Saturday, May 5, 2012

Why I Didn't Get The Worm

OK, I'm just a little bit peeved. 
I thought I might go ahead and let 'r rip about it, too. 

I've been doing the garage sale thing this morning. And no, I didn't get what I set out to get. Yet again, the early birds got my worm. That's the reason that I don't do garage sales. I'm too much of a rule follower, you see. Maybe it's an occupational hazard from my years in the classroom, but I like all the little boys and girls to follow the rules. Garage Sale People clearly got a lot of "N's" in that category.

I've yakked about my distaste for early birds before. It's not just about the inconvenience they cause those setting up the sale. It's the rudeness toward other would-be buyers who still believe that rules mean something.  Early birds teach the world that they don't.

Apparently, the world is learning. If you don't know that, you haven't been to a garage sale lately.

Currently, however, I'm in the need want of a set of bookcases so I'm stepping back into Crazy Land to try to find some.

I saw this ad in the local newspaper.


Now, am I illiterate, or does that plainly say, 
No Early Birds

Why yes, it does, and that's the kind I like. One can clearly follow the rules and not worry about line cutters and gate crashers with no consideration for fair play. Clearly, I thought, these bookcases were predestined  for Debbie.

So...

I got up early, grabbed some magazines, and ventured over to wait in the car for this nice little No Early Bird  sale to begin.

And do you know what I found when I got there?

Cars lining the street and Garage Sale People headed away from the house, arms laden with  treasure! As you might suspect, one such treasure was the set of bookcases. I never even had a chance.

I asked the owner what had happened, and he said that they were lined up a good hour in advance of the sale.He said he just couldn't keep them out. Personally, I think he could have. The sale was mostly inside.

I probably wouldn't be so peeved if this were not my second such misadventure in a week's time. Last week, it was an estate sale.  They had advertised hours but said that they would be handing out numbers to get into the door early that morning.

I liked their style too.  No pushing, no shoving, no cheating, just a bunch of orderly people waiting in line by the number.  

Since I wanted to get a good number, I got up early and went cup in hand to vie for position. There was a small crowd waiting with me so I got to make some friends, too. At the  appointed time, Willy Wonka stepped out of the Chocolate Factory to give us our golden tickets.

I got #5.

I had just enough time to come home for liquid reinforcement before heading back to be in my #5 position before the sale was set to begin.

I didn't worry when I turned the lane to the estate house and had to park behind dozens of cars lining the street. I didn't even worry when I saw that a line had formed by the door. I was #5 after all. Plus, I had made friends with numbers 1-4, and they weren't there for bookshelves.

I did begin to worry when I discovered that the line was moving. Apparently, they were letting folks in before the official gate time.

Seriously?

I admit it. I ran. I'm not sure, but I think I might have waved my little red ticket in the air and shouted  "Number 5! Number 5!" as I was running.

No one listened of course. They were too busy shoving themselves through the doors ahead of me. Finally, the owner came out, stopped the flow, and asked if anyone out there had a number.

I was the only one who did.

He apologized. Apparently, the Johnny Come Earlies had just opened the door and crashed the gate. Well, why not? Everyone else lets them do it. By the time I got in the door, there were no bookcases to be had.

But wait!
 The cup's half full!

I did manage to get a few other things in my misadventures. 
 They're auditioning for starring roles in upcoming blog posts.


This one will either be called,
 The Twins Go To Washington
or
More Crazy Aunts in the Attic.


We shall see.

You can see that it hasn't been a complete waste of time. I really do believe that if God thinks I need something, I'll find it, and the early birds won't be able to stand in the way. God is bigger than any old early bird.

And apparently, God thinks that what I need around here are a few more whimsical dishes and vintage linens. 


So what about you?
 Do you enjoy the thrill of the garage sale hunt? 
By the way,  if you're an early bird, please don't tell me.
 I'll never know.
But hands off the bookcases, OK?

41 comments:

Terra said...

