I’m being facetious. I’ve done some of the most inelegant shopping ever in the last couple of days, but I got some great "stuff".

First there were the Salvation Army stores. My mother mocks me and is a bit appalled to think that I’d go shopping there. Now, I won’t buy clothes there, they all smell funny. And I know they’d probably clean up and be swell, but I just can’t go there.

However, the household stuff…well that’s a different story!

I got a kind of cool bowl from the fifties, a framed picture of three cats peeking from behind a watermelon (I have framed cat pictures in my bathroom), and a double boiler (I need this to make soap).

I also got this weird paneled thing that is about eight inches tall and has Asian paperdoll type figures glues to it. I plan to pull it apart and use on cards … or something.

My best purchase was a little white wicker doll carriage. I got it for my mother’s porch, and we can either make it a planter or get a teddy bear to ride in it. It cost all of three dollars.

I stopped and put it in the porch on my way by the house, and am looking forward to my mother discovering it. I know she’s going to like it and I’ll be able to rub in where I bought it.

That’ll cure her mocking!

I also went to a thrift shop that is run by the Heart Association. There was nothing thrifty about this place. I think they’ve been watching too many episodes of the "Antiques Road Show". Everything was way overpriced.

So even though there were some interesting things there I wasn’t about to pay the prices they were asking. They wanted $18 for a tin that was rusted!

It was also too disorganized for my taste. Everything was so piled and cramped that there was no room to really be able to look at the things that were there.

Then there were the garage sales.

I was really hemming and hawing about going out because I hadn’t gotten the paper last night to find out where the sales were, so I didn’t think I was going to bother.

but…

In driving around yesterday I’d passed a sign that said "multi-family" sale, and thought I should go and at least check that one out.

This was a good thing.

One of the items I’ve been searching for is a pasta maker. Not to make pasta, mind you, but for conditioning polymer clay. (Why do people make pasta? It costs 59 cents a box!)

Now this multi-family sale consisted of two houses, but the first thing that was sitting on the blanket was a pasta maker! In the box and marked at $12! Victory! My mission was complete! One stop shopping! I looked around a bit more and found some CDs (4 for $10) that were of Broadway performers. There was a really nice selection. Unfortunately I already owned most of them.

I paid for my treasures and hopped back in my car. I didn’t plan to stop anywhere else, but thought that if there were any signs along the way home I’d stop.

There was only one place, but it had some interesting stuff. I ended up getting a three drawer wire basket system for $5. I know these are closer to $30 in the stores, so this was a good deal. It can hold craft stuff.

I must say that I’m very happy with my shopping these last few days.

I stopped at my brother’s on the way home and ended up taking Matilda to the store to get an outfit for her American Girl doll. (I’d promised that I’d get her something seeing I’d gotten Harry Potter for Keith.)

Matilda has Sweet Adelines and showbiz in her soul. There were all sorts of cutesy outfits, but what does she choose? The cheerleader outfit in purple satin and the pants, jacket, sunglasses combo that is leopard spots and hot pink! Had there been something with sequins, it would have been hers!

I still love shopping for doll stuff.

I haven’t made much progress on the quilt I’m afraid. I need to stay home to do it!