The thrill of a good deal. . . priceless

I have inherited the "bargain gene" if there is such a thing. My grandmother is an amazing deal finder, and she passed that on to my mom. In my family, the cheaper the price of an item, the more impressive the purchase. Growing up we shopped almost exclusively at thrift stores, garage sales and consignment shops. If I ever did get something at the mall, it was definitely on sale. I now have a problem buying anything at full price. I enjoy clothes, shoes, household items, etc. so much more if I get them on sale. It's like a mental block. If it's not on sale, I am convinced it's not worth the money!

I tried to make it through the month of May without any retail purchases, and I must admit that it was tough. I was much more selective though and only bought a few items I really needed for summer (like a new swimsuit.) I did pretty well with my garage sale purchases. We also had a garage sale this month and sold some of our old stuff so I just about broke even on the purchases listed below. These are the second hand purchases I made this month at Garage Sales, Estate Sales and Thrift shops:

1 teal and brown decorative finial- $3.00

4 pairs of shoes- $8.00

2 Vintage green twin coverlets- $4.00

1 black cashmere sweater and vintage silver bead necklace- $3.00

2 Leap Frog interactive books, 2 movies & 1 Popsicle mold- $10

7 platinum rimmed glasses, 1 vintage glass butter dish & 2 antique candle holders-$11.00

1 Radio Flyer Riding Toy (which we're saving for Pierson- $5.00

1 Old Navy white button down for Ava- $1.50

1 pair of crocs for Chad- $1.00

1 retro green 1920's dining room table and 6 chairs- $125.00


Those of you who have been to my house might be wondering why I decided to purchase a green dining room table to replace my perfectly good wooden one. Kate and I have both been accused of running some kind of covert furniture consignment store out of our houses the way we both buy "new" furniture at garage and estate sales and then turn around and put our old furniture back in our garage sales. I brought in the new retro funky avocado green table since everything in my dining room was so brown. I thought about painting it, but I think I like it green. It's one of a kind, at least. And as for the old table (which was a previous garage sale purchase), I put it in the garage sale we had and as it turns out, Zach and Kara decided to buy it. So we'll still get to visit our old table at their house!

Not pictured: I got a stack of clothes from my sister for $20.00 that I confiscated before our garage sale, but I forgot to take a picture of them. We also bought Ava a kid's battery powered jeep for $50.00, which she has been asking for nonstop. We're saving it for her birthday so I can't post a photo since she'll see it on my blog. Don't spoil the surprise. Her birthday's not until September!

People always tell my sister, my mom and I that they go to sales and never find anything, and I have to admit there are days when I find nothing at all, but one great treasure will keep me coming back for more. I realize this kind of shopping is not for everyone. If you don't feel the pull of the garage sale signs as you drive by, then this may not be for you. But I come from a long line of garage salers, so it's in my blood!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruby

Going GREEN in Abilene

In honor of Earth Day, I am sharing ways that my family is working on taking care of the resources God has given us, and at the same time trying to live more simply and frugally. These are ways that we. . .

REDUCE

1. Switching to compact flourescent (energy efficient) light bulbs & turning off lights when we're not in the room. (If you didn't know, compact fluorescent bulbs use four times less energy than incandescent ones. If every American family substituted five CFL bulbs for incandescent, it would be equivalent to taking eight million cars off the road for a year.)
2. Not buying bottled water or paper plates. (We use washable plastic bottles and plain old tap water.)
3. The following things are small but help cut energy costs a little at a time: unplugging appliances while not in use, limiting TV watching in our house & turning the T.V. off when not in use, and washing clothes in cold water
4. Using less paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex & wipes. I am using dish towels and cloth napkins more often and cleaning with old rags and sponges.
5. Became a member of GreenDimes to reduce junk mail sent to our house
6. Driving less (This one is easier in Abilene where everything is relatively close, but the main thing here is that we are doing more at home like going for walks or riding bikes instead of always being on the go!)
7. We pay our bills online and opt to receive statements online so we don't get extra paper mail.
8. Sharing bath time to use less water! (Okay that was a stretch so I could post this cute photo of Pierson with his buds, Levi and Will.) Ava and Pierson do usually share a bath though.


REUSE

9. No more plastic or paper grocery bags for us. We now use reusable cloth bags at the grocery store! In Abilene, you can get free bags at the Chamber of Commerce.
10. Eating leftovers at home and eating out less. This one is especially helping our budget! On that note, when we do eat out, I try to return any ketchups or condiments we don't use since we usually grab a handful, and I am trying not to use as many napkins at fast food places. It's so easy to be wasteful at resturaunts, but we're making an effort.
11. Had a SWAP night with girls from our small group to share our "gently used" clothes, jewelry, shoes, home decor, etc. This was such a fun idea that we've decided this will become an annual tradition. We all left with new (to us) stuff and got rid of things we no longer needed.
12. We shop at garage sales and Goodwill for clothes, home accessories and toys. (In Abilene, Goodwill gets all of Target's cast offs, which are often still in great condition AND Friday is $.99 day for all children's clothes. Thanks for the tip, Mandy!)
13. Sell and buy kid's clothes at Dittos for Kiddos. (This is a great way to make a little extra money and buy clothes for the next season while clearing out clothes that are outgrown!)

