Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Thursday, April 7, 2011

Spring Treasure Hunt



While we all continue our spring cleaning or in Jewish tradition the leaven removed from your house, we start to toss out things that aren't needed.  Spiritually looking to remove the leaven (sin) in our life is a good place to start, but physically we also clean out the extra items around our houses.

May of these items becomes someone else's treasures.  So Friday my husband and I went to visit a few garage sales.  This is they type of garage sale hunter I am -

  • I drive by first to see if anything looks promising from the safety of my car
  • If I see all baby items I drive to the next destination...making it a challenge to see how many garage sales I can go by in the shortest amount of time
  • I don't talk to the people...yes I am very anti-social...I am out for the hunt, not a new friendship - keep head down
  • I move through the garage sale at record speed, finding any treasures in just seconds
  • I don't bargain with the people
Now when I go with my husband I must put all my strategies away.  Here is how he conquerors garage sales -

  • This is a venue for meeting people - he will talk to everyone and have their life's  stories in just a few minutes.  By the time he in the middle of his conversation I have already retreated to the car.  Stashed in the car are my Starbucks Chia Tea and a book...making the wait bearable
  • He will look at everything, pick up, ask questions
  • Finalizing his final decisions (mine have already been made and pointed out to him) he will start his negotiations - remember the garage sale owners are now his newest best friends
  • He will return to the car with his treasures - we will move forward, only getting to about half the number of garage sale viewings I would have in the same amount of time
So on Friday I had the delight of my husband accompanying me to some of the treasured garages sales produced after spring cleaning.  With him by my side I have to dump my strategies and use his assets.  He returned to the car with stories to tell and bargain treasures for his wife.

My Simple Pleasures this Week.....My Garage Sale Treasures
Two Vintage Tablecloths and 16 napkins...both cloths because I needed the napkins.
My Garage Sale Hero - asking $18.00 he negotiated for $10.00
Two night stand lamps.  The marble matches the tops of my dresser.  The antique brass leaves match the glass on the dresser, side tables and armoire.
Both lamps, without shades, which I will design myself - Bargain $5.00 total for two

A Friday morning of treasure hunting with my Hubby - Priceless - A Pure Simple Pleasure.




Project Simple Pleasures2

40 Joining in with more words:

Vee said...

It appears that your hubby's strategies work very, very well. All of your items are wonderful, but I'm simply loving the tablecloth and napkins. Will that be on your Easter table?

Sue said...

Two thoughts, I think your dh and mine just might be twins, and the next time Missy you better not leave me at home, lol Love the treasure Janette, enjoy your day.
Hugs,
Sue

Karen said...

I had to chuckle at how different your strategies are. I will say that I probably am most like you when it comes to yardsaling. But, your hubby sure did get you some nice deals. Hey, any tips on how to get my husband to go to yard sales with me??

Debbie said...

Oh my this is exactly the way my hubbie and I do shopping (garage sales or any) hahaha....you got some real finds. Love the tablecloth...soo pretty and different. Have a wonderful day! HUGS

Christine said...

I laughed all through your post. My husband was in the same room, asking what was so funny.
Your husband and mine are cut from the same cloth! And I "hunt" also!

I enjoy Spring Treasure Hunting with my husband, also.

Great simple pleasure!

Diana Ferguson said...

I could go with you, but not hubby. I like to get in and out, too!!

Lorie said...

Great finds!

My hubby won't go near a yard sale unless there is a big sing that says "TOOLS."

That is awesome you got to spend a great day with your man.

Blessings

Mary said...

Love your newfound treasures. My sweet husband would join me to please me, but yard sales are not among his favorite things to do.

Miss Janet said...

I love it when things come together so well! That matches great!

May I ask? How do you design the lamp shades yourself? Do you make them?

Yesterday, I bought 2 lamps for my new (rental) house. No shades.

Thanks,

Janet

www.homeward4.blogspot.com

Lisa said...

What a great haul! Love the tablecloths and napkins and your lamps are perfect!

Cindy said...

Those are great bargains! I avoid garage sales - both doing them myself and visiting them.

no spring chicken said...

Ooh, Aah... What treasures. I had to laugh. My husband and I yard sale in almost the exact same fashion. The ONLY difference is that I am the one insisting on the coffee!

Blessings, Debbie

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

HA! Loved this. I wish my husband had the "garage sale" gene.

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

so funny! My hubby also loves to visit, but he also hunts! His hunt differs from mine, he likes cowboy, tools, early west. I like 'other'...but Canton is our best hunting ground!

