I am approximately this shade of burned. Despite slathering up with sunscreen, I’m just a wee bit toasty. The lovely Ms. Kathleen and I got it into our collective heads that we should have a yard sale. Ok, I got it into my head and dragged poor Kath along for the ride. But Ms. Kathleen is a good sport and played along. So, we spent a lovely, almost rainless, day in the sun selling our wares. A perfect day for a yard sale! We didn’t sell as much as we had hoped as both of our husbands kept rescuing items for sale, but certainly enough to make it worth our efforts.
And oof, effort it was. Boy did we hop all day. Our darling little signs were made by Kath and I have to say, those little chicks surprisingly resemble my, uh, shape. Hee! But I love them, they’re just so cute. Sadly, my photo doesn’t do her signs much justice. We were just so busy I never stopped to take a photo of the madness until the sunlight had passed us by.
The day was full of lovely little moments as well as some truly frustrating ones. Early birds arrived early and got my angry face. But then, little people visited, pressing quarters into my hands, “Um, do I have enough money for this??” (yes, yes you do, you little darling, it cost exactly 25 cents!) Several people came by and told me that they had looked at my house when it was on the market, but for some reason hadn’t bought it. We had one elderly gentleman who so impressed with how we priced our items he couldn’t stop talking about it. At first I thought he was talking about our actual prices, but it turns out he just liked the ribbon and hang tags. I had a delightful conversation with a four year old who told me his full name and chatted with me about how he wanted a hamster and how his dog died and how his nails are painted red and his hair has red color in it to match and. . . and . . . and. . . and he reminded me so much of someone I know too well (coughboywondercough) I let him take home a fun Tonka interactive computer game for a song. Because I know he’s going to spend hours with it, just chatting along to himself as he goes. I can just tell.
But perhaps, the most amazing moment came when a long time reader introduced herself and her husband! It’s always a bit of thrill to have someone take a risk and let you know they’ve been reading your work. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when they like your work, either. Oh yeah, I’ve been on the other end of that introduction, where they tell you just what they think of you: awkward! Anyhow, it was really great to meet a reader and chat for a few moments. (Waving HI! to Michelle and Jeremiah!!) Of course, in a classic “it’s all about me, Wende move” I didn’t ask Michelle any questions about HER! I was just so excited, my manners were, uh, overwhelmed? Ok, it was poor form…no excuses. I’m so sorry, Michelle. Please do comment and tell me all about you, OK?? Meeting readers is really cool—but getting to know them is even better, I think.
Such was the day. Oh, the stories I could tell. And someday, I just might. But for now, I’m done in by the sun and just thankful for the day.(thank you, thank you Kathleen) It’s enough, really. I just read this back and I used the word “lovely” too many times, but that word really does sum up the day. Tomorrow is Sunday; but it seems like there might be a sermon buried in the loveliness. Too bad I didn’t take photographs.
What did you use? SPF 2? Bad, bad Wende.
_____________________________________
It ended up not being as bad as it looked on Saturday night. I suspect the margaritas I drank may have helped with my “color”. 😀 ~W
Cute cute sign~ I’d stop just to meet the “hip chicks” who where selling!
Take care of that sunburn… lots of lotion girlie!
Sounds like you had a great day + made a bit of money 🙂
What’s better than that?
_____________________________________
We had fun! But, boy was I tired on Sunday! ~W
It sounds lovely, except for the sunburn. I once read over a post, and I had used delighted about 10 times. (slight exaggeration) I’m glad that you enjoyed the sale, and the people. (mostly)
_____________________________________
Hee… we all have our favorite words, eh? ~W
Oh, my timing is awful! I won’t be back in Oregon until Tuesday. I missed your sale by a few days. I’m just imaging how great it would have been to meet you in person… or would having two blog admirers introducing themselves to you at one yard sale have been too much?
_____________________________________
Oh, I would have loved it! But I hope when we do meet, we’ll have some time to connect. That crazy yard sale was madness. 😀 ~W
It was a very LOVELY day indeed… but hey hey…. you forgot to mention the end of the day reward of sipping icy margaritas on the porch. 🙂
___________________________________
Oh, and Percival. That dog was great! ~W
Oh man! I’m sorry you got burned. I do love red on the sign, tho and the chicks! Isn’t it nice when you can get rid of junk and make a couple bucks?? AND spend the time with friends. I can’t wait til next summer when I come out and I get to meet you….since we’ll hopefully be there longer next year! Things won’t be so crazy in ONE, TINY week. 🙂
___________________________________
Oh, no worries. I’ve made those whirlwind trips, and it’s never possible to fit everyone in! Next time. 😀 ~W
How fun! I always tell people when they see me at yard sales…I have a hard time stopping to say hello and be totally chatty because usually I’m “working” It’s fun…but I usually buy stuff to resale, so it’s my little disclaimer. I’ve also met several people who “know” me through the blog, and it is a little awkward…one had turned out to be a dear friend though…lucky, lucky me!
___________________________________
Heh… it was great. I didn’t mind. But you don’t get to focus like you’d want to. ~W
It was such a pleasure to meet you person! And you are just as sweet as can be….I have to admit I was nervous introducing myself ’cause I tend to be a wee bit shy but you made it perfectly painless…it was one of the highlights of my day!
Great sale, by the way….I only wish I could have made it there sooner and been the lucky one to purchase that “lovely” red bookcase/hutch…*sigh*…the treasure that got away. 🙂
___________________________________
Oh, don’t fret about the hutch too much! I have a little secret. I learned a long time ago if I marked stuff as “sold” instead of “NFS” people don’t spend all day trying to get me to sell the item! So, I haul out my red hutch because it’s attractive, lightweight, and I usually need space to put stuff. But, it’s still sitting in my pantry. (I sell it to myself at every sale.)… I’ve had people get really angry when they hear it’s not for sale, that I just started marking it SOLD. Usually, IZ comes and gives me a dollar in the morning and says, “I’m buying your hutch.” Heh.
It was really great meeting you and Jeremiah. I hope you’ll comment often and tell us all about you!! 😀 Blessings… and thanks for being brave! ~W
Wow, now I know why I havn’t had a garage sale in about 10 years We are gearing up for it this Saturday. I just placed the ad this am..”.Huge neighborhood garage sale, lots of antiques, and treasures……I added cash only and no early birds”. Well, if I sell even half of this cr-p I will be happy to take the rest to the GW:) I just cannot stand the “dickering” over an ugly 50cent basket. Oh geeze, just take it already…thank you for the funny post.
___________________________________
Oh, your sale sounds like something I would go to! 😀 It’s funny, we didn’t have that many people who would dicker with us… most seemed to either buy or walk away. ~W
Yard sales are hard -but it feels good to get rid of all that stuff.
I, on the other hand, have increased my stash of beautiful linens. I lucked out I think- someone should have snatched up those 3 towels long before. They are BEAUTIFUL! I really love the fine linen patterns- thank you so much, Wende. And I have my little robin’s egg blue teacup sitting right where I use it each morning.
BTW- you were too sunburned to write the Word? I hope not. Be careful!
___________________________________
Not too sunburned, but too exhausted. I’ve not been writing about health stuff, because it’s not a big deal and will resolve itself soon, I hope. But I’m so tired I’ve not taken a photo in over a week other than the quick shot of the yard sale sign. ~W