My Garage Sale Find

(Garage sale finds)

While visiting with my sister I was again amazed at all the neat things she has purchased at garage sales. She ought to write a book. I never find much. The Saturday after I came home I happened to be out and about on a Sat. morning. We usually sleep in (maybe that is why I don't get a lot at garage sales) so this was a surprising thing. Anyway, I ended up stopping at 3 garage sales. The first one I found nothing. The second one I was really happy that I filled a big basket full of things and paid only $5 for it. That is the picture above. (In addition to the big basket I got 2 small soft bound books, 3 steak knives, 1 small antique bowl, 1 small shelf, a tablecloth, and a purse.)The silver sequined purse was in the basket and there is another small book missing. The purse and basket were most likely $3 each. The small shelf was from a different garage sale.

I thought I had really done something at that point.

I was really shocked at the last garage sale. I bought a couple of things but an awesome chair caught my eye. I was sure it was an antique but had to ask. The woman must have known what I was thinking. She smiled and said, "yes, it is an antique, it was my grandmothers". This chair would match my "mission style" living room perfectly I thought. However, the chair was marked $50. Going to garage sales I had a few bucks left after my big $5 purchase. If I was going to do this I would have to go get some cash. However, $50 wasn't in the budget. As sort of a test to see if I should get it I asked what is the lowest she would take. She told me $35. Wow! I was amazed that she went down so low.

I called Michael several times but couldn't get a hold of him. I didn't want to make a purchase like this without talking to him. It isn't that he would have minded but in addition to the cost I wasn't sure where I would put it. I was hoping if he thought it was a good idea he would also have a suggestion as to where we could put this chair. I was also pretty sure he would like it. After trying many times to reach him I finally realized I had to make a decision. Catrina was with me and about the time I was thinking I should "just do it" as Nike says she said "get it Mom"! If you don't know this I am a firm believer in opposites attracting. Let's just say Michael is the spender so you know what that makes me (just a bit thrifty shall we say?).

Well, I went to the lady and told her I wanted to buy it but would have to go get some money. She said she would hold it for me. To make this already long story a bit shorter I kept trying to reach my husband. Finally, after I purchased it he answered the phone. I said to him, "I bought a chair!" I expected him to pass out at this point since I have never done that before. When I didn't hear the thud (from him hitting the floor) I told him it wouldn't fit in the car so I needed him to come get it. He said he would be right there.

At this point I have to tell you what a great husband I have. I am sure a lot of husbands would have questioned this purchase but he didn't. Again, I am sure he was just shocked that I bought a chair and was curious to see it.

At this point I was SO excited and proud of myself. I felt I had gotten an EXCELLENT deal and I was sure he was going to like it. I was right! When my husband saw it he was thrilled. I could tell he was proud of me too. Later he told me he was sure that this chair could have sold for $150-$200!

Last night, he used Old English on it and cleaned it up. It looks great. The down side is that we still haven't figured out a place to put it.

Did I mention that I only paid $35???