What: Shards of a ceramic bowl.
Origin: I was channeling my Grandma.
How long kept: Oh, ho, ho...since sometime in the last century. (Not pre-90s, however.)
Why kept: They Might Be Useful, if I need a drain for a flowerpot. For example. And Aaargh!
Usage: See confession.
Destination: Garbage.
Confession: More toolbox bounty...I actually used to have these in the cabinet with cleaning materials, etc. When I reorganized, both the toolbox and the shards moved, the shards consolidated into the toolbox.
Confession, part deux: I used to have quite a way with African violets, and I had used some of these shards siblings to drain some of them. The plants all died -- unknown fungus -- and I decided that even plants were too high maintenance for me.
Showing posts with label I Might Fix It. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I Might Fix It. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Trashed
What: Damaged Vintage cocktail-themed ice bucket. (Really.)
Origin: "Hello, name is "A", and I'm a garage-sale-aholic." (I've been in recovery for a good 15 years, see confession.)
How long kept: Geez, I would guess since the late 80s?
Usage: Never. Other than moving it closer and closer to the exit door of my apartment over the past months.
Why kept: I Might Fix It. (And then It Would Be Cool/Vintage and Someone Might Need It.)
Destination: Good Old NYC Landfill. (Gulp. Sorry.)
Confession: The extent of this baby's damage was not trivial. It's brass cover was banged up and dented. The handle had fallen off. The entire thing, which was largely vinyl, was kind of squashed. (Viewed from above, it appeared to be slightly oval shaped, which meant that the round cover would not ever fit on it again. Even if fixed.)
Aargh.
Confession, part deux: I still love a good garage sale. But I rarely buy anything. Though I'm still a sucker for vintage embroidered linens and those gaily printed flowered tablecloths from the 40s and beyond. ("M" got me a very Christmas embroidered tablecloth and napkin set at the Freecycle Free Meet.)
Aargh.
Confession, part trois: Broken stuff. "Potential" is a theme in Randy Frost and Gail Skeketee's book about hoarding, Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things.
People who truly have an issue with hoarding keep stuff because they see potential that the rest of us might not see.
I'm not a hoarder, clinically speaking. But "potential" is embedded in many of the reasons that I have held onto stuff -- and nowhere as inexplicably as with broken stuff. Clothing that might be mended, and wearable by "someone", check. (Now dispatched to textile recycling. Whew.)
Thanks to eBay, I've seen how little most of my Cool/Vintage stuff that's in mint condition is worth.* So while this was a bit Sticky, and it took a bit of time, it went down the trash chute the day before I left on vacation.
Broken stuff, begone.
(*A clock I bought for a dollar in the 80s may be the exception to this rule. Stay tuned.)
Origin: "Hello, name is "A", and I'm a garage-sale-aholic." (I've been in recovery for a good 15 years, see confession.)
How long kept: Geez, I would guess since the late 80s?
Usage: Never. Other than moving it closer and closer to the exit door of my apartment over the past months.
Why kept: I Might Fix It. (And then It Would Be Cool/Vintage and Someone Might Need It.)
Destination: Good Old NYC Landfill. (Gulp. Sorry.)
Confession: The extent of this baby's damage was not trivial. It's brass cover was banged up and dented. The handle had fallen off. The entire thing, which was largely vinyl, was kind of squashed. (Viewed from above, it appeared to be slightly oval shaped, which meant that the round cover would not ever fit on it again. Even if fixed.)
Aargh.
Confession, part deux: I still love a good garage sale. But I rarely buy anything. Though I'm still a sucker for vintage embroidered linens and those gaily printed flowered tablecloths from the 40s and beyond. ("M" got me a very Christmas embroidered tablecloth and napkin set at the Freecycle Free Meet.)
Aargh.
Confession, part trois: Broken stuff. "Potential" is a theme in Randy Frost and Gail Skeketee's book about hoarding, Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things.
People who truly have an issue with hoarding keep stuff because they see potential that the rest of us might not see.I'm not a hoarder, clinically speaking. But "potential" is embedded in many of the reasons that I have held onto stuff -- and nowhere as inexplicably as with broken stuff. Clothing that might be mended, and wearable by "someone", check. (Now dispatched to textile recycling. Whew.)
