Monday, May 17, 2010

Alzheimer's and Yard Sales

This was my airline companion last weekend. Excellent read. So sad. The story of a young woman who develops Alzheimer's in the prime of her life. I didn't know much about the reality and tragedy of the disease, but I learned a lot. Fascinating and heartbreaking.

I recommend the book very highly, unless you are a hypochondriac. (Not mentioning names, here. You know who you are.) Because even a non-hypochondriac, like me, closes the book and becomes absolutely certain that each ordinary, airhead mistake is a sure sign of early onset Alzheimer's.

Otherwise, two thumbs up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The other exciting development in my life is our first ever yard sale this weekend!

Can you believe we've never had one before? Completely out of my element here and needing tips, folks. Simple strategies for selling everything quick, without a whole lot of effort.

Ideas?

14 comments:

Rochelleht said...

Location location. Of course, you can't really change that, unless you want to drag your junk to a friend who lives on a corner. ;-) Good luck!!

kara jayne said...

i'll read anything you recommend. especially since memory problems are prevalent in my family...and i can't remember any of my jr. year of high school...seriously.

yard sales. i kinda love them. my husband totally and completely abhors them. all our stuff goes to goodwill as a result. good luck.

Tristan said...

Price low and the stuff will sell fast. Advertise in the paper, on Craig's List and put out signs. Good luck!

Mandy said...

I just had one that was a great success. Advertise like crazy. Put the signs out the day before. Put a price sticker on everything so people don't have to ask the price on everything. I made muffins and had my kids sell them for $o.50 a piece. People loved it! Make a lot, they sold all of them within a short amount of time, and it gave them something to do.
Good luck!

Christie said...

You will be shocked at the sheer number of people who will be there, bright and early, before you are even open. Yard sales bring out some crazies and they scare me.

Ilene said...

Craig's List I hear is the best way to get the word out.

If you have any big ticket items like furniture, you will make more money by selling it as an individual item on Craig's List. Yard sale junkies want stuff cheap. However, if you want it gone and fast then ignore what I wrote.

I haven't held a garage sale either.

Diane said...

My husband is a garage sale junkie. He reads in the paper and Craig's List where sales are, maps out the directions, and plans his route. Essential: neon colored signs, large lettering, clear directions on the signs. Also, neat as possilbe organization. Clear prices (but be willing to dicker - garage salers LOVE that), also price cheap, to sell.

Can't read that book yet. My folks just diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and it's too near to home. Maybe in a few months, or a couple of years.

mama jo said...

my book club just read this...luckily, i didn't...because listening to them talk about it...i'm a huge hypochondriac...and i don't need a new disease to worry about!!

Travelin'Oma said...

The only garage sale we ever had was a bust. We sold thousands of dollars worth of stuff for hundreds of dollars and there were lots of crazies. The next time we had giveaways we packed them in a Penske truck and drove around the country dropping them off here and there to unsuspecting relatives. It was way more fun. I hope the toboggans find a good home.

I do not need to know anything about Alzheimers, but I'm glad you're reading up on it. Don't sell the book just in case.

Jenibelle said...

I read Still Alice months ago and was going to blog about it. Alzheimers runs in my paternal family, I'm terrified of it. I finished the book and immediately wrote my list, then my husband reminded me that I wouldn't know if the answers were right. It's a fabulous, educational, scary read.

Yard sales? Oh my boys wish they were there to help, they're fantastic sellers. We made $500 once on practically nothing!! (It was Disneyland money, they were motivated...)

the wrath of khandrea said...

alzheimers scares the hell out of me. i swear the only thing that will remain a viable memory is this huge reptoire of 80's tunes i have literally burned into my brain.

yard sale- i'd rather claw my eyes out with a rusty rake. best of luck to you there.

Lauren in GA said...

Being a bit of a hypochondriac, myself...well...perhaps I should skip that particular book selection.

Okay, the Boys Scouts in our ward just had a huge yard sale. They offered all the clothes you could fit in a plastic grocery sack for $2.00 and people bought bags of clothes like crazy. Of course, they had tons and tons of clothes because lots of members of the ward gave donations to be sold. Maybe you could do that toward the end of the yard sale to clear out what is left.

calibosmom said...

My grandmother had Alzheimer's and it is horrible-for everyone. I take an Omega fish pill everyday to fight it but I'm scared to death of it. I don't know if I'm ready for that book.
Yard sales-people will come early and if they want something make them pay full price. After two hours, start dropping your prices big time!

Robin said...

Oh. I do love a good yard sell and I bet yours will be awesome! Don't be offended when people want to negotiate, unless they show up before the sale starts. Otherwise, counter their offer. It's fun. You will be tired at the end of the day so spend the proceeds on pizza and root beer and go to a movie.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...