Throwing choice out of the pram
Sunday May 31 2009
I've been on a major purge recently -- not the colonic variety (although God knows, I could probably do with one of them too). No, I've been clearing out the house and getting rid of as much stuff as I can. In the midst of the major reorganisation I attempted to relocate some of my belongings to the garden shed. Unfortunately, said shed was so packed that there wasn't even room for air.
Most of the shed space was occupied by Jack's old crib, a bulky stroller, a high chair and a play-pen. I haven't been hanging on to these items for sentimental reasons, or in the insane belief that one day I might use them again, but because all of the obsolete baby stuff is awkward, bulky and hard to transport.
Then I discovered Freecycle, a website where people give away stuff -- for free. You can also ask for stuff -- for free. It is truly amazing. First I offered Jack's crib, which I bought brand new and only used for a few months. I encountered my first problem. There were plenty of responses, too many in fact. One woman was five months pregnant, another three days overdue, one was sourcing for her brother and another had divested herself of all nursery furniture years previously, wrongly thinking her breeding days were over.
Who to choose? How to choose? The guilt was fierce and the last thing I need in my life right now is yet more guilt (I have no place to store it for a start). The second problem is the temptation of all the free stuff that's on offer. I see someone offering 20 mosaic paving stones and immediately want them, even though I have no idea what they actually are. So far I've resisted. So far.
- Anne Marie Scanlon
