Hola Amigos

I know it's been a while since I rapped at ya (really?  January? damn, time flies) but I've been busy.  Let's see... oh yeah.  New baby.  Had one of those in February.  Then spent the last year with a new baby, a toddler, a husband, a house, and a job.    Wah, wah, blah, blah.

The blog is back!  

I am excited to pick up on this again, in no small part because as my second child grows up I'm really ready to purge those awful-but-worth-their-weight-in-gold-when-they-entertain-babies Big Things (gently used jumparoo anyone?).  But also because I can use the extra kick in the pants to get rid of the crap that clutters my life.  

This year (and we're talking 2012 here) I'm thinking about Accidental Income.  I'm curious to try to monetize all those little extras this year and see where it gets me.  For example: that jar of change I collect from pockets when I do laundry (finders keepers bitches - if I leave $20 in my pocket and you do the laundry that Andrew Jackson is yours); those maternity clothes I'm bringing to the resale shop in January; how much do I save over a month with coupons?  And so on.

I've also decided to expand the blog a bit to include more of my "lifestyle" (yeah, that sounds obnoxious) and things I like that keep my world un-cluttered - not just Things I'm Getting Rid Of. [can we talk about Hoarders and Hoarders: Buried Alive at some point please?  Ugh - love.]

So let's start with a link!  Here is something fantastic I read today about the "5 Things to do 10 Minutes Before Bed".  Brilliant.  I already do numbers 1 and 2, and ready to add 3-5.  Let's get our shit together in 2012! [personal note: must find something that rhymes with twelve other than 'delve']

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/cleaning/5-things-to-do-before-you-go-to-bed-081785

Christmas Tree Recycling

And while I'm at it - don't forget about this little gem I found last year at Christmas.  If you live in the Chicagoland area and have a real tree to Get Rid Of, here's a company that will pick it up and recycle it for you (for a donation - I gave $35.  Is that enough?)

Do The Right Thing! Recycling

Get cash for your old gadgets

This info was in Sunday's paper.  I have not checked out any of the sites yet, but plan to (comments are directly from the Tribune).  Truth be told, writing this post is a way for me to get another piece of paper off my desk while having a record in case I find stuff in the future to ditch.  Wish I knew about these sources before I donated a TON of electronics to Goodwill last month...

BuyMyTronics - For many items you can print out a shipping label and mail your stuff free.

Green.ebay.com/instantsale - An alternative to selling on eBay or Craigslist.  Shipping is free.

Gazelle - A big buyer/recycler of electronics.

Geenphone.com - For cell phones only.

RecycleBank - Trade in your electronics for points that can be redeemed at stores.

MyBoneYard.com - For donations only

Remember me?

Hey out there.  Remember this blog I had?  Me too...

So just to recap last year, I did indeed get rid of at least 365 things.  Maybe they didn't all make the blog, but I know in my heart that I did it, and you're just gonna have to take my word.  I took a bunch of pictures of random things in December and when I finally get them off my camera I'll update here.  But believe me, I seriously lightened the load.

I really enjoyed doing this blog, and I will continue in 2011 as much as possible.  Our baby boy is due in something like 32 days and that is kicking my ass.  As will a toddler plus a newborn, I'm sure.  But I'll always have Things I'm Getting Rid Of and will share as much as possible.

Thanks for reading!
-Michele

Videos

What:  A couple DVDs, some Xbox and a PC Game.  Btw, I know they're not called "videos" anymore.  I wanted to type it like Hank Hill pronounced it.  Vidjeahs.  But that's pretty random.  Even for my own blog.

Why:  Jason got rid of them.  I sure wasn't chomping at the bit to play FarCry2 or Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (whatever the hell that means).

Where:  Amazon.  I thought a bit about where to sell these.  Ebay was my first choice, but then I'd have to take a picture of each, upload it, wait a week to see if it sells, blah blah blah.  On Amazon all I have to do is enter the title, price the item lower than the currently listed low price, and wait.  Easy.  Peasy. 

Fun Fact:  The most valuable of the lot?  The Sims 3.  Never would have called that.  It's up in the $20-dollar range where the others are all in the $3-dollar world.

...and just like that!  Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 sold.  $8.50   Thankyouverymuch.

Oprah bib

[I have absolutely no idea why this stupid picture is on its side.  It is right-side up in my computer, but it uploads like this.  So bizarre. Don't hurt your neck.]

What:  Bib from the Oprah store

Why:  When you go to a taping of the Oprah show they push the store relentlessly.  So much so that after you're starved and crazy from waiting in line for 2 hours then sitting through at least 2 hours of taping devoid of any of your time-wasting possessions (no purses, empty pockets, nothing electronic, not even a book is allowed) it seems like the only place TO go.  So I did.  And this is what I bought.  Cause it's kinda clever.   But (thankfully) my girl outgrew her spit up phase almost immediately before I bought this, and we recently found out our next kid is a boy.  No pink bibs for him.

Where:  eBay.  I figured I'll take advantage of Oprah's last season and maybe get some nostalgia bids.

Come take this desk!

What:  My glass-and-metal desk

Why:  A couple reasons:  my kind and generous friend Karen gave me her old desk set with bookshelves and a side table and headboard and all sorts of bells and whistles for my new office; I need to clear out this room for my daughter so my new baby can live in the nursery.

Where:  You know you want this desk.  It's nice. It fits in anywhere, and the glass minimizes its look in any room.  You don't have to use the whole thing.  Set it up as two desks without the corner piece.  Practical *and* functional.  Perfection!  And look how small it is when you take it apart.  You can totally fit this in your car this weekend.