Janie and I didn't need to wander past the fringes of downtown this week. Pretty soon we'll be able to banish the notion of driving far and wide; it will be more a matter of finding a parking spot and walking from there to dozens of sales. Oh. So. Close.
This weekend we had two very admirable rummage sales and four truly whopping yard sales. We didn't have to fill our time with a single estate sale.
Find of the week (it's a tie)
Buck-Rogers-looking power driver
price - $3
sold
I plugged it in at the sale, and it runs so sweet, but when I got it home, I noticed the socket doesn't turn when the motor is on. I was ready to resign myself to selling it to someone who fixes these kinds of things, when I thought "maybe you have to put a bit in it before it works." I put a bit in and still it didn't turn. Then I had to push down on the bit to get hold of it and it sank down a bit (!). As it turns out, you put the bit on the screw, turn on the driver and then push down. It starts to turn only if everything is ready to go. Everything works great. I'm gonna want $10 for this, and the buyer is going to be tickled.
Large Samsonite suitcase
price - $3
sold
I initially bought this as storage and transfer for scrap metal, but I got it home and cleaned it up to find it was for all practical purposes new. We will instead be using our other perfectly good suitcase for scrap, and this will be our nice bag. I noticed the address tag still had the people's name on it, so I thought I'd flip it over and put our names. When I did I was amused to see what I recognized as a prominent local CEO. I threw the tag away - but - what a small world . . .
Other things we did and didn't buy
Books in Czech (or Slovak or something)
price - 50 cents each
sold
These may not be in a language that's hot at this time, but the used book stores generally like foreign language books. I pick them up even if I won't make anything on them. If they see them in my box of books, they'll want to keep me happy and pay me more for my other books.
60s parmesan shaker
price - 25 cents
sold
In goes with our table and napkin dispenser.
White brass candlesticks
price - $1 for the two
sold
I'm stacking these away for when the price of brass recovers.
Sweaters
$1 each
sold
Janie likes sweaters.
Warm shirts
price - 50 cents each
sold
Hunters and construction workers out west like warm shirts, so I snap them up whenever I can.
Witch costume
price - $1
no sale
Toad Rage
price - 50 cents
no sale
Lamp shade for a kid
price - $1
no sale
No kids.
Robo raptor
price - didn't ask
no sale
No kids.
20s coffee jar
price - $2
sold
It's big enough to hold a whole pound. We actually needed that.
Cargo pants
price - $1 each
sold
They're in my (and half of everyone else's) size - 34 X 30.
Rekkerds
price - 25 cents each
sold
All in mint condition - too bad the rest were Oak Ridge Boys and disco. I had to have the David Allen Coe, because it has Long Haired Redneck on it. (I love that line, "My long hair can't hide my red neck.")
Pink t-shirt
price - 50 cents
sold
You can't beat the savings yard sales offer for clothing. We got over the need to buy all clothes at retail a good while back, and just about everything we wear (with the exception of socks, shoes and underwear) is bought at yard sales and such. The rewards? No debt. Lots of fun shopping.
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Comments: 36
Happy hunting, Ron!
Leah, the books were from the Czech-Slovak Society meeting hall, so that's a clue. I think I'll just pass them on to the used book store and let them figure it out : )
I don't know, Ted. It was a lapse in judgment, I suppose.
Wil, I was driving back through Kansas last February and happened across a "classic country" station. I thought, "Oh great! Bob Wills. Hank Williams. The Carter Family!" No. Oak Ridge Boys. Billy Ray Cyrus. Sheesh.
You really got a great deal on the clothing. Janie looks great in pink! I think it is a lovely color and have many pink items in my wardrobe.
Nice buy, Ron.
Janie says "Thank you." I have a friend who got up on DAC's stage (drunk), asking if he could play a song. David handed him *his* guitar, backed up with his arms crossed. Paul played his song, returned the guitar and said thank you. Man, that's under the influence. No one in their right mind would do that.
Rob would buy some of the same things I did. Wow. Another layer to my coat of many successes!
EM, we're delighted to have you along.
Just hope it doesn't lock automatically, or you'll have a little trouble there. Anyhoo-- if the plane goes down, you can rest comfortably amidst the paniced passengers, knowing that your underroos will be safe.
As for the Czech book-- I prefer my debit card. [bad dum-dump-dump!]
The parmesan shaker is great (I COULD have said "GRATE," but I didn't. I wouldn't want to sully the Czech book pun). Now you have a valid excuse to say "I bought the shaker-- the least you could do is make the pizza." That sounds reasonable to me.
I noticed the kids lampshade was marked $3.00, but you listed it for $1.00. Was there a dramatic price drop? A BOGO or something? It don't matter-- that thing is all sorts of nasty. The good news is a toddler with that in his room would be encouraged to walk-- just so he could toss it under a dump truck.
Good, good, stuff!
In addition to the sturdy handle, I really appreciate the big wheels on the Samsonite bag. A great many luggage items have wheels the size of those kids have on the back of their tennis shoes.
I love Janie's peace symbol earrings.
Glad U R having fun with this.....its a great activity, eh?
BTW, when are you having a yard sale???
Pat, I didn't respond to your question. Yes! It's one of the most fun things I know of.
if you DO use that coffee jar, put some opaque something btwixt the coffee and the glass... light aged coffee QUICK!
Doc, our solution is keeping the coffee out of the light is that that particular corner of our kitchen is quite dark.