What: Contents of a Ziploc bag of scarves.
Origin: Desire to add color to a corporate wardrobe, circa 1995.
How long kept: Various, late 80's and early 90's.
Last Used: 1996? 1998?
Why kept: I Might Need Them. They Might Be Useful. Nostalgia.
Destination: Housing Works.
Confession: I'm not really home and blogging, and neither is "M".
We're each away on weekends.
This stuff is really gone, yet my smartphone is too dumb to let me
upload some posts from "S", who looks to be hard at work in Beacon.
Stay tuned for some high quality evidence of her ability to detach!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Out of Time
What: Clock.
Origin: College dorm room.
Usage: Not since the early 80's.
How long kept: Ditto.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful; Nostalgia; Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Housing Works.
Origin: College dorm room.
Usage: Not since the early 80's.
How long kept: Ditto.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful; Nostalgia; Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Housing Works.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Mas grande
What: pretty tank that is too large
Last used: last week
Why kept: I might wear it. I hope it won't fit
Destination: giveaway (free for all or Amvets)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Last used: last week
Why kept: I might wear it. I hope it won't fit
Destination: giveaway (free for all or Amvets)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Wanted: Dead or Alive
What: Reward Coupon.
Origin: Thwarted desire for cash rewards.
Usage: I did cash a few of these in, before quitting the club. One more arrived after that.
How long kept: About 5 weeks.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: Shredder.
Rant: Is it worth $3 of my time to schlep to Staples to use this? How much of my attention is it worth to remember that I have it? What if I had to drive to the store.
Uh uh. I'm done. And Staples, I'm kind of annoyed with you, too. Is that the feeling you want a rewards program to generate?
Origin: Thwarted desire for cash rewards.
Usage: I did cash a few of these in, before quitting the club. One more arrived after that.
How long kept: About 5 weeks.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: Shredder.
Rant: Is it worth $3 of my time to schlep to Staples to use this? How much of my attention is it worth to remember that I have it? What if I had to drive to the store.
Uh uh. I'm done. And Staples, I'm kind of annoyed with you, too. Is that the feeling you want a rewards program to generate?
Guest Post: Unused, unneeded, unwanted...what is it??
"I remember tinfoil on rabbit ears, and it was more attractive than this ugly beige plastic accoutrement to my old PC that I never used. I refuse to turn my computer into my entertainment center, so any antennas or earplugs or microphones or whatever extra ways there are to plug you in to tune you out to real life have been stashed in a box in the basement. This goes into the tech pile for future delivery to recycling."
Thanks, "S"!
Thanks, "S"!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
This has got to be the last one!!
I know I've said this about sunscreen but this has really got to be the last maternity shirt. Well, it's a cardigan actually.
Last used: last fall
Origin: 2005
Why kept: it blended in the black section of my closet :) out of sight
Destination: Amvets or the free for all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Last used: last fall
Origin: 2005
Why kept: it blended in the black section of my closet :) out of sight
Destination: Amvets or the free for all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Dress You Up
What: Vintage dress. (Well, 2 actually.)
Origin: Left behind. See confession.
Usage: I tried it on from time to time, but it was not flattering.
How long kept: 25 years.
Why kept: Guilt. See confession. Also, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, and Storage Boxes are Evil. Finally, It Might be Useful.
Destination: "S," along with a cute sundress.
Confession: Back in the summer of 1984, I took a job at the the University of Chicago, and sublet an awesome apartment in Hyde Park from an extremely spoiled law school student. At the end of the summer, she decided not to return to school -- there was drama -- and she had a friend come move her stuff out of the apartment. I stayed. He left this dress and a few other items (one of which will appear on these pages later). At some point during the move, she showed up, too. There were tears. I never heard from her again.
This dress is beautifully made, I think by a real dressmaker sometime in the 60s. The fabric is a very sturdy silk (maybe rayon, but I don't think so) and the finish inside the dress is so beautiful that you could practically wear it inside out.
I have always felt a little bit guilty about having this. Though is it my fault? Who sublets an apartment and leaves clothes in the closet? Who delegates an apartment move to a friend? (Boy, that was a good friend.)
At any rate, I thought it would be gorgeous on "S." (And there was another dress from the Evil Storage Box for "S", too...more of a daytime dress, a thrift store or tag sale treasure.)
Thanks, "S," for lightening my load.
Origin: Left behind. See confession.
Usage: I tried it on from time to time, but it was not flattering.
How long kept: 25 years.
Why kept: Guilt. See confession. Also, Out of Sight, Out of Mind, and Storage Boxes are Evil. Finally, It Might be Useful.
Destination: "S," along with a cute sundress.
