Shopping Alert

Yes, the dollar store is a favorite. There are some bargains for a buck - but the toy aisle is loaded with junk that barely survives its trip to the car. We've had more than a few tears shed after a disappointing experience with those cheap-o handcuffs. No matter how much they were warned about the shabby quality - they were always shocked when an arm broke off, in the process of detaining their first felon.

However, I spotted these fake mustaches at a quick glance - a sure bet for a few laughs and only $1! Better grab a few packs - never know when a stache will come in handy.

Sale Alert

Once a year, for a few weeks, this wholesale nursery is open to the public. They offer awesome deals on plants (I have bought entire flats for 1$). Time for a little confession - I actually get butterflies in my stomach on the way to this sale. Also, as it nears the end, the deals get better so you have to go several times. I've nearly had to tie the kids to the roof to get home after heaping the car with bargain perennnials. This year, the sale starts July 19th and it will run for 2-3 weeks. Maybe I'll see you there!

Saved from the flames

We performed a rescue mission yesterday - saving this incredible piece from its torched doom. Some might say that is precisely where it belonged, but I see great things for this table. Bonus is that a rustic old bench was also on the burn pile - so we grabbed that too. Last week, my heart plummeted as I noticed that the pile had been lit and my table would no doubt be ashes by morning. Imagine my glee when I noticed that the fire had only partially burned - leaving my table untouched! The girls were not too pleased as the dwelling was right across from their school. We were headed to the back yard as the school buses rolled by - Milah was most humiliated and wished that she belonged to a different mother at that point . . .

Not for the OCD crowd

Well, we hit an all time low in bargain shopping today. Upon a friend's suggestion, we (Susie and I) went to a Goodwill Outlet store. Instead of neatly organized racks and shelves, all merchandise is placed in these shallow bins, and wheeled out to the sales floor for customers to paw through. Pricing is per pound except for larger items such as furniture. We noticed that the "regulars" wear gloves as they scavenge in the bins. An announcement is made when they will be clearing out a row of bins. Then eager customers line up anticipating the bargains when the new bins are brought in, grabbing and storing their wares underneath blankets in their carts. We've pretty much ruled out ever going there again. Our very next stop was at a car wash where we payed 8$, parked our vehicle and walked through several times so we could rinse off the filth. I'm still itching - icky icky ucky ucky!

Bargain of the Week

Pssst, I'll let you in on a great deal. At Habitat for Humanity in Lebanon (just down from the shop on Airway Rd), they are selling these plastic adirondack chairs for 7$! They have a few olive green ones, and quite a few aqua blue and brown. This Saturday, everything is 1/2 price - so if there are any left, they will only be $3.50!! I know they are open 9-4 on Saturday, but not sure of their hours on the other days.

Zo What?

ZOJIRUSHI! If you happen to be cruising the aisle of your local thrift store and light upon one of these for around 20$, snatch it as quick as you can (throw a punch if necessary). These are the "top of the line" bread makers and sell on Ebay for a little over 100$, almost 200$ new. I payed $12.95 for this one. After cleaning it up at home, try a few loaves (I don't think it tastes as good as it smells) and then list it on Ebay - it's fun to watch the bidding frenzy.

The winning bid was $117.50 - Hooray! Doesn't quite pay for my Goodwill habit, but I'll be searching the shelves a little closer now.