Secondhand Strategy

If you've noticed all the "find of the day" posts recently, it's because I've only had minutes at the keyboard. My husband has commandeered the computer for the last part of his dissertation. Sharing a photo and the story behind it has been a quick--if shallow--way to keep Like Merchant Ships relatively fresh. While it's always fun, sometimes I feel like I'm straying from the mission here. Ann V. gently reminded me to thank God for the handmade paper at Salvation Army. I had--just not in public.

So many of you have emailed to ask for bargain-hunting advice , I think it merits a series of posts. First, though, an explanation: I truly believe that our secondhand success can be credited to a trust that God will provide for our needs--and occasionally, our wants--in a way that honors our budget and exceeds our expectations. There are just too many times when we've found exactly what we needed in the most unlikely of places. It's a phenomenon that defies logic. It's downright humbling to see how the smallest of our desires are met, or, if not, replaced by contentment in what we already have.

Here's another way in which this trust was deepened, just this week:
We have been using disposable diapers because my husband didn't want to deal with cloth. I acquiesed because, hey, I didn't want to be the only one who could change the diaper. (Flashback to my grand garbage experiment of '05.) Then came the baby's turn in the Bili-bed, and I was suddenly cleaning no diaper at all. I remember thinking, cloth diapers would be a luxury compared to this!

Yesterday we bought our second case of Pampers with a guilty conscience. $30 a month for diapers! How do people afford disposables and formula, too? We talked about it on the way home. I said, Lord, I would really love to try cloth like my friend Stephanie, but I'm afraid to invest all the money. I'm afraid I am too lazy for the laundry. I'm afraid I will not follow through.

Today my mom had a biopsy. I was praying my way to the hospital with a screaming baby in the car. She called to say that the surgery had been delayed. I would have to kill at least an hour, so I followed the next neon yard sale sign. Here's what I found on the very first table:

40 fitted cloth diapers with Velcro tabs for the exact amount of cash in my envelope.

Frugal Dad Trades Up

My husband came home with the biggest smile on his face! We've been decluttering with Craig's List classifieds lately. Yesterday we sold a Giant bike for $40. We had bought it for $5, only to find the frame was too small. Today I suggested he stop by Salvation Army after dropping off evaluations across town. As he walked in, a worker was wheeling out this Trek 720 Multi Track bike. The price? $40. After complimenting his bargain-finding prowess, I ran inside to Google. According to this Craig's List posting, the Trek 720 originally sold for around $600. Now my husband has a top quality bike for our original $5 seed money!

(By the way, he knows it's technically a girl's frame, but the only difference is that the bar is slanted instead of straight--and for this price, he says he's man enough to ride it!)

Live Blogging

Looks like Kim C. is finally in labor! And she still manages to put up something for Works for Me Wednesday--incredible! Good luck, Kim, I'll be praying for you!

Back In The Saddle

Today was my first successful thrift outing with kids in tow. After our doctor's appointment we stopped by two of our favorite shops. It was so fun! Many of the workers, having seen me pregnant for the last few months, were so sweet and oohed and ahhed over the baby. I found this boutique Jacadi outfit for $1 and a brand-new NoJo Original Baby Sling. I have a 50-cent yard sale version already, but I wanted a second one to keep in the car. Getting out of the house for an enjoyable morning was worth every penny! I had to nurse between stops, so I detoured to Watkins Park and let Andrew run through the amazing array of misters and fountains at this free city sprayground.

A question for moms who have used both this sling and the Maya Wrap: is the latter truly more comfortable? The NoJo is comfy, but puffy, when compared to the sleek new slings. If the difference is simply cosmetic, I'll stick with what I have, but if the Maya wrap is better, I'll keep my eyes open for another.

Painting With Water

Check out this preschool painting tip from Mel at Actual Unretouched Photo. It looks like a great mess-saver, but am I the only one who thinks "hey, you can reuse that paper, too!"?

