I have vivid dreams about estate sale land. In my dreams I am number one at a sale or I find secret hidden rooms full of vintage Christmas. I fantasize about going to an awesome estate sale and being the only one there. When I got the invitation to visit Aunt Tillie's crawl space I felt like one of my fantasies was coming true. I was giddy with anticipation to enter that panelled door.
The door is not super big. Perhaps 24x24. It is mid way up a wall and we used a step ladder to enter. This is what I saw when the door swung open. BOXES..A SEA OF BOXES!! I was hoping, hoping for Aunt Tillie's yet to be discovered vintage Christmas!
The crawl space was about 15 x 20 and packed all the way back floor to ceiling with boxes. The family had no idea what was in the boxes. I had to crawl on my knees for the most part. It was to short to hunch over walk (and I am short at 5 foot 2). The floor was covered in old roofing material. It was dusty but pretty bug free (I saw a couple of spiders but that was it). I started hauling the boxes out to my friend Mary Jo.
Some of the boxes were so big they just fit though the door and had to be shoved out.
I looked very official in my head lamp and grubby clothes. I was ready to dig.
It really was a very interesting experience. Aunt Tillie was a hoarder. You can read about the journey and the back story the family has gone through with cleaning out the house on the blog Hoarding Woes and You. I met Mary Jo (married to Aunt Tillie's nephew) last summer when they were doing Aunt Tillie garage sales. We have stayed in touch. Sharing the crawlspace clean-out with Mary Jo really gave me insight into how the mind of hoarder works. What was saved in this crawlspace was really mind boggling. For about two hours we hauled out boxes. Box after box after box.
Newspaper that things were wrapped in were dated in the late 1960s. In Aunt Tillie's mind three categories of items seemed to emerge as worthy of saving in this crawlspace.
#1 - Canning jars. I pulled out case after case of canning jars. I bet there are 45 boxes of canning jars. Many of them are the neat old ones. I did not see a blue one among them tho. These boxes all contain canning jars. There are another probably 15 boxes still in the crawl space that we did not pull out.
The boxes contain an assortment of sizes and styles.
Big quantities of lids and rings as well.
#2 - Plastic flowers often in original boxes. We found box after box of flowers..variety after variety. Sometimes Aunt Tillie had created arrangements and used wax for the base in a variety of containers. These arrangement were wrapped in old sheets. I bet I pulled 15 boxes of flowers out (at least) and probably 7 or 8 big arrangements.
A crazy amount of plastic flowers.
#3 - Avon. Box after box of old Avon. Lots of original boxes and contents, each wrapped in a plastic bag for storage. We probably found 6 or 7 boxes full of assorted Avon products.
We also found lots of oddball items. Like a box full of old cottage cheese and ice cream LIDS. (But hey, I snagged these..they have good graphics)
2 boxes full of old unused work gloves. Original tags still attached.
There were two boxes of old canned goods with their contents labeled near the front of the crawl space. There was also a box full of old cooking oil? I found two big empty jugs for water as well...perhaps supplies for some unforeseen disaster.
There was some other assorted stuff in the space. I DID find some vintage Christmas. I am saving that for Thursday's post..this post is long enough.
I emerged from the crawl space dirty and sore. 2 hours of hauling boxes out left me exhausted. We spent about another 5 hours sorting items and carrying them out of the house. I am glad I had this crawl space experience. I had a really, really good time laughing and talking with Mary Jo. It did not quite fulfil my fantasy, but it really was fun.
Dirty and a little rum-dummy from my vintage crawlspace adventure! Post of my finds coming tomorrow..and there is some good stuff!
I'm so glad I snuck one last peek at your blog before heading to work. I've been on pins and needles waiting to hear more about this infamous crawl space. I've decided that Chris needs a head lamp after seeing yours.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | October 02, 2013 at 05:30 AM
LOVE that last picture - lol!! I can't wait to see what you dug out of the hoard. Looks like there are enough plastic flowers for someone to open their own shop. I am surprised about how organized it was, as far as categories, since many of us like to think it isn't hoarding if it is organized - yikes!
