I know I'm not alone when it comes to "fudging" when something doesn't quite go as well as planned.
Take for example the fraying on this tiny border I was working on over the weekend. I wasn't going to risk further fraying when the 1/4in seam went into this tiny border. Have you ever had that happen? Finish a project only to notice that there was fraying and now the seam doesn't hold? I have no more of this fabric either...so it was time for the ole "fudge factor."
I was pressing when I noticed the fraying and on my pressing board I had a roll of Batting Seam Tape so I thought...I'll just cut a thin strip and fuse it on the edge and that will hold the seam and prevent further fraying. The Batting Seam Tape is soft and easy to stitch through and I have my fingers crossed that I don't have any further problems. What would you have done? Any great secrets floating around out there?
Life has been a bit crazy lately with my co-workers going back to school last week.
Where has the time gone? Just yesterday Aaron was starting Kindergarten and I was driving behind the bus crying all the way to their school. Are you wondering if I still cry? Honestly...I just mist up a bit...I guess it is what a Mother does ay?
Warning...what is written below may be controversial....but to me it is plain common sense.
Speaking of "Fudge Factor"....something is smelly with this Fudge or so it seems.
On another subject all together, we spent the weekend working out tails off and I had an entire van load of things to take to the Goodwill for donation. I always feel good about donating to Goodwill because of their great programs.
Then....
As I was driving away from Goodwill I saw a huge blue dumpster, the type that is used on construction sites. It was overflowing and I could not believe my eyes. I hopped out of my van and took these photos....any idea what you are looking at?
Some of us would call it "donations" made with the thought that the items will go to good use and the money being made would help someone in need. Others may call it TRASH. Yep....the dumpster was overflowing and the items I could see from the top were perfectly good...a great majority anyway. I saw record albums, movies, tools, dishes, clothing, radios, baskets, decorations....I felt ill. Literally ILL. Yes, I will write to the Goodwill and let them know but I'm guessing they already know. I went inside and asked a worker there why that was the case and he said that is what happens when they have too much. What is too much I asked myself? Too much for the building....to sort....for the shelves? How about a huge lot sold by auction and any amount of money would be useful to the Goodwill....not paying a garbage company to haul away our donations.
I don't write this to single out the Goodwill. I see this type of thing weekly in my comings and goings. People have no qualms about filling our landfills with perfectly good items because they don't want to take the time or energy to do what I think is, "the right thing." I put quotation marks around that because these are my thoughts and I've not done much research into the entire process of re-purposing....I just know my conscious and I can't do it.
I stopped and got out of my van one day by a grocery store. I watched as the workers unloaded 5 or 6 entire grocery carts of food into a dumpster. I began taking photos and they got very upset and approached me. I told them I just could not believe my eyes....and YES, I know the food is expired. I then told them that since they are aware it is expired then they know perfectly well when the food will expire and they can either donate it or reduce the price 3 or 4 days in advance to save the enormous waste. I was told they were just doing their jobs.
OK...I'm getting off my soap box for the moment....please forgive me....sometimes I just have to "say something" and today was one of those days.
Know I appreciate other people's opinions, experiences and the people themselves. I also am very glad the Goodwill does what they do...most of it anyway.
Smiling at the relief that I've said something!
Kelly
Life has been a bit crazy lately with my co-workers going back to school last week.
Warning...what is written below may be controversial....but to me it is plain common sense.
Speaking of "Fudge Factor"....something is smelly with this Fudge or so it seems.
Then....
Some of us would call it "donations" made with the thought that the items will go to good use and the money being made would help someone in need. Others may call it TRASH. Yep....the dumpster was overflowing and the items I could see from the top were perfectly good...a great majority anyway. I saw record albums, movies, tools, dishes, clothing, radios, baskets, decorations....I felt ill. Literally ILL. Yes, I will write to the Goodwill and let them know but I'm guessing they already know. I went inside and asked a worker there why that was the case and he said that is what happens when they have too much. What is too much I asked myself? Too much for the building....to sort....for the shelves? How about a huge lot sold by auction and any amount of money would be useful to the Goodwill....not paying a garbage company to haul away our donations.
I stopped and got out of my van one day by a grocery store. I watched as the workers unloaded 5 or 6 entire grocery carts of food into a dumpster. I began taking photos and they got very upset and approached me. I told them I just could not believe my eyes....and YES, I know the food is expired. I then told them that since they are aware it is expired then they know perfectly well when the food will expire and they can either donate it or reduce the price 3 or 4 days in advance to save the enormous waste. I was told they were just doing their jobs.
OK...I'm getting off my soap box for the moment....please forgive me....sometimes I just have to "say something" and today was one of those days.
Know I appreciate other people's opinions, experiences and the people themselves. I also am very glad the Goodwill does what they do...most of it anyway.
Smiling at the relief that I've said something!
Kelly
In response to your Goodwill observations....I, for one, think that Goodwill puts outrageous prices on alot of the items...at least in my area.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the fraying...I like your suggestion, but sometimes I also add a bit of permanent fabric glue to !
