No angel

> I got asked the other day by a young woman, creative, and well traveled, if the house I was renting was in an area that was mostly... white. She had been asking questions about the alarm system,etc, and was concerned about her safety. I bit my lip then said I understand your concerns about being single woman and have asked many of the same questions myself in my life - except for the racial question. Yes the area is safe. You are in a city. If you are not involved in drugs then over here you are as safe as anyone else. Should I have said more. Yes. I was taken aback though. What to say never seems to hit my tongue in the right moment.
> I know that when I was in college I was a subject to the media's (cop shows, movies, thriller books, news etc) constant emphasis on crime and black men. I was from a small town. I learned - I set out to learn. I learned that I'm more likely to be attacked by someone I know. I learned that I am more likely to be harmed by someone of my own race. Those were the real stats. Then I got mad. Mad that my thoughts were so tainted. And what my mom raised me to do came into play...I thought, I asked, I talked, I confronted. I confronted the racist in me, the intolerant in me, the insecure in me. I learned that what I knew in my heart, people are just the same, I had to fight for everyday. I learned that I have to challenge my assumptions forever because the ideas that I think are mine may not be, and may not be true. I rarely watch cop shows etc now - they piss me off. I push myself everyday to grow as a kinder person. I am not always successful but I've met so many caring people in my neighborhood and that helps. I love people. But there are days like today, when I process what happened the other day, that I cry, and I'm over it all. I have not suffered the indignities and pain that my friends who are not white have. And I am so scared for my baby.

Stylish & Inexpensive Finds

Hi All,
I read a good blog article recently by Danielle Porter Condon http://citymomsblog.com/nashville/fashionable-kids-on-a-budget/up  about dressing kids stylishly on a budget. Danielle loves consignment sales, which I like, but I love thrift stores. I thought I would post some pics of the fabulous finds I saw at the  Goodwill on Gallatin Road next to Aldi's (another budget friendly shopping spot with great imported yummies).
All of the pics below were in MINT or almost mint shape except for the last two shoe shots. Those have a little wear. Some of the brands are: Converse, Sketchers, Keene (spelling?), American Eagle, Talbot's (long black wool coat!) Fossil, and a couple of Target pieces (Circo). Most are girls pieces except for the last two shots. Almost all are under $10 and most are closer to $5! My kinda finds! 
Enjoy!