I am up to my eyeballs in a yard sale. We are selling off lots of junk I mean “stuff” that my mom had accumulated for 40 years. Well, it’s not all 40 years old, but some of it is! I can’t wait until this time Saturday…it should all be over… what doesn’t sell is going to the Goodwill.
We decided to do a little cleaning out at our house so there are quite a few things from us in the sale…and Rebecca is working frantically at getting all her junk, I mean stuff, ready to go too.
My hubby has been doing the (what I call the easier jobs)… he got to be inside the house for the most part and we had the AC turned on so it wouldn’t be stuffy. He was replacing outlets and GFI’s and working in the basement on the breakers. “I” on the other hand, was working in the garage…in the heat, and the humidity, and the crud and the wasps! I’m not sure which was the worst… Oh wait, yes I do…the humidity! I made quite a bit of progress today and actually got everything out of the boxes and “sort of” in its rightful place on the tables and shelves.
Here are a few pictures of my progress…
See that straw Moses basket with the handles on it? I carried both of my kiddos in that when they were babies. I’ve had that basket for 30 years and finally decided it was time to let it go. Boo hoo… they don’t want it and I don’t have room to store it. I thought about giving it to someone at church as a baby gift, filling it with baby items for the next shower I go to. But I decided I’d let the person who really wanted it pick it out at the yard sale. I figure if someone sees it, and wants it, they’ll love it as much as I did.
I was glad to receive a few new pictures from Kathie… since my sister is coming Wednesday and I won’t be able to get much done on my blog, as we’ll be working on the yard sale and I’ll be visiting! :o) Gotta get a good dose of Deb while she’s here! :o)
Kathie said her hibiscus didn’t fare so well last winter, but her roses had survived. However it looks like her Dahlias REALLY survived! Here are a couple pictures of them.
Now look at her 13″ Effner Little Darlings next to the flowers! Beautiful…aren’t they?
I took some pictures of my hibiscus and the baby German Owls, but I’ll have to save them for another day… I didn’t get them cropped and uploaded yet.
Thank you for your fun and interesting comments yesterday. I read every one of them and was glad to see all the responses!
I’ll see you when I can,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, you will have your hands full with the garage sale this weekend, Jeanne!! Sounds like George is doing some better now, if he’s starting to work on electrical stuff, and that is really good news! Prayers continue.
Now, I’m not much of a gardener–and I’m the first one to admit it!!–but I have to tell you, I don’t think those are dahlias in those beautiful pictures–they are gladiolus (gladioli???). I am pretty sure, anyway, as my mother grew glads, and my mother-in-law grew dahlias (which flowers are round, and only one per stalk).
However, those glads are just gorgeous, and the Little Darlings are so cute, all dressed up like that!! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
I’m thinking the same thing as Charlotte is saying, Jeanne, those are gladiolus stalks, not dahlias! We will see what Kathie says when she comments. But they are just gorgeous, and those Little Darlings are the sweetest little things! I especially love the pretty smocked dress! Did you make that, Kathie?
Oh my goodness, Jeanne, you certainly have your hands full getting together all those things to sell. I imagined things had to be dusted off, and prettied up to get it ready, and you certainly had a houseful! Did your mother have a bay window in her garage?? Fancy!
Oh, that Moses basket is the most charming little piece of memories you could have! If I were you, I would save it and just put some things into the basket from your children’s childhood that you have saved, any baby clothes that meant something special, picture books, toys that were special, (small, good conditioned ones, mind you!) and they could do whatever they wanted when the time came to them receiving it. I know, they say they don’t want it, but when the time comes that they have babies, it will mean a lot more to them. Right now, they can’t see it. My kids have so much fun looking through a lot of things I have saved from their childhood. It doesn’t have to take a lot of room, maybe a small box of things for each one can do it. You know, one of those decorated boxes you can find at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. As if you have nothing else to do!
My trip to Kansas City yesterday was fun! I got some cute things for my dolls, and saw a lot of corn and soybeans as we made our way through Missouri!! It was hot!!! If anyone wants to know, that new Wheaten Terrier Puppy is the cutest little dog I have seen in a long time! I even got one, and had no intention of getting another dog!! That’s what going to the store does to you!!
Have fun with Deb today, and stay cool——-if you can!
Kathie’s flowers are beautiful and the dolls are so cute. I seem to remember that Kathie made some clothes for the dolls even before she received them, right? Darling. I can’t believe the size of the tiny little doll the one on the left is carrying. Love the vase, too.
Congrats, Jeanne, on getting a garage sale together. I, too, would save the basket as it’s in such good condition. Fill it with your folded fabric pieces, trims and buttons for a decoration in your sewing room? What a relief it will be on Sunday after the sale is over. It’s like turning a page for sure. Now to get back to painting and sewing. Hope you have a successful sale and that the weather is not too hot. Have fun with Deb.
Oh my, a garage sale! I’d be there early too. I think that chippy cabinet will be the first thing to go. It is a treasure. That little ice cream parlor chair is sweet too. Be great recovered or on a porch to hold a plant. I think you had better pull the basket and put it in your sewing room as Susette mentioned. Would be a perfect use for it. Or maybe in the living room as a magazine or project holder? Ah memories….
