Fridays in the summer are prime time for yard sales. This week, as temperatures hit the high 90s, the residents of Hermiston seemed to realize that the lazy, warm days of summer were almost over and they were losing their opportunities to hold an outside sale. The Nickel Ads had column after column of yard sales listed. This week I followed the spouse’s advice and made a list. Last night I entered all the addresses into Google Maps, organized the sales by proximity, and printed out a detailed plan of attack for Friday morning.
My first stop was an estate sale. I bought a pile of old towels to use for cleaning rags and a Field Guide to Western Birds. I also called the spouse and told him he should stop by to see all the tools and man toys in the basement of this sale. I moved on to the next sale on my list but later received a call from the spouse. He was ecstatic. He had bought every drill bit they had. He found several old Stanley planers which he is sure are valuable (as if he’d ever sell them!) He purchased several tools that he’s not quite sure what they’re used for…but he’s sure they’re good ones. He also bought, wait for it…five chunks of lead and a giant plank of steel!!! It really doesn’t take much to make him happy. Later in the day I heard him talking on the phone to his brother and bragging about his great finds. It’s fun for me to see him so giddy about shopping. I know the feeling, but I usually get that way after Macy’s has a 50% off the sale price special on shoes.
I expected to find some real treasures today because I spent all that time organizing. I think I shattered the spouse’s theory of the benefits of pre-planning. I was even out the door before 8:00! I wasn’t any more successful today than when I follow my usual practice of sleeping in and then late in the morning aimlessly driving around and looking for yard sale signs. That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s Saturday and there are more sales starting, but I’m not getting up early.
Posts
I laughed all the way through this one, Jann! My husband picks up free stuff on the side of the road and comes home thrilles.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at your organization -- and smiled when I read about your husband getting the great bargains. Doesn't that just figure? It also reminded me of a garage sale I had -- in 108 degree heat -- in the process of cleaning out my aunt's house after her death. I was disappointed that no one seemed to want her books or knick knacks or costume jewelry. But I did sell two completely unexpected items that day -- her car and her house (found the buyer for the house and handed them to the realtor to close the deal). So I guess I couldn't complain. But it was hard work! I have a lot of respect for sellers -- and buyers! Shopping the garage sales takes stamina!
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny, men are so easily pleased at times! I so wish we had yard sales over here, I'd be in Shrinky heaven, our equivalent are car boot sales pitched in a field, lots of cars renting space for a tresle table - but they are far and few between. Jumble sales used to be quite popular when I was young, school or church halls gathered donations of brick a brack and clothing, to help raise cash for some good cause or other. I used to love rummaging around the toy stalls there!
ReplyDeleteOh boy, your husband's treasure trove, and his joy, made me laugh. It sounds . . . so familiar...
ReplyDeleteThey're all eight years old.
Not to mention that he wouldn't have known about it if you hadn't told him. I hope he is sufficiently grateful, now that you have to find a place for the lead and steel! Good post, I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteOh, isn't this so true? I have had the same experience, carefully planning for great finds, only to be disappointed. The best stuff is always found (in my experience) completely by accident.
ReplyDeleteThis morning my husband told me he needs a stainless steel pot to "clean wax" (he is a beekeeper, and I'm always hounding him to make the wax cleaner). He found directions online, so today we have a mission: to find a stainless steel pot. Finally, he is willingly going to garage sales with me! But, I am secretly afraid we won't find one, as we're looking for it!
Last weekend, I could have bought at least two, but I didn't know we needed one! (Why can't I anticipate these things??)
Loved this post!
I don't have room for any more 'important' finds. I should have a yard sale of my own. Would spouse want another drill bit or ten?
ReplyDeleteGarage/yard sales get expensive very quickly if you're not careful. If there's anything I don't need is more stuff, no matter that it's a bargain. I'm in the 'pitch out' phase of my life, not the 'bring in'.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time, however, that I bargain shopped with the best of them. Good luck to you in your bargain finds.
If my husband takes up going to garage sales, I'm afraid our marriage would suffer. I am trying to get rid of all the stuff we already have. No more bargains are needed here!
ReplyDeleteI have to stay away from these things! We're trying to get rid of things ourselves. If I go, I'm gonna find things to buy!
ReplyDeletegood post!
I had myself a good chuckle when I read this post. My husband also goes into ecstasy when he finds drill bits at yard sales. His major thrill comes, though, when he finds old WRENCHES for sale. He drags them home, polishes them up, And puts them on display boards, which he then takes to antique auto meets. Men are weird, there's no getting around it. Lovable, too.
ReplyDeleteSo funny! The cartoon at the front made me laugh, and I laughed all the way through this post. I hope you found some treasures on your second day out.
ReplyDelete