My Ping-Pong Table Curse.

You know how they say 3^rd time’s a charm, well not for me or my ping-pong table.

Here’s the story.

Several years ago, I was out garaging.  I was at a home where they had long tables lined up with clothing, knick-knacks and home décor for sale.  I was looking at some clothes when I realized they were actually scattered across a ping-pong table. 

I must say, I grew up with a ping-pong table and have a sweet paddle stroke.  We are a tennis family, so at my parent’s home, ping-pong is an actual sport.  It's mini-tennis. I’ve watched as my brothers have ripped it up in a to-the-death ping-pong match.  Seriously, they’re sweating and in need of water breaks.  Ping pong is a spectator sport and both opponents have a huge cheering section.

Image found here.

So, when I saw this ping-pong table, it occurred to me how much I wanted one of my very own.  I could teach my kids the deeper meanings of life while we shuffled a white ball back and forth.  I envisioned glorious family gatherings where never a moment was dull. 

So, I asked, “Is your ping-pong table for sale?”

“Yes,” the homeowner said. 

“How much would you like for it?” I said, trying to hide my excitement.

At this point, I realized stumbling on a ping-pong table could be a blessing and/or a curse.

First of all, I was willing to pay good money for it, money I didn’t really have to spend.  It was in great condition, so it was worth a pretty penny.  Second, I had never seen a ping-pong table for sale at a garage sale, so I knew this was some-what of a rare find.  Third, I had no way to move it home and fourth, where in my home was I going to put a ping-pong table when they are about as big as a SUV.

“$20.00,” the homeowner said.

I handed her a twenty dollar bill and knew the rest would just figure itself out. 

The counselor and I maneuvered it home in a borrowed truck and set it up on our back patio, the same patio  the Arizona setting sun hits every afternoon.

That poor ping-pong table.  It took a beating.  At the time, our children were very young.  Our oldest, Chandler could just see over the top of it.  He used it as a speed way for match box cars.  Like every thing else in Arizona, the summer sun had its way of messing with it too.  At times, it was a work table with garden tools and potted flowers waiting to be planted.  I put the cat food up on the ping-pong table so the ants and my crawling baby couldn't get to it.  I even used it as a quasi-patio table.  I had a large table cloth I threw over it when I had birthday parties.  You can fit a lot of chairs around a ping-pong table.

Later, I started resenting it.  I never had time to play ping-pong, plus it took up a lot of space.  There wasn't any room on my patio for anything else.

A year later, my brother was in charge of a church social event.  He asked if he could “borrow” the ping-pong table.  I later learned a “borrowed” ping-pong table is as good as a broken ping-pong table.  They are flimsy and not the easiest to cart around.  It was damaged on the way home from the church and left somewhere in a back alley dumpster.

Good-bye ping-pong table #1.

But, since I did find it used and for so cheap, I had hope another one would cross my path again.

5 years later, I'm in a new home with a huge patio, a patio begging for a ping-pong table.  

Enter ping-pong table #2.

Image found here.

In October, I drove into a beautiful gated community and followed the signs to an upscale garage sale.  Everything at this sale was top-notch.   Beautiful red Pottery Barn couches for $80.00, a turquoise buffet hutch for $70.00, clothes from Banana Republic and J. Jill.  I was drooling over it all when I spotted the ping-pong table in the corner, folded and leaning up against a wall.  A man was looking it over, when I heard the home owner say, “You can have it for $20.00.”

I suddenly wished for magical powers to put the man looking at it in a deep, deep sleep or some sort of trance where all he wanted was lollipops.

“I hope he doesn’t want it,” I thought in my mind when he walked away, back to his car.

My creepy dark wish was answered in the most unexpected way.  The man had lost interest in the ping-pong table and now it could be mine.

I paid for the clothes in my hand and gave the home owner a $20.00 bill for the ping-pong table, promising I’d be back in a few days with a truck, ready to haul off my large green rectangular game piece. 

Well, finding a truck to borrow isn’t always the easiest thing.  I’m blessed with an interesting karma where things I need come into my life.  So, I waited for a truck to come into my life.  As fate would have it, Thanksgiving weekend, my brother was in town with his sweet truck.

