Stuff I've dragged home: Estate sale edition

Estate sales are one of my favorite places to shop, but I rarely get to visit them: they're usually too far away and held on Friday mornings when I have both kids. Recently I've been able to go to three sales, which for me is some kind of record. I found a new favorite estate sale company that advertises on Facebook, so I always know when and where their next sale is. They usually run sales Thurs-Sat and two of their recent sales have been relatively close by, so I've been able to drop Maren off at school at 8:10 am on Thursday morning and then hop over to the sale when it opens.

Another reason I love this company is their prices! I've been to estate sales that seem to be confused that the shabby old house they're selling in is actually some kind of high-rent antique store, and price accordingly. The ladies at my new favorite company price things very reasonably, which makes the 50% off on Saturdays even better! Here are some of the things I've scored at their estate sales recently:

Vintage Beistle Halloween die cuts. LOVE! I never ever find vintage Halloween, so these were exciting. The die cuts are embossed and the colors are nice and bright.

Two old newspapers from July 1969, chronicling the return to earth of the Apollo 11 astronauts. I bought these to put in Porter's vintage space-themed bedroom. I need to figure out a good way to frame them and hang them on the wall--any suggestions?

A couple of old blank books that the homeowner began to use as a household expense register, dated 1955. A great 1944 book called "It's Fun to Make a Hat" that is headed for etsy, a roll of pink floral foil, and an ornate frame that I thought I could spray paint a fun color.

A pair of McCoy flowerpots in a gorgeous green. These were in an ugly planter that was still attached to the wall. I found them Saturday morning when everything was 50% off and I'm shocked that they were still there on day 3 of the sale! Maybe they were waiting for me. I left the ugly planter attached to the wall. Yet another set of Jell-o molds--I told you I was incapable of leaving them behind--a cute toadstool light switch cover, a deck of vintage Disney & circus cards, a Mrs. Santa planter with spaghetti trim (someone had already gotten to Santa..why on earth did they split up the pair? Grr) and what is sure to be the centerpiece of my July Fourth decorating this year, a pitcher with the image of every U.S. President. Well, every president up to LBJ, since the pitcher is marked 1965.

Sadly, my too-brief estate saling days are coming to a swift end. To my disappointment, Maren was assigned to the afternoon kindergarten class for next year. Our elementary school operates on a year-round schedule, so "next year" starts on July 6, if you can believe it! That means that I'll have both kids every weekday morning, and going to an estate sale with both my kids in tow is about as much fun as having bamboo splinters shoved under my fingernails. I could go on Saturdays, but as The Mister is gone a minimum of two weekends per month for work and training for a triathlon the other weekends, my kid-free Saturday mornings are few and far between as well. Perhaps I should look into hiring a sitter for a standing date every Thursday morning this summer while the middle/high schoolers are still on summer vacation. It'll be pricey, but it might be worth it in Mommy sanity time!