..er...mis-adventures in thrifting.
Let me start by saying that I never seem to have my camera when I need it.
I don't work at the bank until noon on Friday's usually and so the other Tracey and I had this idiotic creative idea to go make the rounds thrifting in those couple of hours on Friday before I go to work. Turns out it's not the smartest plan, as this means I am dressed for banking, in business attire, which makes it challenging when schlepping sometimes dirty, dusty items out of a thrift shop or yard sale.
Anyway.
Last Friday we went to an early morning estate sale that a friend had told us about. It was on a ranch property (Looking back, I even think I remember the ad mentioned mud and to wear appropriate shoes...wish I had remembered that sooner) and the sale sounded good. (something about vintage iron cemetery fencing, and a barn full of old doors and tools)
We arrived and discovered that in order to get to the house and the barn where the sale was, you had to walk across a cattle guard. Do you know what a cattle guard is? If you don't, then click here for a visual. OK, now using that visual, picture the cattle guard being a good 12-15 feet long and it being over a creek that is about four to five feet below it. A bridge basically, with spacers. (I so wished I had taken my camera.) Now, picture if you will, a woman in black suede stiletto heeled boots and a skirt (...that woman would be me.I told you I had to go to work) trying to cross the bridge with the spacers. Um..ya, it's a no-go, people.
The other Tracey was not to be deterred from making her way to the estate sale. She crossed the cattle guard in record time (Of course she did. She was wearing faux patent leather flat loafers.) and then turned to cheer me on as (she assumed) I would follow her across. Realizing that it was an impossibility, she decided (apparently without too terribly much thought) to "toss" her shoes to me for me to then put on and boot-scoot-and-boogy across the cattle guard. She lobbed the first shoe, which she overshot, and it nearly nailed me in the head. I then prepared to intercept the second shoe, but, unfortunately this time, she underestimated the distance and it hit the last wrung of the cattle guard bridge, bounced...and, as if in slow motion, the shiny black loafer tumbled, ricocheted, and finally, plummeted onto the creek bed rocks far below the bridge.
For a moment, we both stared down at the shoe in silent horror, me with my mouth open and eyes bugging out. Then, we tried to figure out where to go from here...
Me: Oh, nice. That was great. Now what do we do?
Her: ( A sigh and shoulder shrug) I'll just have to get another pair of shoes at WalMart.
Me: What?
Her: I said, I'll just have to get another pair of shoes at WalMart.
Me: I heard you. I meant, you'll go into WalMart with one shoe and one bare foot? (Realizing as I said this that she would most certainly not be the first person to ever do that at a WalMart)
Her: Ya. We just need to get to this sale first.
Me: You don't get it! I can't come across the bridge in my boots!
At this point, she sighed a big long sigh and scurried back across the cattle guard barefoot to my side and we both studied the situation for another moment in silence, peering down at her shoe, then looking off in the distance at the barn and house full of potential treasures that awaited us.(so very close and yet, so very far.) After a few quiet moments she spoke in her matter of fact tone.
Her: I think I can just climb down there on the rocks and get to it.
Me: With only one shoe on?
Her: Yes.
Me: (eye roll and a long sigh, followed by a shoulder shrug of my own) Okay then. Go for it.
Just as she prepared to climb over the wagon wheel that was cemented into a rock (A sad attempt at decorating the entrance of the bridge we guessed. Oh, I how wish I had taken my camera!) and climb down to rescue her faux patent leather loafer, two men came walking up. We shared our sad little tale of woe with them and then one of the guys climbed down and rescued her shoe.(they didn't say it, but it was fairly clear that they thought we were a couple of dipsy-doodles) I then put on the loafers and carried my boots, while the other Tracey went barefoot (either she is more coordinated, or was more determined to shop than me...or both) and we made it across to the other side at last.
In the end it was all worth it. We found oodles and toodles of great stuff in the barn and before too long we had a good sized pile of good junk to purchase. The other Tracey was allowed to drive her car across the cattle guard to load up our pile of treasures and I silently thanked God that we didn't have to deal with walking across the bridge a second time.
