Before we get to this weekend's junk, I need to briefly explain that for the past two months, our lives have sort of resembled the plot of a bad soap opera. Do any of you remember "The Edge of Night"? I grew up watching "The Edge of Night." Lately that is what my life feels like, and Mr. Oodles and I are playing the roles of Mike and Nancy Karr. They were the stable, rather boring couple who were surrounded by crazy people. Nancy spent a lot of time pouring cups of coffee and dispensing wisdom. Mike, being a respected attorney, often invited people to his office and offered sound legal advice.
Mike and Nancy never looked like they were having a whole lot of fun. In fact, I clearly remember the episode when Nancy said, "I'm sorry you got yourself into this situation, but maybe next time you'll know better, and instead of coddling you for the next five episodes, I'm going to ask you to leave, because I'm going to an estate sale that sounds rather interesting."
Or maybe I'm the one who said that Saturday. I can't remember. Anyway, I made a sort of last-minute decision to go to a nearby sale, which landed me the unenviable #45 spot on the list. But it turned out not to matter, because the sale was at a rambling old farmhouse, and the first 50 people got in. And got in rather quickly, and I was able to snatch a cute metal hamper and a couple of tomato pincushions right off the bat.
These were no ordinary tomato pincushions, however, because they each had a tape measure built in. Pretty snazzy. While I was at it, I grabbed an almost ubiquitous folding yardstick and what I thought was an old cloth tape measure.
Ah, but in a shocking turn of events, it turned out to be no ordinary tape measure at all! It is a COW tape measure. Simply by measuring the cow's girth with this amazing device, the farmer can calculate with some degree of accuracy the weight of the cow!
I think it's pretty clear with this acquisition that I am indeed destined to own livestock.
Before we discuss this object, I have a question: Do you ever go to a sale or an auction and find one absolutely great thing and then just relax? Because you know that whatever else happens, you've completely succeeded at this sale?
Because that's exactly how I felt when I snatched up this nursery set. Never used, in its original packaging.
I found one of these last year, not in its original packaging, and I would be embarrassed to tell you what someone was willing to pay for it. So when I found this one, I was at peace. No matter what else happened - no matter what crazy person was waiting on my doorstep when I got home, even if it was my evil twin - I would be OK. Because I had scored a mint-condition Sanitoy nursery set in pink.
I was so at peace that I took a leisurely second turn through the house and found a Gurleypalooza. With two early Gurley bunny candles that I've never seen, and big pilgrims still in their original cellophane.
Time for aprons:
Close to home: one apron.
No negative repercussions for signing up so late: another apron.
Fun stuff at change-back-from-a-$20-bill prices: apron! (Also bought three great pantry jars, currently being washed, and a beautiful length of seersucker floral-and-polka dot fabric, also being washed.)
Bovine accessory! Normally aprons are not awarded for a single low-value find, but how many cow tape measures can a girl expect to find in a lifetime?
Four aprons. Not bad. Especially since my evil twin was not sitting on my doorstep waiting for me when I arrived home.
What a start of the week! For me, that is. What is better than to read about your amazing finds at a sale. A cow tape measure?! Will I ever be happy (again) without one? To be continued.
Posted by: LiLi M. | June 06, 2011 at 02:35 AM
I don't see this show being cancelled any time soon!
Posted by: Tina | June 06, 2011 at 05:46 AM
The exact same thing happend to me with the measuring tape....when I unrolled it at home I started laughing out loud! I kind of like it, though I don't think any livestock is in my future!
Posted by: Kelly | June 06, 2011 at 07:58 AM
Was this on Halfway Rd.?!
Posted by: S~ | June 06, 2011 at 09:25 AM
"Gurleypalooza"? Ha, ha... I'm still laughing over this term.
Posted by: Kim | June 06, 2011 at 11:04 AM
What a great score! Of course, my favorite is the cow tape, followed closely by the metal hamper and the tomato pincushions. Somebody should bring back those pincushions -- adding the tape measure was such a great idea.
Barbara, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful estate/yard sale season!
Posted by: Martha | June 06, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Life's too short to be embarrassed......do tell. :-)
How does one identify an early Gurley without its cellophane?
I've spent the last 20 years attempting to extricate myself from soap operas. Other than a subterranean lifestyle, the options are limited.
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | June 06, 2011 at 11:59 AM
I will trade you some livestock for that Sanitoy nursery set.
Posted by: freckled hen | June 06, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Holy COW!
Posted by: Kathy | June 06, 2011 at 03:00 PM
I love to stop and see what great finds you have. You never fail me. These are fantastic. Cannot pick a favorite. Wonderful scores, stories and the like...thanks for sharing...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee Dahl | June 06, 2011 at 03:18 PM
I am glad the estate sale was the mental commercial break that you needed from your current soap opera situation. I hope the next episode gets better...
cow tape measure is awesome
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | June 06, 2011 at 03:44 PM
I grew up watching GH, and occasionally I'd see the others at my grandma's house, but never The Edge of Night. So glad that you got away for a bit. The thing with soap operas....the same story lines seem to play over and over and over again.
Love the metal basket. That's a good one!
Posted by: Lena | June 06, 2011 at 05:30 PM
You just put me in stitches! The good kind!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 06, 2011 at 06:22 PM
If I found that picnic tin in the first minutes of walking into a sale, I'd relax so much that you'd have to scrape me off the floor!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | June 06, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Dear B - the Estate Gods were smiling upon you - despite your rather cavalier remark to Mr. Oodles as you departed home (sniff). Tomatoe Tapes - sound cool to me LOL Jewels
Posted by: Julie | June 06, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Every weekday, 4:00 P.M., I watched The Edge of Night with my Grandmother...so you brought back fond memories for me, my friend! That nursery set is to die for. Have seen them on Ebay for way too much money, and never brand spanking new looking. The cow measuring tape is a new one for me. One never knows what you'll find...:)
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | June 07, 2011 at 11:05 AM
I'm trying to figure out if those are very large tomato pincushions or a very small picnic hamper. Or do I need to bump up my grocery store reading glasses to 1.75?
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 08, 2011 at 01:00 AM
The Edge of night rocked! Did you catch any of The Secret Storm? :) LOVE your humor!
Posted by: alice and jay | June 08, 2011 at 07:03 PM
SCORE-a-Palooza! Well done, Mrs. Karr!
xo
Pam
Posted by: one gal's trash | June 09, 2011 at 03:48 AM
My dear Aunt Alice and her best friend always watched Edge of Night to discuss. One afternoon, Alice got home from the grocery store to hear her phone ringing. Answering it, she heard Loretta wailing "Did you see, did you see? Jeff got hit by a car!" Since my aunt's youngest son was named Jeff, she nearly fell out. (Southern expression.) Of course, it was Edge of Night Jeff, not Cousin Jeff, who was the fatality. Great scores, Barbara!
Posted by: mary kay andrews | June 10, 2011 at 09:19 PM