Confession: Back in the summer of 1984, I took a job at the the University of Chicago, and sublet an awesome apartment in Hyde Park from an extremely spoiled law school student. At the end of the summer, she decided not to return to school -- there was drama -- and she had a friend come move her stuff out of the apartment. I stayed. He left this dress and a few other items (one of which will appear on these pages later). At some point during the move, she showed up, too. There were tears. I never heard from her again.
This dress is beautifully made, I think by a real dressmaker sometime in the 60s. The fabric is a very sturdy silk (maybe rayon, but I don't think so) and the finish inside the dress is so beautiful that you could practically wear it inside out.
I have always felt a little bit guilty about having this. Though is it my fault? Who sublets an apartment and leaves clothes in the closet? Who delegates an apartment move to a friend? (Boy, that was a good friend.)
At any rate, I thought it would be gorgeous on "S." (And there was another dress from the Evil Storage Box for "S", too...more of a daytime dress, a thrift store or tag sale treasure.)
Thanks, "S," for lightening my load.
Not so soapy soap
I'll fix this but it is gone
What; Soap
Why kept: It was a gift from....
Last used: A few days prior to posting. I let the boy use it. I decided why keep the pretty soap if you aren't going to use it?!? So we started using it. It wasn't so sudsy anymore so ... buhbye
Destination: Trash
confession: I have another still wrapped in plastic. We are working our way a Mickey mouse soap right now.
What; Soap
Why kept: It was a gift from....
Last used: A few days prior to posting. I let the boy use it. I decided why keep the pretty soap if you aren't going to use it?!? So we started using it. It wasn't so sudsy anymore so ... buhbye
Destination: Trash
confession: I have another still wrapped in plastic. We are working our way a Mickey mouse soap right now.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Guest Post: Appliance Manuals no longer apply
"My old dryer died on me about 2 years ago (it lasted about 13 years and came with the house), so I replaced it with a very simple GE dryer for just me and my cats--all the bells and whistles on this stuff they try and sell? They do everything but make dinner and show a movie. Crazy! On. Off. A Timer. Simple, and not too hard on the wallet. This is in paper recycling. (I DO kinda like that B&W abstract-y illustration there. Looks like something I did in high school)."
How dry you are, "S"...
How dry you are, "S"...
Le Smoking
What: A gigantic smoking jacket. See confession.
Origin: Thrift-store madness.
Usage: I sincerely hope not.
How long kept: Since the early/mid-80s.
Why kept: Other than the fact that I clearly have "issues", mostly Out of Sight, Out of Mind. And, Storage Boxes Are Evil: while this is Vintage, it is not Cool. But it was in the aforementioned box of vintage clothing items.
Destination: Since I don't know LeBron James or other man large enough (or fashion backwards enough) to wear it, Housing Works. In another of the nearly depleted stash of shopping bags!
Confession: This goes way beyond any sort of reasonable "Big Jacket" style of the 80s. I measured it, it's 36 inches long. I don't stand far north of 60 inches, so I sincerely apologize to anyone who ever even saw me try this on. Hopefully I never sported it.
Confession, part deux: It smells musty, yet retains a dry cleaning tag. So I imagine that, while it was technically put away clean, it still harbors smoke from -- well -- not exactly, Cromwell's time. Eew.
Confession, part trois: The eagle-eyed reader will note the Baskin, Chicago label...not only have I paid rent on this item for the last 25+ years, I also paid to move it across the country.
Confession, continued: While I did find the dress for "S" (or if she doesn't love it, someone else), and pulled out a couple more items to blog...there is still a storage box containing vintage clothing I'm not ready to release. But that I'm highly unlikely to ever wear again.
Aargh.
Origin: Thrift-store madness.
Usage: I sincerely hope not.
How long kept: Since the early/mid-80s.
Why kept: Other than the fact that I clearly have "issues", mostly Out of Sight, Out of Mind. And, Storage Boxes Are Evil: while this is Vintage, it is not Cool. But it was in the aforementioned box of vintage clothing items.
Destination: Since I don't know LeBron James or other man large enough (or fashion backwards enough) to wear it, Housing Works. In another of the nearly depleted stash of shopping bags!
Confession: This goes way beyond any sort of reasonable "Big Jacket" style of the 80s. I measured it, it's 36 inches long. I don't stand far north of 60 inches, so I sincerely apologize to anyone who ever even saw me try this on. Hopefully I never sported it.
Confession, part deux: It smells musty, yet retains a dry cleaning tag. So I imagine that, while it was technically put away clean, it still harbors smoke from -- well -- not exactly, Cromwell's time. Eew.
Confession, part trois: The eagle-eyed reader will note the Baskin, Chicago label...not only have I paid rent on this item for the last 25+ years, I also paid to move it across the country.
