| in Athens CONSIGNMENT Center (just off the square between Reliance Bank and Economy Cleaners) email: shop@athenschanges.com 116 N. Jefferson Street Athens, AL 35611 Convenient to Florence, Rogersville, Huntsville, and Decatur, AL! Tuesday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (256) 230-0477 Saturday 10:00 AM - 4 PM |
| in Athens CONSIGNMENT Center (just off the square between Reliance Bank and Economy Cleaners) email: shop@athenschanges.com 116 N. Jefferson Street Athens, AL 35611 Convenient to Florence, Rogersville, Huntsville, and Decatur, AL! Tuesday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (256) 230-0477 Saturday 10:00 AM - 4 PM |
52 THINGS CHALLENGE
Kate Holmes at TGTBT recently blogged about a study showing the average person owns 52 things they
don't want, don't need, and wouldn't miss if gone. As a consignment store owner, I thought it would be
hard to find that many items in my house. Scroll down to see how many I found - and what I'll do with
them. Afterwards, maybe you'd like to take the 52 THINGS CHALLENGE. (for items we don't accept on consingment,
I noted in RED why it is unacceptable and what I plan to do with it.)
Kate Holmes at TGTBT recently blogged about a study showing the average person owns 52 things they
don't want, don't need, and wouldn't miss if gone. As a consignment store owner, I thought it would be
hard to find that many items in my house. Scroll down to see how many I found - and what I'll do with
them. Afterwards, maybe you'd like to take the 52 THINGS CHALLENGE. (for items we don't accept on consingment,
I noted in RED why it is unacceptable and what I plan to do with it.)
I started in the garage because I didn't have all night for this project and I knew the garage would b a
goldmine. Oh, goody! I scored 7 items right away:
1. baby crib with no hardware (donate- we don't accept consignments with missing parts)
2. yoga mat (no comment) (donate - value too low to consign)
3. pet carrier (no pets)
4. mailbox and post (donate: great shape but bulky, heavy, and space consuming)
5. bag of old golf clubs (they're lying on floor in front of lawn mower)(donate - old, worn, bag, rusty irons)
6. Brabantia trash can (bought on sale & paid less than $50 for it. Used about 1 month)
7. Faux Orchid in pot (leans a little now) (trash the orchid and consign the great pot)
goldmine. Oh, goody! I scored 7 items right away:
1. baby crib with no hardware (donate- we don't accept consignments with missing parts)
2. yoga mat (no comment) (donate - value too low to consign)
3. pet carrier (no pets)
4. mailbox and post (donate: great shape but bulky, heavy, and space consuming)
5. bag of old golf clubs (they're lying on floor in front of lawn mower)(donate - old, worn, bag, rusty irons)
6. Brabantia trash can (bought on sale & paid less than $50 for it. Used about 1 month)
7. Faux Orchid in pot (leans a little now) (trash the orchid and consign the great pot)
| Garage: 7 items |
I step inside to go into house and something catches my eye; I had 2 "junk collectors" right inside the
back door. A small dish and a small Longaberger basket held too much stuff. Notepads, ink pens,
screws, change, paperclips, etc. I quickly emptied the basket and put stuff in one of the drawers.
Uh-oh. I'd forgotten I had a TUMI bag (ebay) until I found it behind one of the doors. Obviously, I can get
rid of this without missing it. I'm not really into these "organizer" type bags.
back door. A small dish and a small Longaberger basket held too much stuff. Notepads, ink pens,
screws, change, paperclips, etc. I quickly emptied the basket and put stuff in one of the drawers.
Uh-oh. I'd forgotten I had a TUMI bag (ebay) until I found it behind one of the doors. Obviously, I can get
rid of this without missing it. I'm not really into these "organizer" type bags.
| Entry from Garage: 2 items |
I turn into the breakfast room and check out some open shelves. PAYDIRT! Several platters I
never use, some Better Homes & Gardens collectible dishes; stack of plates, a platter, and a pie
plate. (I'm counting the BHG dishes as 1 item since they are part of a set.) Across the room, on a
cabinet, I see a used up candle (trash) and a few pieces of fake, dried, oranges (use at store for
display). Behind a wooden bowl, I spot an iron candle snuffer. It was a nice idea but I mostly use
Tyler candles and I just put the lid back on them to put them out.
