Monday

Going Once, Twice, Sold!



One of the highlights of our Family Reunion, besides having my cheeks pinched, was the Family Auction.


Every other year, when my hubby's family gets together, everyone brings something to auction off.  The funds help reserve the cabins for the next reunion.

Now, I love auctions.  I love old things and new things.  Well, just things, in general.  Don't judge me, m'kay?

As items were labeled and laid out on tables, I eyed some old family embroidered linens.  I don't have many heirlooms from my side of the family and thought these would be pretty to have and then pass down to my daughter's.  

My kids have never been to an auction.  We missed the last Reunion because I was in bed with a troublesome pregnancy.  The last one we attended was four years ago and my kids were too young to remember the excitement of buying other people's junk precious items.

Well.  Who knew the love of auctions was inherited?  It runs deeply in the blood of my children.  They circled the table like vultures, eyeing their prey.  While the other kids played, mine counted their pennies.

And they asked questions.  Many.  Questions.  My daughter understood how the auction would work and she watched the clock (and drove everyone crazy announcing the time every 5 minutes).  

My son?  At six, let's just say the workings of an auction eluded him.

A second cousin by marriage stood to start things off.  He began with the kid's table.  My kids sat on the edge of their seats with their numbers in hand.  



And my daughter bid like a madwoman.  

It was embarrassing ya'll.

She was completely out of control.  She bid on notepads, an old jar, a doily, a pink baseball hat, a bouncy ball, a Mexican tote bag and semi-gold jewelry that was lovely.  Oh, and she won a huge box of vintage Simplicity patterns from the 1950's, for .50 cents.  I leaned up and tapped her on the shoulder, she turned around, beaming.  "Save some for your cousins," I whispered.  

"I've only spent $9.75," she said excitedly.

I leaned over to my hubby and said, "I think we might have a problem.  Maybe we could get her into the support group I attend."

Well, my son's interest was peaked.  Mainly because he saw his sister like this:


And, I mean who wouldn't be envious of her purchased goods?  The girl had enough patterns to clothe the vintage world!

The thing was, he didn't get it.  My son would raise his number as a package of Hot Wheels was being auctioned and then look weepy when the auctioneer said, "Sold!" and handed the prize to a third cousin.

He kept whispering to me, "Why am I not winning?  I keep holding up my number."  I explained that you had to pay the most.

Several items slipped through his fingers like sand.  He was near tears.  The one thing he truly wanted was up next:  a package of water balloons.  250 in quantity.  

Oh, stop my beating heart.

The auctioneer started the bid at .50 cents and my son raised his card.  A cousin had the bid at .75 cents.  My son stood.   When the nod came his way, he raised his card over his head and screamed, "Siiiixxxx-fiiiftttyyyyy!"



"Sold!"

$6.50 for a bag of water balloons that he kept in his pocket the rest of the Reunion.

And they were worth every penny!

P.S.  We returned to my in-laws farm and left our kids for 2.5 days while hubby and I snuck away!  My sweet mother-in-law filled up balloons until her fingers were swollen and sore.


(what's left of the water balloons)


My daughter evaluating her new pattern collection!


I displayed my auction linens on an old ladder. 

41 comments:

Joanna said...

That sounds like it was a lot of fun! I am so glad that he got what he wanted...I am sure he was thrilled to pay $6.50 for those balloons. I on the other hand would have fainted out right! : )

Anonymous said...

I would be willing to bet a pretty penny that some of those patterns are worth a pretty penny! Indeed.

Sounds like you guys had a blast. I wish I had enough family left to do something like that. *sniffle*

Anonymous said...

Wow! That sounds like such a fun weekend. The auction is a great idea. I bet next time your baby will be in on the action as well.

World's Greatest Mommy said...

It felt like I was there. That's how I get at an auction. I've been banned from our family auctions. But honestly, my aunt had it coming...I'm just saying.

Andrea said...

OMG that is such a great idea and what fun! Sounds like you had a blast!

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

o'how fun!!!

Now that's a clever idea the Family Auction!

Mozi Esme said...

Sounds like you guys got some bargains! Specially the water balloons.

Anonymous said...

Oh what fun! Love the idea!

The pictures are great! Love your little guy bidding! Also love the linens you display on an old ladder!

Rosemary Q said...

My sister collects old patterns. My guess is that she and your daughter would have had a bidding war if she was there.

Anonymous said...

Oh I loved that...we have something similar at our family reunions on my husbands side! So cute!

Joy said...

What a FUN idea! See? You're entire family is creative...

The only auction I've been to was at a library. *DROOOOOOOL* Book auctions... I heart books!

Darla said...

You tell those two "big kids" -job well done!

Jamie said...