“Can I borrow your truck,” I asked and he was as gracious as always.

I called the homeowner to let her know I was on my way to pick up the ping-pong table; I just needed the code to get into the gated community.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you still wanted it.  I gave it to my friend today.  I’ll mail you back your $20.00.”

Hello my pathetic $20.00 and good-bye ping-pong table #2.

Meet ping-pong table #3. (I must warn you know this story does NOT have a happy ending).

Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen a gorgeous top-of-the-line ping-pong table at the thrift store.  It sat folded up on its rolling legs in the back of the store with the surprising price of $249.00.

You and I both know a ping-pong table is not selling in a thrift store for $249.00.  Because of the way the thrift store runs it rotation, I knew in a matter of time this beautiful piece of family fun would only be $1.00.  

So, I waited. 

The morning it was to be marked $1.00, I arrived at the thrift store ½ an hour early. I leaned against a planter box near the front of the store, reading my paperback copy of Girl with a Dragon Tattoo.  At about 5 minutes to opening, a line of about a dozen people formed.  I looked around, certain nobody else would want that ping pong table in the back of the store, but who was I fooling.  Everybody did.  At 9:00am sharp, a sales associate came, opened the door and gave a serious lecture to us, the eager crowd.

“No pushing, no running and just remember to be courteous, ya'll.”

She stepped aside as a mother with her young daughter hurried past.  I could tell by the direction they were running, YES, running, they were headed to the ping-pong table.  I’m a great speed walker, but I was about 4 seconds to late.  

Image found here.

“Are you purchasing the ping-pong table?” I asked in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

“Yes,” she said, out of breath from her 100-yard dash across the store.

She had her hands on it, looking for a sale's clerk to fill out an invoice.  

It was shameful.

Was I upset?

In a way, I was, because she didn’t play by the rules, but I don’t like to be upset.  It bothers me too much.  Then I had an idea.

I walked to the dress section and found about 15 amazing dresses for $1.00 each that should make me at least $100.00 on eBay. 

I realized a ping-pong table could still be mine; I would just have to work a bit harder for one.

Time to shop craig’s list.  I'm sure I can get a used one for $100.00.

I’ll let you know how that goes.

Maybe for me, the 4^th ping pong table will be the charm.

Am I a Picker? American Pickers Complete Season One Give-Away

Have you seen the series American Pickers?

I just watched my first episode and was intrigued. The series features Mike and Frank, childhood buddies, who are part sleuths, part antiques experts, and part cultural historians. Mike and Frank visit small towns across the country in search of weird and wonderful Americana. They comb through memorabilia and artifacts hoping to find treasures among the trash. Sometimes they make a few bucks; and sometimes they walk away with little more than the history of an item. With my recent estate sale experiences I feel a kinship with these two "pickers". Three weeks ago I spent the afternoon in a scorpion filled storage shed digging out antiques. I uncovered this bed, in pieces...

And then sold it for $150.00This wagon was upside down on a pile of lumber- It sold for $65.00 (A steal for someone, but it is missing the parts to one of the wheels)

And these huge copper pots were uncovered in an attic we cleaned out- They sold for $125.00. Now that I've seen the show I realize there's actually a name for what I do... Picker. Picker? Most people might be uncomfortable wearing this label- I have to admit the word "Picker" meant something totally different when I was a school teacher- But now, with the help of Mike and Frank, I find it endearing. We pick through what other people may see as trash, hoping to find a treasure. So there you have it, I'm a PICKER! and to celebrate my new found title My Dear Trash is teaming up with American Pickers for a fabulous give-a-way- The complete Season One on DVD! We have not one, but TWO copies to give-a-way to two lucky readers of My Dear Trash.

Here's all you have to do: Become a follower of My Dear Trash and leave us a comment telling us what you think of American Pickers.
Also become a follower of My Dear Trash on facebook by clicking here.
 To learn more about American Pickers (so you can leave a very deep thoughtful comment) visit their official website here. You'll find video clips of the show as well as full episodes. We'll be selecting our winner using a random generator on January 31st. So, I've just got one question for you...

 Are you a Picker?

Trash To Cash Wednesday!

