I cleaned out my purse a couple days ago. This is something that is only done a few times a year and since I switched to a smaller, non-diaper bag type of purse it was necessary to fit important things like keys. In the past when I have cleaned it out I find about 20 receipts from Target and this time I found none. Instead it was overflowing with paper wearing the name Goodwill, and St Vincent De Paul. Ted and I have been loyal to The Compact for awhile now and I have to share that it's really been a great thing for us.
Aside from the fact that we are helping keep things out of landfills, and saving money, we have discovered that it's really fun to shop now! I used to love going into Target and just browsing at all the little pretty things they had. Those displays only change seasonally though, or maybe monthly, but the thrift shop... oh my friend, it is updated DAILY!
I have been a little worried about Christmas for my kids so I decided to start shopping now since it may take me a little longer. Today I totally lucked out and found Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Mr Potato Head, and a wooden train set for a whopping total of 16 bucks! Two of these were still in the original package never played with.
The coolest part for me is when something pops in my head that I would like, and it seems to magically appear in a thrift shop within a week or two. I go to many stores, and also garage sales and so for I have found what I need. Well, there is one exception...
The only dillema I am having is that while grocery shopping in a department store I happened to see the most beautiful faux-silk, chocolate brown drapes. Now their image dances around in my head as I look at the old, dusty, 70s style drapes that came with our house. I have been looking for over a month at every thrift shop, garage sale, craigslist post, and used ebay auction I can find with no luck. I keep telling myself I don't NEED them... but dang it I want them!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Ooops, my hippy is showing
Years ago I tried to knit a horrible scarf with tiny needles. As you may have guessed, it didn't work out. Well, some mamas in my area are starting up a knitting group and promised to teach me a less painful way of knitting. I'm having a better time of it and so I have basic knitting skills.
Now comes the hippy part... I have been really craving a new purse/totebag. Now I can't buy anything new so I have searched every thrift shop in town with no luck. This led me to ebay and so far the ones I have found that I like are very expensive like this one I then found one with an eco-friendly message. It is a simple canvas tote that says "I'm not a plastic bag." However apparently a fancy designer made it and so it sold out and now I would have to pay about 50 bucks on ebay for something that was originally 5 bucks. The money goes to no worthy cause, it wasn't made by fair labor, and well, it's just not so eco-friendly anymore.
In my search for a similar bag at a decent price I stumbled upon this handmade bag and decided with my newly found knitting skills I could make my own bag. So last night I got to work cutting up old shopping bags. I ran out and went to the store to find more bags in the recycling bin at the front. So there I sat knitting away with my recycled plastic bags and realizing that I just may have reached the peek of hippyness. Wait.. nope.... I still shave my legs!
Now comes the hippy part... I have been really craving a new purse/totebag. Now I can't buy anything new so I have searched every thrift shop in town with no luck. This led me to ebay and so far the ones I have found that I like are very expensive like this one I then found one with an eco-friendly message. It is a simple canvas tote that says "I'm not a plastic bag." However apparently a fancy designer made it and so it sold out and now I would have to pay about 50 bucks on ebay for something that was originally 5 bucks. The money goes to no worthy cause, it wasn't made by fair labor, and well, it's just not so eco-friendly anymore.
In my search for a similar bag at a decent price I stumbled upon this handmade bag and decided with my newly found knitting skills I could make my own bag. So last night I got to work cutting up old shopping bags. I ran out and went to the store to find more bags in the recycling bin at the front. So there I sat knitting away with my recycled plastic bags and realizing that I just may have reached the peek of hippyness. Wait.. nope.... I still shave my legs!
