by elizabeth e.
Member since:
January 6, 2006

A Dress for $2.50 That Brought a Positive Response

September 24, 2007 08:33 PM EDT (Updated: September 25, 2007 12:02 AM EDT)
views: 65 | comments: 43

As my young kindergarteners came in off the bus today and joined me at circle time I was met with some very overwhelming positive responses to the dress I was wearing:

 

  http://media-files.gather.com/images/d690/d383/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

"Are you going to a birthday party today?" said one.

"It's Olivia's birthday today...did you wear the party dress for her birthday?" said another.

Emily whispered, "It's a church dress."

"But this isn't church" said a rather astute little boy.

"I like your dress, you look pretty."

"You mean she's beautiful!  Really BEAUTIFUL!

 

Now you wonder why I teach kindergarten....where else would I get so many positive compliments for wearing a dress that cost $2.50 at a Consignment shoppe?

  

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d692/d383/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

I didn't actually buy the dress....no, that would never happen!  I'm not a shopper.  But my big sister Fran is a real bargain hunter....she loves to browse antique stores, flea markets and consignment shoppes...and when she does, she buys for everybody she knows.  She can't pass up a bargain.  

In July she told me to go to one particular consignment shop because they had this "great dress...it's a Lanz Original...and they only want $25.00 for it...I would have bought it for you but it's a size 6 and I wasn't sure you were still a size 6...but anyhow, go...you could wear it to the wedding."

Needless to say I didn't go.  Who wants to go clothes shopping in July?

Yesterday Fran came by and what did she have...the dress...and because it was no longer summer, she got it for $2.50.  Do you think my kindergarteners know that it is a summer dress? No...they just know that it's bright, colorful and really soft when the teacher bends down to help them.  And that's what really counts in the end!!! 

 

 

 
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Comments: 43

Samantha H. Sep 24, 2007, 8:43pm EDT
awww....that's sweet! I like the dress, too. :)
Debbie G. Sep 24, 2007, 9:03pm EDT
Bob, how beautiful! Thank you for giving me a moment with you and your kids!
Faith H. Sep 24, 2007, 9:11pm EDT
How pretty! I hate shopping too, and only go to a store when my sister Bridget comes to visit. She finds the bargains but I don't think she's done as good as Fran! You look great.
A bargain, Bob! And you look super in it! May you find many other bargains like it.
Bernadette H. Sep 24, 2007, 9:29pm EDT
The dress is as beautiful as the children's compliments.
Michelle W. Sep 24, 2007, 9:44pm EDT
That is a very beautiful dress. I love being a school bus driver for middle school aged kids, so I can understand how you love your job, too!
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Sep 24, 2007, 10:47pm EDT
Nice dress, Bob. Heh, heh! I'll admit to doing a lot of my clothes shopping at the Salvation Army Store, which my friends and I call Sally's.
Wilma M. Sep 24, 2007, 10:49pm EDT
The dress is lovely and the kids are so sweet!

My little grandson was leaving the YMCA after swimming today and wanted to tell everyone good by. Since he didn't know their names, he just went along saying, "Bye, friend."
elizabeth e. Sep 24, 2007, 10:49pm EDT
I'm on a roll tonight...wore my $2.50 dress after supper to take Tucker for a stroll over to the cranberry bogs...thought all the creatures that abide in the bogs might also like my dress. To my surprise, Dominic was doing some harvesting so ran back and got my camera. This dress is a wonder - it has the ability to give me the energy to write and post two articles to Gather in one evening. Must be something magical about this dress....like the sparklely shoes that Dorothy wore!

Samantha....thanks for the compliment. And yes, my kids are sweet.

Deb...I know you would enjoy spending time with my kids...they are awesome!

Faith, tell Bridget to come and spend some time with Fran....she's an incredible bargain hunter!

If I ever come to Oz I'll wear the dress, magi! Actually maybe this dress will actually get me to Oz!

Thanks Bernadette... don't you just love kids!

Thanks Michelle. People who don't work with kids everyday don't understand how it can be fun...but sharing your life with young people can certainly put a bounce in your life.
elizabeth e. Sep 24, 2007, 11:11pm EDT
To tell you the truth Amy, I don't think, regardless of your age, you could ever be "critical or judgmental" but yes, many people when they become adults do tend to get that way. One teacher actually said to me today, "It's a good thing the weather is warm today, you can get by with wearing that dress despite it being fall." It wasn't said in the kindest way....and then when I told her where I got it, she said, "Well, I wouldn't broadcast that? But it is a Lanz!" Oh, so smug!!!
elizabeth e. Sep 24, 2007, 11:15pm EDT
Roy, I will have to tell Zach what you call it....that's where he does his shopping. The last wedding we went to he was so proud that he got a suit for $1.50. I must admit his Brooks Brothers brother Will was aghast at the figure Zach cut!
Dena Straughn Sep 24, 2007, 11:16pm EDT
How sweet. You looked really nice.