Cheap Conveniences for New Moms

It's been over four years since I had a baby in the house, and there are many small conveniences I wish I'd remembered. Below are some ideas which cost little or nothing, but might make the first weeks with baby a little more pleasant:

• A watch with Indiglo or a large, readable clock in every room of the house. Moms doing the all-night baby walk will appreciate seeing the the early morning hours pass without having to fumble for eyeglasses or walk back to the bedside alarm clock. Note to self: pick up a few more alarm clocks at yard sales.
• Phones anywhere you might plant yourself with the baby--as long as the phone next to the bed has the ringer turned OFF>
• A newly made bed. You will feel like a queen when you slip between clean sheets at night (even if you don't get to stay there long). To me, this is well worth the cost of an extra load of laundry per day! Keep a blanket or quilt folded at the foot of the bed for daytime napping.
• A basket of nightgowns within reach of the bed. This makes it easy to change into something fresh in the middle of the night. Likewise with undergarments and pads.
• An extra squirt bottle and an 18-count pack of washcloths ($3.88 at Walmart) for the changing area. Diaper wipes are irritating to most newborns, but traipsing to the bathroom sink to wet a washcloth each change is slow. A filled squirt bottle at room temperature works great for wetting washcloths and bottoms. If you don't want to buy washcloths, cut squares from older towels or flannel sheets with pinking shears.
• A big travel cup with lid and straw. You can sip all day without spilling ice cold water on a sleeping baby. Can you tell I learned this one the hard way?
• One-handed pleasures. Chiefly, paperback books and snacks which can be eaten in the middle of the night while the other arm holds the baby (muffins, popsicles, cheese cut into sticks).

If you have a favorite new-mom convenience, please share in the comments below!

ATM Skimmers

My bank just emailed about a scam in our area. Three banks in Nashville have been victims of ATM skimmers in the last few weeks. These are devices placed over the existing slot on an ATM. They catch the magnetic strip information as the card passes through. At the same time, a small camera is placed near the keypad, such as on a brochure rack, that records your PIN as you key it in. Stay alert for unusually protruding slots or plastic trim which is a different color from the rest of the machine.

When I must use an ATM, I go to a grocery and use the free cash-back option at the checkout. Even if you have to buy a pack of gum, your total cost is still less than the typical ATM fee (plus, you get the gum!). It's safer, too--both from scammers and muggers.

Need A Laugh?

Click over to What Makes A Housewife Desperate's decorating tips, with photos.

What's Growing

Only things which are low maintenance around this house. The extent of my vegetable gardening is this container garden my mother bought from Sam's Club. It cost under $10 for the cherry tomato plant surrounded by six herbs. I repotted it in a yard sale find. It seems to love all the hose water my son lavishes on it every day. Below is a shot of my shady bed, which I have filled in with several ferns dug from my mother's woods. These are called Christmas ferns because they stay green even during the holidays (though a dark, brackish green before the new growth comes in spring). Hey, they're free!

Rose Colored Glasses

Have you visited the new blog, Want Not? Mir explains her money-saving strategy for buying new glasses. Both my husband and I need vision correction. Our plan covers a yearly exam, new basic lenses, and $50 toward frames every other year. It's almost impossible to buy frames for that price except at Walmart or Sam's, which are not on the preferred provider list. You must pay out of pocket and be reimbursed later. I will say that the customer service at our Walmart's optical shop is superb. They will clean and tighten your frames for free whenever you shop. Also, if you buy the tiny lens cleaning kit, you can have it refilled, free, until you lose the bottle.

My cheapest new glasses came from the Unclaimed Baggage Outlet in Scottsboro, Alabama. Normally I would think secondhand frames would be too worn out, but how about all the pairs lost in suitcases and airports? I bought a like-new pair of Ralph Lauren frames and had my optometrist put in my prescription lenses at the next exam. All I spent was the $2 I paid for the frames themselves.

When It's Oh So Hot

I don't have it together for Works-for-Me-Wednesday. I'm too busy recovering from an outing in this sizzling heat! Muggy Tennessee has a heat index of over 100 degrees this week. Our electric bill just arrived, at $100 for the previous, cooler period--yikes! (Though I will admit that in my hugely pregnant state, I was dipping the thermostat needle lower than it's ever been set in our home!)

My goal is to reduce the next month's bill by 10%, which will be a challenge, given the hotter outdoor weather. I'm frustrated by most tips for keeping the thermostat low. It seems like they're oriented to people who have jobs and are out of the house all day! We close the blinds and turn on the ceiling fans. We dress in light clothing and perhaps take our baths in the afternoon instead of evening. We switch our bedcoverings to thin cotton coverlets. We drink a lot of ice water! It's going to take some creativity to make the meter slow down for July!

