Walk Between The Raindrops

What:  Swag umbrella, which I found in my closet this rainy NYC day, and used.   Ack, it was a piece of not very good umbrella.
How long kept:  Since fall, 2009.
Why kept:  Out of Sight, Out of Mind.   I didn't even know I had this.
Usage and Destination, see below:

My (putatively, see confession) successful Freecycle post follows:

Logo Umbrella (Lower Manhattan)
Umbrella from a conference, used once. Maroon and white, with a case, wooden handle, folds small enough to fit into a tote or large purse. Bears a logo from a university alumnae organization.

It's still in fine shape.  Despite its Ivy League provenance, it is not a "fine"umbrella and its life expectancy is dependent on the severity of the weather.

Pick up at your convenience from 24 X 7 building near (my particular) subway stops. Please be willing to communicate via email, first preference to the person who will pick up on Friday.

And please, be willing to pick it up when you say you will...

Posted at 6:45 pm, after which I hopped in the shower.  By the time I emerged, I had two responses, and now (8:10) one confirmed pickup for tomorrow.   (One response was from the person who blew the pickup on the last Freecycle item I posted.   Uh, I don't think so.)

Confession:  Since I have showered and am in big T-shirt and leggings, I won't be taking it down to be held for pickup until tomorrow morning.   But it's in a bag hanging on my doorknob.   I'm counting it as gone.

If this person doesn't blow the pickup, it may be the most successful Freecycling experience ever.

Bottle Baby

What:  Empty bottle
Origin:  A good friend made some lovely homemade lotions and soaps as gifts.   In 2001.
How long kept:  The lotion was long gone; the clean, but empty bottle has been in my cabinet since probably 2002.
Why kept:  Like Pooh Bear, seeing this in my medicine cabinet reminded me of her.  Nostalgia.   It Was A Gift From X.
Destination:  Housing Works, along with a bottle that once contained some of her other wonderful homemade beauty goodies.

Confession:   Some crafter on Freecycle would have loved these.   I just didn't have the time or patience to deal with the less than friction-free Freecycle transaction.   Sigh.

I Am Runneth Over -- With Cups

What:   Melamine Cups.
Origin:   Tag sale awesomeness.   (For "M" and friends, that's what we call garage sales out here in the East.)
Usage/How Long Kept:   Aargh.   I'm guessing that I got these in the 90s.   But it could have been the late 80s.   (Can I say it again?  Aargh!)
Why kept:   Out of Sight, Out of Mind.   And, what I think is for my first deployment of S/PDX's status, They're Cool and Vintage.
Destination:  Housing Works.

Confession:   They may be cool and vintage, but you can't even give them away on eBay -- I checked this about a year ago when I cleaned them out of a cabinet, and again before attempting to Freecycle them Mother's Day weekend.   I got only one response, from someone who wanted me to send a photo:   I deemed her to be too high maintenance, and a possible source of Freecycle Drama, and went with donation as the lower energy option.

Confession, cont:  I had the notion of making them into cute crafty pincushions stuck in my head until they were gone.   Proof positive that I'm reading too many craft magazines.  

(And before they went, I reasoned that if I ever actually wanted to do this, I could buy them from an eBay seller pretty much any time.)

I Am A Material Girl

What:  About 5 yards of cantaloupe colored cotton fabric.
Origin:   I have no idea.
Usage/How Long Kept:   ?   Since the late 1980s or early 90s?
Why kept:  It was one of the baggage finds...Out Of Sight, Out of Mind.  Storage Boxes Are Evil.
Destination:  Freecycler "J". 

Confession:   This actually went on Monday...I pre-posted it for Tuesday because I was prepared for what we call Freecycle Drama.

Bonus:  I didn't even think about keeping this for a moment!  And no Drama with "J"!   I had a lovely request from another "M".

On the other hand, one Freecycler asked me if I would drop this off for her.   Huh?   I resisted the urge to tell her that Freecycle does not have a concierge service...she must be new.

