So, how’ve you been? Staying well and safe, but busy? Busy is good.
Since this pandemic started, everything has changed, but repurpose, recycle, and reuse are still good things.
We wanted to change our kitchen eating area from a round table and round rug to a rectangular set up. The local Habitat store wouldn’t take a rug donation and would only approve taking the table if they could preview it. Picky, picky because I remember when they would take anything you had to donate as long as it was home related and reusable.
So, I took to Facebook Marketplace, and sold both within hours and for the asking price.
I also found my window wells last week on Facebook Marketplace.
Instead of paying $150 for six new ones to make three raised planters, I paid $50 for 7.
I’m not sure what I’ll do with the odd one, but maybe I can come up with something.
Are you using Zoom? I’ve had to in order to attend meetings and view webinars. So, I attended an online class to learn about all the little bells and whistles. Okay, so now I know, but what I really wish is to get to a point where I’m not required to use it to interact with people. Matter of fact, I’d prefer to never hear the word, Zoom, ever again. 🙂
I’ve also started the fall cleanup. It was 33°F this morning when I made coffee, brr. Between the brown grass and dirt that was once a lawn and now the cut back perennial beds, it’s pretty unattractive out there. There are a couple of Dahlias and Mexican Sunflowers still blooming along with the Autumn Joy Sedum so the bees are still happy.
I’ve even bought seeds for next year since they were in short supply this spring, and I don’t want to scramble to find them for next gardening season.
Hope you are all well, staying safe and sane. Some days I’m having to work hard on that last part, but some might say I had that challenge before the pandemic. 🙂
Looks like you found a gold mine in Facebook Marketplace. Good deals all around. I have no doubt you’ll have no trouble finding use for the odd window well! Lol.
I actually pruned the forsythias way back and cut the last of the flowering plants down to the ground. I have three plants in a window box that need to go. Still flowering somewhat, but very bedraggled looking.
It was 36 degrees here this morning. Not missing the oppressive heat/humidity, but I’m sure not ready for these temperatures yet!!
It’s hard staying sane while trying to stay well and safe!
Ginger
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That forsythia will come back next spring looking better than ever. It is always painful for me to get rid of annuals. I should do it all at once. Since it cooled down, they actually look better but with the drought restrictions, I hate to keep watering something I’m going to toss anyway. Oh, the ups and downs of gardening. 🙂 You are right about the safe and well versus the sane. 🙂
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Sane? I think that boat sailed! 🙂 Love the idea of using window wells as planters. Next spring I want to rig up something to plant just a few plants. Something easy but I have to make it ground hog proof.
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Thank you for the chuckle about the boat sailing, and I think you’re right. 🙂 Ground hog proof – now there’s a challenge. Of course, I’m still trying to get rid of my skunks. 🙂
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We don’t have many skunks and what we have aren’t troublesome except for the holes in the lawn where they are looking for grubs.
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Good for you snagging a deal on those window wells. I still say that’s a great idea. The low temps in the morning has inspired me to get moving on those pre-winter chores and projects. Interesting about Habitat being picky about donations, at least you found a good way to keep them out of a landfill.
I hope you have a nice cool week, Judy.
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With them not taking donations and Goodwill isn’t taking large items yet, I would have to pay to dispose of perfectly good items. So, I made money and they’re gone – win win. 🙂 The weather is going to be good this week so I’ll be gardening at home and then on Thursday I’m working with a couple of Master Gardeners on closing down a public garden. It will be a good week. Hope you have a good one too Dan, and I think you got your buildings all closed up just in time.
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Yes, I’m working inside the shed this week, gettin everything organized. Then moving into the garage. Making money vs spending money I’d always good. Reusing something that’s still good is also nice. As you say, win win.
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Hi Judy, I think it might be a new policy with Habitat. I called to have a cabinet picked up and they wanted to see a picture before they sent someone out. I shot them a quick Iphone pick and it was approved, no questions. 33 degrees! Can’t relate. Our weather is very tropical right now – balmy, humid. Should break soon. What a ride this summer has been. Will head to the beach later to catch some good splashes. Take care.
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Yes, photo, approve, but then I had to deliver the table. This turned out to be easier. The buyer picked it up and left cash. 🙂 Hope the beach was not crowded and you got some good shots. It’s definitely fall here. It was in the low 20’s a bit north of us so enjoy your balmy weather. 🙂
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Fall is here, which has brought the much colder temperatures. Two weeks ago we had the air conditioners running full blast and this morning I am bundled up my “winter robe and slippers” and my coffee. Not as cold as you quite. Habitat has left us disappointed lately too. I realize they have limited space and know what will sell, but glad you were able to move those items on FB marketplace. I am searching for a much larger dining room table/chairs and not wanting to pay kings ransom. I have room for about 110″ long but everything I am finding is so much smaller. Time to make a trip to the vintage/second hand stores.
