Life Out Loud

Why I Wouldn't Buy Another Acer Computer Even If They Came With Free Foot Massage

2012-02-02T11:49:00.014-05:00

I say "another" because we already own one and I've been happy with it although NOW I view it with deep and growing suspicion (knock wood).

It's probably a ticking time bomb.

Being an academic minded mommy, I purchased an Acer Aspire netbook from Amazon.com as a Christmas gift for Boywonder.

Upon opening his gift on Christmas Day we discovered it was not working properly. Witness me making the :( face but these things DO happen.

We returned netbook to Acer on December 28, 2011 for what we were told would be a ten day turnaround time for repair.

They ended up keeping it for 34 days, including shipping it to the wrong household once (and sending someone else's to us. Good thing I'm not an identity thief!); missing another promised shipping date entirely, and at one point arguing with me on whether or not they should have to pay for overnight shipping? (I voted "yes.")

Don't for a minute think this was a pleasant process. This was the kind of tear-your-hair and bang your head on something solid out of sheer frustration experience that would have tried the patience of a SAINT. Each and every mix-up and missed-shipping date was met with "we know this is frustrating for you" and the unspoken finish "but please undrestand that we have no intention of doing a da#$ thing differently" that characterize Acer's internal process control.

Yesterday, after having been PROMISED it would be in our hands no later than January 30th, we finally received it returned to us on February 1. Inside the box was paperwork that says: Item not Repaired. No Issue(s) Found.

I make another :( face. Is there an emoticon for SCREAMING?

Within minutes of turning it on, I am able to take a video of said Netbook exhibiting the same exact symptoms we sent it in for (frozen screen and grinding noise coming from within the computer).

No issues found? We beg to differ.

Acer isn't sure why this happened but, as you can imagine,They understand our frustration.

No, I really don't think they do.

Better yet? The return window for Amazon ended on 1/31, a date I missed because Acer was holding it hostage. Amazon graciously offered to extend the return period one day for me and will give a full refund. Kudos to Amazon for understanding my frustration and offering to alleviate that, even when nothing was their fault.

Moral of this story.

Amazon good.

Acer bad.

Any questions?

2012-01-31T17:56:00.001-05:00

Don't you just hate when people post photos that make it seem as if their homes are always perfect?

Yeah, me too ;)

Weekly Column | Taking A Bite out of a Big Little Apple

2012-01-26T10:00:00.003-05:00

Click to Read the Full Column: Taking A Bite out of the Big Little Apple

Excerpt:

A near riot occurred Friday outside an Apple store in Beijing as fights broke out among people trying to be first in line for the new iPhone 4S, Apple said.

– UPI.com.

Two weeks ago I would have rolled eyes at that as a sign of the Apocalypse. For years I resisted having a smart phone. I figured that my being a reasonably capable person would easily compensate for the fact that my phone wasn’t terribly bright.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (And Sleeping and Soccer and Standing Around Feeling Pretty Fabulous).

2012-01-24T09:50:00.001-05:00

Disclaimer: Country Outfitter, a retailer of Cowgirl Boots, sent me these Dan Post Women's Maria Boots to review.

I’m not sure if I should be flattered, or devastated, that Country Outfitter generously offered me a pair of boots.

I fear that some sort of bat signal (boot signal?) went out. Or perhaps there was a staged intervention masterminded by family and friends to finally drive a stake through the heart of my played-out faux-Ugg sheepskin boots. Whatever the cause, I am not proud but, rather, thrilled because (bias alert ahead): I love boots. If I could live my non-barefoot days completely in boots or sandals my feet would be forever happy. I used to love high heels but let’s face it, I’m not 18 and pretending that I could star in a ZZ Topp video at any moment in three inch heels no longer suits me. Those darned heels just kept getting stuck in the soccer turf and are no use at all if you slip on a grocery store grape.

I also have a couple of these in my life and, frankly, they scoff at kitten heels.

