Looking to make a few bucks?

The other day I stepped foot into our basement storage and went, "holy smokes!" The room is completely full. No joke people. It is time for a garage sale. I think I could make some big bucks with this one because I have a load of stuff. Kids clothes, toys, old equipment, books, furniture. The whole gamut. In this economy too I really can't just donate stuff, making a few bucks is very well needed.

I might even look up some consignment shops for the clothes to make a little more, plus I have good luck finding newer stuff there for the kids too. My sister uses consignment shops a lot for my niece's old stuff and she has done very well over the years recouping costs, especially for Back to School shopping.

Up in my area we actually have a super large flea market that runs once a week. People come from all over to go to it. If you want to find a flea market directory near you, you can easily find one at garagesalestracker.com. Not only do they have a large listing of garage sales in your area, you can also find flea markets, consignment shops, and more.

The site is so easy and you can easily list your own garage sale too. Cool beans. What an easy way to advertise!

As for being an avid garage sale shopper...it's about time we have a resource like this and don't have to rely on driving around looking for signs on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Now you can make a plan of where you want to shop!

Enough vanity?

Yesterday I mentally blogged all day. Now I sit here and I can't think of two words to rub together...okay, so that was silly but why does this happen? Why do I have days with so many ideas and things to talk about and other days, dry as a bone. I know I could write stuff down while I am thinking it but I am to lazy. Right now I am even sitting outside in the glaring sun trying to tan my ivory white legs after watching a bunch of young tan babes walking down the street and getting insanely jealous. There is no doubt in my mind that being tan makes you look better, thinner.

Of course though I am trying to draw the line between looking good and subjecting myself to cancer. I have been going through a major vanity streak these days. I am seriously considering botox injections and some cosmetic dental work. I just feel like I need to keep up on my looks. I am 33 but already feel 43. Sad, I know. The only good thing going is that I am physically in shape, even though that has taken a lot of sweat and tears. Tears from the painful aches, sprains, etc. Sweat is a given, I know I let off a gallon or two in this morning's spinning class.

Need some workout motivation? I got it!

I just finished up another round of my kickboxing tape. Kachow! Stay away man because I am lean and mean and I can kick your boo-tay. I think about this chick that I cannot stand every time I do my punches and I can tell you, I am throwing some good ones.

I think that is the best way to exercise. Really, if there is someone who gets on your nerves, get into workout mode and start thinking about them. Let yourself just picture giving them a one-two punch and then a bam, bam kick right in the gut.

I use it even in my running, when I am trying to get up that last hill I start thinking about them and how I will not let them get me down. I will not let them get the best of me. The next thing I know, I am up the damn hill. Sometimes there is no need for diet pills, just an extreme dislike for someone. And then you can thank them like Cristina Aguilera does in her song, "Fighter."

"After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that I hold resentment for you
But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter"

Milk it!

My little man knew how to milk a cow since he was two. Fortunately the cow stayed very still.













Even at 6 years old, he's still got it.

Yeah, wait, this cow is fake.

Working it!

I so proud of myself. The other day I stepped on our glistening scale and looked down and saw 128! Go whiney, go whiney, get your groove on, go whiney....oh shut up, cause I know after this weekend I will step on and be right up over the 130.

I know, I know, maybe I shouldn't complain. I do look pretty good. The gym has been working me. I am much more motivated than I was. I am doing the best fat burner activities that I can. I do 15 minutes of jogging on the treadmill, 10 minutes of rowing, 10 minutes on stair climbing and 10 minutes elliptical or bike. If you do them in succession, you get your heart rate going and you don't get bored either.

Now I just have to stop pigging out on BBQ food.

Will my garden grow...

Remember when I talked about building my garden this year and how we built the fence ourselves? Well, I am finally getting around to post some decent pics of our job well done. Now I only wish my veggies would grow faster!

Where does it all go?

Time is flying! I swear this summer is just speed racing by me. Is it really almost July? Where the heck did June even go? Were the days really 24 hours long...maybe I have been in a coma and didn't know about it. Seriously, before we know it, it will be Fall and time to start sending out Halloween invitations. I want to enjoy the summer, I want to soak up the sun, get a little tan, play in the pool. Please stop time, for just a couple weeks so I can enjoy it. As much as I am looking forward to the Fall...80s party, Disney trip and Halloween, I want to get a chance to relax!

