Saturday, October 15, 2011

I am rich! And coffee table update



I have lived in poor situations, like when I only had a dollar to get a cup of coffee and a cream cheese sandwich on raisin bread for lunch, when working in NYC. 

And I have lived in great abundance; feasting on caviar and champagne and going about in limousines and traveling to great places, meeting "important" people.

Now, happily I am somewhere in between. But when the pay check comes in, I get a kick out of getting my supplies at the dollar store. I have always looked at liquid soap as something for rich people. I know, I am behind the times. So getting some bottles for a dollar each thrills me. I am not hard to please. It makes me feel rich.

Growing up the eldest of ten children, I rarely had anything of my own. My father was in dental school; mother worked as a registered nurse. There was not much money in our family. Dinner was usually cooked by my Dad, as my mother would be on her shift.
Sliced fried spam, scrambled eggs and peas and carrots are what I remember. That and some sort of sandwich spread of salad dressing with pickles on wonder bread. 

And for some reason, I craved the front yard dirt. I read now, that it has something to do with a mineral deficiency.

Clothing was handed down from my cousins, which we were happy to get. Once a year, mama would buy us each a dress and a pair of shoes. I hardly wore mine because I wanted to keep it "good". What a waste. But habits die hard. I still have a hard time wearing something new before hanging it and admiring for a while.

So you see, I am delighted to go to the dollar tree and have some riches for my own enjoyment. It makes me happy!

"for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing  plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me."
Paul: Philippians 4:11-13

Coffee Table Update

I hit a snag in my table redo. After painting and sanding, I got out the glaze and accidentally put in on without diluting it. It grabbed in certain places and I just didn't like the looks of it. So I sanded it back down and repainted.


See where it kind of settled in looking patchy?

I sure never thought that this would take that long but I guess sometimes it will. I am working on it today.

Hope you are having a good weekend! Take care.

♥Charlotte

10 comments:

hootnonny said...

Looks like you got some good buys at the Dollar Store. My town's getting a Dollar Tree next to the new Super Walmart. Yay!

The foods you remember from childhood are also some of my memories. I love fried Spam and I remember sandwiches made with the salad dressing in a jar.

Hope yall are having a great weekend.

Rebecca said...

Hello
Thank you for stopping by and saying hello!
I have had my ups and downs also and it is so true, you can have that inner joy in all circumstances through Christ. It is a struggle to stay content in this day of gotta have it all and right now... we are blessed.
Have a wonderful weekend
Blessings
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

I love a bargain!! And you got some great ones - I'm sure that table will look great. And wow, 10 kids? My husband had 8 brothers (no sisters) so I bet y'all have some similar stories! He can't stand even the thought of tuna noodle casserole!

Nena3110 said...

Table is nice, and the text too.
Please instal a google translater, my english is very bad.

happyone said...

I thought of that verse as i was reading your post!
I ate a bit of dirt as a kid too. My mom cured me. She filled a bucket of dirt, sat it in front of me and told me that was my supper! She made me eat a spoon or two. I never ate it again.

Gail Dixon said...

When I read the first two paragraphs of your post I immediately thought of Paul's message to the Philippians. That is the secret: learning to be content! And it sounds like you have learned well.

I so remember Spam! My mother fried it in a pan and slapped it on bread with mayo. Ugh! I hated it, but it was either eat that or starve. It was just me and my mom and we struggled sometimes. I always resented that my friends had fancy dresses and new clothes for school. But I lived through it and I think it gave me an understanding heart for the underprivileged.

Sorry about the coffee table. I'm sure it will turn out fine.

Donna said...

Hahaaa...my Hubby likes fried spam!
I'm middle of the road economically, as well and I like The Dollar Store...Lolol...I do!
That's hard work Girl! Bet it'll look great!
hughugs

Curtains in My Tree said...

YOUR TABLE WILL BE WONDERFUL, DON'T FRET ABOUT IT TOO MUCH JUST PAINT IT GIRL ,
Are you using annie sloan chalk paint? i want some of that paint to play with

i will check back to see the finished product

Lisa Gordon said...

I so enjoyed reading this post Charlotte, and oh my goodness, I DO remember Spam!

P.S. I don't see the "patchy." Looks good to me!!

The French Maker said...

What a wonderful story you shared. It is so true about learning to be content. I have always been blessed throughout my life, and have really never had to do without anything, until recently; but I don't feel like I'm doing without. In July I left my job as an attorney to explore my more creative side. I love it, and have never been happier! I'm only making about 10% of my previous salary, and that's fine. I have never been hung up on material things, I don't envy my friends who spend money like water, and I'm sure I am doing better than they are! I am content, and God has blessed me in so many ways with so many things!