Whoooooo says Thrifting is for the Birds?????

Just back from an incredibly long and draining trip to see my parents in Snowy Idaho....we drove and took the dog with us and between hospital visits, doctor visits, some home repairs and errands here and there I managed to come home with a few treasurers and when I unpacked them I noticed they were all bird related!!!

On the road we stopped at one thrift store and I found this cast iron owl, a set of white doves, one natural colored dove and a little set of three owls.....

At Cracker Barrel I found little blue bird S&P shakers and I bought two sets to place around areas in my house....this little guy sits on the bird house table I thrifted and re-purposed and put the birdcage on it with sea shells.....

His partner is on the coffee table in the Living Room by my sea shell lamp and pictures of the boys on the beach and the shot I took of a rainbow right over our house....

This little pair sits together on the mantle by my Seth Thomas clock and hand turned bowl I was given....don't they look sweet?

I painted the cast iron owl a yummy gold color and he sits on the TV next the the family picture I love so much. The little owl trio I think I might keep for Halloween....

Now, back to the stack of paperwork, unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping, projects waiting to be attended too....yes, true, am living the dream here!!!!

v

Wednesday Thrift Store Finds...Friend or Foe?

Yes, it is WEDNESDAY and that means Thrift Shopping for me on my lunch hour (if I get a lunch hour and today I did!). For $7.95 today I scored these treasurers, a wonderful layered shirt for Brody, a Cat in the Hat decoration for the boys new bathroom make over, a brand new package of 60 Army men, a mini pack of PlayDough and a crock pitcher that is an exact match of one I already have that I put on my mantle in the off holiday season so now I can have that look of symmetry that I am so anal about - there I said it! It was fun to browse and I saw in many baskets things I wished I would have seen first!!! Note to self - quit looking at other peoples treasures in the cart!! So as many of you know I collect turkeys and pilgrims. I have lots of different kinds and usually only buy at thrift or antique stores or department stores for bargain prices. So last week I saw these at Kohls for 60% off, plus I had an additional 20% off coupon and then I had a $10.00 off if you bought $20.00 or more so they just about paid me to carry these out of the store. So I found the perfect place for them in my entry way/living room by the front door. My living room is off white with beige and greens and they added a nice touch. But as I looked at them over and over I am not sure if they are happy pilgrims or unhappy pilgrims. Their faces have me perplexed - I mean, I know pilgrim life was not easy but they are dressed nice and have all kinds of fruit and pumpkins and all. I think the man is happier than the woman - maybe they are having issues in their relationship - I am just not sure and I keep trying to figure out their story.

Have you ever bought something that you are not sure if you love it?

Weekly Thrift Store Finds

I have always loved 'Thrifting'. When I travel for work to places like Nashville, SLC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Bethesda, etc., if I have any time to myself I always squeeze in a Thrift Store Stop. Sometimes it makes it a little interesting in my luggage home (I have been known to travel with a cardboard box full of treasurers). I used to go with my mom when I was younger, I have been with my sister to lots of stores in Seattle and Idaho and my daughter has taken Thrifting to a new level.....more on that later.

So in my routine of life - which is vital to my sanity - much like my daily routine that I have blogged about - I have a weekly lunchtime routine (surprised - no). Most of the time I never get to go to lunch, so if I go in uber early and plan my meetings just right and no chaos happens (rare) I try to head out of the office and get some fresh air, a quick stop and a McDonald's 79 cent diet coke - yes I am living La Dolce Vita! Does my husband know and appreciate how low maintenance I am?....but I digress.

Lunch Time Schedule

Monday - This is errand day, taking checks to the bank for my dads caregivers and post office.

Tuesday - Browsing at Ross - 10 percent off for Seniors Day (don't judge)

Wednesday - Thrift Store day - we have a wonderful 'plaza' of shops in nearby Poway

Thursday - no lunch this day - booked solid in meetings I have not figured a way to get out of

Friday - another rare day for lunch, too much to do before the weekend, but maybe a chance to stop for a few groceries or get my nails done.

I usually do pretty good on Wednesdays at the Thrift shops. The volunteers are so nice and many of them elderly and I love their work ethic and their attention to detail and the fact they are still contributing at 80 and 90 (yes 90) plus....gives me hope. I try and limit myself to find what I can for $10.00 or under.

Last Wednesday was 'Poway Days' and everything was 50 percent off! I got the Ball Popper for $3.00 and my grandsons love it (they had one at home but still, what a great toy). Brody is my future engineer and loves watching how things work and since this has a clear channel to move the balls he is quite entertained. The baseball mitt was $3.00 also and perfect for my Little Yankee Dylan for his 'ball games' here. He demonstrates to me how he holds the mitt on the ground ready for that ground ball and the theory behind it and the right way to do it. That kids is a trip.

This Wednesday I found this Play mobile Pirate Treasure Chest (brand new) for $5.00 - it is for sale at Target for $39.00. I also found this most adorable and beautiful glazed Mr. Turkey for my collection for $3.00. I love collecting turkeys and have collected them for years. I scour the thrift stores always for turkey S&P and planters like this one. I love all the fall colors on him and he is a welcome addition to my little flock. He will be tucked away until Nov1 and will be introduced to his other team members then.

I am actually on the hunt for a ceramic owl for my Halloween decorations but no score yet. My mom and I used to always find owls and send them to my sweet Auntie Gwen who collected them. It is fun to have something to look for and then find something to surprise you.....again - low maintenance - no Nordstom personal shopper for this girl!

Anyway....what fun I can have for a quick lunch hour and $10.00 - do you thrift for anything?