Confession, continued: While I did find the dress for "S" (or if she doesn't love it, someone else), and pulled out a couple more items to blog...there is still a storage box containing vintage clothing I'm not ready to release. But that I'm highly unlikely to ever wear again.
Aargh.
Monday, July 26, 2010
None Of My Business
What: Another business book!
Origin: Kissing client backside -- bought it despite my rule about business books,* because I was going to meet with someone who had something to do with creating this book.
Usage: I read it cover to cover. It was a pretty good book. Actually, excellent, in that the advice was values based stuff that is pretty classic. This one should stand up pretty well.
How long kept: About 3 weeks.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: I passed it along to another client.
*Justification: This book was not available at the NYPL, or in digital form.
Origin: Kissing client backside -- bought it despite my rule about business books,* because I was going to meet with someone who had something to do with creating this book.
Usage: I read it cover to cover. It was a pretty good book. Actually, excellent, in that the advice was values based stuff that is pretty classic. This one should stand up pretty well.
How long kept: About 3 weeks.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: I passed it along to another client.
*Justification: This book was not available at the NYPL, or in digital form.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"My corns are killin' me"
Does anyone remember the line in 16 Candles when Sam asks Grandma and Grandpa how they are doing? They have a laundry list and corns I believe were one of their ailments. Perhaps they could use these old things
What: corn pads
Where: in "the drawer". It seems to be a bottomless pit of "stuff"
Last used: The Hubby ans I used to share this bathroom until we rehab-ed the other one. That was about 5+ years ago
Why kept: out of sight and they might be useful. Personally I think the Hubby should go to a podiatrist to have his corns looked at. Otherwise he's going to sound like grandpa in 16 Candles
Destination: trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
What: corn pads
Where: in "the drawer". It seems to be a bottomless pit of "stuff"
Last used: The Hubby ans I used to share this bathroom until we rehab-ed the other one. That was about 5+ years ago
Why kept: out of sight and they might be useful. Personally I think the Hubby should go to a podiatrist to have his corns looked at. Otherwise he's going to sound like grandpa in 16 Candles
Destination: trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Guest Post: see/sea you in september...see you when the summer's thru
"This is a tin from when I was in my seashell stage of bathroom decor--mid-70s. It held hair barrettes and bands in my closet until now, and as I prepared to toss into metal recycling, I noticed it was not made in China but England. So it deserves a shot at "Two Bucks or I Chuck" yard sale this September."
Vintage, indeed! Thanks, "S," for posting.
Vintage, indeed! Thanks, "S," for posting.
Coffee Break
Origin: Long forgotten tag-sale or thrift shop, and love of mid-century design.
How long kept/usage: Easily 25 years. I'm not sure that I ever used it for its intended purpose. It may have been out on display in some long distant past -- and I mean mid 80s.
Why kept: Because it's Cool/Vintage. And failing that, It Might Be Worth Something. Finally, it was on a top shelf in my kitchen cabinets; I need to stand on a ladder or on the counter to reach what's up there, so Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Housing Works, in yet another shopping bag from the still dwindling stash. Along with a very nice logo-tshirt from a former employer. (Like the logo mug from the same employer, the t-shirt generated some Nostalgia, and not the happy kind.)
Confession: Yes, I checked Ebay. These were going for around $25. Not worth the bother of figuring out how to ship it so that it will arrive in one piece.
Bonus: When I dropped this at Housing Works, I was able to visit some of my donations, up for sale. It is really, really nice to see, directly, that the stuff I'm taking to HW is actually providing fuel for good works.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Coding out
What: huggies codes. If you enter these @ their site you can earn free stuff
How long kept: a few months
Why: free stuff!!!!
Destination: codes entered and then trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
How long kept: a few months
Why: free stuff!!!!
Destination: codes entered and then trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Guest Post: no longer tying me back
"Fabric tiebacks for the type of window treatments I attempted back in Brooklyn, early 90s? Was that called Swag? (Not the kind A. refers to). I never really got the hang of tying muslin into poufy swaggy knots, despite having to illustrate them for Family Circle. Into the yard sale bag; I am sure there's a Martha wannabe lurking in Beacon somewhere."
Changing The Acquisition Game
What: Business Book.
Origin: Desire to be smart.
How long kept: Probably 12 years. See confession.
Why kept: I might refer to it, and thus It Might Be Useful. And, invisible in plain sight on my bookshelf: Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. Finally, I might sell it on Amazon, and thus It Might Be Worth Something.
Destination: Housing Works, along with a fashion error -- a severe one -- from the summer of '09, and some power pop CDs.
Confession: I don't know if I even finished reading this one...and it was pricey. Recommended by a b-school classmate I was hoping to do some consulting work with, back in the day.
Confession, part deux: Today I deleted the Amazon listing I made about 7 weeks ago. Thus, it is not worth anything. (Sigh, I left another one up there, though.)
