Category: Thrifting

I used to blog about my thrift finds back when I was really good about updating 😆 (circa 2002-2007!). As I went on my thrift shopping trip yesterday, and I was trying to remember if I had certain vinyls in my collection or not, I remembered my blogs and how useful it was to just search my posts and find what I was looking for. Back then I did it to keep track of my books and 80’s toys, but I think I’ll start again with a list of vinyls I find to make it easier on myself.

I got pretty lucky yesterday! I got vinyls, books and clothes. I am not ashamed to admit that I LOVE shopping for clothes at thrift shops (especially because most of the time they’re good brands!). Of course I make sure they’re clean and new-looking. I got a jacket, some Old Navy jeans, and some Ann Taylor work pants:

Mind you: the jeans are incredibly similar to the jeans I recently bought at Old Navy…for $40!!!

I also got some awesome books! 

I am all for coffee table photo books, so I got the first one. I can’t pass up a Martha Stewart cook book. And “Pio Peep!”, a Spanish nursery rhyme book with translations in English?? HAD to have it! Can’t wait to show the kiddos!

And frames! How I love frames! I have way too many just waiting around for the perfect photo or artwork. Jorge hasn’t complained about how many I have. Yet.

My precious vinyls!! With this latest batch, I have officially filled up the last row of my bookcase. Now what will I do???
Jorge was particularly happy with this haul, since it had Willie Nelson amd Merle Haggard in it!

Disney Children’s Favorites Volume I -25 Songs- 1979
The Folk Hit Song Book
Disney Children’s Favorites Volume 2 -29 Best Loved Songs- 1979
John Denver – Some Days Are Diamonds
Everything You Always Wanted to Hear on the Moog
Merle Haggard – Okie from Muskogee (in such GREAT condition!)
John Denver
Mariacho Nuevo Tecalitlan -International Vol. 3
Songs from Mary Poppins
The Great Songs of Christmas
Wonderful World of Children’s Christmas
G.F Handel – Concierto Grosso Suite 1, 2 & 3 *Water Music*
Glen Campbell -Limited Collectors Edition Vinyl Record Album Gatefold
Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
Willie Nelson – Pretty Paper

I am obsessed. I don’t care what kind of record it is, what genre, if it sounds good, I want it! Now if I could just figure out where to put them all 😕 . (This is sort of reminding me that one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to stop being a hoarder…)

I started off the day by getting the girls and myself ready and making myself a smoothie (they ate honey-nut Cheerios). I added strawberries instead of peanut butter and cinnamon and it was so yum!

Dropped them off, got my stuff together at work and Laura and I made our way to our event: the crafty classes. We learned to make little dolls and baby toys today. I didn’t get to work on mine, but I brought my materials with me.

I love that we get to put these classes together and then learn things along with the ladies ^_^. It went by so fast that by the time I knew it, it was time to pick up Emmos.

Ate some leftovers here at home and the mailman dropped off my super-early birthday present from Mom and my love ^_^.

Emmos and I oohed and ahhed over them, did her homework and then I went back to work. There’s actually a story behind those Party Yum Yums. The original auction that I was stalking went for triple what I wanted to pay. The seller and I had already been messaging back and forth about non-related things, but when I didn’t even bother bidding on that auction ’cause it was so ridiculously expensive, the seller messaged me a day later to ask which Yum Yums I wanted and what I wanted to pay. I gave her the amount of the “birthday money” I’d been allotted and voila! They were mine!! That was so awesome of her ^_^.

The afternoon went by fast since we had a quick photo session and then I delivered some plaques and was left with 30 minutes back at the office. Love these types of fast days!

Got out of work, went to banks while I spoke to Eenan on the phone, and then decided to stop by some thrift shops on the way home. No luck at the first 2 but was pretty happy with my haul from Goodwill :).

A 25th Anniversary Swarovski Crystal Care Bear (I have this one MIB, but I *had* to get it ’cause I’ve never actually held one in my hands), a new with tags Tenderheart Bear, a litter of vintage Pound Puppies and Pound Purries and a 1976 Dakin owl. *squee*

So all-in-all, it was a pretty darn good day for vintage toys!! Yay!

Then my love got home and we decided on IHOP instead of cooking, so double yay!

Spoke to Jaylen briefly, as that one hardly ever makes conversation. It’s very rare. He’s usually distracted by a video game he’s playing. Eenan on the other hand, can stay on the phone with me for an hour. I hope Jaylen eventually opens up =\.

We get to IHOP and all I want to do is shove wheat pancakes in my mouth, but I opted for grilled chicken and broccoli *sigh*. The girls had their favorite: mac-n-cheese.

We got home and spent a good hour on our electronics and then the girls brushed their teeth and got into bed. Jorge is putting a load of laundry to wash and then we’re watching American Idol. Couldn’t think of a better way to end a day ^_^.

You know how I mentioned that the kids and I didn’t have to go anywhere on Monday since they had Spring Break and I had gotten 2 days off?

Yeah. That didn’t happen.

