Helen's Happenings - Team Challenge

This past week has been quite busy. My pending posts are going to have to wait. I am formulating my fundraising plan, as I have joined Team Challenge! The link is:

http://www.active.com/donate/boston10newengland/Boston10HWalsh

Enjoying eBay / selling as hemwcollects

In February, 2007, I registered on eBay. However, I didn’t list my first item until about one year later in January of 2008, having been paralyzed by my perfectionism. I felt that I only could list an item with the perfect pictures, the perfect description, the perfect shipping and handling, and the perfect price. Thankfully, working my priorities and action items put an end to my stagnation. Most significantly, I decided that I simply would do my best in offering my collection. At that point it was more important just to act.

Pushing me to act were two goals. I wanted more money, as it was tight. I also wanted to sort my stuff. The smallness of my house was increasing with the growth of my Son and his stuff. These goals needed to fit within my passion for collecting stuff. I reconciled my collecting passion with my recognition that I don’t need to collect everything.

I have sold all kinds of stuff on eBay. I love vintage collectibles, as they often include historical elements. Particularly, ephemera and avdvertising items are filled with fun. My collection included stuff from my Mom’s house. I was managing collectibles left from when she downsized. Sorting through them was so much fun! I also enjoyed getting those collectibles to people who would appreciate them. Watching the auction action provided such satisfaction, as did the significant amount at which so many of my auctions closed.

A few times, I purchased for resale. I bought some items at a store closing sale, knowing there was a market for them. I made a bit of profit on those items, but did not have the most fun with them. It’s not my preference to deal in mainstream items. Also, at least for now, it doesn’t fall properly into my list of priorities. The benefits do not outweigh the burdens. I also purchased a few items at neighborhood yard sales. I found some fun vintage items, on which I made a bit of profit. This approach was fun, but not something that I want to do regularly. For now, at least, purchasing items for resale will have to wait.
I sold some items for family and friends. The circumstances varied tremendously, as did the fun I had. Primarily, I enjoyed showing others that they could get rid of stuff, and make money to get more stuff. I sold my brother-in-law’s train set. I knew that I could spend time researching each piece. I also knew that the market would drive the auctions. I decided to present the items as best I could, and answer questions as necessary. I sold the set in over ten listings, and ended up delivering a pretty good amount of money to my brother-in-law. I had a similar result with a friend for whom I sold some stuff that belonged to his deceased wife, significantly the Barbie collection that did not interest his two young boys. My eBay stories could fill another book about which I dream. It might be entitled: Sorting Stuff, sharing and selling your collectibles.

While I love eBaying, it is time consuming for me. Currently, my time must be focused elsewhere because the benefits do not outweigh the burdens. The goals with which I began selling on eBay were met. At some point, I started to feel like eBaying was a job, but I already have a job, the demands of which are greater now than when I began selling on eBay.

I will continue to eBay; it’s something that I want to keep on my list. For now, it must fall lower on the list. I am thinking about how to include eBay in my Team Challenge fundraising efforts. I have to decide whether the benefits will outweigh the burdens. Time will tell.

Monthly monitor - January

January was a productive month. More could have been done, but that always is the case. I exercised 22 of the 31 days. That’s important. I got a bit more organized, and set a schedule. I turned 46 years old.

I fit me in, with no negative impact on my job and family. I simply was more efficient. I had more positive energy, which I only can attribute to my increased running. The omnipresent question arises – which came first…. Here, is it the energy, the focus, the exercise, or simply the decided determination? This is not the time to try to answer / analyze this question, but instead to take credit for the advances, and to move on.

During January, I started a few things, and made a general plan. I succeeded somewhat in taking time and focusing first. Difficulties certainly were present, but I will not focus on them. I feel that there’s a tendency to dwell on distractions, which can be an excuse for not moving forward. Instead, I will focus on the advances.

I touched base, and made a February appointment with, the trainer that helped me with my marathon. I am so excited about that piece of the puzzle. I also have a new motivational song – Right Now by Van Halen. Thanks to iTunes, I was able to identify and download this song that I happened to hear. How fun!

I set a schedule of races! I will run: a 5K in March; a 10K in April; and a half marathon in June. The half marathon now is the ultimate goal for this remaking. Upon its completion, I will be healthier, and I will have made a difference. The inevitable results of the necessary training will be weight loss and increased fitness. I intend to run the race as part of Team Challenge, raising funds for CCFA, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. I signed up for a Team Challenge introductory meeting to be held next week.

I will close January with the following words of Henry W. Longfellow:

Let us, then, be up and doing
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.