Mother's Day

Mother's Day is very bittersweet for me. On one hand, it's a reminder of the last Mothers Day I shared with my mom and how I wish I had handled the day differently.  On the other, it's a chance for me to do it right with my boys.

Today, I enjoyed breakfast in bed delivered by my boys and hubby.  m carried the milk and j carried the pancakes all the way up the stairs to my bedroom.  No one spilled and both were very proud.  I read their cards out loud and opened the presents.  Even Jack, our cat, joined in the festivities.  As m said, "the whole family is here!".

In a little bit, I will venture out on my day alone while the hubby takes care of the boys.  It's how I choose the spend my Mother's Day.  This mommy needs her time alone. It makes her a better mother. The last Mother's Day with my mom, I was caught between being there for her and being there for my boys.  I got lost in the middle and I did not make good choices as a result.  Today will be different.  I will honor both my mom and my boys in my own way.  I will do what makes me happy.  I will go thrifting. 

You see, my mom LOVED to thrift shop.  When I was young and she took me with her, I didn't understand the appeal and didn't always appreciate her vintage finds.  As my mom progressed in her thrift hunts, she too, would convert finds into profit, selling her finds at the flea market.  Reselling is something I now share with her.  While I am shopping today, I will channel her thrift passion and we will share in the great scores. 

Inevitably, as with all my thrift shopping,  I will find something for my boys - whether it be clothes, a cool toy/game/puzzle, books or movies.  My boys are always on my mind when I shop.   

I might find something for just me today.  It's rare, but it does happen.  Either way, I will be doing something I enjoy, that reinvigorates me, and makes me whole. 

I am a mother, watch me thrift.

The boys wearing their thrift clothes and reading their thrift books.

In the Neighborhood

I recently admitted to being a bit obsessed with my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  So, it should come as no surprise to you that while I was "in the neighborhood" yesterday, I had to stop into the ReStore.

My local grocery store, Giant, offers a Gas Rewards Program, where you can earn increments of $.10 off per gallon of gas when you shop their store.  The only caveat is that you must purchase the gas from their gas station.  The closest Giant gas station is in Kennett Square, conveniently located across the street from . . . the ReStore.

Thanks to a reminder posted in a FB coupon group that the gas rewards were about to expire, I decided that an impromptu trip to the gas station was required.  The points expire 5/11, but if at all possible, one should avoid getting gas on "expiration day" because the lines get crazy long. 

Now, the boys were not at all happy with this trip, because we had already done our ALDI fieldtrip and playground/park visits.  So, I coaxed the boys into joining me by promising they could watch a DVD in the car (usually only reserved for long drives).  You do what you have to do, right??  I mean, I had earned $.70 off per gallon!  That may qualify as thrift treason if I were to let those gas points go unused.

After I redeemed our gas rewards, I told the boys we were going to the ReStore for a quick visit.  j was not thrilled, but rallied when m mentioned "BOOKS!".

I love that you never know what you are going to find:

Decor:
A small sports themed rug ($2) for the boys bathroom. This rug will go nicely with the other sports themed thrift finds I've scored.

 

Framed artwork from a garage sale.

Rack purchased at a consignment sale.

Toys:  A Construction Zone Match-Up Game/Puzzle from Peaceable Kingdom for just $1 (retails new for $14.99). The box and all the pieces are in excellent condition.

Books
Of course, we got books.  I never balk at getting books.  Okay, well, that's not entirely true.  If the book is in poor condition (written in, pages torn, binding in poor shape), I will not buy it.  It is very hard for me to pass up books at the ReStore, especially when children's paperbacks are 10 for $1.  Whenever I am short of 10 in my pile, I feel compelled to look just one more time to find books to make the cut.  It's a fun challenge for me and I usually end up with some unexpected fun books, like this one:

The ReStore trip in total: 
2 VHS & 1 DVD (not pictured)- $.75
2 Educational toys: Match Game (see above) & Telling Time Match-Up Puzzle - $2
2 Little Golden Books Placemats - $.50
13 Books - $1.75
1 Rug - $2

Some of you may be thinking, "Now Janis, you made a special trip to save $.70 per gallon on gas, only to then spend the money you just saved.  I am beginning to fear that you have lost sight of what it means to be thrifty."

Hmm, yes, I can see how you might wonder, but allow me to put those fears to rest. Yes, I did spend money, but my gas savings were still quite more than what I spent at the ReStore, AND, you know I will sell 85% of these finds on consignment and either break-even or make a profit.  It's how I roll. ;)

A Frugal Field Trip to ALDI

Tomorrow, I am taking the boys with me on a Frugal Field Trip to check out a new-to-me grocery store, ALDI.

Photo credit:  ALDI website

I have heard about ALDI on various thrift blogs, so it's been on my Thrift Bucket List for some time now.  I have even driven by one several times (the closest one to us is in Elkton, MD), but never made the time to actually pull in and shop there.

Why tomorrow? Well, an opportunity presented itself.  As a Mother's Day gift to myself, I decided to order this

Photo credit: Stephanie L.

and another personalized sign from Stephanie who blogs at Calculating Blessings.  She began making these signs not too long ago and the "mom" one just resonated with me (not because I always feel I am a great mom, but I sure could use the positive reinforcement). She is so easy to work with and will customize the sign to your specifications.  Can't wait to see the finished products.

