The other day David and I were out looking for the Memorial Garden I’m creating for Granny Sherry. While out I went into Michael’s not looking for back-to-school items, but I have to admit that one thing surprised me almost immediately. They had classroom supplies for teachers to use when decorating there classrooms and journals kids can use.
As a former teacher I never really thought about Michael’s as a place to look for classroom supplies, but there was an entire aisle filled with teacher supplies and classroom-related items. For parents, homeschool families, teachers, and anyone putting together a learning space, that was something worth noticing.
And, of course, Michael’s had plenty of other things competing for my attention. There were flowers and other items that caught my eye, especially because I’ve been working on my memorial garden. I was hoping something might jump out at me and say, “Take me home.” It didn’t happen this time. Saving me money again which was a Godsend.
There were some sales and clearance items, but nothing that I absolutely had to have. And honestly, when you’re searching for content for a blog, sometimes the smartest thing you can do is leave the merchandise in the store. I did find a few things I really liked. There was a retro pink phone and a turquoise camera that would have been adorable decorations in my office. I could already picture them sitting on a shelf.
Except I don’t have a shelf in my office right now. David reminded me of that little detail, so those stayed at Michael’s. They were on sale, though, so if I ever get that shelf, I know where I might be looking. Then I spotted something that really caught my attention for another reason. A retro roller skate in pink and turquoise. That immediately made me think of Suzanne.
The Roller Skates also took me back to my childhood because my Aunt owned the local Skating Rink and I spent plenty of time there growing up. The funny part is David and his brothers did to but we never ran into each other at the Skating Rink we meet in High School. Isn’t that crazy? Then his children lived at the Skating Rink and Suzzane and her friends spent a lot of time there as well. I wonder if they knew each other.
There were also retro high-top tennis shoes that were actually planters. They were cute, colorful in pink and turquoise, and on sale. I could picture them sitting outside on my front porch, especially if I could figure out how to work them into the plant ladder I bought from Aldi’s a couple of years ago.
Those stayed at Michael’s too. And then there was the journal. Oh, that journal. It had a mirror surrounded by flowers, and the second I saw it, my mind went right back to Through the Looking-Glass and Alice in Wonderland. There was just something about it that made me want to pick it up and take it home and go wandering down that rabbit hole. But I didn’t. I was good. I didn’t spend any money.
And that’s actually an important part of shopping for blog content that I think we sometimes forget. You don’t have to buy everything you photograph, notice, or love. Sometimes the story is simply discovering what’s there. Sometimes it’s finding a sale. Sometimes it’s realizing a store carries something you never expected. And sometimes it’s walking away with your wallet still in your purse. That’s what happened to me at Michael’s.
I found classroom supplies I hadn’t expected to see. I found seasonal merchandise. Halloween was already out, which probably shouldn’t surprise me anymore. There were flowers, clearance items, colorful decorations, retro pieces, and a beautiful journal that sent my imagination straight into Wonderland. I didn’t see Christmas yet, but I’m sure we’ll get there soon enough.
David did find a few things he wanted, so he wasn’t quite as successful at leaving empty-handed as I was. And then we moved on to Five Below. Because when you’re back-to-school shopping and gathering ideas for future projects, there’s always another store waiting around the corner. Is there for you?
Have you ever thought about checking Michael’s for classroom or back-to-school supplies? And here’s my question for you: Would you have left that pink retro phone and turquoise camera behind, or would you have found somewhere to put them? Sometimes the things we leave behind are almost as much fun to talk about as the things we bring home. Sometimes they remind in the back of our mind for weeks until we finally decide if we need them or not which I’m still doing.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates