Hooked

OK, I admit it. I'm hooked. I'm addicted.


To what?


A thrift store!!


It's basically like a perpetual garage sale - you never know what you'll find. Everything is super-cheap, or at the most very reasonable. And if you want to spend a lot, you can join in on a silent auction on several displays - everything from antique dishes to toys to special collections - all kinds of nice stuff. The staff is volunteer, and the money from both sales and auctions goes to help needy people in various situations.


This is actually good in another way as well - all the items are donated. So if you need to clean out your attic or closet or a drawer, or maybe all over the house like I do, you can take it to this store. Things will go to a new home, and the money goes for a great cause. My problem is, I'll take a couple of sacks of things over, and come home with 3 or 4. I'm NOT gaining that way! But it's SO FUN. Plus, I can outfit our boys pretty inexpensively.


Like I said, you'll never know what you'll find. Everybody's tastes are different, and surely somewhere in that store you can find something that appeals to you. I always hit the magazine section right away, then the books, of course. Then clothes. Then boots and shoes. Then curtains and bedding and such. Then purses and accessories. Then I like to especially scour the skirt rack and the jeans rack. There might be something useful in the crafts. Our younger son likes the toy and game section. Then I've just got to look over the dishes and knick-knacks. Maybe see if there's any furniture or other household items. Maybe jewelry. Then see if there might be a good cookbook worth looking through. (I read them like any other book!) Then, though I don't usually participate, I like to see what's on display for the silent auction. Eventually I've just got to quit, or I'll have a houseful AGAIN.


Favorite finds lately include a pretty sage-green chenille bedspread, a skirt and a dress both made in India that are gorgeous, and most of the line of "Little House" books.


This isn't helping my addiction one little bit. But it's a blast!