My adventures at Goodwill Outlet....

Yes, I did say Goodwill Outlet. I never knew that their was such a place but driving by the other day it sparked my curiosity.....an outlet for Goodwill...what in the world could they have there...stuff that they couldnt almost give away at the regular store? Let me tell you it was an experience. First off everything there is sold by the pound....$1.39 a lb to be exact. It is a large building with tables full of bins....mostly bins of broken stuff and junk. Yes, I mean junk. A trampoline missing the 2 front legs....half of a dirty plastic garbage can missing the top, some glasses, broken toys, half packages of depends diapers. Then you come to the clothes section, if you are willing to dig through piles and piles of misc clothes, blankets, you name it, you may find a deal. The problem is most of these are things that they couldnt sell at Goodwill because they were stained or had holes or were frayed etc. Some are things that just didnt sell. Then there are the things that didnt sell at the store, but are now more expensive at the outlet due to the weight factor. For example, I found a bucket of lincoln logs for my kids that was labled $6.99, now it didnt sell for that price at a regular goodwill store keep in mind, but when I took it up to the cash register at the outlet due to the weight it was now $10, are you kidding me???

Now if you are like me, you are probably thinking do people really buy this stuff? Yes, people had carts overflowing with stuff. The most incredible part is what I noticed while I was waiting for my mom and the girls. There was a large crowd of people(at least 40) in one section of the store by where I was standing. I was thinking what the heck is going on, until I saw an employee wheeling out a large bin of clothes, now by large I mean probably 7 foot long, by 3 feet wide. As he approached with the "new" bin, these people swarmed on him before he could even get the bin in place and locked. Digging through as fast as they could to find the next great thing. Then they would grab what they found and wait for the next bin to come out 5 minutes later and the whole thing would start all over again. I couldnt believe my eyes. These are things that could not go in the other regular stores or just didnt sell, its not like you are going to find a coach pair of shoes or something. It was a mad dash and mob for each new bin that appeared. I coudlnt believe my eyes. Then I found out that there are a bunch of regulars that are there every single day. WOW.

Now on the flipside I am very blessed in life to not have to shop this way. I find it sad that some people can only afford these things that most people do not want. I don't have to shop there but man if you do, I guess it is a whole different world. On that note, I think in a way it is wrong for Goodwill to stoop to this level. They had 99% of this stuff donated to them. I know that they use the money to do good..and from what I heard they do. So why not in this economy and place that we are living, where there are shelters and so many homeless people, dont they in return donate this stuff that doesnt sell or they cant sell in the normal stores to those less fortunate. To me it seems like they are trying to milk every last cent from people on things that they got for free. Something about this seems wrong. I don't know maybe it is just me, what do you think?

Now I have to admit, I did spend $11. I bought a few pieces of clothes for the kids, a few stuffed animals(that we washed in the washing machine right away) and a small toy and case for Julie. It was a whole different world for me and one in which I say that I am not planning on returning to any time soon.

Looks are not everything

Do you ever feel like some things just happen for a reason. Let me tell you why I feel this way right now. We recently decided to add another cat to our household as a working cat, 1st to cure the squirrel issue we have in our attic(since nothing else will) and then to remain outside to hopefully keep them at bay. So after checking out many rescue sites and descriptions, I decided that I wanted an orange female that I found online at our local animal shelter. So while the kids were at grandmas this weekend, I headed down to the local shelter set on picking up our new working kitty and it was great since I have wanted an orange cat for a long time. It was all fitting into place. As I walked into animal control and I was greeted by many cats for adoption. I quickly located the orange girl and headed to her cage hoping she would be sweet and I would be taking her home with me. So I opened her cage and yes she was a very sweet girl. I looked around at the other cats and then the cat that was in the cage below her caught my eye. Sitting below was a large black cat...nothing fancy and a male. I was there for a female and what I thought was an orange one. Something told me to check him out, so I sat on the floor and opened the door and out walked this large longhaired black cat with gold eyes. He wanted attention and was very sweet, he then proceeded to plop down in my lap and when I stopped petting him, he reached his hand out to let me know he would like more. I was still set on the orange one at this time. I ended up sitting on the floor with the black one for about 30 minutes and then put him back and locked up his cage. I then went back to the orange girl, but I knew in my mind at that time that this would not be the one that I would be taking home.

Up to the desk I went and before I knew it I was filling out papers for a black cat named Nim. I then learned that he had been there for 2 1/2 months after being found as a stray. That is a long time. Also statistics show that black animals are the least adopted and most euthanized in shelters as most people pass them up. Before I knew it, I was on my way home with my new "Black Male Cat".....

Well let me tell you, within the night the squirrel was gone. We moved the cat to my bedroom so he can get used to us before he is sent outside(that way he wont run away). Let me tell you, he is the most loving cat ever. I think he knows that he was truly rescued. He is great with the kids and loves to be petted. He will make a great addition to the household and I think will be doing a great job to keep the rodents away. Who knows how long he had left before his number was up. For those of you who are not animal people, spring is kitten season and shelters will be overrun with cute kittens everywhere. At that point, cats like Nim who have been there for awhile and not adopted find that there number is up. What a loss if that would have been his fate. I know that we can't save them all, but something was in the cards for this one to make sure that he was saved before suffering a much worse fate.

32 years ago today!!

32 years ago today I came into this world and wow what a wild ride it has been. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be where I am today. My best friend stopped by a few weeks ago and we were talking about life and all we have been through. Can you believe that we have been best friends for 20 years...wow. The one thing that always shines with us, is that no matter how long we have been apart, it is like we havent missed a day when we get back together. I think that this birthday was one of the best, due to the fact that even those that I was sure of would not call to mention my birthday did and what a wonderful surprise that was. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, 2 beautiful girls, great family, and a few really close friends. It is days like today that I need to look back on and see how truly blessed I am to be surrounded by people who love me.

What I learned in 2010 and what I have planned for 2011

Well here we are again, the start of another year. So before I get to all those resolutions and such, I want to touch on a few key points from 2010.
1. It is only fun until someone gets hurt, and someone always will get hurt.
2. Don't turn your back to the waves and ocean even if you think they are small and never swim without a lifeguard.
3. I have the best husband and kids in the world and my mom is pretty great too..
4. Even though the Dr says that it is okay to use cortizone cream in the nether regions, dont use the spray that provides instant cooling relief.(Unless you really need to start a fire)
5. Time goes by way to fast.
6. A lot of people are only your friends when it is convienent for them.
7. My knee will never again be in the same place.

Okay so now on to 2011. I know we all make these resolutions and never stick to it so I am going to check back every 3 months and update everyone on the progress.

1. I am going to be a better person
2. I am going to love myself
3. I am going to try and spend less money.
4. I am going to try to forgive my imperfections.
5. I am going to live and love like it is the last day.

HAPPY 2011 EVERYONE>>>>> May it be filled with happiness and harmony!