As if last weekend's sales weren't depressing enough, I found myself getting pre-depressed about the coming holiday weekend. July 4 falls on Sunday, which would not prevent anyone from having a sale on Friday or Saturday, which of course won't happen. Apparently most people feel that holidays have to be at least three days long. Apparently I'm not one of them. Back to last weekend, though, when I went to a farmhouse sale and was left to wonder: How could anyone live someplace 85 years and leave only five things I wanted? And five pretty ho-hum things at that: one key, one ledger book, one folding ruler, one tape measure and one bib apron.
Then I went to what was once one of my favorite church rummage sales, which I knew would be better than last year's sale, because last year some poor man collapsed and died in the parking lot. (I didn't mention this last year. It was, to say the least, tragic.) This year's sale was a lot better, in that as far as I'm aware everyone survived. Merchandise-wise, though, nothing spectacular: a Jadite bowl and three pretty glasses.
Those crazy church ladies, though: I think they're spending more on stickers than they're earning in sales.
The table also came from the rummage sale. The church ladies charge more for furniture; this was $1. In addition to being cheap, the table looked as if it could provide valuable storage. "Look at all that horizontal space," one woman at the sale said appreciatively, and I felt she was a kindred spirit. The weekend sales also brought four light-up snowmen . . .
as well as some tinsel and tiny ornaments for the coming wreath-making season. And that was it. And as I was glumly cataloging and photographing my finds, I thought I probably need a holiday weekend. As Samuel Johnson observed, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." If a 10-cent Jadite bowl no longer makes my heart race, and when the best I have to say about a sale is that nobody died, I need a break from going to sales. A nice summer weekend of garden-gazing and porch-sitting and pie-eating seems like just the ticket, and so that's what I'm going to do.
After having the success you've had this spring, I can see why you might be disappointed! I'm in OH now - wish we could thrift together and make up stories about the former owners of all the treasures we'd find. Enjoy some time with your family this weekend.
Posted by: Tina | June 30, 2010 at 10:02 AM
I think it's probably bad that I can't think of a better place to die than a church rummage sale.
Man I need to get out a little.
Ha.
Posted by: Sarah | June 30, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I feel the same way -- stupid holidays! Love the glasses though, especially for a nickel!
Posted by: Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk | June 30, 2010 at 11:14 AM
I will be in the States this weekend. So preparing our stay I was looking for a nice flea market on Sunday. Somewhere in LA (our first stop) there was one! Yes! Every Sunday, all year around except for...you guessed it! The story of my life!
I don't only love your blog, I'm beginning to love your commenters too, haha I totally agree on what Sarah has to say about that tragic event. Have fun this weekend!
Posted by: LiLi M. | June 30, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Enjoy your weekend off. Sometimes we just need a break. I do like your finds and that little table is very nice!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | June 30, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Very few sales here this weekend too so I may have to switch to Plan B. and spend some time in a nice air-conditioned (as if we need a/c here right now but still, let's pretend it's summer in Oregon) antique mall. Eating pie would be my very next choice.
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 30, 2010 at 03:41 PM
I think it's kind of like traveling for a living for folks that do that. It gets old. But a ten cent piece of Jadite sounds mighty sweet for me. I would live off that thrill for a month.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 30, 2010 at 03:53 PM
We all get a little burned out on shopping. I love the glasses and have my eye out for some to use for every day! Enjoy your weekend! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | June 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM
I'm pre-depressed too! I'm totally stealing that phrase. And that $1 table ROCKS. Maybe I need to hit more church sales. And steer clear of the parking lot.
Posted by: sue | June 30, 2010 at 07:07 PM
I never could understand why, when I'm so eager to go to garage sales during a holiday weekend, no one is willing to have a sale. It's really quite selfish on their part, don't you think?
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | June 30, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Well you got some good finds leading up to your weekend off. I am not holding out much hope for sales this weekend either...have resigned myself to fireworks and BBQs. Actually headed to the beach for the week-end and following week, so I would have liked ONE REALLY good sale before I got into vacation mode. I tend to be more relaxed coming off a sale high.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | July 01, 2010 at 12:11 AM
I envy you. Nowhere in the South can we snag a Jadite bowl for 10 cents or vintage drinking glasses for a nickel each. Down here the bowl would be at least $10 and the glasses $3 each. You find the best sales ever. Sighhhhh.
Posted by: Nashvilledeb | July 01, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Oh! Those snowmen! Trade you one for a black dotted swanky swig, haha:)
Sonya
Posted by: Sonya-Dime Store Thrift | July 01, 2010 at 08:47 AM
Oh you ungrateful girl! Jadeite for 10 cents!!!
Those big snowmen make me happy. I found a light-up Santa at an auction last year that is so cute!
Posted by: Janelle | July 01, 2010 at 10:57 AM