Raleigh Delights

Headed to Raleigh, NC this weekend to yard sale with my sister Cee, and her two daughters, Melanie and Laira. Melanie and I had talked before about me coming to Raleigh and "shopping" with her. So this was the weekend to do it. The stars were aligned because I had planned to go skydiving this weekend near Raleigh and staying with my sister, yard sailing with the gals and then skydiving later with even more gals would make it an epic day.

Friday night Melanie and I with help from Cee, searched Craigslist for sales in the area and Melanie planned our itenerary. She flagged our map and we felt somewhat confident in our selections and directions. Raleigh is lots bigger than Greenville, and some streets are one way. Challenges!
We set our alarms, synchronized our watches and were grateful for the consensus we forgoing any 6am sales. Waking at 6:30 sounded so much better than 5:30am when we headed for bed at 12am!

Melanie going old school with critical sale location 

Two fisted coffee drinking helps to keep me focused

Our first stop was at a house that made you wish you had a ton of money to bring it back to it's former glory. I wish I had taken a few steps back and taken a shot of the front but ended with this shot of part of the porch. 

Laira setting her sights on the jewelry area

Melanie and Laira went over the jewlery selection with thoroughness I haven't seen in a long time! They finally decided on two beautiful rings and a pair of earrings. They bargained with ease and cordiality. I was so proud!

These were so cool! Old hood ornaments. Way past my budget but really neat.

The couple selling the wares had a lot of vintage items and they were priced at estate sale rates. But Cee managed to get a set of pretty pyrex containers with lids for $10. Late that morning we saw similar ones at the Raleigh Flea Market going for $10 each.

Next sale I spotted these boxes 'o marbles. Looked cute and pretty. Neat idea for decorating but not for me.

First ever in my yard sailing history. Beer cooler! We stuck with the coffee!

So of course the bottles were right above the cooler. The sellers were several college students, and they were a lot of fun. Cee found a laptop case and they talked me into a mp3 player for $1 I haven't had the time to check to see if it actually works.

brew your own!

We went to a couple of more sales, finding a boppy cover my niece, Lindsey, a black lamp shade for Cee, Melanie scored on a great rug runner for her kitchen, and Laira picked up a set of hand painted wine gobblets. More loot was found and the display is pictured at the end of this post.

The sales were sparce and the morning still early so we decided to check out the Raleigh Flea Market. There was a lovely breeze blowing so it was pleasant to walk around outside. This place has an outside market and an inside market. Prices and merchandise reflect their location.

You can find just about anything you might need, or not need at the Raleigh Flea Market!

I was searching through a box and found the upper  false teeth. To give you an idea of how tiny, that is a small black bracelet beside it.

I refrained from buying this for my husband

What every household can use! No, I did not buy!

Ok, so I did more walking at the Market than buying but I did pick up a huge zucchini for 75cents. A healthy choice, I thought.

These were HUGE! That is a very large blue basket holding them. Could be considered a weapon by some.

We returned to Cee's and layed out our finds for a display shot. Note Cee sporting the crown(freebie)

Happy with the Apples to Apples game I found at the market for $3. Also the shade,  pyrex, pottery, and of course the zucchini! Melanie's rug was the base of the display

Loved the wooden book holders Cee found and the veggie/fruit scooper set she found. The curlers , silver jewlry holder , trivet and white cork board and photo holder were Melanie's treasures.

Boppy cover on the left, painting for Melanie, and biscuit mix came from the indoor section of the Market

I cannot tell you how much we laughed, broke road rules, and just had a blast. A morning of fun and was definitely the family experience we will hold as a precious memory. Fortunately our family has quite a collection of happy memories.

Just leaving the plane!

BTW, as you can tell, I survived the skydiving experience and another item on my bucket list is checked off.

An amazing group of women! And my sister Cee was our support person in every sense of the word!

Hot to Trot

Oh my, someone turned Summer on! Temps are rising and another reminder of why in the South many yard sales begin at 6am! Haven't arrived at the point of fixing ice coffee before I leave, but soon it will be considered.

