The list of what could go wrong

Do you worry about everything? I do. Friday night, I was worried specifically about a sale I wanted to go to Saturday morning. Would I find it? Would I get there on time? How early should I get up? If I got up too early, would I be so tired the rest of the day I wouldn't get anything done? At 2:35 a.m. (by this point it was Saturday, not Friday) I worried that I wouldn't get any sleep at all. Then I realized that it was not 2:35 a.m. It was 12:35 a.m. (The clock is on the far side of the bed, and I hadn't craned my neck far enough around to see all four digits.) Suddenly all was right with the world, and I was about to get two hours of sleep I thought I had been robbed of.

I sprang out of bed (sort of) at 4:15 and headed to my destination. I had a full tank of gas. I had coffee. I had cash. I had a baggie full of Frosted Mini Wheats to munch on. I drove. I thought I found my destination. The sun had not yet come up, and I was in the country. I got out my flashlight and checked the house number. It seemed like the right place. But there was no sign to indicate that a sale would be held at that location. And no one else in sight.

I spent the next hour in a state of even greater anxiety. Did I have the wrong day? Was I positive this was the right spot? Why was no one else here? Would the state trooper who no doubt was being summoned at this very minute believe my story, that I was innocently sitting in a driveway thinking that an estate sale would occur? Should I start a list? If I started a list, would it be recognized as the Official List to Get Into the Sale, or would there be a dispute?

Another hour passed. The sun rose. I tried to read the book I brought, but I found it hard to concentrate. At 7:15, a van pulled up. It was not a state trooper. Just an ordinary kind of guy. 

"Is this where the estate sale is supposed to be?" he asked. I thought I might cry with relief. "Is there a list out?" he asked. I told him I had started one. "Well, you seem to know what you're doing," he said.

From there, it was easy. It was even fun. Other people showed up. They signed the list. The list I had started. My list! When the man running the sale showed up, he asked me to help hand out the numbers. Oh, the awesome responsibility of being Number One on the list!

Of course, the best part of being Number One is getting first crack at the good stuff.

Beautiful Fire King cups and saucers, and that set of pretty glasses (gone almost as quickly as I listed them) and a dozen Swanky Swigs, and some interesting vintage kitchenware.

A sturdy Hazel Atlas chopper, the ubiquitous folding yardstick, a nice Christmas tin.

 
This clever napkin holder that I'm selling even though I really don't want to.

The odd bits of Christmas. And (no pictures yet) a very cute toy that I'm still working on, and a shoebox full of buttons that I'm sorting through. And the one item that made me gulp when I looked at the price tag, then realized that if you're going to get up at 4:15, you'd better have something to show for it.

That would be this.

Actually. these. Which proved to be the perfect antidote for all of that pre-sale anxiety. What, me worry? I can't wait for next weekend.

 

Comments

[Kimberly Kenward]

You are one dedicated shopper and it really paid off. I'm glad all your anxiety produced so many lovely treasures. Good for you.

[Sheryl Remy]

You found some great treasures. I would never be the first in line. I can't seem to get up but it sure paid off for you.
Sheryl

[karen]

You are just like me....worryworryworry...
and if you don't know what to do worry!
Glad it turned out well, love your finds!
karen....

[Gina @ VintageJunkinMyTrunk]

If you sell that napkin holder to a friend you met at Bouckville, you will always know where it is and could come visit every now and then.

[Tina]

It is going to be a great year!

[Kathy]

You are my hero! I think I would probably have beaten a hasty retreat back home in hopes no one would discover I had gone to the wrong place.
Can't wait to see what you find in that shoebox of buttons so please do tell.

[nanette]

This is how much I know about estate sales. I didn't even know they had a list. I'm just like you though. When I have something important to do I get no sleep and worry worry worry. Good stuff, and worth it.

[Patrice]

Lucky Lucky You, glad it was worth it! I've never EVER been #1 on the list, or made the list. I have, however, gone on the wrong day. YOu know, when they post it TWO WEEKS early rather than the week before, on Craigs List??! Yep, that's me!

Glad it was worth it for you, can't wait to see the rest of the loot!

[Jennie]

The bowls are beautiful. Who makes them?

[Heather]

Oh I have been there!! Glad you brought home some sweet treasures!! xo Heather

[JKaye]

Hi. I grew up with a napkin holder just like that one, in green. It went on every family camping trip, and kept the paper napkins from blowing all over the state park campgrounds. My mom still has it, and we use it on her patio when we eat lunch outside. That red one is wanting to be equally useful, I can tell. Glad you were able to be so useful at the sale, too!

[jennifer]

omg-the set of tulip bowls! i've never seen them all together and in such good shape! lucky you! those little flowered teacups are adorable too!

[Kristy]

I love all of it. My grandma had that napkin holder, so that was a fun find for me to see!! Congrats,
Kristy

[Lisa W.]

Wow! That situation would have worried me a bit as well ! What fortitude ! Great story.