Shop Till You Drop

Never underestimate the amazing power of women to stuff, cram and jiggle the things they buy into a vehicle if they really want to.

Although I am not a Mennonite, I drive 15-passenger vans for the local horse-and-buggy Mennonite community. Last week, six ladies and I started at 6 a.m. for a day in the city. While I questioned their sanity at attending yard sales when the weather radar predicted severe thunderstorms, they cheerfully boarded the van.

A few hours later we had attended three yard sales, and the back of the van—which had the two rear seats removed—was beginning to fill. A baby crib and mattress, furniture, lamps, children’s clothes, storage boxes and assorted bric-a-brac layered the floor about halfway to the windows.

Then we went to Walmart and added more things. Ah, but we weren’t finished yet. There were two thrift stores to visit. They added more—and I mean a LOT more. A child’s toy kitchen. A bicycle. A toy barbecue grill. Children’s clothes. BAGS full of things.

After surveying their stash—and packing and repacking, the ladies were questioning when to go to Aldi’s. They decided to make it their last stop, because they wouldn’t be able to get out of the van after stuffing their groceries on top of everything else. And they were right.

As amazing as the former feats were, the stop at Aldi’s was the winner.

It helps to remember that if we had to pay someone to drive us to town, we would want to stock up on a lot of things to make it worthwhile. And, when you buy groceries AND yard sale things AND thrift store belongings, your thriftiness takes up space.

If it’s true that one picture is worth a thousand words, then I need write no more. The pictures above are what I took when we arrived at the first lady's house.

So, you want to know what it’s like to be a taxi driver for the Mennonite community? They’re wonderful, kind people and I love them…and I hope they’re not listening…it helps to have heavy-duty shocks on your vehicle.