Good Trouble??

 How did this happen? While looking for estate sales on line I stumbled upon several estate sales that were on-line auction only!

That's all I need, another source.

I did get these 8 Barbie's for under 10$ each which is  a very good price because some are not all that collectible and over saturated, but one or two should go well into the upper of 30 bucks.

My other obsession, belt buckles! Another set of eight, these I got for 3.48 each. I have had good luck selling belt buckles. So I hope my luck continues.

I pick up tomorrow and another added bonus to this estate sale pick up location is that it is in the same town as my Honey Hole! 

Trouble.

Channeling Chanel #5

 Wouldn't you know it. I'm totally broke. I have 55$ in my checking account and about 99 cents in my purse. I was hoping some money may have landed in my account from Ebay or Mercari or Facebook Mkt Place. But no such luck. 

But I found a few items. A large metal cat picture frame that is the bomb. About 12 inches in height and perhaps the same across. A half full bottle of Chanel #5 at half price I swooned. The fragrance reminds me of my Mother. I prefer Coco Chanel but for 8$ what a bargain. I can put a few drops behind each ear lobe and smell like my Mom all day long. Because it's a high class perfume. Emphasis on Perfume.

I went to the Goodwill, my Honey hole and spent an additional 8 bucks and walked away with a Canon Powershot SX20is. 4.99$ Say what?????????????? Really. It takes batteries (boo!) but I will try it out and see how it compares to my D-50. I also picked up two insulated heavy duty metal surrounding glass Tequila glasses. 59 cents per. I love that oney Hole.

I went to another Estate Sale downtown and it was in a warehouse setting. A grimy dirty warehouse with a cool mural on the outside wall. Nothin of interest in there for me (other than over hearing a tip on a good sale that will be held in April in the Seneca neighborhood. Seven GI Joes were displayed and the guy offered to sell them for 125$ for the lot. I really turned that over in my head. I know I could have sold them in time but quite honetly, I did not have the money and I am loathe to put more merchandise on a credit card.so I walked.

Another Estate sale I went in the final minutes and she offered me a gorgeous set of china for 35$ they didn't take checks (I would definitely  have the dough to cover the check by Monday!) but they were cash only.

Once again I walked.

I think the Chanel #5 behind my ear lobes guided me to be reasonable. After all, there will be other estae sales. There will be other GI Joes, and definitely there will be other china!

How do I love the Auction? Let me Count the Ways!

 The auction was Tuesday. I'm going to guess 75 - 100 people there. Not a good sign because the more people it seems, the higher and more intense the bidding. Which became the case as Throw Mama from the Train was there and up bid all the CPK lots. And there were many. A small box of dolls, some in original packaging, I wanted but not willing to face off against her. She got them for $04. Several boxes of loose dolls, big ones, from the early days, she snapped up bidding again "checkmarks" (meaning pre-bidding) and I believe she got them all for 80 - 90 dollar range.

Then I noticed this young kid, in a bandana mask who was bidding on stuff I had my eye on. I knew he was going to be trouble and I was right. When it came time to bid for the Cannibal CPK from the mid 90's that was yanked from the market for terrorizing kids he and I got into a bidding war. Granted, it was for two dolls, both in realitivly good original packaging. I let them go to him for 80$ Maybe 90 was a good bid, but I'm certain he was prepared to go higher every time I bid. Added that I had no money and was going to credit card this haul.

But, I did score this Glamour Girl Planter and a pair of silver plated book ends for 25$ I posted her yesterday and she sold in under an hour for the asking price of 75$ Too low? I guess maybe so, but I can't allow myself to be greedy because stuff won't move if I go too high. The book ends are awesome! I will probably be able to sell them because they are so unique, but one was broken and someone did a piss poor job of fixing it. 

 This MA Hadley piggy bank was there too and on my list of items to bid on. When she finally came up she was auctioned off with a set of Wedgwood plates. I got them for 10$ I posted miss Piggy for 35$ yesterday and she sold within the hour also.

