This and That

Hi there virtual tagalongs.
Update on re-sale.
The small, John Deere  wagon sold for $15 via Craigslist. It cleaned up great; a little rust on a bolt and small scuffs on the handle  made it "gently used". No nibbles on the mouse pad or Island of Misfit toys but have renewed the listings on both. Never can tell.

Johanna and I had another successful morning at the yard sales today. It is hard to believe it is the second week of December and still a full page of listings. The economy must be playing into the equation cause the number of sales usually drop off by now. I am sure folks are selling to make extra spending money for the holidays. Whatever the reason, we started off with 3 at 6am and another at 6:30. All were open for business and for the most part, reasonably priced to sell. 

Here is the trunk shot from the morning adventures with still more items in the back seat out of sight. Johanna's finds were several new or nearly new purses, a big box of craft material for $2, and many more items you can see. The lady who sold her the craft box threw in a bag of embroidery thread, all new and large skeins at that. Quality pieces, and jewel colors. Just beautiul. She said she was glad they would be used finally. 

Remember, you can click on any picture and it will enlarge.

It was still dark when we arrived at the first 3 sales and I was grateful for the headlight again. Makes it so easy to look at things with two hands. I picked up the baker caddies quickly. I don't have these and there have been several occasions that I could have used them lately. So for $2, I said why not. The mesh ribbon will be used to make a wreath. I have seen a few diy videos and want to try my hand at it. At $1 for the roll, I can certainly try. The wooden Christmas train set was too cute to pass up at 50c

We had to break out the GPS, thank goodness Johanna brought it. I thought I knew where the 6:30 sale was but Johanna  thought it was in a different location. The GPS proved Johanna right and saved us wasted gas. Yay!!  I just knew it was in  this really upscale neighborhood and no, it wasn't. But the tables were set up, no clothes on tarps or blankets on the ground(thank goodness) and I found a  Baby Gap snowsuit bib overalls for Hugh there.

In the picture above it looks red but it is truly a deep pumpkin orange.

Kelley had Snowsuit high on her to find list and I was starting to give up. I have tried Goodwill, Once Upon a Child (a great consignment shop), and of course the yard sales for a few months now with no luck.

Well, it was his size and brand new with tags. Problem was the seller wanted $15. Reasonable to most people. But I am Thrifty Christy and pride myself on bargain basement finds. I asked if she would go to $10 but no was the answer. Sigh.

Conflict:

 First, I am buying for someone else and with their money. Second, I had envisioned a one piece snowsuit. Third, I was willing to spend $10-$15 at G'will or a consignment, but not at a yard sale! I folded because it was brand new, his size, 18-24months, and a good brand. Also it was early in the morning, so she was not ready to go low on price. 

So that was all part of my decision making at 6:30am in about 4 minutes! Imagine my relief when Kelley was very happy about my discription and said the winter jacket she had recently purchased was orange! 

Moving on we hit several more. There were mostly baby and kid stuff for sale and I found a few things that were new I can use at baby showers, and also a couple of hats for Beau who we are still waiting to greet the world!  The stroller cup holder will go in the future baby shower stockpile. 

The Wee Swim hat is for Beau for the summer and there was no way I could pass up the camo winter hat since his dad is an avid hunter. The deer on the front and the little ear muffs were too irresistable.

I found all of the below items for 50cents each except for the travel mug. Brand new for $1. I like any that are stainless steel inside and have some weight to them. Love my coffee and always need a backup to my backup. I am a no thrills kind of girl so a large bottle of shampoo for 50cent is good enough for me. And the brand new ice scraper will be used tomorrow if the weatherman is right. 

The extended family is growing so for the next bridal shower, I will be prepared with the printable invitations new in the box. 

The box of disposable pads go in the baby shower pile, the raffia ribbon go to Cee and the fancy work gloves maybe a stocking stuffer. The price on the back was $16.95. Sold to me for $1. Yes!

The coral scarf below is new with tags...angora wool. Stocking stuffer. The green scarf is for me. In fact I wore it later in the day. Looked great with my fucia fleece shirt. It is new too but no tags. Feels soft and warm.

This little tree caught my eye. I have been looking at decorated houses with these on the front porch and thought it would be nice to have one for my house. So after making sure the lights worked (clear lights), I took it home for $2. Will change out the ribbon and fix it up a bit.

The tupperware container I found for 50cents. Nice and big, I can use it to transport cakes, pies or turn it over, and transport tossed salad! The clinique products were new and 25cents. I can always use wrinkle reducer. Will I look ten years younger? Hmm.

Decorating will be easier this year with this surge protector. $2

Another of Kelley's list items was a wooden highchair. Did I think to ask natural or painted? No, I didn't. So when I found one for $5 I was torn. I debated whether to get it since it was painted and most of Kelley's furniture is natural. But $5!!! I went for it and later Kelley assured me white was fine. Whew!

The new bike seat shown with the high chair is nice and wide and will go on my bike. The old seat just wasn't comfortable. This one is new and I am hoping this will be an improvement. The real dilemma will be transporting the high chair 80 miles to Emerald Isle in my Honda Civic. I might have to take it apart to fit in my car if Kelley's relative in Greenville can't take it to her.

Another find is this litter box for $3. It is  new, and replaces my aging one with a couple of broken snaps. The cats have already decided it is fine to use. No more details on that :)

I found these two children's books for 50cnt each. The titles and illustrations interested me and I bought them because, let's face it; I love children's books! 

Later that day I sat down in front of the wood stove with a cup of coffee and read each one. I will share with you my "moment". I have been running the gammet of emotions lately. I am facing a holiday season for the first time since my mom's death in January. "First" holidays are hard, I know this from experience. Memories come flooding back and you have sadness mixed with joy of the season. 

On the opposite end of the emotion spectrum is I can now announce I am going to be a grandmother!! It is still sinking in but the excitement and joy are bubbling up. Brenna is expecting the first week of July. You might have noticed in past posts pictures of her yard sales finds: white onsies, the book, "What To Expect When You're Expecting", and the newborn hand mitts. Hints!

So my "moment" reading these books. 

The first is "Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon". The illustrations are great and the storyline is about a little girl who has some glaring attributes (extremely petite, buck teeth, horrible singing voice, etc) is told to embrace her inperfections by her grandmother and mother. I knew my mom would have absolutely loved this book and I wanted to read it to her. I could hear her laughing and exclaiming.

 Then I picked up "On the Day You Were Born". I could imagine reading this to my grandchild on my lap and the tears flowed. Missing my mom who was a very loving grandmother to my children and looking forward to holding my grandchild and sharing all that my mom taught me was an overwhelming experience. All that from two children's books! What a blessing it is to have been encouraged to read as a child and to have had a mom who was a book worm and passed that on.

So there you have my day in review, and my wonderful news as well. You can be sure as the months go by there will be lots of pictures of the baby things we will be finding, for we know how many wonderful, nearly new children's furniture, clothing, and "necessities" are out there. 

Have a great week, stay warm and please, pour some love on your family!

Thrifty Christy