Goodbye Big Lots - Hello Ollie's!

     If you have hung out with me for any time whatsoever, you'll know I love a good bargain. The only thing about bargains that I love more than shopping for them, is shopping for them in a big wonderfully open and spacious store that is literally all about the price of whatever it is you may be hunkering to buy that you would have bought at Big Lots, with the possible exception of clothes. However, they may not have a clothes section, but Ollie's does have a book section! I was forever in that today.

    I drove to Yukon, Oklahoma, a place I have been to at least a million times. It's on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, and if you drive just over the big metal bridge at Overholser, you can be in Canadian County, which then takes you straight into Yukon. It's accessible from the north, the west, and the south from Oklahoma City.

    My favorite way to get to Yukon, has always been on 39th Expressway, because you go through Bethany first. I'm from Bethany, so that makes me smile a little. I wish I could live in Bethany now, but the area has taken a beating in the past 50 years or so, and even with the commerce and the great (2) colleges that are situated in Bethany, Oklahoma, it's still not that safe in terms of walking the streets. Not like it used to be. That's where I literally walked from 2212 N. Mueller to 3500 N. Mueller from the age of 4 to about my 18th year when I got a car.

    Yukon (and West OKC) have an Ollie's and I am just too delighted! It's a messy Big Lots. Sort of like a better thriftstore than Goodwill, but it's not a donation place. All the merchandise is new, and could have been overstock from another store. It's usually generic or average, but we need so much of it. I'll give you an example of what I bought today. It was my first time in the store, so I had no idea what to expect. I should have videoed.

    I bought a little rug for my cat to sleep on. He sleeps on top of a table in my office so he can keep an eye on the neighbors. He's a creeper, really, but they don't realize he has fantasies about them. They often wave to him! The little "rag" rug has a lot of color and you've seen them everywhere. In Dollar General, they are $6.00, which isn't bad. It's 2' x 3' and really nice. I got it for $2.99 at Ollie's.  I bought an Anchor brand 9x9 cake pan. It was $4.99, whereas online it was $15.  C'mon, I'm just getting started. 

    I bought a great recipe book (with pictures) for people with diabetes. I don't have it, but I don't want it either, so eating healthy makes sense. It lists for $24.99, and it was $4.99 there. It may be older, I don't know, but it's fantastic!  I bought a big silicone spoon and a spatula, both for $2.99. I really needed it, but I just hadn't gone out of my way to get it. I got it. I bought a Martha Stewart heavy-duty loaf pan for $2.99 - no, I'm not kidding. 

    There was one thing I saw, but didn't buy, thinking, "No, I'm not buying that," even though I sort of wanted to. It was ORANGE creampop flavored Cap'n Crunch. That is not a lie; I had to do a double-take. I may post it. It's too crazy. The place has rugs, towels, plates, books, school supplies, Halloween stuff, and so much more. Of course, there are food things, makeup, and toiletries. There is really just about anything you'll find at Big Lots. I saw full-sized sheet sets for $12, and I'll go back for that!

    I'll end up going as often as I went to Big Lots, which was at least two times a week. I'm thinking Yukon now, instead of El Reno, but I haven't ruled either out. I think Yukon could be more beneficial since it's closer for my best friend to drive to see me, and it has more horse boarding opportunities for Laura. For me, it's close to hospitals and food shopping (even though I do my grocery shopping through the Kroger app). I will stop by to pick up something now and again.

    Ollie's, if you have one, is a good thing. I hope you find as much joy in these places as I do. I met a great couple who have grandkids and English Bulldogs. We talked for about five or six minutes while waiting for the cashier; they were nice. That's another thing I love about all of Oklahoma - we are talkers. We don't really care if we don't know you; we'll still chat.  By the way, I'll know you're not from here if you think you can still drive over the big metal bridge. 😆

Bilbo on his new rag rug.  He's a 20-pound cat.

This is some crazy...  I took both photos.