We've all discovered this is a slower time for ebay sales, however, items are selling! This week there seemed to be a trend with my $2.99 items (Items that have been listed for 4 weeks) I had several of my $2.99's sell with multiple bids. Here's some of those items...

This J.Crew size 2 swiss dot bright red shirt should have been saved for the summer months- but hey! This is my first year selling- live and learn. It had been reduced to $2.99, but received multiple bids with a final selling price of $5.50.
Another great summer item this Mimi Chica Size M Cotton Skirt increased from $2.99 to $5.00

I'm not sure why this J.Crew size XS Denim Jacket didn't sell for weeks. After being reduced to $2.99 it sold for $6.49- what a deal for someone.

This is another mystery item to me. An Old Navy size 10 denim dress didn't sell for 4 weeks- the starting price was $8.00. This week it was reduced to $2.99 and sold for $9.50. You just never know with ebay. What I have learned though, is that ebay is seasonal! I've started putting away the linen, silk, whites and crops for the spring. Here's how my week turned out...

Ebay Profits:$289.93

Craigslist Profits:0

Costs: 50.00(clothes), 10.03(ebay fees), 23.36 (paypal fees)

Total Profit: $206.54

I decided to take a little break for the holidays- so no new lists for the next 2 weeks- I did do my relists, so I'll let you know how that goes. No new lists also means no new shopping (what will I do with myself?) I'll have to finish a few of my projects and show them off for you. Enjoy your day. Love, Kelly

A Little Chocolatey Snowman

We live in the type of neighborhood where people love to give. It's not unusual, during the holidays, to leave for a few hours and return to several treats on our doorstep. We love our neighborhood and have happily joined this tradition of sharing a small gift during the holidays. I thought I'd share what we gave as our holiday treat...A little chocolatey snowman. Underneath the brown wrap is a yummy Symphony chocolate bar. I found the idea at It's been A Hard Days Night here. I loved that my kids could help with assembly- especially when we needed 80 of them. Here's one basket all ready to deliver...
And here's the rest waiting for their finishing details...
These also became our gifts for teachers- A gift card fits perfectly in the fold of the hat. Hope you're all enjoying this wonderful time of year. Love, Kelly

Many Hands To Love

Eden, my little baby daughter, your hands are still so tiny.  

“She’s sure to be a piano player,” someone says when they catch a sight of your hands.  You reach for the pen in my hand, reaching with such determination I’m certain someday you'll be a writer.  Your grasp is that of a small monster; strong, fierce and covered in drool.  When you smile at me, I know all is right in the world.  

Your tiny hands remind me to slow down because soon, they will be the hands of a young lady.

Reef, my little puppy.  At times, I’ve compared you to a Labrador.  I know some day you’ll be big and strong because you have such large paws.  

Your independence sets you apart from other 2 year-olds.  You carry frozen chicken into the living room and insist I make dinner.  You scoot a dining room chair over to the kitchen sink, turn the water on and wait for your bath to fill.  You ask to go on a walk, then fill a bag with pretzels and sit down in the stroller, eating your snack while I put my walking shoes on.  

If life were about drinking juice, playing in the garden hose and watching Baby Mozart, then you’d have life all figured out, wouldn’t you.

Mayer, my big 5 year-old boy, trying everyday to keep up with your older brothers.  You play basketball with them and are actually serious competition because you try so hard.  As the middle child, you fight for your space and turn the spotlight on your sweet little face so you can shine for a while.  

I still hear the toddler-tone in your voice when you say “I love you, Mommy.”  A vanilla milkshake will calm any heartache.  You care about your style, always wanting to dress with a little flare.  You take risks with sports, friendships and saying what’s on your mind.  You have an attention to detail, just look at your artwork displayed on the fridge.  

You hold my hand like we’re best friends.

Payson, my 8 year-old pistol.  Jumping, leaping, running; fast is your middle name.  

You have the coordination of a professional athlete and the sportsmanship of a true gentleman.  You can almost palm a basketball.  You race to school with the wind blowing through your hair, rush through your homework certain whoever finishes first is the best and dash to complete your chore, only because you think it’s a competition.  

The idea that winning isn’t everything is not something you believe.  Your faith in Jesus keeps you focused on being kind to others and you tell me every day you love me.  Friendship is very important to you. 

