Monday, October 26, 2009

Border's, Bargains and A Blueprint

“I want to go to Border’s.”

This was part of the mother’s shopping trip on Saturday. And am I going to discourage a trip to a book (and music and DVD) store? I think not!

When I was a kid, I vividly recall the look of disdain I would get from the mother when I always preferred to hang out in the book section while she clothes shopped. (Not that she minded the reading. Education was always made a priority. I just think she wished my interest level in clothes had been parallel to that of books.) The mother had never been much of a reader. Until the last five to 10 years. I like to think this is one of the better ways in which I have rubbed off on her. (Leave a cereal box in front of me and I will invariably read it. Been that way since sometime around age 3 when my sainted grandmother started turning the tables on me and making me read to her. I’d already been a dedicated newspaper reader for years when I started delivering it at age 10.)

So, off to Border’s (among several other stops) we went. Her motivation was to get some books for my cousins’ kids – my godmother’s grandchildren – for Christmas. We found those in abundance. The mother found a few things she liked and me? I could have bought the store! Well, most of it anyway. But, I exercised a great deal of restraint instead.

There was one book though on the bargain shelves that almost immediately caught my attention, Do It Herself, by Joanne Liebeler, an early co-host of PBS’s “Hometime,” one of the original DIY industry television shows. It was neatly packaged with a multi-pocket toolbelt. But even that didn’t immediately sell me. I slid the book out of the nifty little plastic handle bag and as soon as I flipped it open, the page that greets me says: “Give your cabinets a face lift.” Thumbing through I saw chapters on flooring and painting and an illustrated list of “essential” tools. I burst out laughing. This thing reads like a blueprint for This D*mn House!
Notice the cover. What’s THAT she’s sitting on? Well, that cinched it. I had to have it. (And it was only five bucks.) Not to mention there’s an entire chapter on wiring, including a step-by-step to changing light fixtures – something I might actually learn from. I still need to spend a few more minutes with it, but I can tell you, I am getting way more than my money’s worth! If you find it at a Border’s near you, definitely buy it.

The mother, arms starting to fill up with books for the young’uns and the occasional novel for herself, spied me flipping through my find. “You want that? I’ll get it for you?” Well, gee. Thanks, ma!

Now if I can just get her to start requesting trips to Archiver’s …

7 comments:

happileah said...

Sounds like a great book to have; especially for $5.00. Looking forward to see what you learn from it!

Victoria said...

I am always up for book suggestions! This past weekend I picked up a Field Guide to American Homes and The complete works of Oscar Wilde. Books are a weakness of mine, and I was pretty excited when we got a second hand book store in town. Happy Reading.

Debra said...

I love books too! I have sooo many House Decor type books. Slowly but surely, I am adding DIY type books. Like I need another topic to collect. lol

$5.00 is such a steal! Have fun reading it!

MonkeyGirl said...

What is she sitting on? It is killing me to figure out what is on the cover!!! Please, don't keep me in suspense any longer!!

Kate R said...

I googled the book before you posted the pic & literally laughed out loud when I saw the cover - how perfect! No Borders nearby so will check out the library, sans toolbelt - bummer. OH, maybe I'll try my local Half Price Books store - LOVE that place. Add me to the list of book lovers, and yeah, I've been known to read cereal boxes, too.

Mama Martha said...

Congrats on the book find. I always did like her on that show. If you start getting The Mother to Archiver's let me know. I need to make a trip in prep for Escape 2010!

MonkeyGirl said...

Ok, that makes more sense and is completely perfect! You had to buy it for no other reason than that!