So, I am 36 bucks away from making my money back ( which I had to put on a CC!!!yikes) and have lots of other items to list.

I also scored a mint train set in original box. Box is a trifle beat up, but train collectors don't care. Scored it for 15$ and they are on E-bay for north of 100$

I was not challenged on the Frankoma Dinnerware nor the Hallmark Christmas ornament. Who would think I needed more ornaments!! But I wanted the Keepsakes because they were muscle cars and I think those will sell for good profit. 

For myself I got the Charles Frace print of a Jaguar. My cat collection of framed prints is going to demand that I purchase a house with more walls.

So that was my haul. Included with several lots were other items such as Fiesta dinner ware,a JBT ashtray (not familiar with the brand) and the above mentioned Wedgwood.

It's only Thursday and I have been having a good week so far. Yesterday I also sold two sets of fishing lures, the jade ring (I got a fraction of what I wanted but I made some desperately needed cash), and the Marlboro mug which I missed priced and knew it and was remiss to not correct! Hells bells. I bought it for 59 cents but still....It sold yesterday too. 

The day of the auction I finally sold the 6 of the 7 dwarfs. The last of the trolls for a pittance, but I had sold the other 8 and had a tidy profit going,  the Star Trek Barbie and Ken out of the box (had them up for some time, got them in the October sale, so glad to get them out. Pure profit also). 

So, I have been plugging along and things are picking up. I suppose I am getting a better eye on buying things thought I should have examined the 3 leather bags from S-ville, because they are in bad need of refurbishing and I just threw away 30$ on them. The bust heads are enormous! Didn't realize that that either. may have to sell locally, but you never know! 

Another Royal Daulton mini Toby which I have been unable to move any of them! I guess time to lower my asking price.

Listed & Sold

 This was a relatively good week. Besides moving some items I have had listed for ages, I had several listings that sold immediately! The CPK doll sold in several hours. Thrilling. I bought a lot of CPK's at the first Hays Auction I attended, 4 all included. I had a doll from SSTC, I added two other dolls from on line auctions. I only have two left. One seems to be from the first several years and I need to research her. Her box is a disaster, coming apart but I have it all less the cello. People have asked me to show them the tags on the bottom of the dolls. That would require me to remove the dolls and therefore I couldn't advertise as NIB. So I refuse.

Listed this and it sold quickly. I had to tell int he description that it was missing a clasp and several rhinestones in the clasp area of the necklace. But the rhinestones are both modern and vintage and the earrings are both pierced and screw ons. The screw ons make them older than dirt. The shoe clip is awesome! A half moon with all the rhinestones. 

This sold in a matter of hours yesterday. I know it's not part of last week but I thought I'd include it while its fresh in my mind. It actually sold this morning because I fell asleep so early and did not check my offers until 3am. lol

I also sold several things I had laying around for months and months. A pair of Dominion Skates, Madam Alexander body parts, the Irish porcelain Dolls, the pearl tie necklace. It was incredible. I searched for hours for the Porcelain dolls and finally found them in my storage shed.

I have to tackle organization.     

First Time for Everything

 On  my way to a pick up of an auction win I noticed a Goodwill that I had never noticed before. Stopped in on the way back and spent about 20 minutes going around the shoes and the hard goods.

I found absolutely nothing that roused my interest. All the glass items had stickers on the center bottom that were impossible to pull back to recognize the makers. Plus, all items were defaced with a silver permanent marker of some type, making things with a secret code.

i imagine the intent is to discourage resellers. My question is why do they care who purchases their things as long as they are purchased? 

The Barbie dolls were all naked and put into their grab bags in lots of 3.

A pair of high top Chucks were marked $15.99.

I can not ever remember a time when I walked out of a Goodwill empty handed.

I'm stupefied about the direction of GW. At least the stores in KY are still reasonable.   

Old Things & New Things

 I have found a terrific You Tube channel with two very young resellers that I have learned from already. Is this like teaching an old dog new tricks? Probably. They are informative about trends that I am unaware of because they are so young and hip. Like pots and pans. Who knew? 

