Learning to Let Go

My husband had a great idea and we went to a local park at lunchtime today. My daughter, who is nearly two, loves going down the slides, climbing the "rock walls" (with help) and just running around. However, she's already had a taste of the "big girl" swings and now the baby swings just won't do. When we put her in, she swung for a moment then begged OUT and wanted to sit in the regular ones.

When we first took her out, I captured this moment of her turning her back on the baby swings. I look at this now and it hits me that she's already letting go of things from her infancy and refusing to look back. She's a stubborn one with a mind of her own and I hope that as she continues to grow, learn and challenge herself to take on new things, I can be just as eager, willing and supportive. Isn't that what we should do as parents, know when to let go, when to hold on and when to stand close in case those little hands reach out for us?

Yard Sale - Having your own?

If you read my blog much at all then you know that I enjoy going to yard sales and post tips for those who go but over the weekend I had a thought. If my posts have encouraged you to have your own yard sale, there are few things you should consider too.


First, you have to have the stuff. I do believe that one persons trash is another persons treasure but I am a very specific shopper myself. I look for children's clothing, toys, books and always keep my eyes open for unique items. If you are having a yard sale, you are more than welcome to put out anything you want be be prepared at the end of the day, are you going to put your non-selling items back in the house, stuff them in the garage or get rid of them? If you want to get rid of them you take them to Goodwill, local shelters (donations to both places mean a tax deduction), you can go to craigslist and see if there are people in your area that buy yard sale leftover, or just toss it all. Either way, I've only ever had one yard sale where EVERYTHING sold.

Second, you have to get people there. If you put up signs make them easy to read from a passing car, use bright colored paper or signs (check the weather if you plan to put them up the night before), and use arrows. Place a sign in your yard that match's your street signs so people know they have arrived! Plus, keep your signs simple, I can't read your list of items when driving 45 mph. If you want to list your items or draw even more traffic, use craigslist or your local newspaper. Some papers have free listings on weekends but craigslist is free all the time, you can be as wordy as you want and post pictures too.


Next, the day arrives! If you plan to start at 8 am, be ready at 7:30 to make sure EVERYTHING is priced (people may not ask if things aren't priced and you seem busy) and stickers haven't fallen off, have your change ready and a safe place to keep money, a calculator at hand, some beverages for yourself (or to sell if it's hot outside) and your phone. The less trips you make inside the better. Think about a lunch plan early on too, you don't want to be starving and unable to get a break to eat. Otherwise, be available, friendly, willing to negotiate, and optimistic that it all sells.


After your yard sale, go and get your signs. Some cities have ordinances where they can send you a fine if it's left too long but either way, it's just the courteous thing to do. Plus, when you're ready to be finished when you remove signs your traffic will slow down considerably.


Once the leftovers are packed and the signs are down it's time to count your change, make a trip to the bank to turn all those quarters into cash and realize that yard sales are a lot of work!

Yard Sale! From tips to treasures...

Have you been to a yard sale yet this season? I've been to a couple and found some great bargains already and I'm really excited about the upcoming street/community/subdivision yard sales. Although I watch for signs in my area on Thursday's and Friday's, I also visit craigslist since they have a section just for yard sales.

Some of the great deals I've already found were some Fisher Price Little People sets (barn, animals, etc.) for $2, Little People doll house plus all the pieces for $2, Sketchers shoes for my daughter, also $2, a large alphabet floor puzzle for .75 and lots of great books, always less than $1 and most just a quarter.

If you haven't been in years, have never been, or are considering taking your children along, here are a few things I've learned along the way.

• Toss some sanitizing wipes in the car. I don't let a dirty plastic toy deter me from buying but I know there's a chance my daughter will want to play with it in the car so with the wipes I can give it a quick cleaning before handing it over to her. No wipes? Stash the toys in your trunk, out of sight, out of mind. Either way I give all toys a good cleaning at home.
• Carry small bills and change. If you want to negotiate in hopes of getting that $10 item for $7, then you better be prepared to pull out $7 since asking for change from your $10 bill is just embarrassing. Plus, those who are having the yard sale are not bank tellers, they don't want to break your $20 for that $2 item you want to buy.
• If you do negotiate be considerate, people are more willing to bargain if it's Saturday afternoon, not Friday morning and making an offer means you're interested. If they want to sell, they'll try to be reasonable too, trust me that they are trying to get over the fact that they paid $35 for that item which is marked for $10 and you're begging for less.
• If kids are selling their own toys don't negotiate, it's their most prized possessions, just pay the price.
• Watch where you park. You don't want to block traffic but be careful about driving/parking/pulling out in people's yards too. They are trying to make some extra money, not spend it on grass seed.
• Speak up, ask questions and be nice. You aren't at Target and these are real people who probably spent hours getting things ready to sell. They don't want to haul it back in the house but they don't want to hear you say it's all junk either. Since they're selling they may know that but they still bought it.
• Stick a small cooler in your car with snacks and drinks. You are out there trying to find bargains, not stop at every fast food place along the way.
• If kids are selling lemonade, buy a cup. If you don't want to drink it, take it to the car, drive away and pour it out but at least they're trying to make their own money.