Thanks to eBay, I've seen how little most of my Cool/Vintage stuff that's in mint condition is worth.* So while this was a bit Sticky, and it took a bit of time, it went down the trash chute the day before I left on vacation.
Broken stuff, begone.
(*A clock I bought for a dollar in the 80s may be the exception to this rule. Stay tuned.)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Freecycle Failure
I pride myself on the ability to market almost any item on Freecycle. This one didn't go.
The posting:
"OFFER: Vintage Valise (Not in great shape) Lower Manhattan
Approximately 20 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches tall, this tan valise (1940s?) is a find from my days haunting thrift stores and tag sales.
The bag is coming apart at the seams; it's aged, scuffed and full of patina. The handles are secure and well attached. I'm doubtful that it could be repaired and used as a suitcase -- a particularly crafty person might find a way to upcycle, recycle or repurpose it as a possible decor item.
It's clean. I'm pretty sure I would have saddle soaped it back in the day; it has been in my closet for probably 20 years.
Please respond only if you can pick up before Monday, August 9. Please be willing to communicate via email, and commit to -- and keep -- a pickup time.
Though it's a bit unwieldy, it can be carried by the handles. I'll wrap it in plastic to ease transport. You'll be able to pick it up before the 9th from a 24 hour building.
Thanks, Freecyclers."
Now, maybe the fact that I didn't post it on the weekend had something to do with its failure to "sell".
One additional note: While the main problem with the bag itself -- other than the fact that I no longer wanted it -- was that the stitching was rotten. Repair wasn't a simple matter of getting it sewn back up. I Might Fix It is a such a trap for me, and it keeps things stuck.
Other notes on the Why Kept front: Sticky, Nostalgia, Out of Sight Out of Mind and Storage Boxes are Evil. (It was in a basket, being used as a storage box in the now far more spacious closet!)
Destination: Textile recycling at Union Square Greenmarket. (They take shoes, so I reasoned that they'd take this small bag, too.) I considered leaving it on the street, but realized that it might frighten -- or even endanger -- a police officer if someone thought it looked suspicious.
The posting:
"OFFER: Vintage Valise (Not in great shape) Lower Manhattan
Approximately 20 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches tall, this tan valise (1940s?) is a find from my days haunting thrift stores and tag sales.
The bag is coming apart at the seams; it's aged, scuffed and full of patina. The handles are secure and well attached. I'm doubtful that it could be repaired and used as a suitcase -- a particularly crafty person might find a way to upcycle, recycle or repurpose it as a possible decor item.
It's clean. I'm pretty sure I would have saddle soaped it back in the day; it has been in my closet for probably 20 years.
Please respond only if you can pick up before Monday, August 9. Please be willing to communicate via email, and commit to -- and keep -- a pickup time.
Though it's a bit unwieldy, it can be carried by the handles. I'll wrap it in plastic to ease transport. You'll be able to pick it up before the 9th from a 24 hour building.
Thanks, Freecyclers."
Now, maybe the fact that I didn't post it on the weekend had something to do with its failure to "sell".
One additional note: While the main problem with the bag itself -- other than the fact that I no longer wanted it -- was that the stitching was rotten. Repair wasn't a simple matter of getting it sewn back up. I Might Fix It is a such a trap for me, and it keeps things stuck.
Other notes on the Why Kept front: Sticky, Nostalgia, Out of Sight Out of Mind and Storage Boxes are Evil. (It was in a basket, being used as a storage box in the now far more spacious closet!)
Destination: Textile recycling at Union Square Greenmarket. (They take shoes, so I reasoned that they'd take this small bag, too.) I considered leaving it on the street, but realized that it might frighten -- or even endanger -- a police officer if someone thought it looked suspicious.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Clearing the air (not)
From saturday
What broken air filter
Why kept: might fix the squeaky fan and waiting for a recycling event
How long: it should have been recycled about 2 years ago! Ugh
Destination: community recycling event
I thought I posted this. Darn head cold
I miss this air filter. I never knew what a work horse it was until after it broke. My dust bunnies are now dust elephants :)
What broken air filter
Why kept: might fix the squeaky fan and waiting for a recycling event
How long: it should have been recycled about 2 years ago! Ugh
Destination: community recycling event
I thought I posted this. Darn head cold
I miss this air filter. I never knew what a work horse it was until after it broke. My dust bunnies are now dust elephants :)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Shake a (gate) leg (table)...