Penny is saying “bring it on ya’ big sissy! If I make a break for that fence you’ll never catch me in heels!” (I’d never catch her in track shoes, but we digress).

I’m not some “Easy Endorsement Annie” casting my love to just anything that comes down the pike. I’ve turned down some strange reuqests because I’m not that kind of a gal, and I don’t guarantee glowing reviews. I’m what you call a tough customer. Both in my expectations of a product and the fact that I cannot have anything nice.

Because walking around is something it seems like any amateur such as myself can do, I felt comfortable agreeing to give the following wholly unbiased review:

These are the boots out of the box. I cannot tell a lie. The smell of fresh leather was strong and enticing. This is new high for me as the scent of “pleather” from my previous boots was not nearly as alluring.

A good portion of my readers tell me they read me because as urban or suburban dwellers they enjoy living vicariously through my “fish out of water” act of a woman generally lost in the wilds of rural America (newsflash: it’s not an act). Accordingly, many of them are going to have the knee jerk reaction of “cute but I don’t need cowboy boots because there isn’t a single rodeo on my horizon.” You would be wrong my friends. Oh so wrong. (Not about the rodeo of course. I mean if you want one, go find one. I can highly recommend the cowboys – and the fried cheese. The hats are also darling). Even if you aren’t a Rodeo Gal you may still be ignoring the absolute best, classic boot right under your nose – or toes.

If you don’t think western style boots “work” with your non-rural lifestyle, think again. They do. When worn with jeans these are just really rockin’ boots, pure and simple. (Lovin’ that Whiskey Brown color and we’ll just ignore my acid-washed ‘80’s jeans for now ‘m’kay?) Seriously, I’ve been wearing these for nearly a week now and not a single person has asked me where I left my cows.

There actually is a pretty significant heel on these boots. Accordingly, I felt I walked a little taller and could have totally kicked butt in the grocery store or soccer game, had the situation presented itself. (Fortunately it did not).

Even with the heel, these boots were amazingly comfortable. I wore them morning through night and never experienced the throbbing foot pain of death that so often caps off the end of a cute-boot day. There was no breaking in period. I am not privy to the technical details of boot construction beyond saying learned things like: “Adorable!” Suffice to say that there is padding stitched in to the bottom of these boots that perfectly cradles and supports the foot. I am a huge fan of this padding.

Road Test: I put these on out of the box and wore them … everywhere. All the time. I wore them morning through night. One day I wore them for 18 hours straight (yes, really). In every instance my feet felt as good when I took them off as they had when I put them on.

These boots are made for soccer!

The final road test: How do they wear out and about? I’m not going to lie. These are not gripping snow boots with radial tire treads (thank you Dan Post because, frankly, that look is so not cute). While certainly not sled-and-ski wear, my feet stayed dry and comfortable for short inclement weather jaunts. Even in the slush and snow they didn’t put me on my rear end even once. (<—This is saying something as “Grace” is definitely NOT my middle name, any part of my name, or really ever uttered in conjunction with my name). I’m only five days into these boots but I can also say that I see the leather only getting better with age. (<—this is what people who don’t take care of nice things tell themselves. It helps me sleep at night).

The verdict: These are the most comfortable boots I have ever personally worn that didn’t double as house slippers. Apparently quality materials + quality constructions = quality footwear experience. Who knew?

Consider breaking out of your “suffer for beauty” footwear mold and consider seeking out real boots made my classic boot makers for authentic, attractive, quality construction and footwear that doesn’t make you want to cry.

If you do, you are going to look stylish from the street to the soccer field and all environs in between.

And if a rodeo breaks out, you are so there.

Life Lessons

2012-01-21T15:52:00.000-05:00

From Facebook: I have failed as a parent. My son (14) can dismantle a firearm, chop firewood, load and manage a wood burner, set up camp and survive for days by himself and repair most small electronics with a butter knife and sheer cunning. This same boy just stood in front of the washing machine, perplexed, and said "Mom how do you work this?"