What fun! I love the auction idea. $6.50 for water balloons...I'm sure they were worth it...too cute. How great that you got to enjoy a little time away!

Lynn said...

I LOVE auctions, but I still get that nervous feeling in my stomach when there is something I really want. I almost always walk away with something I didn't really need and one thing I wish I had bid higher to obtain, but in the end....it's a lot of fun, and I've won some wonderful treasures. Glad your kids enjoyed their first experience, and I love your linens!

Anonymous said...

This is exactly why I love eBay! Hey, good for you for getting away for a few days. Feels good to get some alone time, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

That is a really good idea....a family auction. I think I might steal it! We could use it to fund the family get-togethers that always end up at our house! I think I'd use the money to hire a maid!

marky said...

what a fun idea to raise money!

Lisa said...

That is way too funny. I am glad you all had a good time and spent a little money on the kids. It is so sad to neglect the children so when I see a parent let their child spend SIX FITY on water ballons I know, I KNOW there must be lots of love there!!!!! What a wonderful weekend memory and to think...it took place in Oklahoma.

Suzie said...

There must be a support group out there. Just dont let her find HSN on tv you'll have a really big problem on your hands.

Anonymous said...

I went to a silent auction once and it was every bit as competitive. That's a great idea to raise money for the next reunion. But I don't now if it would work for mine, my family is so big we have to rent out an entire hotel.

Karen said...

There's gotta be something about a family that bids together...

Tanya said...

Too cute. This is such a great idea for family reunions!! I'm already trying to figure out how I can work it into our get together in December ... Oh, and I would LOVE to get a look at those vintage patterns!!! How fun!

Happy Mommy said...

A family auction what fun! I love the ladder decor! And I so love things too!

Anonymous said...

Now that sounds like a great time. How clever! I love that the funds help pay for the next year's reunion. Brilliant!

Valarie Lea said...

That is such a fun idea!! We always donate for a family member who might need help at the moment. ya know if someone is in the hospital and stuff. This is a really neat way of doing things. I think I am gonna suggest it. :)

Jennifer said...

That sounds like so much fun! I once sold a lot of vintage patterns on ebay. They did go for quite a bit. And your son... how cute! Aww!

littletoesandcheerios said...

What an awesome idea to raise money and get rid of stuff!

Big Hair Envy said...

An auction at a family reunion - what a fantastic idea! Next year, if someone brings an old deviled egg plate, could you give me a quick call? K-thanks. I'll get your son to bid for me and I'm guaranteed to win :)

ttelroc said...

I just posted on my blog about this one. I love the idea. I can't believe I've never ever heard of this before. How fun!!

Have a great day!
Kristin The Goat: Reunion Auction

Genny said...

What a fun idea! I'm sure your kids will have such great memories of that day!

MamaCta! said...

That reunion sounds so awesome. I have never been to a family reunion. Maybe I should start planning one....(in all my spare time-ha!)

Anonymous said...

That auction is the neatest idea! I love it... I bet yall had some fun!!! Susie H~

Tammy said...

It's all fun and games until the water balloon lands on the vintage patterns! ;-)

Dawn said...

What a fun idea to help defray the reunion costs!

I love your vintage linens. I have quite a few from my own family but none from my hubby's. Apparently, they aren't into "saving" like my family is. Oh, well.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm still waiting to hear about the Texas blogging party date. Ha!

Blessings!
Dawn

Monkey Giggles said...

What fun!!! My daddy is an auctioneer so I have grown up in the auction life. There is something to say about it. It is VERY additive. Great idea to raise money for the family reunions!

Unknown said...

That is so fun! I may have to suggest the idea for my next family reunion. We usually have a talent show and a slide show, so don't know if we could fit it in.

Deborah W said...

Love the idea of an auction!! We have a family reunion about every two years, for one or another branch of our ever-growing family. Did you take a lot of photos?? I am a digital scrapbooker-for-hire and would love to create a custom-designed album for you of your reunion. Going in on the cost with several other family units is a great way to save money, so give that some thought, too. I hope you'll visit my blog and/or website for more into and samples of my work (including a small family reunion album!): www.webajeb.blogspot.com, www.webajeb.com. Thanks for a great, fun-to-read post!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

What a great idea! I may have to remember that for next reunion. But, on a more serious side, I do hope you and your daughter get the help you need. *smirk*

The Fritz Facts said...

How fun!! I love auctions.

Heather said...

What a great idea! I love those vintage patterns, too.

Anonymous said...

What an excellent idea for family reunion fun and funds! I just recently went to my first estate type auction. I did not bid on anything as we didn't really stay long enough to get to the stuff I might have been interested in but I can see how it could quickly become addictive! Your children are adorable! I am glad your little one got his balloons and can't wait to see the gorgeous clothes your daughter makes! :)