Today you are YOU,
That is truer than true.
There is no one alive
who is ‘Youer’ than YOU.
Dr Seuss
Ahhh. . . uniqueness. . . it’s what sets us all apart.
We are all unique in our own special way. I think we appreciate that as we get older. We all bloom and grow at different speeds, different times, and in ways unlike anyone else. One of those things that set us apart is our different likes and dislikes. . . and as I found out this morning, beauty is very definitely in the eye of the beholder.
I arrived too early for an appointment this morning, so popped into a thrifting haunt near-by that I often frequent. I had a wander around, did a few circuits to check out the goodies and one particular item kept grabbing my attention. It just spoke to me – you know how it is!! It was definitely unique. . . what you’d call one-of-a-kind. . . [giggle] just like me really!!
I picked it up, examined it, checked out the price, put it down, did another lap, picked it up again. . . then I had the inevitable conversation with myself (as you do). . . “NO, I really don’t need it”. . . “but it’s speaking to me”. . . “No, you don’t have time to make it over”. . . “but one day I will”. . . and on it went.
Then to my horror, while I had the internal quarrel going on, someone else spied my unique find. Oh noooooooooooooo, an elderly gentleman picked it up. . . he inspected it, turned it over, clearly thought it a good price too and summoned his wife over.
I watched and listened as he tried to sell the virtues of this piece to his wife and all the time I was chastising myself for putting the item down.
My decision was made – I wanted it!!
My belly did back flips as he pleaded his case. May I just add here, that he evidently had good taste and an eye for potential, but he was somewhat lacking in the persuasiveness department – (perhaps after a gazillion years of marriage he just knew when he was beat). His wife was having NONE of it. . . “it’s a piece of rubbish” she said, “it’s ugly and dirty”. . . and other words like vulgar, hideous and unsightly were, in my opinion, unfairly banted around.
That was it, end of conversation, he gave in all too easily and I did feel a little pity for him. . .
but not enough to stop me swooping in and grabbing that piece before his fingerprints had even evaporated off the side of it.
Hey, all’s fair in thrifting. It’s part of the code of conduct you know:
“He who hath placed hands upon the item is its purchaser, unless he shall later place the item uponeth a shelf and walketh away.”
Luckily I had just enough time to make my purchase and dash breathlessly to my appointment with hideous, ugly and dirty item tucked under my arm.
I got me some looks let me tell you, but hey. . . I’m unique.
Hugs ~ Kerry
P.S. Nearly forgot to mention. . . the lovely Anna over at Anna Rosa Designs is celebrating her 100th post with not one, but two beautiful giveaways. Make sure you pop on over and enter the giveaway for her gorgeous handmade fabric journals covers.
Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies says
Hey Kerryanne! Ooohh!! Now you’ve peaked my curiosity!! What was you unique treasure??? I would rather have a slighty battered, dusty, shabby round the edges recycled treasure than a shiny new thing that everyone else has. There’s something extra special about “Imperfect Treasures”, isn’t there! :0) What a great start to your week – hope the rest is as special! Bear Hugs! KRIS
misteejay says
So glad you were able to nab your treasure. I’m sure you will do some thing fab with it.
Toni xx
ArtfulLee Designed says
Love your story Kerryanne, brought a smile to my face. Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder. Wouldn’t it be boring (and of course one thrift-find short) if we all liked the same thing:)
Lee:)
Sew Useful Designs says
Oh Kerryanne – loved your story! I could feel the exact same feelings as you described them – the tummy somersaults of regret when you left the canny item to be picked up by a discerning eye…
SO glad you got it!!! And I think it’s gorgeous! And quirky… just like you! *wink*
Love the photos sweetie!
Vikki xoxo 🙂
ittybittyandpretty says
that happens all the time!!! lucky you were able to walk out of that thrift shop with your grubby purchase safely yucked away.
xxrosey
Anna Rosa Designs says
Hi Kerryanne,
I can see you in the thrift shop hovering and listening to the older couple. Oh too funny!
So which gorgeous piece did you end up buying??? Curious.
Thanks for the shout honey.
Creative hugs,
Anna
Natasha Burns says
What a fabulous find, Kerryanne! I love that we are all unique, and that the lady did think it was ugly and dirty. That meant YOU got it! 🙂 One man’s trash is another’s treasure!!!