My first ever yard sale adventure

I'll admit that I'm kind of prejudiced against yard sales. I know it's stereotypical, but I just don't' want to battle crowds to nickle and dime over some 10 cent romance novel or a used ash tray. That being the case, even though practically everyone I know yard sales with success, I don't ever join in.

Today, I made a concession. You see, my friend Ryan and her husband Chris were having a yard sale and their daughter was selling lemonade, so I went to support dear little Paige. As I sipped my drink, I looked around to see what offerings there were, and then I stopped dead in my tracks: was that a beautiful oak table with 4 chairs and a bench I saw? For wicked cheap? Well, well, well. I was starting to see the appeal of the yard sale.

Why was this table calling my name? Well, it was more than just the fact that it was a gorgeous table. There was also the thought of the table we had at home: Over 60 years old, hardly big enough to put 4 plates on it, and short enough that I bang my knees on it, it's my least cherished piece of home decor. It was free, which is why it was happening, but we've had it for 4 years and can probably afford to replace it with a yard sale table that is a bajillion times better.

Deciding to wait until Deg was available, I told Ryan not to sell that table, and went home. When he got home from his service project (sheesh, it's like he's trying to get into heaven or something), I dragged him to the car and off we went to look at the table. He wasn't particularly keen on this idea, but he humored me. I was crossing my fingers, hoping that he'd like it and agree with me that it was definitely a necessity. He saw it, looked over the parts that are actually important (nuts and bolts, screws, joints, etc) and that I don't care about at all. It was in beautiful condition - some of the pieces were still in the box, never having been used.

He pondered for about 10 seconds and said, "Ok, we'll take it." Huzzah! And then... we realized it wouldn't fit in our car. Luckily, Chris offered to put half of it in a truck and follow us home. It's a big sucker! We got it in, screwed the legs onto the table and bench, set it up with the old table in the corner, and my love affair with my table began. It's been a great half an hour, and I'm sure there will be many moments of joy to come.

Our new lovely table and chairs. (Ignore the 3 darker chairs in the background - they go with the old table, but we have nowhere else to put them right now.)

Look at that pretty bench. It's the same height as the seats on the chairs, so those on the bench won't feel like they're in the kiddy seats.

The old table, lying in a pile of flip flops. Thanks to Aunt Lorna for the  use of it these last 4 years. 

A comparison of the two. Definitely and upgrade!