Thrifty Thursday...Quirky Shirt Edition

What can I say,  I'm addicted.  But then you should know that by now.  Just happened to be in the vicinity of a Goodwill Store yesterday...had to go take a look around.

Nothing really catching my eye...I needed a good chuckle, so I went to the T-Shirt aisle...never fails!

I could almost see me wearing this...but honestly, it would only cover one of my troubles...so...it stayed on the hanger.  Plus, I think my shirt should say something like "these give me a back ache"  They're not really trouble makers anymore.

I remember when this saying was popular...back in 1999...not so much anymore.  Think it would scream "I bought this at good will"  so, another shirt to stay on the hanger - But the message is still a strong and relevant message, even in 2012.

But I couldn't go home empty handed.  I grew up in the 80's...and I love me some CHEERS!  The shirt dates me...but thats ok.  It is so worth it!

 


You're welcome - I know you'll be singing this song for the rest of the day!




Wanted to add a link to Library adventures...she does a lot of thrift store and vintage finds...she has some really nice stuff.  I link to her page, so I want to give her a shout out!
Also...Apron Thrift Girl

Memories of Birthday Past

I'm gonna share a little personal information with you...but not TMI, so don't worry.  Growing up, we didn't celebrate birthdays for religious reasons.  Now, before you get all sad on me...I didn't really know what I was missing, so I wasn't ever too upset about the whole thing.  It was what it was.

Now, I celebrate birthdays.  Not so much mine, it just makes me uncomfortable.  Not saying I didn't try...but my first attempt was my 21st, and basically I messed that party up something awful, sent everyone to a hole in the wall bar, which was the wrong bar.  This was before people used cell phones, so yea, it was a giant mess.  I still had my tequila, but, a few people short.  So I kinda gave up on my own birthdays.

My kids...are an entirely different story.  Matthew's 1st birthday was months in the making.  This was all before Pinterest so really, I was roughing it with the ideas.  Thank goodness for good ol' Disney Family magazine, and Martha Stewart.

I planned a Safari themed birthday...I sent these oh so crafty invites to family, friends, you name it - if I knew you at one time in my life, you were celebrating my boys birthday!

I had several people error-check this invite before I sent it to a bazillion people...and no one caught the "oops" well, of course my smart assiest friend found the error..and loves to bring it to my attention every year during Matthew's birthday season...can you spot the error?  Well, his mother should have!



Martha Stewart...she helped...look at these awesome cakes!  I did good my friends, I did real good!

And since...Matthew's first birthday was a huge event, my girl had to have a huge first birthday event too.

Luau Time!
Oriental Trading was my friend, decorations, candy, goody bags, flip flop pinata...SO MUCH FUN!

Do you see that cake?!

That is one fabulous flip flop cake standing in graham cracker sand!  Yea, I did it, and yes, I am one PROUD Momma!

(Remember, when having the date on the picture was so cool?!  I HATE it now, why did I do that to so many pictures?!  Plus the wrong damn date to boot!)







And you know what - Martha Stewart can kiss my ever lovin' ass!  I'm sure some of you have seen those easy, and just so fabulous jello fishbowls, that Martha makes look so easy.

Do you see that look of disgust on that girls face?  I don't blame her...my fish looked bloated.  And those pretty little cupcakes with the strawberry on them?  Thankfully, no one cracked a tooth on them.  Thanks Martha.

But I did have that fabulous flip flop cake that saved the day! Damn, I loved that thing!

I'm bringing up such fond memories because its that time of year again.  My big guy is turning 8, and my little lady is turning 6.  The parties have calmed down some.  Well, a little bit.  Not really.  I try not to make a big deal out of them, then before I know it...well, I make it a big deal.  I can't help it.  I am so blessed to have these kids in my life, and that they are happy, healthy, and I get to hug them everyday.  I want to celebrate it!  I want it perfect...bloated fish and all!

Added a page!!

You know how I love me some t-shirts...so I added a page For the love of Quirky T-Shirts

Thrifting Thursday Post

I believe it was the Christmas when my boy was one and a half and I was preggers with my girl.  I had been hinting to my husband that I really wanted a down comforter.  How nice to snuggle up in a nice comfy blanket.  So I was a little surprised when I opened my gift and found a Big, Red, Shiny Kitchen Aid Mixer!  Surprised, shock, amused, annoyed...anyone of those adjectives would work.

My pregnancy brain couldn't comprehend on how one could mistake a comforter for a mixer.  A comforter was something of luxury and would help you sleep...while a mixer would torment me and confirm my suspicion that I really sucked at baking.  I was happy with my big bowl and spoon, it worked just fine with my box of brownie mix.  

So, I returned it, and had my eye out for a new comfy comforter.  The thing is, I never found that perfect comforter...and basically was shit out of luck on the Christmas gift that year.  I'm sure the refund money went to kid toys, because, well, thats what I do.  

I have no one to blame but myself.  Should have just kept the damn mixer in a box under my sink for a few years until I was ready to use it...like now.  Yes, I would like that Big, Red, Shiny Kitchen Aid mixer now, 5 years later.  I've been thinking about it lately.  How it would be nice to try to make some homemade bread with the kids.  I could try to make some kind of bakery good that didn't come from a box.  When my girlfriend requested that on my thriftshop runs to look for a Kitchen Aid mixing bowl, I knew I was really missing out.

But I don't want to spend that kind of money on something I may or may not ever use...so as I was browsing in my stores...I found this beauty!

Its not Big, Red, Shiny or even a Kitchen Aid...but it'll do.  And for $3.99, I'm all about it.

And it makes great box brownies!