Sometimes it just helps to get out of the house. Claire at Tired But Happy has a great list of air-conditioned outings. Today made it to the library, where I plopped myself directly under a ceiling vent. Aaah, blessed relief!

Finding A New Normal

We're gradually finding a routine to our days. My husband is home for a few more weeks, and it always takes some adjusting going from one parent at home to two. I'm going to try getting out without a driver tomorrow (though it has been luxurious being chaffeured about by my husband). I apologize for all the questions you've asked in the comments that I haven't had a chance to respond to yet--and for all of you who have blogs of your own, I'm still reading, but it's hard to comment with a baby in my arms. Elise is up from midnight to four am, alternately alert or fussing quietly. Anyone have suggestions what to do in this case? Just pop the baby in the sling and try to get the housework done? Or should I attempt to reset her internal clock?

Father's Day

My husband recently attended a Stephen Covey roundtable. I can be pretty cynical about this type of training, but to my husband's credit, he truly practices what he learns. He shared the following discussion with me:

Participants were asked to describe a personal event that affected one's "emotional bank account." One administrator recounted a recent trip he took with three generations of family. As he looked at his small son playing nearby, he confessed to his dad, "Gosh, I can't believe how much I love him."
His own father laughed. "If you think you love him now, just wait thirty years."

As we drove along, we both discreetly grabbed the fast food napkins stashed in the door pocket. My husband, for the grandpa who never lived to see his grandson, and I, for the father who walked away. It's times like Father's Day when I'm grateful we can experience the flip side of this coin, the profound and redemptive love we have for our children. Just imagine how 30 years will deepen our love for them.

I started to add another paragraph about finding the Father to the fatherless, but Barbara Curtis at Mommylife already said it so beautifully, I'll send you there instead.

Summer Appetites

Have you stopped by the new blog A Readable Feast? Anne-Marie suggests all kinds of kids books, but this post about food books for Moms whet my appetite. I've already enjoyed Julie and Julia.

Frugal Dad Does Windows

One of the things I love about my husband is that he's always doing little things that make my life easier. We needed a sun shade on the baby's side of the car, and something on the back window for her rear-facing view.

I had tossed the latest yard-sale window shade in the trash. Seems like the suction cup was a magnet for preschool mischief; when the shade wasn't falling off, it invited smeary spit marks all over the glass.

Frugal Dad came to my rescue with a roll of tinted window film from Walmart. It cost about $10 and contained enough to make four generous squares--one on each rear window and a long panel along the back.

A premade version probably exists, but cutting our own allowed us to tailor the shade to our car's windows. The film can be peeled off and reapplied anytime after washing the glass with soapy water. I think the visibility is better, and the windows can be rolled up and down.

Garde Manger

When I worked as a concierge at a fancy hotel, I loved going deep into the kitchens to pick up special trays of foods. Though I admired the delicate creations of the pastry floor, my favorite stop was always the garde manger--also called a cold kitchen, where fruits, vegetables, cheeses and the like were sculpted and arranged with artistic perfection. I try to remember the amazing colors and shapes when I process my own produce at home. Not that I'm carving radish roses or anything, but the idea that I'm readying foods that are both pleasant to the eye and good for the body.

Right now, there are three things keeping my family eating our daily vegetables: Aldi, because I can grab the weekly basics at a consistently low price; yard sale Tupperware, because finding the right container means it's no harder to pop a platter of crudite in the pool bag than a bag of chips; and Sue Gregg's cookbooks, because her inventive suggestions have us eating side salads all week.

Salute to the Frugal Dad

Since Father's Day is just around the corner, this week I'll be sharing about the favorite Dad in this house! I grew up in a home without a father, so watching a real dad in action is a wonder to me. I knew we were much alike when we both admitted reading encyclopedias for entertainment. He loved Childcraft's Things To Make And Do, and he's passing the fun of making do to our son. Yesterday's project was devising a homemade parachute for a yard sale GI Joe. They experimented with several shapes cut out of trash bags and tied with kite string. Finally they built a launcher out of a water bottle cut in half, secured to a butterfly net with rubber bands. It was a thrilling morning!

