MCC Parking Lot

I'm almost certain that this was the first time that the local community college held a garage sale style event in their parking lot.  It was very small, only about 20 vendors and we had to pay (gasp!) one whole dollar to park.  When you see twenty tables set up in the midst of a huge and sprawling parking lot, you don't get overly excited.  It looks wee.

But, I did end up getting a few things, and it was full sun and 80 degrees by 9:30 am, so I'm not complaining!  Any time I can go to an early morning sale in a sundress is a good day.  Plus, one of the vendors was an ice cream truck.  You know, one of those trucks that drive around neighborhoods ringing a bell?  I really respect a 9:00 am ice cream truck.  I would have become best friends with that truck if we'd stayed 10 minutes longer. Or if they'd had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle face ice cream treat with the gumball eyes.  Because, yum.

This is my haul.  I found the funky lattice earrings for $1.  Kermit was $2.  Every time I find a Muppet thing I don't have it seems like some kind of magic.  Still thrilling after all these years. The gold bangle was $5 and fits my child-wrist well.  The earrings are hand made by a hysterical woman who repeatedly told us about how much vodka she consumed while making them.  And about how much her dog wants to be right on her lap in the middle of everything.  I hear ya lady.  On both counts.  Nothing like a boozy craft day with a pup!

I'm glad I stuck it out and didn't turn right around when I saw how tiny the sale was.  I'm hoping that they do it again next year and that it grows and becomes a big, fun thing.

So, In Summary:

Ya Just Never Know!

Tamper

The husband and I recently went on vacation to warmer climes.  Tampa, Florida to be exact.  This post isn't going to be about how adorable the area we stayed in was (Seminole Heights), or about how the neighborhood was pretty much exclusively 1920's craftsman bungalows (tear inducingly gorgeous), or about how perfect the little cottage we rented was
(http://www.erehwonretreat.com/accommodations/cottage/).  This post is just about the things that I bought.  My Florida Souvenirs.

Disney Muppets Pins.  I culled most of these (all but one) from the Webster Flea Market.  This place is actually full of really nice antiques and vintage things.  And then a zillion people selling Disney pins.  Lucky for me!  We did go to actual Disney (Magic Kingdom) for a day, and I did bring my pins to trade.  There were far less cast members wearing lanyards and hip bags than last time I went.  It was very hard to find people to trade with and it was so busy in the park that it just took all the "magic" out of it for me.  The entire day I only found one Muppet pin that I didn't already have. (Statler) From now on I'm just going to buy them on Ebay like any other self respecting Muppet Collecting adult.

While in Florida we visited my grandma and aunts.  These ladies made us a delicious lunch and shared some pool time with us.  One of my wonderful aunts gave me this!!  I've never even seen or heard a whiff of this Miss Piggy on a bicycle.  It's amazing and rare, just like my awesome Florida relatives.  What a great and relaxing (and delicious) day we had!

While in the Magic Kingdom I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the new(ish) shop, Memento Mori. It's next to the Haunted Mansion and sells, you guessed it, Haunted Mansion merch.  I got this set of Haunted Mansion tombstone ornaments that I've been coveting.  I'll put them with my little cemetery plot when I decorate for fall.

The Hallmark Merry Miniatures and the like were purchased at an antique store in Tampa.  So adorable!  I can't even stand the bunny dressed as a chubby alien!

The Muppets keychain is also a gift from my awesome Aunt PJ and the flocked and glittered Christmas ornament was purchased at Disney World.  In the Christmas store.  Just imagine how much my brain explodes when you put those two hands together!!

The tiny purse I bought at the Flea Market for $1.  ONE dollar.  They had tons of different patterns.  This was the most Florida pattern and also the most 80s.  It was so perfect for taking to the beach or to a crazy town theme park.  Just big enough for your phone, some cash and credit cards.  The perfect thing to have on vacation.

The Scottie dog earrings are made from buttons. I got them at the Flea Market for $2.  The necklace pendant is gorgeous and iridescent. The reason is that the background of the pendant is a butterfly wing.  A real and actual butterfly wing!  Crazy and not just a little creepy.  The image is painted on the back of a piece of glass. I got it at a very cool jam packed vintage store.

So, In Summary:

Tampa-A delightful retreat from the cold north.

Ronald McDonald Sale #1 2015

The first RMD sale of the year was amazing.  The usual crew got together, stood in line for an hour, and sallied forth. 

I try not to have too great of expectations for this sale.  I never find a ton of stuff but what I do find is so good that it makes it worth the half day off, the hour wait in line, and the crazy madhouse once I get inside.  Plus, after the carnage, we all reconvene at a pub, have some drinks, some food and rehash the dirty details and delights.

Last year I was behind some people in line who I overheard say they were going to pants first.  PANTS, people.

I stuck to my usual plan and it payed off.  Big time.

Toys was first and a big strike out.  No Muppets!  The tragedy.  Then onward to holiday!

Three, count them THREE vintage Christmas corsages, still in the package!  75 cents each. I can't wait to put them out in my Christmas display.

The tropical leaf planter is for the dream room. $1.50

I nearly never find Halloween items.  This time I tore it up in Halloween.  The trees are Dept. 56.  New they are $20 each.  These two were each 75 cents!  Eeep! The vintage snack cups (I refuse to use the term "nut cups") are from before the 50s.  Gorgeous, gorgeous.  $1!  The scarecrow pin was $1 and I plan to display him in my shadow box this year.  The squirrel is dressed like a Native American and has a real feather.  I got him in a bag with the tiny Hallmark bunny for $1.  The paper cone is for a project my boyfriend, Pinterest, told me about.

Then I raided jewelry. The earrings were $2 each.  I can't tell what I think of the faces quite yet.  They were too captivating to ignore.  I'm head over heels for the lilac triangles.  The necklace was $1 and so was the amazing tiny penny bracelet which matches my tiny penny necklace and earrings perfectly!  I love coin jewelry.

I was looking for a small poster frame, and got this one, still in the wrapping for $5.  I also wanted to find a tea kettle and finding it in red to match my kitchen was a fun bonus!  $6.

The crowd was huge this time, and the line to check out stretched all the way to Terre Haute!  I waited to checkout for about 45 minutes.  The line happened to pass the toy section.  As I had already visited this section and struck out I wasn't paying strict attention.  Until, that is, I saw a certain orange foot sticking out of a rack up ahead.  I immediately recognized that foot as belonging to Animal, of the Muppets.  You know the one.  Woman crazy drummer? It was torture waiting for the line to move up enough for me to be close enough to snag that orange foot.  A huge Animal plush from Walt Disney World theme park was my reward! $4.  Sale completed! BAM.

The following items were collected at other sales, not the RMD.  2 garlands of gold mercury glass garland. Two different sizes!  And a red and white polka dot hankie.  It is a scientific fact that I cannot resist a polka dot.

So, In Summary:

It was For The Kids