OK, it’s not quite spring even in Arizona—though 59/39° might feel like it from the polar vortex region—but it feels like time to down-size and get rid of stuff.
Feeling the need to lighten my load. Could be because I don’t have a clear path, know what I’m doing or where I’m going next. Almost a year since life got turned upside down when Berta was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Spring would be my normal time to leave Yarnell for the North Rim, or some ranger job somewhere. When that didn’t happen last year my 5th-wheel home sat unlived in, now for over a year. Does that tell me I don’t need it any more?
RV 4 SALE
I listed the 5th-wheel for sale on the blog, Facebook, and Craigslist. It’s still full of stuff. I could immediately put stuff in a small shed on the property where it’s parked next door to the house lot I’ve been living in. I’m not real motivated to do it. Having lived without for over a year tells me it’s time to get rid of stuff.
I dislike cleaning and have said for years, the dust is velvet and the cobwebs are silk thread. It’s my dirt and I live with it.
Heck, I can barely keep one place a semblance of clean and right now my stuff is spread around three places. The 5th-wheel can’t be lived in due to lack of hookups and zoning laws. The truck camper is at least operational when needed but lacks running water, and space. The house came fully furnished so I’ve only added my necessary stuff into the mix.
The deep red carpet typically looks like reverse measles because of my beautiful, shedding, long-haired cat. The truck camper is a furry mess. Champagne beige carpet in the 5th-wheel would best match Sierra’s color but she’s never gotten to live there.
Jewelry for Sale
OK, so enough cleaning, or not cleaning. I have jewelry for sale, no extra charge for the tarnish. The pre-Christmas jewelry sale is still set up in the shed so maybe before Valentine’s Day I’ll set the signs out for a Saturday Sale.
Photos for Sale
Datura boulders sunset Yarnell AZ 5.5×7.5 & 9.5×11.5 $25+shipping
Kayaks sunset Watson Lake Prescott AZ 7.5×9.5 & 13.5×16.5 $40+shipping
I’ve been buying frames and mattes at thrift stores for photos from the first calendar printing. Only about every other photo had a printer glitch so the rest are viable.
Sonoran Desert Sunset ORPI NM AZ 8×10 & 10×12 $25+shipping
And, just tested Costco print quality liking what I see so far. If I order online, prints can be picked up at any Costco (with a membership card) and no shipping charge. If it’s sent to me, or maybe you, there is shipping charged.
Future Sales
Berta’s daughter and SIL should be here in March to go through stuff. There’s a lot of stuff. Berta collected really cool stuff, lots of it. And her daughter likes it all, or almost all. But has a house full herself and knows she can’t keep it all. Don’t think they’ve decided whether to keep the AZ properties or not. Either way, I know I can’t live here for free forever. And unless the house could be sealed better against critters I wouldn’t even want to rent it. (Woke up Monday morning with a two inch scorpion crawling up the wall three feet above my head.
Job stuff
Thank goodness the government is open again, at least for a while. I feel sorry for the hiring folks just now getting ready for summer season, especially on top of catching up with so much else. I applied to several parks for summer. The gov wheels move so slow. Still waiting. I’m also keeping an eye on $/volunteer camp gigs. And I’m not giving up on public speaking events.
So speaking of getting rid of stuff, that should include the winter cobwebs in my head. I’m mostly thinking out loud here. Thanks for listening.
I just discovered Artsy Shark (ArtsyShark.com) and here’s their directory of Where to Sell Your Art Online, 250+ places they’ve curated. Posting this to help you and anyone else:
https://www.artsyshark.com/sell-art-online-directory/
One day at a time for all of us. I’ve been told that sales slow January-April. Why? In January and February, people who charged a lot on credit cards for the December holidays receive their statements … with higher balances and minimum payments due. 😉 Then, there’s the pesky getting-ready-for-income-tax-season blues as April approaches.
But, with all of the busy, February activity down in Wickenburg, is there a place where you could set up a table or booth to sell your jewelry? Any kind of swap meet there? Consignment shops?
Just thinking out loud. 😉
Wow, that’s a lot of options. I realize sales after Christmas slow down, but…
I don’t have any stuff to set up away from home for sales anymore. Plus it’s just too much physical work.
Keep those ideas coming.
Oh, gee, I didn’t mean to sound discouraging. LOL! Sell, sell, sell, during those months, however works for you!
I’m doing the same with some of our stuff we’re no longer using. 😉
I’ve had good luck with selling jewelry on Etsy.com
Gotta be tough not knowing what the future holds.
That can be the downside of a gypsy lifestyle.
Good morning Gaelyn, I don’t envy the clearing out project in hand. but when it’s done you feel better for doing it and having a clear start for the coming spring and summer seasons. I do hope you sell your jewelry and pictures to help you to continue comfortably until you get some work. It’s hard I know, especially being on your own with no other support . However, you are a determined and strong lady. Hang in there and best wishes in the hope a job comes along soon, especially the one you love most that of a Ranger. Take care.
Not my most favorite of chores but…
All the best, Gaelyn. You know you have supportive fans. I know Sierra is grateful for you! We’re into -20 weather, here in Ontario.
Thanks Jenn. I don’t know how you can even survive those temperatures. Below 50°F and I’m shivering. Hang in there.
Looks like you have been busy. I am now coming to terms with all the unpacking and washing that has to be done back here in France. We take all our own bedding so six weeks of washing to be done although I did keep up with most of our clothes!!
Watch out for them scorpions!!! Take care and good luck for finding a job. Diane and Nigel
Laundry is my most unfavorite chore.
Downsizing is part of your nomad/gypsy lifestyle. Altho Fran does not like i my matra at Spring cleaning “When in doubt – toss it out!”
Hope your sales fill the gas tank for anothe season!
I ask myself often, why do we humans feel the need to collect so much stuff? I feel like I don’t, but always seem to have stuff to get rid of. I like your mantra.
Selling the house and having the big sale and giveaway was supposed to make our life siimpler — not so much ‘stuff’. But even though RVers are ‘supposed’ to throw something away every time they buy something new, when we sold ours, we had collected an incredible awful lot of stuff. We still try to follow that mantra (still live in small spaces even tho they aren’t mobile) but stuff just accumulates..
Seems like I’ve been downsizing all my adult life. Guess that means I’m a collector.
I’m with you on the house cleaning. I think when there is only one person, it’s not important but maybe with two or more people it might be to survive together. I especially don’t like the tidying up when someone wants to come into my house, so I now say it’s my shop and my house and it’s off limits. What’s a little dirt I’m outside in it all the time anyway.:O)
Bob
We all have our own level of cleanliness. I’m OK with that. Why is it that dirt outside is good but inside is not? Thanks for stopping by.