Dancing With My Dream (Vote Round 2)"
elizabeth e. Sep 24, 2007, 11:17pm EDT
Wilma, what a darling little boy your grandson is! I'm sure he would have liked my dress!
elizabeth e. Sep 24, 2007, 11:19pm EDT
Dena, I'll stop by and read your second chapter. Congrats for making it to the second round!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 24, 2007, 11:48pm EDT
bob - this made me smile - I can see how a dress like that would make the young ones smile - bright and colorful.
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 12:21am EDT
Not my usual attire...as you have seen, Tonia....but it worked. The kids loved it! Papa said, "Bob, your beginning to look like a school Mom!"
Ruth MacGill Sep 25, 2007, 1:06am EDT
That's a lovely dress and even better story! I can just imagine how good it made you feel to get compliments from those tiny children, and you know at that age they are speaking from their hearts.
flit . Sep 25, 2007, 2:01am EDT
well worth the investment just for the compliments from the kids :)
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 6:20am EDT
Ruth, they are speaking from their hearts. "Am I going to go to a birthday party?" Cute.
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 6:21am EDT
Well worth the investment, flit.
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 7:54am EDT
Well, it's time to shower and get ready for school. What shall I wear today?
Marie L. Sep 25, 2007, 12:20pm EDT
Aw, what a great group of kids! I love when I can find a great dress (or other clothes) for next to nothing -- makes me feel like I've stretched the budget just a little bit further :-)
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Sep 25, 2007, 4:12pm EDT
very pretty dont you just wish that kids were that nice to teachers as they grew up.
Marge H. Sep 25, 2007, 4:32pm EDT
What a happy dress! I have a closet full of clothes from St. Vinnie's, Goodwill, and Sally's. I almost never buy clothes from the regular stores anymore. It isn't fun spending so much money for something that I will probably only wear few times anyway. But it is fun to save a lot of money on clothing that is still nice.
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 5:03pm EDT
A $2.50 dress is really stretching he budget, Marie!

Angela...maybe the teenagers would appreciate the teachers more if they bought dresses for $2.50! LOL!
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 6:06pm EDT
Marge, your are a woman who knows how to be thrifty, as I am. The other day my sister Fran said to me, "You know Bob, we are really cheap!" I laughed and said, "No, we're just thrifty. Material stuff means nothing to us....we would rather spend our money on adventures...not something that will sit in a closet!
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 25, 2007, 6:32pm EDT
So sweet....and they say that only children and drunks will tell the truth, don't they. The dress really is bright and wonderful, and I guess a bit magic as well, I can definitely see why you feel energized when wearing it. What a great bargain, and what a great sister you have for thinking of you.

Thank you for posting your article to !!!Today's Top Three Photos and Articles!!!@

http://bestoftoday.gather.com/
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 6:55pm EDT
Thanks jr for stopping by this evening. Yes, my sister Fran is a peach!
Elsie Duggan Sep 25, 2007, 7:56pm EDT
I love the dress Elizabeth, and the kids are right, it is beautiful and you look lovely in it and your sister Fran has good taste and you are both smart to shop that way, I only buy things on sale when they are down, close to that price. Always behind a season, but expect always to live one more, so do it that way, Great piece, love the artlcle and the picture of you, nice to see you so up close, and know you better
Duckie 1 Sep 25, 2007, 8:19pm EDT
I followed Elsie here, had to see the miracle-of-a dress... Lovely dress and great kids!

The beautiful colors of your dress compliment the colors of your False Sunflowers... rudbeckias?

I love the Cleomes, too...!
elizabeth e. Sep 25, 2007, 10:16pm EDT
Oh Elsie you are a dear...you can come in my class anytime. I can just see you with my little people. You would love them. By the way, I wore another "consignment dress" today....same compliments all the way around.
Kelly M. Sep 26, 2007, 2:23am EDT
I love this story and the dress!
elizabeth e. Sep 26, 2007, 7:31am EDT
Duckie...yes, the sunflowers are rudbeckias, the only thing false that's here. As for the cleomes, they are like Mexicans, they self-seed themselves every year and by September they take over the garden. I provide a safe haven for them...deportation is a word I do not understand!
June O. Sep 26, 2007, 1:40pm EDT
Elizabeth, wow a Lanz. Almost as good as John Douglas. (Remember Sandy F. and all her John Douglas skirts, matching sweaters and kneehighs in those muted fall-colored wools?) Tell Fran she did a great job. It is very pretty, and it matches your garden.
Layla Morgan Wilde Sep 26, 2007, 2:13pm EDT
Bob, you and the dress are cute. I love a bargain!
Trish A. Sep 26, 2007, 9:33pm EDT
Great dress but even better story!

My daughter's, sister's and I all love to shop for bargains. I have a very dear friend who finds all my clothes for me. I say that she is my own personal shopper!
jessie voigts Sep 27, 2007, 6:36pm EDT
love your smile, as sunny as your dress! such a deal! i love that.
elizabeth e. Sep 28, 2007, 6:22am EDT
june o. I was trying to remember the designer Sandy wore in college...imagine everything matching....now that would never happen here! But the dress is very much wearable...can't believe how soft it is the skin....and yes, I look like a flower garden walking around!
elizabeth e. Sep 28, 2007, 6:26am EDT
Layla...if it's not a bargain, you can be sure it's not on my body!!! Sure love your whole name...your mother named you well...and it helped you ended up with a last name Wilde. All together sounds like an author's name to me!

thanks jessie for the kind compliments.
elizabeth e. Sep 28, 2007, 6:31am EDT
Trish...your friend sounds like my sister Fran. Never know when I come home from school what gifts I will find on my bed from fran.
Shelbia C. Jun 10, 2008, 9:02pm EDT
Kids are the best. It is a pretty dress.
elizabeth e. Jun 10, 2008, 9:13pm EDT
Thanks Shelbia.

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