7:18 a.m Saturday, April 10, 2010. Mum shakes me awake gently and says, "C'mon Meghan, time to wake up! We need to leave soon." I drag myself out of my nice pillow-top mattress and stumble into the bathroom. I come out ten minutes later blinking at the incredibly optimistic and deceiving Mr. Sunshine shining through the windows. After I grab some caffeinated Chai tea in my eight inch tall mug, I throw on some clothes, check my e-mail, pull on my shoes and smile, still somewhat sleepily, at Mum and say, "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go!" 
As we head out to South Park, an easy ten minute drive, I yawn so much my jaw starts to ache a little. We arrive, at twenty-past eight, though it starts at 9, and already there is a line covering almost the entire front of the building. We dash (hehe, not so much) over and get in line behind a dear old friend, Mrs. Linda Mckee, and spend the next forty minutes catching up until they open the doors. Last year, I did not accompany Mum on this yearly expedition and last year, they let everyone in early. Apparently a lot of people were unhappy with that so they kept to the opening time of 9:00 a.m rigidly. (Although everyone inside was milling around and all the beautiful, tall stacks of fabric were ready and waiting.) As we stood outside in the 30 something degree breezy air, I asked for the time and then watched as all the ladies inside bowed their heads while a woman prayed. Seeing that eased my shivering impatience. :) Below you will find a picture of my dear Mum and I before we dashed inside: she to the huge display of discount yarn and me to the three huge tables of cotton prints!!! (Ahem, please do not pay attention my sleepy face-what my family calls my 'baby-Meghan face.' :) 
At nine-forty, I headed to the check-out before it started to get clogged and I spent more money than I brought with me. :) Mum laughed as she pulled up next to me and said, "I was wondering how I would ever find you!" Her worries were merited because the line we were in, snaked across the whole building, up and almost part-way around the back of it on a hill! I painfully handed my twenty-dollar bill over to the cashier and Mum and I made our way out to reveal our glorious finds to each other at the car. She really cleaned up at this sale, only spending $28 on lots of yarn and a little fabric. :) I brought a twenty-dollar bill with me, planning to spend maybe half but spent all of it except for 25 cents. I got a lot, A LOT of fabric-all great cotton prints for aprons, notebooks, purses, etc. I got a 25 cent bundle of remnants to make Anna some doll clothes that will make up very cute! Underneath here is 'the bag' (emphasis added!) of fabric. The first is to show how big the bag was and then the picture underneath is to reveal how much fabric I got.
Later on, I organized and labeled each and every piece of fabric I owned that I would make into projects this year and I now do not need a single scrap of fabric between the things I bought and the things I already had. :) That was a lot of fun!
This, my dear readers, is only the tip of the iceberg. :) And now for the second part of my Saturday:
~~~
10:45 a.m, same day. Armed with fresh provisions (a.k.a: cash, food and ibuprofen), Sara (who sweetly watched over Anna and Ronnie for us) and I awaited our noble chauffeur to arrive. Last Friday night, Alaina called and asked if we were available to go to three estate-sales and lunch with a few of our mutual friends. In her black mini-van, with Danielle and Sarah Elaine inside, we (after a few minor setbacks such as a photo-op, forgotten keys and handbag of mine) departed from our home, optimistic and excited of the deals we were sure awaited us. Luckily it warmed up considerably from the chilly morning and continued to through the afternoon.
With Alaina at the wheel, Danielle as the navigator, Sarah Elaine, Sara and I as commentators (hehe!) we departed. Alaina braved the many cars lining the street where two of the estate sales were and nobly parallel parked her van! Woo hoo! After a few unsuccessful tries and debating where to park, we alighted from the car and stretched our legs. If you haven't noticed already, this post is dramatized and slightly exaggerated-the ride to these estate sales was ten minutes. :) The first we went to proved very successful for Alaina who is now making room in her bedroom for a hope-chest. She found a beautiful antique trunk and got it half off the quoted price at a beautiful $17.50! It is huge and in good condition and when it is cleaned, will be absolutely beautiful. We stopped off at the second one on that street before going to lunch, after much discussion amongst ourselves, at Olive Garden to get the unlimited soup, salad and bread sticks. Oh. My. Goodness. Was it yummy! Between all of us who ordered similar orders, we polished off three huge bowls of salad and I think that many baskets of bread sticks. :) Sara, Sarah Elaine and I all had delicious chicken and gnocchi soup. We debated getting desserts but with our youth-group's fun-night later that day we opted not to. We just drooled over the dessert menu for a minute or two. :)
At the third estate sale ten minutes away, I really got some steals! Pictured above is, hehe, an old movie that I really enjoy called New Moon. Obviously it's not the newest Twilight movie. :) 
I purchased these hand-work books for fifty cents in all. As a lot of you know, I am a cheap-skate so getting so many things so cheaply made my day! 
At the first estate sale I found these sweet set of Christmas cloth napkins that I happily set gently in my hopechest. I think I paid two dollars for them. :) And my last find of the day, at around 3 that afternoon, is this hand-made granny-square afghan that you can see airing in front of my window. I think I bought this for 2 or 3 dollars. :) Sarah Elaine, Sara, Alaina and Danielle all procured a few treasures from these estate sales but I think I was the one who came back with the most stuff! It was a fun day-a whirlwind, to be sure and Sunday I spent the day resting and reflecting on what great friends I have. Speaking of that, I would like to say, in closing, that the general consensus amongst us all was that if one person had been there it would have been perfect:
But on June 22nd, 2010, Gabrielle will be here again for not one, not two, but THREE weeks this time!!!!!! We will have to find at least one or two sales to go to with her. During this outing we all talked feverishly about what sort of parties and get-togethers we can have when she's here. But personally, I know Sara and I are a little reluctant to share her. :)
Saturday was fun with friends...sweet Bella, and catching up with Courtney and Hannah! (Who we did not get any pictures with-we were too busy talking!) :) LOL
Some crazier moments...as is pictured above. LOL (I am risking my reputation posting this!) LOL :)
Sunday, a beautiful dance recital where my beautiful younger sisters perfomed wonderfully! 
Monday-a day of rest and relaxation. The girls had an excess of flowers and these beautiful roses I put in a vase next to my bed on my nightstand. The baby's breath, ferns in the back and light pink and then the cream roses left me breathless with delight. I LOVE looking at these!
A new book that is perfect for my season of life that is incredibly encouraging and inspiring.
Yummy lemon ginseng green tea, a beautiful reminder on the mug "Love Never Fails," devotionals often flipped through and the Word of the Lord. The Lord never ceases to speak to me through those age-old pages.
