Dialin it back - just a bit

To all who are wondering just what the heck happened to me, well - I had a revelation that perhaps I should dial it back. Going to auctions twice a week and all the family stuff going on (not to mention my day job that tends to take it's toll) were clearly starting to wear me out. Something had to give and the auction gig was the obvious choice. I still don't have 2 cars in the garage but the piles of stuff aren't growing. And I still enjoy the Saturday auction, just not all day - but I'll be home more on Thursday nights.

And I actually had some time to do something else - which was having the boys (and girls) over for a little Xbox Halo-pizza party this last Friday night. What A Hoot! I gave the "Bdiddy" a run for his money and I truly enjoyed hearing how "that danged old Don-o-Death got me again". I certainly hope we can do this again and maybe even get a third TV-console-team set up. it's all good!

Well, it's time to get started with the "post-auction assessment" and make a load so you all take care and I'll be back later.

- Art

Wow Wee Woooo - what a couple of great sales!

let me just start by saying that the title of this post pretty much says it all and dang it all but I forgot the camera and didn't think to use my cell phone.

The pawn shop auction was as big and full of great stuff as advertised and me and the Mrs. stayed to the bitter end and got some sweet deals and awesome stuff. The details are just too much to describe but we got tools, Xbox games, tools, metal detectors, tools, - well, you get the idea.

And if Friday wasn't enough, I scored big (and I mean really big) at Musick's Snap On tool auction on Saturday. There was literally thousands of new and near new Snap On tools and just gobs of high quality equipment that seemed to go on forever! Thankfully a tax commission friend (yes it's true that even us auditor types have friends in the biz) was there and he was more than happy to help me keep track of my stuff, pile it up and even help load when all was done. All of this in an open barn type building at 25 degrees and a 30 mile per hour wind that cut right through you. We struck a deal on the side for all his help plus I've asked the Mrs. to reward him with a beverage of his choice the next time she sees him at bowling.

Needless to say, my car is no longer in the garage and scant chance of it getting back in anytime soon. But hey, watch our Ebay listings (over the next several months!) and you'll see what I'm talkin about.

Talk to you later
Art

A regular Sunday

It's been a regular kind of Sunday around here, what with the "post auction assessment" most of the day, making a load for Main, having the folks and MK&R (no B) over for dinner, and now a little quiet time before heading to bed and starting another week. Not sure why this is worth posting but I've been kind of a slacker when it comes to posting so here's something new for you all to read.

The auctions this week were somewhat usual, with not much stuff at Caldwell, although at Main they had 4 bays of new merchandise from a local medical and welding supplies Co (Norco) and I left at 5:30pm and they still weren't done with it all. I'm sure the auction lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, I got some interesting and fun things so watch our stuff on Ebay in about a week or two .

But this next weekend is going to be a real hoot, as there is a pawn shop auction in Caldwell on Friday and Saturday and they will be running 2 rings both days. They have got a TON of stuff so take a look at this link http://www.downsauction.com/DUKESPAWN.htm. The Mrs is coming with me on Friday so I should have some photos for the next post.

There is also a Snap On tool auction on Saturday in Meridian which I will definitely be attending before I head over to Caldwell. And of course Sunday is the Superbowl and a fun time with the Wilkes, BMK&R and the folks.

That's about it for now.

ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE AUCTION

Hello family, friends and peekaboo'ers

Me and the Mrs attended the annual Christmas train show at Phil and Marsha’s house this last week. They once again gave a darn good show and we got to enjoy all the doings with a foursome that included a grandpa, dad, and 2 young children who really added to the fun and spirit of the season.




We later enjoyed a cup of hot cider with cookies and lively conversation. This event really gets us in the Christmas mood, and for me it’s all about the priceless gift of friendship and sense of peace that comes with the season.

So a Merry Christmas to all of ya and may the spirit spill onto you and your kin.

ART

Albion Normal School and Twin

Our adventure to another Master's auction started early (6:45 am) which I've heard referred to as the B-crack of dawn by Reagan's Mom and others. I particularly like early mornings and the Misses was more than willing to go along with this line of thinkin. She's a real peach!

We headed to Albion, which is south of Burley and about 3 hours away, and arrived at 10 am to get a pretty decent parking spot and plenty of time to preview the goods. The sale was held at the Senior Citizen Center which use to be a training center building for the old Albion Normal School.

My limited understanding is that this school use to be like a university and Vo-Tech program all rolled into one. It looks like its been closed for many years and heard tell that the State recently sold it, so maybe something will fill the boarded up and empty buildings.

The sale started promptly as usual at 11 am with the customary announcements, but unfortunately there wasn't much stuff and many of the good items listed on the handbill were simply not there.

But we were not deterred and soon had a few odds and ends loaded in the truck.

How can she buy anything with her hands in her pockets an standing behind Lyle?

When they started selling the few furniture items and a small pickup, we took this opportunity to get a burger and chicken taco from Al and Debbie's lunch wagon (and both darn good - and I'm talking about the food and the folks). We had the usual "tailgate" dining venue and it was a pleasant day to be outside.

We then rejoined the sale, picked up a few jewelry items, silver pieces, and artwork and paid the billed by 4pm. We were soon headed to Jackpot and arrived at the West Coast Resort Hotel about 6 pm. It's not the best place in town but "Big and Rich" were playing and all the better rooms were taken. We caught the shuttle bus to Cactus Pete's and soon were at the buffet enjoying shrimp, crab, prime rib and such. We hit the gaming tables and I was soon puttin the big hurt on a bottle of the Grand Marnier.