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Confessions of a True Life Slacker Mom

2012-01-21T15:34:00.000-05:00

Weekly Read | Confessions of a Real Life Slacker Mom

Excerpt: (Full Column linked above).

there is a trend among “Mommy Bloggers” and the media in general to portray parenthood as “the hardest job you’ll ever have.” Hardest? Really? Isn’t that a bit much? I’ve not gone to war, mined coal or even pumped out a middling sized septic tank but I bet such tasks are pretty grueling.

Challenging? Absolutely. Exhausting? You bet. Still, I find it difficult to digest that parenting is the hardest job I’ve personally ever had. The most important, certainly, but I’ve definitely had less pleasant work environments. In parenting I laugh a lot and the company is infinitely better.

Clearly, I must be doing it wrong.

Feed

2012-01-18T10:10:00.001-05:00

So ... everyone keeps a bag of this in their kitchen, right?

J&K's Other Excellent Adventure

2012-01-14T19:52:00.001-05:00

Hmmm ... Creepy clown, disembodied head, cool vintage camera and a panic (?) button that had Jaime leaping out of her skin? Priceless! Good times.

Full Circle

2012-01-11T08:11:00.003-05:00

While cleaning out the attic playroom, these toys were hauled down to the porch to be donated.

They've been there since last night, but walking up to the house this morning I caught my breath.

There was a brief period of time, in my children's toddlerhood's, that this is where these items lived. Many hours were spent on this porch in rest and play. " Just like mommy" and "I be this and you be you." I sipped untold gallons of invisible, pretend tea from tiny plastic tea cups right here.

And then I blinked. Then they grew. And now we've come full circle.

Back to the porch with you old toys.

Just for a moment could we "just pretend" again?

Moves like Jagger

2012-01-06T09:27:00.001-05:00

Grunge filter by nature and photography. Jagger as a 70's dog, and possible member of the James Gang.

Guess who just got an iPhone and is probably going to torture her friends with photos of her dog - and her own feet?

Planning a Party? Cue the Chaos

2012-01-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

Party Perfect

Twas’ an hour before the big holiday dinner and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except me as I was finishing all the cooking and baking. The stockings were hung, er, folded, carefully along with the rest of laundry mountain that had recently been cut down to size.

Perfect. We had reached the peak of holiday preparation, the pinnacle of bated breath and “any minute now” perfection. The house shone. The floors were swept, the pillows were plump, the air was fresh. All was peaceful and well in Holiday Host World. Everything was “perfect.”

As if on cue Mr. Wonderful chose to restring a fishing pole in living room. Naturally.

In another corner one small wonder decided to sprawl on the oh-so-perfectly arrayed sofa. Tossing all the pretty blanket throws and pillows, he arranged them in a slumped pile on the floor.

Someone turned off the soft jazz that was playing for ambiance in favor of something loud on TV.

My other small wonder removed the candles and decorative tray from the coffee table to make room for a craft involving glitter and glue.

Never mind that we were due to eat shortly, one (usually the youngest, cute one) wandered into the kitchen to forage for a snack. Crackers are always a good choice as they provide optimum crumb scatter in the shortest amount of time. The only thing that would make a bigger mess would be raw oatmeal or bread crumbs. I wouldn’t put it past them not to decide on one of those just for the challenge.

Cue. Finally, the crunch of gravel announced that our guests had arrived. This was the signal for someone to race to the guest bathroom as if on a mission. Their sole purpose appears to have been to lift the toilet seat, wet all the towels, and leave at least one cabinet door open. Classic overachievers, they went the extra mile and spit toothpaste into the sink.

This is where I interject the fantastic family anecdote about the time Mr. Wonderful showered in our guest bathroom shortly before a big party. Hours later, at the end of what I felt was a fairly successful social event, my best friend took me aside to ask, laughing, if the men’s underwear hanging over the guest towel bar was a joke or some kind of a statement? She needed to know whether to chuckle or be offended.

