I don't know about you, but when I go to an estate sale I try really hard to believe that the people that lived in the house have moved on to sunny Florida and they just need to get rid of some of the extra stuff they've accumulated over the years.
Can't wear a mink coat in Florida, now can you?
No use for a lawnmower at the retirement villa.
And no need to keep your 70's orange Tupperware when you're going to be enjoying all those early bird specials at Home Town Buffet.
But there is always someone who ruins it for me.
Maybe a neighbor from down the street that tries to strike up a conversation with me by mentioning that Fred died two months ago and he had been waiting for this sale so he could buy Fred's tool bench.
Maybe it's the worker at the estate sale who, when I mention what a neat house it is, tells me that it is going to be listed tomorrow, because the kids of the lady who died need to get rid of it fast.
Or the homeowner's daughter quietly asking the estate sale crew if they have found her mom's wedding photos yet, because before she died she told her daughter to make sure she kept them safe.
{covering ears} la la la la la {covering ears}
It's hard to stick my head in the sand, when at every turn, I'm reminded of the fact that I am buying dead people's stuff.
Not that I don't like dead people's stuff, there are some great deals to be had at estate sales and auctions. But there is definitely something weird about traipsing though someone else's house and snatching up their once cherished items.
Speaking of dead people's stuff, I found this cool old barn at an estate sale this weekend. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but it was pretty neat and the whole reason I went totally out of my way that day to attend the sale.
Not sure if it is a kid's toy or maybe an unfinished bird feeder?
I'd ask the previous owner. But he's dead. Or so I've been told.
I sure hope he's smiling up there in heaven knowing that I'm enjoying his barn.
Do you go with the stick your head in the sand theory at estate sales? Or is it just another place to find good deals for you (not saying you're heartless of anything)?
AntiqueChase
so funny... it is creepy when I think of it now... I'll go put my head in the sand... funny thing is, I find myself telling my kids what things are worth so they don't sell my stuff too cheap when I'm gone...lol
Kim @ Curtain Queen
You are so hilarious! And so right. 🙂 Love your post and your fun sense of humor. I'll be back. Everyone needs a daily laugh!
andrea@townandprairie
How sad...someone at one time DID treasure those things...from a vacation, or someone made it, etc. We will never know the true story behind some of our finds, we can only speculate...and give them a new home. It's kinda like my antique-y man friend who sold me a ton of Christmas things...like my papier mache collection....because he has no kids and his nephew and his wife thinks his stuff is just junk and they don't want it. All this man wanted from me was a picture of how I displayed his precious collection at Christmas time and to know that MY kids loved his little Santas...and that they would continue to liv eon during Christmas.
Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary
Love your barn that you found. Sometimes it bothers me, especially if I know the person that died. If you didn't buy the things they would go to the Goodwill and you never know there - I'm sure a lot of there things are from Estate Sales that didn't sell.
Have a super week.
Mary
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
Love your little barn birdfeeder (or whatever cute use you think of for it).
I like to think that the previous owners would be happy that someone else liked their items too, and would be enjoying them for years to come. Albums and photo collections leave me sad and wondering if there wasn't someone in the family who would have wanted them.
Marigene
Pam, if it bothers you that much, just think of it as a thrift store! The only time it bothered me was the very first estate sale I went to, never again after that.
Lilliedale
I take comfort in the fact that if I died tomorrow someone else (who also loves my stuff) would take it home, and maybe even give it a new life. I'd much rather have someone haggle over the price and take their treasures home, than see it all piled up in a landfill. My favorites are old hand made quilts, especially if they looked like they were really well loved! I like to think about the hands that lovingly and carefully crafted it for someone they loved.
Grammy Goodwill
This is the one thing my dad has told me for years: Burn my stuff so people can't come through and look at it. Now as time has passed, I think I've gotten it accustomed to me donating it to charity.
I agree with everyone about the family pictures. How can people just ditch those? It's sad.
Marilou Bain
I don't like going in someone else's house, if it is an estate sale and it is in the yard then ok, but not wandering through their home, sorry too sad to me:) I don't need anything "that bad" .
Hugs Marilou
Vicki@MorePowerfulBeyondMeasure
OK, you all realized long ago that I'm a little weird so...yeah, it's a little creepy, but I kinda like it. Great deals aside, I enjoy making up stories about the folks as I plunder through their things. Wonder if they went to Paris, wonder why they held on to that ugly dress...oh, bet she was wearing it when she had an affair...oooooo! You just find out so much about people! I never knew we had a man in town who wrote books about Elvis, until I went to his estate sale. He's dead, you know? Well, he also left a garage full from top to bottom of Elvis memorabilia...who knew? Love the barn...bird feeder:-)
Deb
It used to bother me but since I sell antiques, I had to find a way to deal with the creepy feeling. Now I think it's comforting to know that someone loved that item enough to keep it for 60 years...or perhaps they were just a hoarder.
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures
I'm sure he's smiling down on you and so happy that his barn will be well loved. It bothers me when I go to estate sales and everything, I mean everything, is out there for the world to pick through. Grandma's undergarments don't need to be there.
Into Vintage
Estate sales used to make me sad but now I realize they're just an efficient way to get rid of unnecessary stuff but I have to admit, it's weird and sad to have family members in attendance. And, of course, I wouldn't want anyone poking through my dresser drawers after I'm gone...
While junking in Texas earlier this year, there was a company called "Dead People's Stuff" and their motto was "You die, we buy."
Joanne Noragon
I think it's like my sister saying someone's grandma is smiling in heaven because Jan found her quilt and quilted it. Grandmas and grandpas are smiling in heaven because someone wanted their treasures.
Jill
We very rarely have estate sales in these parts, I've only been to one but I understand what you mean. It is just as bad seeing scarves at a thrift store, with the sew on name tag still attached.
suzieQ
Unclaimed family photos can be sad to see. I wish I had more pictures of my ancestors, but there are always reasons, some sad, perhaps not. I also look at lovely linens that were never used, kept for best, too fancy to use for everyday, but then, never enjoyed. I feel sad that someone didn't enjoy the handiwork, but I understand that old time viewpoint. I once bought a 13x9 pan with many, many cut marks in it and I think fondly of the lady who made years of treats to share. I feel that I have a bond with whomever owned the items, we share similar interests and I am taking over as the new owner of something that is still beautiful or useful.