Monday, August 4, 2025

Kitchen reorganizing leads to Freecycle




 Latest successful rehoming of nice stuff that's run its course.





Yes I know most of them are collectible and "worth $$". But not to me. Everything's isn't a dollar transaction. Some people who don't have spare cash for these items will love them, and they've outlived their life in my house.  

One person, very excited about receiving some of these things, has freecycled a lot of surplus good food to me more than once. I've shared some of it with the food pantry. So I was almost prepaid, if you're of a transactional frame of mind.

So yes, I'm aware of the $$ value, used to trade in antiques and collectibles way back, but this is my choice at this age.  I've already had people explain how to sell them, yep, thanks for sharing!

Sunday called on my organizational side to get the kitchen contents thought out and moved and cleaned, those containers of tools get greasy and I didn't notice till I started handling them. 

I laundered the curtains and they literally fell into rags and lint in the dryer. Probably the result of being in a west window. I have to rethink the kitchen window.

I thought my toaster oven had died, no response, just clicking, until I remembered the gfci plates. The nearest one didn't govern the near outlets, noooo, it was the gfci across the room, silly me. Anyway I reset and the toaster oven worked again.

It seemed like a good moment for 

of



It pays to keep up with your strength training, mental and physical! Mine's been called on quite a bit lately. At this point everything is back in the kitchen because I couldn't stand it any longer. This evening's video is about back strengthening, good.

Next Friday is Handsome Son's birthday, so I plan on my failsafe chocolate walnut cake and a handmade card, which is all he wants. There may be a bit of $green added in though.

As usual, we won't know what day to celebrate till he knows his work schedule and other plans. So I'll bake the cake ahead of time to be sure. 

Every year I remember what a broiling hot humid summer that was, and how thrilled I was to have that hot baby safely born and not kicking inside my ribs any more. I felt so cool by comparison, in a hospital with no ac,  with just one body heat to deal with.  And of course he was the best baby there had ever been.

This week 57 years ago, one week before I gave birth, I sat daily under a tree in the yard, and read War and Peace. It took five straight days. But I thought that might be the only time in my life I would have the chance to do nothing but read all day. Turns out that was quite an accurate forecast.  I just finished,  then started  labor that evening, and I have never had a free block of time since!

Happy day everyone, enjoy your week. Gary is all in with the patio idea. When he can get to it. He'll recruit another neighbor, who's in India till September, so no rush.




42 comments:

  1. Those are wonderful treasures that will make someone very happy. We regularly give away things we no longer want, valuable or not. And we, too, are always told how we can sell them. Not worth the effort to us when a simple hand-off is so satisfying. Now that $250,000 armoire (if we had one) would not be given away. We have our limits.

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    1. I have a couple of much more valuable items that will not be freecycled, too! But small stuff that people love to be given is different.

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  2. Containers of tools certainly do get greasy. If I ever have another kitchen there will be extra drawers for everything. gfci plates?

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    1. My issue with stuff in drawers is finding things! When I need a tool it's usually in a hurry. Ground fault circuit interrupters -- safety outlets in kitchen and bathrooms, to cut the power when overloaded, especially because there's water nearby. Mine cut out when I look at them funny.

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  3. Yesterdays' treasures can brighten someone else's days.

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    1. I've seen people do a little happy dance over stuff like this!

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  4. Freecycling some of the items you have enjoyed seems like a good plan, much easier than selling and finding new homes with those who would enjoy is a win. As you so aptly noted, Boud, it is not always about $. Glad to read that your kitchen is coming back together and that the car is repaired and home. Life is good😉

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  5. We are definitely in the ‘pass it on’ frame of mind rather than going to the trouble of selling it.

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    1. I wonder if it's age related? We change our approach to stuff after middle age.

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  6. Oh, I used to enjoy Larry's cartoons in Punch magazine! Nice to see some again.

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    1. I love Man in Apron! Some of them are rather UK specific, so I chose more universally funny ones.

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  7. I've given away so many things to the local op shop, what do you call them? Thrift store? They had a dollar value, but I don't care.
    I had to Google gfci. Your microwave is on one circuit? Otherwise, other things would not work.
    Reading War and Peace before giving birth is rather interesting. I wonder if there was a birth influence.
    So your son is the same age as me, give or take some months. I expect he is more mature. I was a not so handsome son.

