Weekend Finds - Holiday Edition

First, I want to thank everyone one that so graciously sent money to help buy supplies to send to Joplin.  I've already received over $100.00 from you lovely people.  I will go shopping a bit later in the week and get things donated then.  They are going to need donations for months.  If you don't know what I am talking about, please read this post. 

Holiday weekends usually mean a lack of yard sales.  But, Craigslist was thick with ads for this weekend.  I went to a few on Friday, but skipped any sales on Saturday to attend a birthday party for these adorable girls.

 Can you blame me?  Kennedy and Maci turned one yesterday.  I babysat their Mama when she was only two weeks old!  I was only 13 at the time.  As her Mom told this story yesterday, she said, "What was I thinking leaving my newborn with a 13 year old???!"  But, I took good care of her and her older brother, so things went just fine. 

I did got to a few sales on Friday and to one thrift store after the girls birthday party.  I found myself in the neighborhood of one of the areas biggest thrifts in the area after the party, but I never go there.  It is about 30 miles from my house, so I just never go there.  But, it is huge and it was open, so I stopped.  I was disappointed at the selection and at the high prices when I got inside.  I ended up spending a total of $3.05 which included a 1st edition of Eclipse and a book of Gnome Fairy Tales.

I spied this little angel siting on a shelf behinds some tacky collectible bells.  She was just the thing I needed to call the visit worthwhile.  Sweet, vintage and only $1.00.  I was pretty content with her but then I spotted a plastic tub that said CANDLES on it, so I pulled it out.

I dug out one witch, then a pumpkin man, another witch and finally the second witch.  They are all Gurley Candles and oh so wonderful!  I am always excited to find vintage Halloween as it is the hardest thing to find.  The icing on the cake was the price.......4/30¢.  So, I decided that it was certainly worth stopping there if I was in the neighborhood, but I wouldn't make a special trip there.  This was Helping Hands for those of you that know the area.

Friday I got this valet at a yard sale where I filled up a huge tote bag full of things for only $2.00.  It is all just Flea market fodder, nothing to write about.  But, this valet is kind of neat.  He has a place for a man's wallet, jewelry, keys and change.  There is a switch on the back that lights up the candle in the dogs hand.  The light bulb is broken and I don't know where on earth I can ever find a replacement.  But, working or not, he is still unique!

Friday, I bought a photo at a house where I have been to sales in the past.  In fact, about seven years ago, at this particular house, I bought the contents of a man's pockets that he carried in the war as well as his Military discharge papers and his Purple Heart.  When I asked about the items and why on earth they were selling them, the lady told me that they belonged to her Uncle, but he died and didn't have any family, so there "weren't no good to anybody."  I'll always remember those words because, by god, SHE was his family and SHE should have protected and honored that Purple Heart!  The little baggie of things were priced $25.00 and that was my yard sale money for a month, but I handed it over to her and rescued the items.  They are now on display in a Military Museum where people do HONOR those items. 

Okay, so I am off my soapbox now.  Actually, no I am not!  I did quite a bit of research on that man and I found out his name was William (went by Bill) and his wife was Margie.  I found a lot more about him, but I won't go into that right now.  Just remember, his name was Bill and she is Margie.

So, when I arrive at this house, I see clothes and bedding and regular stuff.  But, then I see this wonderful vintage framed print on a table.  It is $5.00 and it speaks to me to buy it.  I just love it for no apparent reason.  When I pay for it, I ask the lady having the sale if she knows the history of it.  Yes, that's my Uncle Bill and my Aunt Margie.  And, that is why is spoke to me.  I was meant to have it!  It is hanging in the living room right now.  Bill and Margie are part of my family now.