The Yard Sale
Decisions, decisions!
The dream having been spoken, the reality was upon us. The money had to be paid, there was no escaping that. The house would have to be sold to settle the debt, but what to do after that?
Donna had already sold her business and I had quit my job at the ad agency after I was passed up for a raise, consequently, I had started the demo studio business. The studio wasn’t going to be an option going forward without the space. There were only two choices; one, to move down the street, rent an apartment and try to start over. Or as a second choice, to throw caution to the wind and follow our dream.
Yellow Stickers
But first, the house had to be sold! If you will remember, I described her house as a museum of sorts filled with amazing pieces of artwork and antiques. Many collectibles and strange objects of interest. The thought occurred to us of the best way to move these wondrous pieces to where they would best belong. Under those circumstances, we would have the biggest yard sale Nashville had ever seen!
Donna had an excellent patron list and my list from the ad agency, we decided to first invite the Nashville art world and music scene to a “wine and cheese” private opening. Without delay for as long as it took, we put little, round, yellow price stickers on everything in the house, then carefully arranged a pile of some of the best treasures, and took a photo from high above to create the postcard invitation.
Equally important, The Nashville Scene, the most popular local news, reviews, and gossip weekly newspaper, had a regular feature known as “Hot Homes” that always had the best home for sale that week. This week featured one of the “hottest homes”, 1804 Ashwood Ave.!
Wine & Cheese
After a week of arranging everything to be easily seen, Friday evening had finally arrived and the doors were opened. There was a mass of people wandering throughout the house with a few trusted friends helping to answer questions or guide potential customers to the best acquisitions. It was very busy with a mix of sales and a party atmosphere. By the end of that evening’s event, as the last people left, Donna counted the til to find a sum near $5000! We were excited inasmuch as this was just the opening! The real sales were to begin the next day!
With an article in the Nashville Scene and being the gossip of the town, we were swamped with people all weekend. Almost everything of value was sold. We were exhausted and ready to take up an invitation to visit our friend’s house in the country. The few remaining items were put out in the front yard with a sign that said, “free”. We locked the doors, got in the car, and drove off.
Forgotten Items
The few days we spent at Hap and Barbee’s were refreshing with walks through the forest, good music, food, and friends. It was very relaxing. But would just keep going yet. We had to clean the house and get it sold. We drove back to the house. On the way, Donna realized, “Oh no! We forgot that there was a Tom Wuchina sculpture hanging in the tree out front! And did we put away the ladder!?”
It was a long way back to town and the worry was intense. Finally, we turned onto the street and up the hill… the sculpture was still hanging there in the tree, the ladder was still on the porch, but everything else had been taken, except the box of old shoes had been emptied and made into two lines, up the sidewalk, leading to the front door!
We both gave a sigh of relief and marveled at the artistic placement of the shoes.
Interesting pre-Key West lives; you’re like camillions!