Chandler, my 11 year-old with the spirit of an old man.  Your maturity is your strength.  Your hands are as big as mine, but not as big as your daddy’s.

You see the big picture in life and offer to help because you know you are capable.  Wisdom isn’t something you can learn, it’s something you’re born with.  You understand my moods, offering to help when I’m overwhelmed and bringing words of encouragement and love.  You hurt when those you love are hurt.  You see the good in others and understand everyone one around you has something special to offer the world.  

You want to be a doctor because of your desire to help others.  You read like a whiz, then come to me and tell me about the world you visited.  You don’t like change, haircuts or vegetables.  

My children, the day you were born, you took my finger in your little hand and held on tight.  This journey is ours to share.  I watch you grow, knowing you will be little for such a short time.  Tiny fingers reaching for me, then for toys and then in a blink of an eye, for a #2 pencil, writing your name, only later to follow in fancy cursive penmanship.  You reach for my hand and I help you up the stairs.  Soon, you are running up the stairs with not even a hand on the wood banister.  You reach for the door handle, but you can’t quit reach it.  In a blink of an eye, you’re turning the door knob, opening the door and running outside to ride your bike.  This Christmas, all I want to do is hold your hand a little longer.  

Tis The Season For Gifts

Every year, the counselor and I are blessed to pick a family and help supply the goodies for Christmas.  This year, we felt close to a particular family at our church.  The father has been out of work for the better part of the year and the mother just had her third baby. This family has 3 daughters, so for the last few months I’ve been searching for “everything girl” at yard sales and thrift stores. 

With the help of some little elves, I was able to get everything together.

A Christmas tree, clothes, a Barbie kitchen, My Little Ponies 

and my favorite; an array of Littlest Pet Shop toys.

Reef fell in love with these little characters and played with them while we got things organized.  Just before we wrapped the gifts up, we found these little guys camouflauged in my Christmas decor.

Do you see them on top of the tree?  

It took a little convincing, but Reef helped package them up to give away.

Giving back to eBay customers is just as much fun.  

Why?

Because they aren't expecting it.

Many times, I have multiple items the same size or style.  If something doesn’t sell after several weeks, I just might give it to another customer.

For example, a customer purchased a pair of Ann Taylor Petite 2 black trouser jeans.  I had another pair of Ann Taylor Petite 2 denim blue jeans that haven’t sold for almost a month, even at .99 cents.  In the spirit of giving (and to clean out some space in my eBay room), I ship both to this lucky lady.  

Can you believe I fit 2 pair of jeans in this priority flat rate envelope?  

True, the jeans are petite, but seriously, these flat rate envelopes can hold quite a bit of inventory.

I also shipped out 2 Talbot’s shirts and a pair of jeans in one flat rate envelope.  It’s easy to do if I fold with a purpose

or crease with a cause.

Another customer purchased a Gap Size 12 Tan Knee-length skirt.  I’ve been trying to sell a Gap Size 12 Long Tan Skirt for weeks and even at .99 cents, it hasn’t sold.  I think I’ll include both in this package too.

I recently found 6 Gymboree Girl’s dresses at the thrift store and paid $12.00 for the lot of them.

I sold them on eBay for $35.00 to a customer who ironically lives in Mesa. She asked if she could save a little on shipping and pick the dresses up at my house.

To her surprise, I found another dress between the time she purchased the dresses to the time she picked them up.  She was thrilled to receive a 7^th dress as a bonus.

Don't feel bad that Reef had to give up the Littlest Pet Shop Toys?

He found this Snoopy last weekend out garaging.  It still had the new tags on it at $24.99, but we paid $1.00.  It sings and dances too.

And a gift for me?  I was thrilled when I found this lot of 3 Flax Skirts for $1.00 each. 

They are in perfect condition and so stylish.

But wait!  What’s this in the pocket?

I’ve found everything from tissue to grocery receipts to gum wrappers to cash (not much, just a $1.00 or two).

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. 

People don't always think to clean out their pockets when donating clothes to the thrift store.

A “mad men” buffet dresser I purchased for $30.00 at a thrift store sold for $100.00 on Craig’s list.  

