And There Goes My Stuff!

"What happens to your stuff?"

If that was asked of the boys, any one of them would conjure up some nostalgic toy memory and swear up and down that I'd sold it in garage sale!

Not true.  They played hard.  Most toys weren't fit for reselling, and if I did sell, I made sure they no longer wanted it.  But, memories are fickle things, re-worked by emotions, and watered down by time.

Most stuff goes through a garage sale a couple times then gets donated to 2nd Blessings.  2nd Blessings is a thrift store whose monies go to women and children in need.  They also provide women and children in need any furnishings donated.

Since we live a mile from a flea market and their customers are new every week, there's a chance an item (my stuff) might not sell the first time but WILL sell the second time.  I had a swath of beautiful lace that I kept around in case I needed it, but was willing to sell for a good and decent price.  After several sales, it sold! 

The best part isn't the ridding your home of clutter.  The best part isn't the money.  The best part is the people!  I love people watching.  

They'll come in lickety-split, you can tell they mean business, cruise through and "Off!" they're gone.  Some come dragging in, either feeble or on that carb low from just eating lunch.  Some hang onto their sons for support.  Some just look.  Some touch everything and buy nothing.  Some carry an item around then before leaving put it down.  Some will load up and leave with 2 bags full.  Some chat about an item that evoked feelings.

Some bring in doggies on a leash.  Some leave them barking in the car.

"See, that didn't take too long," a female owner made that pursed kissy-lipped face through her car's rear door window, "pooch-woochie woo-woo.  You did a good job handling staying in the car by yourself", and she reached in and doled out head scratchings.

Our own pets get petted.  Customers walk up to the gate and reach over to pet Daisy Dog. The cats are even gathered up, cuddled and rocked like a baby throughout their shopping!

The men want pocket knives, hand tools, guns, and fishing gear.  If I have any of those, I'm a winner and they'll come back next year.  "Nope, I'm looking for the old stuff."  or it's  "I cast my line and the reel went in with it!  Tarnation and damnation!" 

Garage sales are great for meeting new people, and chatting up old friends who wouldn't otherwise stop by.  Yes, they'll pop in if you've opened your doors for a sale -- it's one thing that keeps me hooked on having them.  I had an old classmate from junior high who's very shy and very sweet, stop in and she announced to her teenaged daughters standing behind her, "This lady was my best friend."  Wow, what a compliment, and additionally, I didn't realize her kids rode on my kids bus!  

John, darling hubby, has an old friend who used to be his boss back in the 80's that always stops in to catch up on family news.  And one guy was a friend to my dad.   He has a big booming voice, and a self-confident attitude.  He knows all the family and is willing to give advice about his own trade.  It makes me smile just to think of him.  Another time a guy popped in and I said, "You're a McPhearson, aren't you?"  He replied, "Yes, how'd you know?"  I told him, "Because of your voice.  You've got The Commanding McPhearson voice."

Then there's the repeat customers.  Their station in life has changed.  They lose a spouse one year, then next year come with a "friend."  They get a little grayer and stoop a little more.  They ask why such and such has changed in the yard or about the house.  They say, "I knew you had (fill in the blank) and wondered if you'd changed your mind about selling it."

Want to see them stammer and stutter?  Give it to them free!

Or, tell them "all the change in your pocket".  That one's a crap shoot.  Most people only deal in debit cards.  If their eyes are thinking, they probably have a whale of a lot of coins in their pockets!

And, many a time, they're surprised at how pleasant is our yard.   We're situated just a few feet from the highway, but, we're up on a hill.  There's evergreen trees on all the property lines because John, darling hubby, got on his knees and planted 300 of them in the mud!

They make a sound barrier and a wind break.  

It was a farmers field but we've made it our own with 40 y.o. maple and elm and English walnut trees.  And sectioning off the front yard with a fence enclosing a water feature, a flower bed, and a rock garden.  It is pleasant, pleasant for reading or picnicking or grandkid play.

You can see why I like garage sales, it's not just the money, and it's not all about seeing my stuff remaining useful, it's a lot about the people.

"I don't have enough money right now, how late you open?"

"Will you be open tomorrow?"
"Here's 10.  Will you hold it for my daughter who's on her way?"
"How much would you charge to deliver?"

"If your husband ever wants to sell that, here's my number, just let me know."

"Here's my card.  I'm looking for gold jewelry."

LOL, I'm looking for gold jewelry, too!

I'd like to get some cash off of YOU!

She smiles, he smiles, I smile, and there goes my stuff.