Nap And A Treat

I got out of the house today. I tried the baby in the sling and went to Sam's Club for announcements. I caved and bought the 30/$10 photo greeting cards, even though I don't like them as well as handmade. They turned out prettier than I expected. Having them printed in 30 minutes was too easy to resist. I did, however, find some beautiful handmade paper stationery at Salvation Army and tucked a small personal note to each recipient inside.
Later I was able to take a rejuvenating nap, and now I'm about to enjoy a steamed artichoke for dinner. All in all, a good day.

Hurray!

We just got the lab results---we can take our baby off the box TODAY!

I had a moment to enjoy the beautiful weather with Andrew. He's been busy updating his handheld "video game" into an interactive version (the cardboard box). In case you can't tell, one shoots crocodiles with laser beams while floating down the river. I don't know which is more pitiful: that this imaginative play apes a video game version of imaginative play, or, that even though it's imaginary, Mom still can't manage to operate the controls right.

Still Cooking

One of the rare peaceful moments of the last three days in the Bili-Bed. She really hates phototherapy! It's hard to clean up the constant stream of waste that results from lying on a muslin cover with no diaper. Her kicking and screaming smear the mess from head to toe. I've had to resort to a pacifier for the times she's not nursing. The stress of not comforting her in my arms is enough to make me go all attachment parenting. I don't know how those moms and dads with babies in NICU stand it!

Checkerboard Floor

You have to take a peek at One Woman's Cottage Life. Let this mom's project inspire you! After removing the carpet for allergies, she painted the subfloor in a whimsical checkerboard. Where her corners don't quite meet, she plans to decoupage flowers.

Happy Anniversary, Hon...

...or, the Day Five Hormonal Meltdown, in retrospect.

Don't anyone call the counseling center or anything. I'm including this bit of reality to balance the smug flower-arranging post from earlier. Hey, I'm human, too.

My pregnancy books say that today is the D-Day of the postpartum period. A woman's hormone levels drop precipitously in a cascade of tears and irrational thinking. I've always been one to scoff at other women's PMS complaints. Out of control? How predictable. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

I was holding it all in pretty well. I bit my tongue when every visitor praised my husband for watching Andrew--and he acted like it was some well deserved glory. (Well what do you think I do all day, every day?) I didn't hang up on the endless stream of phone calls which interrupted every nap opportunity, or even the faraway friend who wanted me to get a pencil to write down a different call-back number. Can't you hear the hysterical baby in the background, buddy? I quietly made myself a peanut butter and jelly when I noticed the last two servings of lasagna (and the accompanying breadsticks, and also the cookies) had mysteriously vanished right before I sat down to eat.

It was putting our daughter in the bili-bed for jaundice that did me in. I heard her high-pitched crying, her little eyes begging to be held and nursed and comforted--and that dam of resentment broke. Woe be to the husband who stood unknowingly at the floodgate. I'm pretty sure I did everything except demand the D-word.

Did I mention tomorrow's our anniversary? Time for the seven year itch, my mother so helpfully reminded me, with a sidelong glance at my stretchmarks.

Hope I have enough energy to whip up some humble pie for dessert.

Bath Blessings

I moved the baby into the bathroom so I could enjoy a quick soak. As I looked around at all the pink, I realized, I finally have a little girl with whom to share my girly bathroom! We are so blessed. Every day brings new surprises.

Other quick notes:

• Sallie, formerly of Two Talent Living, has unpacked her bags at A Gracious Home. She's celebrating the second half of surprise pregnancy with a look that befits her new focus. Also, congratulate Kristen of Walking Circumspectly, who's expecting after five years of prayer.
• Those of you who think I'm nuts for posting postpartum will have to visit Kim C. at Life In A Shoe--she plans to live blog the upcoming home birth of baby #9.
• Mothersong has revived her blog with a good two-part post about saving money with summer planning.
• The Common Room's Headmistress repackages her frugal choices in a summary of wants vs. needs. Great comments there, as usual.

Stork Dinner

One of the nicest traditions of our hospital stay is a romantic dinner delivered to all new parents. The nurses will take the baby while a waitress wheels a linen-covered table into your family's birthing room. The photo above doesn't really do it justice. Say what you will about hospital food--to someone who’s had heartburn for weeks prior, a rib-eye steak and twice-baked potato is a sight for sore eyes. Mmmmm! They even include a bottle of sparkling grape juice on ice to toast the new arrival. The turtle cheesecake tastes even sweeter with the knowledge that you won’t be going to a restaurant alone anytime soon. Of all the special meals out we’ve shared, our two stork dinners remain our favorite.