What: A gate leg table that is in need of refinishing
Origin: I had the hubby garbage pick in about 2005. I learned later that we found it at a new friend at work's house.
Why Kept: It held our microwave for several years until we installed one over the stove. The hubby started to work on it, but we don't need it anymore. So we stored it in the garage. Out of site and I might fix it.
Destination: To my friend "L". She loves to refinish furniture and does it so well. It's really a nice piece of furniture. I'm sure she will make it beautiful and perhaps they will serve up some German Chocolate cake on this table. :D (Photo to follow -- it needs editing)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Clothes The Door On This Stuff
What: Clothing in various states of irreparable disrepair.
Origin: Various -- from gifts, to thrifts, to the "bitch & swap" party my girlfriends hold.
How Long Kept: Oldest item is a pair of capri pants that I picked up in my thrift-store-clothing days of the 80s.
Why kept: In the case of the favorite worn out clothes, like that T-shirt on the top of the pile (a gift from "M") I might wear them around the house, and thus They Might Be Useful. Or, Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. Others, I Might Fix them and wear them again. Or, I might make them into a stuffed animal or puppet for a nephew or niece (Good Crafting Intentions Gone Bad).
Destination: Textile recycling at Union Square Market.
Confession: These are in a bag, ready to go, early Saturday morning.
Confession, cont: I cut the buttons off of one of the shirts. (They were fancy buttons, and the shirt was damaged.)
Origin: Various -- from gifts, to thrifts, to the "bitch & swap" party my girlfriends hold.
How Long Kept: Oldest item is a pair of capri pants that I picked up in my thrift-store-clothing days of the 80s.
Why kept: In the case of the favorite worn out clothes, like that T-shirt on the top of the pile (a gift from "M") I might wear them around the house, and thus They Might Be Useful. Or, Out Of Sight, Out of Mind. Others, I Might Fix them and wear them again. Or, I might make them into a stuffed animal or puppet for a nephew or niece (Good Crafting Intentions Gone Bad).
Destination: Textile recycling at Union Square Market.
Confession: These are in a bag, ready to go, early Saturday morning.
Confession, cont: I cut the buttons off of one of the shirts. (They were fancy buttons, and the shirt was damaged.)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Bring out your dead (jewelry)
What: old gold and silver jewelry
Why kept: might be work something, out of sight, it was a gift from x, y and z
Last used: some of the silver was so tarnished, I'm guessing 20 years. Some even from boyfriends in high school YIKES!
Destination: these places that buy you gold for cash (well a check anyway) have been popping up all over the place. So I dug through my old jewelry and took it to one. I got about $59.44 for it. I'm sure it was worth double that but it's out of my house. Yay! The earrings that were worth more will be listed on e-bay this weekend if I have the time
One strange thing happened after I left the place, I started to get a pounder of a headache. I think it was from handling the bad chi jewelry. Or maybe it was the fumes from the glue and new cheap carpeting in the place. Or perhaps it was from the other people's bad chi jewelry. Anyway. Good riddance to old and broken jewelry that I was never going to wear again!
Why kept: might be work something, out of sight, it was a gift from x, y and z
Last used: some of the silver was so tarnished, I'm guessing 20 years. Some even from boyfriends in high school YIKES!
Destination: these places that buy you gold for cash (well a check anyway) have been popping up all over the place. So I dug through my old jewelry and took it to one. I got about $59.44 for it. I'm sure it was worth double that but it's out of my house. Yay! The earrings that were worth more will be listed on e-bay this weekend if I have the time
One strange thing happened after I left the place, I started to get a pounder of a headache. I think it was from handling the bad chi jewelry. Or maybe it was the fumes from the glue and new cheap carpeting in the place. Or perhaps it was from the other people's bad chi jewelry. Anyway. Good riddance to old and broken jewelry that I was never going to wear again!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Holy gloves Batman
What: chenile type gloves
Why kept: they just had a little hole --I might mix them How long kept: until yesterday I was using them. Hole and all
Destination: Look out "A" here it comes. NYC perhaps to become a puppet
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Hair Today, Gone Today (Waaah!)
