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Highlights from the Tag Sale

We had perfect weather for a tag sale. (Nothing was actually tagged with a price, and nobody calls it a tag sale here, so I should really call it what it was — an urban YARD sale.) My sis-in-law Jo was my partner for the day. Over dinner at Thai Restaurant last night we discussed everything but our plan for today. We had no “sell strategy” and are both pretty horrible at pricing goods — but we make a great team and had loads of laughs.

The first things to go were my old knife set and one of my blow-dryers (!!), and Mike’s blender, toaster and radio. The older woman across the street bought my decorative palm tree hand towels and I gave her a box of crayons for the kids at Barclay School. I sold the pampasan chair to a sweet girl named Claire, who just moved here from Louisiana to begin a history masters program at Hopkins. We chatted while I helped her walk the chair to her apartment.

I gave the neon green boa to another Hopkins grad student, a woman who just started in the nursing program. She could not believe I was parting with it, and promised to wear it proudly. I don’t doubt she will, so I just let her have it. She bought my scale and a small pillow.

The drive-by sale was the best: Today was the Baltimore Marathon, so lots of folks were stuck in their cars right outside my building while traffic was stopped to let the runners through a few blocks south of us. This one woman in her car yelled to me inquiring about the price of the hanging shoe rack. I told her it was two bucks and she nodded that she wanted it so I walked it to her. She then proceeded to buy three more items — a lamp, a standing caddy and a desk organizer, all while never moving from the driver’s seat of her running automobile.

Soon after that, we had an even closer encounter with a car, when some daredevil in a Cherokee decided to drive on the sidewalk going south on St. Paul because he didn’t have time to wait in marathon traffic. Bizarre and dangerous, but I think he got away with it and returned to the street a few blocks south. It is amazing what you witness when you spend time on your front stoop.

It was the most glorious day, with almost too much sun in our eyes early in the morning. By noon we were in shade, having lunch, looking at Jo’s photos from India, and trying to push what was left. A few friends stopped by, which was so nice, and I enjoyed people-watching and talking to folks who walked by. I met one of my neighbors too, a guy named Danny originally from North Carolina.

We made a little over $80 bucks, and I had already decided to donate half of any profit to UNICEF, so I’ll round up and send them $50. Jo and I split up the rest, brought the remaining items to Value Village on York Road and treated ourselves to vanilla shakes and some fries at McDonalds for the ride home.

Things sold that I will miss: my Asian styled table lamp from Target that was bought by a handsome guy speaking French (so I guess that makes it okay), my palm tree monkey lamp and my IKEA walk clock that I used for the past seven years. I might also miss my yellow SONY Walkman one day in the future, but since I have not used it in months, I let it go…

Things that did not sell that I still have: the wooden standing CD holder from IKEA, dining room table and printer. I’ll try to sell these again closer to when I actually move out.

Things that went to Value Village: assorted purses, home and desk accessories, two pink stools, a microwave, stuffed animals, videos and assorted kitchen/dining items.

It’s hard to describe this funny little thing I’m feeling — letting go of all this STUFF was not exactly difficult, but I wasn’t sure it was actually happening as it occurred. It was quite freeing to part ways with things that are not necessary, and the day reinforced just how committed to this new lifestyle I am, whether I like it or not. Luckily, I like it a lot…so far!

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