My line of work deals with many families who are hurting due to the loss of a loved one. My niece posted these words on her FB page and I just wanted to share these words with you all; if you know anyone that's hurting please share and send a message that you care:
I'm so lost. I feel tiny and not important in this world, when you lose someone that was a part of you for so long, you hurt & you ...want everyone around you to see your pain, possibly want them to hurt as much as you. It's funny , when i pass people in cars or in grocery stores I feel like they should instantly feel sad for me , but then i have to remember they don't know me , i don't know them or their story & someone I pass with a smile on their face could be hurting just as much or more than me. So even though my loss was not one heard around the world, i know that somewhere, someone feels my pain. I empathize with you .

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Could You Use $25?

Count It All Joy Estate Sales is having a drawing for a $25 gift card to your choice of Staples or Starbucks! Simply Like our Page on Facebook at Count It All Joy Estate Sales. Deadline to enter is January 31, 2012.

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Jesus Will Always Be The Reason for the Season

Now that the gifts have been exchanged and the meal has been enjoyed, my prayer is that, within our hearts, we remember that our purpose here on earth is to serve. Our lives is a ministry. God's gift to us, His son Jesus, is the epitome of servanthood and ministry. His life here on earth was selfless and full of giving and serving.

As I reflect during this time of year, I am reminded that my business is also a form of ministry. Many of those that I service are dealing with difficult circumstances-- death of loved one, divorce, or foreclosure. Therefore, it is my job to assure my clients that the estate sale process will be handled delicately and with a sincerity of heart. I always say a prayer before opening the doors to each of my sales; not only for the family I'm serving but for the customers entering through the door. Each of us have situations that we deal with daily and it is a great comfort to know that someone you may now or not know is saying a prayer for you.

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As we enter into a new year, I ask you to ponder the question of how do you live your life as a ministry. How do you live your life the way Jesus did?

What Are U Thankful For?

As the holidays have creeped upon us I thought I would share a list of a few things that I am thankful for over this past year. Be warned, this is not your ordinary list:

1. I am thankful for all of my early birds. You know who you are. You show up at my estate sales at least an   hour before opening and try every trick in the book to get me to let you in early. Trying to pose as staff? Really? 
2. I am thankful for all of my customers who have educated me at my estate sales. You tactfully tell me when I have overpriced an item (although I sometimes wonder if this is a ploy for your benefit). Yea, I don't claim to be perfect so I welcome the learning experiences!
3. I am thankful for all of my shoppers who bring their children with them to my sales. I have observed your kids suckering you into buying some of the strangest things so that they can convert them into a toy! (I'm still not sure why that kid pleaded with his mom to buy him a broom...?). Keep'em coming :-)
4. I am thankful for all of my clients who have purchased some of the most unusual things throughout their lifetimes (what genius thought it was a brilliant idea to create a hand held hair dryer that weighs about 25 lbs?). I swear I though it was a space heater! I truly enjoy researching these items. 
5. I am thankful for the pile of baby mice I found squirming in the shed. It taught me a valuable lesson-- stop being so cheap and hire someone else to do the truly dirty work! Wow, I didn't know I could run so fast!

Till next time, be blessed and let the estate sale lady handle your mess.

New Beginnings

Fall is fast approaching and I'm happy to say I survived the Texas summer heat! As the lazy days of summer have passed us by, it is now time to change our routines. For me, it will involve more indoor activities/projects i.e. getting closets organized, getting business records organized and prepared for tax time etc. You know, all the fun stuff :-). What is on your to do list for the fall? One thing I've definitely learned from my estate sale business is that becoming organized and clutter free not only improves the physical appearance of your home but uplifts you emotionally and mentally! Here are a few tips to start your fall season out right:

1. Get those piled up papers shredded! A stack a day keeps the headaches away.
2. Put away and/or donate those summer clothes.
3. Remember that New Year's resolution list? There's still time to accomplish some of those items! 
4. Organize your life creatively. Get the kids involved and make it fun! Use words like project or   activity.
5. Please carve out some down time for yourself. Rejuvenate those brain cells. You will think more clearly and be re-energized.  

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HOARDING

                                                           Image copied from Creative Commons
I'm pretty sure almost everyone knows someone in their circle of friends or family who is a hoarder. For me, it is an uncle. Your initial reaction when walking into the space of a hoarder may be shock and disbelief. Many may think hoarding is a quick fix by simply cleaning out the home for the person. Not so fast! Hoarding is a real mental illness. I remember when attempting to clear out the home was attempted with my uncle. It was a total waste of time. The home was almost immediately refilled with the items. Staff at the Mayo Clinic defines hoarding as:

 "Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets often in unsanitary conditions. Hoarding, also called compulsive hoarding and compulsive hoarding syndrome, may be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But many people who hoard don't have other OCD-related symptoms.People who hoard often don't see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. But intensive treatment can help people who hoard understand their compulsions and live safer, more enjoyable lives."

Hoarding is no laughing matter. It is not the time to be judgmental. Hoarding can lead to the person living in a dangerous environment, make it difficult to impossible for friends and family to visit, and even create debt problems from the excessive purchasing of items. Working with a hoarder has to be handled in the most sensitive and patient manner as possible. When a hoarder makes up his/her mind to get help and with proper therapy, hoarding can get under control. Hoarding is usually triggered by a traumatic event in a person's life. If this can be pinpointed and understood, it is a great starting point to recovery!

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