AND RECYCLE



14. We sort and recycle paper, glass, plastics, cardboard & cans. I had good intentions to recycle for so long, but I finally bought mesh pop-up bags which I keep in the garage for sorting, and added an extra recycle bin under our sink next to the trash. When it fills up, Ava and I take it to the garage to sort items into plastic, paper, etc. When those bags are full, Chad takes them to our neighborhood recycle bins at HEB. It has become part of what we do, and doesn't actually take much time at all.
15. We are members of Abilenefreecycle which is a great organization that has groups all across the US. It's an easy way to give away what you don't need to someone who does!

GOALS FOR 2008:
16. I am looking into how to start a compost in the backyard. You'll have to check back to see how that one goes.
17. After I use up the cleaning products that are already in my house, I am planning to start using natural ingredients to make my own when I can, or at least buy organic so my house stays clean without chemicals.
18. We have been challenged and encouraged by some friends who have made the committment not to buy anything retail except consumables (groceries, toiletries, etc. and gifts, socks and underwear) for a year! We're going to try it for the month of May! Help hold me accountable if you see me at Target!

I would love to hear what you are doing to be more earth friendly. Share your ideas!

March at a glance

We've been busy lately. Here's what's been going on the last few weeks:

At the beginning of March, Ava had dental surgery. She had 3 cavities and had to be put completely out at the hospital for the procedure. She was a trooper, but it was a long day. She did love that she got to ride in this little car when they took her back to the OR.


Chad and I saw Willie Nelson in concert. This was Chad's Valentine's gift from me. He's a huge Willie fan and this was his 3rd time to see him in concert. According to Chad, it was by far the best. He put on a great concert and we enjoyed a grown-ups only date!



Ava got a big girl bike with training wheels.





















Notice the bow which she insisted should go on top of the helmet.


For Spring Break, we went to Sante Fe with my parents and Kate. We had a great time, ate good food, went to several art museums and painted faces at the children's museum.







While I was in Sante Fe viewing amazing art on Canyon Road and getting inspired, Chad built me an art desk in the garage so I can spread out and once again have a creative outlet. I am already working on my first piece! If I slack on blogging in the coming months, I am using any "extra" time (mostly late at night) to create! What a thoughtful hubby.


And finally, we enjoyed Easter in Brownwood with my grandparents and mom's side of the family!

Family Update

This is a photo post. If you haven't seen Pierson in a while, he is. . .
eating cereal


and smiling all the time



We had fun visiting cousins in Fort Worth last weekend!


Ava is going through what I can only describe as a "goofball" phase. Any time I get out the camera, she poses like this. . .


We love our kids--they keep us laughing. Happy Wednesday!

A visit from Julia and the girls

After a long and weary month of sickness, we had a much needed break. Thanks for all of your encouraging words! I have not had much time to comment on blogs, but I have appreciated the empathy and kindness you have shared with me. It sounds like a lot of people have been in the same boat we have been in with sickness. Hopefully, spring will arrive soon and bring health and sunshine!

Ava got to spend last week with Grandma Ruby and her cousins while I stayed home with Pierson who had pink eye. On Friday, Ava travelled back to Abilene with Julia and her girls for a long weekend of A-town fun! Here is the weekend in pictures:
















I always love spending time with Jules. She is one of those rare friends who knows me so well that we can always just pick up where we left off with no explanations. We met at ACU orientation the summer before our Freshman year at ACU which was almost 13 years ago! I am thankful for such a true friend, and I have enjoyed watching our girls become friends as well. Ava loves to play with Emma, and I'm sure in a year or so, Pierson will love to follow Addie around!

"But in friendship, we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years difference in the dates of our birth, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting...any of these changes might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work in Christ, who said to the disciples, 'You have not chosen me but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you for one another.'" C.S. Lewis

Milk

I really enjoy blogging, but it seems like most people (myself included) write about cute kids and happy times. When things are tough, I sometimes feel even more isolated because it seems like everyone else has it all together. Surely I am not the only who feels this way. In an effort to be transparent and real, here are some of the things that have been knocking around in my head lately: the good and the ugly. . .