What: Hair Clip, broken and bearing a bit of dirt from the Shawagunks.
Origin: Hair hygiene.
How long kept: In it's broken state, about 5 minutes.
Why kept: See Confession.
Destination: Trash.
Confession: This is one casualty of today's ice climbing trip. I tried to capture the dirt in the photo, but you can't really see it -- I was also covered in it. Ice climbing seemed like it would be such a clean sport! (Although I'm in one piece, we'll see how I bear up tomorrow.) The confession part? I actually thought, "What if King's has stopped carrying them?" and actually thought about rinsing the dirt off and saving it (i.e. I Might Fix It, sticky) until I could get to King's for a replacement. For about 30 seconds.
Origin: Hair hygiene.
How long kept: In it's broken state, about 5 minutes.
Why kept: See Confession.
Destination: Trash.
Confession: This is one casualty of today's ice climbing trip. I tried to capture the dirt in the photo, but you can't really see it -- I was also covered in it. Ice climbing seemed like it would be such a clean sport! (Although I'm in one piece, we'll see how I bear up tomorrow.) The confession part? I actually thought, "What if King's has stopped carrying them?" and actually thought about rinsing the dirt off and saving it (i.e. I Might Fix It, sticky) until I could get to King's for a replacement. For about 30 seconds.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Gotta Stop Swapping
What: Cute, but not for me, sweater/jacket.Origin: Clothing swap party my girlfriends have 2-3 times a year.
How long kept: About a year.
Why kept: When I got it home and washed it, I noticed that one of the seams was coming undone. I set it aside to fix it in a basket that stores items to be mended...deep in the closet. (Broken, I Might Fix It; Out of Sight, Out Of Mind. There's also an Aargh, see confession.)
Usage: Not at all. Unless you count washing and mending it as "usage" -- I did fix it. Last evening.
Destination: To the girlfriend who really wanted it at the swap.
Confession: My girlfriends call these events "Bitch & Swaps". People bring clothes, really an embarrassing abundance of items. (And sometimes there are 30 people there.)
The supposed ground rules: you get to select whatever you want. If two women want the same thing, after the catfight of course, we're supposed to each try it on. Everyone will then vote on who looks better in it; the victor takes the item. (And the clothes that aren't claimed at the end of the night are taken to Housing Works.)
The reality: everyone who attends is so nice that when two people want the same thing, the conversation is more like:
Woman One: "Oh, you take it.I sometimes use the swaps as a clothing lab, testing out clothes I wouldn't buy. If I don't like them, they get donated -- or come back to the next swap. This was one such item. (And the friend who really wanted it has asked me about it several times during the intervening year. "Have you worn it yet?" so it was actually stressing me out.)
Woman Two: "No, you take it."
Woman One: "No, I didn't really want it, I was just thinking about it."
Woman Two: "But it looks cuter on you!"
and so on...
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hey, Hey Paula
Please make the Sunday Freecycle pickup you requested -- no Freecycle Drama, please!
The(Putatively) Successful Freecycle Post:
"OFFER:Sewing Machine or Paperweight, You Be The Judge
White Brand Sewing Machine, Model 222, Serial number 88117492, a gift from Mom in the 80s: broken, possibly fixable.
Used periodically in the 90s and seldom in the 00s, I started to use it a bit recently. I was adjusting the (manual) tension knob when the entire knob assembly came off.
Mechanical skills are not my long suit, and -- try as I might -- I couldn't figure out how to correctly replace the elements (all of which came off quite slowly in my hand – none are missing).
I found a blog post that said that the machine itself was worthless, except as a paperweight. In terms of how much paper it will hold down, weight is probably 10-12 pounds (I used to carry it around town with me on the train in a canvas bag).
If you're game to see if it's fixable, I'd love for you to have it, along with its manual. White was apparently somehow related to Husquavarna – they gave me no joy when I requested a copy of the schematic drawing of the tension knob, snippily telling me that it was too old.
I bought a new machine. It was not a Husquavarna. Snap.
I've got probably all of the stuff that came with it. Different presser feet, darning plate so that you can free motion stitch, bobbin cases, etc. And the pieces of the tension knob are in a baby food jar.