I have sourced three pots and have a pyrex pot and top for maybe a quart that I will try to move. First I need to locate my googone to get the label off. The two pots I found at an Estate sale may not sell, I picked them up because one had a copper bottom. Pretty dirty and once I got the crude off, it was not marked. And it has some fairly irreversible flaws. The second pot is Faberware, but I need to find a top that fits and make it shine. So, I'll list them and see what happens.

Sales are slow as they were in February. I listed six items yesterday and sold one of them. On the You tube channel I am now watching, they said this particular line of items sell well. They were right. I picked it up for 2.12 sold it for 14$ after fees, I'll net around 10. I'll take it. Since it sold so fast, I should have listed it higher. I'll know better the next time.

So, my spending has slowed down. I think I picked up 8$ at GW, 24$ at the bins and 1$ at the Estate sale. My take in for the week is about 200$ so I'm way ahead.

Listed and sold two days later.

Listed and sold in hours!

Quickie

 Thank God the library has opened back up! They closed their doors sometime in October and I have been putting the shipping info on a USB and hot footing it to the Staples close by and printing from their. i ask why I don't get a printer? Well, my computer, a trusty HP, is over 10 years old. I think it might take a blue tooth or a remote printer (see how unsavvy I am with tech stuff) but this gets me out of the house for a few extra minutes, Not to discount how easy it is to call up Pirate Ship and my G mail and print from there. A gosh honest time saver.

Here I sit, at the key board with rocket fast internet. It reminds me of the 10 years I spent with the Beverage Company and the five years I had a blog. I knew every library in my territory in both KY & IN. I rotated from one to another and could whip out a post as often as I wanted. it is a dream come true to be able to do the same here. No dogs, no J, and super fast Internet.

Makes it nice to have the opportunity to let my mind roll along and come up with memories and ideas and plans and record my dreams. 

So this is what has happened so far this month that is awesome. Happiness scored on a 1 to 10 and reflected on daily or when ever. I am at a 5 right now, pondering over J at home, languishing on the couch complaining that his life sucks. I am the worst person in the world to have to deal with this. I am selfish, self focused and the most rotten care giver you could ever want looking after you. And those are the good points.

On my birthday, Gone with the Wind was the TCM for the night. I love GWTW and I thought it was a gift from my Mom is heaven. She gave me the Book for my 15th b-day (maybe) and inscribed it, "Your favorite Movie".

I could not find the keys to the car on Saturday morning.  J and I search the house top to bottom. I went to the car for the 3rd time (well, maybe the 2nd) and said a prayer to St. Anthony, the patron Saint of lost causes and lost things and sure enough I found them in  my purse in the pocket.

Yesterday was Barry's B-day. We have a history of celebrating our birthdays together over the years especially when I lived in Florida for those several years right after retirement. He passed three years ago and I miss him something terrible. A crack in my heart that will not ever heal. And then yesterday I sold the Boonesboro Belt Buckle for 85$ I think he had something to do with it.

Then I was remembering going to the movies with Mom and especially Dad. I had a soft heart and could not take a lot of violence or scary stuff. I was answering J's  inquiry about going to the movies in downtown Mayberry (psydeuo for my hometown) and I told him the story about going to see the 7 Voyages of Sinbad and I freaked out at the people emerging from the cave and once the sun hit their skin it began to burn and crack and boils emerged. I had to leave the theater. Dad and I stood outside waiting for the more hearty boys to finish watching.

Maybe that is why I dreamed about Dad last nigh. I always imagine its a visit when it happens.

So, this week I have thus far,  reneged on four (count them 4 auction items!!). The latest being in Crittenden which is an hour and a half away! I did not realize. Then several weeks ago I missed picking up my white dominoes from Brewer. He may still have them. I totally missed the reference books I won up I71. Dang. And just now I realized I missed a Lincoln pick up. But I emailed them and they have it at the office and come and get it!

So, this week is a 7 so far.