(We have since decided that thrifting the two hours before I head off to the bank to work most likely isn't the best plan of action, although you can bet we'll do it again.)
3 words....Lucy and Ethel!!! This is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. Thanks for starting my day with laughter!
Posted by: Gina | March 17, 2009 at 03:01 AM
The mental visual from this is great! Lucy and Ethel is right!
Posted by: Robin | March 17, 2009 at 03:37 AM
The above comments sum it up!!! I am laughing so hard, what a great way to start my day. Tracey as a real estate agent I have had to get into some unbelievable places.....I always have a servicable(ugly)
pair of shoes in the car and use them more then you would guess! Just a thought! Thaanks for the laugh. Have a great day.
Hugs, Donna
Posted by: Donna@Thecountrynest | March 17, 2009 at 04:09 AM
Well, Sweet Pea, it just goes to show that we "junkies" will go to ANY lengths to get to the "treasure" and get it home. :) I once paraded home with a 9 ft (Hobby Lobby) Christmas tree (a TOTAL STEAL at only $25 at the thrift store) perched precariously in the back seat of my convertible...top down, obviously, in near-frigid 30 something degree weather...and since I was wearing my dandy chartreuse rain coat and constantly looking over my shoulder to be sure the tree was still there, I'm quite certain that I looked rather like the Grinch stealing Christmas!...yeah...got more than a few strange looks at stop lights...and a few comments that I could not hear (sometimes it's not so bad being deaf) but I just laughed along with them and drove merrily along.
And here's a suggestion for those Friday morning forays...go comfy...take a change of clothes..and remember...where there's a will..there's a way!...and my own personal motto..it it will fit in the car then it was meant to be mine!
Posted by: Kris | March 17, 2009 at 04:33 AM
I love that story this morning!! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do when there's shopping involved!!
Posted by: Stacey | March 17, 2009 at 04:44 AM
Fun story......I was picturing it in my mind. That wouldn't deter me...I would wear jeans and put my work clothes in one of those garment bags and stop into the nearest bathroom close to your work and change......walk in and greet everyone with a big hello! Little would they know you have a car full of goodies! LOL!!!!
Posted by: denise | March 17, 2009 at 04:53 AM
OK- THAT was one of the funniest stories I've heard! I could just picture the two of you out there...
Thanks for sharing a laugh with us all this morning!!
Posted by: TerriK | March 17, 2009 at 04:56 AM
I just found your blog and am having the best time going back through the archives and feeling a part of it all. Beautiful, beautiful pics. ::sigh::
Posted by: Shelley in SC | March 17, 2009 at 05:00 AM
Tracey - this is the funniest story...LOL. I can just imagine Lucy and Ethel doing this.
Have a great day and thanks for a good laugh!
Take care - Sonnie
Posted by: Sonnie | March 17, 2009 at 05:14 AM
I was reading this and all along thinking to myself....they're not Tracey and Tracey, they are Lucy and Ethel! I see I am not the only one that had that thought! Too funny!
Posted by: Lisa ~A Cottage to Me | March 17, 2009 at 05:15 AM
Way too funny!!!!
Posted by: heartartz | March 17, 2009 at 05:18 AM
Enjoyed the story! I can just picture the whole thing, no camera needed. Thanks for the morning laugh! 90% of humor is at the expense of someone else.
Posted by: Jeanette in Texas | March 17, 2009 at 05:54 AM
That is great!!
Posted by: Carrie | March 17, 2009 at 06:05 AM
I agree with all who had the Lucy & Ethel image-me too! It makes my day of cleaning bathrooms, packing for a little trip, finishing some swap projects and doing laundry sound soooooo mundane! But hey! Anything for a potential bargain, right? And you will post pictures of your treasures, right? I always love my visits here. Hope the rest of your week goes smoothly.
Posted by: Joyce | March 17, 2009 at 06:37 AM
OMG! That story is too funny! I swear you should write a book. You two have way too much fun!
Posted by: Connie | March 17, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Didn't I suggest to you two that perhaps one of you should carry a "thinking cap"? Another thought has come to mind. You two should take a stab at stand-up comedy. Please (down the road) do not take my great-grandchildren with you on these wild adventures. These kind of activities would be way too much fun for them.
