An underrated plus of thrift store, garage sale, or hand me down clothes: I know how they’ll hold up. With new stuff, sometimes I’m surprised at how things that look like they have solid construction pill, or dry permanently oddly wrinkled (collars!), or fade, or somehow fall apart. With used clothes, I can tell the clothes can take a wash or two.
Results of recent (2007) hand me downs:
Flannel old-school nightgown
2 sweaters
A dress
2 pair sneakers
1 pair shoes
A skirt
2 pairs corduroy pants
3 or so blouses
Bathing suit
Plus, in a “possible” pile: a bathing suit, a dress, and 2 pair pants. I keep a “possible” box; I try on the items every six months or so. If it doesn’t fit or I don’t decide to wear it after the item has been in the box 6 months, it’s gone. This way I don’t have to decide immediately, and I don’t end up with things in my closet I’ll never wear-too tight, too loose, or just isn’t a color or style that floats my boar.
Yesterday I bought grapes-red and green, strawberries, and cherries. Even though it’s January and the fruit wasn’t perfect, it was all very good, and I at it in the bathtub and watching some record TV. Such a small thing can bring so much joy. Post-challenge I plan to allow myself to spend more on fruits-getting some organic stuff sometimes, and also, getting the fancier stuff. Right now I buy a lot of apples and oranges, pears and sometimes grapes. I plan to be a pineapple queen.
Today I drive to Sacramento. I don’t have to fly, thank goodness. I don’t mind flying, but the cost, even though it doesn’t cost me directly, always irks me-we have a small airport up here in Eureka (it’s actually a half hour north of Eureka in McKinleyville). Plus, a huge concern, I kept getting fogged in (or out)-it’s annoying to miss an important meeting that way. It’s a 5-1/2 drive, but that can be soothing-the scenery out here in Humboldt (to Mendocino, to Lake) counties is incredible. I’ll be back Monday night. I plan to eat a lot of fruit on the way! It’s also nice to be able to take a bunch of food-I don’t like checking baggage for a one day trip, but it does drive me nuts to not have my 12-1/2 cent cans of club soda.
Oh, and I got $10.13 from recycling yesterday-my biggest run yet! Whooooo!
January 28th, 2007 at 08:04 pm 1170014677
January 29th, 2007 at 01:19 am 1170033548
ps... i really like the idea of the possible box... i usually just add it to my closet... then if i haven't worn it for awhile i get rid of it... since we have limited space it helps that when i buy new things at garage sales i have to make space so generally things i don't wear (that aren't sentimental) get purged... i especially tend to purge when i have a friend who would appreciate the clothes... I'm glad to share and like to think of it as good karma...
January 30th, 2007 at 04:17 pm 1170173863
You seem to enjoy life and life lived simply.....it is refreshing to be around other kindreded souls. Keep up the good inspiring blog. Refreshing and soul filling.
January 30th, 2007 at 04:19 pm 1170173970
January 31st, 2007 at 07:37 pm 1170272261