We've done it. The shed is empty. In clearing it out, we came across the sign I used to put bythe road during sale weekends, and someone stuck it in the ground here. Isn't the whole set up cute?? I was surprised that I felt no remorse at all, it was truly a relief to have it all behind me.
I'd stopped having the sales quite a while ago, but always thought that I'd have just one more little one to clear out remnants. But each year, the stuff got dustier and dirtier. There was still some great inventory left, an old iron bed, a mosaic table, doors, colums, dressers, chandeliers…. on and on.
7 truckloads total of goodies left here this weekend. All given away. It felt wonderful.
I could have taken it to the Salvation Army and gotten receipts for tax write offs… I could have listed the good stuff on Craigs List…. I could have had a sale… I could have just let it sit and rot… all these things were in my mind for years.
But I didn't do a single one. And it hung over me. Looming as a big chore that I had to face.
Finally, I just decided to let it go. Just let it leave. I knew there were things in there that people would love to have. It certainly wasn't just trash. It was good stuff that I had lovingly scrounged! But it was no longer worth anything to ME.
I'd made my profits from the business. This accumlation was paid for long ago, and I find things so cheap that I had very little cash into it. And if I considered how much I'd made over the years on the stuff I did sell, it certainly covered the small loss on these things.
And now we are ready for chickens!
The building is large, one side long and narrow, the other a big square. I'm thinking the smaller side for birds. If I ever get a pony for Sugarwings someday, it can live on the other side. We used to have 5 horses, but have since taken down the old barn. But I think that a pony would be really happy in my antique shop.
We also cleaned out the garage, to make room for two cars and the tractor. I had a furniture painting business in the past and the 24 x 24 building had been my workshop. So, another collection I had was bits and pieces of trim and hardware and interesting bits of wood.
In other words, stuff that rats love to build nests in if you leave it sitting for a few years unused!
So, everything was pulled from the garage, some was burnt, some went to a junker friend who also hauled off dozens of cans of paint.
We got the saw out and cut up my work bench. Since it had been built of pressure treated lumber, I thought of using it the top of it as a "bridge" or sidewalk in the garden, so we sat it in the creeping myrtle behind the house. The bottom half will be moved to the chicken coop to hold the nests.
And speaking of nests, here is a baby update:
My son's Beloved is still having contractions. She did way too much yard work on Saturday building a compost pile in her yard and had a rough weekend from that. On Sunday, I was really worried about her, she was so weak and pale, from contractions all night.
But she is on bed rest and now they have slowed down.
The newest fairy baby isn't due till November 11th or so. I'm hoping that this girl will be patient and wait till then to arrive, but her folks are hoping otherwise. The momma's other 5 kids were all born early and she feels ready NOW.
I'll let you know as things move along. Keep them in your prayers, please?
I am sooo sad that I will never again get to walk into your little cottage and squeal with excitement to see what magic you have created !! I guess I just thought you would do this forever 🙂 I never thought it would end…….
I understand the work that is involved and the relief you must feel…….just want you to know how much I love the memories of your little shop….the joy you give and share with your creative soul …..Thank You Thank You Thank You
Oh my what a great feeling to clean out all your junk..load off your shoulders…prayers in the wind for Mrs. Beloved..
Karla I hope that your son’s beloved does wait for awhile…until the lungs are better…Don’t you feel so much better having this all cleaned out and behind you now…I did this after my late Hubs died and could’t believe the room I had in the barn…Also furnished my grand daughter house at the same time..Love those Yorkies girl..I had 5 of them all at the same time mama and babies…Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Karla,
I can feel, both all the thoughts that ran through your head,before taking the desition-and the reliefe-now all has gone.I`m sure there was some happy folks, driving away,….
The baby girl I guess will be ready saying hello now,-but better to wait,if possibly-I will keep her in my thoughts, Karla.
We had chickens here for many years, too–so great with new eggs every day-good luck, with that new part of life.
If you want to see your crone, on the head of my doll, it is on my blog now.
Happy evening, Karla.
Hugs,Dorthe
Karla,I hope the next fairy baby waits until due date. She/he can have my birthday… November 12. So good of you to give all that stuff away. It must feel so good to get it out. Karla, you have had a lot of lives! I am amazed! It looks like it was the cutest little place but chickens will be fun and Sugarwings must have a PONY!!!! Love those pups sitting there…so sweet!