Stretching A Bouquet

An aunt sent this beautiful bouquet to the hospital. As I was tidying for visitors today, I noticed that about half its blooms had already withered. I decided to recycle the still-sturdy stems into smaller vases to set around the house. You get the most impact by regrouping similar flowers or colors. Make a fresh cut on each stem to prolong its life, and strip away any soggy leaves which spoil the water faster. I like to add snips of potted ferns or garden greenery, too. It’s a good way to practice arranging flowers without having the pressure (and cost!) of a fresh bundle. I didn't have much time before the baby woke, but at least I'll get to enjoy the summer colors a few more days.

Sunny Days

Trying your suggestions for sunlight before we leave to check today's bilirubin level...

Thanks again for all the encouraging comments. I am short on time to reply--we have distant grandparents and great-grandparents who NEED PHOTOS NOW!

UPDATE: We've been going for daily bili checks but the level is still increasing. Today's is right at the borderline for phototherapy, but because jaundice usually peaks at day 4/5, we're going to test tomorrow and pray the level goes down on its own. There are so many families with infants ill from serious problems, jaundice hardly seems worth mentioning here. However, the doctor said that more than 24 hours with 20% bilirubin can cause brain damage, and at levels over 10, sunlight alone is not enough. Also, this jaundice is high because I have an O- blood type and Elise's is A+, a double whammy on the "you might have jaundice if..." chart.

The Best Money I Ever Spent

C'mon, Blogger, c'mon! Now is not the time to be down for technical difficulties again! Don't you people know I have a brand new baby and only a couple of minutes on the keyboard? I'm going to try to keep posting stuff as I can, just to keep myself in the habit here. Just overlook the incoherence and mispellings, won't you?

He was my first child. He was in a bili box for severe jaundice. He was extremely dehydrated. He gnawed instead of nursed. An aunt rented a hospital pump for me in hopes that I could keep a milk supply. I cried and pumped day and night. The nurses, the pediatrician, the La Leche leader--no one could get him to latch. I finally found the number for A Mother's Place at Centennial Hospital. He was almost three weeks old.

My insurance would not cover the $75 consultation fee, which represented a huge sum for us at that time. I didn't care. I was desperate. I begged for an appointment and two days later dragged my weepy self into the office of Jane Kershaw, IBCLC. She took one look at my breasts and my baby and diagnosed the problem. Five minutes later Andrew was gulping and swallowing like a traveller at an oasis. There was no pain. Only sweet, blessed relief. I was a mother. I could feed my baby.

I consider that $75 the best money I ever spent. Period. (And you know that means a lot coming from a frugal mom like me!) Sure, we saved a lot of money on formula--but who could put a price on a year of happy nursing?

Today Jane Kershaw and her warm staff at A Mother's Place came to my rescue again. (Luckily now covered by insurance!) Different baby, completely different set of problems--and a bag of no-nonsense solutions from her years of experience and academic research. Almost instantly, Elise enjoyed the only true sustenance she's had in her first forty-eight hours of life. I just can't describe how much better we both feel. If you are in my area and have breastfeeding problems, don't hesitate to make an appointment at A Mother's Place--or find a similar expert in your city.

"though art He that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts." Psalm 22:9

She's Home!

our daughter Elise

8 pounds, 2 ounces

21 inches long

I've always thought Blogger provides excellent service without cost, but a major system failure on the one day you want to show your baby to the world is disappointing! Elise was born yesterday morning after a short and easy labor. We brought her home this afternoon. It's all a little surreal still. She is showing signs of jaundice and not nursing well, so tomorrow we have visits to the pediatrician and lactation consultant scheduled. I'm sleepy but well. In fact, I feel so good it's hard to believe I had a baby yesterday! Many thanks for all your prayers and well wishes.

The Woodland Bed

A quick peek at the corner of my woodland bed, on the shady side of the front porch. I have transplanted lots of Christmas fern from a dry creek bed on my mom's property.