My name is mom, and I'm a toy-aholic

Its true.  It started out innocently enough.  Just random baby toys.  Then I saw it...the twinkle in my sons eye.  He LOVED toys.  I LOVED my son, and my addiction began.

The outdoor toy collection was fabulous...every play house, slide, pool, slip-n-slide, wagon, bike, basketball hoop, soccer goal, ball...you name it we have had it.

Great toys to mimic mom and dad...toys to just enjoy with friends...

Its not till recently that we have started to give them away...the one thing we have kept...

the SANDBOX! 

This didn't stop with toddler outdoor toys....oh no, we had a vast collection of indoor toys too...

I know what your thinking...your poor husband!  He has to deal with an addict!  Don't pity him.
He is my enabler.

One day I started going through some old boxes of his childhood stuff.  Do you know what he had?  Toys!  But not just any toys...Star Wars from the 70/80's.  Yoda still in his original packaging.  He did not "play" with these toys as a child, he organized them for fun.  The Star Wars ships still with instructions and stickers!







The action figures packed neatly in Darth Vaders Head...still with the mini-guns!  We have all the characters except maybe 5 of them.  Its insane!

"My children will PLAY with these toys!" I declare...and he whole heartily agrees!  But one condition...be careful of the lead paint.  "The children can go nuts with these toys, just no eating them".  I'm good with that.

Now, my son has become an expert on all things Star Wars, and has his own massive lego Star Wars collection.  That he is very serious about.  


















Star Wars was just the beginning...Matchbox Cars...and these cars were in MINT condition.  My husband had the coolest toy collection!  My son has played with every single one of these toys...not gently, not just to "organize" them like his father did.  These cars tell stories...even now, at age 7 these cars come out and have massive battles, and story lines.  And as long as he doesn't lick them...he's good.

Lets not forget one of my first and favorite finds from my husbands childhood...the Wells Fargo Mobile Play set...that man managed to save all the little "extras"  we still have the play swords!

Your wondering why am I telling you all this..."great, Kath, your kids have a lot of toys.  Whip-de-doo".  Well, to me its a HUGE whip-de-doo.

You just saw the fabulous toys that my husbands family kept for him.  They were a part of his childhood.  Its kind of a big deal.  I have no toys from my childhood to share.  These are memories that have been kept in a box to be passed on to his son and daughter, how cool is that?  Its a reminder that not everything needs to be thrown away.  Some things are keepsakes.  That's why when I get a hard time from people for keeping mementos...I tell them they can shove it.  When my son is done with Star Wars, you bet they are being boxed up and passed on to his children.  There are some things that are worth keeping...and there are things that can be given away...I don't need to keep the playhouses, I have plenty of pictures, and I like the idea of another family enjoying snack time on the roof.

Another whip-de-doo about all this is...that my kids can have numerous creepy dolls, and outdoor toys because I thrift.  If I had to pay full price, we'd have a fraction of it.  My kids would still be happy.  They are not spoiled, they are grateful for what they have...

Hell, a box is a source of pure joy in my household...

You like me, you really like me!

I am a newbie at all things bloggy...so imagine my surprise when I found out that my fellow blogger at Ideally Speaking nominated me for a Liebster Award!  I need to say, I love following her on twitter...the girl has an awesome collection of t-shirts..I think my favorite Earth Day shirt that she featured from her collection was "I do it outdoors...walking, people!" if I could link to instagram right now I would!


So, what is a Liebster Award?  Well, let me tell you...

Its a little something for us newbies who have less than 200 followers.  I clearly qualify for this nomination!  This little stamp of approval helps give recognition to bloggers for a job well done.  It helps bring exposure and attract more followers to those of us who clearly need a little help.  The best part of this award is that the person who is giving it to you is telling you "YOU ROCK!".  And really, who doesn't want to hear that once in awhile?  Honestly, even if I gain no new followers I really do appreciate the fact that someone is reading my blog and enjoying it enough to let me know.

But its not all giggles and hugs, nope...we have a few guidelines that we follow...

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog
2. You must link back to the presenter on your blog
3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs you think deserve some recognition.  Remember they have to have 200 followers or less when presented with Liebster!
5. Make sure you let the bloggers you nominated know they have a Liebester! Leave a comment on their blog. DM on twitter.  Facebook post - however you normally get in contact with them.

So, now its my turn to nominate 5 blogs that I love...alrighty then...

Garage Sales R Us This is a new one I'm following...this lady has some serious designer skills.  You must take a look at what she has recently done to a set of dressers.

Write, Rinse, Repeat Also a new one I found.  Not even sure how, all I know is that she is a smart ass and I love her.  Need a laugh?  Go to her blog...now!

A View From Here: Resettling Big Stone County Minnesota Now, thats a mouth full!  This lady here, she is one of my favs.  She's been blogging for a few years now, and she is a personal friend of mine.  She is smart, and funny.  I adore her!  Moved her family from the city to the farm, and is doing some marvelous things.

While Wearing Heels is another fun one.  Who doesn't love a craft tutorial?

Fractured Family Tales is another great blog.  I came across her through some of the bigger writing blogs.  She writes for the #yeah writes contests.  She does a great job.  She posted this little funny...

So I pinned it on my pinterest board, because it made me crack up.  First time I ever got a comment on anything I put on pinterest...  It got over 600 repins, and 171 likes...I'm still getting this thing repinned ...I posted it over two weeks ago!  I also should note...that I really don't have any God-fearing facebook whore friends, so please don't think I'm talking about you.  I just thought it was funny.



I guess that wraps up my 5 blogs...I have a few more that are excellent that I follow, but they already have plenty of followers...but if your interested...I have them on the right column of my blog...check them out too. If you have a chance.