Jon and Kate - Did you watch the annoucement?

I really debated blogging on this since I've not been a follower of this show and I know there are lots of opinions swirling out there but IN MY OPINION instead of ending their marriage they should have ended the show or taken a break at least. I know the show is what makes up their living but these are 8 small, loving children that are being impacted by this situation.

I was blessed to have parents that always made their marriage work. I'm sure it was lots of work and there were tough times but they did it and stuck by each other until my dads passing less than 2 years ago. There were family vacations, regular trips out of town, fun projects, friends around and lots of good times. But anyone that is married or has been married knows that times get tough, that's a part of it. People change, goals change and I think there is a reason marriage vows cover better/worse, richer/poorer, sickness/health, (polar opposites). You have to be prepared for it all and even when you're not, you have to lean on each other, be there for each other. It's not a 50/50 situation. Sometimes it's 60/40, sometimes it's 30/70, a marriage is a partnership and it takes two to make it work all the time.

I heard both Jon and Kate talk about their kids being their whole life and I'm not sure I agree with that, even though it's easy to fall into that belief. I want my kids to be a part of my life, not the other way around, make sense? I'd never say that kids aren't a top priority, they are, but not THE TOP. I have my faith and my love for my husband. Those things create a foundation for the way I want to raise my child and the life and love I want them to see, feel and be a part of. One day, a long time from now, my child will grow up and move on and if I'm living my life for my child and my child moves away, where is my life?

I think any parent can find similarities in their life and the situation between Jon and Kate but "reality" TV or not, it was painful to watch and I can't imagine what that family is going through. My prayers really are with them and what their future holds.

Freebies on your Birthday

What do you get for free on your birthday? What about your kids birthday? There is an amazing site called free birthday treats where you can enter the state where you live and whether it's for an adult, child or pet and you can see all of the free birthday deals in your area!

Most of the items are for free food (appetizer, main course, dessert, % off your total) but there's also free bowling, free golf, free pictures for kids, % off at stores, etc.

Take a look, for a lot of the offers you need to sign up online but the list is long and you could be missing out on some free birthday specials at your favorite stores or restaurants!

There is also a section for ideas on birthday parties as well as a blog section with money saving tips and cool party themes.

Find a Freebie!

When is the last time you got something for free? I'm on a quest to find things for free. They may take a LITTLE time, a stamp or a quick phone call but I'm on a hunt, what do you get for free? Check out my posts that start with the word, or keyword FREEBIE!

Last Day of My Month

Today is the last "official" day of my 30 days devoted to my journey on the South Beach diet but you can expect plenty of future posts when I find new things or ideas. I can say, without a doubt, that it works and it's not as hard as I would've imagined. I've lost nearly 15 lbs amidst a holiday, family vacation and not being nearly as "strict" as I could have been. I feel better, I make better choices at almost every meal I have and I look forward to what the future weeks, months and even years bring. I've found new items in the grocery store and new ways to prepare meals and snacks. Thanks to everyone who commented and read along with me!

Familiar with Flax?

Do you eat flax seeds? I hadn't until recently and after doing a little googling I'm learning that the health benefits are amazing!

For example...

They contain almost no glycemic carbohydrates so I can add it to meals to moderate spikes in blood sugar. I can add it to muffins, sprinkle some on yogurt (instead of granola), add it to cereal or salads. They have a mild nutty flavor and a great taste!

Plus, one tablespoon of milled flax seed contains approximately 1.5 grams of ALA, an essential Omega-3 fatty acid. (Recommended daily intake of ALA is 1.3 grams.) It's also a great source of fiber, protein and lots of other things!

If you cook with flax seeds, what recipes do you have?

Sick at the Beach

What started as a tickle in my throat last Thursday morning turned into a fever, sore throat, coughing, aches and pains and after 4 tired days and 5 sleepless nights I am starting to feel better. Trust me that when standing in front of my pantry or fridge deciding on what to eat, thinking about carb levels were not the priority. Not that I went crazy, I chose tomato soup and chicken broth over the noodle soups and I had whole wheat crackers on hand too. Those sugar free Popsicles, jello and hard candies came in handy too. After a couple days I began to realize that after all this time I am starting to make better choices, without even thinking about it and it is getting easier. Grocery shopping is going a little faster, the options in my fridge and pantry are getting healthier and although the scale is still moving down slowly I realized that even when I felt my worst, I made good choices. I'm not just trying to do this, I am doing this and I feel better for it. Being sick at the beach isn't fun but I learned a lot about myself and felt a little better, despite the cold.