never use, some Better Homes & Gardens collectible dishes; stack of plates, a platter, and a pie
plate. (I'm counting the BHG dishes as 1 item since they are part of a set.) Across the room, on a
cabinet, I see a used up candle (trash) and a few pieces of fake, dried, oranges (use at store for
display). Behind a wooden bowl, I spot an iron candle snuffer. It was a nice idea but I mostly use
Tyler candles and I just put the lid back on them to put them out.
| Breakfast Room: 5 items |
Looking into the kitchen, hiding behind the rooster's legs (wish I'd taken a pcture
of this rooster because he's gorgeous. I picked him up at Grayson-Scott a few
weeks ago. BTW: Tammie Strickland just became the proud new owner of this
fabulous little gift shop.) on the bar I see a small crock(another piece to the
BHG dishes) and a stone urn. (So that's where I put my MP3 player! Glad I
looked at the urn). Beside the sink I notice a "19th Century" basket (of apples
(handmade, high quality, but I'm tired of it). Another counter makes me wonder
why the heck I need so many kitchen whatsits (donate-value too low to consign) (2
crocks full and I use only a few of them), then I remember I have more. A bottom
pantry drawer reveals nut picks. shredders, fancy little doo-dads I don't now
what to do with, a mini copper mold and other stuff I can't identify. (I admit I've
had the clerks at Williams-Sonoma, gift wrap items I buy for myself because I love
how they do it. Nice boxes tied with generous lengths of grosgrain ribbon with one
of their little copper molds attached. While I'm on the subject, the creative gift
wrapping at Pimento's in Athens, AL is one of the reasons Leslie and I both shop
there. It doesn't hurt that the staff is so friendly and helpful.). I'm not counting all
this junk separately,but am going to call it as 5 items.
of this rooster because he's gorgeous. I picked him up at Grayson-Scott a few
weeks ago. BTW: Tammie Strickland just became the proud new owner of this
fabulous little gift shop.) on the bar I see a small crock(another piece to the
BHG dishes) and a stone urn. (So that's where I put my MP3 player! Glad I
looked at the urn). Beside the sink I notice a "19th Century" basket (of apples
(handmade, high quality, but I'm tired of it). Another counter makes me wonder
why the heck I need so many kitchen whatsits (donate-value too low to consign) (2
crocks full and I use only a few of them), then I remember I have more. A bottom
pantry drawer reveals nut picks. shredders, fancy little doo-dads I don't now
what to do with, a mini copper mold and other stuff I can't identify. (I admit I've
had the clerks at Williams-Sonoma, gift wrap items I buy for myself because I love
how they do it. Nice boxes tied with generous lengths of grosgrain ribbon with one
of their little copper molds attached. While I'm on the subject, the creative gift
wrapping at Pimento's in Athens, AL is one of the reasons Leslie and I both shop
there. It doesn't hurt that the staff is so friendly and helpful.). I'm not counting all
this junk separately,but am going to call it as 5 items.
| Kitchen: 5 items |
Dining Room just might finish me up. I remember the Myott Royal Mail dishes (trash)
leftover from Ebay sales. I kept these chipped and cracked pieces thinking I'd smash them
and use the pieces for a brown and white mosaic table top. It never happened. Opening
doors of the large German shrunk (cabinet), I pull out a wood and chrome bread basket,
wine bucket, (has chiller insert) I never used, a chichi (Murano?) art glass, multi-colored
flame, votive holder with metal ring (donate - low value),and a Guessters game (donate - we
don't accept opened board games). Behind glass doors I see a crystal butter dish (one of
those spendy, little, wedding-gift, type things you never really use. I've had this more years
than I care to remember. I just keep moving it from house to house. It's time to say "bye".) I
finish up with the shrunk by removing a Wallace Wood tabletop clock from an open shelf.
Moving over to a side piece, I pick up a pair of glass birds before opening drawers to find
a NWT Auburn cell phone clip, a still-in-the-box, golf ball monogram stamper, and a
Nintendo Star Wars game (donate)(probably a vintage collectible by now),
leftover from Ebay sales. I kept these chipped and cracked pieces thinking I'd smash them
and use the pieces for a brown and white mosaic table top. It never happened. Opening
doors of the large German shrunk (cabinet), I pull out a wood and chrome bread basket,
wine bucket, (has chiller insert) I never used, a chichi (Murano?) art glass, multi-colored
flame, votive holder with metal ring (donate - low value),and a Guessters game (donate - we
don't accept opened board games). Behind glass doors I see a crystal butter dish (one of
those spendy, little, wedding-gift, type things you never really use. I've had this more years
than I care to remember. I just keep moving it from house to house. It's time to say "bye".) I
finish up with the shrunk by removing a Wallace Wood tabletop clock from an open shelf.