Debbie, this post was fun to read; and you did get some neat treasures. I like the bowls that look like oranges sliced in half. Your book shelves will appear, I am sure, since you are so good to follow the no early birds rule, you will be rewarded :)

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I'm so sorry about your misadventures! Just isn't right... I do, however, think the twins will enjoy Washington after you work your magic on them. And I'll look forward to seeing the linens and dishes in future tablescapes. As for the bookcases, I hope you find some at a great price very soon!

Barbara F. said...

Next time, I would have my "liquid reinforcement" with me. I have had my own yard sales and people were grabbing things out of my hand, they also wanted items marked "25 cents" for a dime; and I also have been to a few, and I am never there early, mostly because I like to sleep in! Your expectations for mere mortals are too high, Debbie. Sad to say it,but it's true. xo

Debbie said...

Oh Debbie as usual I feel like this could have been written by me! I feel EXACTLY the same way. WHY oh WHY do people have such a hard time following the simplest of rules...NO EARLY BIRDS!!! It's like parents that set down rules for their kids, but really have no intention of actually following through. Soo frustrating. I could just see me running with my ticket saying, "I am #5!!" haha...Good luck on the hunt for the bookcases, but looks like you got some other treasures too. zHope your day is going well! HUGS

Donna said...

Debbie,
So sorry about your missed bookcases. So unfair. I can never get up early enough to get the good stuff. I'm for sure NOT an "early bird"
But I do like the things you did get.
I know they will be cute.
D

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Okay from another "rule follower" who would have waited in the car until the correct time...I get this. But look you were successful. I have spent gas and time for the last two weekends going to subdivisions that have announced, on bold banners, community garage sales....and no one participated!!! I wanted to ask for the community to pay for my gas they wasted!

I do have to say, we found a wonderful piece a couple of weeks ago for our backyard...will be posting it soon.

I love what you found and I think God looked down and blessed His "rule keeper"

I can't wait to see what you do with them...looks like some wonderful new pieces are coming with your talent

Maryann said...

We do enjoy yard sales and no we are not one of those "early birds" We used to have yard sales on occassion but the "early birds" and other rude people have deterred us from doing it anymore (nothing worse than trying to set up with people showing up and going through boxes that haven't even been unpacked yet) Now if we have anything we want to get rid of that has value we do Craigs List. Happy Hunting, I know you'll find those bookcases soon.

Lynn said...

Lovin' your new tablecloths! I'll stop at big community yard sales/flea markets if I see them, but don't go out looking for them. I do hit the Salvation Army a couple times a month... just in case there's something there I can't live without:@)

Denise said...

I don't go to yard sales much, but I do follow rules MUCH. So sorry for the rude people you encountered but hopefully those bookcases will turn up somewhere. Can't wait to see what you do with all your treasures--especially the twins and those WONDERFUL tablecloths.

Chatty Crone said...

First of all you did get some nice things. Looks like a great sale.

Now you and I are alike. If the sale starts at 8 it should start at 8. No early birds means no early birds. I mean why say it if it is not going to be true.

A pet peeve of mine.

Love, sandie

Christa said...

This was funny. I love yard sales, but I could never understand why people would get up at the crack of dawn to buy second-hand junk. I understand it now...but I'm still not going to do it, too. I'll just sleep in and take my chances.

You found some good stuff!
Christa

Denise said...

This made me smile. I use to go yard saling with my sweet momma, miss those times.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Okay Debbie do-good... Sonja the serious shopper is lined up in your corner griping about the same thing! I don't even stop anymore... when I do, they have already slapped SOLD tickets on everything worth having.

I do, however, wait expectantly to see what you do with the 'twins', as I inherited the triplet to those 2, and am trying to decide what to do with it in the guest bedroom!

I also can't wait to see how God leads you to the right bookcases. I'm still of the school that finds herself praying for parking spots, so bookcases should be a snap!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

This post makes me miss garage saleing less than I did about ten minutes ago. Grrrr is how I feel about Early Birds. Should call 'em Makes 'Er Angry Birds.

