Back roads with Babs

People are still having 6am yard sales so I feel impelled to continue the "early bird" line of thinking. And it paid off this morning. Johanna is still recovering from her surgery and not yet up to snuff, so she is exempt from the morning excursion. After reading my whining last week about not enjoying being alone on my adventures, Babs felt Johanna was well enough to leave alone for a few hours and joined me this morning. Sophie stayed behind to keep Johanna company and warm so it was just the two of us at O'dark thirty. Very dark and rather dewy; my shoes were soaked quickly. We were grateful for my headlight since it was so dark and the sellers didn't have adequate lighting. Babs had left her light behind so we stuck together and rooted through the offerings. I spotted the stand below and snapped it up. I have wanted to replace a plant stand I have had which was functional to some degree but not really attractive. It has been tucked a way in a corner but I knew it would need to go as soon as I found something better. And for $7 I am delighted with this one. Daughter Ellie feels I should paint it white since the wood doesn't match the furninture and white would make the plants and containers "pop". I think she is right. I do have a new can of white emamel paint, just have to take the time for the project. 

Another sale down the road was simply amazing. Couldn't believe how much stuff they had. I have misplaced my camera so I didn't have it with me. I would have taken a picture of the array of wares there. I found this electrolux upright vaccuum with attachments and 18 new bags for $8. I have another vacuum similiar to this one that I bought (where else?) at a church yard sale a few years ago. It works great. Why would I buy another you ask? Well, the first one didn't come with attachments. I didn't even know there were attachments for that model. So I took a chance these attachments would fit my first model and they do. So do the bags. I checked on ebay and the attachments alone cost $35 so this is a good deal for me. I might hang on to the vacuum for Ellie when she needs one.

 At the "Big Sale" I also found a wood ring  stacking toy for Hugh (Aunt NeeNee needs toys), the snowman tea light decoration for Brenna, the wooden pumpkins for me, the bath water tester for a future baby shower gift, and the tealight snowman gift set. Sad story with gift set. My sisters and I are hosting a baby shower for Lindsey our niece in a couple of weeks. I thought this would be a cute prize for a game and for 50cents, I bought it. Mighty proud of myself. Put it on my mantle after taking the picture and it fell off! Nose came off and no longer a gift item :{ Glad I only paid 50 cents but now I have to continue the search.

Wooden toy:25 cents, Snowman: 50cents, bath water tester: 50 cents, pumpkins 25 cents each, and snowman gift set: 50cents

 I put the little pumpkin decorations on my fall wreath to brighten it up a bit and I think they do the trick.

Fall wreath with pumpkins added

I didn't keep track of Bab's haul and since I didn't have my camera, I couldn't take pics of her loot but she was buying things too. We were delighted with what we were finding.
We came upon a church sale and I found these Dansko shoes. I knew Ellie needed work shoes and these are super comfortable and quite pricey when new. I took a chance and picked them up for her. The size seemed close to hers and I thought even if she doesn't want them, Brenna might be interested.

Well, Ellie came over this evening, tried them on and they fit! I had already brought out the shoe polish and the scrapes and scratches shown above came out. They polished up nicely.

Ellie modeling the Danskos. She starts her new job on Monday!

So continuing on in the church sale, I find as well as the shoes, a pair of curtains, a bag of fluffy white "snow for Christmas Village" and a Christmas apron. Babs also found a couple of items so we head for the checkout. No check out. Everything is FREE! First time this has ever happened to us! We asked if we could at least make a donation and were told if we wanted to, "we could make a donation to a charity of our choice". Sweet!  What was really nice is Babs had picked up a big pile of new men's underware and was going to donate them to our church's St. Vincent DePaul Society. So she got them for free and will give them away. Awesome! 

If you remember a couple of weeks ago I bought a couple of adjustable curtain rods. I want to put curtains up in the guest bedroom at my brother's house and the curtains I found will go very nicely with the decor. They are in the dryer even as I type. 