Commitment: Having tossed so many business books during the course of this project (and before it), I've determined that all new acquisitions in this category will be via the Kindle or other e-format...and then only if I can't get them from the NY Public Library.
Origin: Desire to be smart.
How long kept: Probably 12 years. See confession.
Why kept: I might refer to it, and thus It Might Be Useful. And, invisible in plain sight on my bookshelf: Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. Finally, I might sell it on Amazon, and thus It Might Be Worth Something.
Destination: Housing Works, along with a fashion error -- a severe one -- from the summer of '09, and some power pop CDs.
Confession: I don't know if I even finished reading this one...and it was pricey. Recommended by a b-school classmate I was hoping to do some consulting work with, back in the day.
Confession, part deux: Today I deleted the Amazon listing I made about 7 weeks ago. Thus, it is not worth anything. (Sigh, I left another one up there, though.)
Commitment: Having tossed so many business books during the course of this project (and before it), I've determined that all new acquisitions in this category will be via the Kindle or other e-format...and then only if I can't get them from the NY Public Library.
OMG are you kidding me!?!
What: More sunscreen!!!
Where found: in the same drawer where the other lotion was hiding. This lotion was hiding under some of the hubby's disposable razors (which may bless this blog)
How long kept: expired in 2007
Why: out of site
Destination: I hate throwing it in the trash but... That it where I'm putting it
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Where found: in the same drawer where the other lotion was hiding. This lotion was hiding under some of the hubby's disposable razors (which may bless this blog)
How long kept: expired in 2007
Why: out of site
Destination: I hate throwing it in the trash but... That it where I'm putting it
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Friday, July 23, 2010
Pan handling
What: 9 x 9 non stick pan
Why kept: it was useful until the last wash when not even the non-stick coating was sticking to the pan
Last used: it was rinsed after I made a berry crumble. The only think that would have improved the berry dish is vanilla ice cream
Destination: recycle
Confession: this will be replaced
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Why kept: it was useful until the last wash when not even the non-stick coating was sticking to the pan
Last used: it was rinsed after I made a berry crumble. The only think that would have improved the berry dish is vanilla ice cream
Destination: recycle
Confession: this will be replaced
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Guest Post: Meow-t!
"Cast iron bank that was part of a cat collection of knickknacks. Probably in my stash since the mid-late 1970s? Found behind the washing machine, so a little shy, but I am sure with the right owner, will settle down and be a loving companion. Off to the yard sale bag."
"S", luckily, "M" and I will be able to prevent our mom from traveling East to the "2 Buck Or I Chuck" yard sale...otherwise, we'd surely inherit this sweet cat. (But not for a good 25+ years, minimum!)
"S", luckily, "M" and I will be able to prevent our mom from traveling East to the "2 Buck Or I Chuck" yard sale...otherwise, we'd surely inherit this sweet cat. (But not for a good 25+ years, minimum!)
It's a Bust!
What: Dress shaper.
Origin: Fancy dry cleaner, for a big evening item, a pouffy skirted dress.
How long kept: Hmmm. Probably since sometime early in this century. And, see confession.
Why kept: Out of Sight, Out of Mind. See confession.
Destination: "Bust" and tissue paper, recycling. Hanger will be pressed into service in my closet...down the road, will possibly recycled to the cleaners.
Confession: I went into my closet to look for a cocktail dress I thought that "S" might like. And, busted, found this hanging, empty, inside a gigantor, slightly dusty, drycleaning bag. The dress, which I removed from the bust to wear to a friend's glam 40th birthday party, was hanging on another hanger nearby.
My friend? She's now 43.
And the dress I thought that "S" might like? MIA. I think it's in a, you know, storage box. Storage Boxes are Evil.
Aargh.
Origin: Fancy dry cleaner, for a big evening item, a pouffy skirted dress.
How long kept: Hmmm. Probably since sometime early in this century. And, see confession.
Why kept: Out of Sight, Out of Mind. See confession.
Destination: "Bust" and tissue paper, recycling. Hanger will be pressed into service in my closet...down the road, will possibly recycled to the cleaners.
Confession: I went into my closet to look for a cocktail dress I thought that "S" might like. And, busted, found this hanging, empty, inside a gigantor, slightly dusty, drycleaning bag. The dress, which I removed from the bust to wear to a friend's glam 40th birthday party, was hanging on another hanger nearby.
My friend? She's now 43.
And the dress I thought that "S" might like? MIA. I think it's in a, you know, storage box. Storage Boxes are Evil.
Aargh.
Yow get off my back
Okay it's not a water pic shower head, but it's Off
How long kept: 3 + years
Why kept: is it still good if there's no exp date? Out of sight
Destination trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
How long kept: 3 + years
Why kept: is it still good if there's no exp date? Out of sight
Destination trash
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Low Potential
Origin: Disorganization.
