A Disaster ?

We felt so happy with ourselves because we got everything ready for a community-wide yard sale, early. Some of the items we didn't sell in California we just put in the treasure bus (moving bus), because we ran out of time when we sold our home there. We thought we'd try to sell those items here. As I said in my last post, we are trying to pare down our possessions. I'd donate the items, but I could use the money. In these times, every little bit helps.

When we finished setting everything out on tables yesterday, we covered it all with a tarp. Last night disaster struck. It rained and the tarp blew off even though it was weighted down. We had boxes of books and dried flowers out there on the tables. I thought all the boxes of books were ruined. What made me feel even worse was that someone could have enjoyed the books and now they wouldn't be any good at all. We have vowed nothing which comes out of the treasure bus will go back in (the treasure bus is in the background). With the idea of what the rain had done, though, I was just overwhelmed this morning.


Oh and last night one of our toilets, which we put in less than six months ago, wouldn't quit running. Gary said it needed a part. A Kohler toilet six months old needs a part? What is it with new things nowadays? Planned obsolescence is rampant. We're forced to buy new things because they don't last.


I was feeling so poorly at all the rain soaked items, I couldn't even look. Then I started thinking about the toilet not working, all the car repairs lately, insurance rates, taxes, the economy, and on and on. Sometimes I have a hard time not thinking about all that's wrong in the world, instead of focusing on what's good. Gary had to deal with the rain soaked items instead of me.


If only I had one of my old 1960s cars back, like my 64 Buick or my 66 Dodge Polara, they never broke. If they did the part was $20 and I could fix it myself. Even my 1972 Buick Electra, I wouldn't mind having back. I drove these cars in the 80s and 90s and each one cost me less than $1000 to purchase and collector car insurance was less than $100 a year. Those were the days. We probably should have kept the old toilets in this house. They were from the 1980s and still worked, but were very, very low to the ground. Since we both have bad backs we thought a higher toilets would be better. So much for thinking.


Turns out the books aren't as bad as I thought. Only some of the books and some dried flowers got wet. Then our house tax bill came and it isn't as bad as I expected. I also got a check in the mail for three of my pieces which sold in the Clay and Blogs show. And I got the framework screwed together for one shelf set (laid out on the ground). Now to attach the hinges and get them lined up correctly. Gary not being a carpenter, nor I, building these shelves is a challenge. I'll post more about building them and a materials list in a future post.


While I was wallowing in my misery, a thought struck me. What if I made up a few gift baskets with some books, and floral arrangements with some of my dried flowers (those not rain soaked) and brought them to local nursing homes and shelters. I started feeling better focusing on something positive; changing my inaction to action. So I'm taking some time out to make floral arrangements and gift baskets. What about you, how do you deal with life's problems or set backs?