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®
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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®
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