Saturday, August 13, 2011

Estate Sales: A Little Bit of Everything


Do you ever go to estate sales?

They are different from yard sales or thrift shop sales.  Usually, when there's an estate sale, someone has died and their house is being liquidated.



Maybe surviving family members have already perused the items left behind and so are trying to sell them.


To me, going to estate sales is kind of  a bittersweet experience. I went to one on Friday.  The house, itself, could have been fixed up to be quite adorable. There were nice features like curved archways and little nooks and crannies. There was a cute enclosed sun porch.





Looking through all the items spread throughout every room made me feel a little sad. The owners of everything were no longer around. What would they think of strangers going through all their possessions with such abandon?

Picking up random items, I couldn't help but wonder about the late owners.  There were pretty teacups for only $3 each and funky old fashioned furniture pieces with fancy trim but drawers that stuck.


I came away with a bag of very pretty, colorful marbles of all sizes, a book on Gilded Age mansions,  a trivet with a picture of a local landmark, and a small, colorful bird for one of my sisters. 

The thought ran through my mind whether people would go through my own things one day. Who knows?  


Currently,  life is still a very great gift to me and, hopefully, I won't check out soon.  A key to being supremely happy, to me, anyway, is to live in the moment.  Also, to surround one's self with loved and attractive objects; to entertain friends and family members; and to share one's bounty with others.



Leaving the sale, I thought that if money were no object, I'd even buy the little house and remodel it from start to finish. It could be very quaint and a nice place to live. Also, while driving away, I hoped, in my heart, the previous owners had found peace and that they would be happy their things were going to good homes.

DO YOU ENJOY GOING TO ESTATE SALES?
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12 comments:

  1. Chatty CroneAugust 12, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    I have never been to one Susan - I would love to go to one - with you! How do you find out about them?

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  2. DoniAugust 12, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    The excitement of attending one is just like Christmas!!
    Your finds are wonderful and I especially love the cobalt piece...

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  3. Linda O'ConnellAugust 13, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Susan,
    I have the same bittersweet feeling and sometimes I am so overwhelmed I can't shop. I prefer yard sales.

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  4. BECKYAugust 13, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    I'm like that, too! I get personally attached to people I've never known! I used to feel sad when I'd see vintage photographs for sale with names and dates written on the back, but a friend said something that made me feel better....When someone buys them, they get a new home, with people to love them again!

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  5. BjAugust 13, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Makes me remember the bittersweetness of deciding what to do with my own Mom's prized things after she died. I knew I and my brother and sister couldn't (and wouldn't want to!) keep everything but seeing it go to strangers was a little unsettling. As you said, I found pleasure in seeing them go with people who will care for them. Good Blog!

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  6. BookieAugust 13, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Beautiful things you are showing here...the cobalt blue is what catches my attention. Estate sales aren't as common in my town as garage sales and auctions, but I have been to a few.

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  7. Linda @ A La CarteAugust 13, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Susan I have been to a few Estate sales...sometimes I don't feel the presence of the person but one I did in particular. The neighbors were talking about the lady as they looked at her things and it seemed so sad to me. I did find some great treasures and appreciate them very much. I am sure all my 'treasures' some day will be sold like this. I just hope they find good homes since I know my girls will not want all of them. hugs, Linda

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  8. SusanAugust 13, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    Estate sells make me sad. But I have been to ones were the people are still living but their children are selling everything,so they can go into other housing of some sort.
    I see the sadness in the old people as people are buying their things. I can't and do not buy at those sells. It breaks my heart.

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  9. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresAugust 13, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    My ex-husband and I actually bought our first home through an estate sale. I loved that little blue house! It was only 900 sq feet but had hardwood floors that we refinished and a beautiful yard and was on a very quiet street. And the price was right -- only $23,000. Cars cost more than that now. :/

    Hope you are having a great day. Tammy

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  10. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowAugust 13, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    I have never been to an estate sale We are however, breaking down my mother-in laws house.(She is currently in a nursing home) I find it rather sad to be going through her things and deciding what we will keep and what we will toss. It does make me want to de-clutter some so that when the time comes (long way until then) my children will not have to do this.

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  11. diane stetsonAugust 15, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I've only been to an estate sale with YOU. I am not collecting anything in my old age..just trying to get rid of stuff. Glad you found some treasures.

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  12. Sites Like YoutubeAugust 16, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    So luck to come across your excellent blog. Your blog brings me a great deal of fun.. Good luck with the site.

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