thrifting is good for me...

Friday,aka Black Friday, I spent hours in my car driving from one frosty rink to the next. It is my duty as an ice hockey mom. I do not wear red lipstick as some hockey momsare purported to do. Instead I enjoy finding places to get some of my crafty on while my kids are on the ice.Before you start thinking there is something truly mean spirited about not watching my kids in their respective gliding venues, please know, i get into trouble if I am there for too long. Last friday, after a spectacular junking binge and a mellow Thanksgiving at a friend's house, I kind of got into a fight with some parents in the stands.Honestly, I am not all that hot-headed all the time. There was only 2 minutes left in a mixed gender squirt(8-10 year olds?) game where the score was

6-0.

The stand-side parents were berating the refs and one of those striped jersey fellows was my son. Simply, I recommended that the folks in the stands perhaps be aware that if the refs were able to hear what they were saying, they might be ejected from their perches. I truly was very polite. It has happened before and sadly will happen again. The 3 most unpleasant people there were loaded for bear... so I moved away.

Eventually the loudest, foamiest fool in the stands, interrupted a conversation that I was having later with a friend and fellow mother of hockey playing children. The very foolish man, eventually apologized to us both for being so out of control and disrespectful. My friend congratulated me for being the voice of reason. WELL, I never have been anointed with that royal moniker before, so I felt a tiny ember glowing in my gullet. shucks.In fact, the calls that were made by my son, the referee, were valid and educated. I was also most proud of him for his level headed professional behavior as well. A lot of days, I wish that I could be a bit more even tempered just as he is. He really lets stuff roll off of his back.

These little aggravations were put aside ... as I hold a death grip on a grudge, when the phone rang. We were in the car on our way to another rink for the boy to supervise another 3 games. The incoming call was from the junk shop where I had earlier spotted a child's sized roll top desk. Dare I holler with joy as I did that late afternoon? NOPE. In stead, when the daylight returns, I shall take photos of the

little desk to try to add to this posting. oh, and the price was absolutely yummy at $25.oo

Earlier that afternoon after dropping my son at the rink , I backtracked to the consignment store. It was on my way to deliver the boy, but in no way could he be late tohis job. In no way did I want to delve into this new source of consigned love and rush. It was something I absolutely wanted to take my time with and savor anyways. Words can't really describe how utterly positive I felt, but I am game to try. Within a few minutes of entering the door to a magic land and having put my name down for info about that rolltop cutie,

I found 2 floral vintage tablecloths. They were horribly stained, but I sense that Oxyclean will magically render them clean after a good soaking. I have confidence in a joyful outcome from this easy task. oh, and the tablecloths were $3.oo each.

SCORE!!!

SCORE!!!

Next, my greed focused in on some items I thought could be refurbished to be table-scapings for jewelry shows in the future. I was able to score not one, but two wooden cutlery trays. After cleaning and painting them, i think they will be wonderful earring displays.

Still no color has been decided for their futures. maybe black, maybe white.

I have time to decide.

They were $5. and $10.oo respectively. I felt guilty twinges about their prices, but in reality, I was having so much fun and could see them as being so veryhelpful when my show season resumed.

Oddly enough, a pair of two pretty pink girly lamps were available to my greed. Lacking in harps and shades, I thought they would be ideal bases to try out some new lacy shades made from old embroidered and lace trimmed linens scored earlier this month. It could happen... don't doubt me now... the winter will be hideously long

and i will need some fun to keep me busy. Did I mention that they were marked down from some ungodly inexpensive price to $8. 24? for the pair??? No, I did not think so. How could they be left behind if I had half a brain?

I managed not to fall down the stairs to the lower level of the consignment store. It was a possibility since I was feeling totally giddy. It was very full of ugly furniture and things my upholstering project-free hands could play with. This fantasy would hold a reality basis if given a little more household space, a bathtub full of tacks ( no, i do not store my tacks in my bathtub. it was merely a measuring allusion. ), appropriate supplies, a teensy, happy, tack hammer and all other things useful in re-upholstering furniture.

In this section filled with ridiculously unneeded things, my eagle peepers found me a small metal box with a handle that is banged up and useful vintage fare. As usual, i have NO idea what i might like to use it for, but Tole is Tole and I love it. Who on a bender would pass that up for another $5.oo? I ask you?

Near by, also a double decker silver plate serving dish wooed me. Sirens' calls enticed that into my basket as well for another $5.oo.(sorry I forgot to take a pic of this one...perhaps tomorrow?).

I thought that my trip was done, and then one last squeak was heard from within a china cabinet. There were three teensy salt shakers there. round and dumpling like. oh hell, and sterling silver too.

Now my husband was on the Cape of Cod with our youngest. They were at yet another Hockey event. I kept all my loot in the trunk of the car, to be silently off loaded into my overflowing studio space. Tomorrow will be a stupendous day for this sneaky little sortie. My hubby thinks of me as a hoarder.

I have NO idea why...

If I could get a little more organized looking, then no one would find fault with my collecting bug.

So many treats were left at this store by the way. I hope to get to go back sooner than later. There were plenty of things still waiting for me and my itchy fingers to get to. A set of green glass vases with ruffled tops, another pair of shade free glass boudoir lamps and a green ceramic pitcher with flowers painted on one side. I feel the shame, joy and luck of having too many cool things in my cottage.

Simple pleasures for me to revel in and to perhaps share.

Generally, this is the way that folks wind up having stores to sell their loot from. I suppose it is purposeful to look ahead to that as a possible dream. Dreams are very good to have too.

Thanks ... xoxo. w.