Pass the sanitizer, please

Greetings all,
Johanna and I were back together this Saturday but sans Babs and Sophie. We eschewed one 6am sale for extra sleep so began our day at not so dark 0'thirty. Our expectations were low since it was a holiday weekend, however, there were enough listed sales in the newspaper and Craigslist to give enough promise that treasures might be out there. We were not disappointed. I had my list from Lindsey and Kelley, and was ready with a new coupon holder donated by Brenna to hold the money envelopes and keep the seperated. I took the time to label each so it really makes searching for people's cash easy. The title of this blog post comes from the large number of sales that were slightly, how shall I say, well, yucky. There were just enough items displayed that looked dirty, grimy, or just, well, yucky. So when you get back in the car, you automatically reach for the sanitizer we keep handy(no pun intended!).

Despite some of the less than clean sales, there were enough to provide us with some of the treasures we sought. Johanna spotted a small dresser marked $5. She bought it for $3 and it has great potential. Sand, prime and painted with porcelain knobs she culled from a past yard sale, it should be transformed and probably sold.

Johanna's hidden treasure

I found a Jumperoo for Lindsey's little one I couldn't resist. It wasn't on her "list" but I knew how much Hugh loved his, so I picked it up for $8. This was at the same sale Johanna bought her dresser. There were 2 sellers at this sale; young mother and her mother. Just after I had given the young mother the $8 she asked for it, her mother was quite upset her daughter sold it for so little because Grandma had bought it and apparently paid a significant amount more! But, the deal had been made so I left quickly.  But not before picking up the purple Bumpo seat with tray for $15. That was on Lindsey's list and I was assured purple was ok for a boy or a girl. I was quite happy with the combo for that price. 

Evenflo jumperoo

Bumpo seat!

I discovered this wicker pet bed for $2. I snatched it up after deciding it was large enough for Pru or Emmett (our cats). I am tired of having to wash their fluffy beds and have been on the lookout for a suitable basket which would satisfy my requirements. Apparently it suited Pru's requirements for as soon as I put it on the kitchen floor to take the picture, she immediately stepped into it. Just needs a small pillow and we are good to go.

Pru checking out her new bed

At another sale I bought a Pampered Chef baking dish, never used. I found one a couple of years ago for $3 and love cooking with it. It measures 8x12 and I thought the one I bought Sat. was a little smaller. Well, I brought it home, put it next to my original, and wouldn't you know: same size! So I called Brenna and asked her if she wanted to purchase it from me. Yes! was her answer. So it will go to a new home. Hope she likes it as much I do.

New dish

See, it really is Pampered Chef!

"New" one next to my first. Can you tell I use my dish!
By the way,  I do clean it! Just after a while it developes a "patina".

Also found a couple of hardback Berenstain Bears books for Brenna's classroom for 50cents each and an I Spy Memory game for 75cents. The memory game went to Johanna's 4 yr. old granddaughter Chloe, who I am sure will have a lot of fun with it.
After finishing up with the sales, we took off for Morehead City for the Memorial Day weekend, enjoying family, friends, a boat ride and the beach.
Hope you all have a great week!

Flying solo

Johanna is out of town this weekend, so I reluctantly set out on my own (definitely NOT as much fun) for I had a list of items on my expectant niece, Lindsey's wish list, as well feeling the itch to get out there and find some deals! I piteously called my daughters, begging them to come with me, but apparently one was headed to the beach bright and early, and the other was looking forward to sleeping in after a week of kindergartners preparing for school to end and summer to begin.

 Last weekend I was sequestered at a NC Catholic Youth Convention here in Greenville with over 500 teens. Had a blast, was happy to be there, but just couldn't sneak out to hit some yard sales. I had a feeling that might be frowned upon, supposedly chapperones are suppose to stay on site...!

 So I was really looking forward to this Saturday! And I was not disappointed. Along with the items I have pictured here, there were also books for Brenna and Lindsey's classrooms, books and puzzles for Hugh (these will go to Aunt Cee's house since she often babysits Hugh when at Emerald Isle, and any chance she can get her hands on him:) Also bought a box of glass vases for the Flower Shuttle in Raleigh that use cast off flowers from florists to give to folks in nursing homes, hospitals, etc... My sisters Fran and Cee get these vases to the shuttle for me. 10 small to med. size vases for 25 cents each, good cause. So the car was filled with treasures mostly for others but the little night light is for me! I can't sleep with a light on but my night owl husband Steve doesn't enjoy coming to bed in total darkness, so this little light on his side of the bed will be just right. Marital harmony for $1. Can't beat it!

10 of the 13 finger puppets I bought for Brenna's kindergarten classroom.
She has had a standing request for finger puppets and I found
 these cuties for $2 in a sweet, clear plastic bag with handle.

1st five

 five more makes 10 (love the shark)

3 more! Now it's time for story time!!

                                     I liked how this clothes rack was rigged. Quite effective

                                   using 1 tall ladder and a smaller  on the other end. This  seller

                            said it took him a while but he was quite pleased with his configuration.

My friend Betty T.  has me on the lookout for these Black and Decker toaster ovens. No longer made because they're too dangerous! Doesn't bother Betty! She always stays in the kitchen when her toaster oven is on. She wears them out and needs a backup at all times. $5:) and she generously gave me extra $2 for gas. When she picked it up today, she put in a request for a folding lounge chair and another toaster oven. Sigh, no rest for the weary.

Off my sister Cee's shopping list!

Very nice oak standing mirror. Asking price: $30

bought it for $25

One of the folded bookshelves, in fold position, and a stroller Lindsey had on her shopping list.

One of the best deals EVER!   $1 for the stroller! One small seam coming out on top of shade but other than that, a fully functioning item. Lindsey is slowly stocking her mom's house with baby items. List includes: crib, pack & play, bumpo seat,  johnny jump up, and an umbrella stroller. The quest continues...

This is the coolest children's game. $4 and I think worth every penny. This will find a new home in Lindsey's  1st grade classroom. Children can play individually or with a group, using lettered tiles to make 3 letter words. Like new. Hoping it will help those budding spellers out there!

Found a set of matching bookcases for $10 each. Couldn't walk away from them. Since they fold flat (see picture above with stroller) they fit in the back seat of my car (Civic), along with the standing mirror(taken apart!). Brenna has claimed these sight unseen. However, when I described them to her she knew exactly what they looked like having seen something identical in Target for $40. Very Nice!

Love, love this night light! Made by Iluminart,  in original box,  catalog price is $24. Not at a yard sale. I paid $1! And it works perfectly. I doubt it was ever used.

So those were the deals of the day. I sure hope Johanna, Babs and Sophie can join me next week. Flying solo with out my peeps is just not the same.

Back in the saddle!

Greetings all,

May is here and I am so glad! I spent the first Saturday of May at a family reunion in Morehead City with siblings, cousins and even an aunt I haven't seen in over thirty years. Was a joyful time together and because yard sales gomon all over the place, I managed to hit a few with my cousins, Lucie, from Mass. and Cecelia, from Ohio. They were champs who agreed to be ready 5:45am and they were! We managed to check out at least 5 sales. I found a wagon with tall sides holding stackable blocks for Hugh($8, a beach umbrella($8), and a 20 ft outdoor extension cord($1). The wagon o'blocks was impulse buy but I had just read an article mentioning blocks as a great learning toy/tool, the umbrella was on Kelley's shopping list and the extension cord was a "cannot pass this up" buy. I took a picture of the wagon but can't remember whose camera I used! Lucie and Cecelia were more circumspect with their purchases since they were limited by travel. Nonetheless they each found something small. Lucie bought a small lovely, clear glass paperweight for a friend, and Cecelia, a couple of little angel statues, again for a friend. So we had a great time together and found something as well.