The book Is Your Mama A Llama is one of my favorites. I bought that for 25cents. Funny story with that is the yard sale prior to that purchase someone held up a pair of earrings and asked if they looked like llamas. In my mind I immediately thought of the title of the book, but just said, yes they do. But the seller said "Is your mama a llama" and then we both laughed and talked about the book. Then I find it the next stop. It will go to Kara, Mindy's little girl. There was some crayon marking on the dust jacket in the back, but some rubbing with a Magic Eraser took it all off as well as some other marks. The jacket is torn in a couple of places but easy to tape up. 

One more purchase was a kiddie swimming pool. My employer is a veterinarian and asked me to look for a blow up kiddie pool. They need to jerry rig it by cutting a hole in the bottom and putting it directly over a drain to wash dogs. The slope of the floor to the drain isn't great and this will hopefully solve the puddling problem. I didn't think I had a shot at finding one since summer is over and most people throw them away. But there it was and only 50 cents. I didn't blow it up to make sure it inflated. Will do that tomorrow. 

No Peeps, No Fun

Good news is: Fall is here and it felt great this morning; cool temps, low humidity and a gentle north breeze blowing made the yard sale circuit very comfortable. However pleasant the weather, it just isn't as much fun with out friends. Johanna is recovering from her surgery and home from the hospital this morning. I miss my compadres. Babs took a break from caring for Johanna and we saw each other at the Jarvis church sale but boy was it crazy crowded there. I am taking that one off my list for next year. Lots of stuff but just too crowded for me. I really feel it would be better for the organizers to either have it outside or limit the number of folks allowed in at a time. 

I beat a hasty retreat after catching up with Babs and headed for other sales where I had some elbow room.

I found  3 bags of bird food for $3 total and snatched that up. I love feeding the birds but the price of sunflower seed has gone up lately. I refilled my feeders as soon as I came home. It was the songbird mixture and a nicer quality than I usually get. I can spoil the birds for a while...and the squirrels.

I do love winter so I couldn't resist this flag for $1. Come January I will be flying it and hoping for snow.

Next stop I found this box of vases for the Raleigh Flower Shuttle. Mix of 13 items, mostly vases and a few shorter flower holders for $3

 The puzzle below is just precious and is for Hugh. I like the big knobs on each piece for easy pick up for little hands. The book on the right is also for Hugh. It is a thick board book with puzzle pieces inside.

Inside of board book, removable pictures. 

Not bad for 50cents!

Haven't seen one of these before. It will make a nice baby shower gift.
Keeps those little ones warm in the bathtub. 50cents

 Finally found Kara a pair of girls size 10 shoes. I started washing them and realized I hadn't taken a picture so the one on the right is damp. These are so cute. The design is made of sequins and they are sewn on very well. Not a cheaply made pair. I think Kara will love them. Hey, I would so wear them if they were in my size! Bling! I googled the brand Kelli Jelli and learned it is a UK brand and the prices run about $65 for a pair like this. I knew they were quality!

Love playing Catch Phrase. Don't like paying retail. So this price was much better than $24.

I will take this one on the next Mission Trip so the teens can play.

I remembered my sister Cee, aka, Aunt NeeNee, mentioned wanting this type of swimming item for Hugh. I know, it looks like a girl's suit but safety is more important. I bought it for $1.

The Keen sandals are also for Hugh, $1. I hope they will fit him next summer.

Baby socks were 2 for 25 cents. I bought this bunch for the dog training group. Putting them on the puppies gets the pups used to being handled and also used to someone messing with their paws. That makes it easier later on for vets and owners to handle their paws without the dogs pulling away.

And folks, that is it today. Lots of sales but I walked away from so many empty handed. 

Some days are like that. 

Have a great week and enjoy these gorgeous fall days.

Thrifty Christy

Lots of goodies!