Yes, my friends, for the entire evening, as guests filtered in and out of our bathroom, my husband’s briefs had been hanging on our guest towel bar like an overly personal hand towel. Mr. Wonderful could only say, later, “So I DID take a clean pair in there? I wondered where I’d set those down!” Martha Stewart eat your heart out.

Telling this story from time to time I am invariably met by the opinion, always of fellow women, that I have such a wonderful, healthy attitude about these challenges. So accepting, seeing the humor and all. Wrong. Please don’t give credit where credit is not due. I am not naturally sanguine on the subject. I have come by this acceptance through trial by fire.

War. Mr. Wonderful and I, normally disgustingly happy, spent the hours just prior to our firstborn's 1st birthday party screaming bloody murder at each other. At one point I would have cheerfully killed him if I could have figured out how to hide his body and explain his absence during the party. I also knew in some dim portion of my furious mind that he was likely to be the only one with the ability to assemble the baby’s little red wagon. That probably saved his life.

I can’t be certain but I think we were fighting about chairs. Folding chairs versus stacking chairs maybe? There may also have been an altercation over balloons.

That, then, is my memory of my son’s first birthday, me freaking out because I HAD A VISION and he wasn’t cooperating to bring it to fruition. I honestly don’t remember what we decided on the chairs OR the balloons, but I remember being frazzled and unhappy and wishing the whole thing would just be over. Hardly the basis for warm, wonderful memories. Happy birthday baby.

Today I accept the reality that parties, like life, are rarely perfect. Embracing a happy family holiday means embracing the HAPPY FAMILY – not perfection: fishing tackle, sofa sprawl, crackers and all.

When it comes to fretting over perfection (and guest towels) you’re wise to keep both brief.

Truth

2012-01-04T14:14:00.000-05:00

Of Mice and Men

2011-12-31T15:28:00.000-05:00

This is a man intent on catching the culprit. Mr. Wonderful's Mouse Barricade.

(One cagey critter has been picking open the rear door of the fancy trap and stealing all the peanut butter)

(Somewhere I hear the sound of a very wily mouse saying "Oh yeah Pal. It is so ON."

Supreme Commander of the Corner

2011-12-31T10:57:00.000-05:00

In that light I declare myself Supreme Commander of the Living Room - but only one corner. Anything else is too much responsibility. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/31/world/asia/north-korea-vows-no-engagement-with-souths-president.html

Weekly Read | Elvis the Angry Christmas Angel

2011-12-22T19:41:00.001-05:00

Elvis the Angry Angel - Pre-Promotion. Read more about Elvis and his bid for greatness

Weekly Column | Nature Hates Me Part 4,675

2011-12-19T09:12:00.002-05:00

Nature Hates Me Part 4,675
( where Nature is darned lucky it's cute - and possibly dead).

The Weekly Read | Balancing Act

2011-12-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

Truer words were never spoken. Let me assure you that the dirt will still be there. The bills will still be there. The worries, concerns, and fears will still be there. The kids, however, will not still be there. If you do your job well they will be grown and gone in the blink of an eye.

You have canned goods with a longer shelf-life than childhood.

Don't squander it.

Don't waste it.

Don't worry it away.

The Weekly Read Weekly Column, Life Out Loud, December 1

Be Prepared

2011-12-05T19:05:00.001-05:00

Image taken by Daddy's Cell phone of a child going very fast on a skateboard, using crutches to propel her even faster.

Why do I get the feeling those crutches are going to come in handy?