Farm Girl said...

Wow how nice, I really like your treasures. Thank you so much for your comment. I just wanted you to know she went into labor this morning, naturally. :) I will let you know.

Theresa said...

Really, that sounds like you are describing my husband :)
So funny!

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

oooohhhh... loved that tablecloth set. Elegante!

Sandy said...

You and your husband sound just like
me and my husband! I prefer to go alone or with one of my best girl friends.
You found some great things though.

Kay K said...

My husband is the same way. You have some great finds thanks for a wonderful pleasure

moreofhim said...

Oh, my gosh! I was laughing the whole time at your strategies for yard sales as opposed to your hubby's. It's EXACTLY the same with my hubby and me. LOL

I love your finds...and the prices were amazing! You did good! Enjoy your new treasures. :)

God bless you - Julie

Debbie said...

I'm sort of a combination of you and your husband. I am very social, but I do not negotiate well.

I love..lovelovelovelovelove that table linen. I'm picturing a beautiful table in my head already.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

haha. the differences between you and your hubby...loved reading it and your finds...beautiful.. And me too...love the hunt for garage sale treasures. Can't wait until they start up here. ☺☺

Anonymous said...

Janette,

LOL! I don't think that you and I could go shopping together. LOL! :)

I found it interesting to read how the both of you (you and Dear Hubby) approach buying at garage sales. My husband tends to have the "patience of Job," so I think I would probably be joining you in the car with the tea and a good book. :) In other words, I don't have time to do "all that stuff" either, tee hee! :)

But, it looks like you found some great items! I like the table cloth with the matching napkins the best - nice! They look very fancy and elegant.

I enjoyed this post. It made me laugh and put a smile on my face. :)

-LR

Unknown said...

I love how you called them his assets! Lovely! Also, I'm the same as you and love chai tea!

Gwen T said...

How fun to read about your approach to garage sales! We haven't seen many so far here in Dallas, but you've whet my appetite! :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Love that you and your hubbie have different garage sale styles! That is what makes garage sales so much fun...everyone is different and has a different approach! I will start cleaning out my house as soon as the weather cooperates! I want to see almost nothing that needs to be dusted in my house! LOL!

~Jean

Leontien said...

haha i love the different strategies you and your husband have! We would be just the other way arround!

Thanks
LEONTIEN

Tanna said...

Oh, Janette, my style of garage shopping is just like yours! I had to laugh at the polar opposite we are to people like your husband. His negotiating skills are a nice asset! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Fun finds & a fun time with your hubby♥

Trish said...

Looks like you make a great team!!
I love the bedside lamps - they're very pretty!
You did well..and your hubby too of course!
blessings..Trish

Lemon Lane Studio said...

Wow, you found some great treasures. You have to admit you make a great team!

Finding Joy said...

What bargains. I LOVE looking for bargains and get very excited when I find one or some. My hubbie doesn't like shopping, so I do these things on my own or with one of my sons.

Bethany said...

Beautiful finds! I love them all. Your hubby has a good stategy, although I totally relate to yours!!

Rachel @ Finding Joy said...

I love garage sales! I'm not a barterer either. I just see what I need and maybe think I need. I'm a drive byer as well.

Blessings!

Amy said...

I love it! I garage sale the same way you do! Sounds like a great senario of marriage. Thank you for the lesson this morning. You both meet in the middle even in garage sale personalities and keep loving each other! Blessings and I love the table cloth and napkins. Amy

La Vie Quotidienne said...

What a nice way to spend some time with your husband, plus pick up some great buys. Sounds like lots of fun! Have a great day!

corners of my life said...

Such a familiar story. Sometimes it's just easier to sneak out and leave my husband home. Thanks for sharing.

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Beautiful bargains and a fun day! I wish my hubby were more like yours... He's not a yard sale fan but will go to a good country auction with me - especially if there are tractors and equipment to admire! ;-)
hugs,
Leslie

Sharon said...

It's a good thing I don't go out with your husband on these garage sales - we'd never get past the first house!! We'd have to take Mr. and Mrs. "All-Business" along for the ride (you and my husband!!)

What fun - and what bargains you found! Gosh, the lamps totally matched your end tables!! Don't you just love when that happens??

Simple pleasures - one of mine today was going (vicariously) with you guys on your treasure hunt!!

Jessica Heights said...

You found some lovely things...good for your hubby!

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