Majestic Magnolias

• Magnolias are blooming like mad here in the South! This is the first time I've had one of these stately flowering trees on my own lawn. I find myself using its shiny green leaf clusters year-round. Here are a few quick things to do with the majestic magnolia:
  
  Float a single blossom in a shallow water bowl.
• Pen guests' names in gold ink and use as placecards.
• Staple or hot glue leaves around a cardboard circle or swag, a la Roman laurel wreaths. When the leaves brown and dry, spray paint the whole thing antique gold.
  

And We're Off!

We're loading the car for the hospital! Our little girl should be here within the next 24 hours. We won't have access to the Internet for the next few days, but I promise an update and photo upon our return. Say a little prayer for her safe and peaceful delivery, won't you?

Making The Most Of Small Kitchens

Q: I would love to hear any thoughts you may have for making the most of small kitchen. We live in a very large century home but it has a ridiculously small kitchen.

A: My kitchens have always been on the small side. But even a tiny kitchen can feel bigger if its surfaces are kept clear. I don't like anything on the countertops, not even a crock of wooden spoons. I would rather have fewer things stored out-of-sight than a full kitchen with clutter showing. Our knives are hung on a magnetic strip on the wall. We have a small coffeemaker bought specifically to fit inside the cabinet when not in use. Extra food supplies are stored in select spots adjacent to the kitchen (see the peanut butter jars under the skirted entry table!). Cookbooks are shelved a few steps away in the family room. Supplies that don't pertain to cooking--like paper and tape--are stored in the study. What looks spacious, feels spacious--and an empty counter, however small, is ready for the serious work of a busy kitchen. Another bonus: streamlined kitchens require less stuff (and less money).

Cooking Diabetic

I recently praised my husband's willingness to eat whatever I cook. Unfortunately, this love of food hastened his journey to Type II diabetes. I'd be lying if I said I liked cooking with restrictions. In fact, it makes me downright mad when I spend extra effort concocting special meals for him--only to see him "lose" it by wolfing down three biscuits with chicken and dumplings at the Cracker Barrel--or worse, hiding a huge pile of rice under the cover of shredded lettuce at a Mexican buffet. My face might have a smile, but I'm seething on the inside. Maggie from Hillbilly Housewife has inspired my cooking in many ways. Now I'd like to borrow her attitude in a post about cooking diabetic. My husband is ultimately responsible for his own health. What he puts in his mouth is between him and God.

People often ask me how to cook for a diabetic, say, if they're bringing a meal to a family at church. You can't send the standard starchy casserole, but otherwise, it's simple:

• Choose green vegetables of any kind, vegetable trays with ranch-type dip, salads.
• Choose meats of any kind, avoiding breading or sweet glazes.
• Choose a fruit tray with melon, pear slices or berries. Any cheese is great, too.
• Choose a sugar-free jello or pudding-based sweet. Otherwise, bring your famous dessert--the rest of the family will love it and the diabetic can treat himself to a small slice.
• Avoid anything white: bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, flour, sugar.
• Avoid "natural" sweeteners such as fruit juice, molasses, and honey, in addition to sugar.

Eating Out While Out Of Town

The Dollar Stretcher has a great article about vacation dining on the cheap.

Our Newest Addition

After an exhaustive search, my husband's "canoe envelope" has finally been emptied. He's saved for months. He's endured more just-missed-it classified ad calls than I can count. I finally pushed him to Bass Pro last weekend with instructions "Buy whatever you want. There's obviously a hot resale market for canoes here. Just make sure you get it before the baby comes."
To his dismay, Bass Pro had sold out of every single model. How's that for timing?
He rushed out the door at 6 am, certain to be the first shopper at the only yard sale that vaguely advertised canoe. The seller scratched his head and said, "$350?" My husband offered $200, hoping to meet in the middle. After conferring with his wife, the seller agreed to take his first offer! He even included the foam mounting blocks ($30 at Bass Pro) and four paddles.

I am so glad the saga is over.

More Food For Thought

To start, a salad full of garden vegetables (thank the Miracle Gro):
Chewymom thinks the simple life can sometimes become so "natural," it's unnatural. A nice reminder to seek balance in all things. HT: Tulipgirl

A hearty bowl of freezer soup:
Whimsy discusses leftovers and waste, using Scripture I've never considered before.

And for a quick dessert:
L.R. Johnson shares her secret to treating herself frugally without feeling deprived.