How long kept: Probably since April, when it surfaced in a stash of electronic flotsam. We got rid of the monitor in December.
Why kept: Because I might mail it to the guy who bought the monitor on eBay, if only "M" would turn up his email address. It Might Be Useful.
Destination: NYC landfill, baby.
Confession: In Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
June Cleaver doesn't live here anymore
"This 1950s apron was a gift from a good friend maybe 6 years ago, and I did wear it a few times. (I do enjoy hostessing and using my vintage linens). I've decided my kitchen doesn't need any more kitsch, and I myself am vintage enough. I don't need any more ecoutrements. This will hopefully fetch $2 at my tag sale from some young Beacon hipster locavore who will wear it while serving strawberry shortcake with whole wheat biscuits and organic strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Yum."
"S," I am so not allowed anywhere near Beacon around the time of the 2 Buck or I Chuck tag sale. Textiles, whoa, oh so graduate level!
"S," I am so not allowed anywhere near Beacon around the time of the 2 Buck or I Chuck tag sale. Textiles, whoa, oh so graduate level!
Kindred Spirit: The Great American Apparel Diet
Here's a link to a group of women (and a couple of men?) who made a commitment to stop buying new clothes, The Great American Apparel Diet. They started last September, but it looks like people can join any time.
It's funny, saucy and a similar exercise to what we're doing here, only they are focusing on not bringing more stuff in rather than getting rid of stuff.
I've definitely found myself facing a business meeting, a conference, etc. with the thought that I don't have anything suitable to wear. This is one of those points of distress, where running out to buy something creates a form of escape. (As Randy Frost calls it in Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things.)
As it turns out -- and this is also a teaching and learning of meditation -- escape does not create solutions.
Alternately, though, I've been questioning the thought, "I don't have anything suitable to wear," by asking "Is this true?" And then looking in my closet. I actually have more to wear than I need.
Duh.
And P.S. Freaky, this was in the NY Times online today, which I checked after finishing this post and while finishing my coffee...on my way to starting my work!
It's funny, saucy and a similar exercise to what we're doing here, only they are focusing on not bringing more stuff in rather than getting rid of stuff.
I've definitely found myself facing a business meeting, a conference, etc. with the thought that I don't have anything suitable to wear. This is one of those points of distress, where running out to buy something creates a form of escape. (As Randy Frost calls it in Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
As it turns out -- and this is also a teaching and learning of meditation -- escape does not create solutions.
Alternately, though, I've been questioning the thought, "I don't have anything suitable to wear," by asking "Is this true?" And then looking in my closet. I actually have more to wear than I need.
Duh.
Lotion issues..
Hi my name is "M" and I have a lotion problem
What: more bath and body works lotion
Last used: about 2005. Juniper isn't good for pregnant women so I put it away when I was preggers in '05
Why kept: smells so nice and out of site hidden in the very back of a drawer where I store my hair dryer (which I used several times a week)
Destination: garbage
Well the Kid is getting into everything and thanks to this project, I have emptied the bottom drawer under the bathroom sink. The Kid loves to open it and put a toy in and then close it. I still was shocked when I found this lotion. Wow I guess I should pull the drawer all the way out and see what else is in there :). Tomorrow. G'night all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
What: more bath and body works lotion
Last used: about 2005. Juniper isn't good for pregnant women so I put it away when I was preggers in '05
Why kept: smells so nice and out of site hidden in the very back of a drawer where I store my hair dryer (which I used several times a week)
Destination: garbage
Well the Kid is getting into everything and thanks to this project, I have emptied the bottom drawer under the bathroom sink. The Kid loves to open it and put a toy in and then close it. I still was shocked when I found this lotion. Wow I guess I should pull the drawer all the way out and see what else is in there :). Tomorrow. G'night all
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Penny Saved
What: $12.51 in small change. Very small.
Origin: Ergonomic awareness. See confession.
How long kept: Probably 4 months?
Usage: Not so much.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: Lunch. (Along with a pint of local, organic berries. With a couple of bucks to spare.)
Confession: I dump my change purse every few days to avoid carrying an overly heavy bag. Recently, the little plate where I keep the change runneth over.
One of the local bank branches has a free change counting machine. It's just a matter of remembering to take it over there, which I did today.
Origin: Ergonomic awareness. See confession.
How long kept: Probably 4 months?
Usage: Not so much.
Why kept: It Might Be Useful.
Destination: Lunch. (Along with a pint of local, organic berries. With a couple of bucks to spare.)
Confession: I dump my change purse every few days to avoid carrying an overly heavy bag. Recently, the little plate where I keep the change runneth over.
One of the local bank branches has a free change counting machine. It's just a matter of remembering to take it over there, which I did today.
