Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will
My adult niece began her Portland visit a day ahead of the rest of her family, so of course we went to Goodwill. You know . . . for blog content, not at all for selfish reasons.
Follow along to see what the Goodwill had in store!
This bronze lamp caught my eye it didn't look mass produced, which turned out to be a correct assessment as it's a Robert Abbey "Mr Dog" lamp, the same as this $1000 version on 1st Dibs. I'm fully aware that 1st Dibs' prices are inflated, but it was still a sign that this lamp was better than its surrounding Target/Amazon/Ikea lampmates.
Goodwill priced it at $14.99, so it obviously came home with me.
I was excited when this vintage clock rolled out, but it was sadly damaged. I did consider buying it as I could've glued it together and used a gold paint pen to disguise the repair, but decided to leave that project for some other lucky thrifter.
Kind of regret that choice, as I think it was only priced around $7.99.
Bronze dipped baby shoes used to be a common sight in thrift stores, but this pair made me realize that they've become an increasingly rare sight. They're always such a bittersweet reminder of the feet that wore out these now antique shoes.
Of course Goodwill had tourist trade Dutch clog, as apparently it's illegal to visit the Netherlands without bringing home a pair for each and every ones of your loved ones.
Seriously . . . .
C'mon, you've gotta be kidding me!
Last item to share was this pair of genuine fur horses. I don't have the same aversion to fur as many people as my beloved grandfather was a furrier, but this item still gave me the ick.
I'm not a horsey person, but I'm pretty sure that they aren't covered in silky black fur!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
LOVE the dog lamp!
Wow! That Goodwill looks roomy and well kept. Some around me are stuffed so full only one shopper can go down the aisle at a time, and it looks really clean! I can't wait to find out how much you flip the dog lamp for...I listed and sold some vintage linen embroidery on eBay today. I used eBay's suggested and it sold in just a few hours. The embroidery came from a trash pile. My friend knew I was looking for frames for crafts at the library and grabbed these from the trash. I took them out and saved them because I was going to give them to my sister, but then the thought of listing them occurred to me
What kind of vintage embroidery does well on Ebay? Can you summarize? There is So Much of it at yard sales around me. Thank you!
What I listed were both linen dollies. They were trimmed in pink. One had flowers and the other one was a lady in a fancy dress with an umbrella like she was strolling. They clearly went together. We I got them someone had framed them so they were in great condition. I don't know much about embroidery but it seemed intricate to me.
Thank you!
Nice find. I'd be tempted to keep the lamp. I curious what you'll get for it.
I love that dog lamp! Hope someone else with big bucks likes it too! You are doing so well with your goodwill gift card food bank challenge, Katy – it is interesting to see what sells, and your donations are very inspiring.
1. I have finally done some garden stuff. I gave myself a 'One Big Thing' to do* which was find and attach the hoses to the barn and house, and then go to the big greenhouse (where there already is a hose set up) and do a long long watering. The big greenhouse has 4 50 foot raised concrete beds (built by my ex) and in the winter they dry up a lot. Getting them moist down 2 or so feet is a process of consistently watering – which is a meditative process if I let it be. We have a lot of volunteer arugula coming up in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beds, the 1st bed has bolting arugula that will need to be pulled, but I keep eating the SPICY leaves. Everything got a good deep watering.
2. While I was down there with the hose I emptied the sheep's big water bucket and moved it closer to the greenhouse, where it will be much easier to fill without having to haul a hose out just for him. Gave it a scrub and filled it up. Oh, that made for another Big Thing as it has been weighing on me.
3. A day later, for my 'One Big Thing'* I took out all my seeds (that I have been sorting with dedication) and selected a large quantity to plant.
I cut label strips out of the lids for yogurt containers (as I currently am out of the actual containers to cut, they make great label strips too).
Went down to the outside raised beds (8 of them, 4 feet wide and 50 feet long, also concrete built by my ex) and thanked the woman who has spent a lot of the nice winter days clearing out the weeds. We have been covering the beds with a thick layer of maple leaves after they are weeded, which seems to do an excellent job of suppressing the weeds. The leaves need to be put onto the compost pile after we plant the beds, though, as they suppress the seeds we want to grow!
I got all kinds of things planted into mini rows, as I have learned that many of the things I grow do better if I grow then in thick rows then transplant. Lots of kale varieties, broccolis, chard, more peas, and something I can't remember (labelled them though) were planted then covered with a thin layer of chopped straw (another weed suppresser but seeds tend to come up) .
4. I then moved into the greenhouse and planted short thick rows of lettuces, spinach, Bok Choi, cilantro, and dill. Those need to be covered with peat but that if for another day. I did take the time to re-water the two beds in the greenhouse that currently have plants or seeds, more watering to come.
