ABC Sale treasures

I only came home with three treasures from the ABC Sale---I could have bought more, but I have a few rules.  #1 I have a budget #2 if I price the items, I have to wait until the last day to buy them.  To refresh your memory, click here to see some of the treasures.  The three items I bought say a lot about me.

First, I bought a toy which my grandchildren love (eventhough it annoys us when then walk off and leaving it zooming and beeping)

Second, I bought a light-weight dressy top to take on a cruise.

Finally, I bought a lead soldier that "spoke to me".  He represents a soldier from World War I with a gas mask---my grandfather was gassed in World War I, so it reminded me of him.

But, also, I loved the artistry and details in the figure.  So, you may call it a lead toy, but I tend to think of it as a small piece of sculpture. 

So, what does this say about me---I love my grandchildren (eventhough their toys sometimes annoy me) and I love to hear them laugh.  I enjoy going on cruises.  I admire art, like remembering my ancestors and their history.  AND, I love my daughter and husband so much, I didn't buy them anything!

ABC Sale at St. Mark

 Our church, St. Mark Presbyterian, has a wonderful rummage sale each year filling nine rooms including a gym and two areas that were once sanctuaries.  We always get some wonderful items donated like the hall tree above with its original pan.

 We have a lot of furniture, rugs, basekets. . .

 Books of all kinds. . .

ABC Sale Part Three

We originally started having the ABC Sale for a little extra money to give to various charitable organizations within and outside our church. But, one year we had such beautiful furniture that we were inspired to improve on our own church decorating with some of the furniture and use some of the money for paint, window treatments and some art.

The benefits of a Rummage Sale are not just financial, though.
First, we are doing a service to our elderly who are trying to down-size---it gives them an excuse to clean out those closets and the basement.


Second, we are doing a service for the middle-aged--it gives them something meaningful to do and it's a great fellowship occasion.


Third, the youth become involved helping us with heavy loads, sorting and setting up and the big job of clean-up.


Fourth, we give all of the left-overs to charitable groups ranging from the Assistance League to Room at the Inn.


Fifth, we have funds to donate to our charities and to church groups for mission trips.


Sixth, it gives local people and families an opportunity to get great bargains and stretch their dollars.


Seventh, it helps us all recycle goods.


Eighth, it brings all sorts of people into the church. Some may be looking for a church home; some may come a few days later for some pastoral counseling and, yes, some my steal our soap dispensers. They will all get our prayers.

ABC Sale Part Two

The ABC Sale started on Sunday when we started taking donations. Donations came in through Thursday with the Sale beginning Friday at 7:00 AM. As usual we had so much stuff, we wondered if we'd ever get it all sold and ultimately given away to local charities before worship on the next Sunday.











Our Narthex (our older sanctuary) was filled with furniture, but it was difficult to photograh. This area did also house lamps and pictures, too. Then a room off this area is the Boutique--for more expensive items.

Then, our Library houses the books (duh!) with the children's books in the hallway.

The hallway to the kitchen is tools, garden and pet supplies, followed by our Gym (Gleason Hall) which has clothes and holiday items.


Sunday school rooms have knick-knacks and toys which over-flowed into the hall. "Action toys" blended in with electronics, phones, and records.

At 11 AM on Saturday we have half-price, Clothes by the bag for $1. By the 1 PM on Saturday, the Sale was over---as you can see we didn't really have that much to pack up. Compare action toys at 1 PM with how it looked the day before.

By 1:45, things were pretty well packed up and cleaned up---another miracle! Here's the Gym pretty much cleaned up. See ABC Sale Part Three for the benefits of this Rummage Sale.

ABC Sale Part One

We had our church rummage sale last week---the ABC Sale (Attic,
Basement, Closet) Sale. We had a few interesting items. In the pictures/mirrors section was this picture. My grandsons love trains, but I wasn't even tempted to buy this since it sparkled with glitter and sequins.


Then there was this "dawg" who was made out of some foam-type substance---he was at least 3 feet long, so, close to life-size. I actually saw the person who bought him---she looked normal enough. But, my big disappointment was when I asked the people in toys to show me the oddest thing they had and they showed me something I bought a number of years ago and ultimately donated. Chewbacca---how could anyone think you were odd or strange. Funny how you were gone the first day and the sombrero was still there when the sale was over.




But, for me the oddest thing was this---a ceramic platter with rubber/plastic fish and lemons glued on the platter. Then, the whole thing was covered with several layers of saran wrap.






There were also some very nice items---all donated by members of our congregation and community. I think we decided that the mirror was "married" to the bottom washstand---it wasn't original, but looked very nice---both pieces seemed to match and were walnut with a marble top.


We knew this piece was old because it had no belts to strap a tot in, but it was in excellent condition and sold fairly quickly.

We also had a few nice quilts that I wish I could have examined better---but, they sold early in the sale.