We are having a ginormous garage sale next weekend. In fact, three streets around us are getting in on it. This will be heaven next week!! In preparation, I found this picnic table on CraigsList for $45... and it came with an umbrella. It doesn't have a base, but that is no big deal. I take mine down whenever it gets windy and at night anyway. It works perfect!! The umbrella gives awesome coverage. I think we will keep it in the front yard. The kids love sitting at it for their lunch or ice cream. We also have a wooden one in the back yard, but it doesn't have an umbrella. So now we are ready for next weekend. My kids know that if I find anything on the floor this week that isn't supposed to be there, I will toss it in the garage sale box. Lucky for me, they are keeping most of their toys put away!! :)
CraigsList has got to be one of the best resources... EVER!! I love it!! I have been trying to organize our garage a little bit. However, with 5 kids, there is no way I would attempt a yard sale. So I have been CraigsListing items. I already sold an old lawnmower that was too comfortable in my shed. Now we are going for pots and pans, a wine rack and other odds and ends I can't fit into my kitchen.
Honestly, if I had a place to put them I probably would have kept them. But that wouldn't be very cottage minded on me, would it? Isn't the mantra: keep nothing that you do not know to be beautiful and useful. I try to go by that, but then I think..."Maybe it will work in my next house".
Yes, I am bad. But I am trying to be a reformed pack rat. I am fighting the battle with clutter and will eventually win. Making money off these items is also a bit more of a motivator than just donating them. So when I find that next item I just can't live without, I know I have to sell something (or donate) first. Although I think I need to get rid of a whole bunch before I add to it... but I really do need those dishes from Big Lots.... like my 6 or 7 sets isn't enough already. I actually bought a chipped china set for when we go outside... that way if they break I won't get upset.
Seriously though, I think I need counseling. And a bigger house. With a butler's pantry. And an enormous amounts of cabinets. And....