I do hope you write to Goodwill. Their prices have climbed higher then NEW items. People shop at Goodwill and Thrift stores because it is supposed to be better prices. I see a lot of families buying school clothes and toys for their children. Newlyweds buy household items. But the prices have continued to go UP ans UP! I'm sorry to say that I no longer give to Goodwill. I take my donations to the local Hospice store. I know they may do the same thing, but they are the ones who sit by our loved ones at the end of their time here. I think they deserve my support. Thanks for the soap box. I agree if they would mark things down, people would buy!!
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that there is a better way to dispose of unwanted donations...much of what I see there could be recycled at the very least! Stay on that soapbox and I'll keep cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteGood idea to use that batting tape!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the "waste" - why not lower the prices on the food and see if you can "sell it quick"? Well the fact is that writing it off is more profitable. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have thought of using the batting tape, but I am adding that idea to my bag o' tricks
Just a note about Goodwill. It is a for profit company and the owner is one of the richest men in the US. They get free product and mostly free employees as a lot of them in our area are working off welfare hours or their court fines. I agree that their prices are extremely high for used products. In our area they are very pickie about what they will take. I have stopped donating and shopping at our store. I usually go to the local Habitat for Humanity store. All staff is volunteer and all proceeds go to building homes for the needy. Thanks for reading. Good idea for the fraying.
ReplyDeleteAccording to research I've done over several years, regional CEO compensation ranges from $250K to over $700K per year. And it's been that way for years. The also take full advantage of Section 14 (c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, that allows permitted employers to pay disabled people "subminimum" wages. For Goodwill, that translates to about 22 cents an hour. TWENTY TWO CENTS per hour. And when questioned about it, Goodwill's response is usually, "without us, they wouldn't even be employed." Really? Welcome to our soapbox, we're glad to have another voice. Habitat for Humanity gets all our donations as well. (except for the stuff we bring to our local zoo, also a non-profit organization, whose director makes about $36K per year...)
DeleteI've seen what you saw and always think there has to be a better way. The food would be so welcomed at a soup kitchen, they could donate it on the expired date and it would be used the next day. One year the local grocery store called to tell me they were throwing away gift wrap, my Christmas charity uses a ton), I asked if I could pick it up, no, I'd have to pay for it, but they told me exactly when they would be tossing it and we were there grabbing it right out of the dumpsters. Corporate policies need some work.
ReplyDeleteI donate to Salvation Army, they keep everything down to the last rubber band. Great organization and no high salary administrators. I use to work for them so I know how the money is used.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that we not live close to each other because you have me fired up all the way over here.....I hear ya!!! Every word of it and I agree!!!
ReplyDeleteI most certainly agree with you about Goodwill;and our local Ye Olde Rummage Shoppe. I used to volunteer at the Shoppe, and I would see a whole long dumpster(construction size) FULL at the end of the day. I saw good dishes purposely broken;clothing cut so it was unwearable;jigsaw puzzles dumped from the box; I ask why the unwanted items couldn't be donated to Salvation Army? the reply was: It was given to US! and unsaid, WE WON'T SHARE!
ReplyDeleteI quit volunteering, and no longer donate. I prefer SA and the ARC.
I felt ill at work when they decided we needed to get rid of things and just go and buy new when ever we needed items in the future. What was thrown out by someone who never used the items were treasures to me. For instance....our cooking items that we use in cooking and baking lasses...well one person felt they were a waste and just began to throw them in the dumpster. I left the room so upset, and right in front of the CEO who was helping us throw away items. WHAT WASTE!!! Then the movies, the CD's and much more. I was appalled at what "the newest generation" throw away. I guess I lived to close to those who went through the great depression, like my Mother.
ReplyDeleteAnd so the 'freegans' were born! Just sayin!
ReplyDeleteI stopped giving to Goodwill here in North Carolina. Goodwill does not employ the disabled in our stores. So I quit giving there. Instead I give my things to Vintage Values that the money goes to local domestic violence services. Also I give to Habitat for Humanity.
ReplyDeletePam
I stopped giving to Goodwill here in North Carolina. Goodwill does not employ the disabled in our stores. So I quit giving there. Instead I give my things to Vintage Values that the money goes to local domestic violence services. Also I give to Habitat for Humanity.
ReplyDeletePam
I quit donating to goodwill after I saw a news story about how much they "don't" pay their workers. It it pennies, not even minimum wage. I have found other places in my area to donate. One place is an organization that helps families that want to adopt children.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for taking the time to step UP onto your soapbox! I didn't realize this kinda stuff was happening.
ReplyDeletelove and hugZ to ya girl!
annie =)
It is sad to see things thrown away that could be put to good use. I actually see baskets and other items that I go to my local Goodwill store to buy! I wonder how well yours is managed? Do they have sales to move the inventory? A local thrift shop has one day a month where anything you can fill up a box for $5, which really helps to move inventory.
ReplyDeleteI've also seen grocery stores route their food to kitchens that help feed the poor/homeless (e.g. make soup), as well as to gardeners who compost.
We all need to look for ways to minimize waste going to our landfills, especially when an item can be re-purposed.
Way to go Kelly.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
I think that fudge factoring isn't the best way of going about things. But normal factoring can be a good thing sometimes!
ReplyDelete