What a nice selection of "stuff" you got from the TS! I think the yellow "thing" would make a great centerpiece for a table with seasonal decorations and a candle or you could put a birdnest inside with colorful eggs. The wooden posts would be great as holders for teacup and saucer feeders or small decorative birdhouses. The metal type black stakes could be painted bright colors and put in pots as decorative accents (butterflies) and the two with squiggly wire were probably meant to hold votives. Let us see what you do with them!!

A new Goodwill opened up in Pierre. They built a big new building. Yesterday was the first time I was in it. It has been open for 2 weeks now I think. There weren't very many people in there. I probably won't be going back either. I know they brought loads of stuff in here that didn't sell any place else. They have racks and racks of clothes. I had found a couple of tshirts, but I held them up and you could see through them. So I put them back. all of there odds and ends stuff is on top of the clothes racks. I am short and I am not going to try to look at stuff that is not even organized. Looked like it was just thrown up there. Hardly anything was marked and if it was it was overpriced. I wanted to use the bathroom but I couldn't find one. There was one door that was marked employees only. I am sure that was probably it. If they built that big of a building you would have thought they would put a bathroom in it. A lot of the clothes looked old. Even the games looked old. There were a lot of ashtrays too. I can't even think of anyone even wanting to buy an ashtray. I haven't seen one for years. Maybe I was too picky I don't know. I will go to the other thrift store. All the clothes are clean and newer. I have bought sets of sheets there for 4.00 and they have them marked if they are deep pockets or not. It may not be as big put I think it is cheaper and the quality is better. Their help is all volunteer and the money goes to help the needy. I have heard that Goodwill gives very little to charity. I can't remember what their sign says. I know one part says something about employing people. I heard on the radio one day they had 13 employees and were looking for 2 more. WOW so they must each get a few hours a week.

Here is the directions for my shelving units, might sound difficult but it is really simple but take time. Here is a not so quick idea of how my paint storage shelves were made. All wood is ¼" wood stock, we used some old paneling & other scraps, but any wood would work. Measurement need to figure the sizes you needed. Back height: mine is 23" wide by 22" high and it holds 135 bottles. To find height: The distance between the bottom of the first shelf and the top of the next shelf is 2 ½" and each shelf is the same ending with the bottom shelf ¼" up from the bottom of the back, 2 ½" times the number of shelves you need plus ¼ equals the back height. Back width: Each bottle fit into a 1" "U" shape with ½" spacer area between where one "U" ends and the next begins. Beginning at one side measure and place a mark at ½" From that mark measure & mark in 1," then ½" then at 1" and continue ending with ½" My row of 15 bottles = 15"+ 8" (16 spacers @1/2" each) equals 23" per shelf. Ex: 20 bottles = 20" + 21 spacers@ ½" each for 10 ½," or 20" + 10 1/2"= 30 ½." Cuts: Back and 2 sides, using your measurements. Shelf bracing: cut strips ¼ x ¼ wide x width of the back. ex. mine is 23" wide so we cut ¼" X 23" cut as many as the number of shelves you are using. Shelves: Cut ¼" X 4" deep X width. Neck holders: ¼" x 1 ½" x desired width. Using the entire length, find and mark the center (3/4) at both ends and several more time if necessary. Draw a line from one end to the other. Using this center line and beginning at either end place a mark at ½," from this mark measure in 1" and mark, continue the ½" then 1" then ½" across the board ending with ½" Find the center of each 1" area, and using a 1" hole saw, cut out a circle. Repeat to the end. When done cut the board down the middle, you now have two scalloped boards. Repeat as needed. DH cheated here and taped two boards together and cut two at a time. He then used one as a template for the rest, cutting two at a time. Glue one straight edge of the neck piece to each shelf edge. We used contact cement, but any good wood glue would work but watch for movement of the pieces. Let dry. Back & bracing pieces piece: measure down from the top of the back and place a line at 2 ½" on both right and left sides. From this mark go down 2 ½," repeat the 2 ½" to the bottom, be sure to leave ¼" at the bottom. This is a good time to check to see if this is the correct size and make any adjustments as needed. Extend these marks to the inside and outside of both side pieces. Glue a shelf brace below all the marks you have made on the back of the unit. Let dry. Assembly: We placed the back piece on a scrap piece of plywood just bigger than the back. Glue and nail the sides to the back. To help keep the shape correct we taped a shelf inside the top and the bottom side pieces. Once the sides were in place we placed a long strip of wood along the outside of the side and secured them to the plywood, thus keeping the side tight to the back. Let dry. Starting at the bottom, add glue to the back and sides of each shelf and place them inside the frame and on top of the braces. Then add finishing nails along the line on the outside of each side piece. Repeat until you finish at the top of the unit. Again let dry. We then attached the unit to the wall and were luck enough to have two studs right where we need them, but you might have to use molly screw if you cant find stud. We used 9 screws in all. The unit is very solid and survived all of the abuse it received during the flood, being shoved from here to there before again claiming space in my craft/panty. If you have any questions I hopefully, can answer them. Belle

Hmmm...I could write up a HUGE list, I love my area thrift store. The best deals for this summer though... Pottery Barn decor for $1 each that I found in the catalog from the winter for no less than $50 each. A set of LeCrueset cookware still in the box for $25. A box of what the seller called junk...that ended up having an almost complete set of antique french flatware, several great ironstone pieces (my first ones - yay!), and more great antique and vintage kitchen wares than one could possibly hope for - for the bargain price of $5. OMG...I almost felt bad when I got home and researched what I bought. But I had to remind myself - one man's trash is another man's treasure...and this was a treasure for sure in my world.