Recently I had a revelation/ break down/ mother of two moment that ended in laughter. I was in the midst of sharing with Chad all of the things that have been on my heart lately that I never say. Mostly I was talking about not recognizing myself anymore. Somewhere between the extra baby weight that is hanging around my middle, the “mommy talk” that is eating my adult vocabulary, and the endless hours spent cleaning up poop and throw up and changing diapers and wiping snotty noses and nursing around clock, I stopped recognizing myself. Now don’t misunderstand, I LOVE my children, my husband, my job, my life. But at the end of the day, when I collapse into bed in oversized sweats, and think back on all I have done that day, it feels that any contributions I have made are relatively small. I was sharing all of this with Chad, and in the midst of pouring out my soul, I said in all seriousness, “I feel like all I am contributing to the world right now is milk!” Chad stopped me, had a good laugh, and decided that was his favorite new quote.

After some reflecting, I was reminded of Ecc. 3 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. . .A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to embrace and a time to refrain.. A time to be silent and a time to speak."

And here are a few that I’ve added that reflect my season: "A time to indulge and a time to sacrifice, a time to doubt and a time to have faith, a time to play and a time to discipline, a time for health and a time for sickness." I am looking forward to the time for dancing again! It must be just around the corner. . .

Speaking of sickness, one reason I have been discouraged is that our family has been SICK this winter. Since a few weeks before Thanksgiving to now, I think we have all been well at once only a couple of times. January has been exhausting—Pierson had RSV, Ava got pink eye in both eyes, then a cold, Chad and I both got nasty colds and now Chad has the stomach flu. Will we ever be well again? My body and my spirit are weary right now.

Still, I trust that God is involved in the details of our lives—even throw up and pink eye and sleeplessness.

On a lighter note, Ava still keeps us on our toes. My mom was watching her a few days ago for me, and she found Ava sitting facing the wall in the corner. When questioned about it, she said, “I made a pretend bad choice, so I put myself in pretend time out.” Wish she was as receptive to sitting in real time out!

Do blondes have more fun?

Ava came in wearing this wig the other day after it had fallen off of one of her dolls. She tried it on her unsuspecting brother, and we got a good laugh. The first thing Chad said when he saw these pictures is, "You're not going to put these on your blog, are you?" He thinks Pierson will not appreciate it when he's older. I can't help it. They make me laugh, so I have to share!

Happy New Year! Our internet and phone line have been down for about a week, and we just got a guy today to come and fix them. I have many more photos to post, but for today, I'll just share this one of little Pierson. What an expression! He looks like he's up to something.

We've had a good Christmas, but an exhausting one as well. We stayed in Abilene this year, which turned out to be a good thing because both of my kids got sick, and being sick at someone elses house is always tough. Ava just had fever and a cold for a few days, but Pierson's cold turned into an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection (some version of RSV.) We have been giving him breathing treatments every four hours, and have been quarantined to the house for a week now. I haven't felt like we've had much of a vacation. We all have cabin fever!

We did enjoy time with the Thompson family during Christmas, and Chad's mom came to visit for several days last weekend. Ava was so excited about Santa this year, and has loved playing with all of her new toys! As many new toys as she gets, I am always amazed that she ends up being the most content playing with random things around the house in creative ways. She is so into "pretend" these days. She spends most of her day pretending to be someone else. It cracks me up!

Ava's funny comment of the week was last night when she called me from the other room to say, "Mom, I don't have a care." Not sure what she was trying to say, I asked, "What do you mean by that?" " I just mean I don't have a plan." Good to know. My three year old doesn't have a care or a plan. Where does she get this stuff! Funny girl.

We'll keep you posted on Pierson's health as he continue to get better. I'll post more photos later. I'm just glad to have the internet back and be connected with the outside world again since I have been at home so much the last week!

Finally. . .a new post!

From a Halloween post to a Christmas post, I know that I am behind on my blogging. I really have tried a couple of times to sit down and catch up, but I never seem to finish. Pierson is almost three months old today, and I cannot believe how quickly the the time has gone. We've all adjusted and now I can hardly remember what we did before he was here. He is a sweet baby, and much easier going than Ava was at this age! She has always been intense (like her mama), and it seems so far that Pierson may take after his laid back dad! The big developments are that he is starting to smile and chuckle, which pretty much makes me melt every time. It's been more fun this time around. . . maybe becuase I am more laid back since I've done this before, and maybe because I know how quickly each phase passes. I am trying to just soak up this time and it already seems to be going to fast. Pierson has captured my heart! There's just something about a little boy and his mama! It has been fun checking the blogs of several of my Fort Worth friends who are in the middle of what can only be described as a baby boom: Congratulations to Elizabeth, Jamie, Chesley, Shelly and Tara! What sweet babies. I will say that I am glad to see they have not been posting frequently either. I don't feel so bad. I will try to get back into the swing of things even if I only post photos, which is what most of my famiy wants to see anyway. Merry Christmas from The Walters!

Big Smiles

Our Christmas Photos at Jacob's Dream