The Uncontrollable Urge to Purge

Years and years worth of stuff is piling up everywhere in my house as I tediously pour through item after item. There is a plethora of paper; copious amounts of CDs; oodles of outgrown and over-worn outfits; and an infinite mass of photos telling stories of the past. Deciphering what goes and what stays is fairly easy. It's the elimination of such excessive effects that's causing me grief.

Steve suggested a dumpster.

I wanted to at least try to salvage those particular items that could be used again, and maybe make us a buck.

So, Yard Sale it was. Monday was as good a day as any, especially since I riddled Craigslist with advertisements for all of the great furniture and wares I would be selling.

Happily, we had a good showing and profit was gained.

Still, we were left with a ghastly amount of stuff.

So, a Saturday in July brought me and a truck-load to my mother's in Riverside. Along with Auntie C., we set up shop on a hot morning and waited for the madness to ensue. It wasn't to be. Oh, plenty of people visited and perused..but, man, it isn't like it used to be. People want something for nothing! They try to bargain you down from $3 to $1 for an item worth $10!

At the end of the day, once the downpour subsided and we were able to dry off what was left, every last scrap of clothing went into bags and was donated. Toys went to my kids' daycare center. Two bins went home. The rest, on the curb. All-in-all, not a very cash-rich day.

The $60 I made was spent that night at Carrabba's in Warwick.

The true winner of the day?

Lloyd.

Ask him, he'll tell you why.