So here we are in a holding, hovering, waiting pattern which does not match my personality, less type A in retirement, but still wanting to get things done, moving, over with. Estate sale lady was not at the home yesterday and I wonder why she has wasted a day. I really should not be here observing because I begin to wonder about too many things, such as how low will she price items? Yesterday I saw the beautiful 24K gold coated McCoy tea set that she'd placed on the dining room table as she is staging the house. I left her a note that it had to be sold at a minimum $35 to $30 else I would keep it and sell it myself. This is just what I do not want to get into, still I am reluctant to give away items that I know fetch a pretty high cost in the antique shops. Better that a stranger pay more, especially a dealer who plans to resell it for a higher cost.
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| July purchase at People's |
We spent two hours in downtown New Kensington on Friday. The first stop was People's Library, for their annual book sale; as we parked in the lot, a man noticed the license plate on our car and greeted us, "Wow folks are coming from Minnesota to our sale!" People's was/is my hometown library where I spent summers back and forth, checking out armloads of books that I'd take home and read and return for another batch. I grew up with my love of reading indulged by the library; we did not purchase books back then and I suppose this has led to my having an extensive home library still today. To the left is the stack I purchased. To raise funds they sell the books by the pound, my stack coming to $14, but feeling philanthropic I gave them a $20 and told them to keep the change. They were very pleased with the tip with one lady commenting they had not been given a tip that she could recall. Meantime Jerry remained outside in the courtyard eating a hot dog which they were also selling for the benefit of the Library. After I staggered out with my armload, I too indulged. This stack reminds me of checking out books in the summer as a teen, where I would take the limit, usually a large stack and never a thought to the heavy weight I would carry back up the hill. No backpack and no cart, just my arms loaded. Hearing of my purchase on Facebook, my friend Patti, a Nook user when she does read, commented that my episode with the stack of books reminded her of Lucille Ball's Long Long Trailer.
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| Across from Kensington Court on Barnes Street |
After the library we wandered over to Kensington Court on Barnes Street where two men have bought and are grandly restoring the building that many local friends conclude was the old Kenmar hotel. It is now filled with lovely assortments of antiques and collectibles, some being sold by the owners and some by other vendors who lease space. It was a very interesting and I wish the owners well. They live upstairs of the store and so far they have had no vandalism which is amazing with the status of downtown so declined from glory days. They shared that the Redevelopment authority is attempting to restore downtown with unique shops and another is scheduled to relocate soon from Lawrenceville, specializing in Steelers memorabilia which is to be manufactured there as well. While there I found an armoire of magnificent purses and spotted a Dooney Bourke purse for only $25; had to buy it although I know I need not another purse, but it was a buy I could not resist. There are also two antique end tables that we may return for to take home; Jerry believes they will be fine in our living room beside both wingback chairs.
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A Saturday gathering with some school friends
I've dubbed ourselves the Crew of 62
Dianne Boggs Cribbs, me, Rich Hemprich, Patti Drew Sasselli
My new Dooney Bourke purse to the right front |
Uncle's home is now listed with the realtor, with whom we met yesterday and with whom I decided to be more aggressive as the customer by listing the home above her recommendation cognizant that I can always decrease the price but cannot increase it. The housing market here even in Lower Burrell is way down from two years ago although the housing market and values in Pittsburgh have maintained their levels according to news. I am sad to think about this home on the market but realize I do not ever want to live in Pennsylvania and so will not keep it.
Which brings me to our holding pattern, everything waiting for the estate sale and ultimate clean out of the home. The old carpeting needs to be torn out to show the good hardwood floors beneath and the kitchen and dining room need a coat of paint. All waiting until......patience is not part of Pat's attributes. Where is my magic wand when I need to wave it? Have I misplaced it in a senior moment!