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Yes, the layering of clothes has begun. 🙂 Our Habitat store moved from a small town to a much larger one and has gotten very upscale in comparison. We use to go there and find parts and things for projects. Now, it is largely used furniture of all kinds including hotel stuff. 110″ is a BiG dining room table, but if you have family to fill it more power to you, friend. I’ll be hoping you find exactly what you’re looking for. 🙂
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I congratulate you on your determination and your successes! Every once in a while that old adage “where there’s a will” proves true. As for staying safe and sane, well, I’m staying safe. I look forward to hearing what you do with that odd planter; I have no doubt you will think of something blog-worthy!
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I was rather chuffed with myself for selling both those items. When I’ve sold things on Craigslist, they always want to barter. But, I got full price on FB Marketplace, and my husband has been laughing and asking me if I had anything else I was going to sell. 🙂
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Smart man, your husband!
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At our home in the woods, it is very dry, but because there is so much shade, things don’t look too bad. We use Zoom all the time, and I thank my lucky stars we have this available to us. Zoom is how we are able to see our kids, who live far away. I use it for a library book club and movie club. Also other get-togethers. Makes pandemic life much more bearable. Those window wells were great buys, and I’m glad you sold your rug and table.
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I use Zoom all the time, but I’d sure like to meet and greet with friends in person just like I know you’d prefer to visit and hug with your kids. However, since we are where we are this year, Zoom certainly serves a valuable service. 🙂 We picked the window wells up in South Berwick, Maine. The guy had them stacked in the driveway next to a rock. He was off in the background, watched us load up, and I left the money under the rock. Touch-free pickup. 🙂
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I miss my kids so much! But Zoom does help. Great way to pick up those window wells. Very safe.
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You had a good week! I’ve used both Zoom Google meets. I like Zoom better. I’m not sure what sane is anymore.
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We finally got some cool weather!
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It’s going down to 38 tonight. I can’t believe my cherry tomato plant is hanging in there, but it is. 🙂
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I never thought I’d fluctuate on what sane meant, but it seems to change each day that is if I can even remember what day it is. 🙂
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Hasn’t been quite that cold here, but chilly enough that it is putting me into fall prep mode. I’ve been cleaning up beds, cutting back finished perennials, and planting out the last of the potted perennials still languishing on the bench! Zoom provides Friday night Happy Hour with two friends, and I’m grateful for it. Sane? Well, that’s debatable. Love the window well planter idea.
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You have those potted perennials waiting too? 🙂 I’m donating plants to our plant sale next week so mine will get planted as soon as I get that finished. Zoom definitely has provided an opportunity to stay in touch. Yes, sane seems to be debatable for most of us. 🙂
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I’ve heard good things about FB Marketplace, so I may have to check that out. Sane? Well, the jury might still be out on that one, but I’m probably not much worse than pre-Covid, although it might depend who you asked. 🙂 Our daughter from southern California is coming for a visit today, although her husband has to stay home and work, so that will be a nice diversion. I had to get all the photos off my iPhone and that’s always interesting. Also have to transfer photos (and more) from an old laptop to a new one, so that will also be interesting. I have to come up with a better way of doing things with my photos. Watching Stanley Cup playoff and now finals game with my parents and enjoyed seeing bit of the Tour de France, which was quite astonishing this year. I do with the churches would be open so we could find a new one, but that will have to wait for a time.
Happy new week, Judy.
janet
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Here’s my tip on FB Marketplace – make the description short. The first one I did I tried to provide info on the carpet and about picking up with a mask because of Covid. It sat for a week ‘under review’ with no end in sight. So, I deleted it, took photos of the carpet info, and only included the size. Immediately it was posted. It worked well. You’ve been busy, friend, and a visit from a daughter is a real gift. Photos – now, there’s a topic we could all use help with. If you find any good options by all means share. I always mean to go back and delete ones I haven’t used, forget, and wind up sitting for a couple of hours while I delete, delete. Enjoy your visit and your sports because both will probably keep you smiling.
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Thanks for the tips, Judy. Off to Saguaro National Park again today to share with our daughter.
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Speaking of zoom, I just got home from one daughter’s house. My job was to keep the 3 year old little guy happy while his two older sibs did virtual meetings. He’s driving them all “cray-cray” unless someone’s there to keep him busy from not shoving a cat in the screen or yelling in the background! But we did our crafts and had a great time together!