Anyways, since we are both somewhat local to each other, we agreed to meet somewhere easy for both of us to find.  I chose ALDI's because 1) it's very close to her location and 2) I have a great excuse to check out ALDI.

Tonight, I will be doing my homework in preparation for my first ALDI shopping experience.  Homework?  Really, Janis??!!  Well, in my defense,  it's not your typical grocery store.  You'll see what I mean when you check out their website.

Meanwhile, I found these awesome posts on Pinterest from Ali at Gimme Some Oven.  She's done all the research for me, okay "us" (right, right - it's not all about me).  How cool is that??!!

1. ALDI 101:  Why I Shop At ALDI @Gimme Some Oven
2. ALDI 101: How To Shop At ALDI @ Gimme Some Oven
3. ALDI 101:  What To Buy At ALDI @ Gimme Some Oven

One thing I don't have to do in preparation is cut coupons, because ALDI doesn't accept them.

Stay tuned!

Playroom ReOrg

I just did a Playroom ReOrg last night and took this pic this morning showing my kids playing in their "new" space,  I reorganize the room a few times a year for a few reasons:

1. I get bored with the layout.
2. It's time to remove outgrown items.
3. I want to encourage different "play" results.

Looking at the pic, I realized that nearly everything in the room was thriftily acquired - purchased either on sale/clearance, at a thrift store, consignment sale or garage sale, or gifted new/second-hand. 

• Bookshelves  - Borders Books Closing sales.
• ABC rug - Costco
• Books - book sales, garage sales, thrift stores, etc.
• Train table with coordinating pull out drawers - gifted second-hand
• White & Black drawer organizers - inherited from my mom
• Train & Train supplies - thrift shops, garage sales, consignment sales
• Toys - all thrift purchased except for the occasional holiday/birthday gift. 
• Portraits - Coupon deal at Picture People
• Mirror -  bought from previous owners
• Picture Frame reflected in mirror - Costco

I still need to do some more editing and identify "outgrown" items to sell.  The boys have asked for GeoTrax for their birthday.  So, in the next few weeks, I will be cleaning up all of my GeoTrax stash I acquired from my thrift adventures.  Soon after the GeoTrax are invited to the playroom, Thomas & Friends will need to make their exit.  I must admit, I will be a little sad to see them go.  They've grown on me.

Accepting a Random Act of Kindness

The hubs ended up on a last minute overnight conference call for work, which meant, I was solo with the boys on Saturday so he could catch up on his sleep. 

I got up early, dressed, and got breakfast ready, drinks and snacks for our morning out.  Once the boys came down, they decided they wanted breakfast out.  In an effort to avoid a meltdown that would inevitably wake the neighborhood and my husband, I changed course.  After I put the breakfast back, I began working on a picnic lunch.  Sorry, kids, this mama is not buying you breakfast and lunch out.

We headed to Perkins (with no coupons in hand - insert sad face).  Miraculously, the boys were being well behaved. Soon after, an elderly couple arrived and were seated in the booth behind the boys.  Before they sat down, the gentleman said hello to the boys and remarked how well behaved they were.  Instead of my usual mocking response of "for now", I simply said, "Thank you". 

A few minutes later, the gentleman asked how much we thought our breakfast would be.  I was a little flabbergasted and said I really didn't know.  He then gave me a coupon for $3 off a $15 order.  I said, "Wow, thank you so much! I didn't have any coupons today."  He just smiled and then said, "You really look like you enjoy your boys."  Again, I swallowed my usual "for now" comment, and again said "thank you". 

Shortly thereafter, breakfast arrived and the boys were enjoying their chocolate chip and rainbow pancakes.  At one point, I noticed that the gentleman was gone for a bit and found myself wondering if he was okay.  Before I knew it, he returned with a Hummer car and a train engine and handed them to the boys.  I was stunned.  I thanked him again and said, "What a kind gesture and how perfect!  m likes trains and j likes cars."  The gentleman and I chatted about the local train and car exhibits. 

Normally, I am not good about accepting gifts.  I try to somehow "pay" back for gifts I receive.  This time, I fought the urge to offer to pay for either the couple's breakfast or their tip.  I simply accepted the gifts for my boys (train/car) and me (the coupon).  I felt that if I had attempted to reimburse him for his kindness, I may have ended up hurting his feelings. 

He asked if we came to the restaurant often. "No, just once in awhile," I said.  "We come every week from Wilmington, DE.  It's just something we enjoy doing," he said. 

Before we left, I asked the boys to say "Thank you" to the gentleman and his wife and again, I thanked them for their generosity and wished them a lovely day.

By the time we got settled into the car, the generosity hit me and I started to cry.  It took a few tears to realize why this random act of kindness affected me so much.  That gentleman's actions reminded me of my late stepfather Tom. 

Tom would have done the exact same thing - given a gift because it made him happy to do so.  Tom always hoped I would have kids before he left this world.  Unfortunately, the collective universe had other plans.  As corny as it may sound, I believe this "random act of kindness" was Tom sending me some love and saying "hello" to my boys in his own way.  Also, I know Tom would have been proud of me accepting this act of kindness.  He made it his mission to prove to me that trusting is good and kindness doesn't require a payback.