We began our day at the Silver Diner in Greenbelt. I "discovered" it about a month ago. I had eaten at other Silver Diners in the past, but this one seemed different. This was my 4th visit in a month. As always, great friendly service and good food. Even that one night we decided to go in only for dessert. They didn't disappoint. My other motive for frequent visits is because I am a member of the Eat Well Do Well!! club. When ever I eat there I get a point. After a certain amount of points I receive bonus', such as coupons. So today when went in we were greeted warmly by our waitress Katie. We began looking through the menu. I was surprised to discover what seemed like a peculiar menu item in the "A la carte" section.
After having a hearty breakfast we took to the road. We decided to get on Greenbelt Rd and drive to see where it would take us. After leaving the Beltway Plaza area and passing Greenway Mall we passed the NASA Goddard main entrance. We went from Greenbelt to Bowie to Mitchellville. We passed all these new gated communities. Seeing these stone and brick mini-mansions. We even passed some farm houses with century old barns. We suddenly reached a clearing and begin to see this massive brick structure emerge. It almost seemed like a stadium. It was like a large library with a cruise ship sitting in the middle of it. It was a not-so-ordinary church. Whoever built it had spent a pretty penny. Judging from the size they also have a vast congregation.
At end of this road we intersected with Route 202 in Largo. At which point we decided to get on the highway and go to the Unique Thrift Store in the Hillandale shopping center in Silver Spring. We normally only go to this thrift store on holiday Mondays. That's when they offer 50% off of everything. Today was a change because we could actually find parking. While inside we had more trouble maneuvering around employees rather then other patrons. I get a kick out mostly anything I see on the shelves in a thrift store. Especially when it comes to brick-a-brack. A lot of glazed ceramic. Anything Jesus. Trophies that correspond to just about any sport imaginable. On this trip I found 2 related gems. The first was a throw pillow embroidered with the image of N-Sync with puppet strings. Not a big deal, I guess. As I walk along scanning the shelves, I noticed what looks like a doll box at first. After closer inspection, all my dreams came true.
I didn't let the puppet discourage my trip to the thrift store. We saw all kinds of great crap. From a Wizard's lunch box that featured the cartoon Wizard with coach on one side. The dynamic duo of G-Wiz and GMan on the other side. All apparently sponsored by Hebrew National whoes logo was emblazoned on the side.
My wife seemed to get a giggle from this little fella. I guess he/she is supposed to be a lion.
Fortunately our trip was not a complete bust. As we continued on, my wife noticed a guy carrying a toy cash register under his arm. It was a old Fisher Price cash register. The kind with the drawer that opened with the ding of a bell. She exclaims, "Ooh I had one of those when I was a little, I loved it!!" I took a passing glimpse at it as he walked past us. It was definitely a find. Even if she hadn't had one, I would've gotten it anyway because it was from the 70's. Too bad the guy saw it before we did. I stroll around to the toy aisle to see if he missed anything. Then I see it. There was no way in a million years that there could be 2 of the same kind of vintage toy cash registers in one thrift store at the same time. I think God put that there. It was beautiful.
That was her find of the day. My find of the day was also vintage. I currently use my wife's armoire as a desk and home to my computer. It was from a hotel, so it has a pull out leaf to use as a writing desk. Recently my wife came up with a brilliant idea. She would trade the armoire for a lower dresser to place the TV on and a real desk for me. I wasn't sure what kind of desk to get. I know I didn't want one of those pressed wood ones from Kmart. I did see a nice one somewhere that had X legs, which I liked. I went ahead to the furniture section, and there it was, my desk. It was light wood desk with two drawers, a shelf and X frame legs. I loved it. After further inspection I discovered two more great features. It is made of natural wood. It also belonged to a high school. I noticed there was a decal on the desk. It was a football schedule for the Arundel High Wildcats. The special part is that the schedule was for the 1979 season. Their first game was on September 7th 1979, 3 days after I was born. Judging from the condition of the desk, it was probably in storage soon after the decal was placed on it. The desk waited 31 years for me to buy it.
If I can't take the decal off without damaging it to frame it, I will leave it and protect it when I refinish the desk.
Overall I must say this turned out to be a great Tuesday, at least for us. I think tonight when the wife and I sit in front of the TV, she'll play with her register, while I fantasize about sanding and painting my desk, while we both wish we had a plate of those hamshanks available.
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