Happy Valentine's Day!

Illustrations of Faith: 1 John 4:19

Book Sale Success!

The book sale was awesome. This year they were letting fewer people into the building at a time and it was much less chaotic. I even managed to shop the children's section... twice!

Me, Dan, Kelly, Jessica in line

See how bundled up we are?

It was only in the 50s... brrr!

The line in front of us 

The line behind us

Our haul

We purchased 57 books for about $120.00... quite the bargain.

We're already looking forward to next year!

62nd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale - Tomorrow!

Well, it's that time of year again. Finally! This event is not to be missed if you're an avid reader and book collector. Over 500,000 books and ephemera is for sale at pennies on the dollar. This year the proceeds go to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County. Any books unsold at the end of the weekend are donated to other groups, schools, or charities.

2012

The sale is held at the Arizona State Fair Grounds in one of the large exhibition buildings. People will line up starting tonight with several camping out overnight for the event. We usually arrive between 6:30-7:00 on the morning of the sale and there are people taking down their tents and trekking them to their cars at that time. The doors open at 8:00 am with a huge cheer from all of us in line.

2012

When you enter the building, no matter which direction you look, there's tables and tables stacked with books. Each table has multiple boxes underneath filled with books. It's an impressive sight. 

2012

As we enter the building we split up and head to the area of interest for each of us. We usually arrange to meet up in two hours to compare finds, and then split up again for another hour or two. After three to four hours we find a spot on the floor to sort through our treasures and then head to the cashier station to pay.

Since the inventory is new each year you never know what you will find. There are always multiple copies of popular contemporary authors, tons of science fiction/fantasy books, thousands of paperbacks. The children's section is a madhouse. I've tried to go there off and on through the years, but I'm short and it's almost impossible for me to reach over the double strollers loaded with books to reach the table!

In addition to books, you can find magazines, maps, DVD's, music, puzzles, games, bookmarks, etc. I have purchased lots of cross stitch patterns and magazines there over the years.

There are shopping carts available on a limited basis, but we prefer to take our rolling suitcases and fill them up with books. We have been known to each have a full suitcase and several cloth bags filled with books on good years! My shoulders hurt for days after the book sale.

2012

On Sunday, all the inventory is half priced. We've never gone on a Sunday before, although every year we say we're going to... maybe this year we'll do it.

Check back tomorrow afternoon to see how we did!

Dad/Daughter

The church that Jessica and Adam attend has a Dad/Daughter event each year. Adam and Snow attended the Western themed event last night.

Adam said she had a blast and participated in all of the activities that she could. She sure looks like she had fun in these photos!

Adam and Snow had their first Dad/Daughter date when she was five days old and attended this event...

Can't wait to see what next year's theme is!

Blizzard

I just had to share this photo of Blizzard in his "gramps" shirt!

Illustrations of Faith: 2 Samuel 7:22

How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.