By Gretchen Leigh

Little did I know how crazy I could get over selling a couple things online. I was sorting through my office drawers several weeks ago and unearthed a few scrapbooking pages for which I no longer had albums that fit them.

They were odd sizes from the original Creative Memories company. I figured since they were discontinued someone might need them. So I found a Creative Memories Garage Sale on Facebook. Though I was accepted into the group, I didn’t take the time to try and sell. There is a part of me that often feels like the new kid on the playground who is afraid to ask if I can join in fear I’ll be rejected.

Then late last week I was in limbo with my day, waiting for my family to come home, but still wanting to do something productive. There were those pages taking space on my desk. What a great task to fill my time. I was counting my stock, searching for additional pieces to solve the conflict of page/page protector ratio, when I noticed another drawer containing more specialty pages. I felt like I struck gold. Though I didn’t exactly see dollar signs, I was excited to think I could make a few bucks and free up some drawers. I suddenly felt like I was a rich uncle about to share my wealth with the masses.

After I hit “post”, I laughed at my ridiculous expectations that anything I had would be desired by someone else. Then the whole thing exploded; I really was sitting on a treasure trove. One buyer snagged the largest sized album pages right out of the gate, then the medium sized page protectors went like wild fire. Unlike eBay, there was no bidding war because prices are posted, but the thrill of watching the chase had me riveted.

My eyes were glued to the screen as I fielded requests in the order received and made sure it was first come first served. It was extremely addictive. I felt like I was watching a football game, screaming at the TV, jumping up and down for a touchdown, and generally getting way too involved. Was that how a good day on Wall Street felt?

When my daughter came in and asked if I was making dinner, I looked up at her with wild eyes and practically yelled, “Does it look like I’m making dinner?” She backed slowly out of the room. When the most popular items were almost gone, the frenzy ended. Potential buyers left me staring at the computer in anticipation while they made dinner for their families.

After that day (and a little into the next), things calmed down, but I couldn’t stay off the Garage Sale site. In my continued surfing, I saw an ISO (in search of) post for something I knew I had extras. I dug them out, took a picture, and replied to the gal. Then I wondered what else I could sell and contemplated going to Goodwill or St. Vincent’s to see what I could find to post on eBay.

It will be nice to have a little extra cash for the coffers, but really, after this Creative Memories stuff is gone, this cannot be a regular activity for me. I don’t think my heart, or my family, could handle it. It’s just a wonder anyone ever thinks it’s a good idea to leave me alone in the house.

Someone should just stop me now. I think I need an intervention.

Gretchen Leigh is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Covington. You can read more of her writing and her blog on her website livingwithgleigh.com, on Facebook at “Living with Gleigh.”or follow her on Twitter @livewithgleigh. Her column is also available at maplevalleyreporter.com under the Life section.