Moving over to a side piece, I pick up a pair of glass birds before opening drawers to find
a NWT Auburn cell phone clip, a still-in-the-box, golf ball monogram stamper, and a
Nintendo Star Wars game (donate)(probably a vintage collectible by now),
| Dining Room: 12 items |
I'm almost afraid to do the livingroom, but I've got to see just how bad it is. This is not
turning out as I thought it would. 1st thing I notice is the 50th Anniversary frame on a
side table. (I'd meant to put a photo of Roger's parents in this but kinda forgot.). I look
across the room and notice a great pair of Restoration Hardware bookends on the
lower shelf of a console table. (No books between them.) On the same shelf is a large,
grapevine ball I dusted with gold glitter for a Christmas decoration last year. (Why it's
still out is a mystery.) Finally, I decide to part with the Georgia O'keefe coffeetable book
(trash - dog chewed corner) that's hiding down there.
turning out as I thought it would. 1st thing I notice is the 50th Anniversary frame on a
side table. (I'd meant to put a photo of Roger's parents in this but kinda forgot.). I look
across the room and notice a great pair of Restoration Hardware bookends on the
lower shelf of a console table. (No books between them.) On the same shelf is a large,
grapevine ball I dusted with gold glitter for a Christmas decoration last year. (Why it's
still out is a mystery.) Finally, I decide to part with the Georgia O'keefe coffeetable book
(trash - dog chewed corner) that's hiding down there.
A coffee table drawer holds a game we've never played and a department store cosmetic
bag (donate - low value). The book case is ripe for the picking for this little venture. I trash 19
empty DVD cases and 8 cd cases (trash). (We usually put these in books and I'm the only
one who knows how to trash the empties.)
I pull out a new, unopened, dvd, "Play Piano in a Flash" because I don't think we'll get a
piano anytime soon. (Roger ordered from public TV ad because he "planned" for us to get
a piano. This is the same man who accuses me of having a shopping problem.)
I don't need that dish of Yankee Candle Holiday hanging candles and I never even liked
the Eagle statue. There's another Dept 56 collectible plate taking up space and I can let
go of 3 hardbacks (SOUTHBEACH DIET, GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET, and a MARY
ENGELBREICHT HOLIDAY COOKBOOK.), and 4 paperbacks (donate-not current best sellers).
Don't think I ever used the "Dance off the Inches" exercise dvd and I know the
Skullduggery cd wasn't mine. Can't see any use for THE WEDDING COLLECTION 2 CD
SET.
bag (donate - low value). The book case is ripe for the picking for this little venture. I trash 19
empty DVD cases and 8 cd cases (trash). (We usually put these in books and I'm the only
one who knows how to trash the empties.)
I pull out a new, unopened, dvd, "Play Piano in a Flash" because I don't think we'll get a
piano anytime soon. (Roger ordered from public TV ad because he "planned" for us to get
a piano. This is the same man who accuses me of having a shopping problem.)
I don't need that dish of Yankee Candle Holiday hanging candles and I never even liked
the Eagle statue. There's another Dept 56 collectible plate taking up space and I can let
go of 3 hardbacks (SOUTHBEACH DIET, GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET, and a MARY
ENGELBREICHT HOLIDAY COOKBOOK.), and 4 paperbacks (donate-not current best sellers).
Don't think I ever used the "Dance off the Inches" exercise dvd and I know the
Skullduggery cd wasn't mine. Can't see any use for THE WEDDING COLLECTION 2 CD
SET.
| Livingroom: 20 items |
Foyer isn't so hard. Thank God! I did see a brass
planter under the table and I spied a parrot at
the bottom of the stairs. (Great parrot. I liked him
well enough to pay $75 secondhand!)
planter under the table and I spied a parrot at
the bottom of the stairs. (Great parrot. I liked him
well enough to pay $75 secondhand!)