Greetings virtual yard sale followers, 
This is a longer post since it is one with follow-ups from past adventures as well as a rewarding morning of shopping and a Goodwill trip. I will start with a brief recap of the week:


My great nephew Hugh loves the Elmo kitchen set I found last week but didn't get a picture. It now hangs on  my sister's refridgerator and she took a picture of Hugh and the set and sent it to me at my request. Elmo sings a few songs when Hugh presses a button. Too cute for $2. Aunt NeeNee says they have been playing with Elmo's pots a lot since it arrived at her house. She babysits for Hugh every chance she gets and asked that I find a few toys to keep at her place for him.  I didn't know there were heavy magnets inside it to hang on the refridgerator just at his level.

Hugh and Elmo, cooking and singing
don't you just want to pull up that shirt and give that belly a raspberry!

Hilary sent me a picture of the wood puzzles and that cute wood shape puzzle house (still can't figure out what to call it. Apparently Waylon is enjoying. 

At Goodwill this week I found a Trim a Home Christmas village house for $2. I thought it would fit in with Brenna's village finds a few weeks ago. Brought it home only to find the switch cord didn't work. Then found one at where else but the Dollar Tree! The cheapest ones  I found online were around $3 plus shipping. So if you need a new clip-on corded light for these kind of Christmas decorations, head to Dollar Tree while they last.

The clip on is the part that holds the bulb in place inside the ceramic house

I started my yard sale weekend with a Friday afternoon sale. Love these!  
I had a new "list" from a friend to look for a pack and play (yes, another...I have lost count on how many I have bought), a sturdy stroller, and items for dog training. Dog training list was: children's shirts and socks.This dog-training group gives obediance lessons to  dogs at the local Humane Society on Weds. afternoons. Dogs who have been trained are more easily adoptable. They use the shirts and socks to get pups use to different experiences, textures; helping them to be accepting. Found a pair of baby booties and a pair of socks and 6 shirts. Also grabbed a fleece hat and a light weight hat with a neck protector for Hugh (next summer) and a fleece jacket, as well as a couple of footed pjs for our church's charity program. Everything was 50 cents each.

fleece hat and jacket for this winter, light hat for next summer.

Then that evening, I enjoyed catching up with an old college friend, Carolyn Winks, who was here in Greenville for a wedding. The subject came up about the name of this blog, Thrifty Christy. Carolyn reminded me  our mutual roommate and dear friend, Beth Downey Schisgall, was the one who coined the nickname years ago, because of my attempts to reduce costs in our apartment; turning off lights, lowering the temp in the winter and suggesting we wear sweaters instead of turning up the heat. So credit goes to Beth for my moniker. She had me pegged.

 Now on to Saturday.

 Johanna had abandoned our yard sale mission for a day trip to Busch Gardens with our youth group. She goes as a chaperone every October and I never go. It is a mutual understanding. 


So I mentioned to our friend, Carolyn Morris, who has accompanied us on a Saturday or two in the past, I was going to be alone and would she like to come along. Carolyn said "yes". Company is wonderful to have on these jaunts but getting up at 0'dark thirty is a real sacrifice for someone such as Carolyn who is a night owl. She even drove us!   It truly was 0'dark-thirty since there was one 6am sale in the neighborhood. Poor Carolyn realized she had forgotten her Sheetz refill coffee to-go mug when she saw me sipping happily from my wonderous Starbucks mug that I regale its virtues to all. So when we arrived at the advertized sale at 5:55 and the sellers were JUST starting to put out a few boxes, Carolyn immediately drove back to her house to retrieve her mug and headed for Sheetz and the coffee bar.

Sheetz, where we get coffee and um, get rid of coffee if you know what I mean ;)

 By the time we arrived back at the "6am" sale, most everything was out and we could begin shopping. Lots of stuff and no prices marked. It was the  dreaded "oh, I didn't have time or want to be bothered pricing things, so just show me what you want and I will tell you what I want for them".  Agghh!  I hate that! At least with marked prices, you have some idea of the price the seller has in mind or hopes for and then you can either decide "yes, that is most reasonable" or "maybe we can negotiate". 


