There are a few things that I can’t resist when I thrift (its like a thrifting Bingo if you will): vintage games, wooden spools of thread, puzzles, vintage holiday decor, vintage cook books, rulers, horse things,  chalkboard, paperdolls and Nancy Drew Books. Today, on my two Goodwill Outlet stops in Indy I found everything except the last one on my list.  My favorite finds: sheet music for Star Dust, which I’m looking forward to gifting, and several vintage valentines and games.

I also found a lovely vintage bingo game set and a mind-teaser puzzle. Both had several small pieces, which I combed through various bins to find…and then I proceeded to drop the stack I was holding into a bin, and then onto a floor, and even after I finally moved everything to my cart, I somehow managed to drop everything once more. Admittedly, It was not my finest day, but thankfully there were folks who were kind enough to help me each time.

Whenever I dig through bins to find pieces of puzzles or games, I always assume that I’m not going to find everything…so I wasn’t too sad when things fell all over the floor (repeatedly) – more embarrassed, really (but I’ll chalk it up to not having any lunch).   I didn’t drop any of the puzzle pieces I collected, yet I only came close to finishing one of the many puzzles who’s pieces I collected. Miraculously, I ended up with all the pieces of the Bingo game and the puzzle game (thanks to my husband’s help; after I gave up looking, he kept combing through cards and boxes and managed to find the few of each that I was missing).

Here are my take away lessons from today’s thrifting adventure: 1) pay attention to the small stuff; it would have been so easy to miss out on all the fabulous valentines I found today (in fact, I felt like my repeated spills of other game pieces kept leading me back to find more valentines), 2) bags and carts are your friend, and  3) have lunch!