Foyer: 2 items
Front Porch: empty, concrete, planter at
base of steps. 'nuff said.
base of steps. 'nuff said.
| Front Entrance: 1 item |
| Back porch sports a cracked, fake concrete, urn (trash - cracked) and a pair of sandals (trash - not like new) left by my stepson a couple months ago. I don't think he's coming back for them. |
Back Porch: 2 items
I trudge up the stairs, take one look at my
office and JUST SAY NO! I will not do this
room today. I've been mortified enough
already by my "packrat" ways. (Honestly, I
never knew! I may need therapy by the time I
finish.) I will look into the little room leading off
to the side, though. This is where I put the
tanning bed (craigs list-too heavy to move) - which
I rarely use. I've considered selling it but didn't
want o dismantle it to get it downstairs. I've
reconsidered. I'm ready to get rid of it. I'll just
sell it cheap enough that the buyer won't mind
doing the labor himself. Obviously, I have no
use for the mini-trampoline, and those gawdy,
gold, fake grasses in the vase can go too.
Guess I"ll keep the inflatable mattress leaning
against the wall. One never knows...
office and JUST SAY NO! I will not do this
room today. I've been mortified enough
already by my "packrat" ways. (Honestly, I
never knew! I may need therapy by the time I
finish.) I will look into the little room leading off
to the side, though. This is where I put the
tanning bed (craigs list-too heavy to move) - which
I rarely use. I've considered selling it but didn't
want o dismantle it to get it downstairs. I've
reconsidered. I'm ready to get rid of it. I'll just
sell it cheap enough that the buyer won't mind
doing the labor himself. Obviously, I have no
use for the mini-trampoline, and those gawdy,
gold, fake grasses in the vase can go too.
Guess I"ll keep the inflatable mattress leaning
against the wall. One never knows...
Tanning room: 3 items
While I'm up here, I might as well
get the blow dryer holder from the
bathroom. (I haven't used in a year or more
but it's awesome if you like that "salon,
blow-dried, look. Park your blow dryer in it,
fasten the velco straps, and your hands are
free to work those hair brushes!)
get the blow dryer holder from the
bathroom. (I haven't used in a year or more
but it's awesome if you like that "salon,
blow-dried, look. Park your blow dryer in it,
fasten the velco straps, and your hands are
free to work those hair brushes!)
Upstairs Bath: 1 item
| Back downstairs, I decide to peek into the kids' bathroom. Whoopee! Another room with only 1 thing: a chrome basket (donate - low value) collecting junk on a shelf. |
| Kids' bath: 1 item |
My bathroom is a bit more of a problem. I open the door and notice the artwork (some kind of ceramic or china) on the wall that I've thought
about getting rid of several times. I've never been happy with it. Strolling on in, I pick up a fat, brown, candle from the side of the tub that
doesn't even have a plate under it - and I've always known didn't work in here. I look across into the little closet where the toilet is and it just
registers with me that the white organizer over the toilet is pretty much empty. It can go. For some reason, on my way out I'm stupid enough
to open the closet door. Even though I cleaned this bathroom up and out (or so I thought) last week, there is still more stuff! An animal print
train case, the padded lid to a box, a picture I really like but have absolutely nowhere to use it.
about getting rid of several times. I've never been happy with it. Strolling on in, I pick up a fat, brown, candle from the side of the tub that
doesn't even have a plate under it - and I've always known didn't work in here. I look across into the little closet where the toilet is and it just
registers with me that the white organizer over the toilet is pretty much empty. It can go. For some reason, on my way out I'm stupid enough
to open the closet door. Even though I cleaned this bathroom up and out (or so I thought) last week, there is still more stuff! An animal print
train case, the padded lid to a box, a picture I really like but have absolutely nowhere to use it.
| Master Bath: 6 items |
| WOW! 67 items that I do not want, need, and would not miss if gone. And I did not even touch the bedroom, our offices or the kids' play area upstairs. I did start on my closet, but I'm too tired to itemize all that stuff and besides, I get the picture! Even me, a consignment store owner who regularly takes stuff to the store, has too much stuff! ( I didn't even look at my jewelry collection.) I've also decided that Kate cheated. No way she's only got 52 things. |
This is most of the stuff I collected from these rooms. I can barely see the table under that mountain of
unwanted items! Now, I must gather the energy to pack it all up and get rid of it. Much will go to the store,
but not all. Some will go to Charity as it's not good enough or new enough to meet our standards, and a few
pieces will be TRASHED.
unwanted items! Now, I must gather the energy to pack it all up and get rid of it. Much will go to the store,
but not all. Some will go to Charity as it's not good enough or new enough to meet our standards, and a few
pieces will be TRASHED.
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