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.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

I Gotta Lotta Stuff. Wanna Swap?

The Good News:

Our water company has been screwing us over for the past three years and overcharging us each month for sewer. Somebody filed a lawsuit and the citizens won. We received our check in the mail for $284.85.

The Bad News:

The Water Pump went out in the truck. Total owed: $265.00.

Oh well, we're still up twenty bucks.

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We had a cookout yesterday for DH and my Step Dad and them went out to eat today with my Dad. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I've been home for two straight days and not been to a thrift or a yard sale. What restraint! But, tomorrow is a new week. Actually, I am preparing for my own yard sale. We have a Rubbermaid storage building big enough for a riding lawn mower and all the yard stuff. DH emptied it out and is loaning it to me to put all the yard sale stuff. Everyday I gather up two-four boxes of stuff, mark it and put it in the shed. That way it isn't so overwhelming for me. In the past, I have gathered it up then priced it and my that time I am so sick of it that I could just throw it all away. I have good stuff in this sale. I have bought so much to sell on ebay that I can't possibly ever list it all. Plus, with weight restrictions and size limits now, some of the things I bought for resell aren't practical anymore. I am hoping people with flea market booths or even ebay'ers with more patience than me will come and buy it all up. I am pricing it cheap, but pricing it a bit higher than I would normally pay. I am cheap - yep, shocked, aren't you? But, lots of other people aren't as cheap as me. Plus they can barter or dicker or whatever you want to call it. And, I'm still pricing it cheap - most everything is $1.00 or under. With a few exceptions. I am writing what the item is on the tag "Snoopy Glass" with the price to keep people from switching tags. There is a family around the corner that I see at every yard sale, switching prices or taking prices off then asking how much and holding out two dollars when you KNOW it was priced higher. They get there early when it's crowded and the people are trying to get set up. They are flustered and can't remember what something was riced, so they let these people have it for their price. Such con artists. I am dreading their arrival. I will sic DH on them and not let him leave their side. Remember, he is a creepy guy himself.

If there is something you are looking for at the thrifts or at sales - please leave ma a commnet. I have so many cool and wonderful old things. I would be willing to work out a swap, a trade or just sell it to you (Cheap with shipping). Be specific in your wants. Not just APRONS - but BLUE APRONS or APRONS WITH AARDVARKS ON THEM. P.S. I don't have an apron with an aardvark on it in case you were wondering. I do mentin aprons because I have found nearly 50 of them in my mad sorting. But, those will be saved and sorted for future ebay sales ans swaps.

I do seem to have a lot of Japanese culture items - figurines, play food (sushi, etc), books, a wedding couple, etc. It's all sort of kitschy stuff - no priceles Asian antiques or anything like that. If anyone is interested in that sort of thing - I'd love to do a swap with you. I am not into the Japanese stuff at all - but seem to find it and pick it up.

I also have these big inflatable Martha Geese. You know the ceramic type that you dress for the holidays? Well, these are about 4 ft. tall and you inflate them like the outdoor Santas and Pumpkins. They come with four different holiday themes, which I can't remember right now. And they have a foot pump in the box too. These are going in my yard sale for $5.00 each - I think they cost about $35.00 new (which is bananas) from Speigel. If you are interested in one for $5.00, plus shipping, leave me a comment. They are quite funny. Perhaps a fun gift for your wacky Aunt or something.

I didn't plan on having a Blog Sale, but apparently, that is what I am turning it into. Leave me a comment if you are looking for a treasure and want to swap!

7 comments:

  1. You collect what I collect, so what would you have for me to buy? HMMMM??? You are only about 8 hrs. away and having this sale when??? Wouldn't you be shocked if I showed up on your doorstep!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:37 PM

    Sounds like u someones got someone who is and still wants to be as solid as a friend could ever be, like family. Just don't string him along with not wanted to be friends, cause in that type of situation your input is valued as much as or even more than their own because of a bond of trust that'll always be there, even in times of their own crisis'.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:39 PM

    Is it gonna be one of those suprize doorstep parties, ill meat you there

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous8:32 AM

    Pyrex! But I doubt you have any to part with! LOL. Sunflowers and John Deere tractors. :) Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Silly anonymous comments. Pfft.

    I hate preparing for a yard sale. So much so that I have quit doing it. I sell the bigger (or more expensive items) on Craigslist (so much easier than Ebay!) and freecycle the rest. Oddly enough, I end up making the same amount of money....makes you go hmmmmm.

    Good luck with yours though!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10:31 AM

    Shara - Garage Sales are SOOO much work, but they can be SOOO much fun too... "with a little help from your friends!".

    I'd be into the 'swap' idea if you come across any...

    *Tacky Chalkware Fish wallhangings (like they used to decorate bathrooms!!)
    *Sweater Clips (to hold those cardigans on your shoulders!)
    *VERA (Neumann, NOT BRADLEY!)textiles or dishes (I'm still dreaming of a tablecloth!)
    *Older Royal Haeger Pottery
    ...Okay, so that's four! Told you I would have a hard time limiting it to Three!!

    If you find any, I have some matte white pottery and some Pyrex I might be convinced to part with 8-)
    S-

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Shara I'd love to see that japanese wedding couple. I have a few weddings coming it and it might make for a fun gift. Also looking for those little pin cushions in ceramics like a shoe or a little kitty. Know what I mean?

    ReplyDelete

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