WEEK 8: Boot Camp?

This week was down to the wire. I didn't sell anything but I did buy something...grant it, it was free. It still counts though as I found the ad on craigslist and made the decision to buy, not sell this week.

So what did I 'buy'? Bootcamp. Yes, I signed up for bootcamp to get my sorry a$$ into shape. It starts at the end of this week so we shall see how I fair. I must say, I'm really looking forward to it! I'll let you know how it goes in a post next week.

BOUGHT: free
CATEGORY: wanted

Being Lead Astray

I've been lead astray, Craig. Four people this week have virtually told me they want what I have and just haven't bothered to show up as arranged. Don't they understand that I'm in a challenge here!? They can't tell me they want something and then not bother to show up can they?

I'm thinking of buying something this week anyway...stay tuned...

Dear Craig: Please Get Rid of the 'Fun Police'!

Dear Craig,

I've decided that in between writing to you about my weekly sales, I'll write little letters to you so that you can get to know me a bit better. Perhaps if you know me better you'll buy more things from me.

So here's what I'm pondering this week...why does it seem that the 'fun police' keep winning? I belong to a ski club and have done so my entire life. As a kid I skied all day, tobogganed on the hills all night and enjoyed dressing up in wild costumes for Mardi Gras where you had to be able to ride the t-bar and parade down the hill in your costume. As we got older, we would have events where we would drink gluwein (mulled wine) during Spring skiing while soaking up the sun riding the bumps. We would go to the bar after skiing and either ski or walk down the hill at the end of the night (in the dark). Once a year there was the torch light parade where 30-40 instructors would ski down the hill at night with lit torches in each hand. It was beautiful.

I have kids of my own now and guess what? They aren't allowed to toboggan on the hills at night because they might hurt themselves and sue the club. They can't walk or ski down the hill after 4:20pm precisely or they'll get chased down by the ski patrollers. Mardi Gras costumes are banned because they might catch on the lift and hurt the skier so they changed it to crazy hat day and now it's just nothing. The torch light parade is gone too, I guess someone might hurt themselves and sue the club. It's the 'fun police'...they're winning the battle!

Well Worn Used Shoes?

So I was combing the 'wanted' section of craigslist the other day and noticed an ad from somebody wanting used shoes. Well worn, used high heels. He (I'm assuming it was a he) would pay $20 per pair. Why did I assume it was a he? Not sure. Seemed like some sort of fetish. Why would anybody want well worn used shoes? He specifically said to not bother cleaning them up or anything. What? Did he want to smell them or something? Check for DNA? I just can't wrap my head around it!

WEEK 7: You Meet All Kinds

The small Asian women stood on my doorstep bearing gifts, a Sears catalogue which she had found on our porch and a bag of cookies. Graciously I accepted the cookies but asked her why she had brought them.

"I want to be your friend," she commented with a sardonic smirk that made me smile and laugh all at once.

You see, in our previous conversation earlier in the evening, she had asked me if I ever taught stained glass. I told her that I only did that occasionally with some friends. She really wanted me to teach her so she decided she would be my friend! I concluded with telling her that if I ever decided to teach the craft, I would give her a call. She thought she might take it up when she retires in 3 years which was a shock to me since she looked about 40 but was actually 57!

In the meantime, I fixed her broken window which took only about 7 minutes since all it required was some soldering. She waited while I worked and asked if she could see the other windows I had made within the house.

You meet all types of people in this weekly challenge and with each confrontation I gather a little snapshot of a person's life. In this case, I got to enjoy some tasty cookies while contemplating our transaction.

SALE: $5
CATEGORY: General

RV'S?

RV's, Appliances, Boats, Cars...a few of the categories that I am yet to sell anything in! I NEED to sell something in each of these plus 32 other categories in order for my challenge to be a success by the end of the year. So far I've done the easy categories. It's time to get creative. What could I possibly sell in the RV category?!!

WEEK 6: Chasing a Dream

Wow, this was a delightfully easy week! I just sold a bookshelf to a lady who is starting her own pre-school. She's chasing her dream.

I need to do that one day. In the past I've chased many dreams... I've travelled to almost 40 different countries, I backpacked for a year and a half around the world, I survived a month long Outward Bound Survivor course, I've bungy jumped, I've snorkled the Great Barrier Reef and have actually flown a 1945 Piper Cub...but my greatest dream was chasing down the 2 boys in my life that my husband and I flew half way around the world to adopt! All my love and devotion goes to them.

All those accomplishments were so long ago though...it's time to chase a new dream. I just have to imagine the possibilities first. I think I'll make that a goal of mine for 2010!

SALE: $30
CATEGORY: BABY & KID STUFF

WEEK 5: Thou Shall Not Judge

So normally I'm pretty good at judging a person's character. I must say tonight was difficult though. I was cutting it close this week but finally made a sale to a women who claimed that her son's hockey equipment had all been stolen so she needed to replace it on the cheap. Her emails were friendly and she seemed so genuine on the phone as well. However, when we met in person I didn't get the same vibe. She was a little abrupt, a bit cold, in a hurry.

You see, I was trying to figure out if I should cut her a really great deal or not as we hadn't previously agreed on a price. I was thinking of selling her everything for only a dollar if she really needed the break but I was confused over the matter so I just settled on $20. That was a great deal anyway so she got the benefit of the doubt and I really shouldn't judge or assume anyway. You know what they say about the word assume...it makes an ASS out of U and ME.

Attached is a picture of the lot she bought minus the pants. Apparently they were missing a strap or something like that. What do I know about hockey pants?!

SALE: $20
CATEGORY: Wanted

This Week...Buy or Sell?

I'm feeling like I might actually have to buy something this week to fulfill my commitment! I was trying to avoid that. I'll work extra hard on Craig tonight to see what I can do.

Feeling the Pressure Again

Okay, I've had it a little easy the last little while with my craigslist sales. Not a lot of bites this week...feeling the pressure! It's always about this time that I question my resolve to this insane game I started. It's time to sh*t or get off the pot!