Yesterday was a busy day. Sorted through things being stored in a container, looking for items to sell at the community yard sale this weekend, January 21st.  It is amazing the things a person acquires over the years. I hope others will want them and buy them at the sale. Right now my goal is to downsize so my sons don't have a mountain of "treasures" to dispose of one day. My second goal is to raise money so I have some extra funds to use for bills and hopes for future possibilities.  My third goal is to downsize so that I have the flexibility to live in a smaller home. 

I love living in this condo and the view is priceless. I am thrilled I get to stay here through 2012. Since I rent, eventually this option may no longer be available.  

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this year I am all about change and having less stuff and maybe a little money will increase flexibility.

After sorting, it was on to the Manatee County Fair.  It is the perfect "appetizer" before the Florida State Fair opens next month. I always like to combine work with fun so the fair worked out great.  It reminded me of the Appalachian Fair I used to go in Gray Station, Tennessee. The only thing that truly surprised me was that instead of having the baked goods on display, they had photos of the entries and winning bakery items.

I didn't go on any rides. The midway always fascinates me at fairs.  We think of risk takers as those people who bungee jump from bridges and sky dive or ride rapids or climb mountains or drive race cars. In my opinion, people who get on the rides at Fairs are definitely risk takers.

I think some of the people who get on these rides must have the heart of a dare devil.  The rides twist and turn, go up and down and none look very secure.  I don't have that kind of courage and faith in their ability not to break and send me hurling to the ground but I do enjoy watching others.  On one ride that spun and twisted while rising and falling, going forward and backwards, two sisters caught my attention.  The youngest, maybe 8 years old, was having a terrific time, her sister, maybe 13, looked terrified and possibly about to get sick.  When the ride was over the young sister shouted, "I want to go again!" Meanwhile her sister carefully got off holding her stomach with a look on her face that seemed to say, "never again."

Pigs raced. Cows and rabbits looked cute. Chickens looked like dinner and Roosters crowed.

I enjoyed seeing the artwork, photographs and crafts on display.  All in all it was a fun time at the fair.

The late afternoon and evening was all about the football playoffs.  I had picked New Orleans and Denver to win and unfortunately they didn't. Today I am unloading the "treasures" I found me in the container yesterday (they spent a chilly night in the car). I will clean and price them while watching today's playoff games. I am rooting for Houston and Green Bay today.  It will be another blessed day of combining business with pleasure.