(Another post that's been in drafts for several weeks).
Time it was let out.
About 6 weeks before Colin passed away I hauled the boxes of car-boot stuff out from under the stairs. We were going to take them on a good weather Sunday. They stood in the hall just inside the front door and I added a few more bits to the boxes but of course I didn't actually get to do the sale as it was either wet or too hot and then he was poorly.
I didn't want to put the boxes back under the stairs as that is more difficult than getting them out and I soon got fed up with walking round them, so a few weeks ago I decided to load up and take them to the local Sunday boot sale at Stonham Barns. It's much more civilized than the huge Saturday one at Needham-Market, which means you don't have to get there at silly-o-clock. I arrived at 7.15 and was in good time to unpack. There aren't masses of dealers crowding round the car....... thank goodness!
I've never done a boot sale on my own before but loads of people do, so I wasn't worried. Son and Daughter in law plus Willow of course came to see me and found some more clothes for Willow, she's growing so quickly.When I needed to nip to the loo I "borrowed" the son of a lady who was selling stuff opposite me to just to keep an eye on everything. (Another benefit of this car boot sale........enough proper toilets and no queueing for a scruffy portaloo)
I spent the time people watching......some very strange shapes were seen as it was warm and much flesh was on view! But something happened that made me, the lady opposite and a lady on the next car boot look at each other in horror. A family....Mum, perhaps Dad- not sure, and two children - boy and girl of about 8 or 9. The boy was just a few steps ahead at the next lady's table with the other 3 in front of my stall. When suddenly the man shouted at the boy " come back here" (all of 12 feet) "you must stay where we can see you, there are bad people who could take you away and we wouldn't know". The man carried on like this, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, for several minutes, it was so frightening to hear this at a rural car-boot sale when the boy was only a few feet away and no crowds of people anywhere. I don't know about the boy, but the man frightened me! Are things really so bad? I don't believe they are, not in this part of the world, no wonder children suffer from stress.
I didn't have anything worth much to sell so it went for 50p, £1 or £2.
My best sale was a whole load of crafting stuff that I knew I'd never
use for £10 for the lot.
Came home with over £50, well pleased.
Left over = Two bags of stuff went to charity shops and a couple of things into the rubbish bin and one or two things back into the house but Nothing back under the stairs except the books. (Until a couple of days ago when I began to sort through some things from the garage and started a new box-under-the-stairs for next year!)
Traveling along country roads early in the morning has it's compensations. That Sunday morning I saw 2 muntjac deer crossing the road, 3 hares ran across the road ahead of me and numerous rabbits were out and about.
The bit below hasn't been in drafts........it's brand new.
Oh Bother, a blog that I read has vanished................again. Thank you to everyone who doesn't disappear, everyone who keeps writing something for me ( and others) to read and enjoy.
And many thanks for comments, I find them very supportive.
Back Soon
Sue
£50 is good for a morning at the car boot. There aren't as many around here as there used to be.
ReplyDeleteThe man's behaviour does seem a little OTT. Perhaps the boy has a habit of wandering off or they are more used to being in busier places.
Sorry to read another favourite blog has disappeared. X
A couple of boot sales stopped in Ipswich which has made the one at Needham Market HUGE but the little local one is still small
DeleteIt's a big gap in my life that I have never been to a car boot sale. There don't seem to be many, if any, around here. Over £50 is brilliant plus gaining more space for yourself - good for you.
ReplyDeleteAnother vanishing blog is really sad. I so miss reading them.
What Never Ever.........I challenge you to find a boot sale and have a look ASAP!
DeleteI know what you mean about vanishing blogs. So glad you are still there. £50 is a good profit. Have you tried the ziffit website for getting rid of books? I think some parents are, sadly, getting a little paranoid. Surely it is important that we teach our children to be sensible and assess the dangers than hover over them like police helicopters?
ReplyDeleteI'm always Ziffiting! have earned over £200 from them since I started a couple of years ago.
DeleteI'm glad you had a successful car boot sale and got rid of your unwanted stuff, AND some money in the kitty too. I can't believe that chap - how stupid is it to a) shout that out loud for everyone to hear, b) make your children scared of being Outside at All, because there are Bad People. Not a very bright chap by the sound of things.
