Cutting Corners- The thrill of the Hunt.

It has not been a secret among my close friends and family that this summer has been a struggle for Kent and I, financially.
We had a new home to furnish and new baby. I did my share of going to Target and buying novel and shiny items from the store. However, then comes the time when the gift certificates die and the excitement of a new person in this world wears thin.
I have prided myself at becoming quite thrifty with a little extra work when it comes time to buy our Lucia a new toy, to put new work clothes on Kent's back, or to curb an ever so needed retail therapy session for me.
First of all, I'm not ashamed to say that I am about a weekly customer at Goodwill and Stuff, Ect. They have promotions like "25 cent" Tuesdays for certain color tags. Stuff has a very nice clothing collection and I have found almost brand new items/never worn for dirt cheap. They have a running promotion that items that are a certain age are either 50% or 80% off.
Garage sales are fun when I can remember them or have time to plan to go to them. Kent and I have scored patio furniture that people just wanted to get rid of before moving for $1.00. Today, I went to the Regina school's Garage sale. I scored Kent some very nice brandname work shirts and some Christmas decorations all for no more than a dollar a piece.
Lastly, I've just started to really look on line. Websites like Craigslist and groups like Freecycle on Yahoo are really interesting prospects. Everyone really benefits by this kind of acceptance to the not shiny out of the package brand new stuff idea. We keep garbage out of a landfill and I don't stress too much every time I want or need something for my family.

Someone called me "Ma Ma" today.
Well, it happened. You are a mom the day you give birth to your baby. Thereafter, everyone calls you Mom. But its a whole new ballgame when someone only knows you by the name, "Ma Ma" isn't it?
Mom said that I should have taught her to say Da Da. So, as soon as I could I got her to repeat, "Da Da" and she did. So, I'm telling Daddy she's saying Da Da.
All week long I kept giving her the hairy eyeball for "pretending to chew" all week. Little did I know that she was practicing the mouth movements to say our names.
SO HAPPY.
p.s. happy 7 month birthday, Lucia (a day late).

Work has been a struggle.

Sooo.... When I am needing a laugh this is what I have been thinking about:

The scene in "Better off Dead" when Lane Meyer is trying to kill himself again by jumping off a bridge. His druggie friend pats him on the back after talking him out of it. Lane falls into a heap of garbage of a dump truck as it drives beneath the bridge. Two Black telephone pole workers see him.

One says to the other, "Damn shame... Folks throwing away a perfectly good white boy like that."

LOL... gets me every time.

Happy 6(0)th Birthday, Ansel Adams...

Have fun getting back to your photography/art now that you are retired. Love you Pop-0.

Little Girl gettin' her pattycake on...

Shenanigans

I was talking to Momma today during Lucia's nap. When I was done I went to check on the baby. While walking towards her room I heard the faint sound of music from her mobile. I turn the corner and there she is pressing the buttons to her mobile with a HUGE grin on her face. I asked her "What ARE you doing?"

She responded by doing a Jack Nicholson impression with her eyebrows.

That little rascal.

Daddy's little Girl

Daddy wanted me to include these pictures from our trip because they are his favorite. He asked me this morning, "Did you put these on the blog?"

Now I can say I did.

MINI BREAK!

Lucia has been VERY busy lately. We had house guests, Sarah and Jose from MI. Then, we had girls day to the state fair where Luci loved eating a pickle. Last, we went to WI for a mini-break and to catch a little face time with the AZ Os.While we were there we spent some time at the Madison farmer's market, Cave of the mounds and Mt. Horeb (trollway) for a nice lunch.

Momma is on the road to recovery!

Yesterday, my mom had a growth removed from her thyroid the size of a pecan (to quote my Pop-o). She is doing well. Blood levels are already showing that her calcium levels down... NO MORE KIDNEY STONES, YEA!

I love you Momma! I hope this surgery helps you enjoy life a little easier! Just seeing your smiling face up there brightens my cloudy temperament tonight.

Is it strange that I'm already nostalgic for when Lucia was as small as she was in the above picture. Today she's just such a tornado of energy and curiosity. That dress doesn't fit her anymore and I have to put it into storage for the possibility of maybe Baby #2 in the future.

We are all headed for a weekend in Wisconsin and I will be meeting my nephew Aaron Obert for the first time! I'm super excited and, of course, I always have fun with one Mr. Patrick Obert. We will be camping at Lake Farm County Park in Dane Co. (I think its actually in Madison!) Kent will be there too! I'm really looking forward to time with family and for Lucia to meet her cousins. I may cancel Lucia's appt. on Monday and stay to enjoy a trip to Wisconsin Dells. I have not decided yet. I will post some pictures of our weekend when I return.

Next week (on Thursday) I go back to school as a Paraeducator. I will be working at another elementary in a 1st grade classroom doing 1 on 1 work with an individual with autism. I'm looking forward to the distraction of work. I'm a much better person when I have structure to my day. Lucia is structured but I like to have things to do on my own. It will be nice to get out of the house.

Some of you might also know that I'm studying for the Postal Battery Exam. I am going to try to become a postal worker. The school job is fine but the summer months were so stressful and tight that we need something more reliable for our little family. I like the idea of delivering mail on foot. I can get exercise and get paid for it. The more I think about it the more I like this latest idea. So wish me luck! The test isn't very easy. It goes so fast you hardly have enough time to answer the questions.

Well, I better get to sleep now as I will be going to the Iowa State Fair bright and early tomorrow morning with my neighbor friend Cindy! I will be off by 6am to be part of the largest group of people simultaneously eating a corn dog. It comes with free admission and a free corn dog. I'm very excited. I will be stopping by to visit the Butter Cow while I'm there as well.I just wanted to sit down tonight and type to cheer myself up a little and take my mind off what is upsetting me. I think it worked. Good night.