Cats. Let's Give them something to talk about

So you love cats. But do you understand them?

This information is taken from the Human Society of the United States

Meow:  No other sound can mean so many different things:  It could mean:

• Hello
• How are you doing
• I want up
• I want down
• I want fed
• Don't touch me
• Touch me
• and in some cases: insanity because they are just talking to themselves

Okay, so these aren't the only things a meow means...as understanding your cat means "understanding" your cat.

"Chirps and trills"  what the heck is that.  I have a cat that will walk up to me and her meow is different...it sounds like a chirp mixed with a meow.  With her this means, "Hey, have you checked my food dish lately?"  

Purr:  If you are a cat lover, and sometimes if you just tolerate them, you love it when they purr.  Usually this means they are happy with whatever they are doing or with whatever you are doing. One caution though, it could also mean they are anxious or sick and they are just trying to comfort themselves.  It is important to understand the difference.

The famous growling, hissing and spitting.  Okay if you don't know what this means....you are probably a dog lover...and even with that you know what this means....."leave me alone!!"

Long drawn out meow, yowl or howl:  "Let me out" is what this means by my cats.  One of them is usually stuck in a closet, laundry room or trapped by my puppy.  If your cat is older it could be they are suffering from dementia (cognitive disorder) and they are disoriented.  If your cat "screams" they are in pain....yes, I have stepped on all of my cats, on accident, one time or another and you will know this sound.

I have to say one of my favorite cat sounds is the chattering:  My cats do this when they are getting ready to pounce on a moving object.  This happens a lot when they are looking out the window and watching the birds.

No cat language is the same...as no cat is the same.  I have three cats and without seeing them I can tell you which one is "talking" and what they want.  

Having cats are a wonderful experience.....if you let them be them and enjoy the moments they want attention and understand the moments when they don't.

Go hug your cat and if you don't have one...think about rescuing one today.  They will rescue you back.  Stay tuned for more cat language to come.

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Yard Sales aren't for everyone. How does Consignment work?

Okay, summer is coming to an end and you have to make room for new stuff.  What do you do with your old stuff?  You can have a yard sale but remember having a yard sale is hard work! 




What you need to do for a yard sale:

1. Plan the date ahead of time and hope the weather cooperates.
2. Decide the times of your yard sale...and plan on some showing up about a half hour earlier than the scheduled time.
3. Advertise your yard sale (cost about $10.00).
4. Get your friends involved because the more stuff that is out there the more people will stop.
5. Make directional signs to drive traffic to your yard sale.
6. Decide how you are going to show prices for items: i.e. stickers on each item, have under $1.00 tables, under $5.00 tables, etc., make an offer.  I have found pricing each item works the best but you have to have each person who brings stuff to your yard sale have a different colored sticker.
7. Get change.  You will need a lot of change.  Most yard sales are held over the weekend so you will not have the ability to run to the bank and break high bills.  Depending on how much stuff you have you have will determine what type and how much change you will need.  You will need a minimum of two rolls of quarters, roll of dimes, roll of nickels, $50.00 in one's, $25.00 in fives, $30.00 in tens and if you are smart you will have a few twenties just in case someone is a serious shopper and has a $100 bill.
8. Since people show up early you need to be ready.  Start setting up your yard sale a minimum of one hour before the advertised time.  You need to judge by how much stuff you have....and whatever time you think it will take to set up....add a half hour to that because there will always be more than you are prepared for.
9. If you have advertised 7:00 am - 2:00 pm plan on someone showing up at 2:15 pm so be prepared for this.
10. Most important:  The objective of a yard sale is to GET RID OF STUFF not to get rich.  Be willing to negotiate as most will negotiate the price.  Avoid setting prices higher so you can negotiate down.  Price the items for what they are worth...and this means price them for what they are worth to a stranger as no one cares that your best friends' dog's grandmother gave it to you.

Wow, I'm exhausted just thinking about this.  If you are thinking the same thing there are other options to cleaning out your "stuff."

1. You can donate them
2. You can give them away
3. You can put the item on consignment

Here's how I see it...as long as it is out of my house I don't care where it is...BUT if I can get it out of my house AND make some money without having a yard sale.....that's what I want to do.  Take the items to a consignment shop.  Tell them how much you would like to get from each item...remember they will take a percentage of the sales price and this will depend on the contract.  Tell them what you are willing to negotiate down to so if they get an offer that is lower than what you want they don't have to call and get permission if it's within your acceptable range.

Don't be offended if the Consignment Store doesn't accept an item.  They know their store and what sells.  What they cannot accept you can donate or give away.  What doesn't sell within your contract period you can lower the price or donate or give away.

Remember it is out of your house!!  That was the goal to begin with.  Yes, you MAY make more money in a shorter amount of time having a yard sale....but is the difference in what you would make and the time frame worth what you have to go through to have a yard sale?

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