Fall is time for — yard sales

In going through my items, I’ve had a hard time getting rid of some. Most should be in a pile labeled “Good Intentions.” Here are examples of some of the items you can find and my original plans for them.

•A beautiful toile bag for holding a bottle of wine, two glasses, napkins, wine opener and a compartment for storing cheese and crackers. We received this as a wedding gift 15 years ago. The wine is no longer in the bag, but the bag itself has never been used. The napkins remain neatly folded in their upright position. When I received this gift, I envisioned Jon and I having a romantic picnic on a grassy knoll under a weeping willow tree overlooking a pasture with horses. I pictured him feeding me chocolate-covered strawberries while I sweetly sipped my wine. The toile bag — and the good intentions — can be yours for $2.

•Item 2 is actually three items that can be purchased separately, Oneida silver-plated serving pieces. Again, wedding gifts for which I had great intentions. I told my family that one day I would prepare and serve Thanksgiving dinner at my home. They laughed, knowing this would never happen. These three pieces, still in their original wrapping, can be yours in time for Thanksgiving.

•Scrapbooks. Ten years ago, I completed a precious scrapbook for my first-born. I also managed to do a scrapbook for her first year. But, since then, it’s like my family hasn’t existed since 2001. I have tons of pictures, stickers, keepsakes and do-dads that are intended to go into a scrapbook. I am keeping the pictures but I have plenty of albums for you to choose from.

•I always enjoyed attending Southern Living At Home parties. While perusing their catalogs I had big dreams of using their items exactly as they were pictured. Unfortunately, I failed to keep the catalog and forgot how I was supposed to use them. One example is clay pots for baking bread, muffins and cupcakes. I hoped to prepare a delicious breakfast in bed for my family as they awoke to the smell of fresh-baked bread being served from cute little clay pots. That never happened nor will it ever. Make them yours on Saturday.

•Items I bought at other yard sales. When I bought the items I justified the purchases because they were such great deals. However, most of them have never been used, so they’re back on the market. If you show up and find something of yours, you can have it back.

I know my friends also have items too that would fit in the “I intended to use this” category. So, come by on Saturday and see what items you can use. Buy my toile wine bag and enjoy a nice picnic with chocolate-covered strawberries.

Tricia Massey is a member of the Commerce Downtown Development Authority, serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club, chairs the Commerce Public Library’s capital campaign and is marketing director for Renaissance Senior Communities. She lives in Commerce.