thrift shopโฆ But was my love for bargains over and done with, or was it just lying dormant somewhere in the recesses of my soulโฆ yearning to resurface? Well, one day, I received a notice that the annual chesed sale of second-hand clothing for all the family was coming to our small town. The sale was being held in a local schoolhouse one evening. Imagine, everything for 10-20 shekels or less! Excitedly, I marked down the event in my daily planner and was delighted when the big day finally arrived. That morning, while I was going on an errand to town, a car pulled over, asking for directions to the schoolhouse. โAre you by any chance bringing clothing for tonightโs sale?โ I blurted out. When they said that indeed they were, my hopes sagged. The alte shmattes spilling out of the cartons on their back seat were far from the second-hand stuff of my dreams. Neverthe-
less, undeterred, I set out that evening for the classroomcum-store, with my hopes high. I was too embarrassed, however, to be an early-bird, but not to worry - by the time I arrived, a half hour after the opening, the hall was already packed. I had 60 shekels (about $15.00) in my purse, figuring that if I found one or two items (that would total 20-40 shekels) I would consider myself lucky. Well, folks this is what I found: * A โChanelโ wedding/sheva brachos suit in brand-new condition for NIS 20! Only they spelled Chanel wrong โ the label said โChantalโ! Admittedly, the suit is a bit matronly, but for 20 shekels I don't mind (looking matronly, that is). The jacket is black (what else?) with machine-embroidered white flowers on the skirt, and itโs scattered with sequins throughout. With different buttons, I believed the look could be somewhat updated. The skirt was just the right length! What Siyatta Dishmaya that it was made for someone short like me. * A brown lace chasuna skirt which matches the brown chasuna jacket I already own. There was something a bit wrong at the hem. Hmmmโฆ I'd have to fix it. * An adorable Pollyanna print dress for one of my granddaughters for 10 shekels. โIf my daughter doesn't like it or if she thinks the red is too brash, she can always make a throw pillow out of the flower-patterned fabric,โ I thought to myself. A word of cautionโnever buy second-
Was my love for bargains over and done with, or was it just lying dormant somewhere in the recesses of my soulโฆ yearning to resurface?
h a n d stuff for your daughter-in-law unless she asks for it. If you doโ youโre asking for it! * A cotton housecoat. Its previous owner must have been a short lady who had elongated arms! I only had to have the sleeves shortened on this one. * Five shekels for a brandnew Motherwear (with a name like โMotherwearโ what could be bad?) faux-suede baby blue pants for a 6 month old. Since it's new, I can get away with giving it to one of my newborn greatgrandsons. He wonโt know where it came from, thatโs for sure. There were plenty more items for sale but these five were enough for one shopping spree, I decided. I mean, even for bargains, thereโs histapkus bโmuat! But, I tell you, itโs not only the money. Itโs the principle of the matter, if you know what I mean. Especially if you come from a long line of principled women, like I do. Indeed, from their exalted places in Gan Eden, I know my ancestors are certainly kvelling. Following a colorful career in public relations/fundraising, Laya translated several books most recently a biography for teens on Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky, โThe Rebbetzin Loved Me!โ followed by โRav Elyashivโ. She would love to hear from her Monsey friends at layz@netvision.net.il
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