I showed her  a dog bed with a medium size tear on the back, a box of swifter dusting refills, and a expandable file holder, pretty and looks like a purse. She said $10.  I said, no, I don't think so! Actually, I didn't mean to be rude, I was just shocked. And then I politely said I would be willing to pay $1 for the ripped dog bed, 50 cents for the box (opened) of dusters, and $2 for the file holder. And she ok'd those prices. I also politely told her (after Carolyn said something about me being a "professional yard sailer and she asked my opinion about her decision not to price and her general set-up) how it is better to price things ahead of time and why. 
It was her first sale and I understand how folks don't really know the ins and outs of this means of selling things. I gave her thumbs up for using some tables and not laying stuff on the ground on sheets/blankets and for attempting to display as much as possible. I was kind because she had also simply dumped a lot of stuff in boxes, which slows you down as you dig through. I don't mind digging in boxes, I just don't like when the majority of stuff is in boxes. That really slows things down to determine "is this junk, treasures, and am I wasting my time kneeling in wet, cold, dewy grass"!

Dog bed not pictured but is brown with fuzzy soft fleece and rubberized bottom patched now with duct tape. Bike helmet is fabulous! Fits like a dream and I can now leave my older, more "used" helmet at my brother's house in Morehead.

 Hopefully she listened to my words of wisdom. Am starting to feel like Yard Sale guru these days!   Carolyn didn't see anything she couldn't live without so we moved on to the next sale which was in a upscale neighborhood. 


There I found a new Giro adult bike helmet still in the bag for $5, a wooden Ikea loopy toy for Waylon (marked $4 but I asked and got it for $2). My older helmet is serviceable but some of the padding cover is coming off, so this newer one is nice.

Carolyn was amazed to see a brand new microwave for $15 after having to buy a new one for her daughter just recently for quite a bit more. She bought an almost new electric griddle($10), and a vcr she needs to transfer video to dvd. I believe that was $5.   

Don't know what you would call this but I call it fun!

Just next to the subdivision, a church was having a sale and a good size one at that. I found two new pyrex containers with lids (not vintage, clear with 2 sections in each), 3 wooden toys for Waylon, 2 hardback books: the Nap Time Storybook (Carolyn highly recommended) and an I Spy, as well as 2 packs of battery operated miniature lamp posts in original boxes for Brenna's Christmas village. All for $7. Nice.

Hope Waylon like banging on the pegs!

Always looking for books

 We moved on to the next advertized sale on the list, my favorite street, Primrose Lane. I just love saying  "I am going down Primrose Lane". I am a dork, guilty. Nice things at the sale but nothing for us. Sometimes it is like that, reasonably priced things, great condition but hey, if you don't need them, you have to walk away. Still Carolyn, that metal cart...? Should have taken a picture of that one so we could look back and finally figure out where would have put it :)


By this time the big church down the road (Covenant) was opened for business. Wow! What a sale! The set-up was neat. The church rented 2 parking lots each per seller for $25 and the sellers were responsible for setting up, selling, and removing items. Big parking lot and LOTS of sellers. Here I found the pack and play on my list for $10, an electrolux floor attacment with 3 bags for $1, 2 adjustable curtain rods (need those to put up curtains at my brother's guest room; some people like privacy!) 50cents for both, a Starbucks travel coffee mug just like my beloved red one ($1), 2 grocery list pads for 25 cents each even though they were marked $1 each, dishwasher rinse for 25 cents each and a brand new Snoogle cover, never opened: $1. If you don't know what a snoogle is, google it! I have 2 in my attic and I need to get one of those to Lindsey. I asked the seller to come down on the grocery pads (stickers said $1)since Dollar Tree sells those for $1. She realized it wasn't yard sale price and came way down. See, it is ok to ask for price reductions...don't be shy!

So happy with this haul!