Compassion
This weeks theme at www.mamasaysom.com is compassion and I have decided to write about my father. He is Mr. Compassion whether he knows it or not. Always giving everything he has, even when he has very little. He is a great listener and seems to be able to lead me to answers without even trying. Just recently he gave away an RV that he was going to sell to a man living in a cardboard box. I can't even imagine what the world would be like if everyone thought and acted as he does. Giving, and thinking of others. It's good for us to put ourselves on the sidelines. There is much talk, especially in womens and parent magazines to be more about YOU YOU YOU. I think we are naturally very selfish and we really need to fight that and show a little compassion. If you don't feel comfortable giving a dollar to that bum, or if you don't have a dollar to give, you can still give him a smile and some eye contact.
How is your reception?
A couple days ago I was sitting at a red light on the way to a friends house. A man crossed the street in front of me looking more like a robot than a person. He had an ipod headphone wire coming out of one ear and a cell phone on his other ear. It seems everywhere that I go people have things plugged into their ears but my question is what are they missing by doing that?
I have many a time been the bored mom at the playground. My kids are very independent and lots of times they just don't want to play with me. I pick up my phone and scan my address book for anyone who might be home at this time and want to talk to me. I am desperate to connect to someone who wants to talk about subjects that don't include princesses. I call down the list until I get something other than a voice mail box.
Lately though I have noticed that something is not right. There are lots of other parents at the playground and they are just as in need of adult conversation as I am. How do I know this? Because they are talking on their cell phones too. Almost all of them balancing phones on their shoulders as they chase their little one around the play structure. I wonder what would happen if we all hung up and started talking to each other?
This doesn't just happen at the playground. I see the same thing at the grocery store, the mall, the bus, and everywhere I go. One common thing I hear from friends my age is that it is so hard to meet people without joining some sort of group. If we weren't always on our phones trying to connect then maybe we would actually connect to a person right in front of us.
I have become dependent on my cell phone and in doing that I have probably prevented lots of possible friendships. Of course it is wonderful to be able to stay in touch with the people you love who are far away, but there are other times for that. Times when you aren't having to tune out the people around you. Then maybe you would pay more attention to what they are saying and actually have a meaningful conversation instead of a distracted one. (well, maybe if the kids are in bed anyway.)
I am no longer taking my cellphone with me everywhere I go. I will be leaving it in the car and after this month I am getting rid of it completely. I might get a pre-paid type of deal for emergencies so I'm not left stranded in the cold if my car decides to faint.
I'm not sure if this is going to help me meet new strangers since they will most likely be on the phone, however I will be one less phone talker and maybe if you see me you can say hello.
I have many a time been the bored mom at the playground. My kids are very independent and lots of times they just don't want to play with me. I pick up my phone and scan my address book for anyone who might be home at this time and want to talk to me. I am desperate to connect to someone who wants to talk about subjects that don't include princesses. I call down the list until I get something other than a voice mail box.
Lately though I have noticed that something is not right. There are lots of other parents at the playground and they are just as in need of adult conversation as I am. How do I know this? Because they are talking on their cell phones too. Almost all of them balancing phones on their shoulders as they chase their little one around the play structure. I wonder what would happen if we all hung up and started talking to each other?
This doesn't just happen at the playground. I see the same thing at the grocery store, the mall, the bus, and everywhere I go. One common thing I hear from friends my age is that it is so hard to meet people without joining some sort of group. If we weren't always on our phones trying to connect then maybe we would actually connect to a person right in front of us.
I have become dependent on my cell phone and in doing that I have probably prevented lots of possible friendships. Of course it is wonderful to be able to stay in touch with the people you love who are far away, but there are other times for that. Times when you aren't having to tune out the people around you. Then maybe you would pay more attention to what they are saying and actually have a meaningful conversation instead of a distracted one. (well, maybe if the kids are in bed anyway.)
I am no longer taking my cellphone with me everywhere I go. I will be leaving it in the car and after this month I am getting rid of it completely. I might get a pre-paid type of deal for emergencies so I'm not left stranded in the cold if my car decides to faint.
I'm not sure if this is going to help me meet new strangers since they will most likely be on the phone, however I will be one less phone talker and maybe if you see me you can say hello.
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