We are frantically getting ready for a garage sale at our house. And since it looks like we are going to need a canoe to get around in our part of the country this weekend, I figured it would be a good time to stay in and finish up the pricing, sorting, and cleaning that a garage sale requires. I have been collecting "garage sale items" in my trusty plastic containers for more than a year, and I am ready to get rid of the junk!! Err--not junk, really. Just lovely, clean, gently-used items at a great price! Of course, I'm hoping that my "junque" (looks better with the "fancy" spelling!) will be some poor soul's treasure, and he will take it away and live happily ever after! However, the fact that the kids are still home hasn't really helped my pricing/sorting process. Each time I pull something out of a box--something that has not been thought about, looked at, or played with for more than a year, mind you---one child or another squeals "You can't sell that! THAT'S my favorite!" Hello?? Your favorite??? You forgot you even owned it!!!
To date, we have gone through more than one hundred Ziploc bags of various sizes, as I attempt to organize pieces and parts of various "favorite" toys so that some smart shopper will see the true value of my "junque". In some ways, it's sad to part with the Fisher Price farm and the Little Tikes guitar that Sawyer got when he was potty trained. But I have to admit I am truly NOT sorry to part with a gazillion beanie babies, which I raced all over Grand Rapids like a madwoman to buy, and more Veggie Tales video tapes that I care to count or ever hear again!! Those days, thankfully, are now behind me. We've moved on to more "mature" viewing choices, like SpongeBob Squarepants and Scooby-Doo.
As I clean, sort, and price, my feelings have vascillated between "Yeah we are going to make LOTS of money!" and "This is ridiculous, I'm just calling the Salvation Army!" I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment, that and I want to earn every cent I can out of those "favorite" toys and truly earn my reputation as "the meanest mom on earth" for making them get rid of anything in the first place!
Lastly, my cleaning tip for the day: those of you who have the misfortune of not yet being acquainted with the amazing cleaning qualities of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, need to go get one!!! Do not pass "Go"! Do not collect $200. Go now!! They can clean anything! They truly are MAGICAL!! So, if you're in town on September 16, which is going to be a beautiful, cool, late-summer day, please stop in, look around, and make some of our "trash" your treasure.
2 comments:
you CAN'T sell the Fisher Price Farm...that's a classic you keep for when the GRANDKIDS come over to play! sounds silly but you know that I have a box of favorite, old classics in my trusty rubbermaid bin in the basement for just that purpose! and just FYI, I am NOT coming to your garage sale, esp with my kids, since we've already reaped the benefits of your garage sale preparations!
SpongeBob Squarepants? I would put that in the trash pile.
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