I get teased a lot for never going anywhere, for staying at home all day, every day in my cozy house and craft cave. Everything I need I get in my little town. Going a mile away is a big adventure. I think about it. But the world at large beckons from time to time. I resist. I say yes and then look for reasons to cancel. My car died in my driveway and was towed to the auto repair a mile away where they replaced something important. It came back to live in the driveway.
But town doesn't have it all. No thrift. Night before last I said out loud that I was afraid to go across the county to my favorite thrift because my car might break again and I would never get home. Laughter. Yesterday I committed the morning to that necessary excursion, went ahead and got on the highway and soared across the county. I like driving on the highway and imagined that I could go as far as Boston to see my Erin and John Paul.
Stuck to the plan, I went to the ginormous 3 story Salvation Army Superstore. Visiting that neighborhood is fresh air- I love the diversity, edginess, urban, un-suburban-ness. Had a blast thrifting inside....vintage coat for Erin, vintage sweater for Mags, stacks of wools to felt. Dresser boxes in a funky 60's fabric, old children's books. Sooo, so fun. Green price tags were half off and most of my stuff was green. The check-out lady even gave me something for free because she said it was a rag, its main selling point. I wanted to pay for it, but she said no. And then I went out to the car and guess what? It was dead. 17 miles from home. Dead, so dead, not a chance. 15 degrees out and I waited for 2 1/2 hours for a tow truck, sitting in my car watching the world go by. I battled with a rude driver, made friends with the meter maid and read a thrift book. The ride back in the tow truck was so scary I honestly thought we might die ....twice.
But really, what was that for? I could have stayed home with all the junk I already own, sat by the fire and done anything else. Was it because I said it out loud? Did I invite the gods of adventure to doom my happy outing? Or was it the lord of stuff saying I had enough, in fact too much? Or no bargains without seriously paying somehow? In a few months, town's spring church sale starts up, the best sale ever. And I can walk to that.
Oh Charlotte I do feel for you, I drive endlessly, anywhere, but if the slightest thing goes wrong with the car even after it has been repaired I'm convinced that it will break down. So I know exactly how brave you were to go thrifting and for that to happen. Well it's enough to stop a girl from setting foot out of doors for, well, all of the weekend. Hope your having a good weekend!
Posted by: carolyn | February 10, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Oh you poor thing....that is just yuccy to hear about. I would have been a basket case (a fellow no-like-to-driver) and called my hubby in tears. I've done that on many occasions. :( Glad to hear you are safe and sound and back home in your nest!
Posted by: teresa mcfayden | February 10, 2007 at 05:23 PM
Time for that little Subaru we talked about(tee-hee)!
Girl, if you're not careful, someone might send you a bunch of stuff from her basement.
xox D
Posted by: Dede | February 10, 2007 at 06:05 PM
Charlotte-
You poor thing! What started out as a big adventure turned into a huge mess. You must've been freezing sitting out there.
Well at least you found a few treasures, imagine how much more upset if it were all in vain. LOL
After reading Dedes post I bet you'll be getting a package of thrift goodies shortly. You can just stay in the house now til the church bazaar.
Posted by: Lisa | February 10, 2007 at 07:21 PM
I too am a homebody but I also love to get out and about and explore new places...I would hate it if my car was unreliable, I think I would feel trapped! I am glad you at least found some goodies that you liked and you can sit back and relax and wait for the church bazaar. Sounds much more appealing! Nel
Posted by: nel | February 10, 2007 at 07:39 PM
That's a terrible thing to have happen but my goodness, you did find a lot of goodies. I would be in heaven to find a 3-story thrift store! I hate to drive anywhere but for that I would venture out! I'm glad you made it back home safe and sound and now you have all those funs things to play with.
Posted by: janet | February 10, 2007 at 11:45 PM
What an awful story, I'm so glad you made it out alive! What we will go through for the love of thrift....sigh
Posted by: amanda bel | February 10, 2007 at 11:50 PM
Ii am laughing, but really only with empathy. I do the same thing: spend time buying stuff that I already have in some variant at home.
I am ok on short hops, but I crash on big trips> Myhusband says that when I go away by myself he's always afraid he'll never see me again.
But like childbirth, I forget the falls and boo-boos, and only remember the good times.
And it's all great blog fodder!
Posted by: Loretta | February 11, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Oh, I empathize! I was exactly halfway to my sister's once (a 6 hour drive) when I stopped for gas on the PA turnpike, jumped back into the car, turned the key...nothing. Dead. Worse than that, it was too late in the day to have it looked at so I had to rent a car to continue the trip.
At least you had the consolation of a pile of treasures!
Posted by: Jan | February 11, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Oh no! I wish we lived in the same town, then I could pick you up in Ethel and we could thrift together ~ she hasn't left me stranded.. YET! ;-)
Glad you got some new goodies though!!
xo,
Kim
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | February 12, 2007 at 07:27 AM
What a story! I always wonder when it happens to me.... now what was I supposed to learn from all that?? Mostly I just click my heels and smile, there's no place like Home, there's not place like Home. But you already knew that, too.
Love that picture of with the fireplace.
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | February 13, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Hugs! I understand about staying home. I am sure many do. So glad that you got a new car.
Posted by: Tammy | October 26, 2007 at 03:47 PM