I am in the process of selling my home made carnival booths on Marketplace. Interesting. I have had people fighting over some of them while others go without a glance. Then there’s the “no shows” and others who try to wrangle an extra 50 cents off my “already low prices!” 🙂 I never have any idea who will meander up my driveway, cash in hand! It’s a whole new experience for me and would be far easier to just throw everything away because grandpa says “enough already!” with the impassable basement, however I’m really entertained by the process and intend to keep going! Several ladies have thanked me so profusely (tears in their eyes) for the fun their kids will have – that makes it worthwhile! Sounds like your experiences have been great ones! Be glad!
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Thank you for the chuckle envisioning your little guy Zoom bombing his siblings. Funny to hear, but I’m sure they aren’t finding the humor so it is good there is #1 Grandma to the rescue plus it’s a great opportunity for one-on-one with him I’m sure. 🙂 I can imagine your crafts are very much appreciated by those of us without your amazing skills. I’ve sold on Craigslist in years past, and they ‘always’ try to barter which gets annoying when you already have it priced low, and you don’t have a clue who you are dealing with. I do like that on FB Marketplace you can at least see who you are dealing with and how long they’ve been on FB. That kind of makes you feel a little better about who you are dealing with. Both people I sold to were appreciative, wore their masks, and stayed six feet away. You might as well get some cash to buy new art supplies as you make Grandpa happy. 🙂 Stay well, friend, and enjoy that little guy because my little guy is 15. 🙂
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I thought I would get safely through this pandemic without ever having to use Zoom. But a whole bunch of people from my former workplace are retiring, and so the powers there thought it’d be nice to have one huge conference call with current and former employees. I could skip it, but I guess that would be bad form. It isn’t for a couple of weeks yet, it is hard to learn? – Marty
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No, it’s pretty easy. You will have to download Zoom. Then they will send you a link to click on which will admit you to the call. Once on the call, you will have to have your audio and your video on. There will be two buttons on the lower left of the screen. You will know immediately because you will hear the other participants and see your face on the screen. If not, look at those two buttons on the left and see if there is a line through them which means they’re turned off so just click them and you’ll come to life. There’s a chat box if you have a question, and there is a challenge if several people talk at once because they talk over each other. Before the call, walk around your house either with your computer camera on or your iPhone with the camera facing you like you were taking a selfie. See if there is good light and what they will see when you’re set up. I was on a call once with a presenter who was in her laundry room and the whole time everyone was staring at her laundry supplies and dirty clothes. So, pick a wall that you want them to see or just a plain wall. Also elevate the computer or tablet a little so you’re looking at it eye level and not staring down at the desk/table top. You’ll be good to go. 🙂
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Judy, this is WONDERFUL. I’m really grateful for your suggestions (i.e. no laundry room backgrounds! — that cracked me up). I’m sure I would have somehow figured it out, but it’s good to have a bit of a primer ahead of time. Thanks so much!
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I went down to our veggie garden today to water (it hasn’t rained here since June) and decided to skip it. The zucchini and tomatoes are pretty much done and the peppers are overachieving beyond their usefulness. Even though it still feels like summer here, I guess my plants know better.
Although I much prefer human contact to Zoom, it really has come in handy. I imagine even after (fingers crossed) this is over, I’ll still keep in touch that way with those who don’t live close.
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You are right, the plants know. I’ve pulled out everything except two tomato plants because we’re not suppose to be watering. I heard this morning, we’re down 12″ of rain this year. Not good. Zoom does come in handy that is for sure, but I’m really looking forward to the day when I can enjoy lunch with friends. Stay well, and I wish we lived closer because I’d share some of those tomatoes that are overrunning my counters. 🙂
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Most of my friends and neighbours use FB Marketplace … it seems the best way to find a home for unwanted goods.
Very busy at the moment as my daughter had a lovely baby boy on Sunday 💕💕
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Oh, you gave me goosebumps. Congrats to the entire family on your new bundle of joy and may he have a wonderful life. That is such an exciting time. I have great memories. 🙂
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I’d never heard of Zoom until the virus hit! I’ve only used it once, for an appointment but it seemed to work well. We’re fortunate here that the virus is almost non existent in our state, which is not to say it won’t flare up again at some stage. We do have some restrictions but are able to travel anywhere within our state. We’ve been away a couple of times and are planning another short caravan holiday soon but in the meantime we’re happy enough staying at home. I have been busy making baby things for our first grandbaby, due next month – a quilt, a crocheted cotton blanket, a cute little hat and an even cuter crocheted puppy. It’s lovely to have something so special to look forward to.