J&J Baby Soap
What: Baby Soap
Why kept: It might be useful and desire for a clean baby
Destination: Regifting for a baby shower
How long kept: I think it was a gift from friends for The Kid, so it was kept less than a year
I forgot to photo it before it went to the shower. I don't care for this "flavor" of baby wash. I like the lavendar one better or even better yet, Burt's bee balm baby wash. Another thing Flylady says goes something like this, "You are not behind, just jump right in where you are."
Guest Post: what was lurking in the basement
"Toxic bleach, drain cleaners, etc. Found in the basement on a shelf, all from the previous owner (except I plead guilty to the drain opener stuff.) I've switched to Bio-Clean for drains (expensive, but not as much as the local plumber's hourly rate). Pledge never was my floor cleaner of choice--I use Shaklee Basic H or Murphy's Oil soap. This all goes to the next Dutchess County toxic drop-off but until then it is banished to the garage."
Go, "S"!!!
Go, "S"!!!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Pushing These Envelopes
What: Used envelopes, saved for re-use.
Origin: Desire to live a kelly green lifestyle.
Usage: Not at all.
How long kept: One, probably 3-4 months; the other about 3 weeks.
Why kept: Guilt. They Might Be Useful. I Might Need Them.
Destination: I've pushed these envelopes right through my shredder; final destination, recycling.
Confession: "M", is it "Fly Lady" that talks about clutter hot spots? I have 3 -- one for my work stuff, one for craft stuff, and the other for yoga files. I totally cleared my craft stuff away, putting some of it into a repurposed storage box.
Sigh, I know that Storage Boxes are Evil. But not as evil as the small-ish mound of craft stuff that was on my dining room table.
Funny thing, it seemed much bigger than it actually was. All from projects I've been working on completing in recent weeks, it fit into a small box, about the size of 2 shoeboxes. And at the same time I sorted out a stack of mailing envelopes, and repurposed part of my ever-emptying hall closet shelf. (Still far emptier than it was when we started this project!)
I found two more shopping bags. Sigh. The dwindling stash of shopping bags grew...
Origin: Desire to live a kelly green lifestyle.
Usage: Not at all.
How long kept: One, probably 3-4 months; the other about 3 weeks.
Why kept: Guilt. They Might Be Useful. I Might Need Them.
Destination: I've pushed these envelopes right through my shredder; final destination, recycling.
Confession: "M", is it "Fly Lady" that talks about clutter hot spots? I have 3 -- one for my work stuff, one for craft stuff, and the other for yoga files. I totally cleared my craft stuff away, putting some of it into a repurposed storage box.
Sigh, I know that Storage Boxes are Evil. But not as evil as the small-ish mound of craft stuff that was on my dining room table.
Funny thing, it seemed much bigger than it actually was. All from projects I've been working on completing in recent weeks, it fit into a small box, about the size of 2 shoeboxes. And at the same time I sorted out a stack of mailing envelopes, and repurposed part of my ever-emptying hall closet shelf. (Still far emptier than it was when we started this project!)
I found two more shopping bags. Sigh. The dwindling stash of shopping bags grew...
You know, you can toss this (you know that you can) yes I can, yes I can-can!
You know, you can toss this (you know that you can) yes I can, yes I can-can!
Originally uploaded by heywattsky
Hah, we all have the same stuff, "S"! Keys, I have a small cache of them as well...some belong to the actual apartments of my friends, but maybe not the ones they're living in now. Sigh. Thanks for posting.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Eat it up (like "Add it up" Violent Femmes
I ate one, one one cuz I'm hungry
Two two two to get rid of it...
What Cap'n crunch like Kashi
Why kept: it is yummy
How long kept: in a ziploc for about a month since the last time I ate some.
Destination: my tummy :)
I'm playing catch up. We've had a crazy week but I have been putting things aside to blog. Sigh... I'll have multiple posts the next few days (I hope!)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Two two two to get rid of it...
What Cap'n crunch like Kashi
Why kept: it is yummy
How long kept: in a ziploc for about a month since the last time I ate some.
Destination: my tummy :)
I'm playing catch up. We've had a crazy week but I have been putting things aside to blog. Sigh... I'll have multiple posts the next few days (I hope!)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Shaker Hymn
What: "'Tis the Gift to be Simple, 'Tis the Gift to be Free.." of these mid-century cocktail shakers.
Origin: Addictive Behavior. Hello, my name is "A", and I'm a tagsaleaholic. (Hello, "A")
How long kept: Easily 20 years.
Usage: Not so much.
Why kept: Back in the day, I thought I might use these as decoration. (They Might Be Useful.) See confession.
Destination: Housing Works, in yet another of the ever shallower shopping bag stash. (Where They Might Actually Be Useful in one of Housing Works' clever displays!)
