My Garage Sale “Earnings”…

Garage sales. I’m not particularly fond of holding garage sales, because they are a ton of work and frankly, it would probably be a lot more efficient to simply donate it all. But reason doesn’t always hold its own against the adrenalin rush of a block sale, so I found myself settling in for a long weekend of selling our “stuff”. When it was all said and done, I ended up with a fairly good result.

• The immediate gratification of peeling two twenties off the top of the pile and taking the family up to Larry’s Pizza for dinner, where we all over-indulged on the pizza buffet. They have some unique pizza there…and the peanut butter/chocolate chip dessert pizza is awesome.

• A little bump in my self-respect, because “Yes, I can hold a garage sale by myself…with three squirmy kids…and not lose my mind!

• One nice flip-flop tan line.

• Time with Parker and Fiona during the slow moments without being pulled away by chores or the computer…just kicking back with sticker books, paint, and tricycles (or “motorcycles” as they were calling them).

• A trip to Kohl’s to update my raggedy baggedy summer wardrobe…way overdue.

• A trip to Atlanta in the fall to attend a blogging conference – took the cash right to the bank and put it on my credit card. It feels good that it is “paid for” already.

• Some interesting facts…I found out that the Kelloggsville Bird Sanctuary is best to visit in late fall, not in June when we can get into it for free with our Grand Rapids Children’s Museum membership. I also found out that my neighbor makes fleece-lined woolen mittens out of old sweaters…I may just have to buy a pair from her this winter.

• A growing moment…I did not go to Madi’s end-of-year party because the garage sale was planned first. For me, it was a gentle reminder that I am not going to be able to attend every single function the kids are involved in at school…

• Moments. Where. I. Just. Sat. Blissfully. Doing. Nothing.

• The painful, but freeing realization that I don’t have to keep every sleeper that the kids ever wore…or my old stained Boppy…or all 20 receiving blankets…or every stuffed animal they ever received. I don’t want my kids to hold on too tightly to “things” and I need to be a good example!

• And most importantly? We gained a few more corners of space in our house – huzzah!

Now I just need to go back through and re-organize each room, and I’ll be all set! Any ideas for organizing in small spaces without spending a ton of money?