Who doesn't need a little extra cash every now and then? I certainly do. This is the reason I decided to have and help out at a garage sale...err...make that a couple of garage sales over the past 2 weeks. Before you read any further, you should know, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE garage sales. I think going garage sale-ing is one of the highlights of summertime. I just love it. So why not partake in the festivities, right? Well...
As I was driving into our neighborhood a couple of weeks ago, I saw a sign that said our neighborhood would be having their annual garage sales that same weekend. It is beyond me why not a single person could pass out flyers or something...it's just by chance that you see the sign and have time to throw some tables up and price some goodies. But, we made it happen.
Both sisters and brother in laws brought some stuff over and we were able to fill 6 tables and both edges of the driveway. It was a pretty impressive spread if I do say so myself. I was ready to make some money and go shoppin. W E L L...things didn't exactly go as planned. We had about 17 TOTAL customers in 2 days. It was PATHETIC. Thankfully the weather was good and we didn't cancel any other plans to make it happen. Because it was a total bust. All in all, I made less than $30...in two days. Needless to say, I'm not sure we will be participating in next year's sale!
The following week, we had another (the original) sale planned at my sister's in laws house. We've always had amazing success at their house because they live on a busy road and get lots of traffic. My hopes were once again high.
The sale went from 12:00 on Wednesday (I think our first customer was there by 10) until 6:00 Friday (We packed up at 4!) Wednesday proved to be no different than years past...lots of people, lots of deals, lots of sights and lots of money. Thursday and Friday were slow and COLD, but it was nice to hang out and be outside (even if we were all in jammies that were for sale because it was the only warm clothes we had!)
All in all, the second garage sale went better than the one at my house. But, not unlike any other year, I've learned some things from sitting outside and letting other people shop for my stuff...here's my list...
*For some people, $2.00 is WAY to much to pay for a nearly brand new hand mixer. When my sister told her the price, she dropped it like it was on fire and nearly sprinted off my property.
*No matter how many times you try to fold the clothes on the tables and make it look nice, you won't win the battle.
*I should not fall for people telling me they want the $2.00 DVD (with the wrapper still on) for $1.50 because that is all they have. Then watch them turn around and go to the truck to get the money for an $8.00 blender. Mean ol' rat!
*People are not afraid to go through unpacked boxes, even though they are at your sale 2 hours before you have advertised being open.
*There are still really nice people in the world...they will give money to the world's cutest 6 year old's squirt gun fund even if they don't want the water or popcorn he was selling.
*People are brave enough to knock on your door at 8am in the morning, when your garage is closed and your sale is not opening until noon.
*If you price something at $.01, someone will still ask if you will go any lower.
And my favorite...
*Some old lady will show up at your sale, tell you she wants the entire box of FREE hangers and then ask you to take them to her trunk for her.
Here's to another year of garage sales. I think I've figured out, I'm a much better shopper than I am a seller.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Let Them Fall
Sometimes, life lessons show up in the most unexpected places. Today was one of those days. And it was in our very own backyard.
Reilly and I went out back this morning to enjoy some time in the pool before the sun was blazing and our events for the day got started. This was our first time in the pool, so I climbed in with Reilly and sat near as he was playing happily with his buckets and shovels. I happened to glance towards the bird nest that is up against the back of the house and saw the four very hungry baby birds with their beaks pointed toward the sky waiting for mama robin to return with breakfast, I suppose.
As I was keeping a close eye on Reilly, and also facinated with the baby birds, I watched mama return and nudge one of the babies towards the edge of the nest. I immediately starting saying, "No, no, no" to the bird, as if it could speak Kori. A glance back at Reilly assured me he was still happily dumping water down his belly out of his favorite purple bucket. I continued my study of the birds, and looked back in time to watch mama bird PUSH THE BABY RIGHT OFF THE LEDGE.
My heart was torn...do I grab a happy, squealing, having fun in the sun baby, and run and rescue the bird, whom I thought for sure was going to be injured or dead or just chalk it up as one less robin in the world and believe there must have been a reason that the mama shoved it out of the nest.
Mom instincts took over, and I remained in the pool, Reilly non the wiser. I did however, stand up to see if I could spy the baby on the ground. Sure enough, I began to see a "bounce, bounce" through the somewhat tall grass, with another robin nearby. Mama stayed in the nest with the other three, watching closely from her "bird's eye view!" (HA!)
For the next 35 minutes, I watched that baby bird explore the grass, the trees and the fence. It was bouncing all over the yard, taking very small flights, all under the careful supervision of another robin, (maybe daddy robin???)
As odd as it was to sit and watch this bird, (and birds aren't usually my thing!) I began to think. Sometimes, I just need to let Reilly fall. There could be a whole world of exploration awaiting for him when he hits the ground.
I think it is every parent's instinct to walk closely, protect, defend, pick up, and hold their little ones close to keep them upright and safe. But maybe, just maybe, they need to fall once in a while. Maybe we just need to be close enough to give a kiss if they don't land gently...
What would have happened if the mama robin didn't push this little guy out of the nest...would it have left on it's own? I have a new goal this summer...I'm going to let Reilly fall (at least once!), I'll just make sure I've put pillows down first! :)
Reilly and I went out back this morning to enjoy some time in the pool before the sun was blazing and our events for the day got started. This was our first time in the pool, so I climbed in with Reilly and sat near as he was playing happily with his buckets and shovels. I happened to glance towards the bird nest that is up against the back of the house and saw the four very hungry baby birds with their beaks pointed toward the sky waiting for mama robin to return with breakfast, I suppose.
As I was keeping a close eye on Reilly, and also facinated with the baby birds, I watched mama return and nudge one of the babies towards the edge of the nest. I immediately starting saying, "No, no, no" to the bird, as if it could speak Kori. A glance back at Reilly assured me he was still happily dumping water down his belly out of his favorite purple bucket. I continued my study of the birds, and looked back in time to watch mama bird PUSH THE BABY RIGHT OFF THE LEDGE.
My heart was torn...do I grab a happy, squealing, having fun in the sun baby, and run and rescue the bird, whom I thought for sure was going to be injured or dead or just chalk it up as one less robin in the world and believe there must have been a reason that the mama shoved it out of the nest.
Mom instincts took over, and I remained in the pool, Reilly non the wiser. I did however, stand up to see if I could spy the baby on the ground. Sure enough, I began to see a "bounce, bounce" through the somewhat tall grass, with another robin nearby. Mama stayed in the nest with the other three, watching closely from her "bird's eye view!" (HA!)
For the next 35 minutes, I watched that baby bird explore the grass, the trees and the fence. It was bouncing all over the yard, taking very small flights, all under the careful supervision of another robin, (maybe daddy robin???)
As odd as it was to sit and watch this bird, (and birds aren't usually my thing!) I began to think. Sometimes, I just need to let Reilly fall. There could be a whole world of exploration awaiting for him when he hits the ground.
I think it is every parent's instinct to walk closely, protect, defend, pick up, and hold their little ones close to keep them upright and safe. But maybe, just maybe, they need to fall once in a while. Maybe we just need to be close enough to give a kiss if they don't land gently...
What would have happened if the mama robin didn't push this little guy out of the nest...would it have left on it's own? I have a new goal this summer...I'm going to let Reilly fall (at least once!), I'll just make sure I've put pillows down first! :)
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