2011…Thrifting Heaven?

Lo, the holidays are over and done, and yard sales begin anew. How can it fail to be a banner thrifting year when the first driveway score is a frog

with freckles on his knees from Costa Rica signed by the artist? I think this frog will enjoy hanging out with the others I’ve found on OC driveways and really, with the whole gang. Actually, the first score of the year came from a thrift store. We went up to LA on Thursday to go to the art museum and eat ethnic food (Ethiopian for lunch, Thai for dinner). Perused a few thrift stores that we’ve passed several times and never stopped at. I remain confirmed in my belief that the real deals are on driveways, but Steven spotted one thing we had to have. Another lamp.Fabbo, yes? It has its original stickers still which proclaim it to be a Sight Light, and it swivels in a complete circle. Price was higher than my normal range, but I knew if we didn’t get it we’d regret it, and I do try to live without regrets.

Had a nice conversation with a lady named Liz who works with at-risk teens. Her extremely self-possessed and charming teenage daughter made numerous deals while we chatted. We ended up talking about different learning styles and she mentioned that a lot of her students are more auditory learners. So I told her about the downloadable audiobooks on my library’s website. She was thrilled—she can download a book to her classroom computer for free and have the kids listen as a class. She said she played a recording of Tom Sawyer before Christmas and was amazed at the discussion that ensued.

Hmmm, must remember to put this on my monthly report as an outreach contact!

‘Twasn’t a very doggy morning, but here is Paxson.He is a labradoodle who missed the curly hair gene. Wish I had gotten a picture of a dog I saw being walked. It must have been a bulldog/terrier mix. Bulldog body and head with wiry hair. The one kitty I saw kept being chased away by an annoying seven year old girl every time I reached for my camera.

Spent five bucks this morning, and besides the frog vase I came home with 7 CDs,one of which will be a gift for a music loving friend (you know who you are, Marcia). There’s a Pink Floyd in there that I got for my hubs, who was excited to see it. It’s so nice when you can bring happiness for twenty five cents.

He also gets today’s clothing score. We were in a trendy shop the other day (I know, doesn’t sound like me) with a mix of new and vintage clothing. They had a whole rack of men’s new Pendleton shirts that we were admiring, but the close-to-$100 price tags, not so much. Don’t worry, I told him, I will find you Pendletons this year. And I did.Brand new. No tags, I think it was a gift. Guy told me it didn’t fit him. It was hanging from the garage door next to an ugly black jacket, and I managed not to crack up when he said the Pendleton was two bucks, but the jacket was $10 because it was a Dickies. Which can be bought new for about a third of what a Pendleton shirt costs. Go figure.

Picked up a Tin Man doll for my children’s literature toys collection and literally a bag of crepe paper streamers. I figure children’s librarians can always use these, so I asked how much for all of them. One dolluh. Yup. There were so many she had to go get a bigger bag to hold them. Counted when I got home—36 rolls. Woo hoo!

In the category of Things I Didn’t Buy we have this original oyl painting. That’s a caterpillar she has her nose by. Didn’t want you to think it was something else.

And the comment that made my day? Stopped at a sale and it turned out to be the lady I bought my wonderful wire Christmas tree from. We chatted about this and that while I browsed. When I left she told me, “Come and visit any time. I really enjoy your stories!”