Jorge has the house automated, which is a beautiful thing when I have to wake up at 6am every morning. The accent lighting under the bed turns on, the air conditioning turns off (since I absolutely despise feeling cold in the morning), the lights slowly turn on (from 20% to 50% in 10 minutes), as does music over the speakers. Meanwhile the TV turns on to channel 5 news in the bathroom. It’s perfect.

But I didn’t have to wake up at 6am Monday morning, so I had to wake up and turn everything off from my phone. No biggie. Then Jorge’s alarm for work goes off at 7:00. Then 7:15. Then 7:30. I crash out when I make sure he’s awake and getting ready and am briefly awakened when he kisses me before he leaves.

Then my boss calls at 8:15am to ask where some documents are. Then John texts me at 8:30 about going car shopping (his car’s transmission had died on him the week before). Then Gerry begins to text about some linens I had in my car that needed to be taken to the cleaners and could I go drop them off? FML.

We’d stayed up late with the kids the night before and I figured they’d sleep late anyway so I, somewhat reluctantly, decided I’d just get up and get ready to pick John up and go to the place Briana had just bought her car at last Saturday.

But first: he treated me to breakfast!

All was forgiven!

(Not really, but it subdued my morning “Snickers Moment” ^_^.)

So we went on to the place Briana went, and to make a long story short: John has no credit. 0 And because of this, he was presented with a 2004 who-knows-what, with peeling leather seats and dents all over the place. Oh yes, and they wanted $3,000 down. WTF.

So we scratched that and John immediately shut down and wanted to forget the whole thing. I told him Jorge’s friends, the ones who hooked us up with our vehicles, could help. I asked Jorge to call them and he did. They told us to go right over but John was unsure. So while he debated I stopped by Hidden Treasures, hehe.

Minnie, the owner, and I reminisced about the kids and how long I’ve been stopping by her store. I don’t stop by as often as I’d like, but I do at least twice a year. And I also snapped this pic:

How true is that? I picked up a Strawberry Shortcake rag doll (even though I already have one, heh) but you couldn’t beat the price. I also found a $2 Glow Worm that still had the battery compartment. Jorge IMMEDIATELY claimed it as his that evening ^_^.

We went home to make sure the kids were fed and so I could snuggle the girls for a while. They weren’t falling apart without me, though. They were having fun on their iPads and sprawled all over the living room. We chilled out for a while until John FINALLY made up his mind. We ate lunch, and I once again unwillingly got ready to go. I half-jokingly jabbed at John that he was ruining my day off.

We dropped the stupid linens off at my work and then we left to the dealership. We got to Weslaco, in the ugly, drizzly rain. To make another long story short (a story about 4+ hours long), John saw some cars, we spoke to RG and Ringo, they ran some numbers, we sat for a long time, John almost lost his shit because he was second-guessing EVERYTHING, I almost lost my shit because John was losing his shit, they got him the car he wanted, he was on the phone with insurance companies forever and FINALLY: he drove off in his new Dart. He kept it in the Dodge family LOL.

After dinner, the girls had a tea party:

Jorge, Justin, Jaylen and Eenan were in the background ^_^. Jorgie snuck in and I snapped a pic. Justin got away LOL

Jorge and Jorgie, Jaylen and Justin went to pick up a game at midnight at Game Stop, while Eenan played on his computer and the girls and I lazied around on the couch. I love how he’s all into these things with the kids :).

I spent the next day at home, at least, but I spent a lot of it cleaning and doing everything I didn’t do during the weekend, like laundry (grr).

I spent time playing Candy Land with the girls, then Jenga and then they got bored and abandoned me LOL. Later on I got the kids in on cleaning. Jorge was impressed when he got home :).

The weather was better so I planned to take the kiddos to the park, but there was 6 of them and one of me and the last thing I needed was an accident to happen *shudder*. Hate the thought. It’s not like the boys wanted to move anyway: they were too enthralled in their new game.

I taught Eenan how to use the skillet to make over-easy eggs and I made lunch for everyone else:

We spent the rest of the day just hanging out. It was back to work for me the next day and the kids would be leaving with Mario for the rest of the week after we got out of work. We split their “holiday” like we usually do. I just wish I’d gotten to spend more time with them =\.

It was a day of “catch up” for me at work. I had tons of bills to process and turn in for my department and they were due that day. Thankfully I’d already gotten everything started on Friday before I left. I got to meet my love for lunch at Tacos Kissi (LOVE that place! Became one of my faves!) and Marco and Jessica joined us. I ran some errands for work and the day went by pretty fast. I rushed home so I could get see the kids and make sure they had their things ready. Mary was already here waiting, grr.

So I made dinner for Jorge, Mom and I, which was garlic parmesan chicken, roasted broccoli and some guac. Javi and Eric stopped by with a gift for Jorge and I:

It was great! The pickles, candy and drink itself were so good. I didn’t eat the shrimpies (watching the cholesterol still), but it had TONS of shrimpies.