ReplyDeleteI know the blog you mention. Used to know its owner too, many moons ago. It always seems strange to me to completely remove a blog for the internet. Nowt as queer as folk, they do say!
This blog has been and gone Umpteen times in the last few years. I add it to my list and then .....take it off again!
DeleteI'm so glad that you find comments supportive. It's difficult to know whether the comments one writes are helpful especially if one's not been in the situation. That's where Weaver of Grass can be truly helpful as she's been in a similar place recently.
ReplyDeleteThe parent's threat sounds like a modern equivalent of,
“ I’ll send you to the children's home if you don't behave!”.
I think all comments are lovely because it means someone has cared enough to write a few words.
DeleteI think sometimes when parents feel the need to boom stuff out so loudly, it's more of the 'see how good a parent I am? see how much I care?' for the benefit of everyone around them. All for show. A caring parent just gets on with it, keeps an eye on things but quietly!
ReplyDeleteAs for closing blogs, well, I've been a rubbish blogger this year. My heart is not in it. I've been working on a blog post to put up soon, but the timing hasn't been right yet. Nothing dramatic. I am going to close TSD, but I am going to have a final attempt at getting my enthusiasm for blogging back. This year more than any other, I've really struggled with blogging. Sometimes the best thing is just to vanish for a while, you either come back feeling refreshed, or stay away relieved to have made the decision!
x
You've been blogging longer than most, I'm not surprised you needing a break or even packing it in completely.
DeleteI'm finding blogging very important in my life at the moment which is something non bloggers or non blog readers wouldn't understand
Well I must miss vanishing blogs. £50 is a decent profit, and probably a good day out people watching. It is always a jolt to the senses when people act in a way badly, poor boy with a father so strict.
ReplyDeleteVery Happy with £50 and an empty cupboard.............for a while at least.
DeleteI was so sorry to hear about Colin, it was so sudden. I lost my husband 4 months ago (you'd probably know his name from The Suffolk Smallholder) and I must say you are doing very well, keeping yourself busy. I love reading your blog every morning with my morning cuppa!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, I can't work out who you are at the moment but you must be in Suffolk! I've lost touch with most SSS members as there are no meetings to go to anymore. There was a time back at the beginning of the society when we knew almost everyone, there were lots of things to go to to make contact and friends. I miss that. I've even thought about getting back on the committee and trying to get the social side going again but not sure it would work
DeleteGlad you like reading
A good result, £50 and space under the stairs, my favourite sort of carboot sale outcome ☺
ReplyDeleteI usually find that it's the loud parenting that is the worst sort. The goods parents just get on with it ... with the occasional hiss under their breath.
Perhaps the nice weather and holiday season is slowing some bloggers down, perhaps they will be back with the longer darker nights.
Yours is always a pleasure to visit, a friendly spot on the internet, I'm glad you are still enjoying writing it.
I'll keep writing the blog, I ought to be writing to friends too but haven't - very bad penfriend
DeleteThat loud mouthed man sounds like he is a bully. I feel sorry for the kids in that situation. No need to embarrass them in front of other people. £50 was good.
ReplyDeleteI hope he wasn't a physical bully but certainly very OTT for the situation
DeleteWhat a strange man, how horrible for the child, we do need to make our children safe, many years ago it was stranger dander, these days we need to ensure they are safe from every one. The are much better ways to protect your child then scaring them. Glad you had a good boot sale, it's great to get rid of stuff.
ReplyDeleteOne boot sale a year is as much as I can manage, I'm not sure where the stuff comes from but it does seem to gather as things change
Delete£50 would be a miracle in rural Lincolnshire , but i view it more as a recycling opportunity plus our local little car boot has free pitches , it has grown this year a lot of the full time sellers bring there rubbish and leftovers from the huge seaside saturday sales. Im not complaining we did one a couple of weeks ago , plus we will do another the first decent weather Sunday we get
ReplyDeleteLast year we did one and only took £22 so this was exceptional - very pleased
DeleteI saw, and heard, a man speaking in a similar way to his son in Waitrose the other day. I remember thinking that if any Social Worker was around they would probably have had a word with him. It was weird, a man going way over the top shouting at his child who was looking at a comic on the news stand like all children do. It was quite scary. It was as if he wanted to be heard and was making sure we all knew and looking to see who was listening. The next day I saw him again acting in the same way, this time with the mother there too. I found it quite disturbing. She looked scared, and they were quite well to do people. Glad you enjoyed your car booting.