I can put it all in a paper shopping bag, or you can take it in another (bulkier) sewing machine box.
It was a good little machine, if it can be fixed, it would be good for a beginner. I don't guarantee it can be fixed...."
You don't have to pick it up until Sunday, but it's going downstairs to the doorman today. It's not coming back into my apartment! (Update: Paula, you rock. You came out on what was arguably one of the worst weather days of the last year to pick up this sewing machine. I hope you can fix it.)
How long kept: About 6 weeks (broken)...before that it was not clutter!
Why kept: I popped it into the box for my new machine back before the holidays, intending to Freecyle it at some point. So, reasons are a little bit of many: Broken, Maybe I can Fix it, and Out of Sight Out of Mind/Storage Boxes are Evil. But I also had bigger fish to fry.)
Bonus: Thanks, Mom. I loved this machine.
Bonus, part deux: I'm getting rid of the sewing machine box and styrofoam packing materials from my new machine.
The
"OFFER:Sewing Machine or Paperweight, You Be The Judge
White Brand Sewing Machine, Model 222, Serial number 88117492, a gift from Mom in the 80s: broken, possibly fixable.
Used periodically in the 90s and seldom in the 00s, I started to use it a bit recently. I was adjusting the (manual) tension knob when the entire knob assembly came off.
Mechanical skills are not my long suit, and -- try as I might -- I couldn't figure out how to correctly replace the elements (all of which came off quite slowly in my hand – none are missing).
I found a blog post that said that the machine itself was worthless, except as a paperweight. In terms of how much paper it will hold down, weight is probably 10-12 pounds (I used to carry it around town with me on the train in a canvas bag).
If you're game to see if it's fixable, I'd love for you to have it, along with its manual. White was apparently somehow related to Husquavarna – they gave me no joy when I requested a copy of the schematic drawing of the tension knob, snippily telling me that it was too old.
I bought a new machine. It was not a Husquavarna. Snap.
I've got probably all of the stuff that came with it. Different presser feet, darning plate so that you can free motion stitch, bobbin cases, etc. And the pieces of the tension knob are in a baby food jar.
I can put it all in a paper shopping bag, or you can take it in another (bulkier) sewing machine box.
It was a good little machine, if it can be fixed, it would be good for a beginner. I don't guarantee it can be fixed...."
You don't have to pick it up until Sunday, but it's going downstairs to the doorman today. It's not coming back into my apartment! (Update: Paula, you rock. You came out on what was arguably one of the worst weather days of the last year to pick up this sewing machine. I hope you can fix it.)
How long kept: About 6 weeks (broken)...before that it was not clutter!
Why kept: I popped it into the box for my new machine back before the holidays, intending to Freecyle it at some point. So, reasons are a little bit of many: Broken, Maybe I can Fix it, and Out of Sight Out of Mind/Storage Boxes are Evil. But I also had bigger fish to fry.)
Bonus: Thanks, Mom. I loved this machine.
Bonus, part deux: I'm getting rid of the sewing machine box and styrofoam packing materials from my new machine.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Bear Down
What: a Chicago Bears pen that has a little light that projects the logo -- well it used to!
Origin: LTD catalog a few years ago. We let The Boy play with it. Now the logo is missing, the light doesn't light and they pen is not working
Why kept: I'm a die hard Bears Fan but after this season, I can let go of the broken pen. I'll never repair it.
Destination: garbage can
Confession: I have another one ... Somewhere.
Origin: LTD catalog a few years ago. We let The Boy play with it. Now the logo is missing, the light doesn't light and they pen is not working
Why kept: I'm a die hard Bears Fan but after this season, I can let go of the broken pen. I'll never repair it.
Destination: garbage can
Confession: I have another one ... Somewhere.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Frozen Assets
What: My favorite icecream.Origin: A craving one evening. Sadly, when I opened it, it had been thawed and re-frozen and was like a block of icy sweet yuckiness. I didn't feel like going back out, so I went dessert-less
How long kept: About 2 weeks.
Why kept: I actually thought about taking it back to the store, but I wasn't up for the discussion. I won't print how much I paid for it, but it was ridiculous -- I got it at the bodega across the street, and this is probably one of their most frequently purchased, highest margin items. (Not sure what category this one actually goes in! Maybe Broken/I Might Fix It.)
