Just Between Friends Jackpot!...

For several years, I have been involved in a huge consignment sale twice a year called "Just Between Friends."  Every Spring and every Fall I buy and sell the boys things.  Toys, clothes - you name it.  The sale has come to mean a lot to me - and so have the two ladies who run it, Tracy and Beth.  It was at their very first sale that I bought a baby walker for Gavin - who was then about two years old.  I was hoping it would encourage him to try to move himself while being supported in an upright position... and it did!  From that moment on, I was hooked on JBF.  I was always on a mission to keep Gavin entertained and moving about the house - and stimulated.  I would rotate the toys in the playroom often to keep his interest - and then I'd rearrange often so he'd have to seek and find his favorite toys.  This consignment sale allowed me to buy a lot for Gavin - at really low prices.

I also made a lot of money selling things, too, and had been squirreling much of it away... little by little... thinking I would use it towards whatever big "special needs" purchase we'd make next for Gavin.  Instead, I have put that $600 I've kept in my jewelry box towards Gavin's Birthday Project.

This year, for this Fall sale, things were different.  I'm not selling very much - it's too difficult right now to part with Gavin's clothes.  And many of his favorite toys I've already cleaned up, covered in plastic and stored in the basement.  I know it will warm our hearts to see his little sister enjoy the same toys that he loved.  

I wasn't selling very much this time around... but I was on a mission to buy a lot!  At the JBF sales, the more you volunteer - the earlier you can get in to shop - and the more money you make on your sales.  I volunteer to bring food that is specified by the women that run the sale.  Four large pizzas and paper products and drinks for ten people.  I was lucky last year and this year to partner with my local Wegmans in King of Prussia, who graciously donated the food for me!  A big thank you to Tim, the service manager in the store, for helping me this year.  I feel like JBF is such a wonderful community event - allowing families to get the things they need for their children at very low prices.  And I feel the same way about Wegmans as they are so supportive of their local community and their shoppers.  Gavin and I met Kevin Lang, the general manager at the King of Prussia store, last year and he is really the kindest guy.

Today was the day I could get in to shop - I was probably the sixth person in there!  Miss Sara came along with me this morning to help me, which was fun and... to be honest... comforting.  I am so used to gravitating to things for Gavin and many times I choked back tears when I would see things that I would have absolutely bought for him.  But, there were also joyful moments - when I found the things I wanted for Hope.  I went in with a game plan and a map and Sara and I scooped up everything on my list.

Want to check out my bargains?? 

I loved Playtex Drop In Systems when Gavin and Brian were infants.  I exclusively pumped with Gavin so he always used bottles (if he wasn't on the feeding tube) - and I sometimes pumped and used bottles for Brian.  Just in case I pump for Hope, I got ALL of these boxes of (new in the box) Drop In liners, bottles, brand new nipples and also the box of assorted Vent Aire bottles.  Price for all of them?  $25.00  The Vent Aire starter set alone retails for $25.00!

A brand new in the box car seat base.  We needed an extra for Ed's car.  This base retails for $54.99 and I bought it for $25.00.  And I got car mirrors (so we can see Hope in her car seat from our rear view mirror) for $3.00 and $4.00.  They retail for $9.00.

I'm always a little leery to buy used DVDs as I've brought some home to find that they skip.  But I couldn't resist this brand new, sealed, box set of Baby Einstein DVDs.  All for $20.00.  Gavin LOVED these DVDs... especially "Baby Van Gogh" and "On the Go."

I picked out this brand new photo album for the many, many ultrasound photos I have of Hope for $3.00

My FAVORITE score - and something I was REALLY hoping to find - was this car seat swing.  You take the car seat and snap it onto this frame.  It swings and vibrates and plays music!  Brian LOVED this swing - and it's great to not have to wake a sleeping baby in their carseat once you get home!  This retails for $79.99.  I bought it for $13.00!!

Someone was selling a brand new box of Pampers Swaddlers (the only diapers we've used on the babies).  It retails for about $30.00 and I bought it for $15.00.  I also got a box of 3 Diaper Genie refills, which retails for about $25.00, for $10.00. 

I had reflux babies that liked to sleep on an incline, so I knew I wanted to have this wedge again.  I bought it for only $5.00, new in the box!  It retails for about $15.00.

I love these little "Bumbo Seats" - which sell for about $45.00.  I bought this (with the safety harnesses!) for $10.00.

I also stocked up on nursing pads - getting 180 new in the box pads plus 60 breast milk storage bags for $10.00.  The 180 nursing pads alone cost approximately $25.00.  I also got new in the box Thera Shells for $3.00.  They retail for about $17.00.  You use them for sore... oh, I'll spare you.  You can google them.  And the cute, pink dishwasher basket?  Fifty cents!

I also got some outfits for Hope... soccer balls and a toy for Brian's school... some awesome "in the package" Star Wars figures for Brian along with some other cool toys.  The only thing I didn't find that I was hoping to was a skeleton costume for Brian.  He's sure (Lord knows why!) he wants to be a skeleton for Halloween.  But all in all - I'd call the shopping trip a success.  It was a long day - but it's making me feel more "ready" for Hope... and more excited, as if that's possible.

If you live in my area, the sale is open to the public tomorrow!!  Click HERE for the details - or visit the JBF Facebook Page and meet my friends, Tracy and Beth.

And now... this bargain hunter must rest.