06/18/2011 - My Other Middle Name - Yard Sale

As I am getting older, I'm trying to really identify what my passions are in life, especially having kids. Small children tend to take the focus off of ones self and you can lose track of who you are and what you love. I currently have a short list of things that light me on fire with the passion of an addict. Today, I was in rare form...100 degree temps did little to break my focus. Today was a special day...Saturday....YARD SALE DAY!

Don't get me wrong, not every yard sale is worth drooling over. In Nevada, I have found only about 1 out of every 5 is good. I don't want to look at people's over priced junk. You seriously think someone is going to buy your tattered, stained, and ripped bowling towel for $5? PASS! I've seen it all!

Today I only went to one sale, twice. Yes, it was that good. Honestly, if I knew they were having it again tomorrow, I'd show up again! The sale was listed on my favorite web page for sales: yardsaletreasuremap.com
It is AWESOME! Try it some time! It pulls all the sales from Craig's List and more! (More details about how to have a sale later, as I love to have sales too!!!)

Anyway, it was close to the house, well organized, and they wanted stuff to move...I took the kids and started to hunt. The Superkids were doing great, but I knew they wouldn't last and it was getting hot fast! Our first trip I spent a whopping $5.

I knew I needed to go back and rescope it out....and this was the kicker...While looking through the kids clothes one of the ladies working the sale handed me a garbage bag and said, "fill it, $5"! Now I've been given a small box and told $5, but a garbage bag?!@$!!! The icing on the cake...the clothes was in mint condition and amazing brands! Fox, Hurley, Under Armor, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Keen, Adidas, Nike, Polo, Ecko, Land's End, Ann Taylor, Guess, Children's Place, Melissa & Doug, Disney Store and MORE!!!! The books and toys were in beautiful shape too!

So, what did I get for $17?

 No, Not just the "In the Box" train set and 2 mint hard cover "Chicka Chicka" books.....

Boys clothes....

More books, 2 amazing 4x4 trucks, Games, Soccer Gear, and Sports Wear...

 Girly Clothes, Dance Leotards, Tutus, Ballet Slippers, Tap Shoes...

 & More...

 & MORE!

 And I just realized I didn't get any of my yoga mats, videos, books, or a few other things in the photos.

Oh well.

Yes, this is how I shop. 

The pair of pink Keen's in the front alone would have cost 2x what I paid for everything. 

I'm guessing about 170 pieces for $17....SCORE! 

Thank you!

6/15/2011 - You learn a lot in 7 months....

Welcome back to the blog-o-sphere! 
I've learned a lot over the past 7 months....first and foremost, I will not ever do a daily blog challenge for a month ever again. I was so burnt out from blogging it took me seven months to recover!
Other fun items; Watching my children grow, Testing new products, Getting more organized (if that is possible), Reconnecting with friends, Eating amazing food, Thrifty finds & Many other tid-bits. WOW! I can't wait to share them with you! 
But since this is summer I'll leave you for today with a photo of Superboy, in Superboy (belly flop) flying form! Enjoy!

11/13/2010 - Day 13 A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

I think I may be too eclectic for this. I love lots of different music for different reasons. Depending on the toughness of the situation I would call on different artists. So.... 

 Dear Fiona Apple,Your driving dark tones seem to numb my thoughts and focus my artistic side to express what I'm feeling in more of a creative and soulful way.    

Hey Bobby McFarin,You got it...Don't worry, be happy!
  

DJ OB-One,You made labor fun and tolerable.

  Ricky Martin,It is crazy to think almost every song you sing has just the right tempo to run too...I hate to run, but you get me through it. 

  Britney Spears,Thanks for making me feel like it is okay to be a girl.  

Kanye West,I really think you are quite crazy, but your lyrics can almost instantly put me in a great mood and make me feel like I can conquer anything! 

Marvin Gaye,Ooooo, baby...only your voice can put a twinkle in my eye.
Okay...you get the idea....NEXT!

11/12/2010 - Day 12 Something you never get compliments on.

Hmmm...great question...but tell me why would I dwell on this?NEXT!

11/10/2010 - Day 10 Someone you need to let go, or wish you did not know.

