6/7/09

A 12 Step Program for Craigslist...

Hello, my name is Pretty Organizer (You say: High Pretty Organizer) and I'm a Craig's Lister/ Toile-aholic... It's been 46 days and 12 hours since my last Craigslist purchase... but alas, I've gone and fallen off the wagon and browsed Craigslist again. Yes folks- there needs to be a 12 step program for people like me.

People like me buy stuff on Craigslist and intend to fix it up in a smashingly super design savvy cheap clever way and then let our find sit in the garage for weeks on end waiting for the laundry to halt, the family to stop eating and the heavens to clear for the perfect day to begin our refinishing project.

This week I'm doing something about my fix and you're invited. I'm researching ideas for this well intended project that has yet to begin, and another project that I picked up on the side of the road.


This is the week of dressers! I promise, there are enough pictures and ideas to fill a week's worth of posts... AND I offer you my first 12 steps to reigning in your Craigslist addiction:
  1. Recognize you have a Craigslist obsession
  2. Recognize there is a Higher Power that will help you overcome your Craigslist problem... God and your limited pocket book.
  3. Examine your past Craigslist purchases and come to grips with the triumph you felt as you drove away from the purchase site feeling like you got a steal... stealing is bad.
  4. Invite someone to be your sponsor and help you evaluate which purchases were wise, silly, or down right ridiculous... this should not be me...
  5. Make ammends for your errors... finish your already purchased projects. Appologize to your husband for strutting around the front room like a peacock because you scored a great deal and saved him a TON of money... gloating is bad.
  6. Learn to live life in balance. Vow to keep only one project in the garage at a time and commit to getting that project finished before you hunt for another killer deal. Some may find that this will be their last step because the garage project will never be complete.
  7. I'm still stuck on step #6...

So when you see a listing like this... don't worry. It doesn't have to be rescued by YOU. Even IF someone else wants to buy it and turn it into THIS:

Such a sad waste of real wood....

So, this week is dresser week. I'll be featuring the best ideas in refinished dressers and buffets that I've seen on the web... truly inspiring.

Friday I'm hosing a "Dressed up Dressers" party. Come link up to your posts about YOUR dresser projects and share your finds with blogland. If you've landed yourselves a few good Craigslist finds and have a Dressed up Dresser to show for it, I WANT TO SEE!!!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

this was great!! Look forward to your furture post!!!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Now THAT was funny! And hit a little too close to home thanks...

I'll join you on Friday. I haven't revealed my fixer upper dresser yet so I'll hold off for your party.

Donna

brokeintrovert said...

I have a dresser that needs some work, but I didn't get it from Craigslist. I cannot wait until Friday to see what others have accomplished! This entry was very funny! Thank you for the laughter.

Vanessa Greenway said...

Very helpful this 12 step for Craigslist. I'm completely addicted to it! There is not a single day without searching for something on that page... oh well... Have a great day!

southerninspiration said...

I think you'd make a perfect enabler, er sponsor.....I just found a GORGEOUS armoire on Craigslist for only $300 (easily valued at $1200) bought it, intended to put it in my office for storage.....um, honey what do you mean it won't go thru the door?????? Oh, no. So it's now in the master holding the tv, which is altogether lovely in itself.....and it doesn't even need re-doing!
come see; I"m going to blog about it today!

Suzanne

Unknown said...

My husband and son tease me constantly about my craigslist addiction. They'll ask me what I'm shopping for and laugh when I tell them nothing. You just never know what you might find.

Side note--ya couldn't have posted the 12 steps a couple of weeks ago?? Sitting in my garage right now are a half finished table, desk, and chair. Not to mention another desk and a mirror in the wings...

Sherrie said...

Craigslist, such deals, oh my a 12 step program? Funny post! I am really looking forward to your posts on refinishing!
~Sherrie

Amy Jo said...

This post brightened my day. Yesterday I was browsing through C.L. for dressers and I couldn't believe the amount available, and how cheap they were! I've been looking for a desk that I can use as a changing table for a while, then give to another kid to use as a desk. Those are not quite as plentiful, so I might end up with a dresser. I'm looking forward to seeing what people link up to later this week!

Anonymous said...

So funny! I am looking very forward to your future posts ;o)

Caroline said...

Hi,
I am passing on the "One Lovely Blog" award to you! to accept just list 15 other bloggers you will pass it too.

Congrats

I'll be posting my list tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Great post! I have a dresser sitting in my garage right now that I never have got around to fixing-up. I bought it at a yard sale and promised hubby I wouldn't let it sit out there for too long. Ooops! I'm just having trouble deciding if I want to paint it black or turquoise....

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Very cute post! :) That blue thing was, um, interesting. I actually have a dresser post I can share on Friday--yay! :)

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

I have way too many "projects" waiting for me in the garage too! :)

Unknown said...

Love the first desk or buffet.

Anonymous said...

Quit confusing me.

Jody said...

Um, hello? Excuse me? A craigslist ADDICTION? Who, me? Why, I only spend every naptime, everyday just casually browsing the plentiful listings, checking the bank account, trying to compose a convincing argument to beg the husband for just a new couch, dressers, king-sized bed frame and any other small decoration for the house. I mean, honestly, I don't think I'm ADDICTED. I could stop whenever I wanted to. Easily. Just like that (snap the fingers.)

(Man, how sad that some women have to deal with these hardships......) (WINK) :o)

Christie Cottage said...

I'm not a craigslistaholic, but.... I do have to sit on my hands at the auction house, otherwise I have to borrow a truck for for verything I raised my number to bid on!!!

Mrs. Breum said...

oh, my gosh, that was so funny- and I was JUST on CL before I started browsing blogs. I can't go a day w/o browsing.

Katie said...

How funny I was just looking for some oriental rugs on Craigslist. I am so very addicted to it. I don't think the 12 step program is for me, you see I don't have a problem. So see I'm still in denial and I think I'll stay a little while longer. I can't go a day without checking out something. I don't spend nearly as long as before but still most likely it's to long! Well have a great day and thanks your so funny!

sandra cast said...

THE BUFFT/DRESSER IS BEAUTIFUL. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW YOU CREATED SUCH A BEAUTIFUL ELECTRONIC CABINET AND WHAT PAINT YOU USED? THANK YOU

 
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