Saving Money: Thrifting

Thrifting: 

the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, 

or a shop of a charitable organization, usually with the intent 

of finding interesting items at a low price.

Thrifting is something that is not new to me at all. I started thrifting in my early 20s when I became obsessed with all things vintage - actually that obsession started years earlier, but normally I'd pick up things at garage or estate sales. 

I've been knowm to find most of my clothes (and the girls' clothes) while thrifting, but lately it's been more crafting and home decor that has filled my goodwill cart. 

So, you ask how is this saving you money? Well, let's look at last night. I had had a rather cruddy day dealing with a major sinus headache (thanks to Texas weather) and the girls were all cranky. JAG came home and I said, "I just need to get out of the house." Normally, that statement would result in us lapping around the local mall and potentially spending up to $100, but last night JAG thought it would be best for me to run up the he closest thrift store alone - he knows me well. 

It was a good day at my local Texas Thrift. I picked up six items for a whopping total of $19! 

Flor de lis tote: $1.98 - I may add something to this and resale...or I may kept it. 

Two pillow cases: 99 cents each - possibly vintage, not sure, but these will be cut up and made into crafts. 

Two cross stitch pieces (my new obsession - JAG doesn't get it).

 The house was 99 cents and the Iris was 79 cents.

My biggest bargain of the night was this toddler bed

For the past week I've been searching Craig's List of Bekah a toddler bed.

 I was finding them for $50 to $200. This one was marked at $24, but it has a blue tag 

and yesterday was 50% off blue tags so it was just $12! I did a happy dance and snatched it up quickly. 

It needs to have the side rail put back on and a little tightening. I may paint it a cute yellow or turquoise. This has been my most excited thrift purchase yet and it saved me a ton of money. 

Last Friday I had a day out with my girl friends and all we did was thrift. 

I know - what am I doing? 

It's a cross between a hunch-back and a rapper pose - don't ask me, but it's not pretty. 

We had a blast, as we normally do together, getting started with a pot of coffee at 9 am. 

We hit a half dozen places, had lunch and cupcakes. 

I fit in well with these crazy women. 

I was able to take Morgan and Bekah with me.

I am blessed to have friends who love my girls as much as I do and will stand with them even if they are getting crabby as I check out. Thank you Michelle!

And also thank you for giving Morgan her first taste of chocolate icing. 

She loved it! - that's my girl!

At the end of the day I spent about $78 which is good shopping with these ladies. 

I came home with a haul that included

Milk Glass - JAG can't stand it, but I love milk glass. 

A galvanized tub which now holds toys in my living room.

A wooden tool box. My friend, Kelly, scored me a deal on this and the tub. This will be white washed and sold or gifted. I'll post all about my crafting later. 

A cute yellow shelf and plastic basket wall pockets for the girls' room

Old wooden pants hangers. Have you seen how they are used on pinterest? I'll show you soon.

Doilies, vintage table clothes and sheets. Crafty Crafty Crafty.

Amber glasses for 99 cents each! After I bought these I found them in an antique mall for $6 each. I've been after these since my trip to Branson last Summer. This color remind me of my Meme. I also have them in green which I picked up at an estate sale, but amber is great for Thanksgiving. 

A Melissa and Doug puzzle for $2 and green shorts for Bekah. 

An adorable teal metal flower. 

I have to say I showed a ton of restraint even though I probably didn't need to milk glass or amber glasses, but just think of the future tablescapes. I did pass up some lovely dishes because I knew JAG would die if I brought in another set - I have enough to feed an army. I always say you never know what pattern you will need - I blame it on my Aunt Becky, sorry, but you were the one that started all this madness and I know that you have dished boxed up just waiting to pass along to me. 

Thrifting brings me joy. It's fun to get out and find a bargain or something that you know that none of your friends will have. It's also great fellowship with you girlfriends, at least it is with mine. We all have our own style and you could hear us screaming across the store "Oh look what I found for you over here!"

Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. It's a day to pray for our leaders and our nation. I invite you to visit the National Day of Prayer website today for more information.

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

This morning I am praying for our Nation, but I'm also praying for this young girl. 

{source}

This beautiful young girl is Ruby Contreras. She is 14 and lives in my town (or city - we are in the burbs). She is a Middle School student who was last since April 24th leaving school. She is believed to be with a 26 year old man that she met online. They were last seen in El Paso, Texas. Here is a video from our local news.

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

If you follow me on facebook you are thinking "you are obsessed with this case, Dana." That could be a somewhat true statement and let me tell you why - that could have been me. My heart ached as the details started to unravel about this story. With each detail I was brought back to an indecent I got myself involved in when I was just 13. I am not ready for details, let me just tell you that I praise God this morning that I was safely brought out of the situation - I was not smart. I made what could have been a life changing mistake. That day and the what ifs are really messing with me as I pray for Ruby. 

11:52 pm on 5/2/13 Post Edit: Ruby has been found safe in Mexico. They have her and the man in custody. The authorities are working with the Mexican authorities to get her back to the United States. Again, please pray for this young girl. Her life has been changed this week. I am in tears and praising the Lord that she was found safe. 

I pray that she returns home safely and I pray for her spirit. No matter the outcome this is going to leave a mark on the rest of her life. I pray for understanding of God's plan for her life. I'm praying hard for this girl. 

Not only does it make me deal with the mistakes of my young life; it makes prepare for another serious discussion with Shelby about internet safety and things people will tell you to lead you astray (physically and mentally). I was about to say it tough raising kids these days, but I'm reminded that that could of been me twenty-two years ago long before internet was common thing. Scary. 

In the timely manner that God has I read an article yesterday written by Jennifer K Dean and released by Faithlife Women called Parenting by Prayer. Let me share a few parts that stuck out to me then I invite you to go read the entire article. 

They discuss how you "cannot parent character into your children". Dean stated, You can correct and punish him when you catch him lying; you can teach him honestly by example; you can show him videos and read him stories that teach honesty; you can lead him to memorize Scriptures about honesty. Oh, my I did all of these over the weekend along with having Shelby write "I will not lie" about 300 times followed by bible verse that back up my point. 

Dean continues, By doing these things, you will certainly lay the groundwork and give him the tools to live honestly, but you cannot make him honest. Why? Because truth has to reside in his innermost being, and you cannot put truth into his innermost being. That's something God has to do. 

Only God can out truth and wisdom inside your child. 

Dean goes on to talk about praying in the spirit not in the flesh. See if this sound as familiar to you as it did to me. She says, Our flesh will pray, "Don't let anything bad happen." To which the Lord will say, "I need to allow disappointment, pain, and failure so that I can give him the treasures of darkness and the riches stored in secret places." I was told by a wise woman (Kasey Van Norman) to question the use of scripture. This statement is pulled from Isaiah 45:3. I'm officially putting it on my list of things to do today to make sure I like the way it's used here. I'll do a post edit later if I don't care for it - it may take me a bit. 

Anyway, please go read the entire article: Parenting by Prayer

And now take a deep breath as I am having to do this morning. I leave you with this token that has touched me this morning.  

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Morgan's Baptism

Morgan's Baptism was on April 21st. We had a private baptism at 5 with a dinner to follow. 

Both of my younger girls are blessed to have their grandfather (JAGdad) baptism them. It's a tradition that will mean so much to them when they are older. 

Each one of my girls have this little lamb print with their baptism date. I love them. 

Us with JAGdad and Morgan's sponsors: Pastor Bill and one of my best friends, Quenby.

The family. 

This is Sue. We call her Granny-Sue. I could spend an entire week writing about this woman. She is means the world to me and to my girls. She gifted Morgan with her bonnet which is actually a handkerchief that she will carry on her wedding day. JAG and I actually had a strong debate over naming Moran after Sue - Morgan Sue, but we went with Lynne to honor JAG's grandmother. 

Morgan and her Godfather

Morgan and her big sister

Morgan and her Godmother

Now on to the celebration!
I knew I wanted to use the burlap and lace theme. Lace is expensive so I threw some pink in.

