Monthly Archives: February 2011

I have friends that use their imaginations to turn recycling into an art.  Today I got the chance to scan a few of Carol’s newly made ”book hearts” to share with you.  She was on her way to the Kokomo show (see events on our home page) so I didn’t have time for more than a few photographs.  She plans to insert sprigs of rosemary and other herbs to add another touch of charm to these notes made from the end pages of damaged books. Each heart is creased to fold in the middle. The other side is blank for writing a few lines.

I wasn’t surprised to see a recent article about households without landline telephones. I know a few people that are connected entirely with cell phones.  I wouldn’t mind doing away with our monthly home phone bill. We just haven’t quite figured out how to make it work at our house.

There are experts that attribute some reluctance to go “landline free” to a fear of technology. That is not the case for our family.  We are old enough to remember party lines, so we (correction I) may have a slower learning curve – but we are connected.  My husband and I have 2 cell phones with internet access, 2 laptops and 1 wireless card, a home phone, and a computer in my home office.

How do people decide which cell phone number to give to doctors, schools, etc? I don’t want every place that we do business with leaving information on my voice mail, but I wouldn’t want to rely on my husband to pass along messages either. Our household answering machine is dependable for both of us. Don’t people miss that type of home base set up?

It is mostly an expense and convenience concern for us. Without our home line we would have to use wireless internet, wouldn’t we? Those services have limits on useage. I like being able to use my internet as much as I need to without worrying about added charges. I know I can use my cell phone, but I cannot see myself using the tiny keyboard and screen for all of my projects. My bifocals would malfunction! 

Do you have a landline? If not, how do you make it work?

Today is Presidents Day.  The post offices are closed, libraries are open, and most of the mall is running a sale.  How will you be spending your time?

For me, it is “power listing day”.  I have mentioned before that the online group that I belong to, Virtual Online Learning, sets challenges for us to meet each month.  We can pick and choose what we participate in, but I always opt  in for Power Listing Day or PLD.  Sometimes, like this month, I am more prepared than others.

PLD is always scheduled so that 7 day auctions will end on the last day of the month.  It is designed to give us a final push to meet our monthly goals. This month our household goals include buying a new water heater, so I have extra motivation!

Because I cannot ship packages today, I will be able to concentrate on listing more than usual.  I already have my photographs ready – and an interesting audio book to listen to.  My original goal of 15 items will probably become 30, maybe even more.  I won’t be tweeting about all of them, but you will be able to find some of the group listings, including mine, on Twitter today.  Just look for #VOLPLD.

Of course, I will have to take a break sometime today – in honor of the presidents.  I hope you have a chance to do the same.  You might even want to pop over and check out our meetup group!

I have often heard people say that they know a puzzle is complete because they counted the pieces.  Sorry, but that does NOT work.  If the box says 100 pieces and you count 82 it is obvious that the pieces are not all there.  If your count is 100 all the pieces may be there, but they may not.  The die cut may have actually been for 101 pieces or you may have pieces from several puzzles in the box. I have two recent examples.

Exhibit #1:  This jelly bean puzzle is supposed to have over 70 pieces.  It does.  Notice the two missing pieces in the photograph.  Yes, I wasted my time putting it together, but better me than a child or customer. I think it is good for me to put puzzles together once in awhile.

I don’t often buy used puzzles anymore. When they are collectible or small and cute – like this one – I will consider it. 

Exhibit #2 is in my eBay store. A neat old Beverly Hillbillies puzzle from years ago. It is complete, but it does not match the box that I bought it in. I am still selling it, if someone likes Granny enough to buy it, but I didn’t realize until it was put together that the box had the wrong picture.

Hopefully the vintage 1960′s Alice in Wonderland Springbok that I am going to work on for the next few weeks is complete.  Stay tuned!

We have all heard it. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I even have those words on a rubber stamp.

When I go to large book sales or auctions my cycle starts to look more like: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reclutter.

This year I am concentrating on all four actions in the circle, making sure that every “reclutter” is followed by “reduce”.  I hold myself accountable for some basic actions.

Be selective when purchasing.  I don’t buy just because the price is cheap. It has to be something that is actually worth my time. I may buy large quantities or box lots to get a great price, but I do not keep anything that has no value to me.  I have found that it is best to sort through my treasures quickly – the same day if possible. 

Throw items into the trash or recycle bin.  Some things are past the point of being of value to anyone.  The only question may be whether or not it can be recycled by the city. I do not want to become a candidate for one of the hoarders shows!

Give to friends and local nonprofit organizations.  Think nursing home residents, church fundraisers, friends and their families, thrift stores like Goodwill, etc.  I have a friend with an elderly live-in relative that enjoys jigsaw puzzles.  I am always happy to donate my clutter if it will be appreciated by someone else.

Have an annual yard sale.  I never feel like I am ready, but I make myself plan a sale with friends every year.  I price things cheap, take offers and make box lot deals with shoppers.  I need the money and the space, so I measure my success in dollars and empty boxes. It’s a way to meet people from the neighborhood, too!

I admit that the reclutter stage is the most fun. Because I am getting pretty good at reducing, there are empty shelves waiting for my newest treasures – so it won’t really look like clutter at all!

One of my 2011 goals is to spend more time online each day. Part of that goal is the learning and networking that I want/need to do.  There are so many people with knowledge to share!  One of those people is Cindi at Moomette’s Magnificents.  I have always enjoyed Cindi’s blog, but today I came away with a great new tool for my own blog.

Have you seen the little red hearts in the comment sections of some of the blogs that you read?  I saw the hearts for the first time last week. Comment Luv automatically linked to my site when I left comments to enter a book giveaway. I knew immediately that I wanted the option on my site, but I didn’t know how to add it.

Today I found the details on Cindi’s blog.  She explained it so well that my trusty I.T. department, aka my husband Scott, was able to install the comment option on our blogs in just minutes.  So now, when you leave comments here or at Blog Lafayette, you can share your link, too. Give it a try…I think you will luv it!

Today I met a friendly customer that was shopping for kitchen type puzzles to use as decor in her home. She shared her excitement in a nice note of thanks for my quick shipping. Her attitude felt like a spring breeze in my office.  She made me smile. I want to share that smile with you! 

I enjoy meeting enthusiastic puzzlers.  People are the best part of what I do for a living.

I hope you enjoy whatever you need to do today. If you find an extra smile in your day, please come back and share! 

Today is mostly about family at our house.

Scott has the day off from work. All of my weekend sales were shipped out this morning, so I am taking it easy the rest of the day. A little bit of chocolate, a few errands, no cooking – we are eating leftover pizza for lunch.

Whatever you are doing today – I hope it is a sweetheart of a day for you. Happy Valentines Day!

What is your focus today? Mine has been my home. That’s the great thing about working from home, isn’t it? We can decide from day to day, hour to hour, where we are needed most.

Nobody paid me to clean the fish tank this morning. I doubt anyone will even notice – guppies never seem grateful. Nobody will notice that I covered my gray either. (I like it that way.)

Sometimes it just feels good to clock out, leave my office, and do something for my home. 

I hope you are enjoying your day. I am!

There is a hero mentioned in our local newspaper.  The local Purdue student is, in his own words, addicted to giving back.

Cecil Collins started raising money for school supplies to give to the children at Thomas Miller Elementary in 2007.  He is hoping to raise more in 2011 by starting earlier in the year.   He didn’t know when he began his donation drive this year, but budget cuts will take a bite out of the funding used to buy school supplies over the next three years.  The need will be even greater than it was before.

To read more about how this one young man is making a difference – and how we can help, please see the full article here. 

http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011102070317