Destination: Garbage.
Confession: Sorry about tossing that in the trash, but I don't think that icecream can be added to the community compost. (And the caramel wouldn't go down the drain well.)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
If I Didn't Recycle, This Rust Would Sleep -- With the Fishes!
What: Cheap soap dispenser (as promised.)
Origin: I believe I got this at Century 21, living the house beautification dream.
Usage: A bit, until it became a maintenance problem: it was rusting inside and out. (WTH is this actually made of? Definitely not pure aluminum.) I cleaned it off a couple of times before exiling it to the back reaches of a bathroom cabinet.
How long kept: (Scratches head) 2004? I haven't used it in several years.
Why kept: I might feel like cleaning it over and over again in some kind of special corner of home maintenance samsara. Then, It Might be Useful.
Destination: Pump portion, trash (it's mixed metal and plastic); container, recycling. (Hopefully whatever's making it rust won't harm the recycled metal stream.)
Confession: I think I have an identical soap pump. Somewhere. Aaaargh.
Bonus: This was our 100th post! Between "M", "S" and me, we're already starting out the New Year 100 things lighter! (It's a lot easier one day at a time, as other more enlightened minds have noticed.)
I hope that the other 4 people following along at home are similarly lightened and enlightened.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Scrubbed
What: surgical scrubs
Origin: The Hubby wore them during the delivery of The Kid
Last used: 2 months ago
Why kept: they might be useful, out of sight
Destination: recycle bin. The Hubby said they are made of paper.
While I understand they are great cover ups for painting and such, I just don't want to keep moving them around. Sorry sweetie, I had to blog them :).
We have a new phrase in our house... "Can I blog this?"
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Origin: The Hubby wore them during the delivery of The Kid
Last used: 2 months ago
Why kept: they might be useful, out of sight
Destination: recycle bin. The Hubby said they are made of paper.
While I understand they are great cover ups for painting and such, I just don't want to keep moving them around. Sorry sweetie, I had to blog them :).
We have a new phrase in our house... "Can I blog this?"
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Slipping away
Okay, today there may be several blog entries... I'm on a roll and I don't want to "save" them for tomorrow or a rainy day. Plus this was large enough to warrant an additional post. No, it's not the dog!!
What: old old slip cover
Origin: this came with my brother's two cats in December of 1999. I gave them a home when his allergies got bad. After the 2nd cat died in December of 2005, we kept it for the Wonderdog. She has her own bed but (ugh) chooses the couch. I digress
Where it was found: the laundry room floor. That was where I put it after the last time I washed it
Destination: garbage. Sadly there is no convenient place to recycle it. I would have to send it to "A" in NY
What: old old slip cover
Origin: this came with my brother's two cats in December of 1999. I gave them a home when his allergies got bad. After the 2nd cat died in December of 2005, we kept it for the Wonderdog. She has her own bed but (ugh) chooses the couch. I digress
Where it was found: the laundry room floor. That was where I put it after the last time I washed it
Destination: garbage. Sadly there is no convenient place to recycle it. I would have to send it to "A" in NY
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Recycling is the spice of life
What: empty glass spice bottle
Origin: hmm not sure, but we've been moving this empty bottle around the kitchen for months
Why kept: I can fix it (get the gooey stuff from the label off) and it might be useful
Destination: recycle
Confession: we have plenty of other empty, non-gooey bottles that we can use. Buh bye!
"A" says: a) Last night, I washed an empty spice jar! and b) I've been lamenting the stick-to-it-ivness of labels, which these days seem non-removable, even with lighter fluid and a blow torch. It really cuts back on the ability to re-use a lot of things that are Perfectly Good....without blowing through an unsustainable amount of water and time, that is. I wonder if The Steamer would be useful in label removal?
Origin: hmm not sure, but we've been moving this empty bottle around the kitchen for months
Why kept: I can fix it (get the gooey stuff from the label off) and it might be useful
Destination: recycle
Confession: we have plenty of other empty, non-gooey bottles that we can use. Buh bye!