* One Big Thing is a nice approach for me when I am in a Fibromyalgia flare. I look at the overwhelming lists and tell myself to pick One Big Thing on that list that I feel is attainable. I then do that thing, and when it is done I make a valiant effort to pat myself on the back and celebrate the success. This practice means that anything else I do in the day is gravy and worth even more celebration. I find when I remember this practice, my mental health is much better and the inner critic is quieter.
What an array of conversation starters! (love the lamp and clock...).
1. The wind and a lost screw meant that our mailbox lid had been partially blown off. Partner fixed it for less than $1, and I filled in the area where the black paint was missing with a black Sharpie. It looks perfectly fine from afar, which is good enough for me. Saved $25 by not buying a replacement.
2. We bought frozen pizza that had been on sale. We bought the cheapest variety, cheese, and then bought 5 slices of pepperoni from the deli counter to put on top ourselves. This saved us .46 per pizza. Yes, it probably would have been cheaper to make from scratch, but it is the end of the semester, I've been working OT, and my students open a new exhibit on campus on Friday, so this is NOT the week...
3. Staying home rather than going to family (a 2-hour drive) for Easter, and making pork belly that I had purchased on FlashFood a while back. No decorations and no baskets, as neither of us is particularly spirited in that way.
4. While the pork belly is roasting, I'll also make croutons with heels of bread, etc., and maybe bake off some meatballs for dinner next week.
5. Picked up a few more mystery shops. Inspired by Katy, I'm trying to fund an upcoming/expensive dinner only with mystery shop money. I started 3/9 and thus far, I've made $306.50. My goal was $400, but I only have 8 more days, so I may not make it, but I have $306.50, but who knows, it could happen....
Your #5 is great! $306.50 is a nice bundle and as you say, you never know what the next eight days will hold. Good luck and let us know how you do.
Wooden shoes ('klompen') were popular for a reason -- they're terrific for working in a muddy garden! The mud just doesn't stick...
My dad, whose grandparents only spoke Dutch, used to tease me about wearing them, but I loved not tracking mud in during our rare storms. That all ended, sadly, when our Weimaraner had one as a tasty snack.
Your Weimeraner ate a wooden shoe?!? Were there splinters in the "end product"??
I always love to see what you find at the thrift store.
I had a bit of luck this morning, a fb marketplace buyer bought 5 items all at once for $100!
I love the lamp.
The horse is nightmare fuel.
I’ve managed to visit the Netherlands without succumbing to the lure of wooden shoes. It seems like those would occupy a lot of space in your luggage!
I too was touched by those bronzed baby shoes. I still have DH's little bronzed cowboy boots. Can't bear to throw them out.
Happy rest of Passover to those who celebrate Passover, and happy Easter to those who celebrate Easter. I'm sort of the Agnostic Auxiliary for celebrations of both: I attended Dr. Bestest Neighbor's Seder on Wednesday evening, and I'll be picking up NDN1 from the assisted living facility and taking her to CF's Easter lunch tomorrow.
I’m a Happy Heathen myself, but happy to join in any celebration that involves food, music,or joyful people. Love that you are still cherishing ( one of my favourite words!) NDN1, so often those who have the greatest need of uncritical love are forgotten. Thank you for your kindness, the world is in desperate need of need of that commodity!
Cool lamp. I'm certain it would end up living with me or one of the kids. I have wooden clogs that I inherited from my great great granny. I was taught Dutch when I was young. The last days of my grandmothers life, she only spoke Dutch.
I washed down the front porch and washed the front windows.
Split a few perennials.
Made orange rolls and cinnamon rolls for tomorrow.
Just have to say, when I was in high school I DANCED in wooden shoes! Yep, Holland, Michigan. 13 pairs of socks between my feet and the wood. Those were the days!
This morning I sold a switch for a Lionel train set, and I've already mailed the package. It wasn't a great profit, but nice to get something in the hands of someone who had a use for it.
I sent my unemployed son some Easter money and extra. I'll be going out to eat with my other son and family, who live nearby. We get Mexican on Easter, dating back to a time when it meant no line, no waiting. Now it's tradition. I'm sure I'll be bringing home leftovers.
Returning from the post office, I stopped at the little free pantry and got some potato chips and a can of Hormel chili. Lunch right there -- though not today, as my stomach has been off
Entertaining myself with a LFL book. I'm thinking about passing my books on to my DIL, who loves to read. It's not cheap to mail them across country, however, even at media mail rate. But she might welcome some diversion as they work their way through this period of unemployment.