Currently loving: Our Place: Resale for Rescue Thrift Store

Today, I did my usual hunting.  I hunted for change lying around the house, then I took my $1.15 to see what I could find on my way to Red Box.  The small town we've just moved to doesn't have much when it comes to shopping.  There's a couple of dollar stores, but that's about it.  And since I only journey into Waco once a week to go to the bank and grab some groceries, I like to see what I can hunt down out here.  I'm so glad I went out today, because otherwise, I may have missed this little gem that is right down the road from our house.  Here's what I found...

As I got out of the car, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I definitely didn't expect it to have as much as it did.  (It had A LOT.)  It was pretty much an antique shop meets garage sale at Goodwill prices.  Cool, right?  Yes.  They had six rooms, a hallway, outside area, and the checkout area filled with all kinds of nic-nacks, clothes, books, kitchen stuff, furniture, jewelry, linens, and even craft supplies.  Literally, floor to ceiling.  If you've ever shopped with me, you know I usually go through a store at least two or three times.  I think I took six trips around every inch of this place, and every time, I found something new.  I tend to only see things that are eye level, so my fifth and six trips were spent looking up and down.  I found many antiques, but also contemporary pieces, things I could use my own way, and just about everything had lots of character (and by character, I don't mean the Craigslist definition - scratches, cracks, and dents...it had a story behind it).  I fell in love.  And then, I got to speak with one of the owners...

Turns out, they also run an animal shelter for rescued pets, a boarding facility, grooming business, and animal adoption center (Pam's D.O.G. House - Depending On God).  100% of the proceeds from the thrift store go to fostering these projects, and 80-90% of the items in the store are donations.  Oh, and did I mention, they also have two storage lockers across the street full of stuff?  They were very sweet ladies, and not only do I love the store, I love their mission.  I also talked to them about volunteering a little bit at either the store or the shelter.

The store is open Fridays and Saturdays and they put out new things every week, so I'll be back next weekend.  They also change their sales weekly.  Today's sale was fill a large paper sack with all the clothing that will fit for $5 and shoes $1/pair.

Here are some of the cool things I found while shopping...

Tons of baskets!  That top one is my favorite.

The bench I've wanted for the last few weeks...

About 1/4 of the book room

Craft Supplies...this only shows a corner of it, but they had a lot!

I didn't actually know what this was until after I took the picture...I lifted it up, and on the other side of the gold circle, is a clock.

Charming.

Unique.

Love this vintage, camel, braided bag.

I like the contemporary vase in the middle.

Note:  If you'd like any information about the shop, donation to the shop, or pet adoption, leave a comment and I will get you their contact information.

To love...

So, I know I said I was back to posting semi-regularly, but things have been quite busy around here...

I have been working diligently to get my new classroom in order the way I  like it.  And yes, I tend to put the same amount of effort, creativity, and organization into my classroom as I do at home.  I have reorganized toys and resources, changed schedules, completed lesson plans, and attempted to brainwash thirteen three year olds into "turning on their listening ears" each morning.  (Side note:  I've been thinking about posting some of my school stuff on the blog as well - organization, lesson plan ideas, craft projects, classroom management, behavior help, etc.  If any moms or teachers are interested in this, please give me your opinion on this going on the blog.)

Meanwhile, at home, I have a six week old new puppy who is spoiled rotten, even though we've had him only a week.  We love him, even if that means holding him in one arm as I water the yard with the other.

I have started many projects, however, I am limited to what supplies I have at the house (which is dwindling) because of our strained finances during this transition.  So, I do what I can, and the rest can wait.  I will be posting pictures this week/weekend of some of our house.  I'm a little hesitant to show pictures until I can show before and after pictures.  But I can show you what we've done in the few weeks we've been here.

Until then, here are a few things I have come to love (and not-so-love) about our new space:

• Love: Our space doubled!
• Not-so-love:  Our space doubled...  We used to be able to deep clean every inch of our tiny apartment - from baseboards to ceiling fans - in a day and a half, max.  Now, not so much.  We pretty much stick to a room a day for each of us.  Plus, we're working on filling this house up!
• Love:  Huge yard!
• Not-so-love:  Huge yard!  I haven't personally mowed yet, but it looks awful!  :)
• Love:  It's a fixer-upper so we can make it ours and actually feel like we made a difference to it.
• Not-so-love:  It's a fixer-upper.  Lots of work, lots of projects, lots of fun?  (I think so...)
• Love:  Friendly community and close to work.
• Love:  It's ours!  Well, to rent, but it's a house and it's ours.  

So, overall, I'm happy.  Although, if I never hang another mini-blind in my life, it will be too soon.  That's a story for another post...