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    1. I don't have a microwave. Our house circuits are a riddle wrapped in an enigma! There's little logic to what governs which. Some appliances are more likely than others to blow the circuit.

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  8. I have two sons born as August heat went through (one in Florida as well!) But since I was also an August baby (before air conditioning of course) I'm aware moms have put up with the heat for generations. But the last weeks before birth do need to have a focus of some kind!

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    1. Those last few days when you're down to counting days..

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  9. I'm am sure people are so happy to get your free treasures. How nice to get your kitchen back in order. I bet it is better than before as it has had a good clean out. Now I think I had better go check out the containers that are holding my kitchen tools! I bet they need a cleaning! ;)

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  10. Oh, I know it feels good to get things all back in working order. And improved working order! It's crazy how things can get shoved in here or there with no real organization. And I know you've made some Freecyclers very happy.
    You read War and Peace in five days? I am most impressed.

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    1. You get into habits of where things go, even when it's awkward. So I'm rethinking.

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  11. I am just looking at a pile of kitchen goods that I sorted out months ago ready for the charity shop. For want of somewhere better to store them until I get round to it I have them in the study under the shelf next to my desk. Perhaps I should put them on freecycle before I remove anything else and return it to the kitchen.

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    1. Better to sort and dispose all in one operation, otherwise things migrate back again!

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  12. I also don't want the hassle of selling item. I just give things away. I am in awe of how quickly the work was completed on your kitchen.

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    1. We're in sync on giving vs selling. Speed is the result of having a skilled crew on the job! It's different from diy which can take weeks. Months.

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  13. Freecycling is a great way to go at this age. We did it recently and were pleased with the result.

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    1. Like minded people do Freecycle. Mostly it works well.

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  14. I am glad everything is back together for you! Thank you for the lovely birthday greetings!

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    1. You're welcome! I hope you're enjoying your day.

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  15. Absolutely agree with you. It’s not always about the $’s
    They are very cute, but my philosophy is “ it’s just more stuff to dust”
    And I hate dusting. Living in a rural area and having a wood fire, it’s a never ending job.
    Happy things are almost back to normal. Your son is only a year younger than me!
    Ohhhhh I’m feeling old lol

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    1. Yes, however beautiful, things come with labor built in. You're just a kid!

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  16. I agree, not everything is a dollar transaction. I have some things that are worth money but I'm giving them away. Nice post.

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    1. Yes, sometimes giving pleasure is better than getting $. The lady who got some of the latest Freecycled things was so happy!

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  17. I think it is good to pass on things that somebody else will appreciate and use and enjoy. I've either given them away or sometimes sold them for pretty cheap if they're bigger items. But I have given away bigger items if somebody came along, you know? They should be loved--that's the most important thing. To be valuable for somebody.
    I'm so glad Gary is all in for the patio!! It will be worth waiting for.
    It's got to feel good to have your kitchen back together! Hurray!
    Have a great week. :)

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    1. Yes, things need to be valuable to somebody. I think the patio will be nice. Not too difficult to make.

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  18. I decided a long time ago, when I want something gone, it needs to be gone. We have someone who runs a rummage sale every weekend to benefit a different charity each week. Items are paid by donation, what you can afford and free if you can't. I've done sales, facebook marketplace, ebay. It is easier to donate it and let someone else benefit or enjoy.

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    1. Donating is a good way to increase the sum of happiness! I've done all kinds of selling but my personal stuff is better given.

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  19. Happy birthday to your son.
    I with you I just want to move the stuff out to someone who can love it.
    Cathy

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    1. I think that's the key, things need to be loved! And once something has run its course with me, it's out.

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  20. I'm quite happy to give things away that could be sold but I don't need the money and it can help someone else which is nice.
    Your blog has convinced me to start sewing again, so I'm making pyjama bottoms. I want to make a linen outift for my daughter's wedding next summer. We shall see if that works out.
    Glad your kitchen is back in order.

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    1. I'm so glad you're getting back into sewing. Your skills will come back in plenty of time for the wedding outfit.

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  21. I agree that blessing others with previously loved treasures is a good thing. Money isn't everything and sometimes the good feeling is worth its weight in gold.

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    1. It can also come back to you unexpectedly. People feel warmly when they've experienced generosity in various ways.

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