I thought it was really saddddd the way you described how you got rid of your old left over treasures. Us out here in blog land would have brought a truck and helped you lighten your laod. LOL really
I really like the way you described your future pony house.
Also the picture of your little babies on the bridge is really cute.
Janice
what an adorable little building and setting! It will be so perfect for your plans!
You have a great attitude about giving your things away. I bet it did feel good. I may do the same one of these days soon.
I wish I could have seen that little cottage shop – I know I would have loved it. I’m just picturing what magic you will weave for the chook house Karla… do they get a chandelier?
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I am so glad I stopped by today and read your post! I sooooooo needed to hear what you wrote!!! I know it feels great to get all that done!
We just moved and I am still trying to unpack and get things put away. I didn’t have time to go through years of collecting when we packed so now it LOOMS over me every day. It’s become actually depressing to still see things sitting around in boxes and piles on the table. REALLY depressing.
You said…”Finally, I just decided to let it go. Just let it leave.” I NEEDED to hear that! I just need to let some of it go. I’m not in love with a lot of it anymore and don’t need it. I don’t have time to spend trying to sell it. So I just need to let it go.
Thank you for you post and inspiration!!! HUGS!
I will keep your daughter in law in my prayers!
Karla, I bet it feels SO good to clean out and finally part with things that no longer had any meaning to you, and to know you just gave it all away. Kudos to you!! All those treasures will make someone a happy new owner. 🙂 XOXO,Jenn Prayers and positive vibes sent your way!
Good for you! I’m super proud of you for getting it all done to move forward in life. Thank you for being an inspiration!
The top of your workbench looks great in your creeping myrtle too. What a charming addition to the Cottage.
Prayers for the upcoming fairy baby and her mother.
Karla,
Hope your DIL is feeling better and that the sweet baby will arrive safely! You have been very busy and I hope that your back is good. I know that you must be proud to have accomplished all of that cleaning out and it must feel great!!
I guess another option would have been to call the History Channel’s American Pickers…. LOL It feels so good to get rid of stuff. No matter how pretty, sometimes too much is just too much. Praying for your that sweet little baby and the mama.
Can’t wait to see the chickens you put in there (and maybe the horse). Prayers being lifted up for your sweet grandbaby and mama.
I am happy this project is coming along! I hate it when
things looms over you! Good for you~ Sending Best Wish to the baby, Mom n’ Dad, too~ I will be glad when it is over; waiting is difficult~ xXx
Karla,
Glad that you’ve got that task behind you. I would feel better knowing that all my things went to good homes. They still need to be loved by someone.
Your picture of the puppies is so cute and I like the new “bridge” I also like to see that the leaves are starting to turn. I miss that part of the change of seasons in the Midwest!
I’m so glad that the little Mama is still with child. She’s made it a couple more weeks lets just hope she keeps the bed rest. Prayers and good thoughts still coming her way. Stay, Baby, Stay!(PS she can come on my Mom’s birthday Nov 10th)
Hugs, Sandy
Wow! Seven truckloads.
I know how you feel. I have a shed full of my puppets,story props and tons of other stuff that I used when I was teaching special education. I need to sift through it, give things away to new teachers and move on, since I retired in June. It’s going to be hard, because of all my fond memories that are attached to this part of my life.
I hope the baby waits at least a few more weeks.
~elaine~
What an inspiration you are to the rest of us….just let it go and move forward. So easy to say, yet so difficult to do. Congratulations on your making way for new things for you and your precious Sugarwings and the new little fairy!
The picture of your empty chicken coop makes me sad, I so loved your sales and always secretly hoped you would start having them again! I would have shopped amongst the dust!!Wish I could have come by for some free treasures, but was out of town.
Best wishes for the new baby and her momma. Hoping for a quick, safe and happy delivery!
Sounds like clearing out the shop gives you an incredible amount of peace and a lightness of mind. I know you will love the chickens(and the eggs). Tell the little fairy to wait and she’ll be a Silver Bella Baby!
Cleaning out the old and getting ready for the new……What a wonderful feeling!
I got my Dorothy swap book yesterday and I am blown away by the creative artistry.
