'm tired of people like that. Im tired of people that treat others as instantly expendable because they are self centered and empty human beings. Im tired of buying huge bags full of baby gifts for a friend for it to sit here for a year because I cant even get an answer back on when to drop it off. I returned it. It hurt, but I dont need to spend all this money and time on people that flip flop. Id rather pay 118 for good people that deserve it and stay in touch or money to get my friends indie go go started because when the mans mother was sick and alone and we are 4 hours away, SHE drove around the block ASAP to check on Momma for us. Those arent just acquaintances or friends... thats family! I've had "friends" for over 20 years that I let shit on me. I've even let family break my heart. I do not need (neither do you) ANYONE that treats you as less, like the snot in the first jewelry store.
Today, find who YOU NEED. Ask yourselves this... if you were injured or sick and needed help in some way, who would be there without question? Write those names down and get rid of the rest. Sounds cold, but believe me, its better than getting repetitive hurtful treatment. I learned the hard way. I had just gotten diagnosed with MS ( on kabor day weekend). I couldn't see out of my left eye and had to get an IV at the hospital for an hours treatment. I called everyone in my phone. People I have known for decades, for a ride to the hospital. I had to delete over 40 "friends" from my phone that had a "barbeque" to attend or never returned my messages. I cried through the taxi and the entire IV as I sat there scared and alone. That was the last time. I got rid of all the crap I did not need anymore.
The quote for the day is from "What Dreams May Come". Sometimes when you lose,  you win. A wonderful movie about literally travelling to hell and back. Think hard on who would take that journey for you. I'll think on being treated like garbage at the first store and although spending,  I gained friends, customers,  and people who didn't look at me the way the first woman did. I may have lost the money and I may not have bought the "better" necklace, but I won with the way I was treated and that was worth 118 dollars to me. Give it to the non judgemental woman that made a one of a kind necklace by hand. She deserves it. Now... what do you deserve????
Never let anyone tell you in any way, shape,  or form that you're only good enough for plastic crap. Go for the people that think not only you're worth a diamond, but to them, are one.

Day 33 Framing My Life

When people walk into any home, they always look at what's on the wall. I have a lot of nice pieces and family photos, but other peoples artwork. I do not have one piece of my work hanging.  Whether I never got it framed, or it didn't fit the room, who knows. My bedroom wall is a collage of random pieces from a sidewalk artist in NYC from NOLA to 8x10 frames of creative magazine photography. It looks great, but its empty. These works aren't mine. They're not the mans or the childs... so what's the point?
I need frames for my daughter's soccer and school photos and the man came home yesterday with a photo of a "weld" to show me. It was actually a very creative photo with excellent composition and feeling.  I attached to it and want an 8x10 of it. At first, he looked at me surprised. I don't think anyone saw the beauty in his work except for him, but I see with different eyes,  and I saw art on a simple welding photograph. Things are coming down out of all these frames and instead of buying new ones and hanging more, I'm saying goodbye and putting new and more familial pieces up. I have a mixed media canvas about imagination that I did years ago and never saw any worth to it (typical artist) buty daughter did, loves it, and it will now have a home in her room.
Take a look at what's on your walls.  Is it really YOU? Or is it empty deco to fill a space? Start filling in yourselves. I'm going to.
I won't get rid of other artists works. I appreciate and love them, as I'd want mine to be loved by a buyer. But the worthless pieces, gone. Time to put up my work, the mans weld, and encourage my daughter to be imaginative and color her walls with her work instead of the fridge or an album. Plaster your walls with YOU and your home will truly be YOUR home. ;)

Day 32 Giving to Get Rid Of

With the start of the second month of the year, I'm proud I got myself to part with something everyday. I can do this! I had one ebay sale, 3 large donations and 7 gifts. Not bad. The second item I thought was sold on ebay, I got stiffed by the buyer who apparently doesn't pay other sellers either, so it will be re listed.
For today, I'd really like to push getting the January stuff gone. I'm going to finalize plans and dates this weekend to go to the consignment shop, drop the bin by Corinne, bring Valerie the painting, etc. But beyond that, I figured I could keep helping.
I am shipping 3 gifts monday free. I lowered prices on ebay and offered free shipping for buying the buy it now prices. I want these things to go before I wind up with a big pile. Oh, and in case you're wondering why I just don't donate the few items on ebay, its because I highly doubt a chanel silk scarf can come in handy for the poor and disenfranchised I also would feel it to be a spit in the face of sorts. And yes, I would like to make some cash for our house fund. Wouldn't everyone? Thought so... that's why today, I'm willing to give up a few dollars to anyone that helps sell the ebay items. I will paypal the helper 10% of the sale price. Any items not on ebay ... private sale and/or local pickup... same.
So, below is all the stuff that needs to go! You can find all the items selling on ebay under my ebay screen name, angel2213101. If its not there,  contact on the blog or via email. Make sure the buyer mentions your name so you can get your 10%!

10% to you on day 32! Share the blog and pass the links for ebay! :)