Thrift Shopping

A Gift From God

Published on March 6, 2004 By new-age nomad In Entertainment

Goodwill=Heaven on Earth!

As soon as I walk in the door I go to town. I first check the shoe bins to see if they have yet to receive turquoise boots---the one thing I always look for. Nothing. Then comes the costume jewelry. I dip my hands into the crates of beads and earrings and spread them out between my fingers...lots of treasures waiting to be found.

Among these are set of silver bracelets---the kind that clang together when one moves their arm; I love that sound. Also, there are these earrings that are so long they hang to my shoulders when I hold them up to my ears in the mirror. They consist of numerous tiny chains linked together and they remind of those paper chains we made in elementary school for the holidays as a decoration. I found a "pebbles" necklace among the rubble and nearly tripped over my own feet trying to get to Tenille to show her my new treasure. Pebbles necklace simply means large, white, jagged yet smooth stones connected with elastic like Pebbles from the Flinstones had. Alright, time to move on.

I slowly make my way to the purses. I'm not a girly girl by any means but a funky bag is a must have accessory. Sorry to say I found nothing of interest today. I lifted dozens of old, beaten bags as the smell of smoke filled my nostrils. It's funny how much it bothers me now. Growing up in a home where ciggarettes weren't the only thing being smoked (if you catch my drift), I think, should make me immune. Guess not, it made me wanna gag.

I walk over to the toys and relive my childhood through Nite Brites and Candyland boardgames. I run my hands over mystifying puzzles, trying to decide if it's worth it to buy a puzzle only to realize the pieces are missing. They're so beautiful though!

Before I could start on my favorite part of the store, though, Tenille called my name from the dressing rooms to make sure a certain pair of shorts looked ok on her. I recently converted her to my way of thinking in the thrift shopping area.

I pass by the female pants area and laugh to myself. No one throws out their "fat" clothes, only skinny ones. They know which size they'll be returning to soon. I relunctantly make a pit stop in the book section; I feel that these books must not be worth reading if people gave them up for free. Plus you have to go through hundreds of books about pregnancy and even more written by preachers in the 50's. But I try for a find anyway and come out with a new diary.

I save the best part for last. The "Men's T-Shirt" section. Oh joy! I try to push the unwanted shirts to the side to sift through the good ones, but the hangers are so large and the shirts so numerous it's nearly impossible. Don't these people know I need to see every single shirt to make valid choices? So, I remove a chunk and move it to a far corner. Now I can do some real shopping. I sift through all the blood donation shirts, the various church camp shirts, and all the "Delta" "Kappa" b.s. My only finding was an old dingy white t-shirt with the words "G'day Mate!" written across the chest. How wonderful!

Now it's time to go, but I know we'll be returning soon. They're having a 50% off sale next week.

Trinitie

Comments

Janders

on Mar 06, 2004

Ahhh... thrift stores.... My friends and I love "treasure hunting" in Goodwill, Salvation Army and various others.............

Sherye Hanson

on Mar 06, 2004

What size do you wear? I saw a pair of turquoise cowboy boots in the thrift store the other day--I don't know if they are still there but if they are and they are your size--you can e-mail me the info.
Sherye

new-age nomad

on Mar 06, 2004

You know, I don't think it safe giving out information over the net, but if it was to anyone, I would give it to you.

Not for this though. No, when I find those turquoise boots it will be magical. It will be between me and the boots...

Trinitie

Dan Kaschel

on Mar 06, 2004

Man I love goodwill- the only place I go.

~Dan

BigDreamer415

on Mar 06, 2004

You freaking rock, Trinitie! Goodwill is the greatest, especially the bowtie section, and suit coats, and trench coats, and ohh joy! This is one of the greatest blogs I've read in a while... makes me want to be at goodwill right now. Last thing I bought there was this ugly doll, it was $1.49, and I ripped it's head off, and I put in on my trailer hitch... I love watching people's reactions! Okay, enough of my rambling.

SundaysLost23

on Mar 07, 2004

I thought I was the only one to appreciate this stuff. For me it's a love-hate relationship. I love the treasurs but hate myself for coming home and cluttering up my life.

new-age nomad

on Mar 07, 2004

yeah...I'm a packrat from way back man...wish I could abstain from the junk but it's all so...beautiful.

Trinitie

LaVoix

on Mar 07, 2004

Last week I bought almost new wind pants for 80 cents each. Big sweaters that hang to my knees for a dollar each. Yarn and needles for almost nothing.

Yah, life is good when you have a thrift shop to play in.

Jamie Burnside

on Mar 07, 2004

I like to get deals, but I don't have the patience to dig through the stuff in the thrift shops. Lots of people really like it though.

It is interesting how some Goodwills have good furniture, and others don't.

Say trin, you're from Minnesota too, right? Where is your goodwill? There's a good one in Elk River.

dharmagrl

on Mar 07, 2004

My greatest find ever: a vintage brown leather jacket, no rips, tears ,stains, smells... nothing wrong with it: $5. That was from the thrift store on base...

I threw out my fat clothes.......and bought skinny ones at the thift store!

Oh, have you tried ebay? ...it's like the world's largest virtual thrift store/yard sale.

new-age nomad

on Mar 07, 2004

nah, ebay is nothing compared to the high I get from the thrift store.

Jamie, I'm from TEXAS!!! The greatest state ever...

Trinitie

Tangled Wishes

on Apr 01, 2004

I'm from Minnesota.

I love thrift stores. I love antique stores and consignment stores. They have the best freaking shoes and dresses EVER. No joke.

But my heart REALLY goes out to rummage sales!!!

OH YES! I can't even begin to explain the euphoria of finding those AWESOME old lady sunglasses! I need more more more.

God I can't wait til it's summer and rummage sale season again!!!!!!!

~Anne!

new-age nomad

on Apr 01, 2004

we call them "birth control" glasses....cuz ain't no one gonna get any with those things on....hehehhe

Trinitie

JillUser

on Apr 01, 2004

Love thrift stores too. My mom used to get fuggly old dresses and make beautiful costumes for our drama dept. I have a rule now, give them more than you bring home. The last great find I had at Salvation Army was a set of china in a silver and gold snowflake pattern. It was a complete service of 12 plus sugar bowl and big platter for $20. Love it! I have never tried Ebay because I hear too many people get addicted to it. I might break down and check it out if I don't find the round accent table I am looking for.

Trin, "birth control glasses"

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