I have an affinity for something I've taken to calling Happy Mix. It is, as the picture suggests, a careless bowl of popcorn, honey mustard pretzels, and jelly beans. A truly low-fat masterpiece of a snack if you ask me, and easily had by anyone possessing the ability of popcorn popping and bag opening.I'm scraping together the cash to buy myself Happy Mix makings tonight. I am, after all, facing a monster of an emotional yard sale tomorrow. Yup. Freeman House is opening her doors and selling a lot of her stuff - furniture and the like - all in the name of keeping of the house. I'm letting go of many things I'd rather keep, and some I'd rather not, in an attempt to stave off the bank and county tax collectors. Fun times.
But this is just stuff, right? They are just things. Stuff is stupid anyway. If Thoreau said to simplify, simplify... and more importantly, if Jesus said a man's life is more than the sum of his possessions, then this should be no big deal. I'm simplifying. I am more than the sum of my posessions.
Yeah. Hmm... yeah. I'm still sad. I'm going to cry JUST LIKE THIS when someone drives off with my cornflower blue Staffordshire. And my cool white mirror. And that antique pink thing I bought for if I have a daughter one day. And these rocking cool pillows and ...
... hmm. Well, if you're close by, please come over and take a look at the sale. And tell your friends. Yard sale at Freeman House tomorrow. Happy Mix served afterward....
(Blogliners and Google Readers: there are new spring aprons up in the Shop. Don't want you guys to miss out.)
Wish that someone would swoop in and rescue all your stuff and save it for you until the day. In fact, I do believe that that is exactly what will happen for the Lord will certainly repay you for this heartache. Joel 2:25 comes to mind...
ReplyDeleteI may sit down and eat some Happy Mix in solidarity with you, Brin.
Be of good courage, roses will bloom again for us all.
Aw, I wish I was close by would love to check out some of that stuff. Whatever you don't sell at the yard sale you should try selling on your etsy site or re-inventing and putting your twist on it to sell on your etsy. Just a thought. I'm sure I'm not the only outta stater that likes this blog and your stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Vee...(((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteI pray you do real well tomorrow with your sale. Wish I lived closer.
You are in my prayers. Heather
Oh, forgot...your Happy Mix looks so yummy....that would be a great seller! Are you going to be selling your baked goods at the sale? Hugs, Heather
ReplyDeleteOh Brin, I wish you well on the sale..as sad as parting with those things will be but as you said they are only 'things'.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to try your Happy Mix..I like to mix my popcorn with red licorice pieces.
could you hold off one more month you have a gift to be shared. could you open you home to woman for a retreat of sorts to come and share in there lifes with you i would pay to spend time at freedom house with you sharing in time of fellowship. i am felling your pain and sorrow, Vee said it best. i would love to buy the pink what ever that you are saving for your daughter let me know i will send a check. but you must keep it for her. in his love and grace sherry
ReplyDelete((Big hugs)) to you Brin, Kudos for doing the hard thing. It shows your strength of character even if it does make you cry. Wish we could all do something but so many of us are inthe same sinking boat. I'll be lifting you up to Jesus. Youa re right, it's just stuff. My brother sells antique stoves and has gone to many aucions. Thinks people put so much value on when they are alive get sold to the highest bidder when they are gone. Oooh, not trying to bring you down! But my point is, some day this will turn around. You will survive and then Brin, then you can have the fun of hunting for more "stuff"! Until then, hang in there and know that even people who have never met you have made you a part of their life and are praying for you and pulling for you and care.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of getting too attached to my STUFF. As sins go, it's not the worst.
ReplyDeleteI do find that my mind is more clear when I have less stuff to distract me. And surely the nobility of your cause will be rewarded. You are so brave.
I have so been where you are, more than once. It's not easy but you'll be okay! I once sold clothes out of my closet, including my winter coat, to pay insurance, and I may have to do it again! Hopefully your sacrafice will raise some needed funds.
ReplyDeleteOh Brin, my heart is sad for you, but sometimes we must do things we don't like just to survive, and you will survive this, coming out even stronger. I wish I lived closer, I'd be there just to hold your hand. Your still in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteI still think you should keep the blog, open it up to select and appropriate advertisers (Cooking, Gardening, Crafting) and make the blog your full time job a la Dooce.com or thepioneerwoman.com just to name two of the many, many women who now make a living from blogging. The blog is also a fantastic link (Advertising & Marketing) for your etsy shop and I agree with Amy - Why not sell some of your treasured and vintage things in the Freeman House shop - you'd make way more money than in a yard sale. Your hand sewn projects, AND the calendars were such a HUGE hit you can have those again next year and be ahead of the game for 2010 with your timing and printing - You could sell note cards using the same calendar photos ... and on and on. And then the books will come ... cooking and sewing and soon Freeman House becomes the brand we all know it can become.
ReplyDeleteI believe your blog is the ticket to the financial freedom & creative life you dream of.
For what it's worth ... I'm just sayin'...
I'll be making me some Happy Mix ce soir.
xo S & les Gang
BLESS YOUR HEART.I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO FOR YOU!YOU KNOW I HAVE HAD TO DO THE SAME THING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I DO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.YOU IN TIME WILL GET A LOT OF NEW THINGS!JUST KNOW YOU ARE IN MY HEART AND PRAYERS!IN SENDING YOU A LOT OF HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am with Susan at 29 Black Street. She has some great ideas for you.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying that you will be blessed beyond measure.
