nnw3

I am going to keep this brief because I would rather be finishing that sweater. Why do I knit?

Anyway...this was another fantastic week for thrift shopping. Turns out this challenge isn't addressing any compulsive shopping tendencies I have. I've managed to spend as much as I normally do on household things, but instead of getting one or 2 things I've gotten several. I like seeing my home come together more quickly. I bought a nice trunk this week at Unique. I love Unique. I think this kind of thrift store makes this challenge possible and enjoyable. This challenge would be much more difficult in a small town.

I'm still kind of hung up on second hand clothes though. I don't like the search through all the random things at the thrift store. In the past I haven't loved the idea of wearing 2nd hand clothes...they seem dirty...but I think I can get over that. I wouldn't buy a t-shirt, but skirts and sweaters are fine. I think I might try out some consignment stores where they are more selective with what they sell. These things are more expensive, but will save me time.

However, for February I am doing a spending fast which means I only buy things we need to survive...like food and that will even be on a budget. This is something I plan to do every February for the rest of my life.

So March will be the month to boost my 2nd hand wardrobe. Happy Trails!

p.s. See Cami's post about jeans! Some good tips for making them last and food for thought.

nnw2

Good week. Still working on that sweater! Why do I knit? Why do I knit without a pattern? I have reknit the sleeve about 5 times. Oh ya, because I love it and I'd rather reknit a sleeve 5 times than my creativity be confined by a pattern.

Thus far I haven't felt deprived by this challenge. I spent a fabulous $5 on these great outlet covers at a consignment store this week. I saw them a few months ago and I thought about them after I went home. I was glad they were still there when I went this week...and cheaper because price decreases over time at this consignment store. $2.50 for 4 of them...although I'm not sure what I'll do with 4. Simon, of course, loves them since they are an animal. I saw that stump as I was walking home from the park a few months ago and threw it in the stroller and made Simon walk. Don't the stump and the coyote go great together? Now I just need a hanging light...since table and floor lamps and don't dwell well with kids.

nnw1 report

Oh, what a week!

Here is a tally of what I sold/passed on:

• Macbook: sold on ebay for $1150 YEAH!
• Macbook power cord: $40
• way old ibook G4: $50
• table from this side of the road: $50+$10 for delivery

The grand total around $1300! So part of the deal was that I can buy new things with money sold, but I think we're just going to stash most of this in the bank for a rainy day...or an iPad hee hee.

Here is the table...I think it is adorable and the couple that purchased this had a style that fit it perfectly.

I also donated about 5 baby toys and some old electronics to Unique. I decided to hold on to my dress and camera. Worth more to me than what I'd get.

I also went on my first thrift shopping trip to Unique Thrift Store. Those of you in the west probably are not familiar with Unique, but it is a thrift shoppers paradise! The biggest thrift store I've ever seen in my life and everything is neatly organized. I hear it originated in Chicago...which makes sense since all good things some how tie back to Chicago.

• Pottery Barn King quilt with 2 euro shams $40
• nice collection of K'nex $5
• Valentines for my boys $1 each (these might look cheesy, but my tender boys will adore these...I ran them through the washing machine)
• 1/2 a roll of wrapping paper $.50
• Spiderman umbrella $3 (forgot to put it in the picture)
• turtle sandbox with lid $5 (also not pictured)

So far I am loving this challenge! It has been so much fun. I really think I'm going to find things for my home that I will love so much more than something from Ikea or somewhere.

And I tapped into my mad money...$8. I had a $40 credit at an online shoe store and intended to use it by January 1, but spaced it. I went over the credit by $8. Mad money balance: $17.

Focus for week 2: Finish the sweater I am knitting for Simon! I will, I will!

nothing new begins!

I am excited to begin this challenge! I confess, I've been doing some shopping in December to prepare...mainly clothes and household items I really wanted new. But 2011 has begun and enough of that. I looking forward to focusing more on what I have and less on what I want. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I admit at times the challenge sounded downright depressing, but pondering the challenge has led to excitement. About a week ago I was moved to tears as I thought of all that I had. I have everything I need. Everything. I'd like to say that I have everything because I have my husband and children, but quite honestly they are a bonus (a very big one I admit). However, not everyone has a husband and children and I don't believe this has to limit a person from self-actualizing. It helps, but something could happen to one of them and I'd still have to be somebody.

Take a look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs.


See, I have everything. I bet many of you have it all, too!

Each week I want to have a focus. Otherwise I'll wander aimlessly through thift stores and projects.

Week 1: Get rid of 10 things I don't need that could be of use to someone else. Take them to the Salvation Army, consign or post on craigslist or ebay.

I can think of a few already
1. the vintage table I picked up off the street for my sewing table, but it didn't work out
2. random toys that no one plays with, but end up on the floor
3. a computer...seriously, I have a newish MacBook Pro and a Mac desktop. Mac replaced Jeff's laptop 1 month shy of the expiration of Apple Care and we had just purchased a desktop less than a year before. We've been sitting on this decision and it is time to do something about it. I love my laptop, but does a stay-at-home mom really need 2 computers?
4. my black-tie black dress that I wore once...bought it thinking Jeff would be working for a firm and I'd need one occasionally...I have no need for a black-tie dress at least for the foreseeable future and if I do I'll want a new one
5. our old old macbook
6. old 35 mm SLR

nothing new

I like a challenge. I just completed a 9 week wellness challenge modeled after this blog and I loved the habits I broke and formed. I also have a thing for recycling and reusing although I've had a hard time making thrifting a part of my life...mostly due to laziness. But considering a good thrift find rivals a spiritual experience for me it is time to commit.

Soooo.....

