Garage Sale Fever? What's wrong?

Well I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to clean out some of the 15 years of accumulated junk. It's been a S-L-O-W painful process but finally got a good start for a yawn sale. As I sit and price stuff I think what a great way to get rid of this stuff quickly and pass some great steals onto others. Yeah right! The first weekend (last week) was marred a bit by extremely hot weather and severe thunderstorms. But customers did come and BROWSE.

One of my first customers took a took at my Disney DVD's priced at $2.00 and $3.00 and informed me the lady up the road was selling Disney movies for .25 a piece and I would do better if I DROPPED my prices. I just smiled sweetly and fought off the urge to go running and buy all the Disney movies at the other garage sale for a quarter. LOL. But seriously, an hour later 2 of the Disney movies were gone. I know times are tough and everybody is looking for a good deal but since when did garage/lawn sales become so....CHEAP???

Gas and food have skyrocketed to unbelieveable new heights. People should be flocking to garage sales, especially as the new school year is just a month away. I have good quality teen clothes for .10, .25, .50. Name brand jeans for $1.00 in almost new condition? But where are all the buyers. I was quite depressed.

This week so far has faired much better. Today yielded almost $100. I know if I lived in a big city I would be celebrating right now as I prolly would have sold everything! But I live in a small town in a line of small towns and those gas prices can be a real yard sale killer.

I just want to clear out the bulk of the stuff and give the rest to charity. But I'd just like to do it quickly...more quicker than weekly weekend sales. I considered auctions but at 30% commission..hmmm..I'll pass for now. I'm leaning toward listing the really good stuff on craiglist or kijiji, wonder if that will have any rate of success. I hear of others having good luck. Guess I won't know til I try.

If anyone knows any tips or tricks, success stories for craiglaist or kijiji? Drop me a comment. Much appreciated.

Getting back to Business

I am feeling quite proud of myself today. I managed to remember to Twitter. I updated two of my Squidoo lenses and created a new lens "Growing Up With Autism" which was very personal to me. It talks about my son, Jonathan, who has autism. I think it came out good, real good. I hope other enjoy reading it too!

Sales this past week have been fantastic! I cannot believe how many we've had. July has always been the slowest month in past years but this year may break that trend. I don't know why but I think the ability to access the internet while on vacation in hotels , hot spots and mobile phones plays a big part. No longer are people away from the net while on vacation. Which is great for our online business!

Tomorrow I will work on blogging and my websites.

Patches 1998-2008

Our family pet Patches died earlier this week, she was 10 years old. She was a beautiful calico colored cat with a gentle soul. She and I were not very close until after I split with my ex-husband, it was then she seemed to change and adapt, becoming my protector. If I was yelling at the kids or crying, she would come running into the room and look at me meowing..until I reassured her all was well.

She "talked" to me all the time, my daughter, was always a bit jealous cause Mommy could get Patches to meow on demand and she couldn't. And purr, she had one of the loudest purr motors I have ever heard!

At night, she would make the rounds, slepping for a bit in each of the kids rooms, until finally settling down for the night on my hips. And she would drive the boys crazy, following them around all day when she was in heat.

This past year she had become very thin, she threw her food up regularly. She went through a same dark period last year but seemed to work through it and regain her weight back. This time around though, I could sense a loosing battle, I suspected a form of stomach cancer had taken over her body and this time she would not win the fight. She never seemed in any pain which I am grateful for.

It was particularly hard to learn of her passing away when I came home from work. I felt sad and upset that I hadn't been able to be home and spend any time with her the day she passed. My daughter who was 5 yrs old when she picked Patches out of a box in front of our local Wal-mart, took it the hardest. They practically grew up together.

As the circle of life must go, we will start over with a new kitty, prolly by next month. Deep down, both my daughter and I know, there will be no other kitty in our lifetime that will ever be or take the place, of our dearly beloved Patches.

We love you, rest in peace!

Andy Warhol What a Find!

Andy Warhol, one of America's most imaginative artists of the 20th Century. He just didn't go around a paint trees, rivers, oranges, or whatever Artists draw to starve to death. He was one of the first to poke fun at America Pop Culture. It doesn't matter what class you came from, you probably drink Coke. His little artistic jabs at America's obsession with money and fame was the source of much of his work. It is amazing to think that shortly after his death, it took Sotheby's nine days to dispose of $20 million dollars worth of his estate. He also had much more in investments. He did not die a starving artist!

At Fun Cool Collectibles have a found clothing and bags with some licensed Andy Warhol pop culture images on them. I love looking at them. It is like looking at true American Icons. Check them out at Fun Cool Collectibles

Happy Memorial Day

Wow has the past month flew by! It's been very busy here. My oldest turns 17 years old next week. He attended his first prom..his junior prom and had a fun time. My daughter has been busy training for the 30th Annual Freihofer's Run for Woman in Albany next Saturday. This will be her 3rd time running the 5K, not bad for a 14 year old. She really enjoys it and it gives her such a sense of accomplishment. And my youngest son, has been practicing for his piano recital in June. He has really done well with his piano lessons. Sometimes, because of his autism, he has a hard time learning the notes. He finds it easier to play by ear and memorize the music. But I am really impressed by how far he has come. He also has a very wonderful piano teacher who knows just how to get the best out of him during his lessons.

How proud I am of my kids! Looking forward to a nice Memorial Day weekend, warm weather and hot dogs and hamburgers off the grill! Hope yours is as fun!

Oh and Fun Cool Collectibles is running a Memorial Day Sale too!

New Alice in Wonderland merchandise in stock now!

Check out these recently added Disney Alice in Wonderland merchandise:

Alice in Wonderland Yellow Thermal Hooded Shirt
Alice in Wonderland Bangle Bracelet
Alice in Wonderland Pendant Necklace
Alice in Wonderland Hardcover Journal

So while you are anxiously awaiting news on the cast and production of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, pick up a few of these favorites for yourself.

Comic Con in NYC

My son just got back from this weekend's Comic Con 2008 in New York City. This was his first real trip to something like this and he had a ball.

This is a picture(above) of him with Judith Park, the author of YSquare He received an autographed copy for free.

Here's a picture(right) of Blue from "CatBlue Dynamite" a film by Romanov Higa. He will also be the director of the "Appleseed Genesis" TV series. Another big highlight at the convention was Code Geass(pictured below)
It was truly a weekend to remember for him. Stan Lee was there, as well as Fat Momma and Major Victory. Chris Carter featured a trailer presentation of "X-Files: I want to Believe" We will be looking forward to the New York Anime Convention September 26-28th.