Out and About

A little time walking around The Ark antique store, these wyes caught my wye. A great way to get my steps in. I enjoy seeing all the different Christmas decor. The antiques with some pieces new to me, and some couldn't possibly be antiques because I played with that toy what seems like yeaterday.

Remember the "reach out and touch someone"?

I enjoy a good thrift store. What is a good thrift store you might ask? A good thrift store is usually local, gives back to the community, and has reasonable prices. Save n' Share is our local thrift store and I always find sonething. Donate in, buy stuff out.

When out thrifting, it helps to know the average prices and availability of things. Too often I have seen Good Will price a dollar tree item $5 or more. Uh. no. Even Hobby Lobby Christmas pieces that i know are 50 percent off right now, I have seen priced higher at thrift/antique stores.

Carefully look for holes, stains, cracks, missing pieces, broken zippers, missing buttons. Ask yourself, why is this here? Not all items are equal at the thrift store. Some items are new. Some hand-made. Some shared. Some should have been thrown away. I did see these two shirts--

Ask yourself if you really need it. Just because it's a good deal doesn't mean you have to buy it. Is there room for it? Do you want to change it and if so, will you? Do you need another basket? The answer is YES!

Thrifted wreath, red scarf, and antlers. Be creative. A little paint? Flannel material from a shirt or scarf? Some days you might find all kinds of things and other times there may not be anything. Things I like to check are craft items, picture frames, candle holders, linens, decor, and seasonal.

This was at the antique store. Often times, Baby Jesus is missing at second hand stores. Growing up, we lost our baby Jesus for a whole year because our cat, PC, liked to play with him when we weren't looking. This set has Mary holding Baby Jesus. No missing Baby Jesus!

As we look forward to Thanksgiving and prepare for Christmas, let's not "loose Baby Jesus." In the busyness, in the to-do lists, in the longings for things we do not have, in our strugglez that try to tangle our hope--let's keep our eyes on Jesus.

The Baby that came, died on a cross, and rose again conquering all evil and death.

He will never leave us or forsake us. God IS with us. Let's keep close to Him this holiday season.

In my strong and courageous era... Mama says!

c. MamaSays! 2025