Tuesday Toot: Home Sweet Home!

My Tuesday Toot this week is an obvious one for me. I am "tooting" the fact I am home for the summer. I didn't realize how tired I was until I had yesterday and today off to realize...summer break is GOOD!

I am also "tooting" that all of our main purchases for our trip this summer to Romania is nearly finished with three weeks to go! Not bad!

Last Tuesday Toot for this week: I am successfully (thus far) working on paying off all the June and July bills before July 5th (departure date). One bill left for June and I will roll into the July Bills this Friday!

What's your Tuesday Toot? Check out other's Toots by Visiting the Mommy Community Link above! Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Tuesday Toot: Pricing done for Yard Sale!

My Tuesday Toot for this week is...

I have all my pricing either done, or stickers ready to peel and stick with prices already written on them. I also have signs ready for items such as clothing in which I have a lot of for sale. (Example: All clothing items: $1.00 each) This makes it a ton easier to calculate and I just want to get rid of it all.

I am excited about the yard sale...it is this Saturday the 31st! I am feeling good about it...just hoping and praying for good weather (at least in the a.m.). :-)

Happy Tuesday Toot!

Shopping on Ebay: Tuesday Toot

I am glad to report that I have found some deals on items that we need on ebay that otherwise were difficult to find in the stores. We are beginning to continue to get ready for our trip this summer, yes, Again! :-) I took a long break from it but Have to get back to it at this point with a month and a half left to get ready. (Big Trip for us)

I bought an XD usb card reader (size of a flash drive). The one we had before finally died on us. This one is more compact...only $7.00 WITH shipping. I don't think that is bad at all.

I also bought a brand new bottle of perfume that someone requested for $13.00 with shipping and tax and have bid on another bottle from the same seller. We had a request from someone we are going to see as to what they wanted and found a good deal on it (two bottles). The regular price on this perfume is like $30 a bottle...so not bad at $13.00!

I just bought 10 mini DV tapes for our camcorder to have with us to video tape every thing while we are there for $25.00 with shipping, etc... I think that is pretty good also.

So, ebay is still a great source for some of your shopping needs.

I am; however, on the search for a deal on a 2G XD type H card for my new camera my husband bought me for Mother's Day. Even on Ebay, they are expensive. I will check out some stores this weekend and decide if I will also buy that from ebay. If you know of a great photography source for lenses, etc... post it in the comments jar please.

Happy Tuesday Toot!

Tuesday Toot: DIY Update

Hi Everyone!

My Tuesday Toot for this week is a DIY update:

This past weekend my husband finished my son's swing. We have had the parts, etc...since September. I believe he was waiting for the perfect weather. My son just loves it and so do we. Very relaxing to have a swing around.

Tuesday Toot: Flooring and Summer is coming!

My Tuesday Toots this week are:

I am loving my new hardwood kitchen flooring!

and

I am excited that there is only 6 or so weeks left of school til I am out for Summer Vacation! I am also excited to have a summer vacation as we almost went year-round. Safe from it this year but next summer may be a different story. I will take it one day at a time and enjoy my summer this year and not worry about the rest.

Happy Tuesday Toot to you all!

Tuesday Toot: New Flooring!

Hey all! I have two Tuesday Toots for this week. Yay, Yay!

#1) As I posted earlier, I finally un-lazied myself and am back on Ebay after an 8 month break. (Really hard to find time during the school year.) Within the first 24 hours, I do already have one bid on one of the two items. That is exciting. I have been selling on Ebay for 7 years now, but still...things/rules etc...change so rapidly that you don't know when you come back, how it will be.

#2) This Friday we are having our hardwood flooring installed in our Kitchen. I am so sooo excited about this. The current floor we have is awful and terrible as far as trying to clean it. It NEVER looks clean, even immediately after it is cleaned. I love hardwoods and am excited that this Friday I will have them in my Kitchen as well! It is going to give my kitchen the facelift it deserves!

Happy Tuesday Tooting!

As soon as I am able to get the Graphic From Mommy Community, I will place it here!

Tuesday Toot: Inexpensive Shoes; Bubbles; and Vet Visit Done!

My Tuesday Toot this week is actually Tuesday Toot Plus Two More!

The first and second "toot" is for our trip to Rose's (Discount Department Store...only a few are still around...like a Big Lots kinda). The picture below is of my son and my $6.00 (each) pairs of shoes. Both cute and comfy...both cuter on the feet than pictured! My shoes are the "croc" style material...just that plastic material that is soft and very lightweight. They feel good. I do not recommend the "croc" style shoes to pregnant women. I learned the hard way when I was pregnant...your feet will swell to the size of those things. Wear leather or a fabric (breathable) shoe.