Confession: They are Cool/Vintage, yet my appetite for kitsch in my kitch is much lower these days. When I checked to see if They Might Be Worth Something, I found that they weren't: in the event I ever miss these items, I can buy back respectable replicas on eBay for under 10 bucks.
Let the shedding of unused tag sale treasures begin!
Origin: Addictive Behavior. Hello, my name is "A", and I'm a tagsaleaholic. (Hello, "A")
How long kept: Easily 20 years.
Usage: Not so much.
Why kept: Back in the day, I thought I might use these as decoration. (They Might Be Useful.) See confession.
Destination: Housing Works, in yet another of the ever shallower shopping bag stash. (Where They Might Actually Be Useful in one of Housing Works' clever displays!)
Confession: They are Cool/Vintage, yet my appetite for kitsch in my kitch is much lower these days. When I checked to see if They Might Be Worth Something, I found that they weren't: in the event I ever miss these items, I can buy back respectable replicas on eBay for under 10 bucks.
Let the shedding of unused tag sale treasures begin!
Guest Post: out of my clutches
"Ugh...did I really make this? I do remember the fabric, from 1976--country-cute polyester. Nice antique button. Cotton lace. I think it was to be a gift, but luckily never made it out of the aborted craft bin. I'll try and unload at my Sept.yardsale. I mean, I DID put some work into this. Just don't look too closely :) Meanwhile, it is in "storage.""
"S", this is a home run. You didn't deconstruct it to save the good bits for later (It Might Be Useful), you just said, "Buh-bye." Yes!
"S", this is a home run. You didn't deconstruct it to save the good bits for later (It Might Be Useful), you just said, "Buh-bye." Yes!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Guest Post: fading fashions
"Xeroxed art from the land of paper (20 years old). Was saving, because portfolios used to be hauled around. Now it's mostly online, and this is no longer necessary, so I recycle. I have the originals of the two on the left, the other was a job for Land's End t-shirts for kids. Art vs. Commerce. Why can't we all just get along?"
Thanks, "S", for another beacon from Beacon.
Thanks, "S", for another beacon from Beacon.
Kicking Glass
What: An assortment of small glass containers, some I think were odd punch cups. (Also, one stray candle holder and a shot glass.)
Usage: Probably not much in this century, see confession.
How long kept: Since the early/mid-90s.
Why kept: They Might Be Useful. Nostalgia. They're Perfectly Good.
Destination: Housing Works.
Confession: In the 90s, these were pressed into frequent service in my home, holding votive candles, particularly during dinners with friends and other opportunities to entertain. Like a trend, it passed...and I also became more aware of fire safety, too, and curtailed my use of candles in the house.
I can probably name 3 times in the last 10 years I've pulled them out of the top shelf of my kitchen cabinet to wash them. (How does dust get into these usually closed cabinets?) Each time I've put them back into the cabinets.
(And I need to stand on either a ladder or on the kitchen counter to access this shelf. I'm petite. So nothing stored up there is getting frequent use.)
Confession, part deux: There are another 15 or 20 votive candle holders up there.
Sticky.
Bonus: This stuff is heading over to Housing Works in one of the bags from the dwindling shopping bag stash.
P.S. The other day, I floated to the top of the NYPL waiting list for Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things, by Randy Frost and Gail Steketee. This book got a bit of press earlier in the year, and I had wanted to read it. Something I read this morning prompted me to clamber up onto the kitchen counter and get another bunch of votive holders down...they're gone now, too.
Worth reading, and I'll come back to it. In short, some of the people who have serious problems with stuff are considering their stuff in some of the same terms we are here (i.e. It Might Be Useful, Someone Might Need It, Guilt. etc.) They're thinking the same thoughts we are, about a lot more of their stuff.
Usage: Probably not much in this century, see confession.
How long kept: Since the early/mid-90s.
Why kept: They Might Be Useful. Nostalgia. They're Perfectly Good.
Destination: Housing Works.
Confession: In the 90s, these were pressed into frequent service in my home, holding votive candles, particularly during dinners with friends and other opportunities to entertain. Like a trend, it passed...and I also became more aware of fire safety, too, and curtailed my use of candles in the house.
I can probably name 3 times in the last 10 years I've pulled them out of the top shelf of my kitchen cabinet to wash them. (How does dust get into these usually closed cabinets?) Each time I've put them back into the cabinets.
(And I need to stand on either a ladder or on the kitchen counter to access this shelf. I'm petite. So nothing stored up there is getting frequent use.)
Confession, part deux: There are another 15 or 20 votive candle holders up there.
Sticky.
Bonus: This stuff is heading over to Housing Works in one of the bags from the dwindling shopping bag stash.
