Don't Touch The Merchandise!!!

Well, it's been a hell of a week around here. The Bean is still sick. He has missed so much school I fear he will never catch up. But, I know he will. His doctor is on a two week European vacation (must be NICE) so I am dealing with her Nurse and the Nurse Practitioner. The Nurse says "give him another day" then "give him another day". So, today call her with the daily report and she's all, "You better bring him back in." Uh, yeah, ya think? So, we will see the Nurse Practitioner tomorrow. He is better, just not well. I honestly think whatever he had last week, he got again, not two weeks of one thing. Clear as mud? Anyway, he felt some better last weekend, so we went to the big motorcycle Parade of Power and then we went out to eat. He hadn't eaten much all week, so he ate a normal meal. Not a lot, but he cleaned his plate. Come Sunday, he felt bad again. Every morning we wake up with the attitude that we are going to school but when he gets up, his stomach hurts and he is tired and cold. It is a mess. I was sick this summer with a similar sort of thing for over three weeks - food was my enemy. Since then, I havne't eaten anything highly seasoned, garlicky or tomato based. I try to avoid snything that might spur my bellyache. So, I know how he feels. Right now, right this minute, he feels pretty good, but check back in an hour or so and he might still be fine, or he might be under a blanket all clammy.

So, today I absolutely had to go get some much needed groceries and other things at Wal-Mart. And, since we were out, you know that one tirfit is just right up the street, so why not? Besides, The Bean is always up for a little junking too. He netted six brand new Beanie Babies, so he was happy. Yes, I know they aren't worth a dime. But, he likes them and they were 3/$1.00, so it was a cheap addition to his collection.

We walked past the blanket bin, whcih I normally do not give a second glance. But, today, there was a Hudson Bay 4 point Made in England 100% wool blanket, right on top of the pile. I grabbed it up because I know they are good sellers on ebay and even if it wasn't it would be perfect for powwows or The Beans bed. I had found a blanket like this about a year ago at a sale, and when I unfurled it to check it out, there was a dead mouse inside it. Eeew. Being 100% wool, I knew I really couldn't wash the mouse ickiness out of it. Actually, I don't think any amount of washing could take mouse ickiness out of that. Yuck.

On this particular blanket today, there were two stickers on it. One side $10.00 and one said $4.00. The $4.00 sticker was a small pink round sticker and it said "100% wool, Queen and $4.00." The $10.00 sticker said "$10.00 Q". It was on a blue piece of paper attached with a plastic tag. This thrift uses both varoieties of price tags, so I wasn't sure which price was correct. Of course, I was hoping for the $4.00 price, but I knew I would work it out with the lady at the counter.

When I got to the counter, I laid it down along with my other goodies. The lady at the counter wrote everything down and worked her way to the blanket. Meanwhile, the lady in line behind me reaches out and strokes the blanket like it's a cat or somethng. Then she pulls it towards her, starts to unfold it and keeps stroking it. I'm thinking, "Excuse me, hands off, Toots. That's mine." But, I was quiet. I just stared at her. She knew it was mine. But, she wanted it. She wanted it bad. Then the lady behind the counter (LBTC) says, "How much is the blanket?" And I say, "Well, this tag says $4.00...." and before I can get out the rest of the tag saga, the lady behind me practically yells, "BUT THIS TAG SAYS $10.00." Then, Mis helpful goes on to inform the LBTC that it is an old blanket, it is a 100% wool blanket, it is blah-blah-blah." Meanwhile I am shooting daggers in her head because I am not trying to rip the place off - I am a "regular" and they all know me by name and treat me well. I know she just hoped I would say, "Oh I cannot afford $10.00" so she could pounce on it. Honestly, I probably would have paid $20.00 for it just to get back at her. Pbtttt. She honestly almost had slobbers on her chin while she goggled it. The LBTC and I came to an $8.00 price agreement, much to whatshername's chagrin. I paid and left her at the counter. How rude! As I was leaving, the lady walking up the stairs, said "WOW! What a beautiful blanket!" "Thank you" I said as I booked it out of there. I told the Bean we needed to get the heck out of there before I got mugged for my blanket!

So, tonight, my wish is for the lady that manhandled my blanket to go home and look it up and ebay and then weep a few silent tears for the "one that got away." Seems my little beauty is worth upwards of $200.00. Nanner-na-na-na-na. (I know, I am being childish, but she was just awful!)

My very sporatic thifting and sailing the past two weeks have netted me an Enid Collins puirse, a Steiff Turrkey and now a Hudson Bay blanket. I guess I can't complain. (My Dad has won nearly $11,000 at the casino in the past week, so I could complain, but I won't....)