Monday, May 18, 2009

Garage Sale Profits

You might think from the title of this post that I'd discuss how much money we made at our weekend garage sale. But the money is secondary. Selling our things will allow us to cover a few of the extra expenses we are incurring because of this move, but the real benefits are other than monetary.

We relieved our life of things, some things that weighed us down and others that we loved but will now find a new loving home with others.

One gentleman came and was selecting many of our educational toys and puzzles. I got him a box to put them in, and he told me he works with special needs children in Patterson. I talked with him for a while and know that the items he selected and additional ones I through in will be used well.

A young mom came with her two boys who looked about 7 and 9. They took a few toys, but the mom loved the old metal big wheel that I had as a kid and my kids loved too. It is rusted now and the seat cushion is gone, but it can get going so fast and spin until a kid is so dizzy. The mom got right in it and rode it around. I could tell she loved it. It made it a lot easier to let it go.

At the end of the sale, the art easel my dad made for Jack when he was 2 or 3 was still on the driveway. My kids loved it but hadn't used it for a while. I was unwilling to let it go for only $5 or $10. My feelings about connections to my dad are complex. But I knew that the library was looking for a donated easel for their children's summer programs. I called them right away, and brought it over. I left it there with a note on the chalkboard thanking the librarians who have helped steer me to great books and great authors for my kids and the kids I read to in the school library.

An older man came and asked if we had any lawn equipment. It wasn't long before he came back with his son (a landscaper) who wanted our mower. He gave us a deposit and came back the next morning with the rest of the money and a truck to take it away. He was heading right to work with it. He got a great deal and part of it was that he will come back and mow our lawn until we move. We took a gamble to allow him to take it before we left, and I hope our trust is not abused. I want to be trusting, I don't want to get more cynical. I don't want to hold back out of fear.

Moving toward the new, embracing this move, taking chances on making an offer on the Wayland house before we got a firm offer on this one; these are all things that I'm working on. I'm trying to focus on positive thoughts and work toward a good future for all of us.

1 comment:

Chiot's Run said...

It is sad sometimes to get rid of things, but also liberating, especially if you know they're going to be used.