Thursday, November 4, 2010

Goodwill, Garage Sales & One Year of My Dear Trash


I can’t believe it’s been over a year of blogging on My Dear Trash.
My, how time flies. 
When I first started writing on My Dear Trash, I couldn’t wait to get to the computer and write.  I’d have an experience, grab at my camera and start flashing photos.  Everyday situations all of a sudden became blog-worthy.  I still feel the same way about sharing my experiences.
The theme My Dear Trash surprises me.  I can’t believe how many experiences in my life revolve around stuff I find used, either at thrift stores or garage sales.  Either I’m totally brilliant or totally crazy; some days both at the same time.
To celebrate this anniversary, I wanted to list my personal top 10 benefits of blogging on 
My Dear Trash:
10Blogging keeps me focused on writing.  As a writer trying to get published, this is very important to me.  When I think I have nothing to say, I’m usually wrong.  I write about things I never thought I would, like 20 toy boats and $5.00 sand piles.  The very exercise of blogging makes me feel like a real writer.

9 –  I’ve meet so many nice people along the way and I love it.  I recently received this email from an eBay shopper:
Hi Laura,

I'm an avid reader of your blog, and I thought I'd let you know that the name of this item is misspelled. You may want to change from Vera 'Want' to 'Wang' so that it shows up on buyer's searches. Best of luck and keep up the amazing work!

Many hugs.

Isn’t this the sweetest email?  It’s so nice other people are looking out for me.  Thank you for caring about the little things.
8 – I look at the world differently.  All of a sudden, a walk down the street becomes note-worthy.  I've learned to see more humor in life  like pushing too many children (in a used double stroller I paid $75.00 for on craigslist) while walking the dog and feeding Princess Peanut her milk bottle.  

(Do not try this at home.  This scene was created exclusively for My Dear Trash by a trained professional.)
7- The counselor and the kids enjoy reading My Dear Trash, something that surprised me from day one.  They hope I blog so they can read about what I have to say about them.  
Like how sweet Chandler is with Eden ...
Or the day the counselor planted a garden and I threw his dirty clothes away because I didn't want to wash them (hey, they only cost $1.00 each, so I didn't feel too bad),
or how Reef likes to help me lay out my thrift store finds when I take pictures.

6 - Writing on My Dear Trash keeps me motivated to shop for great trash.  Not that I ever need an excuse to shop, but would I have found this $70.00 leather couch, $75.00 vintage hutch and $40.00 worth of vintage fashion sketches if I wasn't shopping as often as I do.

  5 - Writing on My Dear Trash keeps me humble.  Do you know how many times I've taken a photo only to find my weakness of poor housecleaning sneaks into the frame.


  4 - I'm able to help friends learn how to make money or sale their trash for them.  On eBay, I just sold this Jones New York 14 NWT $179 Petite 14 Black Dress for $27.08 for a friend of mine.
Currently, I'm listing this NWT gorgeous formal "bella"dress on craigslist for a friend.  
And don't worry, Mom.  I'll get over to take a photo of your treadmill to put on craigslist.
3I never stop learning how to make money.  Who knew this Women's J. Crew Size 12 Ocean Lighthouse Linen Skirt would sell for $24.55.  I didn't know linen was such a desired item so late in the season.
2When I run into an old friend, I rarely need to catch them up on my life.  They know that pencil skirts are selling really well on eBay


and that I didn't realize this J. Crew turtleneck had cashmere in it until I returned home from the thrift store and how excited I was about that


 and that Reef loves his portable tv/vcr that I found at the thrift store for $20.00

and that when Mayer needed a jacket for camping, I found one at Goodwill for $1.00


And, the #1 benefit of blogging on My Dear Trash?
YOUR COMMENTS.
And that you keep coming back and reading and sharing.
I'd love to hear what your favorite My Dear Trash blog post is, whether it's Kelly's or mine.  
And here's to another great year.
Linking up to:

Photobucket


Jenny Matlock

21 comments:

  1. Know what?? That was just plain fun to read. :)

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  2. LOVE love love the formal dress!

