Secrets of Good Will !

*This is a repeat post for old-timers but I thought you new guys on the block may enjoy as I take a few days off. I think you need to REALLY get to know me. : ) Stick around, I have a bunch of catching up to do! Love, Me*

Today was a busy day but we had a chance to stop by one of our local Goodwill's.

Got these pretties and a few other things, while I left Romeo in the car, munching on some chicken nuggets.....

Aren't they pretty?

Go perfectly in color with my existing plates.

I like having an alternate pattern with the same exact color scheme.

I had planned to run in Goodwill while Romeo finished up his lunch,

And had left him with the statement...

"I will be right back, I'm going to just run in ."

That was my intention......and nothing more.

It started out innocently.....I promise.

But.....

Did you know that when a bell rings at Goodwill that a new load of "stuff" is coming out the back?

I - did - not - know - that.

I have been hitting Goodwill's for years now .

Years.

And ..... did....... not...... know...... that.

Today, when I was going to "just run in and out".

That all changed.

I was rapidly perusing the aisles, when I heard the bell in the back ring.

And a little lady next to me said.......

"The bell rang!" "It's a new batch!"

I smiled politely at the back of her departing head...... 

And.....

It was like a "Matrix" moment. 

Things slowed down...... 

And as I watched her bobbing, curler clad, running head, bounce to the back in tunnel vision........

It hit me.

"A new batch?"

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

A NEW baaaatcccchhhh.....

Oh - my - goodness.......a new BATCH!!!!

And I realized what the bell ringing meant.

But realization hit me and so did a dilemma.

What do I do when "the bell rings"????

Do I run to the back?

Wouldn't I look greedy....anxious....desperate?

I stood there browsing through aisles

Fighting the urge to run to the back, to see what new stuff was brought in.

And after careful, logical thinking, I decided.

"Hey....I am just as greedy, anxious and desperate as that old lady in the walker running to the back!"

And, to be honest, is there really a "Proper Goodwill Etiquette" book laying around?

I don't think so.

So.......to not look too desperate.

I just worked my way casually to the back.

At a fast little clip.

And before I could make it back there....

The bell rang again!

My stomach tied up in knots.

I couldn't see the back yet.....and I was trying to get past poky people in the aisles.

I fought the urge to panic, maneuvered down unobstructed aisles and I picked it up a pace.

And I made it.

There was a cluster of people looking through carts, grabbing stuff, and they were all looking over their shoulders to see what competition they had.....

I finagled my way in there and well......

The "new stuff hysteria" took over.

 I just started taking what looked good.....and putting it in my cart.

I walked away with about ten things in my cart.

Then....I took my cart and I stepped away from the masses....and cleared my head.

I looked at items in my cart that I didn't even need and sorted what I wanted and didn't.

Embarrassed at myself!

I took the items that I didn't want, back to the carts with people milling around and placed them on it. 

I felt like someone on a beach, feeding birds bread.......

Hands started grabbing at the stuff I was bringing back before I could even let go. 

I had one hand on my cart claiming ownership to the stuff I wanted and the other putting my greed induced items back. 

What was wrong with those people?

Then I walked back towards the front.

Ashamed of myself.

So ashamed.

AND

The bell rang again, baby! 

And Angels sang!

Shame vanished in an instant and the greedy monster took over!

I ran right back with my "new friends". 

And then I would scurry away, like a rat with cheese...calm down....and sort out what I really wanted.

I swear .....it went like this until I finally pulled myself away and made myself stop.

I was like a gambler not wanting to quit. 

Thinking the next bell would be the big score...the mother load....payday.

I was pitiful.

I'm so ashamed.

So ashamed.

I'm excited.

I can't wait to go back!

And I am already planning my next "fix".

Aren't I hideous?

Aren't my plates cute?!

And what about this pretty?

That old man that was reaching for it was so going to sell it at his flea market...I just know it!

Or give it to his ailing wife.

I'm awful!

I'm lucky!

I'm confused.

And I can't wait to go back.

Have you ever been to a Goodwill?

Did you guys know the bell ringing thing at Goodwill?

Would you shop at one?

Would you run, walk, or meander your way to the back.

It can't be just me.

I hope.

Love, 

Me