P.S. The other day, I floated to the top of the NYPL waiting list for Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things, by Randy Frost and Gail Steketee. This book got a bit of press earlier in the year, and I had wanted to read it. Something I read this morning prompted me to clamber up onto the kitchen counter and get another bunch of votive holders down...they're gone now, too.
Worth reading, and I'll come back to it. In short, some of the people who have serious problems with stuff are considering their stuff in some of the same terms we are here (i.e. It Might Be Useful, Someone Might Need It, Guilt. etc.) They're thinking the same thoughts we are, about a lot more of their stuff.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Batting Up
What: Scraps of quilt batting and other "interesting" fabric odds and ends.
How long kept: Probably about a year or so.
Why kept: I might use them in one of my quilting projects, and thus They Might Be Useful; I Might Need Them.
Destination: Textile recycling.
Confession: After getting back from the recycling drop at the Greenmarket, I found another small scrappy stash.
Sigh. Good Crafting Intentions Gone Bad.
How long kept: Probably about a year or so.
Why kept: I might use them in one of my quilting projects, and thus They Might Be Useful; I Might Need Them.
Destination: Textile recycling.
Confession: After getting back from the recycling drop at the Greenmarket, I found another small scrappy stash.
Sigh. Good Crafting Intentions Gone Bad.
Guest Post: bye bye burberry
"Stuff I did for Burberry's re-opening in 2001-2. Photos of visual display, labels for the Mad Tea Cup which was in the 57th St. store until the tea bar closed after a year. I saved some stuff for the archives, ya never know. I will toss the pics and recycle the rest. The murals I did in the store were painted over. My original artwork never returned. GRRRRrrrrrr. I hate that plaid."
"S," way to release!
"S," way to release!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Capping off The Week
What: Cap for a Sigg water Bottle.
Origin: Available option when I replaced a Sigg bottle due to the recall.
Usage: Not so much...it was difficult to open and not easy to clean.
Last Used: Hmmm, late 2009?
Why kept: It Might Be Useful. Someone Might Need It. And Out Of Sight, Out of Mind...it was in my kitchen cabinet, where I moved it around from time to time.
Destination: Housing Works
Photo: www.mysigg.com....oops, I forgot to snap a photo!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Guest Post: No longer can contain this
"Expired bike coupon, from 2008, train schedules expired in March this year, and instructions for a store I worked in part time, um...three years ago? Four? All stuffed in this nice little metal canister that my grandfather painted. I empty it about every 5 years. BTW, the Le Sportsac bag was my "to go" bag in case of a terrorist attack, recommended to us by then Gov. Pataki. I used to keep a hundred dollars in it, but now it only holds a nail file. I was really thinking practical. So was he. (OK, I store some sarcasm in the bag, too, and a little just leaked out).
All paper in the recycle bin. And the tin goes back on the shelf."
Thanks, "S"!
All paper in the recycle bin. And the tin goes back on the shelf."
Thanks, "S"!
Jarring Realization
What: Yet another Good Jar.
Origin: Recycling greeny intentions.
How long kept: Since the Molasses Incident of earlier in the year.
Why kept: It's Perfectly Good -- I can use it for food storage. Thus, It Might Be Useful
Usage: Not at all, see confession.
Destination: Recycling.
Confession: The number of times I tried to wash this, albeit by hiding it in the corners of ostensibly otherwise full dishwasher loads, I was unable to ban the molasses scent from the cap. The almond butter jars are awesome, and always wash clean instantly. Other efforts to re-use jars have been not so successful.
This one brought up a nice crafty childhood memory -- we'd go to the recyling bins in our village (a well kept suburban town) and retrieve gaily colored bottles (ok, mostly brown and green ones!) and bottles with interesting shapes. We'd bring them home, and use a bottle cutting kit my dad had bought to cut off the tops, sand them off, yielding I'm not sure what. Sawed off bottles? I have no memory of the finished product.
This is definitely a Dad memory (eew, going into recycling bins!), and "M" is probably too young to have partaken. Funny, I'm sure we inhaled glass dust while sanding off these artworks, to no ill end. Today, we'd have to put the kids in hazmat gear for such endeavors...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
More Baggage
Origin: Mid-90s stylin'.
Last Use/How Long Kept: Ugh, probably since 1998.
Why Kept: It Might Be Useful. Someone Might Need It. Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
Destination: Textile recycling.
Confession: After loving this to death in the late 90s, I hung it up in my closet to continue to age.
A few weeks ago, I removed it from the hook in my closet. In a crafty seizure, I actually entertained the notion of painting this with joyous flowers or grafitti...it sat in a (fairly small) area of my living room for 5-6 weeks with other current craft projects. Good Crafting Intentions Gone Bad.
When I moved it today while cleaning, I thought, enough. Buh bye.
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