Really...can't say that I have an answer for this one. I really believe that each and every person in my life is there for a reason. They each possess a skill set that I must need to learn from. Then, once the teaching time is over and the lesson is learned, I believe they will phase out of my life. :)

11/09/2010 - Day 09 Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

My gut says Jen. My Bean.
Jennifer Carlson, Jen Coyle, or who know what her name is now.
She lived near Madison, WI.
She was like the sister I never had. My twin in college.
All I know is some how we drifted apart and now I've lost track of her.
My Christmas and Birthday cards go unanswered...I've stopped sending them.
I frequently search the internet for her....
I see she once had a picture business....
Facebook is no help....
I've searched her siblings....nothing....
I won't give up...
I still think of her often and say Happy Birthday to her every August.
It was so good to see you almost 10 years ago....
I love ya Bean!
I hope life is treating you well!

11/08/2010 - Day 08 Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

Really...this is the meme for today. Hmmm....

Honestly, like I said earlier, the people in my life surfaced for a reason. I know I have had some interesting lessons to learn and I am sure there are more to come. My life has been pretty amazing in a nut shell....sure, there have been some hell-ish moments, but all-in-all....Life is Good! and Karma will get ya every time! :)

11/07/2010 - Day 07 Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Hmmm....someone who has made my life worth living....Lots of people make my life worth living every day! My husband, children, family, friends, co-workers...even random people who I meet during the course of my day help to make my life worth living. A mile can go a long way! It is the little things, to me, that make each day worth it. As the saying goes, "I may only be one person in the world, but I could mean the world to one person." Each day we never know how far out reach really extends. Let it be gentle. Enjoy your day!

11/06/2010 - Day 06 Something you hope you never have to do.

Watch my children die before me.

Every day with them is a gift. I know that. I love them so much at times it feels like my heart will burst. They bring me great joy on even their craziest days. I'm so blessed that they let me be their mommy.

I want to see them grow old. I hope I'm lucky enough to have them in my life for a long, long, long time.

11/05/2010 - Day 05 Something you hope to do in your life.

Oh, I have lots of hopes...just check out my "Bucket List" tab.  :)  I'm excited to know that I'll be crossing another state (Washington) off my list come next June. YEA!!!

11/04/2010 - Day 04 Something you have to forgive someone for.

This one is tough...I tend to be a very forgiving person. I like to find the best in people and know that everyone comes to the table from a different path, a path I can't always see. So, I trust in my heart they really mean well, but their journey may be effecting their perspective. No one is perfect, it makes the world we live in more interesting.  :)

11/03/2010 - Day 03 Something you have to forgive yourself for.

As I continue the 30 Days of Truth meme today beckons me to forgive, or at least bring to light, something I need to forgive myself for.

The one thing I have carried around is remembering something I said in high school more than 15 years ago. I told a friend something in truth, but without tact. The comment was made in genuine concern, and, unfortunately, misinterpreted. I can still flash back to that moment when the words rolled off my tongue as I was sitting in the back seat of another friend's car. I see the scene like it was yesterday.That comment not only ruined our friendship, but made the rest of my High School experience very different. Most of our mutual friends were no longer mutual and if I wasn't already "different" and going through teenage awkwardness, those words uttered with the best intentions made me 'stand-out' in a way no one wants to 'stand-out' in high school.

I often wish I could take the words back, but struggle with that thought because: 1) I know I can't take them back & 2) I was being honest.

In the end, I need to let this go and forgive myself for being a teenager. Hopefully this experience has taught me to be more tactful and choose my words more carefully. *sigh*

11/02/2010 - Day 02 Something you love about yourself.

Hmmm...Something I "love" about myself....

1) My name...I never liked it much as a kid growing up, but smack the last name Love on it, and it is awesome!
2) My artsy nature...I find joy in repurposing things or adding color to them.
3) Cooking...I love to cook! (I just wish the dishes did go along with it.)
4) My zaney positive attitude....I love to put a positive spin on everything (99%) of the time...makes life an adventure as there is always something to learn in every situation.
5) Organizational abilities...I love that I can walk into a room, and if asked, can mentally rearrange all the furniture for various purposes (usually efficiency) and it will fit.....measurements not needed.
6) I love being asked to organize something, whether it is "stuff" or an event...although I feel more comfy organizing stuff.
7) Frugality....I love that I'm a bargain hunter and yard sale junkie.
8) Being tall....I'm 6' and it is great....hides a lot of flaws...but can be a challenge when looking for pants. LOL!
9) A wife...knowing I have an amazing companion by my side who will ride the roller coaster with me no matter what, is pretty darn cool! Love him!
10) I love being a Mommy! My kids melt my heart....what more can I say?