So very proud...

I am so proud of my son. Every few months we dump out his piggy bank and let him have a little spending money. Our deal is, we save 2/3 of it and we spend 1/3 of it. It has worked out pretty well so far in teaching him that savings comes first. Oddly though today, he actually volunteered up something else. He says to me, "mom, I want to give $30 to kids that don't have any money." I was awestruck. Without any suggestion from me or his dad, the fact that he volunteered this up totally on his own was so sweet and endearing.

I am sure a big smile spread on my face as I secretly though, "yes...I have raised him right!" Still, I was a bit concerned about the amount in that he may not realize that that is over half of what he actually had in his piggy bank. We decided after counting everything up that $10 would be a nice donation and that we'd find a charity that he felt would be best deserving and we'd try to do this on a regular basis. I think it is so important that he realize that not everyone lives in a comfortable home with lots of toys everywhere and the ability to even have a savings account, they are living day-to-day. Somehow he is already concerned about this and I hope that he continues to care about those that are not as fortunate.

Michael Jackson is finally at peace

Can you believe it? Michael Jackson is dead. Dead...holy smokes! Who would have guessed this coming? Well...maybe some people would have, they said he was looking very sickly the last few months. I say more like years.

He has been a mess ever since he moved out of the 80s limelight. I have to admit, I wasn't really a fan even in the 80s, not even when all my friends had that God-awful picture of him when he was a few shades darker and had longer curly hair. I remember that poster had him in some white suit with a black shirt underneath. Oh, he looked so cool (yeah right). Now he is worm bait. I really hope for the sake of his kids he had gotten more than just insurance quote and has a really good trust fund for them. It is the least he could do after all the freaky things he has put them through.

Life...humpf

Life is hectic. It is passing by me like a blur. I am tired. Really, really tired...ug. Please, please give me a margarita and rest! I want to go to a place that has a row of comfy outdoor chaise lounges and I will take turns like Goldie Locks trying out each one. I want to sit under an umbrella with only my legs exposed to get a nice tan because of course, I can't take the risk of getting more wrinkles on my face. Stress is going to give me wrinkles though too. I am totally in NEED of a VACA.

So sweet!

Yeah I should be working...but my horoscope told me to put my boogie shoes on and do something I really enjoy doing, so I'm blogging. And the best thing about blogging? Awards!

My sweet friend Anne over at Mommy Has to Work has bestowed upon moi the Creative Mom Blogger Award!

Aw golly gosh *blushing,* I feel like a little girl who just got a lollipop handed to her from the cutest kid in the class. You know that feeling...when you get all giddy from being made to feel special. Not "special" in the way that you belong in the class with the kids wearing padded helmets, but special in a your-one-of-my-favorites kind of way.

Well enough with the mush and onto the more logistical stuff.

Here are the rules:
* Take your award and put the logo on your post.
* Link the person who awarded you. Remember each recipient of the award should acknowledge the person who honored them.
* Put your own blog title and link.
* Nominate at least five deserving moms.

Here are some fabulous new blogs I have found:
Adventures With Four
Mean Mommy Academy
The Breeder Files
Slurping Life
As I was saying

Baby chatter

It's that time of year again or something. It seems like there is sperm running rampant in the water or something...I know so many pregnant people! They are everywhere, getting ready to bump their bellies in the rest of us non-preggo people walking down the grocery aisle. Now you know I am just joking, or perhaps jealous...well maybe a little bit.

So now all the talk at my playgroups revolves around fancy Baby Bedding and what kind of nipples they are going to use. While most plan to use their own, a few are debating between the best brands. Honestly, I cannot contribute much. It has been awhile since I have bought any Baby Bedding Sets. There really are some really cute ones here though.

We actually bought a green and yellow one for our son and reused it for our daughter but I know a lot of people that do the pink for girls and blue for boys thing. I guess I was trying to save some money. If I had the bucks I would've loved to get a cutsey girlie one for my daughter. Believe me, when she was born the run turned pink immediately. She is a pink, pink, pink girl. She wants to wear pink all the time and sleep surrounded in pink.

So for now, I have to tolerate chatter the baby talk amongst the mommies and ew and ah...you knew, ewww, ahhhhh...I just love those tiny little rattle socks!