It was so extensive that Carolyn and I lost each other and had to call to meet up. I sure hope they do this again next year. Prices were all over the place; some sellers way too high and some ready to bargain and get rid of stuff. After I bought the pack and play(very reasonably priced at $10), leaving it with the seller so I could continue to shop, I passed an older couple selling their wares. I had passed them much earlier before and was on my way out to collect the pack and play and leave with Carolyn. I slowed down to look again at their stuff when the husband mentioned they also had a pack and play for sale.  I looked and realized I had missed it  because they had stuff on top of it and it was lying down. I told them they might consider displaying it because I had missed it earlier and had already bought one. Then I saw the price....$50! Whoa!! I offered my opinion that their price was way too high and my earlier purchase for another was significantly less. Plus I had never paid more than $20 for one at any yard sale. They seemed open to my comments and had that item out where it could be seen. Sure hope they lowered that price! Just keep in mind when you have a yard sale to prominently display your stuff. If you want to sell it, SHOW IT!!

Carolyn bought a Cosco step stool with drop seat which was in nearly new condition, a dream catcher, and a couple of glass candle sticks at this sale.

By this time I was almost ready to burst, the coffee earlier had gone through my system. Made it to Sheetz in time, (am I getting too descriptive here? Be honest.) just down the road, felt better and we decided to hit one more church parking lot sale close by. There I found a nearly new camera case for Steve, 

He likes it! Nice and roomy for his larger, work camera at school. Lots of pockets and storage.

a very sturdy Eddie Bauer stroller 

with cup holder and make-up mirror.  No, I have been corrected, that is a rear view mirror(!) 

Maybe it can double as a make-up mirror. 

$15. Price on sticker was $20, I asked if she'd accept $15 and "yes" was the answer. Just so you don't think I am too thrifty at a seller's expense, this stroller was not in top notch, almost new condition and it was late in the morning which means it had been sitting there for a few hours unsold. Sellers want to SELL! So as the mornings progress, prices need to come down. She certainly was on the same page since she didn't hesitate.

By then it was 10am and time to call it a day. Carolyn had found treasures as well and had spent her last dollar. Literally. I think I had a couple bucks left.

Trunk picture..more in the back seat too! Blue pack and play on the bottom

Carolyn dropped me off, helped me unload my haul and left for home promising to take pics of her treasures for the blog. Not only did she take pictures, she wrote a commentary as well!

Here's a run down of everything:
1. Bre really liked the dream catcher ($1) and plans to hang it on her wall to add to her dream catcher collection.
2. The doggy diapers (25 cents) fit Luke so we are ready for his episodes. (Luke is a very small beagle, almost as cute as my Abby)
3. The VCR ($5) is up and running so that our DVD player can access our 1984 TV.
4. The step stool ($5)is clean and in my pantry so I can reach those high shelves.
5. Cube Lite Brite($2)...Breanna had so much fun playing with it that we decided to keep it and use it to entertain kids that she babysits.
6. The candle sticks and mason jar (25 cents each)are clean and ready for my craft.
7. I can hardly wait to make pancakes ($10)with that beautiful griddle.
8. That cute little bowl (50 cents) matches my kitchen and sits on top of my refrigerator holding my vitamins.
9. Becca will get the cutting board($1)...it will look great in her kitchen.
10. And this winter, I will begin scarf making with my knitting thingies($7 for a bag containing 4 knitting looms, knitting books and loom paraphenalia)!! 
 What a find they were!! Did I do good or what???  Thanks for helping me find all these great things!!

It was wonderful sharing the morning with you, Carolyn and if you decide to come again in the next couple of years, I will be very happy to have you along. We had fun shopping, negotiating and catching up with each other's families and lives. 

As always, I hope everyone has a great week and enjoy this beautiful cool October. Next Saturday is Steve and my  28th wedding anniversary. Whoohoo!! Seems like just yesterday we were walking down the aisle. I'll be sure to give Steve a gentle peck on the cheek as I slip out of bed on the 15th...Jarvis Methodist church is having a big yard sale that morning! Johanna will be out of commission for a few days so I will regale her with my adventures while visiting her while she recouperates.