Also at Rose's we bought our son a huge container of Bubbles(picture below)! $2.00 (I know, you can make your own...but it was a better deal than walking out with a $10.00 Art Set he wanted! :-) Art Sets in our house are unnecessary as our entire hobby room is loaded with Art Supplies...he doesn't need them, and we won't buy them! He can use anything we have (almost...he has tons of his own as well).
Lastly, not a "Thrifty Bargain" but very necessary! Our pet Phoebe (pictured below) had to go for her yearly wellness check today along with every shot you could think of. Poor thing...she is perfectly fine, passed all her tests (she must have studied...hee hee), and didn't squirm or give the doctor or nurse a hard time! Way to go Phoebe! She got a treat once we got her back home. Good girl! Also, don't she look like she had shots!? Poor thing! The Toot? Glad to be done with the visit for the year and she is a healthy little thing.

Got a Toot? Share it here by dropping a comment in the comment jar and visiting Mommy Community using the link included below!

Tuesday Toot: My first "Firing" (Kiln) :-)

This week's Tuesday Toot is about my classroom!

I am excited to report I just returned home from my school kiln's first firing! I will have to get back with you all about how the artwork turned out! :-) It has to cool down 24ish hours before I am willing to take a look at how it all turned out. I have been terrified to use the kiln for a couple years now. I finally got the guts to use it and that is my Tuesday Toot! I apologize that this wasn't related to Thrifty but it is about "Creative" sorta!

A Kiln "Green" Must is to fire your kiln only if it is a full load to avoid excessive electricity usage.
For instance, I loaded an entire grade level's work into the kiln, rather than one class at a time. Naturally this is what every Art Teacher I know does, but thought I would add a "green" idea into the mix!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Tuesday Toot: Cleared off the tables and Counter!

This week's Tuesday Toot with Mommy Community is about clearing up those papers that lie all over the place!!!!

Yesterday when I got home from work, my son wanted to chill and play on his own so I took that opportunity to try and stay motivated to clear up all the financial paper clutter that consumes my kitchen and dining tables, as well as, part of our kitchen counter where I do the bills! :-) I managed most of it! Not going to lie and say it is all done, but my counter and kitchen table is visible and clear! The dining table still has sorted tax papers all over it but in an organized fashion at least. Today when I get home, I will finish the dining table and SHRED a HUGE bag of papers!

Anywho, this is something I am excited to "Tuesday Toot" about as it was long overdue! Sometimes, budgeting etc...can leave a cluttered paper mess!

Happy Tuesday Tooting to you all!

FRIDAY FAVES: FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGET!

Mommy Community Hosts Friday Favorites each Friday. This week the topic is favorite Kitchen Gadget!

My Favorite Kitchen Gadget(s) are kinda boring but true:

• Electric Kettle (I love the ease and quickness of boiling water with this. Great for Mashed Potatoes, instant grits and oatmeals, formula, tea (of course), and the list goes on!)
• Coffee Pot (Can't make it without my coffee fix)
  and
• Toaster (Love having crunchy bread for sandwiches and fast waffles when on the run!)

Alright! What is your Favorite Kitchen Gadgets? Join Mommy Community each Friday to share your faves!

Friday Faves: Favorite Reality or Game Show with Mommy Community

It has been a while since I have participated in Mommy Community's Friday Faves!

This week it is for Favorite Reality / Game Shows:

My number one is: Beauty and the Geek! I love that show!
My close number two is: So you think you can dance!

Give the Gift of GREEN: Not $$$ kind: Monday Mommy Tip

Yep, that is what I said! Give the Gift of "GREEN!" I guess I should actually say: "Give a GREEN Gift!"

Here is a great idea (well I think so of course, because I am going to actually do this for a couple people or more and have already started these gifts):

Start by getting a Reusable Grocery Bag (Lowes Foods has them in green for $.99)...this is your GIFT BAG! :-)

Fill your bag with some or all of the following items, depending on your budget for that person(s):

• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (the spiral bulbs you should be seeing everywhere!)
• Method Brand Cleaning Products (found at Target: Not tested on Animals, non-toxic, earth friendly, recyclable and minimal packaging...you may know a better brand? Share! This brand is very cost-friendly and works well!)
• Clothes Pins
• Retractable Clothes Line
• Organic Chips or other foods that are Organic
• Another Reusable Grocery bag tucked in the "gift bag"
• Recycled Paper Products
• Solar Energy Magazine (to really advocate)
• Use your imagination!
• Got anything to add...I am working on my gifts, would love to "hear" your ideas! Isn't it fun and useful?

Happy Monday and have a Great Week!

Survive the Holidays with "Holiday Season Kick Off!"

Marie Ynami of Mommy Community and many other great well-known "mommy sites and businesses" has just launched a new site dedicated to the Holiday Season! The site is titled appropriately "Holiday Season Kick Off!"

You have to bookmark this site to visit during the Kick Off which is a huge two day event starting November 19th and will run through November 20th!

