Thursday, September 16, 2010

First Goodwill Purchase

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A dollhouse and a desk.



Well, I can't even really claim these items as my first goodwill purchase. You see, my mom was with me, and well, you know how moms can be. I had every intention of paying for at least the desk, since that's what I was searching for. (The dollhouse was a complete surprise and a spontaneous purchase--what grandma could resist such a prize for her granddaughter?) Anyway, when it was all said and done, I walked out with a desk and a dollhouse for free. Thanks, mom!!


And why am I sharing this information? Well, for me there's a story behind these items.


I've always liked new things. Things that haven't been used. I don't like to rummage. I don't even like to rummage through new things, and that's why I usually avoid stores like T.J. Maxx and the like. Nothing against those stores, though. I don't have refurbishing skills. And I don't have the time to learn those skills right now. I hate wasting time at "hit or miss" places. Shopping at a store where you never know what might be on a shelf is just not my cup of tea. So, these are a few reasons why I thought I would never walk through the door of a Goodwill or any other kind of thrift store, etc..


My dream kind of shopping would be to just walk into let's say--Pottery Barn--and pick out whatever I wanted taking no thought as to how much it cost. And while I was at it, I'd want to go ahead and pick out matching accessories to whatever it was that I was buying, because I do love for things to match. I love themes, and it used to bother me that I always had to shop like Old MacDonald--here a piece, there a piece, everywhere a piece, piece. By the time I'd get to purchase #4 piece, #1 piece had done gone out of style!!!


Well, I have never been able to shop that way, and it's only gotten tighter as the years have passed by, especially the last few years . . . and I truly believe it's an answer to a prayer. Not an answer I would have picked, but I keep reminding myself that God's ways are certainly not my ways.

I have begged God to help me be content over the years, and honestly, I just wanted to wake up one morning all of a sudden feeling content. Yeah well, God had other plans. He is showing me how to be content by taking even more away. I have much more to say on this subject, but for now I will wrap up this post with how it relates to this particular Goodwill purchase.

I home school, and son #2 needed a desk to be able to do his school work in peace and quiet. (Son #1 already had a desk in their shared room.) Why do they need to do school in their room? This year I am spending a lot of time with their sister who is now in kindergarten. Teaching kindergarten requires much talking, which means much distraction to a 6th grader and a 3rd grader!! I wanted both boys to be able to retreat to their rooms while I am teaching phonics and nodding off--I mean-- listening to loads of Bob Books!!

Problem: No money to buy a desk. Solution: Check out Goodwill just to see if they had anything remotely decent.

The desk I picked out certainly isn't something I would have even considered bringing into my home until this point in time. But . . . some of the positives on which I am focusing:
  • It is real wood (even if it is slightly out of style and doesn't match the rest of the room decor)
  • It was very inexpensive (especially since my mom bought it)
  • I won't spaz out if my son scratches it or spills something on it (obviously, the previous owner already took care of that for us)
  • My son likes it and now has a space of his own to do school!

    I totally vacuumed and cleaned every inch of that desk before taking it up to my son's room!!! And I am trying really hard not to be jealous of all the highly talented moms out there who would be able to take this piece of old, beat up furniture and transform it into something Ty-ish!! For now, it is just serving its purpose, and I am content with that.

2 comments:

Jen said...

I am JUST like you in the fact that I am not a big fan of rummaging through stores. I am always envious of the people who can get stuff at second hand stores for next to nothing and turn it into something amazing!! I once went into a slightly used store close to my house hoping I could be creative and find something and sadly all I saw was JUNK!! I guess I don't have the creative eye!!!

Glad you found a desk and what cute doll house!

Andrea said...

Oh, you got some Great finds! I can't say I Love going through stores like that either, but I'm a sucker for a good estate sale. If you ever do have a weekend you could paint the desk and change the hardware and that would be a whole new desk! Super inexpensive change. Just takes a little time to sand and paint. I love making pieces your own. Makes your house seem a little less commercial and a little more cozy. :)

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