Second Hand Stores......

I am finding that Second Hand Stores are the COOL places to be!! Maybe they already were, it was just hush hush...no one admitted going to the Salvation Army or the Good Will. But things have changed...we now have shows based around furnishing your home or updating your wardrobe through these stores. I don't know why, but I didn't want to be seen entering or leaving these stores! Then again, it could be MY OWN ISSUES with SHOPPING there. In my MIND I see strangers thinking "oh poor thing, she is poor and has to shop there! Tsk tsk.." Then I have the thought that I shouldn't be shopping there, we are not POOR...we are middle class, if we want something we have to save, but overall we are quite content. I don't want to take away from someone who ACTUALLY needs it. I did realize that while browsing through all the stores most of the customers were elders of a certain class, which kinda worried me about our future! Then there were young families, mostly Mothers(and three children to each Mother) shopping for kids' clothes while their kids played with aged toys....that too got me thinking, is our Government doing enough to help EVERYONE!?

BUT, I got over my own issues.....and I did all the shops in one day!! I went (alone...phew) with high expectations that I would find some great pieces that need refurnishing and then they would shine with their brilliance in my home.....I had that Nate Berkus ideal in my head....find those hidden gems!!! But after that Saturday...I was let down....there were no real gems...just ordinary stuff!! How sad!! Or at least I thought!

I did find many BOOKS in the Good Will Store!! This was my first stop.....as soon as I walked in, there was a ROW of BOOKS...broken down into categories....and then hardcover from paperback.....I was in awe!!! I browsed carefully...if anyone knows me...you know that I love BOOKS!! I bought in total 6.....all hardcover and was QUITE HAPPY with my FINDS!! Some were even ones that I couldn't find any more...out of print...and here they were, in hardcover....it was like the heavens shining down on them!!! I quickly grabbed them...looking around...I was ecstatic!! With MY books clenched to my chest I meandered through the rest of the store.....there were some cool "silver" pieces...and they glittered....I bought a silver dish...I know its not REAL silver...but I loved the detail!

My next stop was the Salvation Army.......as soon as I walked in the cashier was barking at kids running about, touching this and that.....she was small, a smoker and LOUD!!! She looked like she was in her late 70's...and she had so much spunk!! While walking around, I saw a BOOK section...but it was nothing compared to the other store...but they did have MORE FURNITURE!!! Some pieces...I stood there, glancing at them...wondering where I could use them in my ever growing small home....but in the end...I decided not to get them. I did find an old apron, likely from the 70's...mint green with frills and lace on the edges and the pocket had a rose stitched on it....I had to have it...it reminded me of my late Grandmother....she always wore aprons and had them hanging between the fridge and stove....its now in my kitchen!!!

The last stop was a second hand store.....the owner buys mostly anything you want to sell to him, plus he buys from estates sales. It was small and off the main road...at first I was slightly worried...would I ever be seen again...I don't have a cell phone....there are some cars parked outside....so there must be customers...SO I WENT IN!! I was surprised...it was fully stocked with this and that....and it was FUN to go through everything!! I saw a few pieces that I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE...but decided not to get them....however I did see a serving bowl and had to get it...again it reminded me of my Grandmother and her bowls! My Father was too hasty during their estate sale....and packed mostly the whole kitchen up and sold the contents...but this bowl reminded me of many dinners in their home!! It came home with me!! The owner's Mother was the cashier...in her late 70's(again...), wearing those quilted jackets that all Grandma's wear...and she was quite pleasant and very talkative...we chatted for a bit....and I know that I will be returning!!

During the drive home I felt very happy, I conquered my FEARS of Second Hand Stores....and I do believe that I will visit them once a month....to see if I can find any gems that are SPECIAL to me! BUT it also got me thinking about our SOCIETY and our GOVERNMENT.....and where things are lacking.