I am taking on a challenge beginning January 1 for 6 months. I will be doing it along with my friend Cami, but she will be doing the challenge for an entire year! My challenge is to buy nothing new for 6 months with a few exceptions:

Okay to buy:
-Groceries (try to buy local first)
-Toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent etc.
-Eating out when it is part of a social gathering
-Health expenses as needed (i.e.: glasses, prescriptions, doctor visits)
-Travel

-Live performances (not that I go to many but I want to keep myself open to possibility or experience)

-Fabric and craft supplies. I must try to find recycled first and limit my budget to $35 per month.
-Anything with a gift card.

NOT Okay to buy:
-Gifts that are bought. It is okay for me to give money though.
-New clothing, jewelry or accessories
-New shoes

-New books, magazines, movies, music etc.
-New electronics (The exception being if my cell phone stops working since we don't have a land line, it would get replaced)

Exception: I am giving myself $25 per month in mad money, which can be used for anything. It also can be rolled into the next month. If I sell something then this money can go into this mad money account.

For accountability I plan to blog once a week about the challenge.

Cami posted a few articles which inspired her: here, here, and here. I was also inspired by this blog and hope to put it to good use. Cami inspired me. I am a natural follower I guess, but at least I pick good friends! And for those of you that think this is a poor man's challenge...consider the fact that Cami's husband is currently clerking on the U.S. Supreme Court. As for me...I just want to make saving money fun.

If, by chance, you are inspired...join us!

Toy Room List

A friend asked me for gift ideas for her 2 year-old boy and I told her cars and trucks...and that I also have a good list of toys that every child should have. I have done a lot of training in play therapy. If you don't know what play therapy is you can read about it here. But if you want the nutshell version...basically I bring children into a play room and we play together for an hour...and talk...in certain sort of way and work to develop a special kind of relationship. Since a child's vocabulary is more limited they use objects to express themselves and sort out their problems like adults use words. If you were to watch a play therapist you would think they were doing nothing but play with your child for an hour...which once you are trained to do this isn't far from the truth. I am amazed at the behavior changes that parents tell me happen at home when I haven't even really done anything specific other than this kind of play.) It's a very cool job and I wish I could do it full-time...or even part-time. Anyhow...there are specific toys that are we have in a play room...most of them every day toys...but they are toys that are most fit to help children express themselves. Every birthday and Christmas I try to give my children something from this list so we can have a well-equipped play room at home. If children have these toys at home it will increase their emotional intelligence*. With Christmas coming up I thought I'd post a modified list for ones I recommend for the home (list modified from Play Therapy-The Art of the Relationship by Garry L. Landreth). They basically all fall under 3 categories 1) real-life toys, 2) acting-out aggressive-release toys and 3) toys for creative expression and emotional release. You may find that you already have a well-equipped play room. I don't think you need to have all of the toys on this list, but I think you need toys from each category. These are non-gender specific so if you have boys don't be afraid to get them toys that are stereotypically for girls. Some of these are household items...which we all know often become the favorite toys...these things don't all have to be right in the play room...after all the whole house is basically a play room for us. Art supplies are also included in this list. (Small font is my comments.)

doll furniture (I really want a wood doll house even though I have 2 boys...Simon often plays with these when they are in other toy rooms)
bendable doll family (bendable is best...even if they can just bend at the waist, but non-bendable is better than nothing)
dolls
doll bed, clothes, etc.
pacifier
plastic baby bottle
purse and jewelry
chalkboard, chalk, eraser
refrigerator
stove
dishes
pans, silverware
pitcher
dishpan
play food (I highly recommend Melissa & Doug because they allow them to really create a dish)
fruit and vegetable cans
egg cartons
sponge towel
broom, dust pan
soap, brush, comb
crayons, pencils, paper
transparent tape, paste
toy watch
building blocks (different shapes and sizes)
paints, easel, newsprint, brushes
playdough or clay
Lone Ranger-type mask (I am hoping to make 2 of these for Christmas out of felt)
pipe cleaners
tongue depressors, popsicle sticks
riding toy
truck, car, airplane, tractor, boat
school bus
pounding bench and hammer
xylophone
cymbals
drum (we just got this one for Simon's birthday and it has a great sound)
toy soldiers and army equipment
firefighter's hat, other hats
sandbox, large spoon, funnel, sieve, pail
zoo animals, farm animals (realistic looking ones...these were Simon's obsession until Buzz Lightyear joined our family)
rubber snake, alligator
Bobo (bop bag)
rubber knife
hand cuffs
dart gun
toy noise-making gun (I still have a hard time having toy guns...I don't have any but I'm not opposed to them)
balls (large and small)
telephone (two...old cell phones would be great for this generation)
blunt scissors
construction paper
medical kit
bandaids
play money and cash register
rags or old towels
hand puppets (doctor, nurse, police officer, mother, father, sister, brother, baby, alligator, wolf...that is their specific list, but any puppets provide a great way for children to express things they are afraid to say directly)
Tinker toys
rope
tissues (on the list, but I can't figure out how they would stay in the box in a play room for more than 10 minutes)

A few things I would add:
occupational dress up clothes (fireman, police officer, chef, construction worker...I love the Melissa & Doug ones
occupational people figures (I have this set of occupational people and a set of people with disabilities and I got these out of storage and the boys play with them all the time...Simon's favorite is the fireman and Jack's is the "baker man.")
child's aprons (so they can help in the kitchen...of course, if you have a chef outfit this can be used)

Happy Christmas shopping!

*Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman is a must read for every parent. Gottman also well known for his research/books on marriage...this one is the most popular and I recommend it.

latest family pics

I think my kids are really cute...not to mention my husband.