Well, there went our budget for the week, but oh my it was worth it. I got some fun things and didn’t talk baby talk once the entire day.
I asked an old coworker of mine, N, to escort me around some thrift stores. She ended up being our chaperone. For the thrift store and me, I mean. She made sure I didn’t get too grabby with the store’s body and helped the store open up a bit more and show me its silly side.
I wasn’t only excited about thrifting, but also to get out like a normal human being for a day. Well, kinda normal. I did have my breasts unashamedly exposed on a highway so I could pump in order to return to being normal for the next 3 hours.
No one noticed though. I think everyone we passed could feel me boring my eyes into the side of their heads saying Oh I just dare you to look, my friend. So help me, if you even move your face one iota to the side…
You know how you get that subconscious feeling of danger every now and again? Sometimes it can come on so strong that you just keep looking forward and keep on keeping on. I’m pretty sure that’s what they felt and stared straight ahead.
We finally arrived and ran into the shop.
N, luckily, also likes to take her time browsing, so I didn’t feel rushed or like I was holding her hostage. My kind of thrifting experience.
This first store rocked it. We dove in and didn’t come up for air until 3.5 hours later. Awe-some.
There were many things I talked myself in and out of throughout those hours. For one, this band hat. My goal (once we’re out of The Shack) is to create an attic space, complete with old wardrobe, mirror, and mannequin, sofa etc. for a dress-up corner and this hat just about made the cut.
Six months ago, I wouldn’t have blinked. But now that we’re trying to stick to a budget and have bigger plans for our moulah, I eventually nixed it. Maybe next time I’ll pick it up.
N found many things too.
Like this old pastry cutter and a paper-mache Santa that lit up. I watched her wheel and deal for that one. We literally ran around like chickens with our heads cut off and every once in a while would see the same thing at the same time and take in a huge gulp of air before grabbing it.
It’s nice to be surrounded by people who get the same sort of joy out of similar things as you do. It’s also nice to watch people get excited about different things than you too, but nothing beats a shared passion.
After that shopping extravaganza I was starving and brought out our lunch.
PB & J’s, lemonade, popcorn, nuts, and fruit. Next week, at The Mobile-Homemaker, I’ll be showing you how to bake the bread used for these sandwiches. Just a plain white bread, but R & I both enjoy it.
You can’t really tell, but it’s oh only 28 DEGREES FREAKING OUTSIDE.
The conversation was short and we hopped back into the car to make another stop.
Enter Doris.
She was manning the front desk and, I believe, owned the place. Within 10 minutes of us walking in, she literally made us take several things for free.
I knew she was a girl after my own heart when we asked for her photo and after taking it, insisted on seeing how she looked. Yes, we thrifters are all vain.
I picked up some wool socks (R and I are addicted) and a piece of artwork that knocked my (wool) socks off, along with some other things.
We stopped at a couple more places before heading home. The drained feeling of exploring and searching and squealing and buying makes for a laid-back ride home. We chatted, I soaked in the setting sun, and stared out at the rolling fields.
I was happy.
But nothing is as exciting as when you arrive home and get to show off your wares. Most of the time R just laughs and he didn’t disappoint this time. Except he threw in some head shakes and “What the heck is that” questions.
My absolute favorite buy of the day, and I can’t even tell you how much it was because Doris just said $5 for everything (and I had a good pile going…) is this artwork:
What the.
I just couldn’t take my eyes off it. It grabbed me, spun me around, and dipped me. So you know I was in love.
This deserved a prominent place in The Shack.
And there she be. Right above our french press that we use every day. So now every time R wants coffee, he’ll have the pleasure of soaking in that glittering beauty of a print.
This is one happy mama.
cuethebanjo.com 
The art piece is fantastic. Bedazzle-me-Mary
Isn’t it though? I can gaze at it all day long.
That’s my idea of a perfect day! I’ve had that using the hand-pump while traveling down the highway experience. I remember being amazed at the things I will now do in the name of motherhood.
Ha! No joke. Did I ever think I’d be knuckle deep in someone’s nose and not care? No. Never.
There I was, sitting, freezing on my sofa (because I refuse to raise our thermostat above 65 degrees in the winter unless I’m literally about to die. Mr. F hates this.), reading this here post. Thoughts such as:
“Oh. I like thrifting.”
“Breast pump. Hmmm. That will be an interesting bridge to cross. My boobs will one day feed a human. WEIRD.”
“A Picnic! I LOVE picnics. I want that table cloth. And that lemonade is a nice touch. That’s like, a REAL picnic.”
“I LOVE old people. Obsession, really. And “Doris?” That is perfect. I would have hugged Doris.I wonder if Doris dated a lot. I want her to write a book of stories. And she looked at her picture afterwards? Even better.”
And then my mouth fell open.
I.could.not.close.it.
That piece of art is quite possibly the most fantastic thing I have ever seen. It is other-worldly. And I have so much respect for you just because you own it. Like when someone knows who Dostoyevsky is. You.have.street.cred.
Props.
You are cracking me up. The fact that you appreciate my glittered holy family makes me SO want to make overcooked pasta with wilted salad for you!!
I, too, love old people. I’d rather talk to them than people my own age.
Ahhhh, love the picture find! And I keep hearing of Nancy’s little fun trips wishing she’d take me along! I haven’t met you but saw your blog from N’s fb page and I like your style! I’m also a friend of the Franco’s but I guess we haven’t met in any of these random circles. 😀 Keep up the fun blogging! (I sure haven’t fb ate it whole I guess-raspberry tongue 😉
Oh yes. Nancy is a pro at the thrift stores. Just hound her like a freak, like how I did and I’m sure you’ll get a trip set up. 🙂 I’m surprised we haven’t met… Although I don’t get out much, now that I’m Ruth’s prisoner. Thanks for reading!
Loved this thought!…….”.I just couldn’t take my eyes off it. It grabbed me, spun me around and dipped me. So you know I was in love.”…..
The family history post was so well done……
Thanks Elaine! I’m a fan of bring dipped if you couldn’t tell. And of dips with chips too. Any kind of dip, come to think of it. Hey- I’m going to email you soon with an idea. Ah, the suspense! 🙂
Well, this is a fantastically written piece, my dear. Do you think Jesyka is referring to me when she says, “I love old people.” I’m still a girl at heart. I noticed that my friend, Shannon found you. You would love her FB page. She is a treasure. I love you Pentunia. Give Ruthie a kiss for me and send me a picture of her in her shoes.
Ha! She was probably referring to me. Doris looks like my younger sister. I’ll check out Shannon’s page. Love ya too, had a great time. 🙂
Great thrifting day & I love the Holy Family art! OK, so today I’m finishing up a bunch of nursing covers….e mail me you addy & I’ll send you one…to stop flashing the truckers LOL!
Oh that is SO stinking nice of you. 🙂 the sad thing is that I do own several covers yet still flash people. They don’t even throw beads, it’s sad really.
[…] During my latest thrifting extravaganza, I discovered two new pieces for my art collection. It’s hard to say how much these were because Doris, the shop owner, told me she only wanted 5 bucks for my entire pile (which, I might add, included the much sought after “Glittered-over Painting of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph”). […]
Carthage Mo? I knew you had to be close to me! You’ve mentioned living in KC area, The Ozarks, oh, and the Kansas Wildcat magnet on your dryer was a dead give away 🙂 We are neighbors! Love your blogs BTW!
Melinda
Are we? How fun! Yeah, our blood runs purple. 🙂