The guys hung out a while and they had dinner. They were already planning to go get tacos, but I guilt-tripped them into eating the plates I’d saved for them since they kept complaining they were hungry LOL. They cleaned their plates ^_^.

My boss was out on Thursday and it was sort of a slow day. I ran some errands for our bossboss and then it was time for lunch with my love. We went to Roosevelt’s this time. We finally made a date to go there! I haven’t had many opportunities to hang out with my love for lunch since I pick up my Emmos, so it’s really nice when we can go :).

I probably shouldn’t have had this meal, but it’s one of my faves. And I didn’t feel like having salmon or grilled chicken again =\.

Went back to work and cleaned my desk and some files. That took quite a while since I’d been sort of ignoring my mess, heh. My love wanted to look for some shoes for work and I wanted to get a price adjustment on 2 pairs of pants I’d bought for work at Old Navy, so I picked him up and we went. I got a whopping $30 back from my price adjustment, which was awesome. Jorge was impressed and so was the cashier, who had no idea LOL. I remember from my Old Navy days from 2000-2001 heh.

We went to Macy’s and my love had no luck finding shoes. They had a very small selection. So we picked up Jorge’s car and we came home. He and the boys had food I couldn’t eat for dinner, so I was satisfied with some multi-grain Cheerios. And then I passed out LOL.

I picked up some coffee and oatmeal for myself at McDonald’s the next morning since I was in a hurry to get to work. Laura, Ms. Thelma and I were going shopping for materials at Hobby Lobby for Latina.Hope. I was super excited. We got to go shopping and not spend our own money, woo!

Well. I still bought some crocheted lace for some straps I need to replace on a sundress and a display for my bracelets. (I had to put it in my closet ’cause Kika and Ruffles would knock it into the sink with my luck.)

I spent the rest of the morning organizing my charm bracelet supplies, typing up a tutorial and then it was lunch time. As much as my job stresses me out sometimes, some days are just AWESOME.

I met my love at Espi’s this time, where I had some chalupas. Probably could have done without the tortilla, but I’ve been doing alright.

I headed over to the antique shop next door where the owner and I got into a long-winded conversation about 80s toys and so on. He has my contact info just in case he gets anything in, woo!

I went grocery shopping after work (ugh) but it had to be done. I served Jorge and Justin some dinner when I got home and we chit chatted about their day before their mom got there. Jorge was home before she got here (of course) so he at least got to see the boys for a while.

We freshened up, as we actually made plans to do something on a Friday night, heh. Junior called us right before we left and asked us to go over since he had a surprise for us. We had no idea what he was talking about, but we’d be there right after dinner.

We met Esmer and Robert at Beef’s. It was nice catching up and talking about everything with them. They reminisced about their times at work together and then we got into how our past marriages exploded in our face and how Jorge and I ended up together. We’ve hung out many times before, but we’d never really gotten into talking about WHY it all happened. It was…therapeutic to vent about it all. I need actual therapy to forgive and forget I think, LOL.

So we ate (I had blackened fish, broccoli and rice and I have to say it was great!) and then we said our ‘see you laters’. We went to Tony’s afterwards. Our surprise was Rick!! We hadn’t seen him since he left back in 2011! The old Shack-mates (except for Billy and Roly) were back together again. We had another reminisce-fest and just had a great time singing, laughing, dancing and taking photos. Rick told us tons of times how glad he was that we ended up together and that we’re perfect for each other and compliment each other. I got teary several times, heh. I love those people!

Javi joined us later. It was the latest we’ve stayed out in probably 3 years LOL. It was so much fun!

Poor Jorge had to work in the morning but he was so tired he called his guys and pushed their schedule to 10am LOL. I’m glad he can do that. I made sure he woke up and then I passed out till…noon. I know. I NEVER sleep that late!!

I ate some cereal and chit-chatted with Mom. I went to my room to have my coffee and lazy in my PJ’s. Of course I started cleaning and forgot about my coffee for a while. I did some minor sprucing up to my 80’s page and I realized I wasted about 2 hours doing that LOL. I was inspired after receiving 2 packages:

I’m still missing 2 Fluppy Puppies (I had no idea until recently!) and these Nosy Bears are 2 of the rarer ones that I got for a bargain.

I got dressed and Mom and I visited Gramma for a while. She’s doing good, thank goodness. I love that little lady. I seriously need to make more time to see her. I feel crappy that I don’t sometimes :*(.

I got home and made some amazing fish tacos, if I do say so myself ^_^. I tried a new avocado-cabbage slaw. Both Mom and Jorge loved them.

We had told the guys we were going to go out to Hillbilly’s tonight, but Rick was recovering, Jorge took a nap, Javi’s out at a fight, Jr. is out with friends and so on. I spoke with the kiddos and since then I’ve been typing this up, watched and won an auction for Lisa on eBay, watched shows on DIY Network and once Jorge woke up we watched cat videos, more home improvement shows and have been on our respective electronics. And we’re ok with that, hehe. It’s been a pretty darn good week. Can’t wait to see my babies!