Last Saturday I was in Morehead City alone but the call of the yard sales stirred me into action though not at 6am. Yes, there were sales but they were rather paltry, leaving me with the thought I should have slept in with Abby the beagle.  However, I was in luck. I found a couple of items on my list so the morning wasn't a total loss.

Finger Puppet!!! Love the penguin the best but the brown moose is sweet too.

Brenna has asked for any finger puppets I find so of course I snatched these little ones up as soon as I sighted them.
$1 for all. I didn't quibble.

Baby Hyman's boppy pillow

 Lindsey's list is getting shorter after buying this Boppy pillow for $2

I ended the morning with a cup of Dunkin Doughnuts coffee which always makes me happy. Later that afternoon Brenna and Robbie stopped by to shower and change from a day at the beach and she was delighted with the finger puppets. They went home with her that day. Lindsey collected her boppy pillow today. Will keep my eyes out for a cover or two for it.

SOPHIE!

Sophie on her primo puppy seat

Yesterday I was tickled pink to find Babs and Sophie in the backseat of Johanna's car at 0'dark thirty. What  wonderful sight! I have really missed these two.

We had several 6 o'clocks on the list hitting the ground running. The first sale was a community neighborhood with lots of homes participating. The first lady had wonderful baby items but her prices were way too high for our thrifty ways.  $70 for a pack 'n play!!! No way! 

So we moved on the rest of the homes were more reasonably priced but nothing for me. 

The next stop was at a charity sale. As soon as we pulled up we knew it was not a good one. Check out the piles of clothing on the tables. This is definitely "what not to do." I do not want to waste my time going through piles of clothing. I looked at this and thought, "Ewww!" Please, never just heap clothing and expect your buyers to paw through. There wasn't even any type of sorting into women's children's, etc....It looks messy and when you are competing with other sales, it just makes sense to take time and organize a bit.

The other tables of individual items were better but the quality was poor though the prices reflected it. I did pick up a smaller coupon sorter since the one Brenna gave me is a little too large and bulky. 25 cents and I also bought a cheese biscuit cause the tummy was rumbling and the biscuits were literally fresh out of the oven!

messy messy

So inviting!

 I had to take a picture of this sellers' arrangements since it was so neat, tidy, organized and just invited you to come and BUY! Did I buy? No, but I certainly bounded out of the car with great hopes and anticipation! Note the tablecloth on the display table! Now THAT is presentation!

We came to one sale  in a cul de sac and the traffic was backed up all the way down the street. Johanna ended up parallel parking and I was very proud of her. It was worth the time.
 Here I picked up at Johanna's insistance, this tunnel for Hugh. I will give it to my sister Cee who has become a regular babysitter for our dear great nephew. I think he and Cee will have great fun playing peek a boo with it. This, 2 sweet shirts, and a bathing suit for the little guy for $3.

Peek a boo with Hugh I hope

 I have come to admire  vintage pyrex dishes. The lids included are critical so finding these two for a total of $5 made me very happy. I am trying to wean off tupperware and with the pyrex, you can microwave the dish as well as refridgerate. Love the turquoise with snowflake 1 1/2 qt. casserole. These are no longer made making them collector's items but I don't think the word as gotten out too much around here. I did find a blog dedicated to vintage pyrex ware. It even had a picture from a scene in the series Mad Men with a lady holding the blue dish below! Too funny! Mine is in absolutely pristine condition, not a chip, or any wear or tear.

Start of a new "want"

Johanna found over twenty plastic leis in a bag for her Vacation Bible School class which starts tomorrow. When she told the seller what they were destined for, he gave them all for free. Happy Johanna! The next sale we hit, there were more leis but the seller was asking $2 each. We looked at each other and walked away. Thanks, but no thanks!

So we finished up before it became too hot and ended with breakfast and chat at McDonald's catching up on our week. Love my yard sale buddies and was grateful to have them with me. 

Next week I travel to Raleigh and hunt with my neices Laira and Melanie and maybe sister Cee too! 

Too many sales, too little time