One for the history books - In 3 parts

Part I:
One cold and blustery day, like yesterday, Beth and I headed north to a large thrift and to uncharted estate sale territory. On a scale of 1-10, the thrift was about a 7, the first sale was a 4, but the 2nd sale tipped the scales at about a 39. Girls, this was beyond heart attack thrilling, it was "I think I'm going to be sick" thrilling. First, let's have a look at the lay of the land, shall we?

This was the house next to the sale. Shoppers were using this property for parking. I got the sense that the homeowner wasn't too happy about that.

Uh, Toto, I don't think we're in NE Portland anymore.

Once we got inside, I went straight into the garage. I was in there for an HOUR. See those boxes under the tables? There were at least a dozen of them. Full of Christmas. Lots of bad 1980's era stuff, but some real finds too. Vintage ornaments, lights, aprons, Mica houses. I had to go through every box. I culled the stuff I wanted and put it all in a large Rubbermaid tub. Wait til I show you what I got. And when I tell you how much I paid, you will want to set your hair on fire.

Here's Beth by the back of the Dodge before we arrived at the sale. You'll have to come back to see the afters.