ReplyDeleteThis man was so over the top and quite unnecessary for the situation.
DeleteI wouldn't want to go and sell stuff more than once a year all that standing about is hard work!
I like the Stonham Barns boot sale as well, much more a "family" event. I also need to sell rather than buy, so I may give it a go - you have encouraged me! PatC
ReplyDeleteThe busiest Sunday was the day I was there and didn't get to look round! Since then it's been much quieter so I doubt the takings would be so good. I shall start boxing up bits for next year, lots to sort out through the winter
Deleteand Give me a shout and I'll come and help!
DeleteApart from the scary man it sounds like you had a good car boot £50 is better in your pocket than someone elses. As for support you would do the same for any of us.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
Yes I was pleased
DeleteI've seen a few too many parents in action like the one you described. Though I raised four children (3 of them boys), I was not one to yell on a regular basis. However, I recently took my small grandson out for a walk on a pier early one morning. It wasn't crowded and he mostly stayed with me, but there was a side ramp part way down the pier where people could go down and tie up a boat, however there were no railings down there. So, naturally, my grandson took off running and was about to head down the ramp. I couldn't get to him fast enough, so I simply yelled, STOP! Well, not only did he freeze in his tracks (literally did not take another step), but so did every person on the pier. It was actually quite funny...like a freeze action picture. Once folks realized why I did it, they grinned and went about their business. I then sat down with my grandson and quietly explained the reason I had called out so loudly.
ReplyDeleteGlad your boot sale was successful. And happy that you continue to blog! Take care.
I really didn't understand the man, it wasn't like a busy high street with crowds of people, the boy was in sight and not a little toddler either.
DeleteNow treat yourself with. The 50£ buy something weird and wonderful
ReplyDeleteLike a lobster bowl
I'm weird and wonderful enough already!
DeleteThat's brilliant Sue, Car Boots are such a great way of getting rid of bits. I dare say we will have a declutter over the next few months but we don't have a great deal anymore so I may have to find someone to do it with.
ReplyDeleteOnce a year is about all I can manage, don't know how I accumulate enough for even that but things change and it's good to clear out
DeleteHardly any boot sales here now. I miss taking my children. They used to come home with treasure. I don’t like to hear parents talk to their children like that. Good parenting is educating children about danger in an appropriate way. I used to let mine wander not far from me but keep a wary eye on them. No cross words were needed. At least not in front of others.
ReplyDeleteI wish boot sales had been around when our children were small, although there were more jumble sales for toys and clothes back then
DeleteI spent an hour sorting through some of the books which are stacked in the dressing room, they have been waiting there for (I wish I could whisper this bit) 12 years... Shame upon me. Tip of the iceberg, but I am determined that this is the year.
ReplyDeleteExcellent result from the car boot sale - that will keep you in swimming sessions for a while!!
This is where moving twice in two years came in handy, made me sort out books, especially the ones that were in boxes for a year and I hadn't missed - but no one wants them at boot sales so I keep checking ziffit until they want them
DeleteI echo Sue's comments about your blog being a friendly spot on the internet. I visit everyday to see if there is a new entry :-) Thank you for keeping it up.
ReplyDeleteKJ
Thank you, that's very kind and thank you for visiting and reading every day
DeleteHow very unpleasant. I don't like shouty people at the best of times but fancy frightening the poor child like that.
ReplyDeleteGlad your car boot went well.
Hugs-x-
Certainly frightened me - perhaps the boy was used to it
DeleteI may not comment much , but I read and appreciate your blog everyday , thank you x
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteWell done with the car boot. I look to see if there is a new post from you and love to read what you have been doing in Suffolk. Very well done for the car boot by yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteWith Col we used to take a couple of tables and trestles on the roof rack but I'd never have been able to lift them up there so I just took a folding wallpaper table and had other stuff on the ground in boxes. It worked OK
Delete£50 is a nice bonus. It's cathartic getting rid of stuff though I'm not terribly good at it! It's a fine line between making children aware of potential dangers and being so over-protective that we make them paranoid but your fellow car-booted does seem to have over-reacted. And what a slur on other people!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine many people at a relatively quiet rural car boot sale wanting to take away a 9 year old boy but perhaps I'm naive. It was certainly an over the top reaction
DeleteAnother reader who so enjoys your blog but does not comment much.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you had a successful car boot sale. When I lived in England I loved the car boots and jumbles, if I could find them.