Posted by: Kathy | October 02, 2013 at 06:19 AM
A hoarders mind really is wired just a bit differently. I just can't imagine thinking that I needed to save everything "just in case." They must always feel so weighted down. I understand the compulsion though. Sometimes I have to fight it pretty hard.
It looks like you had a good time though! And I love the spelunking lamp! So practical.
Posted by: Melissa | October 02, 2013 at 06:27 AM
My gosh! I have 3 (not too big) boxes of baby clothes in my attic and nothing else. When I go, relatives will be awfully bored! Can't wait to see what else was there.
Posted by: Diane | October 02, 2013 at 06:52 AM
I too have dreams of estate sales, but they DO NOT involve a crawl space! Mike & Frank of American Pickers have nothing on you, girlie! I really had my fingers crosses that the space would be full of vintage holiday stuff for you. This post actually made me feel good, because I'm convinced now that I'm NOT a hoarder!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | October 02, 2013 at 07:09 AM
Well, I'd say you're the "Queen of Diggers" Head lamp and all LOL I would have snagged those lids too. You must be in fantastic shape too on your hands and knees crawling around! Love the last pic of you :-) Can't wait to see your finds!! I think you need to write a book on your adventures. I just love having my coffee here and reading your stories!
Thanks for the smiles :-)
Posted by: Doreen | October 02, 2013 at 07:16 AM
I had a similar experience last year when my great-aunt passed away. She left everything to my mom because she had no children. After spending a solid month in the house we admitted defeat and called someone to do an estate sale. Best decision ever! Their crew had it ready to go in short order. The planner did mention that if we hadn't done some of the initial grunt work, she wouldn't have accepted the job. I did come away with quite a few items! Yay! Glad you shared your story!
Posted by: Shelley Germann | October 02, 2013 at 07:46 AM
NOOOOO! I hardly slept last night for excitement of your new/old Christmas stuff!
I guess I have no choice but to wait.:>) Love the post so far!
-Judy A-
Posted by: Judy A | October 02, 2013 at 07:56 AM
O!M!G! I give you kudos for going in there and pulling out all those boxes and then going through them. You are a good friend. I can't even imagine the mind of a true hoarder. We joke about it, but it really must be awful to live like that. I look forward to seeing your rewards!!!
Posted by: Annette | October 02, 2013 at 09:14 AM
When I read it was a hoarder's house, I thought I hate that term. But, I have to agree, that is hoarders house! I am going to read that blog start to finish tonight. I have to say, that those ladies had great taste in all their things -pottery, head vases, glassware, linens - it all looks just like what we all LOVE! Can't wait to see what you kept. Wow!
Posted by: Shara | October 02, 2013 at 10:28 AM
O.M.G.....
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | October 02, 2013 at 10:41 AM
I bet that it was such hard work! And I have no doubt that you rescued any little treasure that you could!
My Mom and I have this fantasy that goes like this: The two of us are driving down a long dirt road out in the middle of nowhere when we come to a wonderful old farmhouse. Just as we drive by, a sweet little old lady is pounding a SALE sign into the ground at the end of the drive way. We stop and say hello, which results in her taking down the sign and letting us dig through her house before she ever even has the sale. I think she serves us lemonade and cookies on darling vintage dishes too! LOL
My Mom and I have talked about this fantasy for years!
Great Vintage Loving Minds Think Alike! haha
Loved your post,
Erica :)
Posted by: Erica | October 02, 2013 at 01:27 PM
Such a practical digger...head lamp and all! It is amazing what some people save! Can't wait to see the gems!
Posted by: Perfectlyprintedblogspt .com | October 02, 2013 at 06:51 PM
Oh my goodness, that's all I can say!! Bet it was a lot of fun! Can't wait to see the Christmas!
Posted by: Jill | October 03, 2013 at 03:45 AM
WOW!
Posted by: Kim Campbell | October 05, 2013 at 08:23 AM
Ha! You certainly come prepared... glad you found some treasures in all that - wow, what a stash! I can't imagine how she even got all that up there.
Posted by: Maureen | October 05, 2013 at 10:43 AM