You knew this day was coming. The day where I finally faced the cold, hard reality, that I truly, unequivocally, have an addiction to “junque”. There is no 12 step program for this. I guess I could look into some group for people who can’t stop shopping, but I just don’t think I quite fit in with that crowd. It is the “thrill” of the hunt, the idea that I might discover some hidden treasure out there. And most times I look, I do! The problem is, I am not able to “redoux” it fast enough. The “junque” then languishes in the pile of “I will get to that someday”……and sometimes, “someday” doesn’t come. But the Junque keeps coming. A few months ago, we had it down to a manageable amount. A goodly amount was given back to the land (the dump), and my garage was able to accommodate the front half of my van.
Here we are in October. The pile in the back isn’t much better. The garage is like an accordion. It fills up, then half of it empties. Currently it is full. Granted, half of it is other client’s furniture. I finally realized, I can’t live like this any longer. This is the current state of affairs. I wish I could actually have a comic monster come and just eat a bunch of this stuff.
There is so much stuff everywhere, that my creative “Karma” is totally blocked!
This is the 2nd time I have shared with you my side yard.
I know it is not quite as bad as it was last time, but I feel like this:
So dear readers. I am taking a forced break from looking in and around dumpsters, driving in sketchy parts of town for free furniture. Last week I took the long way from home from Costco so I could drive through the crummiest part of a nearby city. I KNEW there would be something on the curb along my way. I saw the coolest looking dresser, but it was a little big, and would take me more than a minute to get it in my car. I actually dithered about this for several minutes as I drove around. Finally deciding it was not a wise idea to stop here, I turned the corner. Three police cars, lights blaring, large crowd of people gathered around a very sketchy looking apartment complex….STILL! I wondered if I should run back and grab it before someone else did.
It wasn’t quite this bad, but seriously! What they what???? Police cars, and STILL, I am wondering if I should grab that dresser……
This is when I knew, I had crossed the line to junque addict, and if I didn’t stop myself, then either the neighbors would call “hoarders” on me, or a terrible accident was about to befall me the next time I tried to cram one more thing into my garage.
Last Saturday, I didn’t go to ONE SINGLE DUMPSTER, NOT ONE SINGLE GARAGE SALE. And guess what, it was liberating.
What about Trashy Tuesday you ask????? Well, that will continue. But I will do my best to show a “Junque” makeover each week. I will also be regularly be showing the progress on my garage and side yard.
I love Trashy Tuesday, it is almost as much fun to share with you my “finds” as it is to “find” them in the first place. I will go back to it again when my stock gets thin, but until then. I hope you will continue to follow on with this series and be happy for me that I didn’t finally get stuck in the bottom of a dumpster somewhere and have to yell, “Help, I have fallen, and can’t get out” .
Happy junqueing to all of you.
Girl: I SOOO look forward to your blog not only do I want to be like you when I grow up (which will be a special trick since I’m 60 and your what 22? LOL) But you are so darn funny! I too have the addiction to junk and I’m not a hoarder but my kids think I am. What do they know they are too young to appreciate the finer things in dumpsters~
I have to share with you. After a long and expensive divorce now 12 years later, I’ve bought a 110 year old Folk Victorian House in a tiny village in the midwest… Great story there about me kids and what you can do if you set your mind to it. But not the “share with you” comment. Behind the house is a wonderful Carriage House. 1/2 now garage, 1/2 was someones old workshop but is now going to be my little shop!!! And the entire top which was a hay loft is open and a treasure to look at…
I SO wish you were closer you could have the entire loft not only for your finds but to set up a shop too!
Love and look forward to your blog always
Sandi
Sandi, “You go girl and Power to us Seniors” I lkie you are a dumpster diver and have come up with some fabulous finds. I love refurbishing and repurposing. I had an “antiques & collectibles” shop in Coburg, Oregon, but since closed due to economy,…….but I still have that fever of “finding that special piece”. My garage is not very big….but it’s full just waiting for inspiration. I give you credit for your inspiration and courage in tackling something as an 110 yr. old Folk Victorial House. Kathy Nielsen
🙂 you make me laugh! can’t wait to see al your junque makeovers!
You are TOO funny, Karen!! I’d say you have enough makeover possibilities to last a lifetime – can’t wait to see what you do with all that fabulous stuff you already found!
Karen best post ever!!! An outside junk room?….too funny!……My garage is full but yours is a little fuller than mine…In fact, I just called Hubs over to see your garage/outside junk room so he “understands”, I’m not the only one with this problem…..So understand the “thrill of the hunt”, thanks for sharing!!!
Karen, I know that was hard to admit and I am proud of you for doing something about it. There’s only so much you can do in a day with the junque you’ve found. I would say its time to hire a third helper, you could really go to town with your business and maybe move to Hawaii;)
Seriously, it is a real problem, one that I share. I have an eBay room I am going through, stuff is stacked to the ceiling. I can’t list it fast enough, so, I am taking a break from thrift stores this month and cleaning out my room I do really think it can border on addictive because it is such a thrill to find stuff you know is worth alot of money. Such a thrill, but for now, this will have to wait:(
You’re quitting diving COLD TURKEY (for now) without slowly stepping down and easing out of it or anything?! You not only have way more energy than I do, you apparently have way more willpower, too! 🙂 I’m staying tuned! Can’t wait to see more of your transformations!
