Garage Sale

A few weeks ago Blair and I cleaned out the garage for Blair's dad and we decided to combine a bunch of stuff from that with a bunch of our stuff that we don't need/want any more and have a garage sale. Sounded like a good idea when I suggested it. After many hours of cleaning, gluing, hefting, dragging, painting, and taping, we finally had our stuff ready and signs waiting to be placed around the neighborhood. The sale was just over a week ago on Friday and Saturday mornings. (Those are garage sale days around here.)

Surprisingly, traffic on Friday was much better than on Saturday and we sold a lot more on Friday than on Saturday. I really thought it would be opposite. Also, people wouldn't take the initiative to bargain with us! It's a garage sale, people! When I say $5, it really means I'll probably let it go for $3. Maybe $2 if you make me laugh. Or $1 if you buy something else, too. So don't roll your eyes, throw the object back on the table, and stomp off to your car. Make me an offer! I love to negotiate.

We also met lots of interesting people. There were super friendly morning people, grandmas who came to look while grandpa stayed in the running car, moms dragging kids out to hunt for new toys, groups of men with trailers looking for super cheap furniture to refurbish and re-sell, and the eccentric types who were decked out in gypsy clothing and had little room left in their cars after visiting several sales.

The whole experience was actually refreshing in some ways. I enjoyed visiting with such a wide array of people in such a short amount of time. Plus we got rid of a bunch of stuff that was just taking up space and we even made a decent amount of cash. I'd definitely do it again...in a few years. After I've forgotten just how much work it takes.

Camping for Fall Break

Ella eating breakfast at the picnic table

In Arizona the schools have a fall break in October. I never had a fall break when I was a kid, but October in Missouri required sweaters, jackets, and the occasional winter coat. Here you can finally play outside without getting heat stroke. So Blair's sister organized a little camping trip while her kids were out of school. His other sister came with her family and Blair and I tagged along. We went to Dead Horse Ranch State Park and had a fun time. The daytime weather was beautiful, the evenings and mornings were a bit nippy, and at night we shivered. But I was thrilled to feel the cool air! Ella had a fun time riding around in her stroller and hiking backpack. She fared really well considering her age and the fact that we wouldn't let her scoot around in the dirt. I enjoyed hanging out around the campfire and hiking along the pretty creek. It's a great place to go for a low key vacation!

Family Reunion Part 3

We let Ella play with some wild flowers for a little while when we took a hike at the reunion. She cried at first because she doesn't like sitting in the grass, but when she got distracted by the flowers and passing 4-wheelers, she was much happier.

Really mom? More pictures?

Love those eyelashes...

Her favorite part was riding on dad's back when he was running.

Those eyelashes again...

And this is what we saw when we walked back up to the cabin. Good thing it was in park...they really meant business.

And this is Ella riding back from the reunion--rejecting her baby doll for an ipod touch and a hat with attitude. I didn't think this was supposed to happen for at least 10 more years...