Walking the Dog, Yardsaleing and Divine Provisions

You know those parts of really great movies that, despite the overall cinematic genius of the production, stink? Or those episodes of your favorite TV shows that reveal lots of information but aren't entertaining? Consider this post similarly--a "plot advancement"--or "catch up" post if you will.

Jason's cousin "Aunt Catherine" drove from Tuscaloosa and kept Emma on VERY last minute notice (insert massive gratitude here). Along with Catherine came her sweet King Charles Cavalier Spaniel: Scarlett. Emma loves Scarlett since unlike the two pony-like Golden Retrievers Emma calls hers, Scarlett is well, more "Emma-sized," which means she doesn't have to just duck and cover from the incessant licking, but she can take control. And perhaps, give her own kisses...

Or go for a stroll in the living room.

Just two short days later, we had a 4 family yard sale at the house. The three other sweet families dropped off most of their sale items on Friday morning. I tried to warn Jason of the volume of "things" in our house before he got home from work...but I'm not sure I was effective. Below was our living room on Friday night:

But man, there were some REALLY good deals.

In fact, we had such a great time that I completely forgot to document any of the actual sale! Our driveway was pretty much lined with card tables and odds and ends and we had a steady stream of customers, who were always a little (unintentionally) entertaining on their own. I learned so much from our last yard sale in June--but to add to those lessons, Saturday taught me:

1. costume jewelry and office supplies SELL. Hotcakes people hotcakes;

2. Julia Child (or at least her voice double) lives in Birmingham and frequents the yard sale circuit;

3. Bartering is still fair game--even when everything in the sale is half-price;

4. There are no returns or exchanges for yard sale merchandise--Buyer BEWARE;

and

5. We are STILL stuck with our Pottery Barn Kids rug that we've never used. Can you say Ebay? Or Craigslist?

Now, on to the Divine Provisions portion. Remember this post? Good things really do come to those who wait--or more accurately, the Lord continues to provide exactly what we need! Here's our latest addition to Emma's collection:

How did we finally decide what to get? Well, I double booked myself on Saturday between the yard sale and an early shopping appointment at a local consignment sale. The other yardsaleing (and super accommodating) families and Jason manned the sale and gave me a break from selling my own junk to go buy other people's gently used treasures. I was at my wits end--still scouting tables and chair sets for Emma low these 2 and a half months later. Nearly caving twice to pay full price for a new set, I held off. And I am so glad I did. I walked into the consignment sale and there it was--just waiting for me. I'm pretty sure I looked just like Monica from Friends on the wedding dress sale episode when I spotted the set. I don't think anyone was injured as I hovered over the goods. Before even really checking the price, I asked LOUDLY--how do I buy this? Lucky me because when I checked what I had just obligated myself to purchase, it was only $35! Huge find for me (and Emma) HUGE.

And now, the rest of the story: We sold a bookcase in the yard sale for $45 to make room for a table and chairs (not knowing of course that I would find a set the same day). So when I put it together--the Lord not only provided us something as simple as a table and chairs, but ALSO did so for $10 cheaper than what we sold to make room for it! Add that to the baby grand piano (toddler size) for $30 I found to give Emma for her Birthday, and the $10 toddler rocking chair for our front porch and man, I feel super blessed--in a most bizarre and unexpected (but welcomed) way.

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:25-26

It wasn't food or clothing (well, I did get some of that for Emma too) but I'm so humbled to be reminded of the truth that the Lord knows and provides exactly what we need. Now, if only the Lord felt I needed a stainless steel gas range...

If you've made it this far, consider yourself caught up!