We had a garage sale last week and let me tell you, I never want to have another one again! We’ve done them twice before, but this one was bigger and more tiring, especially since we did it in the front yard and had to carry out tables and unpack tubs/boxes every morning and then put it all back every night (I continually refilled the tables as they emptied, so there was never less). Not to mention the lack of sleep – there was so much to do we both got only 2-3 hours the first two nights of the sale.
My parents-in-law came the first day and they were a godsend! Phyllis made us lunch, and made extra for me to take to work. I had to go to leave for work at 2 and they helped Dennis pack up that day, and helped us sell a lot of stuff too!
Every physical demand seemed ten times harder than before I was pregnant, and it was frustrating because I’m used to being able to push myself to do what needs to be done, no matter what. I had to let Dennis do more than his fair share of the work involved (lots of heavy lifting, which is what was hardest for me, and what I’m not supposed to be doing anyway), and I hated it. I could always do a my share of hard work before being pregnant and it’s hard to accept I can’t do it now.
The good news is that we both survived, and sold a ton of stuff. The reason we had the sale was to get rid of enough stuff that we could rearrange our house so that we could completely empty out the office and turn it into Joshua’s nursery. The hardest part is now done-hallelujah!
It was also a nice opportunity to see some friends who I haven’t seen in a while (I’m sort of a recluse, don’t tell), and to meet a blogger friend, Melissa of My Recent Favorite Books! I think she found me through another mutual blogger friend, Marsha, The Better Baker, and it wasn’t long before she realized we were both in Wichita. She also delivered a hug from Marsha, who she had told about our meet-up, which was so sweet. It was so nice to meet you, Melissa!!
Now that we’re done with step one of Battle Plan: Getting Ready for Baby, I’m really eager to finish the remaining steps so that we can get the new furniture set up in the nursery. I know we still have 19 weeks (if he comes on time, anyway. Yeah right, right?) to get ready, but I’m so anxious to just have everything done now!
I will definitely be taking pictures of our progress but won’t share them until the nursery is finished because if I showed you the current state of the office/nursery, you would have a heart attack and die, and I would die of shame and embarrassment. I know you’re imagining something really bad, but believe me it’s even worse than that. Now you’ve got an even worse picture, and let me tell you, you’re still nowhere close to how bad it is. I promise I will show you eventually, but only when I have the finished room to show you so you won’t question our ability to raise a child without him being crushed beneath an avalanche of stacked papers and books and laundry.
I know you’ve been eying my shirt, so here’s a closer look:
My friend, Tara, the one who pimped Den’s guitar (and won a 2nd place ribbon at the fair for it) and fixed the stain in my jeans by turning it into art, did this custom artwork for me! I so love it! (I just looked at the old post with Den’s guitar in it, and thought it was funny/cool that I’m wearing the Heart of God bracelet in these pictures (and I think last week’s too) that I also pictured in that post!) I now have a cupcake shirt to deliver cupcakes to my customers in. :) Thanks Tara!
Oh and I’ve been doing good on the temper tantrums, or at least haven’t freaked out to the degree I did last week. In fact, one Friday morning shopper who arrived while we were still setting up and arranging things, asked, “How do you guys get along so well?” After last week’s meltdown, this was incredibly encouraging. I must be on the road to recovery. lol. And the answer to her question? Jesus is our foundation. <3
P.S. I can’t see my feet when I look down any more. I’m not sure how I feel about this.
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Garage Sales are draining for sure! I’m sorry about the hissy fit from last week that I somehow missed – you look beautiful and so happy. Can’t wait to see your nursery!
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LOL it’s better you didn’t see it, it was shameful. Thanks Pam!
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I am absolutely giddy with delight over seeing the photo of you and Melissa together!! Both GAWGEOUS women! =) What a sweet blessing she could deliver a hug to you for me! Garage sales are SO much work for sure…I’m having one next weekend…pricing everything cheap to go….or not pricing at all…most things are going for 50 cents! Gotta make room in the garage (where my garage sale tubs are, leftover from the last sale, and collected over the year) for my cookbooks! Glad you made some bucks…that helps the weariness. How wonderful to have family come alongside to help. I am excited to see that finished nursery too…one step at a time. I use to clean some pretty dumpy homes, and when I’d walk in, that’s what I’d have to tell myself…one thing at a time, and eventually it gets done. Oh – and most importantly, JESUS is the best foundation EVER! =) Have a wonderful week Sista and get caught up on your rest. XO
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Thank so much! I had a wonderful time meeting Veronica!! =)
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That was awesome, Marsha, thanks for sending that hug with Melissa! :) We priced things to sell as well – 75% of the stuff we had was only a quarter. LOL! And we still made quite a bit so that tells you how much stuff we had! Well we also sold a few big things, including a guitar, so that helped too. The money part really did keep us energized throughout it-haha! Good luck with your sale!