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Me too – I’d never heard of Zoom before this pandemic, and it has definitely served a purpose. I applaud you and your fellow citizens for working hard to keep the virus down. We as a country have not banded together for the better good, and the overall results are down right ugly. Our state of New Hampshire has been doing well especially in comparison to other states so I’m grateful for that. A first grandbaby – now that is one exciting time. Your gifts sound perfect, and you are right in that it is a real boost mentally and physically to have something as exciting as that to look forward to. I wish your entire family all the best and embrace all the joy that comes with being a grandparent. 🙂
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I used FB Marketplace to sell a couch, prior to Covid, and also got my asking price from a family who was very happy to take it. When my workplace moved three years ago, I contacted Restore regarding the very old and unused furniture between two offices. They also wanted to come and look at everything, but it was partly wanting to know if it was worth taking and partly needing to know if one truck would be enough to pick it up. We were grateful for Restore then, but I would not want them coming into an office or home now, in the midst of a pandemic.
Enjoy the flowers that are left in your garden and stay sane! 🙂
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It’s just part of life – up and down. 🙂 We use to shop at Restore for a lot of parts and pieces for projects, but they really have mostly furniture which is good if you’re looking to buy. I have a few flowers left, and I’m enjoying each one. 🙂
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This is a great time for projects – I like what you’re doing!
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Thanks. 🙂
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I need to add Mexican sunflowers to my list of pretty flower to grow just because. I like them, but overlook them in the spring when I should be planting them. Bad me.
As for Zoom… you said “I’d prefer to never hear the word, Zoom, ever again.” I agree. I get that it is useful, but I find it tedious to a fault. Is it not enough that we have to look at screens to communicate written words, but then also have to stare at screens to see people, too? My eyes cannot take it, I tell you.
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I think you captured it – it’s staring at the screen for extended periods of time. We have a MG conference coming up from 12:30-5:30 on Zoom. Guess who won’t be attending? 🙂
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You [don’t] go girl! 😉
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Sounds like you’ve had a hard freeze already. Brrr, indeed. Sounds like your gain and charity’s loss on the table and rug. Wonder why they’re so picky?
I’ll start getting to those fall yard chores as soon as my wrist stops hurting. For some reason, it doesn’t like the changing seasons. I love fall, though. The tomatoes are about done, but the winter squash are still adding new fruit. Crazy!
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The charities up this way are really picky right now because so many people have been donating car loads. Goodwill will only accept donations on Fri-Mon instead of every day. Here we are at home, cleaning and organizing and the options are somewhat reduced. I guess it goes along with everything else this year – challenging. 🙂
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Hello My Friend! I am glad you are finding what you need on Marketplace and selling stuff too!
Sorry it took so long for me to pop over but we are still trying to get settled back here in AZ.
You take care and don’t work too hard in the yard.
Happy Day to You!
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Glad you’re home for the winter safe and sound. 🙂
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I guess I’m living under a rock during Covid because I was unaware of FB marketplace. It certainly worked to your advantage with selling what you were originally going to donate and then getting a good price on something you needed…win, win I think.
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Well, a lot of us have been under or shaded by the rock during the past six months so you’re definitely not alone. 🙂 I was kind of concerned about the transfer, but they were all masked up and careful as well.
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We here, are ‘hanging in there’ for the most part – for my part, for my phase/place in life, I can choose to NOT download Zoom or use it and not a make/break decision – I refer you to VICS browser based solution that doesn’t require security breaches, downloading software, time consuming classes to get up and running – and yes, this is on my radar because I know the guys who built it – no – I don’t make money if you visit and decide to try it or refer others to it as an idea for another option – – https://virtual-internet-conferencing-system.com/. As for ‘picky, picky’ of recycle/upcycle stores, I can only assume they put such things in place because they got tired of sifting through ‘donated trash’ for those who weren’t willing to pay trash fees OR grew big enough they can afford to ‘picky’ and are going after a different section of buyers – – Nice to hear you sold what you had no use for to get the $ for what you needed/wanted to build – an example of social media ‘pros’ if you will when so many (Facebook included) are rather in the bulls eye of angst on various fronts, just now – – That’s my update/connect -with you you, after my silence and I’ll probably retreat back in to silence on my blog until such time as I have something useful or needed to report – or maybe not – but for now – first time in weeks, I’ve felt up to working through archives, connecting, leaving comments, etc., and hoping I don’t wear everyone here, at WordPress.com’s community, patience, thin – – 🙂
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Thank you for stopping and for your info on another video conferencing option. It’s always good to have more than one option. 🙂 I also think you are correct about people dropping off items that cannot be resold or they just had too much to quarantine. Facebook certainly has its place, but over the years I’ve pared down my interactions, and this was the first time I’d tried the Marketplace. Glad to hear you are well although choosing silence. There’s a lot of noise in the world right now so I certainly understand wanting some silence because I choose that option a lot myself. Continue to stay well and the WordPress community is pretty resilient. 🙂
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