Jeanne, the snowflakes are from Doll. Tr. and they start getting them in around August or Sept. If you wait until the actual holidays, they are gone! I also found the Santa hat chair covers there, and they hadn't actually put them out on the shelves yet. I never saw them on the shelves in any DT. I think everybody bought them as soon as they saw them! I had originally planned to use the green holly plates on top of the plaid Winter Bird plates, but they covered too much of the plaid, so I put them under the bowls. Luvs, the Mumm plates are the plaid plates and bowls. The Snowman plates are from the Country Santa Collection by Susan Winger, but just as soon as I don't want them any more, they're yours. Which should be sometime around the 12th of never, LOL Karen, as you know, shopping is my therapy and I need a lot of therapy!! Nana, the Snowman CP does have a Debbie Mumm tag. Lynne, I am planning on having Christmas put away by the end of today, although I am procrastinating by being on here! I am also putting out some Valentine decor as I put away the Christmas. Jane, I am a huge fan of plaid and amazingly, I found the table runner, placemats, tea towels and rugs all in that pattern at Big Lots many years ago. I don't think Big Lots has as many cool things any more. It seems like they have a lot of the same stuff other stores do now. Punk, the burgundy is a small part of the plaid and I thought the table needed that pop of color. So glad you agree! Marlene, thanks, I found 4 of those snowman goblets last year, and some more this year. All at the TS's cause I did't buy them when they were originally in the grocery store as $1 deals. Back then I hadn't found the enablers here, so didn't know I was going to "need" all of the dishes/glassware/flatware that I buy now! Kathleen, Thank you. Kath, I have left a lot of snowman decor up this year. It has helped me deal with putting away the Christmas decor, LOL. Thanks again ladies. You are such a wonderful and supportive group. You have no idea how much your wonderful comments help me deal with my life. TTFN, Candy

Gracias, ajsmama :). Now it all makes sense. At least till I forget what I just learned; occupational middle-age hazard these days! Re. the ebay/thrift store relationship--do you think that the now ubiquitous online markets (EBay, Craigslist etc) have hurt, harmed or not affected bricks n mortar thrifting? Years ago (I was working PT, had more time to do fun stuff like this) my MIL and I enjoyed going to local bazaars,yard sales and church rummage sales. There were fairly often some nice things dumped in there. Now I suspect many more people are doing what flyleft encountered, shopping in order to then resell. I think there is a whole new 'entrepreneur' niche, at least I've read about people who make their living or at least some income from selling online. Dunno, just wondering what folks who are more in the know think about this? Ann

Thank you all. Igloochic, I recently posted pics of our home. It's in a thread titled "Bodica, per your request". A pretty serious illness took a huge financial toll and my husband's business has been hard hit by the economy. I am a thrift store, Ebay, CL shopper and I love what I call "sidewalk sales" (bulk trash day). We refinish, repurpose, and redo. I sew all window treatments, and pillows and have a pretty extensive collection of vintage fabrics and linens. There is nothing my DH can't build or make. Prior to my illness, I spent quite a few years doing redesign and staging. I am a strong believer that a little imagination, a lot of elbow grease, and a bit of patience go a long way. Thank you again for your kind words-I'm very flattered.

I am another thrift store shopper. Between those and garage sales my kids are pretty much clothed from there. Also have an addiction to books and they are cheep enough there to afford. Rhiannon is 5 and when we are driving through towns on Fridays or Saturday's is always on the lookout for garage sales. Both girls also love GW and Salvation army.The best time to go if you have little kids is in October when they start putting out the costumes. Our GW stores things that are out of season and brings them out at the right time. I have gotten tons of dress up clothes and dance outfits for the girls. I just have to laugh that some poor mom paid 55 dollars for her little girls dance costume, and I picked it up for 2 dollars. I also buy all the girls and Hayden's shoes at GW. Most of the clothes I hit garage sales just beacause, I am so cheap that I don't want to spend more than a dollar for any clothes, but I do buy most all of my maternity clothes at GW. Stacie girlsingardens