Sugar Lows and Yard Sale Highs

My mom loves to spend time at our home when school ends for summer break. The day started early, with a 6:30 knock on the door. Her arrival disrupted our oatmeal breakfast. Of course, Grandma had to come to the rescue. While I showered, Andrew was treated to a small can of Pringles, two Reece's Peanut Butter cups, and a handful of Starburst. I confirmed that there was a plot afoot when I heard Andrew stage whispering.
"Psst...Grandma! Next time, do you think you could bring me a toy, too? Here's what I will do. When you bring it in the house, I will say, 'No, Grandma, you aren't supposed to bring me toys' in front of my mom, okay?"
We trekked to Aldi, where I introduced Mom to the produce aisle. We stopped at a couple of yard sales along the way. Can you believe how perfectly this new-with-tags bed jacket ($2) matches the gown (tucked underneath) I packed for the hospital? I also scored a gift box of Aromatique sachets (25 cents), Sue Becker's CD on "Eating The Bread Of Idleness," and an unused Prima Latina book and DVD set (25 cents). Later today I listed the set on Ebay with a bargain, buy-it-now $35 price. It sold and shipped within the hour. What a blessing to have today's groceries and gas paid for so easily!

Feeling Ripe

It was only as I struggled to hoist a watermelon from the cardboard bin that I realized...

My midsection is now bigger in diameter than the largest melon I can find at Kroger.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud! What's worse, at least four men walked right past me without offering to help me lift one!

Still, the back strain's worth the pleasure of eating a cold juicy slice in weather like this.
Which do you think is the better strategy--cutting the flesh into chunks for quick snacking, or preserving a well-wrapped half in the fridge so it can be sliced just before eating?

In My Library Bag: To Hell With All That

To Hell With All That by Caitlin Flanagan has given me lots to ponder. While she's not proselytizing a June Cleaver revival, her underlying message still supports the power of homemaking.

What's missing from so many affluent American households is the one thing you can't buy: the presence of someone who cares deeply and principally about that home and the people who live in it; who is willing to spend a significant portion of each day thinking about what those people are going to eat and what clothes they will need for which occasions; who knows when it's time to turn the mattresss and when the baby needs to be taken out for a bit of fresh air and sunshine. (p. 202)

Baby Cheapskate

Am loving this newfound blog, Baby Cheapskate, which showcases the best deals for Atlanta-area families (and even tips for the rest of us). Check out her list of diaper-prices-to-beat at national retail chains.

Garden Envy

Every time I see a fresh photo at the Path To Freedom Journal, I yearn for a more permanent garden of my own. What these people do with roadside finds and sustainable design is amazing! Check out the new rock pot bed, which integrates a drip watering system with beautiful terra cotta accents. Sigh.

Ribbon To The Rescue!

I covet ribbon like the tailor of Gloucestershire needs his red twist. With yard sales, you can quickly accumulate spools of beautiful fabric ribbon for pennies on the dollar. I rarely pay more than a quarter a roll. Since I spend so little, I am downright lavish when it comes to wrapping packages. A favorite gift for a little girl is a ribbon streamer: a wooden dowel "wand" with lengths of pretty ribbons knotted through its tip. Magical!
Here's another photo from the archives that reminded me of the beauty of ribbons. My first Easter as a mom--and I completely forgot that we would need a basket! The only thing I could find in the five minutes before church was a plastic drugstore freebie. I slipped a ferny green placemat inside and folded its edges over to cover the purple sides. Creamy ribbon bows cinched the placemat to the handle with a soft, gauzy effect. Ribbon to the rescue!

Disguising The Electrical Panel

I can't take credit for this idea. Southern Living published instructions just when we noticed the ugly electrical panel in the middle of our first kitchen. However, it became such a pretty (and useful) solution for a common eyesore. First we salvaged a bulletin board from a college student's trash pile. The board was several inches bigger than the electrical panel. Then my husband hinged the left side of the frame to the wall, allowing quick access to the panel behind the board. I covered the board in fabric and layered a second framed print over the coordinating toile. (Can you believe a church yard sale priced this French hen only ten cents?) Gingham ribbon suspends it from a cup hook in the top frame.

For some lovely ideas about hanging prints with ribbon, see today's Sparrow's Nest.
(If you're wondering why only half the bulletin board is visible, it's because I cropped this from an archived photo.)