We LOVE "The Giving Tree"

First, we're still checking on aluminum can prices and they have come up a little - today they are at $0.62 a pound. We decided to hold out a little while though.

But now onto our most important news of the day.
I had seen a new thrift store in a local town and wanted to stop by. The Giving Tree is the name of the shop. A few weeks back we had some extra time and pulled in only to find (from the sign) that their heat was out so therefore they were closed for the day. We left disappointed but knew we would be back...it just looks like a really neat shop even from outside. Last week we stopped in and they were open. It is just as neat on the inside...we bought a few things. There was just something about the atmosphere though. This is not like most thrift stores, it's well organized with everything marked and the people there are super friendly. My youngest was with me and he told the girls there that it was his birthday and they sang him Happy Birthday. Yes, the whole song and yes even with other customers in the store. I knew I wanted to go back in and thought my mom would enjoy it as much if not more than I did. We stopped by again on Tuesday of this week and my youngest (gosh I'm realizing how friendly he is) was telling them that the kid with us (Zach)
was his butler. I felt this needed a little explanation, so I introduced him as his big brother and explained the whole butler agreement and why Zach was doing it. Well, I guess the wheels started spinning and the next thing you know they wanted to donate some things they haven't been able to sell, not because it's not worth anything just that it is not something that is generally purchased at a thrift store by the regular person. He drove up there yesterday and came home with a truck full of printers, scanners, typewriters, copiers and all in one machines. We're still in the process of weeding through them and figuring out whether to re-sale over the internet or scrap them out for metal contents. Thank you so much to Lynn (I think, I'm horrible with names) and Becka and the rest of the group. You can visit their website at www.thegivingtreethriftstore.com

But more than anything we just realize how truly blessed we are and that as long as you work hard your needs will always be met...somehow.

'Til next time...