Cake table with banner

I debated on a dessert table or cake. Cake was a last minute decision and I picked this one up at Sam's the day before.

Instead of a guest book I had everyone write a message and a scripture verse on a small doilies card (created by my friend Laura's mother). I plan to attach them into a book for Morgan.

I created the scrap banner - It probably could have used an ironing, but turned out better then I thought.

For center pieces I kept it simple with Mason jars, burlap and paper doilies.
My girlfriends' daughters helped arrange baby's breath and carnations in the large jar before the event.

We had about fifty people attend and served brisket with all the fixings.

Morgan and her grandfather.

And I could not have pulled it off without these women.
They helped me pick out the right shoes.
Set up tables
Dealt with the caterer
Helped dress Morgan
Helped clean up afterwards
Washed many a white tablecloth after the event
and just kept me sane.
They mean the world to me!

Menu and Duh!

Well, I couldn't exactly call this Menu Plan Monday could I? It's it definitely Tuesday. Can I tell you how fast days past with a toddler and a 7 week old (7 weeks today...crazy).

Yesterday afternoon JAG and I were sitting on our bed in our clean room (benefit of me being home) eating pretzels when I said even though there are a few things that stressful right now this is the happiest time of my life. I love having a clean house and spending time with my girls, but I have also grown (quickly) to love the challenge of one income. I love that I spent yesterday morning chatting with Lacy (whose birthday was yesterday) about how I was amazed how cheap it is to just eat at home. (That's my Duh of this post).

Friday JAG made it home around 3:30 pm and I ran to get Shelby who had a stinker of a day. She had her first band competition and they did very well, but while she was there her boyfriend broke up with her. Ah dang...that's too bad. Yes, you know I had a huge sigh of relief and knew this was the perfect time to start the conversation again about how she didn't need a boyfriend. We are still talking - I've been trying to have little popcorn conversations with her on the way to and from school, but that is a completely different post.

Anyway, Shelby decided she was staying at home instead of going to her dad's house. That completely rocked my plans for dinner which were leftover pizza (I made the night before). Normally, at this point I would throw in the towel and head to McDonald's, but I think JAG was a bit shocked when I said I was going to run the store.

It took me about an hour mainly because I was fighting with the Redbox (it's a love hate thing when those things don't work and you reserve your movie online) to get everything I needed to a night at home. I spent only $32 and I was able to make:

Hamburgers with cheese, bacon & grilled onion and French Fries for 3 people (Bekah's schedule was really messed up and she ate leftover pizza early)
Bratwursts for my hubby
Brownie sundaes with vanilla or cookies & cream ice cream.

Do I need to tell you how much that would cost if we ate all that at a restraunt? I also had one hamburger and brats left over for lunch on Saturday along with leftover hamburger buns and frozen french fries (for later in the week). As you know from Brownie-gate we also had brownies and ice cream left (and still do).

With that $32 I also bought breakfast for my entire family for the next morning. I was AMAZED and it was the best meal I had had in awhile mainly because we were at home with very little stress and time together.

As I shared my amazement with my mother the next day by phone her tone changed and I know she was thinking well duh my child. I am not sure why this is so amazing to me, maybe it's the realization that I can do this and we can survive.

So, on to the rest of my week.

Saturday

Grilled Taco and Lime Chicken

You have to try this. It's easy and my new go to marinade.

I paired this with simple romaine salad, flour tortillas and cheese.

Find Recipe Here

Sunday

The Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast

My family loves this so much that I have warn them multiple times that we need some leftover for later in the week. 

I paired this with mashed potatoes. I make them myself with potatoes butter and half & half. 

Find Recipe Here

Monday

Tyson Breaded Chicken Patties with leftover Hamburger Buns (from above)

I believe you have to keep things simple to make it through the week. 

I paired this with the leftover frozen french fries. 

Tuesday

Beef Pot Pie

I use Ree's recipe and substitute left over pot roast for the meat. This time I have left over beef stock from the pot roast. When you make the pie crust you get two (one for this week and one for later)

I will pair this with a simple salad. 