Many a treasured item came from a jumble many years ago.
Now here in the US, garage sales are the thing. I did one last year and only raised a small amount, it was not worth the effort, people seemed picky, my prices were low, but I had a lot leftover.
I sell a little on eBay but mainly I just donate it.
You are doing splendidly Sue, a day at a time, this Brit in Texas thinks of you often. I am sending love and hugs.
Pam in Texas,x
Thank you for your lovely comment. There are a few village garage sales around, but not regular in one place.
DeleteIt's surprising really that no one over your way has cottoned on to the money making idea of hiring out a bit of land and getting money from people wanting to sell a load of stuff!
Congratulations on the £50 from your boot sale. My suggestion is to treat yourself and buy ... books!
ReplyDeleteThere is a segment of our population here in America that has gone overboard with fear. Very sad for their children.
I'm not buying many books now and need to sell more too.
DeleteI felt sad for the boy at the car-boot sale
Glad you got many of your items sold at the boot sale. Would be much easier than hauling it all inside somewhere. There's flea markets and garage sales here in the USA. Not had on in awhile but should clear out our garage this summer for sure. Sorry to hear of loud dad. Not good for boy. I'd love to have more people commenting on my blog but don't. Lots of readers tho. Almost quit a few times but still going. Always something to share in our blog 🌎. Take care and Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI love getting comments but have got very bad at commenting elsewhere - time is the problem
DeleteLove your blog!! Please don't stop! I would love to live in the sort of rural area you live in! I was born in the New Forest but Husband was born in Clapham and where we live at the moment is a compromise. Streetlights for him and open countryside near by for me. Last time we did a car boot we made £37 and it was jolly hard work. People down in Devon are mean and expect everything for nothing. Keep strong Sue - I think you're doing amazingly well.
ReplyDeleteWell done for that good haul of cash at the car boot Sue.
ReplyDeleteYou did well. I think one key is to keep prices reasonable. I always ask myself what I would be willing to pay if I was a buyer. It is always lower than what I want to ask as a seller - ha ha! And if we are already determined to get rid of it, it's better to price low and have the empty space in our home.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good morning's work Sue! We "downsized" houses a few years ago and have had to be firm about getting rid of something when something new comes into the house. We don't seem to have car boot sales around here, but there are a number of good charity shops that I'm happy to support, and more recently a thing called "Neighbourly", an add-on to Facebook where you can sell, or give away things to local people. I've picked up a number of great toys for grandchildren, and last week advertised a Nikon camera that'd sat in the drawer for couple of yours. 11 minutes later it was gone, to a local PlayCentre whose identical Nikon camera was playing up. I was happy and so were they.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the successful car-boot sale. I wish we did those here, so much more convenient than setting up a whole booth and shelves and all. As for comments - we all like them so I make an effort to comment on those people's blog that make the effort to leave me one. If people don't make the effort after weeks, I stop doing it. I am very conscientious about leaving them. Have a good week ahead. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Sue hope you are doing well, I know you have been through alot.
ReplyDeletePeople coming and people going was that me? I finished Simple Living as I had family reading who don't even speak to me so didn't want them reading anymore, and since finsihing I started 3 blogs and finished them all, why? well I get lots of nastiness and people writing to me say you should do this you should do that, you should write about this etc etc, trying to push me around, and I have had several health issues which I haven't mentioned also going through a worrying time at the moment with something else (awaiting results and having tests). I do miss blogging and admit to messing up in blogland I don't suppose anyone would read anymore if I were to start again, I have had some lovely emails from lovely people asking how I am, showing concern. There are also a few people hounded me all the time, almost stalking, so I would like to start again really if I am honest, but don't know how it would go down and also I need to not let these cyber thugs get to me, so I hope that explains a little why I have come and gone.
Best wishes
Marlene