I popped into my favourite junk shop on Saturday and grabbed a whole heap of tat raw materials for some exciting upcycling projects. I can't share these with you yet because I'm working on a top secret project but I'll reveal all when it's done.
I did manage to get this cute alarm clock, which is now sitting on Ruby's nightstand. The theory is that I can set the alarm, and she'll know if it hasn't already gone off, then it's too early to get up! It may work better if she actually sleeps all night in her own bed and stops her nightly stealth invasions of our bed. But if it works, it will be the best quid I ever spent!
This particular house clearance shop is a mine of treasure. It's the sort where you really have to get down and dirty and have a good ferret about. There's no counter as such, so you either have to wander around with arms laden with snaffled goodies, things precariously balanced and bits hanging off every limb like a determined contestant from Crackerjack, else you have to risk it and make a little pile of booty as you go, adding to it and keeping a furtive eye on it before you ask for your prices to be totted up.
On Saturday, I inadvertently picked up a manky looking Christmas wreath in dire need of some love and attention. Embarrassingly, it 'belonged' to another lady who had stashed it on her pile. We exchanged comments about it's potential, had a laugh and of course I handed it back.
The Old Man was flinching in the background, waiting for handbags at dawn - he knows I could put up a cat fight for a scabby, tinselled Christmas wreath IN JULY - but no, I did the right thing.
We got chatting amiably over a bin full of old crusty kitchen utensils; discussed the potential of a badly executed lampshade re-furb; had a hoot over who was the saddest rooting through the scrap metal bins and lo and behold, a lovely new friendship was born.
We swapped cards, and I promised to come and visit her vintage craft stall the next day. I came away happy that I'd met a kindred spirit.
In all seriousness, there's not a lot of opportunity for us grown-ups to strike up new friendships - other than at the school gate or at work. We popped along to the craft fair the next day, and in a freaky-small-world-kinda way, the Old Man bumped into some friends, who were friends with my new friend and everything was lovely.
Her stall was divine, full of vintage china cake stands and handmade cards, we've exchanged texts and will be hooking up soon.
A gorgeous new pal is easily the best thing I've ever picked up in a second-hand store!!
What treasures have you found? Grab the badge and link up. x
Good idea, now she'll be able to sneak into your room under the pretext of getting you to check 'whether the alarm clock is broken Mummy'! I ended up meeting a blog pal in real life yesterday, which was lovely. I agree it can be tricky as an adult - I've made loads in the last year, but all online!
ReplyDeleteAhh yes, the 'real world' can be more difficult. When you're a SAHM there are even fewer opportunities.
DeleteThanks for the positive thoughts re the clock - I soooo know she will do that at 3am!! x
Awh, this warmed my old broken heart this morning. Lovely :)
ReplyDeleteOh no! Why's your heart broken lovely? :0(
DeleteNo I'm fine, was just a bit fed up this morning. All is good :)
DeleteHow lovely to make a new friend like that!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have more luck with the alarm clock than me. My son keeps fiddling with the time on his, so it's not unusual for it to go off during the day or in the middle of the night...
Btw just wanted to let you know your rhubarb and elderflower cordial has gone down a treat here. Thank you! x
Hi, so glad you tried the cordial, thanks for letting me know. Did you see my follow up post of other ideas for using it? http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/more-recipes-for-elderflower-rhubarb.html
DeletePlease don't tell me that about the alarm clock though!! It's a good job Ruby can't read or she'd be getting ideas!
Ohhh, that is just lush. I think you are one of the best friend makers I know! x
ReplyDeleteAhh thanks Lu, it doesn't come easy to me - I'm awful shy! x
DeleteLovely story, once the early baby/early school stage is done with it gets harder to make new friends. I think making new friends in blogland also opens you up to the idea of making new friends in real life. Thrifting and crafting people are just very nice people anyway.
ReplyDeleteI hope your alarm clock works!!
I think you're right - crafters and thrifters are always lovely! x
DeleteYou have found a kindred spirit - what a lovely new friendship you have made.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paulette, isn't it lovely :0)
DeleteHooray for meeting a new friend. And hooray for Missie Lizzie!
ReplyDelete(sorry, I've obviously been watching too much Pocoyo!)
x
You'll have to explain - Pocoyo? x
DeleteChildren's tv programme narrated by Stephen Fry.
DeleteSee http://minibreakmummy.com/2011/10/23/our-favourite-childrens-tv-programmes/
There's at least one episode which ends with Stephen Fry saying "Hooray for meeting a new friend. And hooray for Pocoyo!"
I love making new friends especially in the most unusual places :) Since I moved to the UK just over a year ago I've had to make all new friends but glad to report it is going well!
ReplyDeleteOooh that's a challenge, moving to a whole new country and having to start again. Glad it's working out for you x
DeleteI agree, meeting a new friend is the best treasure!
ReplyDeleteYay, money can't buy meeting lovely people :0)
DeleteHave I been replaced with a newer, better crafty friend???
ReplyDeleteNo! Nay! Never!
DeleteI love that story! "he knows I could put up a cat fight for a scabby, tinselled Christmas wreath IN JULY" Fantastically funny. Several of my dearest friendships were born through love of picking through other people's cast offs!
ReplyDeleteYes, but it's true! x
DeleteLovely story, and the little clock is gorgeous! I'm joining in for the first time this week, unfortunately my charity shopping opportunities are limited but I was pleased with my purchases at the weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic thing to happen! Hope the alarm clock works for you. We are also suffering from nightly stealth invasions as well. I wake up at 4am to find I'm face to face with a little man... x
ReplyDeleteHow awesome = I'm so bad at small talk I don't know if I could ever do that!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, I talk to strangers lots more than I used to and it really does take you to new places. It's all since I read this mag article in the doctors that said lucky people aren't lucky they are just create more opportunities, one of the things they do apparently is talk to strangers. I love the sound of that shop! Here's to friendship! Been wanting to join in this linky for ages, sorry I am late!
ReplyDeleteLove this litle alarm clock, and I'm inspired to go bargain hunting and join you!
ReplyDelete