Yard saling around the 'hood.

[mojosmom]

I decided to go browse some yard sales today. I had three on my list, though it turned out that one was postponed due to "projected storms". I think they were confused because it's a beautiful day! I found a couple of nice quilted storage boxes, the kind that's good for sweaters and the like. I have some similar ones for shoe storage, and really need more, but can't find them anywhere. Mine have a clear plastic cover so you can a) see the shoes, and b) keep the dust out. Really practical; I don't know why no one seems to make them anymore. Also some Pyrex® custard cups that I use for a variety of small items, olives, baby dills, etc. But over the years I've broken all but one, so I was glad to pick up some more. And, as I am one of the few people I know who still wears gloves, I was happy to find a set of plastic glove dryers with a glove case.

One of these was "yard" sales was really an estate sale. Honestly, you go to one of these and you just want to go home and throw stuff out! This was a two-story townhouse with a basement, and I swear the woman had never thrown anything out. There were piles of unopened packages of hose, for instance. On the other hand, it's interesting how much you can learn about someone. She was a devout Catholic, cooked a lot, was a serious seamstress and gardener, and studied languages. She also had small feet and had lots of shoes!

Then there was the sale at the house with the tennis courts. Lots of kids stuff, so not much for me. When I left, the traffic flow and the direction I was parked meant that I had to go around the block to get back to 51st St. So I turned right on 50th, and right on Greenwood, and coming around the corner at 51st was a friggin' tour bus!!! I'm sure the neighbors are thrilled. Lots of squads and undercover cars and guys talking into their shoulders, too. I had figured that Barack was already in Springfield, and so it would be safe to go down his street, but I guess he hadn't left yet.

I stopped by O'Gara & Wilson's. According to their blog, the city is being pissy about the bargain book rack they keepkept on the sidewalk in front of the store, so they had to bring all the books inside. And Alan wrote about a copy of Beowulf illustrated by Lynd Ward for only $1.50! I went by on the chance that no one had snatched it up, but Alan couldn't find it. He's going to keep looking and let me know. There were, apparently, a whole slew of beautiful illustrated books on the bargain rack. He's going to put them in the window, but still at the bargain prices! I did pick up an old book on New Orleans, It's an Old New Orleans Custom, also from the bargain rack.

Now I'm doing boring household stuff like floors and laundry.

Comments

[islandmomma.livejournal.com]

These http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/C/organising/C/organising-shoe-storage don't sound nearly as elegant as the ones you describe, but do look as if they might do the job if you still need something? I have no idea if they ship international. There is one of these stores near to my dad's, and I always go to see what's new. Their stuff is very original and always good quality.

Thumbs down to the city for the books on the pavement. I LOVE sifting through those bargain racks. Bookcrosser buttonbright took me to wonderful store in Raleigh last year, which was a real treasure trove! Sadly, the books are still sitting in my son's living room. They were weigh too heavy for my luggage, so he posted them on. They went missing :=( but have just been returned to him :=)

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

I expect that, even if they did ship internationally, the shipping costs would make it not worth while. And it's not like I can't find shoe storage. I'm just fixated on exactly what I want, which means, naturally, that it doesn't exist. (Of course, if I weren't looking for it, this type would be all over the place!)

[islandmomma.livejournal.com]

LOL! But of course it doesn't! The English call that sod's law :=)

[mysterylady36.livejournal.com]

I would love to see a picture of your quilted storage boxes. I don't think I have ever seen anything like that.