Friday, December 28, 2018

One More


Hooray! One last sale to go to in 2018!

Okay, it wasn’t actually much of an estate sale. I overheard one of the family running it tell someone it was the fourth sale they had held, which explained the largely empty rooms. I offered them three bucks for the three items I found which they took so fast I wished I had offered two!

I started upstairs, where I had to use the flashlight on my phone to get around. There must not have been a light bulb stronger than 20 watts anywhere in the house. My first find was just a whim.



I love the design of the embroidered patch, and for something with a date of 1954 it looks brand new. Half the fun of bringing stuff like this home is what you find out afterwards. Camp Pioneer, a Boy Scout camp about 2½ hours east of Salem, was founded in 1936 – and it's still there!

At first I thought this was a triangular head scarf, but now I realize it must have been a neckerchief.


There were any number of wool scarves in the various rooms; I think at least some of them were Pendletons, though none had a label. I resisted all (my scarf collection has gotten prodigious) until I came across this lined wool stole. 


It's about 7 feet long and possibly homemade; the side seams are machine sewn but both ends are hand stitched. I think what really got me to bring it home is the hand-knotted fringe. I'm always a sucker for a good detail.

Back downstairs, I came across what I assumed is a twin-size bedspread. I fell hard for the fabric.


When I tried it on a twin bed at home, I saw it's really an odd size. Very long, but not wide enough to hang over the sides very far. But in perfect condition. Maybe I'll drape it over the sofa or something. Or just hang it on a wall as art. And both sides are nice!


I met up with my buddy Judy while I was there, and we went out for a bit of breakfast afterward. We had a good chat (haven’t seen each other for a few weeks, those pesky holidays got in the way) and as we headed to our cars she remarked that it had made her feel so much better to have a sale to go to. We had to laugh at ourselves, because it's so true. We really don’t care if we find anything to buy (though it's great when we do). It's that lovely anticipation when you start out, having no idea what the day will bring.

I am wondering why I don’t bring that same anticipation to every day. After all, we never know what will come down the pike on any given day. We think we know, and of course lots of days go as expected. But certainly not all.

Ah, but here’s the difference. Going to all these sales rarely includes anything really negative. About the worst that happens is you encounter someone who is rude or unpleasant, or you buy something you regret. But you’re unlikely to have to deal with that unpleasant person ever again, and you probably spent so little on that unneeded item that your regret is minimal. And the good encounters and fabulous deals far outweigh the bad.

So maybe I should bring that attitude more into everyday life – view the unpleasant parts as not very important, and focus on the good parts. A good plan for a new year.

Or – maybe I should go thrifting every day?

14 comments:

  1. good to see you blogging again. i missed you. i love your blog. here's to good thrifting in the new year

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  2. K & I remarked that last Friday/Saturday were the first days in we don't how long that we haven't gone to at least one sale. I think we were both a bit at odds but we managed to fill the time, mostly with sitting in front of the gas fire stove. :-)

    Every day we try to think "Every day is a good day."--unless one is ill, then it's not great but it could be worse.

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  3. I have missed you!! Thank you for a thrifting update and wisdom for the New Year. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Definitely a good attitude to bring to everyday!

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  5. I missed reading your blog and love the wonderful thrifting finds! Great attitude to adopt...Happy New Year from Canada!

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  6. Agreed! I missed you too...looking forward to reading about your adventures next year

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  7. Add me to the "Missed You!" list. Scarves are one of my downfalls too, along with tote bags and nice pens and wine. ;)

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  8. I love the spread. Maybe it's for a day bed? I can add one more negative to the possibilities at a sale: as you walk towards the entrance, you see someone coming out carrying the one thing you've always wanted! Happy new year!

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  9. I wish I could go thrifting everyday! But I stop by the friendship shed a couple of times a week to see if there is something interesting or to bring things I don't need anymore!

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  10. Glad to see you back! Sweet finds.

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  11. Your textile appears to have been woven on a loom , the colors reverse on opposite sides. My grandmother had several heirloom textile pieces. A true treasure. Beautiful Pearl

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  12. I love that spread, it is so pretty. I find that I'm really looking at 'things I enjoy doing' as the year ends and another begins. I want to be more purposeful in my life. It's good to have a clean slate!

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  13. We had a fishing resort and many beautiful sheets/bedspreads came with it. None of them seemed to fit so I used colored sheets that would blend/match...and either gather them slightly...or pleat them...and sew on the two sides that were too short...providing both the sheet/spread...and a pretty cover for the mattress/boxspring/frame...and made the beds look beautiful...and done with little to no expense!! Washable of course...and many women who stayed at the resort took my idea home with them!!

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  14. I just popped in to see if you had posted anything...and you're back! YAY! Changes sometimes stink, I hope you are well, and figuring stuff out, and super happy to see you blogging again. Miss seeing you at my yard sales in Huntington Beach.

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I really love your comments. Thanks for coming along on my thrifty adventures!

 
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