Made in the USA

2011-11-29T20:44:00.001-05:00

According to ABC News, if we each spent 64 dollars on products made in America during our holiday shopping we could create 200,000 jobs. Made in America news story

Some of the sources provided by friends include:

Rada Cutelery
bath towel set
made in usa forever - toys etc
Homer Laughlin
Burt's Bees
Munro Shoes
Fortune Tee's
Lodge cookware

Other sources for Made in the USA Materials and Merchandise:

Still Made in USA
Companies that can proudly display "Made in America"

2011-11-28T17:19:00.001-05:00

Just for fun again THIS year let's play the "Which Item Does the Dick's Sporting Goods coupon actually apply to game! (Answer: gum). The list of exclusions on a Dick's Sporting Goods coupon is mind-boggling. I think it would be simpler for them to have written "everything in our inventory." True story last year their own Customer Service could not tell me what I could actually use a coupon code for. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=12312192&camp=Email:11282011CyberMonday

For those playing along at home the exclusions to the use of this coupon/code are:

% & $ OFF COUPON:
Offer valid only while supplies last and not applicable to canceled orders due to out-of-stock merchandise. Discount does not apply to taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping or similar charges. Discount not applicable with returned merchandise; total discount will be deducted from the value of any returned item to which the discount applied. Discount excludes the following:

ABU GARCIA
ADIDAS GOLF USA INC
ANDERSON BAT
ANON
ASICS
ATHALON
ATLAS SNOW-SHOE
BABOLAT
BAUER/NIKE HOCKEY
BILLABONG
BIONIC
BLADERUNNER
BLOCK
BRIDGESTONE
BRINE
BROOKS
BURTON
CALLAWAY GOLF
CARHARTT
CCM
CLAM
CLEVELAND GOLF
CLUB GLOVE
COLUMBIA
COMBAT SPORTS INC
CONTOUR
COSTA DEL MAR SUNGLASSES
DAKINE
DC
DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP.
DEMARINI
DESCENTE
DIAMONDBACK
DITA / FIELD HOCKEY NORTH AMERICA

DWINDLE DISTRIBUTION
EA SPORTS
EASTERN
EASTON
ECCO USA, INC.
ELECTRIC
ELEMENT SKATEBOARDS
ENJOI
ESCALADE
EYEKING
FITNESS QUEST / TOTAL GYM/AB LOUNGE
FLOW
FOOTJOY
FOXPRO
G-LOOMIS
GIRO
GITA SPORTS LTD
GOALIATH
GOALRILLA
HARO
HEAD
HUMMINBIRD
HURLEY
INNOVA
J & B IMPORTERS, INC.
JANSPORT
JORDAN
JUGS
K2
KETTLER
LEGEND DISTRIBUTION
LEW’S
LIFETIME
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER / BIONIC

MAUI JIM
MERRELL
MIKEN
MISSION
MIZERAK
MIZUNO
NAVICO
NIKE
NIKE PRO
NIRVE SPORTS LTD
NOKONA
OAKLEY
ODYSSEY
OGIO
OLD TOWN
O'NEILL
PATAGONIA
PHITEN USA
PING
PINNACLE
POLAR
POWER BALANCE
PRANA
PRINCE
QUIKSILVER
RAGE BROADHEADS
RALEIGH
RAWLINGS
RAZORS
REACTOR WATCHES
RED
REEBOK CCM/REEBOK HOCKEY
REEBOK ZIG
REEBOK NFL JERSEYS

ROLLERBLADE
ROSS REELS
ROXY
SALOMON
SAUCONY
SCHUTT SPORTS
SCOTT
SHAUN WHITE SUPPLY CO
SHIMANO AMERICAN CORP
SKULLCANDY
SMITH OPTICS
SOLE
SOREL
SPY
SPYDER
SRIXON
ST. CROIX RODS
STRIKE MASTER
TAYLOR MADE
THE NORTH FACE
THULE
TIPPMANN
TITLEIST
TUBBS SNOWSHOES
UGG AUSTRALIA
UNDER ARMOUR
VOLCOM
VON ZIPPER
WARRIOR
WILSON PROFESSIONAL GOLF
WILSON SPORTING GOODS
YAKIMA
ZOO YORK

Also excluded are :Boats, Canoes, Kayaks, Hauling and Storage Racks, Canopies, Shelters, Furniture, Coolers, License and Championship Merchandise, Heaters, Fire Pits, Grills, Smokers, Hammocks & Stands, Team Orders, Gun Safes, Trolling Motors, All Electronics, Fish Locators, GPS, Ellipticals, Table Games, Treadmills, Home Gyms, Weight Benches, Cardio Equipment, Gift Cards and Gift Certificates. Additional exclusions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address and customer is responsible for all shipping costs for returned merchandise. This promotional offer may be modified or terminated at any time without notice.

