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.

Danish Modern

For a while there, anything that was labeled "Danish Modern" or even "Mid Century Modern" I had to buy.  It got a bit out of hand.  Soooo, I'm lightening the load.

  

What:  A really cool 3-candle holder that had one of the aforementioned labels on it at a vintage store I used to frequent in Sydney.

Why:  I just never seemed to take it out of storage for display


Where:  eBay

Clothes

So last week I gave my sister two big bags of clothes.  At least 40 things that were not detailed on this blog before.  Ta-da!

I swear I'm still getting rid of stuff.  I promise to write more posts.  Promise. From me to you.

Stay tuned.

Belkin N Wireless Router F5D8236-4

What:  Wireless router I bought for Jason thinking I was the Best Gift Giver Ever

Why:  Apparently, what he really wanted was a router/modem combo, which we just had to buy because the crappy one AT&T gave us done broke. 

Where:  Sold on ebay!  Cool $40.

Cards

What: A ton (like 80) of trading cards (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey and Comic Book)

Why:  I think these once belonged to my brother in law.  But I know we've had them forever.  No more.

Where:  Ebay baby!  I've spent both nap times today listing these things and I've only got 9 of them up.  It's a long road, but will hopefully be somewhat profitable.  My dad and I tried to sell them at a random comic shop we came across in the suburbs, but in their eternal words "that market's dead."  Let's hope not.

I killed the pillow

What:  Pillow

Why:  I've washed pillows before with no adverse effects.  This one died.  Did a number on the inside of my washer too.  Mess.

Where:  Garbage.  Actually, I put it on top of the garbage in case a nice bum wanted a pillow for the night.  It was gone in a few hours.  Ahh, city living.

Random Plastic Flatware

What:  Plastic forks, spoons, etc.

Why:  You know what's great about moms?  They do shit for you that's above and beyond.  My mom was here the other day helping me with the baby, and when my kid was sleeping know what mom did?  She re-arranged an entire cabinet so that it was both functional *and* baby-proof (ooh! and she wiped clean the shelves when they were empty - Go Mom!).  In said cabinet, in the way way back, were all these old delivery utensils packets.  It's just one of those things I guess.  Hard to throw away when you have them, stupid to hold on to for any amount of time.

Where:  Plastic bits were recycled.  Napkins were used that day to wipe down counters and tables.  The rest went to trash city.

Bathmat

What:  Old bathmat

Why:  While it doesn't look so bad in the photo, trust me.  It was.  It was indeed old, had random bleach spots (?), frayed pieces, and the backing had seen much much better days.  Yet another cheap home good we shipped to and from Australia and the USA.  D'oh.

Where:  Garbage

HP Deskjet F380

What:  One perfectly good HP color printer purchased in Sydney in 2007

Why:  My friend gave me her old one which also has fax capabilities. 

Where:  My Dad was over today talking about needing a new printer. Serendipity!

BONUS:  Did I mention I have a thing for keeping boxes?  Yeah, I know.  So I remembered the box for this (yes, ok, I keep them in separate places.  I know it makes no sense) and my Dad (Mom) doesn't want it so out it goes in the recycling tonight. 

Two in a row!

Continuing on a theme...

What:  Self tanner I bought in Australia.  In 2007.

Why:  Do I need to explain?

Where:  Garbage

April 27, 2010

That's the day my New Year's Resolution took a hiatus.  Anyway.

Hey all!  Remember me?  You know, excuses, excuses.  But I'm back.  And man, have I got some great Things To Get Rid Of.

Stick with me - it'll be good.

Let's start with one of my deep dark secrets:  makeup.  I don't wear it on any regular basis, so I almost never buy any.  And then I just keep it forever.  Of course, the Internets have schooled me on how disgusting this is, so I'm reluctantly cleaning shop.  So let's start with:

What:  Lip Gloss

Why:  See above (I honestly cannot even tell you when I purchased this.  I'm afraid to admit it may have been when I lived in NYC '99-'01.  Super gross, I know.)

Where:  Garbage.  Swear.

Added bonus:  there are two more in random purses somewhere.  You have my solemn vow that I will toss them as soon as they turn up. 

S'up?

Hi guys.  Remember when I had a daily blog?  Yeah, me too.  Kinda got away from me there.  But fear not faithful followers, I have been Getting Rid of Things all along.  And taking pictures too.  It's the pesky upload-photos-and-write-about-it bit that's slowed me down.  I'll get to it though.  Oh I will.  Here's a (picture-less) sneak peek:

• Old bed sheets!
• Bathmat from many years ago!
• Kitchen utensils that I thought I would use but never do!
• Glassware!
• More clothes!

See?  The excitement never stops. But sometimes the blog posts do.  Stay tuned...

Mad

I'm catching up....

What:  Two old ass issues of Mad Magazine.  June '57 and April '58

Why:  We stopped by the in laws' house this weekend and they were given to us.  I'm not sure if they ever belonged to my husband or were always his father's or what, but regardless we walked out of there with them.

Where: eBay and eBay

Sunday Again

Time for me to update the blog!

What:  Folding Chair
Why:  I left this outside all winter under the deck.  It is cracked.  Do not sit.
Where:  Garbage.  But interestingly enough, the other day I was looking out our bedroom window and saw someone pull this same chair out of the neighbors' garbage.  So it's been claimed and discarded another time since I Got Rid of it. 

What:  Watering Can
Why:  While it looks cool, it sucks as a watering can.  It gets water everywhere when pouring and doesn't hold much capacity.
Where:  Garage sale.  Someone else take my crappy stuff!

What:  Old cell phone
Why:  A friend gave this to me when I was going overseas because... I don't remember.  But I do know the best feature of this phone is that the screen is a mirror when not in use.  Clever!
Where:  Garage sale?  My father in law also *loves* this type of shit.  I'll give it to him if it doesn't sell.

What:  Clothes
Why:  Because I have to get rid of them.
Where:  Donate