"A" says: a) Last night, I washed an empty spice jar! and b) I've been lamenting the stick-to-it-ivness of labels, which these days seem non-removable, even with lighter fluid and a blow torch. It really cuts back on the ability to re-use a lot of things that are Perfectly Good....without blowing through an unsustainable amount of water and time, that is. I wonder if The Steamer would be useful in label removal?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Poor poor lilly
Yes I'm guilty. I killed this poor lilly
What: lilly plant
Origin: May 2009. It lived until about September
Why kept: it was hidden on the window sill behind a curtain - which is also why I forgot to water it. It was also a gift from....
Destination: the organic matter is going in our compost and the plastic pot in the recycle bin
What: lilly plant
Origin: May 2009. It lived until about September
Why kept: it was hidden on the window sill behind a curtain - which is also why I forgot to water it. It was also a gift from....
Destination: the organic matter is going in our compost and the plastic pot in the recycle bin
Drop This!
What: An unopened box of Dutch licorice. (AKA "drops"; get it? I'm
funny!)
Origin: Netherlands
How long kept: 2007? Maybe 2006!
Why kept: I might need them? Seriously, out of sight out of mind. Aaaargh!
Destination: Compost. I recycled the graphically interesting box.
Confession: I opened them and ate a few to confirm that they were
completely stale, like toothbreakingly. Sob, it's not easy to find this salty licorice in the US. (Huh?)
funny!)
Origin: Netherlands
How long kept: 2007? Maybe 2006!
Why kept: I might need them? Seriously, out of sight out of mind. Aaaargh!
Destination: Compost. I recycled the graphically interesting box.
Confession: I opened them and ate a few to confirm that they were
completely stale, like toothbreakingly. Sob, it's not easy to find this salty licorice in the US. (Huh?)
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Sound Of Two Hands Clapping
What: Meditation Clock (broken)
Origin: Retail shop at Jivamukti Yoga in, I believe, 2002
Usage: It worked for a few years...and then it didn't.
Why kept: It's a pretty wooden box housing a less-than-robust LCD unit -- I couldn't bear to toss the perfectly good wooden box. I contacted the manufacturer to see if they would recycle it, and they said that they would. (I Might Fix It; Then it Will Be Useful). Then, forgot that I had it. (Out of Sight Out of Mind.)
Destination: Back to the manufacturer.
Confession: If I recall correctly, I paid $108 for this clock, to replace an unpleasantly loud alarm clock that was stressing me out every morning. (This one had a pretty sounding gong.) When I found out that the company would "refurbish" the clock for $50, I was both heartened and annoyed. Glad that I didn't have to toss it. Annoyed that the people who market a flipping meditation clock don't hew to some kind of karmic mission to put something out into the world that's worthy of more than a 1 year warranty? (Or, per their website, a 10 year usable life...mine might have made it 5.)
Nope, not interested. I have passed the place on the path to enlightenment where I think that a $100 meditation clock might help...may the beautiful wooden box benefit someone else (and all beings).
There's a "sound of one hand clapping" joke in here somewhere. I'm so over it I'm not even going to try and reach for that one.
Origin: Retail shop at Jivamukti Yoga in, I believe, 2002
Usage: It worked for a few years...and then it didn't.
Why kept: It's a pretty wooden box housing a less-than-robust LCD unit -- I couldn't bear to toss the perfectly good wooden box. I contacted the manufacturer to see if they would recycle it, and they said that they would. (I Might Fix It; Then it Will Be Useful). Then, forgot that I had it. (Out of Sight Out of Mind.)
Destination: Back to the manufacturer.
Confession: If I recall correctly, I paid $108 for this clock, to replace an unpleasantly loud alarm clock that was stressing me out every morning. (This one had a pretty sounding gong.) When I found out that the company would "refurbish" the clock for $50, I was both heartened and annoyed. Glad that I didn't have to toss it. Annoyed that the people who market a flipping meditation clock don't hew to some kind of karmic mission to put something out into the world that's worthy of more than a 1 year warranty? (Or, per their website, a 10 year usable life...mine might have made it 5.)
Nope, not interested. I have passed the place on the path to enlightenment where I think that a $100 meditation clock might help...may the beautiful wooden box benefit someone else (and all beings).
There's a "sound of one hand clapping" joke in here somewhere. I'm so over it I'm not even going to try and reach for that one.
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