Find Recipe Here

Wednesday

Baked Chicken

Another simple meal. My mom bought a big bag of frozen chicken while she was here, so I am trying to get it out of the freezer. Frozen chicken is a dream it's so easy - I'll share more recipes later for the crockpot that are ideal for frozen chicken.

I plan to pair this with roast potatoes, carrots, onions and red peppers. The potatoes, onions and carrots are what is left of the bags that I didn't use on Sunday.

Thursday

Angel Hair Pasta with Marinara Sauce

I am using what has been in my pantry for sometime. 

This will be paired with french bread (on sale for $1) and green beans (from a can...judge away)

Friday

Pizza

This is my normal Friday night! I use Ree's pizza crust then either keep it simple with pepporoni or step it up as I did last week when I used some of the brisket we had left from Morgan's baptism. 

Find Recipe Here

Oh man, changes with pinterest have made this post take so much longer to create then expected it's almost 11 and I have had a bite of anything for breakfast. I guess I should grab a brownie real quick and go rearrange the laundry. What are you cooking this week?

Post Edit: just wanted to toot my own horn and let you know that I took leftover mashed potatoes from Sunday and made potato pancakes for lunch. You can find the recipe here. Just call me Betty Crocker!

Brownie-gate

The story all begins in the late eighties with a red pen. Not a red ball point pen, one of those really neat red almost felt tip pens and me. I would say I was maybe 9 or 10 the afternoon I was asked "did you do something to my pen?" My response, "um, no. I didn't touch it."

If you are a parent you know I so touched that pen. Not only did I touch the pen I put the end of it (not the felt tip end) into my handy dandy pencil sharpener and I "sharpened it." Please don't ask me why I sharpened the end of the pen. Aren't there many times that you look at your children and ask "Why in heavenly days would you do that?" We may even sum it up in our heads with "those are your father's genes right there."

Besides being a snazzy felt tipped pen this pen was also unique because it belonged to my father. I believe he was the one to start the interrogation on me that afternoon. I stood there doe eyed thinking "how can I get out of this stupid decision I made?" So, I lied.

Inside the perfect world of my 10 year old brain that one lie would have sufficed. He would believe that his daughter could never do anything so stupid and the pen must of just been shedding it's plastic for the summer. And I'm almost positive he was thinking "those are her momma's genes right there."

I breathed a sigh of releif when he gave up his battle. Little did I know that was the calm before the storm as his reinforcements swooped in. As the youngest female in the house I knew I could hold my own if I faced  my dad's muscle (my mom and older sister) one at a time. They were much smarter then me and decided to double team me as a took a bath. I held strong for a 10 year old, but they were better then anything you've seen on NCIS. They laid out the crime scene footage and broke my alibi apart, but the kicker was when I heard the statement  "he is not mad at you, he is just very disappointed that you would lie to him." I confess! I confess! Please don't tell me that my father of all people is disappointed in me.

I balled (as y'all know I do that easily) my father sat on the diving board of our pool listening to my confession.  He looked me in the eyes and said I shouldn't lie especially about something so small. In the scheme of things it was like a $2 pen (may less since it was the 80s) and it would have all been laughed at if I didn't choose to lie.

That brings me to this morning. I ran up the street to get JAG from our local National Tire and Battery. When I returned I noticed the foil over the pan of brownies was no longer as neat as I left it last night after our brownie sundaes. I peaked inside to see a small line of brownies had been removed. I looked at Shelby, who stood at the end of the counter doe eyed and questioned "did you have a brownie?"

"no. I didn't touch them."
"You didn't touch them. How did the foil get all jumbled?"
"Well I looked to see what it was, but I didn't eat any."
"You didn't eat any, but there is this uneven spot where they were butchered out of the pan. Did someone come in while I was gone just to steal a brownie?"
"I don't know. I didn't eat it"

JAG and I, as any other parent who about to lose their head would do, sent her to her room. I stood their in the kitchen thinking "Red Pen! Red Pen!" This is so tiny, so small that it's not a big deal at all for her to have brownie. We would have said "Shelby Elizabeth don't have chocolate before I pump you full of sugar with cinnamon rolls. It makes me look bad as a parent."

Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to say that, so we decided to give her a mulligan. We called her out of her room sat her at the table and asked one more time. She knew she was busted and came clean. The first words out of my mind and mouth is "I am so disappointed." I explained as I have before that it's hard to trust her with the big things when she lies about the smallest things possible. Come on Shelby save the lies for the big things, save them for when you are 16 and back your parent's car into a tree. That "I just found the car that way" would be a better use of your lies then "I didn't eat a brownie at 9 am." I know, I know no lie is a good lie - I'm just making a point.

I wish I could say that the red pen ended my lying career, but I can tell you that every minute of that afternoon has stuck with me for twenty-five years. I hope brownie-gate sticks with Shelby as the day she felt the disappointment of her mother, but I'm sure she will only remember that I made her sugary cinnamon rolls for breakfast and not even homemade ones.

I pray that honesty will eventually not be a topic i have to discuss with Shelby everyday - honestly, this is a hard battle.

Seven Years

It's after eleven and all my girls are asleep, I should be sleeping too, but have way too much on my mind at the moment.

Me seven years ago.

Today I closed a seven year chapter of my life as I officially became a stay at home mom (at least for now). This was an unplanned event, but if you know me and have followed my writing for the past two years you know this event was prayed long and hard for. It's funny how God does things in his own timing. I am not sure if I would have ever fully taken this leap at this moment in my life while not be 100% sure of how my budget is going to make this all work, but it was God's plan and I will trust him.

I am melancholy though as I think of just how long seven years is especially in my industry. I would say up until about three years ago my job really defined a lot of who I was. I worked hard (ask my family) and put in long hours (ask my family about me working during just about all my vacations). I was good at what I did, but something changed in me. My job became more of a moral conflict for me and just a place to get a paycheck - it wasn't who I was or where I wanted to be. Even though I had come to this conclusion awhile ago I stuck with it out of loyalty and financial need. It's hard to pull away from something you've known for so long. Loyalty was the main reason I had decided to go back to work full-time after having Morgan, but again God's plan was differently than mine.

Without bashing I will say I am a bit heartbroken about how things went down, but que sera sera I am sure I will take this a big 'ol life lesson. Hmmm...I sound a bit bitter and I am working on that. I was stung today by the reality of business. Actually, I think I was slapped in the face with something I've previously said, "business and friends don't mix. You don't hire friends and you don't become friends with those you hire." Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's a reality and today it was proven true. Urgh...there is my bitterness again. I'll get over this shortly, I promise.

As soon as I hung up the phone with my former employer I made a vow to myself that no matter how hurt I am I will not do anything unmoral or unlike me to retaliate  We will end our relationship peacefully and move on with our lives.

My dear friend, Laura, told me this evening "it's not what you had planned for, but God has plans for you" and as I walked through my house this evening checking on each of my girls as they slept I thought "yes he does." I am meant to be here with them and not miss a minute of their lives. I am meant to stand by Shelby and be there as she gets out of school each day to support her as she is going through these hard years. I am meant to support my husband from our home.

And think I now I have time to write my heart out and complete projects that are hanging out in non-completion land. You'll see much more Menu Plan Monday posts because I'm going to need them! I am a bit excited to start my next chapter - just think how clean my floors will be. Did I tell that since I have a toddler and a baby I've become obsessed with vacuuming?

Everything will be okay. Am I hiding my anxiety well? I'm still a bit freaked out and shocked about the whole thing.

Another dear dear friend, Kelly, sent me this prayer tonight. It's perfect.

A Prayer for Strength

Our Father, 

sometimes the cares of the day 

seem to multiply, while the 

blessings fade so quickly,

Our bodies grow tired

and our minds even more tired.

Jesus, help us.

Give us the strength You've promised

in Your World.

Give us the power

to take the next step.

Give us your grace...

for we know that in our weaknesses 

YOUR STRENGTH is revealed. 

May we receive it today.

Amen.

Did I ever mention what Awesome friends I have?  

Not What you Expected

I know I've been missing for almost a month now and I do apologize (more to myself then to you). These three have been taking up much of my free time (and that is the way things should be).