I will keep you and yours in my prayers and am proud to call you a blogger friend.
Best Wishes
Laraine
Bravo, Karla. I’m pretty terrible at getting rid of anything and you’re right — there’s a tremendous feeling of liberation when it’s all done. And giving is so much better than pitching. Donating’s fine, but to know someone has it and loves it. That’s cool.
Hope all goes well with Baby Girl. Fingers are crossed.
Feels good to share your treasures with people who will treasure them just the same. Good for you!
Debbie Kay
What a great post, Karla. A lot of wisdom tucked into these words. I needed to hear this as I try to sift and purge of too many decades of collecting, gathering, etc. I filled a whole bin in the garage last year that a shelter came by to get but still have more that needs to go. Will definitely keep your newest little grandbaby and her mommy in my prayers. Xo, Sue
I’m praying for your new fairy baby! Congrats on the big clean-out. I’m glad Sugarwings and you liked the wee flying monkey. I received my Tag Book on Saturday and was truly in awe of the creativity and quality of the work! You really did a marvelous thing in hosting that swap. You provided an opportunity, a concept and a deadline… and the crafty blogosphere responded gloriously. The deadline is key for me. I never seem to make the time to get crafty without a deadline looming! – Amy Bauer
Ohh, what a cool building!! I am praying xoxo Clarice
Just wanted to let you know that I got my Oz Tag book and am thrilled with it. Everyone is so gosh-darn talented. Thanks again for hosting.
Gentle prayers and hugs for the Momma to be and grandbaby.
Leann
Hi Karla! I got my tags! I have photos posted on my blog today. Thanks for another great swap!
You are such a sweetheart…giving those treasures away!!!! I was drooling over the beautiful fabric draped on the windows ~ so romantic! I’ll be sure to keep the soon-to-be momma in my prayers too Karla ~ hugs and love, Dawn
All good thoughts for the new grandbaby and her family…of course, they will all be Just Fine!!!! (This is the phrase used in our family when we are semi-freaked out and have decided it MUST be, well, JUST FINE,Period!)(And as a sidenote, thank God, it always is!)
I just started papering a wall in my dining room with book pages ala your beautiful wall…I may not be original, but I know a good idea when I see it!
Many prayers coming your way…Your Friend, Bobbi
And as a side note, you don’t KNOW how much I wish I’d had a truck and the time to cart off a load of your goodies…but just last week, I tried for the umpteenth time to re-do an old wardrobe that had (I thought) sentimental value. But no matter how painted it, decoupaged, stripped it, and started over and over (and over!) again, it just wasn’t right. Finally the other day I said to husband…”TAKE IT T THE DUMP! RIGHT NOW! THIS MINUTE!”. As it was loaded and driven away I felt….nothing. And then, Relief. Sometimes, the stuff’s just gotta go! Your Friend, Bobbi
Karla, got my Oz book today and I am so pleased with it. You did a great job, love the cover. I am praying for your new grandchild and her momma.
Ginger
Beth. Been there. There is something so freeing about getting rid of the “burden” of things we no longer need or use or want. Simplifying. My clothes closet is on the list of things to simplify here at my house this weekend!
Hugs,
Diane
Karla, you always do so much for your family, home, and your blog readers.
Just received my Dorothy Swap Book. It is just detailed and gorgeous – thank you so much.
Just love reading what all you guys are doing.
Thoughts and prayers for the soon to be grandbaby and the wonderful Mom – please let her know we are thinking of her.
Much thanks,
Valerie
Been praying for the mama to be and little sweetie pie. Hopefully she won’t be in too much of a hurry to come out and see everyone. Although it does sound like the mama is nesting…and for me, that burst of gotta-do-a-project energy was pretty close to baby time. 🙂
Oooh, your chicken coop/house sounds great! Looks like enough space for quite a few. That should be plenty of eggs for you and friends and family too. I’ve always wanted to keep chickens…someday it’s gotta happen!
I love giving things away, too. So much easier and so much more freeing! Your lucky neighborhood! I’m so happy for you and your soon-to-be hen house! About your coming grandchild, I know she’ll be born at just the right time. I can’t believe you may be away at Silver Bella when the baby comes, but am looking forward to celebrating her arrival with you there!