I've HAD yard sales where they even started walking off with a box full of stuff they hadn't yet paid for... and fighting over a rolling microwave cart-- two pushing it out of the driveway. I needed King Solomon there to say, "OK, we're cutting it in half."

Perhaps you could do Craig's List? But hey, is that really as, *ahem* "fun?"

Gaby said...

Sorry we are all enjoying your pain but you do such a good job writing about it that it's hard to not take some pleasure in your misadventures, if nothing else, for the sake of a good post! Nope, no yard sales for me. I have neither the eye nor the desire to buy a fixer-upper. You've got all the talent.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I do love a good yard sale, and do despise those pesky early birds. But I love your finds. All is not lost.

Tanna said...

Girl, I am with you 100%!! I like for everyone to follow the rules. If you don't like the rules, work to get them changed, but for the meantime, FOLLOW them!! Grrrrr! Sorry about your bookcases, but I am sure something better is in store. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing these treasures in future posts. ;) blessings ~ tanna

corners of my life said...

All great buys despite the misadventures . . .

Sue said...

Debbie ~ it IS the teacher in us ~ I wish you had been at E's kindergarten graduation and witnessed the incredibly rude parents that insisted on hooting and hollering at their little darlings, and talk so loudly the rest of the time that we couldn't hear a thing. All this after being told by the PRINCIPAL that we were to hold applause and be quiet. You would have gotten the best blog post about that!

You scored some great things and your bookcases are out there ~ can't wait to see what you do with your finds.
Keep the adventures coming, they are such fun to read about.

Christine said...

Garage Sales... love'em & hate them. All for the same reasons as you. You know how to to be steadfast.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Oh Mercy! I would have been a bit peeved myself, especially about the estate sale. For pete's sake! Why in the world would they let those people in? I don't think we have many of those around here but then again I haven't been to any lately. Maybe things have changed and more and more people are scrambling for a bargain. I do like you purchases, especially those cute fruit bowls! Have a blessed Sunday!

Sooner Laura said...

I with you on the whole early bird thing. I dislike it when I'm shopping sales and when I'm having a sale. Yesterday my neighbor was having a sale and asked if I had anything to put in - my pile has been threatening to push a car out of the garage so I haul it all over to her house. We had almost no shoppers and I made 60 bucks. Not worth the effort! But there is a silver lining in my story too. Tomorrow a charity will come by and take away my stuff and I'll have all that space it was cluttering up empty again. One more step in moving forward with getting rid of stuff we don't use or like from our home. Hope you find some great bookcases soon.

Robin said...

Only thing worse than going to a garage sale is having one! I'm not a morning person so if I had your experiences I would be twice as mad! I try to avoid them but when I see bowls like you got (so cute!) it makes me want to go back out there again.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

No I don't do garage sales because I don't like getting up and out so early on a weekend. I only go when they're in my neighborhood and I'm driving by (on my way to somewhere else).

I dislike early birds when I'm having a garage sale (which I also don't enjoy except when neighbors stop by and I get to chat with them).

You got some good things there!

Sue said...

okay! I have stopped long enough to respond! I am to chicken to get involved, because I play by the rules and would be right where you were, wondering why everybody else doesn't.So glad you got some good stuff, looking forward to seeing what you do with your treasures.
Enjoy your day.
Sue

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

I am just like you ... try to play by the rules. We were taught better and WE have manners. Unfortunately what that gets us is last. BUT then again I am like you in that I believe if it's supposed to be mine then I WILL get it. And oh I can think of so many wonderful things I have been blessed to get and for next to nuthin' too. Alll that and maybe we should decide that when they say 'no early birds" they don't really mean it. :))

Unknown said...

