What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

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!

8 comments:

  1. I am shaking with the thought of these sales. Id be there every weekend! I bet beyond their enjoyment of the good home vibe, they all enjoy having a project together. I will be needing updates of every sale. Actually feel faint thinking about their Xhristmas sale.

    Chanelle

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  2. Wow - the prices in your area are astounding. In Chicago we would have to pay much higher prices for stuff. You get great deals.

    That santa mouse looks like a Topo Gigio mouse. You might want to check into that.

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  3. oh I would have so much fun at this sale! Love the FP Dollhouse!!

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  4. I would be stalking this house for those sales. Hoping Christmas is a doozy there

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  5. I really enjoy these blog posts and seeing all your finds!

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  6. I LOVE those kind of sales (fill a bags) even though they are few and far between here and cost more ($5 & $10).

    I have been stalking one thrift for Christmas junk. I consolidate the shelves every time I visit so they know they need to put more out. Last week I "helped" them put out totes and totes of junk. Of course I had my cart nearby and threw my favorite stuff in it, which was ok with them. My favorite snags were two shelf elves and two stinkin' cute vintage ceramic elves. Can't WAIT to see the Christmas you find next!

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  7. Anonymous3:07 PM

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  8. Holy moly! What a fabulous haul! I can't wait to see all the Christmas goodies you find.

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