Kathie’s gladiolas are exquisite and displayed so well along with her sweet LD’s. What a fun bunch.
Have fun today with your sis and hope the heat drops on your sale day.
Dear Jeanne, only you could make a yard sale display look pretty like a display in Home Goods (smile)! I hope everything sells quickly.
I love the photos of the Little Darlings. You may know that yesterday was Dianna Effner’s birthday. We are celebrating on ning.
I can’t wait until your sister comes. Please share some sister stories when she does.
Happy yard sale!
OOPS… I changed the title…
??!
LOL I saw that!!
I’ll add my vote to saving the Moses basket–I like Susette’s idea of using it in your sewing room to hold fabrics, patterns, or whatever. Some day, one of your kids will be really glad you did, I’m thinking!
The Moses basket was the first thing I noticed!
I had one for my last son.. now it holds many balls and skeins of yarn! You might consider repurposing it for yourself. It looks pretty nestled in a corner ot underneath a table:) I always need storage!
Good luck on the garage sale.. eith all that GOOD STUFF! Lol
Hi Jeanne,
My little man is napping so I thought I’d pop on and say Hello. How wonderful to read that hubby is feeling well enough to do a few projects at your Moms house. That just made me smile a big smile. It means things are getting back to normal which is awesome!
I wish you a speedy sale on the house and I’m so happy to hear your Mama is on board and feeling good about it. A yard sale?! My word you are a busy lady, I wish I had your energy; you’re like the energizer bunny!
I hope you have fun with your sis… I know you will.
You didn’t ask but I agree with the girls voting for you to keep that sweet moses basket. I am guilty of getting rid of all my baby things (biggest regret the english buggy my parents bought me) Oh well at the time I didn’t have the space to store it.
Kathie, your flowers are beautiful and your LDs are so sweet. They look like they are at a fun summer party. That smocked dress is lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Stay cool sweet Jeanne… continued prayers
Hugs Ingrid
Wow, that is a lot of work organizing a yard sale. We had a neighborhood one a few years ago and got rid of things.
Her’s a great saying I saw once on a plaque at the antique store.
Junk is stuff you sell, stuff is junk you keep. Is that great, or what?
I would save the Moses basket as well. I have the bassinet and stand that both my daughter and I slept in. You could store some of your sewing room stuff in it for the time being to make it seem useful. The gladiolas are beautiful. The LD’s look so cute in their patriotic wear. The little red checked dress is darling.
I love the red shoes that go with the red checked dress. I am so impressed by the garage sale pictures. You have done a splendid job of making everything look clean, organized, and desirable. And, sorry, Jeanne, but I have to join the long line of people saying, “Keep the Moses basket, keep the basket.”
Years ago I was working on a newsletter and wrote about gladiolas — the typist caught it — Charlotte has it right, right off — the plural is gladiolus. Who would have guessed? Certainly not me.
Have a perfectly lovely day, and a wasp-free one, with Deb.
Must be bittersweet selling your mother’s home and purging her belongings. I remember doing that when my dad passed away and my mother downsized. I didn’t want to part with anything that belonged to him. It’s a huge undertaking but at some point in our lives it must be done. My father had a antique store and always said “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” You and your husband are going to need a nice vacation soon as you’ve been going non-stop for months. Good luck with your sale.
I agree with everyone else about keeping the Moses basket. I wouldn’t be able to part with that and would have to find a place in my house to use it. Gorgeous flowers!
Blessing,
Sandra
Hope your yard sale goes well Jeanne and you can move onto other projects. When you think of the year you’ve had so far, you’ve accomplished quite a bit including the most important job, taking care of George.
Having mentioned yard sales, the doggie and kitty neutering/ spay organization’s yard sale isn’t until August so you can imagine the boxes I’ve filled and placed in as many descreet places throughout our home. It’ll be a good feeling to take items to the fair grounds when the time comes.
I too would pull that precious basket out of the sale. What a keepsake and as the girls have said, there are many ideas for it. As I processed our house for this upcoming yard sale, I found some nice bins in which I put the kids baby toys, school items and their keepsakes and a smaller bin for their picture albums – and guess who now preserves them- the kids. I told them at length how to store them in a cool area in their own places. We’ve looked as some of the things which dearly meant a lot to all of us. I even have their crib blankets – all done in the Peter Rabbit theme.
I hope you can come up with an idea for your baby basket!
I have been sick lately with no energy but I’ve kept up with the you and the girls on your blog. I’ve really enjoyed reading it.
Everyone, enjoy your day!
