Pack Ratting Addiction

Last weekend I encountered some awesome garage sales. What was really outstanding is they were fragrance-free...no smelly laundry detergent on fabrics, no air fresheners...scent free. The first one was the estate sale of a collector and dabbler in creative pursuits. She had a whole box of paper making supplies. I was tempted.

She also had a whole collection of handmade books that were gorgeous, but I couldn't justify the purchase since I had no idea what I'd do with them. Every room was filled with wicker and although I'm not fond of wicker or baskets, she had a great set of furniture I would have loved. I resisted.

And a whole garage of crafts project supplies of every kind, but no painting or art supplies. I passed on a lot of great items and kind of regret it now, but I tried to be practical...I bought:





three colorful beach towels 

two full bottles of ammonia 

a bottle of vinegar 

a half bottle of Elmer's glue 

two tiny picture frames

a container of organic slug bait 

a hose sprayer 

a small cooler 

All very practical items, well, except the beach towels. For someone who hardly goes to the beach, I sure like joyfully colored beach towels!

Then I got impractical and bought a bracelet, but failed to check to see if it worked.

It doesn't clasp. It's broken. So either I'll fix it or the beads can be reused for something. Still a good buy. It was only a $1.

The second estate sale had a ratty old sign so I hesitated then figured I had nothing to lose (but money). These people said they just wanted everything gone so nothing was priced over a dollar:

a beautiful white bedspread (.50 cents!) This will go with the beautiful white blanket I bought at the last sale! The woman said she had just washed it. I panicked, but there was no smell! Hooray!

a gorgeous cotton terry bathrobe My bathrobe is so old it is unimaginable it's still usable, but it's lightweight flannel, has dangerously long sleeves that can catch fire on burners and a long length for tripping. I've wanted something much warmer for a long time. This one is heavy-weight terry cloth with pockets, shorter sleeves and slightly shorter in length. Really good quality and it makes me want to snuggle. Love it! (.25 cents!)

three sets of flannel sheets, light blue, green, and red (.75 cents each)

two rugs (.50 cents each)

painters overalls !!!!!! (.25 cents)

You can't imagine how long I've been looking for some painter's overalls for painting, construction or gardening. The ones I find are for large men which would not be comfortable to wear since they are so big and heavy they would impede movement like my coveralls do.These were for the woman who owned them and they fit me perfectly!

two blue-glass pie dishes (.50 cents) I can use the glass for the mosaic class I hope to take soon. The bracelet was photographed on top of a pie dish.

a picture frame (.10 cents)

a hose attachment (.25 cents)

two lawn chairs (.50 cents each) The lawn chairs were in the back of the garage, covered in dust and dirt, but in very good working order. I got them home, scrubbed them down and they are beautiful. I've always wanted a recliner lawn chair for vitamin D therapy.

and a box of socks (1.00). There were about 15 pairs of white cotton socks in the box. I'm not one for buying used socks but I checked them and they seemed very clean. I figured for a dollar I could bleach them and use them for rags. (I sterilize everything once it's home.)  I got them home, inspected them, and found they are practically new! I'm set for life for socks!

I love the towels match the lawn chair in brightness and cheerfulness!

And I love the garden implements even match the lawn chair! LOL!

Both houses were amazingly fragrance-free.

If that wasn't enough the local junk store that is going out of business put out on the sidewalk for free three school cafeteria-style tables!! Whoa!! Art tables!

What an outstanding day!!! Nothing I love more than buying used junk at awesome prices and practical FREEBIES!