Great finds, Kirk! I especially love that Carnation Box. Very, very cool. You will enjoy that gardening stool, too. I got one just like it for my Mother, several years ago and she LOVES it! She's 90 this Summer, and it allows her to continue gardening, because the handles give her the leverage to get up and down without help.

Fills in the space beautifully! Love the lime green on step, adds such a fresh look to the scene. Your dog can go get a drink anytime now,too!! TFS Jan

Here an estate sale is considered an indoor with outdoor items perhaps. Almost everything in the house is for sale and tagged. Usually by someone in the estate sale business. Things are clean and as I said tagged. Usually large items will have a sign saying they will take bids on them - if applicable. Prices are firm until the last day and usually on that morning things are 25% off and later in the day maybe after 11 they go half price. on a big sale the place iscleared out before the 1/2 price goes into effect and then people are let back in. The prices range from the perceived value of the item. I've seen both ends of the spectrum. People line up well before the usual 8 am opening to get in. Most of our sales are run by two popular Estate sale agents and their crews. A tag sale might be in the empty house or just items already priced If you have a lot of stuff it might be well to contact an agent in your community. It might be worth it just to avoid the hassles and headaches and they are usually responsible for everything. One of the most disgusting "estate sales" I went to was run by the family and they had their bed ridden aged mother in the living room watching people go thru her stuff while the family sat around drinking coffee.

Nuts - I've met him several times and his wife twice so I wouldn't say that I really know him. However they are very easy to talk to - very open and congenial. The last time I spoke with him I was wearing an emerald ring that my DH had designed with our jeweler and when he complimented me on the ring I was thrilled. Granted it could have just been a savvy business comment to make a customer feel appreciated but it didn't sound that way - in fact, he noticed my ring and then blurted out "Now, that's an emerald!" When I thanked him he asked about the design and seemed genuinely impressed that my DH had drawn up the original sketch. Most of his jewelry is sterling with or without gold and many pieces have small diamonds or semiprecious stones. My favorite pieces are his bracelets. He has his annual sale in mid November and if you check his web site in October you'll find the dates. He usually does it on 2 consecutive weekends and it's rather an ordeal to attend. They have a sign in sheet and only a limited number of customers are allowed in the factory showroom at a time (maybe 25 or so) and depending on when you arrive you may have to wait a few hours. I'm lucky that both of my sons live within a few blocks so in past years I've parked at one of their apartments, took them out for breakfast and then walked over. Who knows - maybe you'll have a business trip next November.