10/31/2010 - Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat! Like there is really an option here. 

October has now come and gone and with it, a sugary Halloween. I hope everyone got their fill!

07/07/10 - Vacation

This blogger is currently on vacation....I promise I'll be back with great things to ponder.  :)

04-02-10 - More Questions...

Thanks again My Little Life!

It's 5 question Friday!

I'm on Spring Break....back to work on Monday.

1. Do you sing out loud in the car when you're driving?

If I know most of the words...YES SIR REE!!!

2. What would you never be caught doing?

Like I can say that....he he!

3. Will you go #2 in a public restroom?

LOL...yup...triple paper check!

4. Have you ever broken a bone?

Nope...*knock on wood*

5. Do you prefer cooking or baking?

Both!  :)

Hey, 5 Question Friday All Ready! - Thanks My Little Life

 

 

1. Did you pass your driver's test on the first try?

Yes...only had points knocked off for not being perfectly centered on the parallel park. The examiner was hitting on me too and asked me out for coffee...gross!

2. What is your most embarrassing moment?

Saying 'circumcise', rather than 'circumscribe' in a HS math class. 

 

3. What TV show would you like to be on- Oprah, Biggest Loser, or What Not to Wear?

Oprah....with all my Better Than Therapy girls!!!

4. Would you ever get plastic surgery and what kind?

Yup...on my nose. :)

5. What are your favorite jeans to wear?

Gap Long and Lean! or any that fit me! LOL!

03-19-10 - Five Question Friday

Thanks to "My Little Life" for the great Friday idea; Five Question Friday!!!

1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting?

2. What temperature do you keep your house?

3. Do you notice dust at other peoples homes?

4. What's the worst job you ever had?

5. What is your most sentimental possession?

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1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting?

Many...I was a seat filler for a few years and was lucky enough to sit by many musicians; NSync, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Usher, Britney Spears, etc...all the groups from the early 2000's... I was also a regular in the VIP area of Studio 54 and got to chat with Magic Johnson... drinks with John O'Hurley...dancing with Oscar De La Hoya... gee, that was a long time ago...Also did some extra work on movies and was able to go to cast parties to dance and eat with Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, & Christopher Walken... and the last one I'll toss in is John Corbett who showed up at my Barchlorette party and gave me a hug and a sweet kiss and posed for a picture with me, at the time, I had no idea who this guy was, I just thought my friends wanted me to take a picture with a random hot guy.  LOL!

 

2. What temperature do you keep your house?

80 in the summer, 69 in the winter

3. Do you notice dust at other peoples homes?

Yup, but I know it's a protective coating. But, if someone asked me to help them clean...I totally would, as it is more fun to clean someone else's house! YEA! 

4. What's the worst job you ever had?

Hmm...being a Lifeguard...I was so stressed out all the time trying to keep track of all the kids to make sure everyone was safe...ya, I know...not really that bad...

5. What is your most sentimental possession?

The pearls from my grandmother, that were from her grandmother.  :)

 

03-16-10 = Learning to fly....but I don't have wings...

I love to fly... in my dreams. I can really fly in them. It is an amazing thing. I can zoom around in the air, soaring up high, or hovering low. I have no fear or anxiety when I'm flying. I would even venture to say it is my preferred method of transportation.

So why is it that I'm not a fan of flying in a plane? My hands seem to sweat thinking of it.

I think it's time to make a leap of faith. I wanna fly, but not just in my dreams. I want to look down from up high and see the world below me from new heights...I'm going skydiving.

My hands start to sweat thinking about it. Why does something I feel so good about in my dreams make my heart race when I'm awake...it's time to put that one to sleep...LOL!

Sunday, March 21, 2010 - I'm doing it Tom Petty Style - Free Fallin'