Good for you, Karen! You are so creative, you see possibilities in everything. This is a good time of year to slow down, and a timely reminder for those (**me**) who keep packing the garage full of finds while the rest of the family shake their heads. Thank you for keeping it real! ~ Monica
I love your Trash Tuesday series, but I think I’ll love the Trashy Tuesday makeover series even more. You’re so talented. I’m sure you’ll work thru those piles and be back on the junk hunt in no time!
Funny, I have come to the exact same conclusion and was going to blog about it today….but probably won’t! I really need to clean out the garage for winter and I can hardly walk through the basement and my work table(s) are loaded three feet tall…what’s a girl to do? clean probably.
You are so funny! I haven’t been collecting junque for very long but I can tell you that I am beginning to feel the pressure of the piles that are accumulating around me. Sometimes it even messes with my sleep! I did a blog post awhile back showing pictures of my garages, in hopes that “baring all” would shame me into working on the projects have waiting for me, before going on searches for MORE junque!
Junqueaholics Anonymous Unite! Blessings to you, Patti
Karen, you speak for a lot of us out here! I had to STOP going to sales and “collecting stuff” about a month ago. It hasn’t been easy, my car still wobbles as I go past sales, but I have managed to at least make a dent in my hoard. I am working really hard to clear spaces so that when the time comes, I have room to put the new stuff. What keeps me going is the thought that when I have room I can start collecting again! You’re right, it is the thrill of the hunt that is hardest to give up (just temporarily). But just think of the joy of having time to work on what you have – CeCe it up!
Oh, how I can relate. I have so many projects in the “planning stage”—and I can’t get much pass the planning because I am too busy out looking for new stuff! I keep telling myself that winter is coming, and then I will have to stay in, anyway, so I will have lots to transform all those thinkgs. My daughter drove out from the city today for the first time in quite awhile, she looked at all my treasures, and said “That’s great, mom, you have plenty to keep you busy”—-but I know she was really thinking “my God, do we need to do an intervention”?
I can relate. Good luck and I look forward to all of your junk redoux’s!
I hear ya sista! I’ve gotten a handle on my garage (somewhat) but the basement, yard, house, kitchen table and every other surface area in the house is a disaster. I don’t know how anybody in our line of work can ever keep up. I’m already working practically around the clock averaging 4-5 hours sleep a day. Something’s gotta give yeah? You’ve inspired me. I’m going to clean the basement ~ AFTER I get some food in the house, that seems to be neglected too these days, just ask the kids!
Lol — bless your heart!! Can’t wait to see the junque makeovers coming our way!
xo Heidi
So “Trashy Tuesday” can be about something you “found” in your stash THAT YOU FORGOT ABOUT or that got kinda buried!
Catherine
The makeovers will be great! I have to do qthe same thing 🙂
Patricia said it best…..Junqueaholics anonymous unite! So funny, Karen. I get it! I live in a developing neighborhood with free scraps right out my back door. I brought home three doors the other day. Sometimes I must look the other way. But in my case ‘the other way’ is just another dumpster full of 2×4’s and pallets. Good thing winter will slow me down.:) Take care Karen. Blessings!
thanks for sharing! just show us some old junkque you haven’t shown us before! lol
i love your trashy Tuesdays … and i too am only stopping for the VERY best stuff and not picking up stuff which needs more than what i can give right now.
so pick up but just be bit more fussy. 😉
maybe you need to have a come shop my junk day! let everyone else come and pay a bit and do a big clear out that way!
claire x
There is so much potential in that junque pile! Can’t wait to see the trasformations!
ARG! I missed Trashy Tuesday this week! I LOVE trashy Tuesday and somehow I never read it till today. I admire your ability to put yourself on probation from junque! And i will be happy to come over and see your progress! Just think of the reward you will have for yourself when you need more junque! How much fun it will be when you need to have more stuff to redeaux! And maybe someday you can rent a warehouse so the stuff isn’t sitting in your garage or side yard 🙂
I hope you don’t have kids. My parents were pack rats and it destroyed my childhood. Congratulations for finding liberation out of leaving trash in trash receptacles and leaving recycling to the recyclers. You’ll continue to gain a lot more peace of mind as you exercise this new found self-control and keep a functional living space.
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I could have written this and the pictures could be mine. I am addicted to junking too. Help, I’m drowning!
I feel your pain. I have so many ideas and have the stuff I collect for when I get some time which never seems to come my way. It’s a disaster. I just found your site, enjoyed reading and looking. I too banned myself from yard and garage sales for the last two years. Although, I have a nice cheap thrift shop just up the road I stop at about once every two weeks. Yikes1
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