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  3. Oh, Laura! I really enjoy all of your posts, even though I don't comment very often.

    I'm so glad that I know you, even if I really don't! :)

    Edie

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  4. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! What I love most about your blog is that 1) you are helping to save the planet, 2) your entire family is involved in the process and completely supportive, and 3) you allow strangers like me into your life and home to learn from you and be inspired by your resourcefulness.

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  5. The red dress is amazing!!

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  6. I ENJOY ALL YOUR POSTS! SOMETIMES I GO BACK AND READ THE OLDER POSTS OVER AGAIN! I OWE YOU A BIG THANKS FOR GETTING ME BACK TO SELLING ON EBAY. IT'S SOMETHING I DID A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT STOPPED FOR SOME ODD REASON. MY HUSBAND LOST HIS JOB THIS YEAR AND SELLING ON EBAY HAS HELPED US SUPPLIMENT HIS INCOME LOSS. I LOVE DOING IT AND HOPEFULLY WILL CONTINUE IT WHEN I RETIRE. IT WAS YOUR EBAY BLOG THAT MADE THE LIGHTBULB GO OFF AND GET ME STARTED BACK ON EBAY. THANKS AGAIN. LOVE READING THE BLOG

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  7. I really don't know how I happened up on your blog, but I am so glad I did. You have inspired me not only to do a little selling on ebay (I have my own treasure store) but to start my own blog as well. Happy 1 year of blogging and here is to many more adventures in your writing career.

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  8. Hugs out to the sweetest group of readers out there. It's amazing to be so blessed.

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  9. Hi Laura and Kelly, congratulations on a year of trash! I love it. I also adore thrifting and especially the goodwill, and my specialty is buying vintage leather. All the best. I am following you from alphabet thursday! Alex@amoderatelife

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  10. Congratulations on your blog anniversary! I am coming up on a year also..it's been so much fun...

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  11. Congrats on your year blog anniversary! I like thrifting too but I don't make much money off of it!

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  12. Congratulation on your blog anniversary! Stopping by from alphabee-thursday. I do not think I have dropped in on you before. You are diffidently the queen of trash!

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  13. Fun! Happy one year Bloggaversary! I could use your expertise and know-how to learn how to sell on ebay...I've been wanting to do it, but a little computer intimidated...Amazing that I actually get one blog up a week...always learning something new...and it just takes me so ridiculously long :o)

    Blessings & Aloha!
    I'm catching upon my blog reading....hope you get a chance to stop by ;o)

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  14. Some posts just seem to come with a built-in smile, and yours is one of those!

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  15. Congrats on your blogaversary!! Your children are adorable - I hate when my lack of housekeeping skills show up in a lovely picture too!

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  16. I love number 2 that's so true! My friends always ask me what's going on, but I feel like they already know most of the time, and I'm just repeating myself.

    Well I'm writing my first novel, but I can certainly identify with you as a blogger. Oh and now that I found you I got start learning more about these great deals you find. Congrats on your first year! :)

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  17. You're a sweetheart and you deserve every good thing that is in your life. Thanks for the inspiration you've given me. My husband is so proud and excited over all the stuff I'm selling! And to think it all started because of this blog and its two charming hosts.
    Big hugs!

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  18. Happy Anniversery! I'm always so happy to read your posts...keeps me inspired.

    As I was doing my weekly Goodwill run, I had a thought...

    I would love to see you guys do some kind of linky party, every now and again, where people can link up their "Trash to Cash" posts.

    I am selling again on ebay and I love it. Thanks for the motivation!

    It has already paid for Christmas for this year. Even though we keep it simple we do have nine kids that we are buying for. So, it adds up!

    You guys rock!

    Becky

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  19. What a fantastic post!

    This made me smile and nod my head 'yes' in agreement to so many of your statements.

    What a wonderful way to look at blogging...and it is always wonderful to share you unique outlook toward thrifting and treasure hunting!

    Thanks for linking this GGGGGGRRRReat post to Alphabe-Thursday.

    It is always a joy to visit you.

    A+

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