Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Shopping at Grandma's

Yeah, you read that right. I didn't go shopping WITH Grandma. I went shopping AT Grandma's. Actually, let me start at the beginning.

One of the things I've been doing now that I'm no longer at work is making my way through the house for a nice healthy purge. We do this routinely, so there's never enough for a garage sale, but we routinely make donations to places like Pheobe's Home (women's shelter) and Goodwill. A little here and a little there, hopefully, adds us to something they can use; not to mention we keep the clutter down in our own home while helping someone else. 

I gave a few things away to friends, put a few things up on eBay, and got everything else ready to donate. About that time, during a visit to my grandmother, I mentioned that I'd be making a donation run soon and asked if she had anything she wanted me to take for her. She said she did, but only if I would look through it first to see if I could use any of it. My grandma is so sweet. She's always trying to give me stuff, but 1) it's rare I need anything; and 2) although we're similar in size, let's just say our sense of style is just a little different (I'm pretty much a t-shirt kind of girl). 

She put together two humongous bags of clothes, shoes, and a purse; and I made sure to bring the car for my next visit. I brought everything home with me and into the house and, as promised, I sorted through each item to see if there was anything I could use. I could tell from the look on Dave's face that he was as doubtful as I was. By the end of the second bag, I had pulled about 2 dozen items and made my way to the bedroom to prepare for the first official Grandma's Designs Fashion Show. 

Dave and I nixed a few of the items, but truth be told, and as you can see in the picture up top, I ended up with two sweaters, a blouse, a cotton top, and a pair of walking sandals (my favorite was the cotton top shown here). I was shocked! And of course, this is my grandma we're talking about here, so everything is in excellent shape!

Who needs to go shopping (which as some of you know from posts here and here, I hate)? Way to go Grandma!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Way to go Grandma is right! How fun! I also HATE to go shopping!

J said...

Haha, wahoo for Grandma! I love that you were able to find some things that suit your style.

Green Bean said...

Dude! Your grandma is so much more stylish than mine.

ttammylynn said...

*As I kick the clutter under the bed*- Shopping is terrible, esp if you actually need something. I can pick up a pack of socks or something easy but the last time I needed a dress, well, it took hours and I felt like I must be an alien because nothing fit right at all...who do they make dresses for anyway?
I'm truly glad your grandma has style because my last birthday present was clothes and well, Goodwill is a very,very good idea. I donated many of the children's things as they were growing up but now, well, I keep thinking, maybe I could use this or that later. I particularly love saving shirts that are almost in shreds for work around the house or towels to make rags(hey, it works). Perhaps the attic would be the best place to start the quest to donate...lol. You know, I even have a subscription to Simple Living, ways to simplify your life, I am just not so good on the implementation part of the program.

hmd said...

bobbi - Me too - shopping sucks! Grandma is my hero :)

jennifer - No doubt. I was amazed. And it turns out, that was just the beginning. She says there's lots more to go through.

green bean - she does alright. She really does. I just never expected to find something I would actually aware. Wonders never cease :)

ttammylynn - I agree with you. Who do they make these clothes for? Not me, for sure. Nothing ever feels or looks right. I'm pretty good about getting rid of stuff, it's the finding stuff I need that I stink at.

Do you subscribe to Simple Living Network online newsletter. It's not bad (and it's free): http://www.simpleliving.net/main/

Rhonda Jean said...

It's wonderful that you can recycle grandma's clothes. I agree, shopping is a major waste of time.

hmd said...

Rhonda Jean - I certainly got a good deal. Do you have any special places you go when you "have" to shop?

EnviRambo said...

Man, I would love to see my Grandma wearing clothes like that! Her closet is full of "grandma" sweatshirts. You know, the ones all of us grandkids give her that say Grandma's are best, sweet, makes me cookies, blah blah blah. She would probably be stylish if it weren't for us.

I am going shopping at Grandma's next week for canning equipment. Free lessons, too. I can't wait!

hmd said...

greeen sheeep - see, maybe you should start buying her stuff that would look good on you :) Just kidding.

The canning equipment is even better! Have fun learning!

Simply Authentic said...

How awesome! I loved this posting! My granny actually has a couple of super cute things that she's had for decades that I'd love to have passed on to me some day. The fact that they've lasted this long just goes to show that they don't make clothes like they used to at all!

Nice score! And I'm glad to hear you're passing on to others that can use it.

hmd said...

Simply Authentic - The nice thing is that it turns out my grandma and I have the same shoe size. So if there's anything she gets rid of that I like, it's sure to fit. Sweet! And the women seriously takes care of her shoes! They look brand new and she has shoes from 30 years ago!