2011-11-28T10:01:00.000-05:00

I absolutely LOVE this take on the age-old (is it?) question "Kids in the Kitchen? Yay, Nay, or "is that a booger in my meatball?" All the Good Mothers are Doing It by Andrea Ferrell

My response to this wonderful and witty blogger's question?

Wait until they are twelve.

Ten at the outside.

My 12 year old daughter is a careful and capable cook, more concerned with exact measurements than I am and a bigger germ-a-phobe than any of us. I could probably hire her out as a sous' chef. (sp?)

I had her messing around in the kitchen at a younger age but the keyword is "mess." Be willing to sacrifice the occasional egg or 1/4 of flour to the cause, let them crack and mix and whip to their heart's content. Then practice good sleight of hand (or just wait until they lose interest and wander off).

Scene at Home - Dining Room

2011-11-14T14:17:00.004-05:00

Here is the table I nearly destroyed via my overconfident incompetence

K & J's Excellent Adventure

2011-11-09T11:10:00.003-05:00

First, it pays to have a talented decorator friend. I have one. You should too. I’d tell you more about Jaime but she’s already busy enough and frankly, you’d ALL want to be her friend, she wouldn’t have as much time to hang out with me, and I would be sad. That would not work for me so selfishly I AM KEEPING ALL THE JAIME FOR MYSELF!!! That is until she finally GETS A DA#$ BLOG like I have been nagging her for at least a year now. She is one of those people you can show like a rock and a piece of tinfoil and in 30 seconds or less she will immediately and seemingly effortlessly explain how that could be a valuable and beautiful addition to your home. It’s amazing. I look at, say, a bedspread and see “a covering for a bed. See also: blanket.) Jaime looks at a bedspread and immediately suggested an amazing wall hanging using only her sheer cunning and some recycled wood.

Anyway, all this should explain why when Jaime texted me last week and said “Antiquing today?” I was all in. Do not pass go. Leave the house with laundry in the washer, dishes in the sink, and probably the door hanging open behind me. THRIFTING with Jaime??? I am so in!

On my suggestion (thank you Internet) we went here:

Yes. Right? It’s kind of a lot to take in all at once. This is the Company Store in Negley, Ohio. I know! I had no idea that American Pickers prime picking spot was in Ohio either!
This was apparently the largest general store in Ohio from 1910-1915 (I know because I read this on the sign). It is now open seasonally (due, we are told, to the prohibitive cost of heating this enormous old building and boy, do I feel their pain).

From the outside it’s kind of tough to take it all in. We had to break it down in chunks of amazing antique eye candy (and plastic Santas!) This is just 1/3 of it and you really can’t get the depth from here. Suffice to say it goes deep. On this porch we found a neat wooden piece. The proprietor explained, casually, that it dated from the 1700’s – and was sitting on the PORCH.

Inside we found aisle after aisle of amazing glassware, small items, and just a general plethora of STUFF.

Just one of the many baskets of doorknob ends. Don’t let the size and scope of their choices fool you. The items are actually pretty well organized and arranged.

Yes that is an actual eagle stuffed and mounted in a huge box on the wall. No he did not startle me … much.

And then, on the porch, the sun shone down, a choir of Angels sang and I found THIS little beauty just sitting there, out in the open, for anyone to pick. I swear I pounced on it with both hands and strange little exclamations of love (because I am a shrewd bargainer like that). Sensing it was already sold the proprietor did what any savvy businessperson would do when the buyer is already invested in the piece and probably a sure thing: she said “$5 bucks.” ♥

I really think Frank and Mike would be proud. I also think Jaime and I should have our own show.
Then on the way back we stopped at a yard sale because only WE could sniff out a yard sale, in Ohio, in November.

