hey y’all!
please excuse my recent prolonged absence from the blogging world. the texas heat has all but suffocated any creativity or enthusiasm that i had for blogging. and it’s almost done the same for junking. lordy me, but it’s hot out there.
partner in crime and fellow FAG bonnie and i bravely (and stupidly) hit the pavement at the crack of 9:30 saturday morning. there were a few estate sales that i wanted to visit before the heat melted me into a puddle of pink sweat.
the first one we hit was the remains of a three-day sale. sad, v. sad. you junkers know what i mean. however, IF you should find something you like, it’s usually priced to GO because it’s the end of the sale. in this case, i did find a couple of things … a vintage piece of luggage which was marked $3, but everything was 1/2 off, so i got it for $1.50. i can dig it. also got an electric pencil sharpener (it worked, i plugged it in at the sale) for the same price.
the second sale was somewhat difficult for me since i knew the deceased and her children. in fact, i grew up right next door to this house. it was good to see the children (okay, they’re not children any longer … they’re MY age) but it was also sad because their mother passed away recently.
and that brings us to my subject title. am i the only one who feels sort of … well … out of sorts at an estate sale? i mean, even when i don’t know the people, which i usually don’t, it has a sadness and morbidity to it … almost like we’re vultures coming in to pick over the remains of the deceased person’s stuff.
honestly, walking through a stranger’s house, looking at their personal things, in their bedrooms, in their bathrooms, closets, kitchens, etc. … it’s v. disconcerting. or at least that’s how i feel.
now, having said all that, does my uncomfortableness keep me from going to these estate sales?! hell no. because i’m a treasure hunter looking for a bargain … just like the rest of you. but i will say this: when i’m at an estate sale, i do try to maintain a somber and respectful demeanor (don’t be so shocked. my mama taught me how to act like a lady) just in case any family members are in the house. after all, somebody they loved has died.
usually.
case in point. hubby and i went to an estate sale in round rock recently and as i was perusing the living room, i noticed this sweet little old lady sitting on a recliner, under a blanket. she was yapping on her cell phone and having a discussion with her daughter, who was running the sale.
after negotiating a price on something (i can’t say what it is because it’s an upcoming birthday gift for one of the FAGs) i was told that mama was moving in with daughter … and so they were selling off her stuff. yikes! can you imagine just having to sit there, while strangers roamed through your house, buying your junk?!
bonnie and i hit our third (and final) estate sale of the day at the veranda (an upscale retirement community comprised of duplex-type housing). we were greeted by a genteel lady who announced that “everything is half off” as soon as we walked in the door. she further explained, “except anything that has a red mark on the tag. if it has a red mark, then it’s priced as marked. NOT half off. or if it’s on that table (she pointed to said table), then it’s not half off.”
sheesh. don’tcha just love it when they have to EXPLAIN their pricing rules to you?!?! reminds me of steve martin in “the jerk” when he was a carny and had to tell the dupes (carnival goers) that they could win ANY prize in this case. but being honest to a fault, he added, “anything between here and here” (carefully pointing to one little section of a shelf, filled with sorry-ass prizes).
BUT. i digress. i did find an adorable pink vintage apron (like i needed another one!!). it was marked 25 cents. but behold! it was half off! can you say 12.5 cents?! also got a sweet pink rose tin with note cards for a few pennies and a roll of tulle (whoop!), a pfalsgraff bowl and sundry other trinkets. my total there: $2
after we left, bonnie said there was an old lady on the sofa who was crying. i am sooooo frickin’ glad i didn’t see her. would’ve felt horrible about buying her apron for 12 cents. sigh.
next time i junk, it’ll be in the fall … or somewhere up north where it’s slightly cooler and less humid than central texas. it’s been over 100 degrees for a week now. i’m taking craigslist off my favorites list and will NOT look at the classifieds until october. seriously, i mean it.
i just hope nobody dies until then. okay, that was a joke. haha
enjoy the pics. they’re estate sale goodies and some project re-dos i’ve been working on. inside.
love and hugs,
terry lee
the estate sale treasure collection
vintage luggage piece for $1.50. are we seeing pink yet?!
goodies in a bowl ... love that old ice cream scooper!!
precious, precious sweet bowl, one of my faves this weekend
a great old aluminum cake lid
crusty old bird bath, with a sweet chippy-pink painted bird!
this treasure (he's v. heavy) was in the yard next door to where i grew up. he's gonna live in my garden now and quietly quack about my childhood days gone by ...
trash-picked mirror. v. heavy! found it tossed to the curb on a busy street nearby. whaa?!?! hauled it home (with the help of the FAGs). gotta love FREE.
the mirror, after. hanging in my living room. painted it country white and glued sweet green/rose fabric to the frame.
close up of yummy fabric
here's the church bench i mentioned in an earlier blog. found a great place for it too. in my b'fast nook! covered the cushion with an old pink chenille spread, added some sweet pillows. makes a wonderful sitting or reading area (or you may pray if you wish ... haha) oh, and this bench was free, compliments of FBC killeen, of which my children are members. they gave away the old church pews when they moved into their bigger and better building recently. praise the lord.
this was the only pic i could find of my china cabinet before the redo. anyway, it was a pretty oak ... just not shabby like i wanted.
yanked off the window doors and the middle post, painted it pink and added cuphooks ... rather sweet, eh?
close up of my mama's virginia rose plates and cups in my cabinet
All Things Terry Lee 