Thread Drift

[emily_in_nc]

One problem I have with getting rid of stuff is that I don't like to throw things in the trash if they are still useful to someone. Hence the giant pile of stuff in the living room that is waiting to go to Good Will. And I also try to recycle as much as possible, including electronics items. It takes more time than just putting things out in the trash but I think it's worth it. Probably the hardest part is that the drop-off hours at our local recycling places conflict with my weekend bike rides.

This is totally us. When we were downsizing to move from a 4 BR house to an apartment in 2010 and then again to move to Belize in 2011, we made so many trips to Goodwill, various types of recycling places, and we sold as much as we were able on craigslist and ebay. It took a ton of time and energy, but I just hate to throw things out if they might be useful! However, when we cleaned out my DH's parents' home so they could move to assisted living, we had a much shorter timeframe so in addition to giving wanted items to family members and many donations, we filled two driveway dumpsters with trash. There was just too much to go through and too little time to organize a sale (plus no one in the family wanted to have one, and they didn't have enough good stuff for an estate sale). I felt guilty about that but was glad we were able to donate as much as we did. If DH and I hadn't been there, it would have all gotten thrown out since other family members just wanted it over with (and are not the environmentalists we are!)

[Crankin]

We have an awesome business here, called Household Goods, in Acton. It was started by an older couple, and is almost entirely volunteer run. They take all furniture and anything you might need to se up housekeeping: dishes, wall prints, kitchen stuff. Clients get a referral from a social service agency to go there, or have to be on some kind of benefits. Many times, they are people moving into housing after being in a shelter. We donated some things there. They have a truck, but it only comes to each area once a week, and they are often scheduled way in advance. So, it's easier to bring the stuff there, if you can. I have had many friends and clients volunteer there (some court mandated!), and they all say it is amazing to watch people picking out some really nice stuff to set up a house.
We also have a permanent Goodwill truck set up in the parking lot of a local shopping center. There is a guy there, who gives receipts if you want. I am amazed that when I do my 2X a year clothing drop-off, there are people waiting in line, often 2-3 cars. I don't get a receipt, so I just throw the bags on the steps and leave.
FYI, you can drop off electronics to recycle at Best Buy, and they give you a coupon for 10.00 when you do. Electronic recycling day in our town interferred with the start of one of our annual rides (like, the road of our start location was blocked), so we have doing Best Buy for at least 10 years. And, we moved the ride to another town...

[Crankin]

Baby arrived around 7:45 am by c section, after a day of labor that was not progressing. Everyone is fine.
7 lbs, 9 oz, a giant for our family. She looks like my son.
We will go see her tonight, after the rush hour dies down.
One down, one to go!

[Pax]

Yay!!! Congrats to you and your family, Crankin!!

[Crankin]

[Pax]

Aww, look at that little puddin'!!

[Aromig]

Oh my gosh! What a sweet sweet face! Congratulations to you! (and your son and daughter in law)

[ny biker]

Congratulations Crankin! (And ouch, a c-section *after* a day of labor. )

[Catrin]

Congratulations Crankin (and to the new parents)! She is adorable, and hope her mom is starting to feel better after everything!

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations, Crankin! She is so cute.

Thanks also for the info about Best Buy. Since we are on the road, it can be difficult to find a place to recycle electronics. We recently did a whole ride just to recycle laptop batteries.

[ny biker]

We have an awesome business here, called Household Goods, in Acton. It was started by an older couple, and is almost entirely volunteer run. They take all furniture and anything you might need to se up housekeeping: dishes, wall prints, kitchen stuff. Clients get a referral from a social service agency to go there, or have to be on some kind of benefits. Many times, they are people moving into housing after being in a shelter. We donated some things there. They have a truck, but it only comes to each area once a week, and they are often scheduled way in advance. So, it's easier to bring the stuff there, if you can. I have had many friends and clients volunteer there (some court mandated!), and they all say it is amazing to watch people picking out some really nice stuff to set up a house.

We have something similar here, but they don't take everything. Their warehouse space is limited so they don't accept all kinds of furniture.

And I will look into the electronics recycling at Best Buy -- more convenient for me than going to the county-run place that's only open on Saturdays.

[Crankin]

She does have a sweet face. The expression is like my DIL, but she is alert and very "mature" looking like my son was as a newborn.
Kinda funny to see him worrying about pee and poop and all that stuff...