Boone Life: Cleaning out the closets for cash and more
COLUMBIA — About a year ago, Jeanie and Victor Musc decided it was time to do something about the plethora of possessions they no longer needed. Although they have a comfortably sized home a few miles south of Columbia, there didn’t seem to be quite enough space.
It was a situation where the possessions ended up inhabiting more of the home than the people living in it. It was time, Jeanie realized, to take action.
It was time to plan and execute a garage sale. Victor, a woodworker who really does need his garage full of tools, gave Jeanie a corner of their garage where she could set aside anything she felt could be put in the garage sale.
Over a year’s time, the pile in that corner eventually became a mountain of merchandise as garage sale day approached.
At about 5 a.m. Friday, Jeanie and Victor finally got to lug their stowed cargo out of the garage and onto the driveway and lawn. Jeanie’s son, Jesse Knox, was in town from Kansas City with a stash of childhood toys he hoped to unload at the sale. While Jeanie and Victor were merely selling articles they deemed unnecessary to their lives, Jesse was selling toys with special childhood memories attached.
“You get flashbacks and memories you didn’t know you have (by looking through old toys),” Jesse said.
By noon, Jeanie was noticeably pleased with the number of customers and the sales they made, but there was a better reason for the smile on her face. She’d been having fun hanging out with her husband and son and meeting people from around the neighborhood and beyond.
“People are so nice. It (has) been a real pleasure,” she said.
The day had finally come. The family was together, and the weather cooperated by providing April sunshine and warm breezes. The three family members were doing pretty well for themselves by enjoying each other's company and earning a few extra bucks.
“It’s fun being here, making space. But let’s be honest. It’s about the money,” Jesse said.