I guess we all have to have a bad day or two once in a while.
So, here's my story.
We have been trying to downsize for many years. One of us thinks that not much progress is made and the the other one thinks that we are getting rid of some "stuff"
So the neighbor across the corner was having a garage sale today. The micro manager thought that this would be a good opportunity for us to put things out and people may visit our garage sale while going to the other.
It was a very nasty day. Wind gusts were well into the 60 km range. It was plus 12 C. Now those two things are enough to tell me that it will be a very nasty day. I said we shouldn't have a sale with such poor weather. The Micro manager thought that it was a great opportunity for a garage sale. Words were said. Strong words were said. Finally I gave in and we rounded up stuff to put out.
Now a few things about garage sales. There's more to it than just putting things out. People like to see a sale with much stuff displayed. They look at a sale with only a few things and they don't stop. You need an attractive sign. Your sign must be clear. It was so windy today that the sign was blown across the yard. Put things out so that they are attractively displayed.
Finally about 3 PM the micro manager gave in and said let's quit. The neighbor next door wanted some of these articles so we invited Darcy for a visit. Darcy took about 75% of the stuff. What was left, we took to bibles for missions.
Did we learn anything? Probably not.
Sorry the sale didn’t go well. They can be like that, hit or miss.
ReplyDeleteIt could be worse.
Last sale I participated in, there was two of us, both with good stuff. I sold zero. The other person sold a lot.
May
You can never predict a garage sale performance.
DeleteLOL. I would rather donate than to sit at a garage sale. You know, though, we are down sizing here, as you know. What is fascinating to me is that my husband is very good at telling me what we don't need...as long as it belongs to me. All his stuff is necessary and must go with us. He's actually building a new shed to store his stuff.
ReplyDeleteI would not have bought all the stuff and then it would disappear as soon as I was finished with it.
DeleteDear Red,
ReplyDeleteOh, the garage sale gale, what a blustery tale—
With signs that took flight like a yard sale regatta,
And tempers that rose like a pot of hot lava.
One said "Let’s wait!" while the other said "Go!"
And the wind just laughed with a chilly blow.
You braved the breeze, the cold, the spat,
Laid treasures out—imagine that!
By three o’clock, the verdict came:
Darcy won the downsizing game.
So did you learn? Well, maybe a smidge—
Next time just wave from behind the fridge.
John
It would be safer to hide behind the fridge. I always appreciate your poem for a comment.
DeleteWe have a block garage sale where about ten of us combine all our things in one driveway and work shifts for two days to sell it. You’re right, just the shear size of our sale brings in lots of customers.
ReplyDeletethere's some of that here and it draws a lot of customers.
DeleteThe “micro manager” bit made me smile—it’s such a familiar dynamic in many homes. At least Darcy saved the day by taking most of the stuff! Downsizing never goes as planned, does it?
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have that much out but it was good that Darcy took it. My downsizing time is beginning to get to the critical time.
DeleteSorry you had a bad day! Too bad you didn't sell out.
ReplyDeleteWe've had those kinds of garage sales before.
DeleteSoooo, you got rid of stuff, but in a different manner. Did Darcy take your micro manager? Oh, I just had to say that. Hope you didn't get rid of the couch, eh? Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteDarcy didn't take the Micro Manager but she is great at cheering the Micro Manager up.
DeleteJust for future reference when downsizing: My Mom always said she was gonna take that red, personalized 2-seater Mercedes with her. She died. The Mercedes was still in the garage. It didn't go with her. It was one of the first things we had to sell quickly because it still required car insurance. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't think people have the idea of taking things with them but some people find it hard to part with things.
DeleteAfter all these years, you should have learnt not to argue with the pocket dynamo known throughout Alberta as The Mighty Micromanager - who always knows what's best. Think of yourself as her butler and handyman and do as you are told!
ReplyDeleteI am very good at setting up a siege.
DeleteBetter luck another day! 😊
ReplyDeleteWe've had quite a few sales. They range from good to bad.
DeleteSorry the garage sale did not go well, the weather could be blamed.
ReplyDeleteTake care, happy Sunday! Have a great week!
There was also a complete lack of planning.
DeleteI don't participate in garage sales. We either hoard stuff or give it away. Actually, we do a lot of both.
ReplyDeleteSome people find it hard to part with stuff.
DeleteYou got rid of stuff though…in a round-about way!
ReplyDeleteDarcy had looked at this stuff before but never made the move to take it.
DeleteI certainly wouldn't want to be garage sale shopping in that weather but I'm glad you got rid of some stuff, thats progress.
ReplyDeleteYour last line made me laugh!
It was nasty weather but people were out .
DeleteGarage sales can be a lot of work for not a lot of payoff. At least you got rid of some stuff. I'm more for donating what I don't want anymore. Hope you two kissed and made up after your spat. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe donate what's left over after the sale is closed.
DeleteWell, at least you got rid of most of your stuff. Not a total loss!
ReplyDeleteWe did get rid if it but we didn't have much out there. Complete lack of -planning.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has a bad day now and then. This sure sounds like it qualifies. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThey also don't pay you a lot for your items, say $2 if lucky
ReplyDeleteWe were talking about having a garage sale in our downsizing project. The community one was held a couple of weekends ago. We didn't participate and I think it was a bust as we only saw five of them driving out of our neighborhood. So, now we continue to try and figure out which to sort out and take down to places we can donate to. It is a slow process.
ReplyDeleteMarriages are made up of lots of good and bad days all thrown together. 🤩
ReplyDeleteThis is reminding me I need to clean the garage!
ReplyDeleteI hate garage sales and would much rather donate everything than to have to deal with people who want to know if you'll take 50 cents for the item marked $1, and which is already a huge bargain.
ReplyDeleteThe wind has been horrible up here too, although it's settled down somewhat today.
I had a few garage sales many years ago and after a couple of back-to-back failures I vowed never to waste all that time and energy again! It's good that you got rid of a lot of stuff even if it wasn't quite what you had in mind.
ReplyDeleteOMG! John's poem is so much fun. I'm sorry your garage sale didn't quite turn out as you hoped. We NEED to downsize too. Sigh. But somebody around here is resisting. Hmmm... and it's not me. We don't have as many garage sales around here like we did in Illinois.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that today it’s not about what we want to buy but everyone needs an attractive and widespread display of things to decide what he wants to select
ReplyDeleteSorry for it didn’t work out but later as you said 75% of us stuff was taken which sounds good