Fight at the thrift store!

I just did something I've always wanted to do! I got in a fight! In the Salvation Army parking lot! And I won! You think I'd be posting about it if I lost? It's all because of this book:

I borrowed this book from the library because I thought it might give me the kick in the pants I needed to get organized. And it did, sort of. Even though I really don't need a book to tell me to get rid of the stuff I don't need, there was a good hint about taking cast-offs to the thrift store right away instead of sticking them in the basement or driving around with them in your trunk. Both of which I tend to do.

*imagine a picture here of me loading boxes into my Subaru*

So I took a bunch of kids clothes and books, and some marginal Christmas decorations from auction boxes, and the unwanted buttons I sorted through a few weeks ago, and I drove straight to the thrift store. Oh, sorry, I forgot the picture:

*imagine a picture here with closeups of the boxes: Old Navy shirts, cargo pants, kids' books, plain glass Christmas balls, tub of buttons*

I went to the counter at the Salvation Army and got my receipt. Then I drove out back to the loading dock. And as I was unloading my boxes, I noticed a van pull up and kind of circle around.

*imagine soundtrack: vaguely ominous music*

*imagine picture: gold Windstar, unattractive man driving slowly, gawking out the window*

And I guessed what he was up to. He wasn't dropping off donations. He was looking to steal them off the dock. And sure enough, as soon as I pulled away, he pulled up.

*imagine picture: bald, badly dressed man slides his chubby body out of driver's seat, stubs out his cigarette, starts picking up the stuff I just donated*

*next picture: Subaru screeches to a halt, sideways in the parking lot; extremely attractive, well-coiffed and -dressed woman gets out*

I pointed my finger at him. "You put that down!" I yelled. He had the tub of buttons in his hand. The buttons!

"Huh?" he asks.

"Put that down! That's not for you!"

"I'm just looking at it," he said.

"I don't believe you," I said.

"I don't care what you think," he said. But he put down the buttons and waddled back to his van. Ha!

*imagine picture: van pulls away, woman gives driver a stern look*

Lemme tell you: It is fun to point your finger and yell loudly across a parking lot at a thief. It is exhilarating to embarrass somebody who would stoop so low as to steal donations from a charity. It would be mean if he'd been somebody so needy he had to steal clothes for his kids, but this guy had all the signs of somebody who knew what he was looking for and does this on a regular basis.

Oh, and one more thing: It would be really stupid to confront a stranger in a parking lot if you weren't a safe distance away. Which I was.

So now my junk is gone, and my house is a little tidier. And I feel good about standing my ground, but a little rattled. I usually manage to get my errands done without a confrontation.

I feel like I'm making progress on creating order, but I think I have more work to do on the reducing stress end of things.

Comments

[pasha plum]

wow, that sounds exciting! Good for you scaring off the moocher (from a safe distance).

[tammyCA]

Good for you! I had to laugh at the part 'screeching to a halt sideways'...at all our thrift stores there is always a worker taking the items so no one can steal them.

[Lera]

Now that's some excitement! I wonder if they realize they have scavenging scums around their donation area.

[Alli]

Good for you (and very well told, I might add)!

[svelteSTUFF]

So... THAT was YOU?
>
GOOD JOB!

[svelteSTUFF]

...just joking! I didn't make it there today, but I can picture the scene clearly in my head!!

[kim]

Wow, Barbara, that is some story. Good for you for having the guts to stand up to that creep.

[sue]

So you'll write a sequel, "Simplify Your Space and Empower Yourself"? It had to be done, so I'm glad you did it. Sometimes it's hysterical how our sense of "justice" comes out at the junkiest occasions, huh?

[Sher]

I need to read that book! ;)

[Beth Leintz]

You have such an EXCITING junking life- and good for you for taking your stuff to Sally's and not going inside to buy anything.

[Patty]

I wish you had pictures because I want to see you all made up to go the Salvation Army. (I'm glad you went after this guy!)

[LiLi M.]

Now you really are my hero! :-D

I loved this story but I also like the idea of the story behind the elephant fabric in last post! Never stop wondering and imagening!

Have a great sunday!

[Judy]

Good for you! I know I need a book like that.

[Mary Ellen]

One of the best movies ever made was Fried Green Tomatoes and you had yourself a "Tawanda" moment. Good for you!

[HeidiAnn]

That was funny. Now, to picture you loading boxes into your Subaru, I need to know what color and model . (Kidding!) When I delivered mail, my car was a right-hand-drive Legacy wagon, and I brought home a hutch (Hoosier-type cabinet but a bit smaller), in it that I bought myself for my birthday one year in a city 80 miles away - much to my husband's chagrin. "Hi., honey, I'm home - could you give me a hand with this?" It's amazing what you can fit in those!

[Debi]

Awesome Barbara!!! Glad to see that there are still good peeps out there!!! And what does he think he was doing??? I may have to go to the library to get the same book... maybe it will help me to get mine cleaned out!!!! Good job!! and Good luck with the rest ;)

Loved the way you told of your day!!

http://whatscookninjunk.blogspot.com/

[Linda]

OK, here's the headline:

Thrift shop crusader nabs button bandit!

[Michele]

You go girl...so glad you told him off!!!

Hugz,
Michele

[Ellen]

Bravo! Confrontation shakes me too. But, had you not hollered at that scoundrel (so eloquently, btw), you would be replaying it in your head for days rewriting the script each time. Lordy, your writing makes me laugh. Thanks--I'm feeling empowered. Going to go shopping for a super cape for you, and maybe something pretty for me.

[Joanna {sweet finds}]

I took several boxes to the thrift store this weekend too. I use to see people rummaging through the donations on Sunday evenings. Then the Goodwill put gates up so that no one could drive into the parking lot after hours.

Anyhow, I started re-decorating my craft room this weekend. I actually surprised myself by "letting go" of a few things. I guess I'd rather have a really cute craft room then hold on to a couple of yard sale finds. :) (that doesn't sound like me... I must be coming down with something! LOL) xoxo, Joanna