Supernatural increase is coming your way! AMEN?
Brin, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I feel your pain as these last couple of years have been a real hardship in our household. It almost sounds like a soap opera.:)
ReplyDeleteI quit my job to care for my 94 yr old mother who was getting dementia and could no longer care for herself. It put is a huge financial deficit without my paycheck to contribute...although I am so glad I did. Not much later I had to have triple heart bypass and then not to be outdone, 2 months later my husband had a heart attack. Add mountains of medical bills to the mix. My mother passed away. Add funeral expenses to that. I was unable to find a job because now the economy has tanked. We were struggling with my husbands modest pay and then HE lost his job. Now two people unemployed. We didn't lose our home because we were paying everything with credit cards which are now a HUGE debt. No medical insurance, unable to buy our expensive medical presciptions. The one car that we had got crashed into and I only had liability and the other driver did not own up to running the red light. So now we are driving around in a smashed up car. It goes on and on. Recently my husband found a job paying WAY less than he had ever made but at least we will have insurance. I found a temp job at low pay and no benefits but for now it's something. This is such a horrible time for so many people. God Bless you and reward you for your fine testimony to so many through this blog. I will miss reading it but hope to be added to your newsletter. Be Blessed! Elsa
I too think Vee said it best.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for you.
(I'll pass on the Happy mix though. I've never thought to eat pretzles and jelly beans at the same time. :) )
Yeah, I've been there, selling things that were and are precious in my sight for ten cents on the dollar to try to get ahold of where my life is going. What do I really care about and what is really stuff? What am I willing to throw away? Or, maybe in this case, what are you willing to share with others of your life? That's a positive thought. Hold on to those things that are precious. My Grandpa gave me the Wizard of Oz collection of plates (I'm from KS originally) and I would'nt trade them for any kind of money.(They're not worth anything to anyone but me). You will be ok. You have a whole journal of blessings to go on. Take care
ReplyDeleteIf you change your mind about the blog, it will be ok with me ;-)
ReplyDeleteoh honey, my heart is aching for you tonight.
ReplyDeleteI love the Friends and I know just what you mean. When sadness has lost it's words and all you can do is squeak to get it out. But you can do it. I know you can.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you are going thru this pain. My prayers are certainly with you and that things get better for you soon.
ReplyDeletePlease add my email to your newletter list. I hope you reconsider and keep your blog.
gigianddevo@msn.com
I agree with Susan. You have the talent and drive to make Freeman House into the next Pioneer Woman. I completely understand why you have chosen to forgo advertising, etc., but if you start fresh and view it as your job? I know it could go somewhere. Between your crafts, baked goods, gift for writing, and general amazingness....maybe you should pray about it?
ReplyDeleteWell, that's my unsolicited two cents:)
I agree with Amy! Capture some photos of all your things and sell them on etsy, with the agreement that we'll sell it back to you one day ;) Blessings!
ReplyDeleteTrust your garage sale goes well for you. They truly can be exhausting and perhaps it is partly the emotional strain. As you said, it's a good exercise in letting go of stuff. And as I have "sold out" completely several times in my life, I've seen the Lord provide and give it (no - even better!) all back again! The amazing thing is that after all is done, you don't even really remember what it was that you clung to and were hesitant to part with! May you blessed by seeing others delighted with the items you put out for sale!
ReplyDeleteBrin,
ReplyDeleteYou have a true talent communicating what you are doing, thinking and feeling. I have been doing a great exercise lately... called WHAT IF...And for you if might read... What if Freeman House was a destination? What if my bakery idea was a part of that? What if you posted an invitation for a weekend of "girling" out with a schedule of activities and charged for it? I believe the power of intent and attention will help pull us where we want to be... as long as we are clear about what that is. All the best!
My heart hurts for you. I pray that the today's sacrifice will make for a better tomorrow. Praise God He has a master plan and sees the big picture.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
Hi there! My name is Angela, I just left you a message on your post for receiving your newsletter. I wanted to see if you would review my etsy store before you shut down. I sell quilts, blankets, and crocheted goods. I really enjoy creating, and always reveal God's glory in what I do. I would love having you review my shop. It is called Raggedy Owl, and the address is www.raggedyowl.etsy.com Also, my blog is peacefuldwelling.wordpress.com if you want to see a little about me. Thanks so much, and I look forward to hearing from you!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Angela
I agree with Susan. 100%! You could do it! You are so talented and creative. Something to think about :)
ReplyDeleteaghhhhh I am so sad that you must go through this...
ReplyDeletemy 20s were painful also, my 30s a whole new life..
and 40s even better .It is just so sad that we have to get wrinkles and cellilite in order to obtain peace and balance. Speaking from experience.... a year from now you will not miss those "things".
Eating Happy Mix in solidarity.
Sweet friend, I think Susan may be on to something, and since several have seemed to agree, I don't think it would bother many people if you decided to go commercial. You gotta do what you gotta do, right? I know how much you hate commercialism, and I remember hearing all about the commercial wedding, but you are not THAT girl, and desperate times call for desperate measures, right? I wish I could make an offer like Sherry did. I would "buy" something from you and then give it to you as a gift. If I was near, I would have. I love you, I am proud of you, and I am praying for you every day, girl!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord brought you to my mind a few times on the day of your sale. I said a prayer for you!
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 61:3
May the Lord give you beauty for your ashes.
valium cost buy valium online no prescription needed - how much diazepam is valium
ReplyDelete