When we had the estate sale at my Mom's house, we had people lined up in the DARK and the RAIN at 6 a.m. I knew they would come earlier than our advertised 7:00 start, but seriously?
Lucy and Dufus hid in the hallway until 7. They were a little afraid to open early. Especially when the other helpers were LATE.
We did have a guy come 2 days early and we told him if he gave us $3000 for the lot, he could have it. Well, Lucy and Dufus agreed. The other sister was madder than a wet cat.
She was fine after the guy declined....
Good luck next weekend
xo
lynn
p.s. do you have a craigslist in your area?

Kathleen said...

I am so with you! It goes back to manners. Would they show up at someone's home for a dinner party an hour early?
I rarely go to yard sales, I am not an early riser! I have never had one, though I have gone in on a neighbor's.
I donate a lot to charity, I just can't bear the idea of dealing with rude people.
I am saying a prayer to St. Anthony , he helps find things!
BTW, the flowers were 2 pots for 10.99, pretty good esp in New Yawk! ;)

Knitty said...

I completely agree! I rarely go to garage sales because I have too much stuff already. When my son had one last fall, I warned him and my daughter-in-law, but I don't think they really believed me. They lived through it, but they may never have another one.

Renée said...

Looks like you made a haul to me! I'm not into garage selling, going or having, early or late I loose. I should post what I do for taxes...in the long run, I think I benefit all around!

Decor To Adore said...

Preach it sister! I have given up on garage sales. I do go to estate sales but only on the second day. (It's half off then too. :)
Craigslist is my favorite for specific items.
Many times I just wait and am rewarded for patience in Goodwill.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I have gotten many good items at yard sales before...I am sure you will make these items into gorgeous treasures!

Ann said...

I would have passed up the orange bowls .... and everything else actually. I'm not a fan of the yard/garage sale for the very reasons you've stated.

But now, I'm anxious to see what beautiful table scape you make with the linens and orange bowls, and how wonderful those night tables will look under your gifted hand before being taken to DC for their new home.

Cheers!

FrouFrouBritches said...

I loathe the early birds!!! ugh! So rude! Didn't we learn not to break in line in Kindergarten? Come on people!

Glad you found some treasures though. I love the vintage linens!!! Gorgeous! The furniture is great too. Can't wait to read all about it!

Always Nesting said...

Now why my mind go to a bottle of Tequilla first, before reading the post??? Must be cuz I'm Hispanic and you know how we love our Margaritas :) Actually, I really do hate tequilla (it's a bad story culminating in a very sick Marla)

I LOVE those vintage linens. And in RED!!!!!!! I can totally picture you running with your number. That's hilarious.

Diane said...

God is bigger than an early bird? Now, that is a quote to remember - lol!! I cannot wait to see what you will do with those finds!!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh darlin', ya may of missed the bookcases but ye ended up with some mighty fine treasures!!!

I love your vintage orange slice bowls. Cute!

I have faith you'll buy the bookcase of your dreams sweetie!

God bless and have a magnificent day!!! :o)

Denise at Forest Manor said...

I agree with you, Debbie. Our country seems to be suffering a breakdown of sorts, resulting in bad manners, amongst other things. It's so disheartening at times.

On the bright side, I love your bowls and vintage table linens. My mom has several tablecloths like that, and I just love them.

Have a great week!

Denise

elizabeth said...

I wish you lived nearby. I'm selling all my home office furniture including two large bookshelves!
I do like the treasures you did find!

Debbiedoos said...

You did wind up with some good loot. I remember your little story about early birds. I just can't do garage sales that early, no way no how would I. Of course, I never get the good stuff either though.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You are a girl after my heart. This is a pet peeve of mine too. I've had yard sales when people knocked on my door the night before the sale! I didn't let them shop. I have also attended yard sales that advertised no early birds, and when I got there at opening time, people were walking away with their purchases. I've sat in my car mumbling to myself that I hope they get home and find that their purchase is broken and useless! I'm so bad. I'm sure the shelves that got away from you were not nearly as perfect as the ones you will find and bring home with you though. And you did find some treasures. I LOVE vintage linens and those bowls are great. Can't wait to see some tablescapes with your treasures and what you plan to do with your furniture buys. laurie

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