today was a big day, a perfect day to end a big week-

woken up at 730 by my dear friend screaming that it was GARAGE SALE TIME!
and some nonsense that i’ve now forgotten – put away and wish to never remember.
almost two hours later the adventure began.
first- bank, cash check. done.
second find these garage sales that d had written directions to on a small legal pad of yellow paper.
simple enough.
BUT to our dismay, garage sales don’t happen when it’s raining, it wasn’t – but the past two days have been flooded with nonstop drizzle and ugh.

so- first one, cancelled – no sign of apology or keep away, but we pressed on.
the second was awkward and in a tiny living room- where the ‘salesperson’ kept insisting that there were so many good finds, there weren’t but i walked away with a snail brooch that i will wear with pride and love til i inevitably lose it.
we continue down to south austin – next garage sale- no where in sight- no sign saying cancelled, postponed or simply “sorry”

we were not discouraged, yet.

fourth try, we headed to east austin- RAIN OR SHINE this ad said, but it should have said “RAIN OR SHINE, the stuff we’re selling will still SUCK”

THEN we decided to head to the blue hanger – a huge warehouse full of bins of clothes, clothes that were unloved at the ‘regular’ goodwill stores, and thrown into bins in east austin, where people now fight for them- at 1.49 an article.

so, today i started my christmas sweater collection that i’ve always/never wanted.

it was a weird situation to walk into- people lined up, some bins were full, some where empty – but there was this weird feeling that something was about to happen- i had no idea.

this is how i remember it:
from the warehouse doors, blue bins come out, one after another- clothes are throw into the wooden containers- blue bins return to their home and a buzzer goes off- GO! the people who just seemed to be waiting for nothing RUN to the newly dispersed clothes and go at it! rummaging through the clothes, filling carts, fabric seems to be flying!
amazed.

i was afraid of being trampled or engaging in some battle over a sweater- each person pulling at a sleeve- and finally giving up when the sweater rips or a new garment catches my eye. not worth it.

we ended up doing it AGAIN at the ‘tech’ warehouse- full of nonsense junk & toys- this time we took part in the buzzer run- people are ruthless! but i claimed a fabulous framed mirror that everyone seemed to pass over, lucky me! this time the items were weighed – 1.49/lb.

so many great deals today.
spent 80 bucks (also including a trip to a store, where the clothes were new)
came home with:
8 new tops
3 skirts
5 christmas sweaters
2 mirrors
not bad- i say.

today’s lesson- i don’t want to shop at another goodwill warehouse for a few months, if ever. but it was a great observation experience – people are crazy, and i remember now why i keep my distance.