Set Backs and the Honey Hole

I'm not even sure how to approach writing about this. But it's a major part of my journey so I'll just jump in and let the chips fall where they may. I'm in dire straits when it comes to money. I have stretched the budget to the breaking point and I did this under the assumption that I would supplement my over extensions on the Credit Reorganization (i.e. pay it down thru an agency) by transferring the extra 700$ from my earning into the main account. What I did not factor, nor even think about, is the unexpected expenses. This month, and we are only 8 days in, is a back breaker. Over 10004 in medical bills including two major Vet bills.

And I have not filed taxes to get the stimulus money because I am a procrastinator and don't want to be even more in debt and have to tap into my stocks. I should be worrying constantly about "what if's" . Suck as, what if I have to put J in a home, or have (pay for) in home health care. He is not getting any better and there is no hope for a cure any time in the future. It's infuriating that they can come up with a vaccine for the Covid and not find any way to combat Alzheimer's in 30 years. Priorities I suppose.

I am at the point that I would like to work at this like a real job. I could improve my picture taking by just studying how to do it! I could improve my listings by watching You Tube videos and learn from people who are willing to share their knowledge. I could upgrade my computer so  it does not take 2 hours to list three items. Yet I am constantly making excuses just like I procrastinate!!

J is a big road block. He is restless, bored, unfocused, regressing, and demands a lot of attention. I am in a tough place with him. The guilt is overwhelming. I need to spend hours a day organizing my death pile and listing, researching, and sourcing. It's clearly becoming a burden to juggle both J and my efforts to make money by reselling. He resents the time I spend "alienated", that is the word he used yesterday.

And so.....................

I went to my Honey Hole on Saturday. B was here and so I felt okay leaving for hours. The honey hole has always come thru for me. First time I found the lot of seamed stockings for 59 cents that made me a lot of money. I found the Stratigo game from the 1950's that I sold for a tidy profit. I found the Star Bucks mug and the Monster High dolls the last trip. This trip I spent another whopping 59 cents for a Marlboro Unlimited Mug that should profit around 10 or so.

At another GW, which was a birch to get thru because of the amount of traffic on S-ville road, I found a pair of Enesco planters and an Orange County beer stein! There was a Peppermint Barbie Doll behind the counter for 18.99$ which I passed on. I maybe could have bought it and then sat on it until the right buyer came along, but my finances are in peril this month.

All things being considered, I had a good week end. I posted several things that sold immediately. The Laughing Buddha, the Irish Zippo, and the Barbie ornament.

And I moved some old inventory including a CPK which I have had since late October. But, every thing I sell from that Auction is pure profit now. And I sold two items from it this past week, the CPK and a Madam Alexander doll.

So, I need to stop whining and lamenting and procrastinating and get my butt into gear and start packing the items up for shipping.

The Trill of 268

 Yesterday was Auction Day! First one in a month and we were informed there are many more to come in the month of March. I spent 120$ round about. I got several things I wanted, several things I didn't need and some surprise bargains! Like te 2 electric heaters made to resemble the old steam heaters we had in school and still have in many apt buildings.

The usual suspects were there. Braids, the Cowgirl, Purdue, Tall Dink of Water, Disheveled Guy, Cute couple, Jewelry Guy, #40,  and Marty. New guy was there today, Mohawk Guy. He really bid stuff up. He was a thorn in my side when it came to a lion print I wanted. But once I realized who I was bidding against, I let it go. I ended up with another Lion Print on that canvas type boarder and only spent 10$ So I'm happy. Got another Dog Print that is so cute for 15$ I thought I was bidding 5$ but its cute. I may sell it on Facebook Marketplace.

My house could look like an Art Gallery if I put everything up.

I had a nice talk with Purdue about his booths at two Vendor Malls in Indiana. He attends the auction in Shelbyville rather than bid on line. He hipped me to an auction in Hanover. I purused the offerings on line and I'm not too interested. Not my niche, my genre what ever that may be.

I need to figure that out.