Monday, August 27, 2012

Mindless chatter....

I've been looking for a storage bench for the living room for Giovanna's toys all day. My head hurts. I want something like this:

....Which is like $350. No thanks. I'm willing to spend some moolah. But, not that much. I have this corner of toys in my living room and it is terrrible. I hate it. I need it hidden. That's all I really have to say about that....

In other news... Matisyahu released his extended tour dates. Aaandd he's COMIIINNGGG hereeee!!! I am so so so so excited. I've been obsessed with him lately after seeing his performance on Jimmy Kimmel. I'd heard of him- but never his music. Turns out, it's amazing.

Okay... this was a pointless post.... Nancy Grace is on. Bye bye!!


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Redneckognize ya'll!!

I haven't blogged in a while. I just think I'm unable to get out enough to do a full time thrifty blog. I'm essentially a stay at home, single mom to a toddler for the moment.... so getting to the grocery store even can sometimes be a task! (This is aside for financially, as my husband is overseas working most of the time) So anyways. I do have something to blog about though. Nothing to do with thrifting......

I've been hearing a lot about this, 'Honey Boo Boo' show... the majority thinks it's great and funny. But, that's the problem. That's how these people really are. Yikes!! I'm sure they think you are laughing with them................. And they are breeding- as you can see with little cutie, Honey Boo Boo. I've actually never seen the show, but the previews speak for themselves. These people are rednecks and proud of it- you better 'redneckonize' as they say themselves. I will classify that there are rednecks (my dad etc)- normal people aside from being 'country' really.... and then there are extra special rreeedednecks. It's not pretty. (I don't know how to put it.... But, you probably catch my drift.)

Now, I often hear people say survival of the fittest. Natural selection will weed out the weak links.... etc. Well, nature wasn't designed around modern technology. So, in the event of something major happening (i.e. the movie The Road or the ever popular zombie apocalypse) It can absolutely change into survival of the people with the most guns and ammunition. Guess who that is you guys??? You better redneckognize because the rednecks pack more heat than anyone. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

I leave you with my best redneck moment. A picture taken while I was pregnant:
(Disclaimer: I am 100% not drinking a beer or smoking a cigarette..... but those dogs are definitely humping.)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Bad blogger.

So, clearly I suck at updating my blog so far. I am taking on-line classes and am a stay at home mom.... sounds easy, right? I always thought so. The classes are fine- they are pretty easy for the most part. But, I definitely underestimated how challenging being a mom would be. Getting the things that I want to do done.... well, most of the time just doesn't happen. Partly, because my husband is gone 9 months out of the year, so no after work relief. (Although, housework doubles when he is home, lol. I'll gladly accept that for a break!) So, I'm sorry guys!! (I say that like anyone actually reads my blog, ha)

That being said.... this is my update post about what I've started doing lately. My husband is home this month so I should be able to get more of my stuff done! Hallelujah! So, this all started because of a Facebook page in my town- it's an on-line garage sale page. Similar to Craigslist, but there is a lot more clothing, household etc things on this page. I put a few of my shirts on and made a couple bucks. Then, it hit me. I can be making much more money by selling things on-line. Mainly clothes, shoes and accessories. I just sold my first thing on Ebay, and it's like the coolest thing ever for me.

I don't want to reveal to much of my secrets.... but it feels great to finally be bringing some cash flow into our household after not working for so long. Raising a child is definitely a job if you are a stay at home mom- but it's not the same a bringing in a paycheck. I don't feel like I'm pulling my weight. So, I've slowly started to get into this the past few weeks. I actually got pretty motived this morning. My husband, Cef and I were up at like 4:30 this morning for the day. He's been sick and I had just been up with Miss G for a while trying to get her to go back to sleep. So, we were up. And you know the awesome informercials that play at that time of night: Slap Chop, Magic Bullet, Baby Bullet, Snuggie.... etc etc etc. Well, there was something different thing morning.

This different infomercial was called Self Made Millionaires. The only one I got to see was a woman who started hand painting martini glasses for friends- and it just kind of took off from there. Well- Let. Me. Tell. You. I was soooo unimpressed by those martini glasses- which they informed us now sell for $25 a pop. I was floored. I thought they were mostly pretty cheesy and ugly. Plus, now that they are such a big company they send the glasses "overseas" ::cough:: China ::cough:: to have their designs hand painted on the glasses. I hate buying stuff made in China. Google it if you don't know what's up with that. Now that I think about it.... it kind of reminds me of the Hunger Games in a way (Team Peeta). The US being the Capitol... and everyone below us. Of course, we don't control other countries really.... but we take their cheap labor and supplies so we can live it up, and they have crappy lives. Maybe I just love the Hunger Games so much that I just made a random connection. But, whatever. So anyways- I'm not trying to be a hater, and I totally am being one.... I applaud this woman and her successful business. But, it made me see how easy it can be to make money. You can sell a crappy product and be ballin' out of control like this lady. By the way the company I am talking about is: http://www.lolitaglasses.com/ - I really only like the Halloween glasses- some of those are pretty cute- but I wouldn't pay more than $5 for one. So, I guess I'll never have one of their hand painted in China glasses.