Now I have some additional cash for last minute Christmas gifts.

And my best sell of the year?

Remember my Eileen Fisher Plus Size 2X Cashmere Sweater?

It sold for $129.00.

I couldn't believe it.

As you know, I recently purchased this $200.00 thrift store leather sectional.

So, what did I do with my old, yet still beautiful couch (I purchased this at a garage sale about 4 years ago)?

Trash like this has to stay in the family.

My parent's are in the process of re-doing their living room. I think the couch made a pretty nice Christmas gift.
It looks great on their newly installed wood floors (thanks to my brother, Tadd who gifted my parent's with his handyman talent).

Tis the season for gifts.

Stay tuned, we have a give-away in the near future you don't want to miss.

Look At My Rug?

For fun, I was browsing through Craig’s list under my favorite search:

Pottery Barn 

I clicked through the usual listings including baby bedding, shelves and the occasional piece of furniture when a listing for a Pottery Barn rug caught my eye.  Now, I don’t need a new rug.  Remember, I picked up this beauty for $30.00 a few months ago at the thrift store(read about that by clicking here).  

Still, because of my love for Pottery Barn, I had to check out this craig's list posting.  This is what the listing read: 

Beautiful rug in great condition. I hate to sell it, as I just bought it on craigslist a couple of months ago, and it looks great in my living room. . .however it has a faint rubber smell, due to the glue on the back I guess, that bothers my husband. Most of the time I don't notice it. Our home is non-smoking. We do have a dog but she is not allowed to lay on the rug. There are a couple of very small stains but they blend into the pattern of the rug and aren't noticeable. 

 Image found on Craig's List

Seriously.

SERIOUSLY?

I can appreciate the honesty; really, I think it’s super genuine especially with all the con-artists and thieves running around, but seriously.  I don’t think this rug will be leaving her house any time soon. 

I found this rug a few weeks ago at a yard sale and paid $20.00 for it.  

The home owner was selling it for a friend of hers.

“She paid $600.00 for it, but spilled carpet shampoo on it and doesn’t know how to get it out  That's why she's selling it,” she said. I handed her a twenty.

I brought it home, hung it on my pool fence and sprayed it off.  Once it was dry, I staged it in my living room and put it on Craig’s list for $100.00. 

I really like this rug, but like I said earlier, I really don’t need a new rug because I have my $30.00 thrift store beauty.  It's a real showpiece and I use it as a back drop for my clothing when taking my photos for eBay.

Like these Ralph Lauren Red Corduroy Pants.

They sold this week for $7.99.  See how great they look on the rug.

I've taken hundreds of photos of my eBay listings on this rug.  Like I said, it's a beauty.  Well, it was beautiful until last night.

It was bound to happen.  Really, with all these boys and I have a beige rug?

The culprit?  

A blueberry banana smoothie.

It's not just the stain.  I think I've been in denial, real rug denial.  The rug's starting to look pretty bad, I just haven't wanted to admit it.  You know, sippie cups, kids tracking in dirt, the dog (because I allow my dog to lay on my rug), etc.

I worked out the smoothie stain with some carpet cleaner, but now I’m wondering if I should replace my $30.00 beige “artistic rug” with my $20.00 darker classic rug I have listed on Craig’s list?

It’s a toss up between contemporary and traditional.

The darker traditional rug has strawberries on it.  I'm just not sure if I can go there,.  I'm not that into fruit decor, although certainly, a darker rug would conceal stains.

So, what’s up with rugs?

So much emotional, so much relationship with bits of yarn pulled together.  It's like these rugs have personalities all on their own.

And then I received this email from an anonymous reader of My Dear Trash:

I love you, but that rug under the clothes is soooooooo distracting! My eyes keep getting blurred when I try to look directly at the item. 

Seriously.

SERIOUSLY?

Who has time to send an email like this?  I can appreciate the honesty, really, I think it’s super genuine especially with all the people out there who don’t pay attention to detail, you know those people who might just look at a rug and not over analyze it, but hey, thanks for caring. ;)

And I’m taking my photos again on my marble floors (floors that the counselor and I inherited when we purchased this foreclosure home) because actually, I see your point, but seriously.

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