The Week in Junk: The Trailer House Sale

Saturday I went to an Estate Sale at an old trailer house.  It's only eight minutes from my house. They have been having sales there on a monthly basis for over a year.  The lady that lived there died a few years ago and the family is clearing out the trailer, house, outbuildings and a huge storage building.  Her children (who are in their 60's) refer to her as a hoarder.  I hate that word.  When I hear the word "hoarder" I think of a house filled up to the top where you can't even walk.  A house full of old cat food cans, empty pizza boxes and stacks of old newspapers.  I think of trash and dirt and unkempt spaces and smelly smells. This lady did have a lot of belongings, that I can't deny.  But it's all clean and well kept and there are little note in the books and pieces of papers pinned on doll's bloomers "From Aunt May, 1963".  She loved her things.  So, she kept them.  

Every sale looks the same.  Shelves lined up in front of the old trailer house filled up with what they think are the most valuable items.  They are still priced at $2.00 or less.  Then there is a line of old shopping carts in the yard filled with items usually priced 25¢ each.  Then a row of old cots covered with things.  Then a row of tables full of stuff.

Each sale usually has a little bit of everything, but then there are a few things that there are a TON of that thing.  One sale there were thousands of books - all in good condition - lined up on card tables that spread across the entire front lawn.  Books were "Fill a Bag for $1.00".  And, because she was a "hoarder" they had a nice supply of the old brown paper grocery bags- the big ones with handles - and that is what you filled up for $1.00.  Another time there were tarps spread over half the yard and it was strewn with small plastic toys - army men, fisher price toys, old squeak toys, Happy Meal toys and on and on.  There was a roll of produce bags and you could fill up a bag full for 25¢.  I filled up nine bags at that sale.  If it looks interesting or worth grabbing, I throw it into a sack.  I do end up donating a lot of it back.  But it's so cheap, it's not a big deal.  I honestly don't think I have ever seen any one item at any of the sales for more than $2.00.

 This time the theme was Toys & Dolls.  Lots of toys and dolls.  First I look for anything old.  That's my jam.  :)

These things were on the "special" shelves.  Three Annalee's (BUNNIES!) and a gorgeous foiled egg. At most sales I would as the price thinking the price might be questionable.  But at this sale!  $1.00 for all four items.  All keepers.  You knew that, right?

Not toys - but there was a box of probably 500 old greeting cards so I snagged it for $1.00.  I'd guess that I donated about 400 of them to the thrift today.  But, the ones I did keep are darling.  I especially love these cute old baby gift cards.  

Now would be a good time to show you ALL THE THINGS.  Ready????

There's a lot there. :)  Fisher Price doll house.  I just sold one that I have been trying to sell forever. But, I had to grab it since it has all the furniture in it (but no people, dang it).  Two old freezer basket which are one of my favorite things to find and use in my booths and at the Junk Ranch.  And lots of dolls and toys.  LOTS.

Every time I buy something the lady that rings me up tells me a story about something that I have picked out.  She says that they could have just donated everything or sold it all off in a lump, but they enjoy seeing what she had and even more, they enjoy seeing people take joy in what they buy.  They like knowing that her things are going to good homes.  They don't even mind if you say you are going to sell it, because, then it really is going to a good home that wants it. This tine she told me all about the Santa Mouse.  

A few odds and ends:

This doll has a head that spins to change faces.  I imagine she might have had a bonnet at one time to hide the other three faces.  But, who knows?

Hansel and Gretel Storybook doll.

Little Red Riding Hood Storybook Doll.

My Child Doll.  

These are popular on ebay.  

I think she will sell for about $45.00 or so even though she is nekkid as a Jaybird.

I usually avoid these sort of dolls, but this one has personality.  I think I am going to "Elf" him up for Christmas.  And maybe do something about his "no hands' situation.  What's up with that????  I'm thinking wee little mittens.

A Hilo Hattie Hawaiian doll.  

And an entire collection of lapel huggers.  Anyone else besides me have a Santa on their jacket when they were a kid?  Anyone?  *crickets*  These are collectible too in lots. 

Everything will be sold except the the Annalee's, the egg and the freezer baskets.  I'm getting good as selling and not keeping!  Yay me!  

And guess what?  There is another sale this weekend.  And the next!  Whoop!  I asked if there would ever be a LOT of Christmas and they said, "We are almost too it."  WHOOP! WHOOP!

WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!