Up a Creek without a Paddle

Don't worry, I've got you covered. 

I ventured out into the pouring rain in the wee hours of the morning to be at the head of the line for the first estate sale of the season.  NOT!!  I was up at 6:00, but one look outside convinced me that I would be better off relaxing with my coffee and newspaper while the early birds stood in line in the freezing rain. 

Wise choice.

I ran into my friend Margo, who was one of those unfortunate souls standing in the rain waiting for the doors to open.  She said I didn't miss any great deals, so I was doubly glad I kept my hair dry.

I did manage to snag a few deals ( it's hard not to get caught up in the frenzy) after all.  I picked up a few blue glass insulators to be used for an outdoor chandelier project.  They were practically giving them away at 50 cents apiece.  Being the practical person that I am, I realized that I needed something to carry them home in, so I found the Pepsi crate under a table. 

Sorry Julie, not a wine crate, but almost.

I was wishy washy on this soup tureen and Margo convinced me to buy it.  She is such a bad influence on me, but is usually right about good pieces.  Waaaaay back in the 80's we all thought she was NUTS when she paid a whopping 37 dollars for a Hoosier cabinet.  Boy did our jaws drop when we saw the refinished piece complete with etched glass panel that had been painted over.  So........ I bought the tureen.

So what if I serve Campbell's chicken noodle soup?!

The first item I spotted that raised my heart rate was this baseball game for 6 dollars!  It has an electrical cord, but I don't think I will risk plugging it in.  It should be safe enough hanging on the wall in the man cave. 

A trip down memory lane for Bill.  I'm sure he must have owned this game as a child.

Of course I couldn't pass up this juice set in a lovely blue and white pattern.  I was going to buy the pitcher for 10 dollars, but realized that was the price for the WHOLE SET! 

Fresh squeezed orange juice anybody?

And last of all, the reason for my post title.  At these sales, there is usually a corner filled with old tools and such.  I normally don't bother looking, because I have to push my way in between all the guys inspecting the loot.  They are very territorial in that department.  Today I found an opening and grabbed another old weathered boat paddle for the bargain bin price of.....

Whoops!  I thought I rotated the picture.

And there you have it.  All for less than the price of a tank of gas.

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