Both "J" and "M" were so polite, crisp and professional that I wished I had two large pieces of cantaloupe colored fabric to give away.

In three months?

In three months?
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

That is if you use it :)
What: cassette tapes to learn Spanish in 3 months
Last used: - think I listened to 1 tape about 10 years ago
Why kept: it was a gift from Mom and it might be useful
Destination: freecycle, but there is drama. Hopefully she will pick it up today. Otherwise, I'm going to offer it to the next person
(Sunday's post)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

I'd rather (not) have a bottle in front of me

I'd rather (not) have a bottle in front of me
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: plastic reusable bottles. These bottles are too big to fit in our bike water holders or the car cup holders. Buh-bye
Why kept: we might need them, out of sight
Space reclaimed: about a square foot of cabinet space
Destination: freecycle. The pickup was drama free before dinner!! Woot!

Confession: we have more bottles. Maybe I'll let them go too, someday.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

This Time: Recycle, Not Freecycle

This Time: Recycle, Not Freecycle
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What: Gorgeous packing material, from the wine glass that "M" sent me.
Usage: I actually pulled tissue paper out of this wrapping and used it to make "paper cloth" for my quilting class. This is the remainder
How long kept: 2 days
Why kept: Deciding whether to Freecycle it.
Destination: Recycling.

Confession: In 2006 (?) when "M" sent me the rest of this set of wine glasses, this packing material was so breathtaking -- and I clearly had some time on my hands -- that I thought it should be Freecycled. (And I had several requests for it, too. And as I recall, no Drama.)

The real confession, though, is that I sometimes have pushed the limit on Freecycle, for sport. Just to see what people will get on the train to come and pick up.

Too busy for that!

Hey, Hey Paula

Hey, Hey Paula
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

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.

Hubby's addition: Can we finally get rid of the wedding cake top?

Is it for freezer fodder? Well, not anymore in our freezer. This is the Hubby's addition. He said to me, I have something to blog. Can we finally get rid of the top of the wedding cake in the freezer?" D'oh. So I said, "While we are on that same topic.... what about our unity candle?"

While it feels almost sacrilegious to get rid of the candle, it's gone. We don't burn candles with little ones around very often. We have once again declared our love for each other (awwww) and said.. out with the candle, out with the cake!

What: The top to our wedding cake and unity candle
Where kept: Freezer and laundry room
How long kept: Since Spring 2004
Destination: Garbage and Freecycle (pick up by 4 PM CST)
Why kept: Mostly nostalgia, but it was out of sight

M's confession: We got a new freezer in 2008 and I made the Hubby transfer it from the broken freezer to the new one. AARRGGHH

Bonus: more room in the freezer!!!

This is how I prefer to remember the top of the wedding cake (we have rights to use this photo)

I love freecycle

I love freecycle
Originally uploaded by DeClutter

What: childrens book
How long kept: various -- less than three years
Origin: garage/book sales, friends book purging
Why: out of sight, sorta. We might need them
Destination: freecycle

But The Hubby and The Boy went through all the shelves to make room for puzzles and board games he has stashed, well... Everywhere :). In hindsight, I wish I would have kept one book (the one with the tiger on it) I liked that board book. They did a good job and if my 4 year old could let it go, I have to work on my "purging" remorse. It's the first time it has happened in years. I think I'll be okay. I'll always have this photo. The box weighed about 10 lbs. Woot!
Confession: These were picked up very quickly. Usually, I post something on freecycle and the next day the items is picked up. These books were picked up withing two hours of posting them. They are gone but I'm using it for today. I'm still sure I'll get rid of plenty more stuff on Sunday.

Crafty & cross stitch items

Confession: I got this on freecycle on Sunday night. Did I *need* it?? No!!!! It might be useful
What: Approximately 5 lb. Bag of cross stitch and craft Material
Origin: Freecycle
How long kept: less than 3 days woot!
Why : it could be useful.
Dest: another Freecycle member who picked it up promptly!