The Misses was over at the craps table and as per her usual was having a great time gambling someone else's money. Not sure how she does it but it's become so common that I think she'd be disappointed if it didn't happen.

We caught the shuttle back to the room at about 11:30 and headed to bed.

The next morning we grabbed breakfast at Barton's and played a few hands of 21 before heading to Twin Falls by 9 am. We arrived at the sale on Main Street at about 10 am and the parking was a bit limited. The house and yard were small and not much area to work in, but the quality and quantity of stuff was much better than the day before. We soon staked out a place in the shade and picked up a couple items by noon.

Prices were crazy high and I got tired of getting shoved and stepped on by tattooed and pierced goons. The crowed was big, and so were many of the locals, and they were only outnumbered by the million or so houseflies swarming around.

We grabbed a burger from Kathy when the furniture started to sell at about 12:30 and enjoyed another lunch on the tailgate down the street a bit and away from the buzzing crowd.

The sale moved quickly and the Masters boys were surprised at some of the high prices, with several items going for more than retail. They finally got to the garage area about 3pm where all the tools were laid out and we scored a few choice items and some inventory junk for Main.

The sale wrapped up at 5 pm and we chatted for a few minutes with the boys as they had a burger in the shade.

I also poked my head into the trailer to say goodbye to the girls.

I'm not sure they were ready for the photo op but they're pleasant folks all the same.

And by 6 we were headed to Sizzler in Twin for dinner before heading home. The drive seemed to take forever and it sure seemed like we had been gone a week instead of a night, but we arrived home safe and sound at about 8:30pm and were soon headed to bed.

All in all, it was a fun time and we're looking forward to the next trip, so stay tuned and remember what the Misses says - "if you can't get it for cheap - biddem to the Moon!"

ART

A fun trip to see Paul

Paul is actually a place, not a person, and is about 12 miles north of Burley. The sale was out where old homesteads still exist. The crossroads run every mile and each square mile (640 acres for those that care to know) has one cluster of buildings and the rest is open farm ground. The sale site was just that – an old home and a couple large buildings and a large shop.

The sale was on Friday at 11 am which caused me and the misses to get up mighty early to make it at least an hour early to get a good parking spot and preview the goods. This was no easy task seeings how we didn’t get home from the Thursday Caldwell auction till after midnight, mostly because we had a lengthy tailgate meeting with the boys.

Anyway, we got up and gone by 6:45 and hit the Kopper Kitchen for the usual breakfast fare. We made good time and were in Burley by 10 and the sale site shortly thereafter to score a decent parking spot and time to scope out the stuff.

The description of the goods for sale by Lamar was, as usually, right on and maybe even a little understated. A lot of stuff was still new in the package. They started with the household goods, kitchen, and books and it wasn’t long before we had a nice pile of stuff.

There was a pretty good crowd and several trollers looking to see or take our stuff so the misses spent a fair amount of time doing guard duty in the shade of a big pine tree.

It was a very hot day, getting into the upper 90's, so it was nice to borrow a chair and park it in the shade and enjoy a burger. We watched as they sold furniture and stuff too big to pick up. I joined Lamar in the shade for a quick "DB" photo op.

He's got the strongest hands, since he writes all of the clerking details all day long without a break. And they have sales 3 or 4 times a week so this is just a warning in case he wants to shake your hand.They use clipboards and actual carbon paper. Low tech and it's been work good for years so no sense changing things.

The sale continued after lunch over by the shop where all the tools were laid out on tables out in the bright sun. I fished out the big red umbrella from the truck and did my best southern belle impression and stayed out of the sun. We got quite a few good things and endured the blistering heat till the bitter end.

The sale ended about 4:30 and we were all loaded and paid by 5:30 and on our way to IF for the weekend. We arrived about 7:45 and enjoyed a wow-wee-woo greeting and a great stew and fixins waiting for us on the table. A little later the napping couch on the deck got its evil clutches on me and I soon succumb to the dozies. And in case you ain't never seen this thing here's a picture, but it's useless to try and avoid it so just go ahead and get on and enjoy.

We had a great time, fabulous meals, and time was made for Sunday-go-to meeting. It's been more than 3 months since I put on the suit but it felt like old times.

We don't look half bad in the shade (and a fair distance away!)

We left shortly after church, filled to the brim with the love of family, spirit, and yet one more meal and a sack of food to-go. The drive home was uneventful with thoughts of hitting the road soon for another round of fun.

And we are! - with another trip already in the works. We're headed to Haggerman in August so stay tuned!

Well, that's about it for now, so until next time, keep your hand raised till you get something to go home with!

- ART

A real nice visit with the In-laws

Just wanted to tell all who care to read about it that a recent visit by the In-laws was mighty enjoyable. Like always, the time went in a hurry but we had fun down at the Main and enjoyed Emma's baptism and all that. I snapped a couple photos and I thought they looked worth sharing so here they are.

They are such a good looking couple


And here are the women folk in their DUP mountain bluebird aprons.

and here's Great Grandma with the newest addition to the family.

Well, that's about it for the time being.

See you around the auction barn.
- Art