Vintage tablecloth. Huge and in amazing colors. For $1. I’m just posting that here to torture Jaime because I love her but she makes me so envious sometimes and my $1 tablecloth has inspired her to new heights of imaging me having craftiness I do not actually possess (“Pillows! You could make pillows!”) As Journey says, don’t stop believing Jaime.

Don’t You Wish Your Funkins Were Hot Like Mine?

2011-11-08T13:58:00.002-05:00

First let me state that I love election day. The pursuit of freedom and the democratic process in action in America? Oh it is wondrous! That out of the way let’s get to why I’m really so excited about Election Day – PIE!!! Okay, pie and the Church Bake Sale and Bazaar which is held every election day at the church that serves as our polling location. Every year I come home with something awesome and every year I ~~force~~ share it because what good is a deal if you can’t crow about it?

No I am not suddenly in need of three canvas images of the exact same baseball player

I am a frame addict and these are new in the package wrapped canvas images. I have big plans to replace the current ballplayer, however talented he may be, with my own images thus creating “canvas” portraits for a fraction of the cost. Ditto the framed flowers in the background. Pretty but not my style. Nonetheless, where are you going to buy shadowbox depth professionally matted frames for $1? Nowhere but Church Bazaars, that’s where.

Most of the clothing was new with tags (Superfan is a school spirit shirt which is how it made the cut). I have not suddenly decided I am a superhero. Unless you count Superhero of Saving (Maybe I'll keep that shirt).

Don’t hate. It was a quarter.

For those that get the vapors over the idea of “used” clothing. I’ve never understood the weirdness with used clothing. Taking into account the manufacturing process, shipping, and try on in stores, I assume everything in stores anywhere is “used” clothing. Today more than one of the items was brand-new, with tags.

This was all wrapped up in a sealed package and appears to be hand-milled soaps. What would that set you back in a gift shop or store? More than a $1?

I tucked them into this display (also all cadged thriftily at various times for a total cost of somewhere around $4 including the metal basket). Yes I did just share a photo of the back of our toilet. You can thank me later.

Huh? Wait, how did that get in there? Oh well the truth is out. My real incentive to vote is Church Lady Bake Sale food. This is Chocolate Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Oreo Fat-Butt Dessert (I added the last part myself). Weird that there is already a bite out of it? I wonder if my family will believe that it came that way?

Finally, we have the items I did not pay for. (NO I DID NOT STEAL FROM THE CHURCH.) These are my Adventures in Trash Picking Part II. Although since they were on the lawn with a “Free” sign I don’t know if that’s really Trash Picking or the Cheapest Yard Sale Ever? My score this early a.m. was two free “funkins” (that would be fake pumpkins); 6 wrought iron candle stands in various heights, the “Home is where our story begins” sign and 4 pillar and one Pumpkin Spice jar candle. In a box. For free. No kidding. The best part? I had just added “Funkins” to my wish list a day earlier(don’t ask).
Better part? I picked these up on the way to the Church Bazaar and I wasn’t in there five minutes before a friend sidled up to me and said “gee if only they had some fake pumpkins here!” before cracking up. Yep. Busted. He had totally seen me grabbing these (Jeff you are just JEALOUS you didn’t get “my” funkins first!)

So, I have this idea that I’m going to do something crafty and creative with said funkins and some other stuff I picked up today for the princely sum of a quarter. Anyone have any ideas? I’m open to anything. Keeping in mind that the dog is likely to confuse my funkins for a soccer ball and take off with the whole kit and kaboodle.

My last adventure in trash picking in the spring scored me this awesome giant green glass bottle that Pottery Barn sells for a kidney and a limb. I prefer “free.” This bottle still makes me happy when I look at it. Oh, the white buffalo in the second image is not permanent there. Mr. Wonderful received that as a lovely gift for, like, saving a man’s life and all but enough about his life saving wonderfulness, blah blah blah back to MY THRIFTING.