Posted by: The Sewing Queen | March 17, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Oh that's just too much! If those men thought you were crazy then, imagine if you had been taking pictures as well, lol!!! They would have thought you were off your rocker :o)
Reminds me of an estate sale my mother and I went to... we walked up an un-Godly hill full of mud and loose gravel- I pushed my mom up, lol- and we were soaked with sweat upon arrival. Not cute. Walking back with all of our treasures, we just laughed our heads off hoping that we didn't fall on our rears.
Have a happy day!!
~Rachel
Posted by: Yard Sale Mama | March 17, 2009 at 07:34 AM
Funny, funny! I would have skipped barefoot across that bridge to get to some old doors! I really think you need a small camera that lives in your purse - photos would have been priceless!
Posted by: Jill | March 17, 2009 at 07:41 AM
So jealous of your good times together. It sounds like so much fun, and you'll have even more fun laughing about it in the future. I can just SEE the look on your faces as you stared down at that shoe!
Posted by: Gigi | March 17, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Hi Tracey! what a funny story, so enjoyed it! Makes me realize I am not the only whack-a-doodle out there! I read all the comments left for you so far. Don't dye your hair red OK!? So loved the one from your Mom, that is like the cherry on top of a good ice cream(or cup cake if you prefer!) I would not let it deter me from thrifting on Friday mornings,no pain no gain so they say!LOL Vanessa
Posted by: Vanessa Seeholzer | March 17, 2009 at 07:51 AM
That is so funny - thanks for the laugh this morning. Both of you will still be laughing about this years down the road. Put an old pair of low heel shoes in the trunk of you car for an emergency like this. :-)
Posted by: Glenda/MidSouth | March 17, 2009 at 08:18 AM
OMG, I feel like I just watched an episode of I LOVE Lucy... hahahah You so need a little purse camera... Once I started blogging it was a MUST, I love my big Nikon, but it is in moments like this one I wouldn't want my big Nikon with me, and would love to reach for my small point and shoot as I like to call it, "purse camera"... Thanks for the chuckle!
Posted by: Jen | March 17, 2009 at 08:20 AM
The things we do for junk! I see a title for a new book, you do write, right?~Jacque
Posted by: Jacque | March 17, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Oh that was too funny. That would be a good I love Lucy episode accept one of you would have had to fall in the river. Thanks for the chuckle.
Tracy M.
Posted by: Tracy Martinez | March 17, 2009 at 10:11 AM
OK, it should be wrong to laugh so hard at the adventures of others but I can't help it. I can totally see you out there in this dilemma and it is too funny. Another reason to buy more sensible shoes to keep tucked in the car! Sounds like you made some great finds and better memories to go with them. Maybe you should shop this way all the time!
Posted by: Lisa | March 17, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Hilarious! I'm sitting at my desk with my office door closed on my lunch break. I know the rest of the office is wondering what I'm laughing about this time.
I wanted to tell you that your writing is excellent! I felt like I was right there watching the whole thing unfold in front of me.
Thanks for sharing!
Valerie
Posted by: Valerie | March 17, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Oh my gosh, that is one of the funniest stories I've ever heard. Your telling of it is priceless!
And It sounds just like something me and my (thrifting) friend would get into. When there are bargains to be had, there's not much that can stop us. :D
Thank you for the giggle this morning!
Posted by: Lisa H. | March 17, 2009 at 11:06 AM
As an ocassional country gal, I had the location and cattle guard totally visualized. Did you see the Crocodile Hunter episode where Steve is telling everyone how people think animals won't cross the cattle guard? He says, "Lets see how my little dog Sui does it". And of course, Sui just trots on across the bars like nobody's business, heehee!! I miss Steve Irwin....Anyway...Yeah, I would have fer shure done the barefoot thing to get to the goodies on the other side. No hesitation what so ever!!
