A lovely memory for $2.00

This past Saturday, my family and I were out shopping at one of my all-time favorite thrift stores. It's a tiny and packed little store but it's filled with very cool and retro items. Every time I venture in there I find myself staring face to face with something from my childhood... or coveting a china set that I adore (14 settings!) which I can well afford (a steal at $15) but alas have no space to store it... yet, if I can ever find a place, and it waits for me, I will bring give it a new home and a new life. I did however, just purchase a very very nice, real china cream and sugar set as our creamer jug got broken in our move. I bought the set for $1.00. I often find myself under the debit limit of $5.00 and will ask the cashier to bump me up, that is how thrifty this store is! I know it sounds like it goes against my thrifty nature but I am not cheap.. The other day I bought brand-name jammies for my son, really really nice button down, grandpa-style flannel pajamas, and the cream and sugar set and it was only $3.00 - so I donated the other $2.00... the money raised in the store goes to support good causes so I feel happy with my donations and with my purchases (again, I love giving my cash to either regular people selling privately, or through small thrift stores, consignment stores and the like, rather than to Mr. Big Box Store Corporation, which does happen, but when I have a choice, I'll always choose to support the little guy).

In any event, on Saturday, while in the store, my son was searching for something to bring home. My daughter had spotted the display of dolls and was busily choosing the perfect one (which she said looked like Mommy... awww...) and I spotted a clown. I was transported to being in my bed as a little girl.. winding the nose of my clown and it playing the most beautiful music. This is a little stuffed clown, with a red nose that you wind up,he looks like he comes from the 70's but a quick search online reveals he was manufactured in 1968. I was born over a decade later, so I'm certain my Mr. Clown was also previously loved. Anyways, my son fell in love with the clown immediately, and also with my fondness for it. It appears he loves nostalgic old toys too - he said to me "I want to love it - it must be sad and lonely now..." Last night, he fell asleep to the tune. He did ask me how to 'pause' it - a sign of the times I guess.. he was sure surprised to find it did not require batteries (no seriously, where do they go?)
I remember my Mr. Clown so fondly, along the way it got lost as so many favorite things do. I hope my son enjoys many years of happy memories with his.

I got a trip down memory lane, an item for my son to cherish and to lull him to sleep (which he needs a lot of help with, he cannot seem to shut off his little brain) and we now own a nostalgic little (quiet) toy that I do not plan to 'lose' anytime soon. All this for... $2.00.

Have a great Monday.