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Such good pictures and I love your house. It seems just right for you, your husband little Joshua.
Lillian
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It is small but I’m actually not bothered too much by the lack of space any more. Once I made my peace with it, knowing there is no way for us to move into a larger place at this time, I’m king of excited about just doing my best with what I’ve got. I think it will work out great, and at least we have a yard we can put a swingset in too.
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Hahaha Veronica, this made me chuckle several times. Love that T-shirt! Hats off on the garage sale. Whenever we hosted them at my parents’ house growing up, we never seemed to do that well!
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Well I advertised all three days in the paper (usually I don’t b/c I don’t want to spend money when we might not be making that much) and it was worth it – brought a lot of people out, esp the first day.
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Adorable T Shirt! Garage sales are so much work – but at least yours was a success and now you can move on to the fun part – decorating a room for baby J!
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Yaaaay!
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You look wonderful!
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Aw, thanks!
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I had such a great time meeting you Veronica! =) It was so much fun talking to you and your Husband! You look great! I’m so glad that your Garage Sale went well, and that the rain “held off” until late Saturday night!!
Have a great week! =)
Melissa
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Me too Mel! And thanks for delivering the hug from Marsha! That was so sweet. I know, we really were fortunate as far as weather goes b/c it didn’t rain the first time until Thursday night, then waited until we were done returning our tables on Saturday to return.
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I’m glad everything went well. You look great and love the shirt. It’s so you. Can’t wait to see the nursery.
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Thanks Katy! I can’t wait to get it together! Friends are coming over labor day weekend to help paint it so it will probably be after that when I post pics. Excited!
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The shirt is so cute! I have never had a garage sale and all I hear are horror stories about them. I will just continue hoarding my stuff until Tom gets so frustrated he makes me donate it :)
I am glad to hear your mood is staying pretty calm, that has to be better for you and the baby. Oh, and Dennis haha.
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LOL, good plan! I just really wanted to make some money since we’re going to be needing it, otherwise we would have had a huge truckload to take to Goodwill. After the sale we only had a few boxes to day – yay! Yeah, Dennis is probably a lot happier this week-lol.
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I only GO to garage sales, I don’t actually have them – much to the dismay of my husband! I have stopped buying snowmen and khaki pants, but pretty bowls and plates still come in the house! You look beautiful – love the shirt!!
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Oh Veronica, I LOVE the pics! Especially the sassy one under the umbrella with your hands on your hip, and the close up. You look like a little doll…I just want to pick you up and put you on my shelf! You’re glowing! I’m so happy for you! Can’t wait to see the nursery. Don’t over do! ~MarySueLily
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You are doing such a good job documenting everything for Joshua. I think you should post a picture before and after of the nursery. I know Joshua will have a supreme sense of humor (look at his parents) and will appreciate that one day. :) Take care!
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The shirt is adorable and you are looking great! Glad your sale went well. They are a lot of work. The money was a great motivator when I had mine too…lol! I still have some items left. I donated the clothes but, other items I just put on the yard sales on fb or on Craigslist if it’s bigger. I love cleaning out things though, it’s amazing how much “stuff” we accumulate!
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You look amazing, and I am glad your garage sale was successful! We have a huge cluttered mess in our house right now, too. We recently turned our master bedroom sitting area into an office nook for my grad school endeavors. It’s disgusting! There is crap scattered all over the house in an attempt to move stuff from one place to another. I just posted a ton of stuff on eBay, so I hope it sells and I can ship it off!
Showing off a new blog today in my link. Think I’m going to maintain two for the time being… :)
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You look beautiful! Absolutely glowing.
I helped my folks with an epic garage sale when they sold their house and downsized to an apartment and it was so.much.work. I totally relate. Did you get those people who intentionally come half an hour earlier than when the garage sale is supposed to start?
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glad your garage sale was a success! you look great :)
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I know what you mean about being frustrated that you can’t just push yourself and work hard/lift things. That’s exactly how I felt when we were moving, and I was unable to restrain myself even though I knew it was bad for me. And I love the T-shirt!
Can’t wait to see the nursery. =)
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Your photos with the umbrella are absolutely charming — Mama-to-be with a parasol — so pretty! (Love the T shirt, too!) I finally found the cure for garage sales — get rid of everything you don’t use (and/or things with no sentimental value.) Of course, that involves having grown children. ;) Glad you had some good help.
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I really need to have a yard sale… I just don’t wanna deal with all the work that goes into it! But I know who to go to for advice if I ever do decide to do one. You are absolutely adorable with that umbrella and that shirt!!!!! LOVE the shirt! Can’t wait to see the nursery!
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