05 August 2009

At The Thrift Store

Do you like going to the thrift store? I do. Most of the time, I wind up only seriously looking at the books, though. At 50 cents each, you can find all sorts of great bargains if you are willing to look through enough old copies of "bodice-ripper" novels and "Chicken Soup" this or that titles to find them.

Last time I went, I found the *kewlest* coat for Woodjie. It was navy blue with wonderful Polarfleece lining. Plenty of cargo pockets on the front. Awesome zipper. It looked like new! Perfect size. Oh, bummer. On the front is printed, "I AM THE SILENT MAJORITY." That's all I need, to call more attention to the fact that Woodjie doesn't speak. It would be akin to buying your blind kid an "I DON'T SEE YOU!" (tm) brand coat. I guess I could have bought it as a political statement... but nope.

I also saw the following, and no, I didn't get any of these items:

* half-open package of Depends undergarments
* Almond colour crib with pastel beads and slats about 4 inches apart. The crib had pinching metal parts attached to cracked plywood. Disney characters on the back! Price? $30!
* Someone with infant twin girls unloaded a bunch of brand-name stuff, but all in size 2T and smaller. Is it just me, or do you think IVF when you see expensively-clad mini-matching kids like that? Hey, nothing against twins. My dad is a twin, but back in the day you had to get your twins by... well, you either got twins or you didn't. Not that I am jealous of anyone who has twins or anything. No, indeed. (Ok, a little. But I don't have a willing husband and money for IVF.)
* Lewis and Clark in gold-painted macaroni noodles on green felt. With beans. Really. In someone's cart. Really!
*about 50 copies of "The Spy Who Shagged Me" on VHS. 99 cents!
*obviously unread Bibles with inscriptions from loving grandparents. Sad, sad commentary on life right there.
*smelly shoes with dirt still on them! Not checking the price.
*"High School Musical" and assorted Rock T-shirts... for toddler girls.

Ah, well. Last time I went, there weren't many great finds. Maybe next time. :]

5 comments:

  1. I rarely find anything good at thrift stores - the rare, supersoft vintage tshirt, maybe. But back to the Depends...I somehow got on their mailing list and was shipped a big box of diapers. Before I could get them in the car to donate, the dog tore open the plastic and stole several. I debated donating an open box of diapers - it's kinda trashy and I'm 100% against treating Goodwill as a Dumpster - but went ahead as, hey, these things are pricey!

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  2. Half or more of our clothes come from our Methodist thrift sore. My mom has helped run it for nearly ten years and I like to go when she's there because it's a good way to catch up on news, which I enjoy, while shopping, which I don't. It also is a great place to pick up holiday decorations, towels, and linens. Oh! And socks--specifically for me--as the dryer seems to eat mine on a regular basis.

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  3. I go to the Hospice Op Shop.. in fact I got some awesome books from there yesterday and a leather belt for Teddy to chew on.
    Clothes.. not usually from a thrift store..

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  4. Allison, that was YOUR Depends package? Who'd a thunked it? :P

    Mary, I find it's totally hit or miss. I could walk out with tons of stuff or absolutely nothing, and no telling.

    Chris, books are a fave thing to look for in the thrift stores, too!!

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  5. I picked up a set of My Bookhouse at a yard sale today. It's coming to school with me, and yes, I will be subjecting future classes to some of the stories and poems.

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Non-troll comments always welcome! :)

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