I have blogged about all the wonders of Goodwill, but there is a side of Goodwill that I haven't blogged. The dark, ugly, painful side of Goodwill....losing the deal.
This weekend, I experienced the pain and hurt of losing the deal. It started out like any other normal, happy, deal-filled Goodwill trip. I found an AmAziNg pair of Converses for B to wear in a year or so. Then Shad said, "Hey Stephanie, come look at this. Isn't this what you've been looking for?" Then, with the Circle of Life playing in the background (or at least in my mind), he held up 2 vintage Pyrex mixing bowls.
For four months, I have been looking for vintage Pyrex. I love the way they look, and I wanted to start collecting them. I realize I could just buy a set from an antique store or ebay, but where is the fun in that? A normal set of Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls will cost around $30. The set Shad found cost $7.
Back to the story. Amazed that Shad would even recognize Pyrex, I yelled, "You are AwEsOme!!!" Then our story took a terrible turn..."But what are you going to do without the third bowl. You won't have a set," said a woman while holding the third bowl in the set. I looked at her thinking she was joking. Was she seriously holding Pyrex hostage? I'm not kidding. Shad was my witness. SHE HELD THE PYREX BOWL HOSTAGE!
As I stood there dumbfounded, she went on to say, "Well, I'll pay you for those 2 bowls." I hadn't even bought them yet, and she was going to pay me for them. Still dumbfounded, I just stood there. I could have fought. I could have taken her money, but I just looked at her in disbelief, smiled, and said, "You can just take the bowls." Then I handed her the Pyrex bowls I had searched months for. "You are so nice! Can I have a hug," she exclaimed in victory. Numbly, I accepted the hug, even though I am not a hugger of strangers.
This was the deal I had been waiting for for four months, and I lost it. Then I experienced the six stages of losing the deal....
1. Ranting - In this stage, I said things like, "There are things I will fight for, and vintage Pyrex is not on that list." "I may have lost the Pyrex, but I kept my testimony." "Did she really hold that Pyrex bowl hostage?" "Does she know who I am? Has she seen the latest Goodwill you tube commercial!"
2. Researching- When we got home, I went to Pyrex Love to find that the name of the pattern was, "Pink Gooseberry."
3. Realizing- Through researching, I realized the magnitude of the deal that I lost. When I was trying to find the name of the pattern, I saw pictures of all the Pyrex patterns. Sadly, I discovered that "Pink Gooseberry" is probably my FAVORITE Pyrex pattern.
4. Regretting- "What was I thinking!" "Those were the best bowls ever!" "I totally could have taken her," were statements I said during this phase.
5. Reevaluating- Brandon witnessed the whole Pyrex hostage situation. Ultimately, I am trying to show the love of Jesus to my boys, and the difference Christ can make in their lives. Showing the Pyrex hostage taker lady kindness helps me with my ultimate purpose as a parent.
6. Remembering- Years from now, I will look at Shad and say, "Do you remember that pink gooseberry pyrex I lost." Shad will look at me and say, "Yes, I remember it. Just like I remembered it yesterday and the day before that!"
This weekend, I experienced the pain and hurt of losing the deal. It started out like any other normal, happy, deal-filled Goodwill trip. I found an AmAziNg pair of Converses for B to wear in a year or so. Then Shad said, "Hey Stephanie, come look at this. Isn't this what you've been looking for?" Then, with the Circle of Life playing in the background (or at least in my mind), he held up 2 vintage Pyrex mixing bowls.
For four months, I have been looking for vintage Pyrex. I love the way they look, and I wanted to start collecting them. I realize I could just buy a set from an antique store or ebay, but where is the fun in that? A normal set of Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls will cost around $30. The set Shad found cost $7.
Back to the story. Amazed that Shad would even recognize Pyrex, I yelled, "You are AwEsOme!!!" Then our story took a terrible turn..."But what are you going to do without the third bowl. You won't have a set," said a woman while holding the third bowl in the set. I looked at her thinking she was joking. Was she seriously holding Pyrex hostage? I'm not kidding. Shad was my witness. SHE HELD THE PYREX BOWL HOSTAGE!
As I stood there dumbfounded, she went on to say, "Well, I'll pay you for those 2 bowls." I hadn't even bought them yet, and she was going to pay me for them. Still dumbfounded, I just stood there. I could have fought. I could have taken her money, but I just looked at her in disbelief, smiled, and said, "You can just take the bowls." Then I handed her the Pyrex bowls I had searched months for. "You are so nice! Can I have a hug," she exclaimed in victory. Numbly, I accepted the hug, even though I am not a hugger of strangers.
This was the deal I had been waiting for for four months, and I lost it. Then I experienced the six stages of losing the deal....
1. Ranting - In this stage, I said things like, "There are things I will fight for, and vintage Pyrex is not on that list." "I may have lost the Pyrex, but I kept my testimony." "Did she really hold that Pyrex bowl hostage?" "Does she know who I am? Has she seen the latest Goodwill you tube commercial!"
2. Researching- When we got home, I went to Pyrex Love to find that the name of the pattern was, "Pink Gooseberry."
3. Realizing- Through researching, I realized the magnitude of the deal that I lost. When I was trying to find the name of the pattern, I saw pictures of all the Pyrex patterns. Sadly, I discovered that "Pink Gooseberry" is probably my FAVORITE Pyrex pattern.
4. Regretting- "What was I thinking!" "Those were the best bowls ever!" "I totally could have taken her," were statements I said during this phase.
5. Reevaluating- Brandon witnessed the whole Pyrex hostage situation. Ultimately, I am trying to show the love of Jesus to my boys, and the difference Christ can make in their lives. Showing the Pyrex hostage taker lady kindness helps me with my ultimate purpose as a parent.
6. Remembering- Years from now, I will look at Shad and say, "Do you remember that pink gooseberry pyrex I lost." Shad will look at me and say, "Yes, I remember it. Just like I remembered it yesterday and the day before that!"
Great post!! But I would have taken her. #3s#1 Proud of you
ReplyDeleteGood job Steph. I'm proud of you. But unless she has one at home, she still doesn't have a set either. lol And I just bet you will get your set(the whole set) one day soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that I reaped what I sowed!
ReplyDeleteAbout 8 years ago, I had a smiliar experience in a Ross. I found Waescherbach plates (German) with an American flag on them. I had all of them and a lady asked me for just 1. I got them for ridiculously cheap, and now they are avail at places like Replacements, Ltd. for a mint. I handed over the plate. Every single time I use them, I look at them, stacked there, and there are only 7. I need to let it go. Really I do. But I understand how you are feeling, kind of. I can't believe you were so gracious and didn't hang on with white knuckles to your two bowls. Bless you. If I ever find such Pyrex bowls I will let you know. big (((hugs)))!
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