I also vote to keep the basket, but I am a basketmaker with a strong weakness for any and all baskets. The LD display inspired me. I need to take a photo of the dollies I got not too long ago for my dollies. They’re just sitting on Felicity’s desk right now, but I’ll bet the doll lovers will appreciate them like I do. (I’ll try to get a photo tomorrow.) I have empathy for you. We spent time moving stuff in our garage during a 90+ degree day to make room for a 2nd freezer — a 7.0 cubic foot chest — for his fish from a recent Alaska trip with family. Then because he opened the upright to check how much empty space was in it (before he got the new one; I told him I had one full shelf empty)…. and didn’t quite get the door closed… we then had to toss spoiled a lot of “no longer frozen” items. It was hot, stinky, messy and filled our garbage bin. But on the good news side, it’s clean, defrosted, has plenty of empty space, and now has a strip of duck tape to ensure it stays closed. (He did have his hearing aids in, so did not hear the beeping alarm for the slightly open door.) And his cataract surgery & lens replacement went great today! Snd the last bit of good news is the grand girls will be back home Sunday after a longer visit with family out of state. Some my dolly playing girls will probably want yo play with their AG girls. Good luck on the garage sale. And put up two signs for it…. “Make me an offer — I love to bargain!” And “Yes, the house IS for sale! Tell your family and ftiends please!” with some 1/3 or 1/4 size flyers with sales info, like price, sales agent or contact number, when it will available to be shown, etc). That way you might just sell it too. PS then just drop the rest off at your church re-sale, women’s shelter, or favorite donation place…. or eBay it!
Cristal’s signs are a wonderful idea, if not for you, for some of us.
We were going to have a garage sale after my parents died, but after watching all of us want one thing or another, I suggested not considering it because by the time the few possible items were spread out and we had rescued the ones we wanted, only one faded mixing bowl would be left and I was claiming that.
There were 5 of us and 7 grandsons, some of whom were happy to refinish furniture. We took everything, even Mom’s first rolling pin.
What a lot of memories your sale is bringing back. Thanks for that, and good luck to you. Save the basket!
HI everyone, Jeanne here…
Just finished up another day in the sweltering garage at my mom’s house. This time tomorrow the yard sale will be done and I can check that off the list.
The house is looking very nice AND we have a prospective buyer. I had to leave the house because they were wanting to walk through it one final time. I can’t believe it
..3 days on the market, 3 lookers and a buyer signed an agreement today…contingent on getting the septic system inspected.
I took all of your comments to heart and have my Moses basket in the front seat of my car. Maybe you all were right.
I’m going to spend some time with Deb tonight…she’s been keeping momma occupied while I worked on the yard sale stuff. So I want to spend some time visiting instead of wiping things down and pricing!
Thanks everyone…I’ve read all your comments and am amazed how you all keep hanging around…
Blessings, Jeanne
Maryilyn, I have my mother’s first rolling pin, too–before they had ball bearing’d handles!! One handle got broken off when she dropped it (while still fairly newly married–I don’t think I was born yet), but she used it all her life (even though she finally did buy a new one), and I just couldn’t let it go. After she died, it went in the display in the chuch basement on the day of her funeral, along with two aprons she’d made, some of her music, and a number of pictures.
Jeanne, I know I’m not the only one who is happy you are keeping that basket!
Hope you and Deb had a good time doing whatever you wanted to do!!
The house may be selling after only three days! This is splendid. I hope the prospective owners go through the garage and choose something to take back to the house.
I’ve been looking through the pictures again. I always love your flower pictures and Kathie’s gladiolus are wonderful every time through, and the vase is perfect for them. I’ve never seen anything like it, but it looks like it makes arranging the glads easy. The smocking on the red dress deserves a close-up. I really do need to learn to do that — I’ve admired smocking my whole life. The Fourth of July hats are great fun. Just tying those tennis shoes must be a challenge. And I love that red wig, don’t you? I am in the market for a couple of new LD wigs, so I’m looking at all the ones I see with more than usual interest.
Tonight this stage of your work is done — the sale is over, anything left over will go to Goodwill or the Salvation Army and you’ll move on to what comes next. I’ll hope for clouds for you today, and lots of interested buyers. We are being promised rain in the next few days, but we’ve heard that a lot and not seen it.
I hope you have more time to enjoy with Deb after a nice cool, after the sale shower. And you saved the basket — a very popular decision.
I really can’t wait to hear how the garage sale went. Hoping you had a great sale. Did the chippy blue cabinet go right away? And can’t believe you have a buyer for the house already. That is wonderful. Hope it goes through without any hitches.
Now take a break please. Or at least long enough to hit that Cold Stones place.
Cool Spoons. Yes. Get a double size, take a picture of it, and share with all of us. The garage sale is over, the house sale is coming, Deb is there. Try not to collapse from sheer relief.
I hope the storm missed you but probably it didn’t.
Oh gosh of all the days to miss Jeanne’s post. We were gone for a couple days . The funny part is I sent pictures of my roses…but I think there were too many pictures and they didn’t “send properly”..and I had sent the pictures of the glads separately. I’ll try to send the roses pictures again.
Love my Little Darlings..and yes I made the smocked dress but I never was happy with the neckline. The Uncle Sam outfit was a wine bottle cover…it just cracked me up!
Hope the Garage Sale went really well…I would have scored a few things. Yes, towels rolled up and stood up in your Moses basket would be so cute! Cant wait to hear about the sale.