Sincerely,

Thrifty Christy

Chill in the air

Oooh! Fall was definitely in the air Saturday morning. I actually shivered and for this woman who is a "hot mama" (hot flashes), I am not complaining. Since Brenna was game to go with me again, in less than a month, I can no longer tease about Once in a Blue Moon when mentioning her presence. Johanna and Babs were conducting their own yard sale on Saturday so were absent from the hunt. Sure hope they did ok. 

The listings were many in the paper and on Craigslist and I had high hopes I would find the coat and snowsuit for Hugh, toys for Waylon and clothes for Mindy's little girl. And maybe find something for myself! There were several listed at 6am so headlight was needed and used.

 I found several items for me at one sale and this couple were ready to get rid of their things CHEAP! The stuff below totaled $2.25!! I actually argued to make it more, at least $3 but she held her ground and gave me back change. 

I have been looking for the Off clip-on bug repellent for blueberry picking in NY next summer...this year the mosquitos were voracious but I am too thrifty to buy retail. These averaged around $9 this summer. I do knit and love Homespun brand which generally run about $5 each. Can always use an extra umbrella and this one is brand new. Of course I am always looking for painting supplies for the Mission Trip in July so these two unused rollers were great. Needless to say, I was very pleased with this haul! Seriously, $2.25!

All for $2.25

Found these size 2 Robeez shoes for Baby Nephew due in Dec. at a Mothers of Multiples Sale for $1 as well as the little slippers with animal heads. Too cute. And the heads rattle!! :) 

stylish Robeez!

Yes, they came in original box

Infantino baby slippers-$1

Unfortunately at every sale, it was all infant type stuff for sale so nothing on Hugh's list or Mindy's. But at the Multiples sale I did find this wooden car for Waylon for $1. Hilary asked for me to look for wooden toys for the little guy. I also found the most awesome wooden toy with doors, shaped blocks, so neat for $1. Brenna took a picture but can't find her camera connector so I don't have a picture. I forgot my camera again so I was counting on her to take those pictures. I will post it later because it was  quite a find. 

beep beep! for $1

At the same sale I found Waylon's toy, I also bought books for Mindy's little girl for 50 cents each. Love Mercer Meyer books and the Dr. Suess below were all hardbacks and beautiful condition. The Curious George book was also a hardback. I think they will enjoy these. 

Mercer Meyer paperbacks

Dr. Seuss hardbacks

Classic Curious George and what little girl doesn't like Beauty and the Beast!

Didn't find items for Hugh or pants for Mindy's daughter. Brenna found some treasures and took pictures at her house to send to me....but, no connector. Hoping she will locate it. Of course, the real lesson is for me to put my camera in the yard sale bag so I don't leave home without! 
Left for Morehead City to visit my brother that morning and on the way there I remembered two friends with daughters who may have pants Mindy's daughter could have. Made phone calls and sure enough, hand me downs were found. I am grateful for Becky Goetz and her box of 4t pants for $5! I still am looking for size 10 sneakers and fingers crossed Saturday will the end of that search. 


Yard sales, Goodwill and consignment shops are places I find great deals. Kelley had ordered long sleeve onsies for Hugh online but when they arrived, all way too big. She asked me to look for 18 mos.  long and short sleeved onsies at yard sales until he grew into the new ones. I checked out Once Upon a Child, a shop in Greenville that is a resale place. Lucky me! Boys 18mos onsies were on sale, special deal....15 for $10! I sent them to Kelley the next day. I looked at the reciept and they were 67 cents each!  Now that is a bargain! Now the little guy will be warm and his tummy unexposed this winter. That's what Great Aunties do for these precious nephews who happen to live relatively close by. Wishing the other "great" nieces and nephews were closer.


So those are the finds this past Saturday morn. Johanna is going to Busch Gardens Saturday morning and I will miss her. But my friend Carolyn Morris said she will come along with me and I am looking forward to spending time with her. I have a new list from my employer for a jogging stroller and a pack n play (I think I have lost count of how many pack and plays I have bought in the last year!) and a few dog training items. 
Lots of sales listed on Craigslist and the paper so I have high hopes. Wish me luck!