Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Mule and the Carrot

Cesar Millan always talks about how the pack leader needs to set rules, boundaries and limitations for the pack members. I am a firm believer in that. I even take it one step further though and admit that the pack leader sometimes needs a few self-imposed limits.

For years I was a scrapbooking and rubber stamping demonstrator. Even though I never earned a dime of profit I did manage to amass a large trove of supplies. But as they say, the surest way to lose enjoyment from a hobby is to turn it into a job. I burned out on the craft in a big way and ever since we moved here I’ve not taken it back up. For years now I’ve ignored that stash of supplies knowing I really needed to do something with it. Knowing I had money tied up in all that and that it was worth something to somebody. Knowing it would be an enormous undertaking to organize it and sell it off.

It is time. Call it a New Years Resolution if you will, but it’s going.  I’ve dragged it all out into the open where I have to walk past it every day. I HAVE to do something with it. I can’t leave it piled up in the hall.

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I’ve gathered the boxes and packing material and I’m e-baying like a mad woman.

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You see I finally figured out what my reward, or carrot, will be when I’m done. I am going to buy myself a drum carder to process those fleeces the Golden Girls are growing for me. And… maybe even a wool picker if I get up enough courage to let go of ALL of it.

So there it is. Item number one on the 2011 Mission Organization Master Plan.

christinesig

14 comments:

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

Ooooooh. I LIKE your plan!
kim

Lisa Martin said...

I did not see a link to your ebay shop... what is the name of your ebay account?

Christine said...

Hi Lisa,

I am dz99f8 on e-bay. Let me know if you buy anything and I'll send some bonus goodies.

Unknown said...

First, I love your house! Someday I hope you give us a virtual tour.
Second, after watching hoarders last night all I can say is good for you on scaling back! :D

Danni said...

Ooooh, it's hard to let stuff go some times, isn't it? I applaud your resolution and I have a similar one, only it involves a big, scary room filled with junk all over the place. (After that, we'll move on to the garage - lol.)

Meredith said...

My husband and I had this discussion last night about unopened and never used gifts. Along with items we just do not use. I enjoyed your post. We are cleaning house this year

thecrazysheeplady said...

I tried out an expensive picker last year and found it really not that helpful (and takes up a lot of space). Save your money there - for no more sheep than you have - and get a good carder - FWIW.

Conni said...

Let it go! Let it go!! Decluttering is soooo good for the soul...and the pocketbook!!

melanie said...

I like the plan....you may just be inspiring a similar outbreak here in NY...

Robin said...

Good for you. I was a doll collector and a few years ago I just had to eliminate the dolls and boxes I was storing that no longer meant anything to me. Thank goodness my daughter was willing to do the ebay bit. It felt so good to have unwanted items out of the house.

Jayne said...

Good idea! I need to get rid of some stuff around here myself.

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

Good luck with your ebaying! One of my boys made a 4-H poster (several years ago) to demonstrate how to card llama wool with a drum carder.
Bonnie Jo

Heritage Farm Village said...

i love digital scrapping but couldn't fathom amassing all of the supplies needed for paper scrapbooking. good for you going to ebay. i need to that for a lot of things. btw, love the pics of your great pyr. my favorite breed! jill

Michelle said...

Thanks for inspiring all of us!

And I second what Sara (thecrazysheeplady) said, but for different reasons. Two different processors have told me that using a picker on my fleeces would ruin them - break the fibers and cause neps and noils. Although my goal is Shetlands that are fine and soft, they are not THAT fine yet; even so, my fleeces have only been hand-picked to prevent damage. I'd hate for you to make that investment only to find it hurt more than helped!