Shopping Day

"You really don't need that many pairs of scissors," said 6 year old Eli as she checked out my studio yesterday.  I think someday she might understand why us art types might need that many! But her observation made me smile and I'm going to love getting to know her better. She IS one of us art types...as is her Aunt Kelly.

Spring is struggling a bit...but I'm happy to see patches of green popping up in the still very brown landscape. 

The day lillies at our condo entrance are coming along nicely. I just adore all the lime spring greens!

This morning I shopped with another $90 from donations from tags and some Joyful Puttering. (Thank you Becky and Amanda!) Paul actually found $20 on the street during the Hands Off protest and he added it to my fund.

I wanted to buy dishes and household things...all on the current requests list.  I started at the Goodwill store thinking I could get sets of plates at a good price. Indeed I could....and I also got a very nice set of nearly new pots and pans. I stopped briefly at Marden's, but they didn't have what I was looking for....but I got some good deals at Home Goods and spent about $100.

This is the first day the new facility was taking donations...so I finally took in the two Marden's bags and my new purchases from today: plates and bowls, glasses, pots and pans, towels, a set of sheets, and a shower curtain liner. 

I also did my first volunteer shift this afternoon and it was a pleasure shopping in the new space. 

My first order was for a family of four who lost much of what they had to a mold infestation. The bottom of the large bin is all clothes. It breaks my heart reading the stories...but it also makes me more determined than ever to turn anything extra that I have into an opportunity to help. 

I'm smiling as I say this...but I actually might need most of these pairs of scissors (maybe)....they all have a different purpose. But there are many more things I have that I don't need. Anne came today and shopped for fabric from my stash and I loved that she knew she could....and I love that I had what she needed. Take whatever you want I said! 

I'm going to keep looking for ways to get art supplies into the hands of people who can use them. And if I can get some donations along the way....I will turn them into underwear.

I shopped for a couple of children today....and the sizes I was looking for were pretty depleted.  And...there was NO underwear left.....so I will continue to donate underwear whenever I can.