Why You Should Get Rid Of Your Junk Before You Die

This is my late cousin's bedroom after it was ransacked by two guys, who got carried away at the sale we were having.  Those drawers came out of the dresser and chest.  What a wreck and, sadly enough, it represents a person's life.   All his belongings and little treasures lost without him.

The entire house was full of the contents of 50 years of marriage and they kept everything.  Unreal.   I have been working on helping their only child sell some of it and we have not made a dent in the contents.  Plus there's an attic full.  I don't even want to think about it.

What I have learned is that people spend way too much money on "stuff", which someday, somebody will have to get rid of.   It has made me think about what I buy.   Also, for everything you buy, you should get rid of something.   Don't fall into the trap of "the kids might want it someday".  They won't.   Plus, don't think "it might be worth something someday" either.  If it is, I can tell you right now it is a bitch to get rid of collectibles.  I've been doing EBay sales for the first time ever and I have sold several things but it is time-consuming work.   

Whatever you want your kids to have, you should give it to them now or make sure they know if it has any value.  Case in point:  One of the guys ransacking the bedroom found a gold 1896 pocket watch that belonged to my cousin's father.  He was honest enough to give it to me but he could have taken it and none of us would ever known because we knew nothing about it! 

The Estate Sale: The Portrait

Up until this past weekend, she had been hanging  on the wall of a small bedroom in a house that had been closed up for almost a year.   I knew when I saw her, it was time to give her a new home.   Luckily, she fit perfectly in a frame that I already had, but didn't care for the picture in it.   Plus the colors went well with her.  She has pensive green eyes and reddish-brown hair. 

I don't know her history.   Her owners are deceased.  As many times as I had been in my cousin's house, I'd never seen her before.   She was tucked away in the back bedroom.   She is an old print.  I'm thinking 30's or 40's or maybe older.  All that was on the print was the word Germany.

Now, she is hanging in my den where she can be seen and admired.   I want to give her a name.

New Bookcase

My new bookcase was delivered today.   I got it from a local office supply store at a great price.  I'm looking forward to filling it up and getting a place for the stacks of books and notebooks I have piled up all over the place.  I really like that I can adjust the shelves to the width I want.  It was made by Hon, so it is very sturdy.

I also got my flu shot today.  Several places had run out of it, so I stopped by a doctor's office to get it.  I usually take it every year as a preventive.  

The weather continues to be dreary and wet.  I have never known this area to get this much rain over the summer and fall.  The insect population has exploded, especially flies. 

Here's hoping the holiday season is a dry one!

Busy Days

I finally got time to get back to my blog.  I decided to play around with it and I managed to delete my list of blog links so I've been working on those.    Since this is my favorite season, I decided to let my header reflect that.  I love the colors of this season as well as the weather, although the weather has not been that great lately. The trees are beginning to change color so by the first of November, we should have some lovely scenery. 

Currently, I'm nursing a leg sprain, which I managed to do while I was in Atlanta last weekend.   It has been very painful but getting a little better.   I'll be glad when it is well!

I had a great time in Atlanta, despite being in pain most of the time.   It was the first writer's meeting/conference that I have been to this year.   I really thought after the wedding and our accreditation survey at work, that I would  have a quiet winter and get back into the grove with my writing.  I should never have thought that!   This coming week some buyers are coming to look at the business where I work.  I had no idea the owner would think of selling but he is.   He says nothing will change but I doubt that.   Of course, it could be a lot better in the long run.  I trying very hard to not to think about it, to stay focused in the present moment.    I pitched a contemporary single-title romance at the conference to an agent.  I had considered adding a paranormal element and when I told her that, she told me she didn't like paranormals so I was glad I kept it like it was.   I have a rough draft of the book but I'm making some major changes which will mean big revisions but I'm looking forward to it as it is fun book with colorful Southern characters.   I did a lot of pre-work on the book this weekend.  I'm planning to buy a bookcase tomorrow.  I'm overloaded with books and magazines and I need to get my clutter organized!

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!!  Only three weeks to Halloween!