So anyway, you guy. Sorry, I'm getting distracted. I'm watching Independence Day and it's getting totally instense. Alex from Saved By the Bell who is playing a stripper in this movie is about to get blown up. Also, I'm eating the Keebler knock off version of Carmel Delights which I discovered at the grocery store the other day by accident. WHHYYY, did I have to find these?! They taste exactly like Girl Scout Carmel Delights. Irresistible.

Okay, anyways. Today was Goodwill half off day. I only got to go to one Goodwill. I spent two hours there. When I left I called to check up on my husband and daughter.... he informed me that she cried the whole time for me and finally fell asleep. Fantastic. My sick husband and my crying for mommy daughter at home together. So, I skipped the other Goodwill in town. I got quite a bit at the one I went to, so I'm happy. I will definitely be posting pictures. Might not be until Monday since tomorrow is Easter PLUS I have a crap ton of homework to do that I put off until the last second. Story of my life. I also have a pie to bake tonight/early in the morning before church if I flake out tonight. Also, I have to go get my daughter an Easter basket tomorrow before church. #FAIL

Okay- gonna call it a night and finish watching Big Willy Style kick some alien butt!! Night!! :D

<3 Shelby

Giovanna and daddy when he just got home after 4 months away. I love Skype because even though he left when she was 15 months and now she's 19 months.... she hasn't forgotten him at all. We chat daily while he's gone. This time it was most interesting to see how she reacted to him since now she is talking so much and has learned so much since he left. I think it was initial surprise having not seen him in person for so long... but they were best buds within 2 minutes. She surprised me a couple of weeks ago when I asked her where Shelby was and she pointed to me and smiled.... when Cef got here I asked her who Cef was and she pointed right at him. It's funny how much they pick up on since we only refer to ourselves as mommy and daddy to her. Okay- I'm done. Just check out the cute picture from 2 days ago!


Friday, March 9, 2012

Neighborhood Sale May '11

There is an awesome neighborhood garage sale where I live that happens in May and then another at the end of the summer. I thought I'd share with you our biggest ONE day haul ever!! It took two carloads to get everything home. By we, I mean my mom too. I usually take my mom or my grandma with me so I have an extra hand with my daughter. They love thrifting as much as I do. But, Giovanna should be easier to manage this summer- so I'll probably be able to go it alone when I need to. Put on a video in the car.... and direct her to the toys at the sale we are at (90% of them have toys.) Last year she wasn't walking yet- so it was kind of difficult.

Anyways- We got so much stuff that we had to set it all out for a picture.... Let's just say Giovanna does not lack anything... :)


We only paid $110 for all of this. Or that's what we estimated when we added things up. I'll try to list whats here- some of it you can't see well.

-Rock and ride bike
-Baby gate
-Eddie Bauer high chair (behind the baby gate box, it's hiding kind of)
-Plastic chairs
-Dragon Halloween costume
-Veggie Tales DVDs
-Giant Legos
-Baby clothes
-Toy ambulance (My husband and I are both Paramedics)
-The two raccoon stuffed animals... Ricky and Rocky. (There is a good story to their names)
-Box toy play thing.... It's in the front.... no idea what it's really called, lol.
-Little Tykes car
-Potty chair
-Baby shoes
-Wooden puzzle
-Coffee maker
-Baby Bibs
-McLaren baby stroller
-More DVDs
-Play kitchen
-Swim suit
-Plastic animals
-Pink chair
-Hello Kitty pillow doll

That's everything I can see at least... worth $110? Absolutely- probably more than quadruple. People don't know what they are missing.  My husband likes that I save a lot of money this way, but he is NOT into it. Which is fine, but sometimes I like his opinion on stuff before I buy it.  I guess it's a catch 22 though.... because when he is back from Afghanistan for good I will have someone to babysit so I can go to sales/thrifting without dragging any kids with me. :)

My best advice for someone who wants to start hitting the sales in the summer? Planning. Sales start as early as Thursday in the summer. I usually check Craigslist and the newspaper on-line at the beginning of the week and usually once a night to see if anything is added. I will then choose which sales I think will be the best for me and map my route in town. Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you bomb. But the total end result will be a lot of money saved.

Well- Wheel of Fortune is on so I must leave you! Enjoy the weekend!




Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The March 2012 Goodwill 50% Sale

In an effort to get my blog rolling.... I'm going to try to post things FOR THE next several days. C`aps lock anD ALL WEIRD things in this text are Giovanna's contributions as `guest Co-blogger. Apparently. These are some of my faves from the 50% off sale this month at Goodwill. My favorite day of the month!!! Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of patience this Saturday- and I was juggling my own plans with my mom's plans, since she babysits for me. So I just went to the Westside Goodwill- I walked into the Eastside and walked right out. No carts left, long lines and tons of people. Seems like it keeps getting busier and busier on the sale day!

Vintage IU jacket for my nephew.... coming July 1st!
$15 for this brand new in the box Dinnerware set. Retails for $60. Our Goodwill get's Target's new old stock.... Goodwill calls it Greyware.
Princess tent for Miss G $10 (greyware=brand new)

And this is the saaaweet shirt I got for myself... Love it $1.99
$5 Swimming pool (greyware)
Shoes for my daughter & nephew - all greyware. $1 each
Good Morning you guys!!
And last but not least... Giovanna and her friend Zaylee at the park today.... it was 68 degrees!! PS I woke up to everything covered in snow just yesterday.... Indiana is so weird.

And finally- Snooki is pregnant. Wow. If you don't know who Snooki is- you're better off that way. (I've never watched Jersey Shore.......... errrr, lol. Guilty)

Goodnight!

PS- Seahorse was just an answer on Jeopardy.... something good is in store for me!!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Summer 2011: A Summer of Thriftyness.

I'm new to blogging.... So, let's see if I'm any good at it. What I KNOW I'm good at is saving money. I thrift, garage sale, coupon- you name it. I am as cheap as they come.... in regards to saving money at least. :) I don't get to do it as much as I'd like... I'm hoping in a few years Giovanna will start enjoying it as much as me- but now, as a 1 1/2 year old, well, she's not really fun to drag along to these usually fairly time consuming digs.

I'm going to start of here with the best finds of Summer 2011. Last summer was a great summer of garage saling and thrifting. I started really mapping out where I wanted to go and in what order. I'm sure I sound crazy. That's because I am. These are all kid related items... I find that being very thrifty with your kids is one of the best things you can do because they don't care!!! My daughter has no idea that almost all of her clothes and toys were worn and played with by someone before her. This give you a little bit more leg room in spending when you really want to splurge on something for yourself. It occurs to me that I'm giving away my secrets here.... which means less for me!!! But, that's okay. The truth is I would love for everyone to start saving and turning their financial situations around cough*Dave Ramsey*cough.

This is in my daughters room. Giraffe $3 & and lamp was a free curb pick up by my mom.
This is from the Habitat For Humanity ReStore $20 It's in my daughters room- the knobs have little animals on them and it's in perfect condition. STEAL.
This rocker was $5 at a garage sale. This was a good sale I remember well. One of my friends was over a couple weeks ago and informed me that these are over $100 new. Wow. I had no idea.
Garage Sale $10 This one vaguely sticks out in my mind because they were moving overseas to be with the husband of the family.
Same garage sale as the rocker $5
This chair is a HIT. It's adorable and pink.... $5
I love, love, love this picture $3
Kitchen w/food $8 & Shopping cart 75 cents.
$3... proceeds for this went to a missionary trip.
$3 for the tool set. I also got my Lucky brand purse at this same sale for $1

Okay, guys. I'm done for the day. I'll drag out some of my other favorites over the next few days, and add some more tips for you all!

xo

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Oh yeah. I'm blogging.

Okay. This is it. I've been thinking about doing this for a long time. I'm pulling the trigger. I'm going to start blogging. I wrote a blog post for my sisters running blog and I was instantly jealous that I didn't have a place for all my fans to come read all about my incredible existence. I mean- like 105 people follow me on Twitter.... It's not Bieber status, but I'll get there. Plus with Cef being gone it might be nice for him. We can only sit on Skype and stare at each others faces for so long.... Well, I mean, I can't speak for him.... he might be able to look at this gorgeous face forever- but I'm sure at some point he'd have to go and do some work. Or sleep. Or something. Maybe go get a Red Bull.

Anyhow, this will just be my introduction post until I figure out what I am going to do on here. Maybe I will get my almost 30 year old, but still 29 years old for 2 more days, sister to help me pretty up my blog. I'm pretty sure the only reason why anyone is going to look at the blog is to see what Giovanna is doing. I can't believe she is stealing my spotlight. I will figure out how to one up her... I mean... she's like, alright... I guess.

Okay Shelbibers (I'm trying to think of a nickname for all my fans.... I'm just going to test them out until I find the right one) I will be posting a fall blog soon of some of the fall crafts I have been up to, or am going to do next week. I'm going to start being crafty... FYI people. Big news. Okay, I'm leaving for real. BYE !! :)

Shelby