Garage Sale Finds (Weak Title...Sorry)

Perhaps you've learned by now that I can't resist a good garage sale.

Or even a bad one. Really, I'm not picky. I just might take a perfunctory glance at your junk, thank you, and then race off into the sunset, in pursuit of better sales.

But I digress. Raechel is an avid garage sale visitor (I can't wait until we visit her family in a couple weeks, because we'll be there on a Saturday!), and she likes to do a weekly run-down of what she has found for how much during her Saturday garage sale runs. I like that idea, so I'm going to follow suit.

So here's a tally of what I've found over the last two weeks of garage sales. First off, the best purchase of perhaps the entire summer:

$15.00: Wrought iron patio set (redneck clothesline optional)

I almost died when I saw this. And then I almost died again when I saw the $20 price tag. And then I very nearly died, fell over, and screamed in pure delight when the gal selling it said, sure, she'd take $15.

I've had my heart set on finding a patio set, and I was looking for one just like this: old-fashioned, metal, and definitely not harboring a lick of plastic. This is just perfect. It probably needs a coat of paint, but I might put that off till next summer. For now I just like to look out my window and gaze at it adoringly or, if we're actually outside, sit in each of the chairs for equal lengths of time (I don't want any of them to feel left out) and lovingly pat the table top. I think I'm in love.

Now I just need a patio...(hint, hint of a post to come...)

Oh, and:

$.25: Woven planter (on top of the table there)- I saw these at The Seventh Circle of Hell this week for $5.

Continuing...

$.50 (I think): Pair of boy's play shorts

$2.00: Child's bicycle helmet and several coloring books

$7.50: Weed eater- This one deserves an explanation. My folks and I decided we'd go together on a weed eater, as they sold theirs (long story) and we both find ourselves needing to trim grass on a regular basis. My mom and I found a basic gas-powered trimmer that works fine, and we talked the guy down to $15. Well done, I say.

$2.00: Manual edger (also for the lawn, obviously)

Next, a picture featuring several garage sale finds from the past two weeks:

(You should know that the shirt

I'm wearing in that reflection

was bought at a garage sale.)

$7.50: Buffet lamp- Little more than I would normally spend, but I made the rookie mistake of falling in love with it. It was marked $10. I asked if she'd take $5. She said $7.50. I said, "Okay."

$1.00: Silver(ish) candelabra

$.50: 6 white taper candles- Here's a funny story. When I pulled my wallet out of my purse to pay for these babies, I succeeded in also drawing out a sanitary napkin. You know, a pad. I played it off like it was no big deal, like it didn't even happen, and the good lady who was hosting the sale didn't say a word. I think her grandchildren were rather scandalized.

$2.00: Antique mirror- This one also has a good story. I went to this yard sale, and the lady hosting it went on and on about how she does flea markets. You know the kind of flea market seller: Lots of crap, very little treasure. She clearly had no discerning eye for actual value. This was how her yard sale was, and I happened to spot this little number amidst all the junk. I asked her how much she wanted for it, and this was her response:

"Oh, that is an antique. Really, it's great. It just needs some repair around the frame. If you or someone you know could do that, it would be a real treasure. I normally refurbish everything, but I've been ill. [I've left out a long explanation of her illness.] It's worth about $100, but I'm asking $2."

Two. Dollars.

Please understand that, in relaying that story to you, I am making fun of this poor woman. She was a hoot. I paid her the $2 and made off with my junky mirror that, chips and all, had stolen my heart. I love it above my piano, and I can't wait for the day that some antique snob offers me $100 for it.

Finally, a find that wasn't really a purchase, but actually a gift from my grandmother:

Free: Old-fashioned watering can- I've wanted one of these for awhile after seeing a similar arrangement (see below) at our local Overpriced Flower Shop. They were charging $35. After securing this one from my Grammy for nothing, I then spent approximately $4 on flowers (vinka vines and a miniature rose) and had my very own arrangement.

(Please ignore the dirt. Again, hint, hint.)

I love beating the system.

Share your garage sale finds! Happy Sale-ing!