These days I am good to take a shower once every couple of days. I feel like I say "Are you going poopy" "don't jump on the sofa" and "be nice to your sister" more than I should, but I am loving life.

I know that I owe you (again talking to myself here...I think) stories about Easter and Morgan's Baptism. Morgan's birth story may have to wait until her birthday like I did with Bekah. Hopefully it won't take 10 years like it did with Shelby.

Speaking of Shelby. I heard this statement leave my mouth this morning on our drive to school.

I want you to think about everything you have learned this year in church including the ten commandments and determine if your actions are honoring God or dishonoring God.

I am really trying to go this route instead of screaming at the top of my lungs "You are DONE dating and you can't be friends with anyone that you are currently friends with." It's a long story and I'm not sure exactly how I want to capture it in writing yet.

The only advice I can give you as a parent at this moment in time is if you have a parenting plan, then do not waiver from it just because society does. My plan included no dating for Shelby until she was 16. I felt that would be an age where she would emotional mature enough to make decisions that would honor her and God. Well, you know where that plan went - in the trash - and I am sitting here this morning kicking myself. Actually, I am trying to not beat myself up too bad, but I am having some major parenting guilt because it's true Shelby is far from emotionally mature to handle a relationship - if you could call it that.

Ok, I guess I should give you some insight since I've rambled myself into a hole. I will try not to sound over dramatic when I say Shelby has been kissing a boy! At school! I am just beside myself. Now I didn't just fall off a turnip truck, I know this happens everyday, but it's too soon for Shelby. It's brings up some major fears about what will be next in her life (there may be some drama in that statement).

I will do my best to not sound like a clueless mother because if anyone knows about what can happen in teenage relationships it's me (probably the reason I am freaking out), but is it too much to pray that my daughters will choose abstinence? Is it too much to want my daughters to choose a path where they respect themselves and their bodies?

I was about to ask "why didn't I get an owner's manual for these girls as I left the hospital," but was reminded that I do have one - the Bible. The Lord's word which should stand stronger that societies pull on my daughters. I am sure I just lost a few of you, but I hope you hang in there with me because I have a question for you - especially if you are a female.

I have been sitting on a post for some time now - a post for my girls and I need your help. Without slamming your parents' parenting skills (because we all know how hard it is now that we are in their shoes) what is one thing (or two or three things) that you wish your parents told you about relationships? What is something that you wish you knew ahead of time in regards to how a man should treat a woman? Was there a lesson that you had to learn on your own that you wish someone would have given you a heads up on?  Feel free to comment below or email me. If you have a full on story then feel free to share.Please don't feel as though I am being sexist just asking the females, but I am raising girls over here not boys - at least not yet.

While I am on a roll about what I should teach my daughters let me tell you about my other tangent for this week - fighting. During the past week I've seen two fights outside of Shelby's middle school and I have to tell you watching these as a parent is much more disturbing then it was when I was in middle school. These kids were betting the tar about of each other - where do that learn that?

One fight between two sixth grade boys had me screaming from my car as I frantically called the front office. Looking back I think my mom took over my body - she has a tendency to let out high pitched screams when things frighten her.

That fight was nothing compared to the overwhelming feeling I had witnessing two girls fight a few days later. Again, I didn't grow up in a bubble, I know this happens everyday, but it been big teaching point for Shelby. I've told her my expectations of her starting with I better not catch her in the crowd that watches fights. I may have used the word stupid too many times in regards to this subject, but as an adult I think that fighting especially physically fighting is one of the stupidest things you can do. I've told Shelby what to do if some one threatens her with a fight. And since the fight between the two boys was over a girl I told Shelby that even though it may seem all sweet and loving for a boy to fight for you it's pretty stupid.

Man, raising a tween is hard! Thank you in advance for your prayers. I am sorry if you thought this was going be a look at my cute girls post. It feels good to get it all off my chest - hopefully tomorrow will be more lighthearted for you (and me). Now, I must go put a toddler in time out, again - raising a toddler isn't easy either, but all so worth the time.