I'm most proud for getting it out of the house so fast and I didn't want this to be out of site out of mind. I took out a little quart-size ziplock bag and re-freecycled. It took up about 1.5 square feet in my family room for 2 days until it went to the porch :). I have many projects I want to work on. Included in the bag was a baby blanket that was so cuuuute! But I realize that I have enough on my list that I didn't need to take on someone else's unfinished project. I also didn't look through all the piles of charts. But I did find a family history for the person that gave it to me. I didn't read it, just read the first few lines. It wasn't my business nor was it of interest to me as it wasn't my family :) I emailed her and she was very grateful to have it back.

Who says they don't come with instructions (it's a Three-for)

Who says babies don't come with instructions!?  Our kids did. I decided the warranty is up on them, so I'm getting rid of the manual.  I couldn't stop at just one item today, but I kept it themed to baby stuff.

What: Book "Your Baby's First Year" Unopened, a sensor thingy from the hospital for the baby, and a freebie diaper bag.
Origin: Book - Pediatrician, Sensor thingy & diaper bag - Hospital

How long: Book 2005; Sensor thingy; diaper bag October

Why kept:  Book - Might need it. Sensor thingy - I just emptied the bag it was in.  Diaper bag - I might need it.

Destination: Book & Diaper bag- Freecycle, Sensor thingy - sadly, the trash

When we went to our first newborn appointment, the doctors gave us this book. I may have used it once or twice. When my 2nd was born, we received another one. Should I have freecycled BOTH? Yes, but I might need it LOL. I have no idea why the sensor thingy was in the bag, but I'm not going to need it. The diaper bag came with freebies inside of it which I have put in the diaper bag (one of the many, ARGH) or recycled them.

Freecycle or Bust

Freecycle or Bust
Originally uploaded by 365 Things

What: "5 used candles, almost 3" diameter, each 3-4 inches of candle left. They've burned down in irregular shapes, and are in a small plastic shopping bag." (From my successful Freecycle post.)
Origin: 4 of the candles were part of a display some friends and I created for a workshop when our yoga teacher came to town.
How Long Kept: 2006? I've used them since then, but the last time they melted into these interesting shapes...
Why kept: Indifference. They were in sight, but out of mind. I guess I thought I might light them again at some point, so maybe a little bit of They Might Be Useful. But, no.
Destination: Freecycle pickup today, or trash. (They're not coming back into my apartment!)

This is not by far the weirdest thing I've Freecycled. (I've also given away some nice things, namely furniture.) It's good creative fun to write a Freecycle post to "market" (for example) a jade plant that has grown into a really bizarre shape.

In NYC, the downside of Freecycle is what I'd call Freecycle drama: people who really really really want something...and then come up with dog-ate-the-homework excuses for not coming to pick it up. That's why I'm making this a one shot deal: if it's not gone by tomorrow, it's landfill, baby.

Bonus: Congratulations to me, for not even thinking about some secondary use for these things.
M adds: That is Freecycle drama everywhere I'm afraid. One woman I promised items to on more than one occasion came up with the most creative excuses. I've heard from my Freecycle buddies that they have received similar excuses!

Knick knack paddy whack

Please don't give my dog this bone. The Wonderdog gets ill when she eats rawhides.
What: rawhide dog bone
Origin: I think we got it from a neighbor (hand me down) along with some other treats that have already been consumed
How long: summer 2009
Why: out of sight out of mind. It just recently resurfaced last week.
Destination: freecycle pick up for someone elses pup

Confession: we never planned on giving this to the dog, I have no idea where it has been. It only resurfaced last week.

Aahhh, a square foot of counter space reclaimed

What: Two glass decorative jars
Origin: Christmas gift (one was an additional one that my partner at work gave me after he consumed what was inside -- I can't remember what was inside of it though)
When: Christmas 2008
Last used: 2008
Why kept: It might be useful

Destination: Freecycle pick up! WOOT

Confession: The three chocolates from yesterday were inside one of the jars. (blushing)