Blessings- LillySue
Posted by: LillySue | March 17, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I cannot wait for more tales of the Traceys. Too funny. I hope you will post a few pictures of the goodies you hauled out with you, they must really be wonderful. Next time bring a pair of muck boots and leave the heels in the car for work. Thanks for sharing your adventure, Pam
Posted by: Pam | March 17, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Coming out of lurking to say, I'm so glad I was close to a bathroom. Hilarious!
I enjoy your site btw.
Posted by: Brenda | March 17, 2009 at 01:17 PM
This is hilarious!!!! Oh my, I cannot wait to hear the "other" Tracey's version. What an adventure! I'll bet the haul was worth it!
*smiles*
Carol
Posted by: Carol | March 17, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Haha...that was HILARIOUS!!! I would be freaked out walking over that at all!
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | March 17, 2009 at 02:01 PM
That was too funny! Those men probably did think you were goofy. Glad you found some great stuff.
Posted by: julie | March 17, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Tracey, I have enjoyed reading your blog for quite some time now but have never commented. [Just shy, I guess.] But I cannot keep silent any longer. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. I love it! I'm so glad the knight showed up. I became worried when you said that the other Tracey was going to crawl down onto the rocks. And thankfully it was all worth it!
Posted by: Faith | March 17, 2009 at 04:35 PM
This is so funny! I love a good hunt!!! and the tale of the hunt is the best!
LuLu
Posted by: LuLu | March 17, 2009 at 06:04 PM
Oh,no I didn't think of Ethel and Lucy---I thought maybe that was your Prince Charming there to put the slipper on your foot!!!
Posted by: Bambi | March 17, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Ok, that was so worth the read if only for getting to read the word "dipsy-doodles"...so totally worth it!!!
Maddiemom6
www.domesticanarchy.blogspot.com
Posted by: maddie | March 17, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Oh my gosh, aren't gal pals just the BEST??? I can just picture my buddy and I in the very same position, and it would be a toss up as to which on of us lost a shoe! Thanks so much for sharing, you made my day :)
Posted by: Beth | March 17, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Oh, what a great picture you have drawn. That's the hardest I've laughed in days! I'm glad you were eventually able to get across and find a good load of treasures!
Thanks for the chuckle!
Debi
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | March 17, 2009 at 07:42 PM
That story was just too funny. Thanks for the giggle and remember next time to keep an extra pair of shoes in the car for an emergency!
Posted by: Tammy | March 17, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Too funny!! I could so see you all doing this! And hearing your Wal-Mart conversation! LOL!
Posted by: Lady Dorothy | March 17, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Flippin' HILARIOUS! I love it! YOU GO GIRLS!
Rock on,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | March 17, 2009 at 09:14 PM
I'm in HYSTERICS laughing!!!!
Posted by: Brenda | March 17, 2009 at 09:50 PM
oh my goodness sakes! That is hillarious!!!
Posted by: Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista | March 17, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I loved this story, too bad you didn have the camera! Im dying to know what are the ideas on that old baby bassinette I see in the picture?
www.smithfamiyx6.blogspot.com
Posted by: annette smith | March 18, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Oh how I needed that chuckle today! HILARIOUS....we determined junkers must kick caution.....and our shoes....aside and dig in! Congratulations on your haul too.....good for you. You'll look back on that day often and say......"ahhhhh.......we made a memory"......
Hugs,
Spencer
Posted by: Spencer | March 18, 2009 at 01:32 PM
adventures with kindred spirits are the best!!! Being able to laugh at ones self makes adventuring that much "funner" :->
Thanks for being "real", and willing to share about it!!
Posted by: Cheryl B. | March 18, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Well, the Oregon Trail was carved out by women like you.....Determined, Desperate and Darned Good at figuring a way to make things work! You wouldn't be the first to be called "dipsy-doodles" either, but what a Hoot of a story. That is one for the grandkids, for sure!
Thank the Almighty that the sale turned out to be great.
Posted by: Carolyne | March 19, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Oh my, what a story! Thanks for adding a little humor to my day.
Posted by: Amber | March 19, 2009 at 09:01 PM
I can see it now!
Posted by: Sheila at Halo Hill | March 19, 2009 at 10:21 PM