Get a ton of information to get you through the Holiday Season....Examples are:
Interviews about...

• Saving money on your Holiday Grocery Shopping
• Homemade Gifts for the Holidays
• How to Boost your Direct Sales Business for the Holidays
• How to save money shopping online for Holiday presents
• How to capture your Holiday Memories using Photos and Videos
• an Interview with ME (Melanie) about How to Have a Thrifty Holiday Season
• and so much more! Bookmark today and come back in a few days when all the interviews are live according to the hourly schedule!

How exciting! Check it out! Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Friday Faves: Favorite Candle Scent!

Friday Faves with Mommy Community:

This week the "fave" is your Favorite Candle Scent!

Mine is Brown Sugar & Fig from Bath and Body Works!

I also like an apple scent as well!

Now, your turn! What is your favorite Candle Scent?

Happy Friday!

Friday Faves-Halloween Candy and Fav Trick-or-Treat TREAT!

This week's Friday Faves with Mommy Community is: What is your favorite Halloween Candy?

My personal favorite is anything chocolate and I especially love Popcorn balls!

I would like to add my favorite items I ever got when I went trick-or-treating as a kid:

#1: Polaroid Picture of myself with cousin and sister: This lady in the neighborhood took a picture of each group of kids and gave it to them as their trick-or-treating "treat" along with a hand-full of pennies that she collected throughout the year AND a can of soda! Wow! What a stop that was!

#2: My Aunt (Mom's sis) growing up was our next door neighbor and she ALWAYS (and I think still does) gives out gumball machine prizes. She saves up quarters and other change and goes to the little machines and gets rings, figurines, or whatever is in those machines, and trick-or-treaters (myself and sis and others of course) would get a little bag that had the gumball machine prize along with candy! Another cool WOW!

#3: This is NOT what I got trick-or-treating but it most certainly deserves the number three spot (would be higher if I got it as a kid myself): My Mother NOW (she loves it) goes to Staples, WalMart etc...at the beginning of the school year and buys tons of notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, etc... school supplies! She gives out these EVERY YEAR now to the kids who trick-or-treat her house and they LOVE it! No Candy! Some kids make her a regular stop and one year she ran out of the notebooks and said do you have anymore notebooks? He counted on that...my Mom felt bad, so the next year she stocked up on even more and made sure that boy got his notebook. She is a SMART shopper and gets items seriously less than a dime a piece! She and my sister always stocks my classroom each year with their smart shopping!

Okay, I love to talk about memories such as this! I hope this might give you all some CREATIVE alternatives at Halloween! Surprise a kid or two!

REMINDER: Get your candy checked each year! Look up local facilities in your area that checks trick-or-treating candy. Like hospitals, police stations or wherever. We always stayed in our neighborhood so no worries, but today, got to be more safe!

For Fun, here is my Fridge Door! LOL

Mommy Community.com wants to know what your fridge door looks like! So I am excited to share! I thought this was a fun, quick post to participate in; however, not so short for me, let me tell you a story about this Fridge!

When we bought our house, it had a fridge, the owners didn't leave it, called they brought it, wrong one and old (not even close to the correct one we had saw), then finally third time, we thought got it right. Anywho, over time, we realized it still wasn't the same one, but we were like whatever. Then after one year (almost to the day) of living in our house, the other one BROKE DOWN and we were forced to purchase a new one (having to open a credit card for Lowe's, totally against my financial frugal beliefs but you have to have a fridge!)! Get this, it arrived the next day in the morning one hour before my son's two year birthday party! Now, without further adu, here is my fridge, a few months old and not paid for!!!

(note: click on images to see them larger!)

and now the SIDE! What you are really after! LOL




Although, it goes against my financial beliefs to charge...we in this instance had no choice but still pursued the best "deal" got a $100 gift card and opened a charge that is no interest, blah blah blah, as long as it is paid off in six months. Yep, we divised a plan to have it paid off within 5 months! And we have back up plans as well because the charge card interest will be crazy after the six months...scary stuff! Also, the Fridge is Energy Star! Be Green!

Friday Favorites with Mommy Community: Holidays!

This week's favorites question is: What is your favorite Holiday?

My favorite Holiday, I know this will be repeated several times but of course: Christmas for me! I love the music, decorations, all the celebrations across families and church and even the workplace gets involved! It isn't just a day, it runs for several months, plenty of time to stress, and then enjoy!
Reminder: "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!" Such a peaceful time of year, well, at least for my family!

I like all the Holidays, but that is my favorite! I always hope for Snow, however, in NC, it is unlikely, especially lately with the warmth going all the way into the winter months! I still enjoy the cool crisp weather during the Christmas Holiday season!

Alrighty! What is Your Favorite Holiday?

P.S. Speaking of Holidays, I finally found at least a wig for my son's Halloween costume. An Elvis one! He is soo cute in it! I think I am going to make his jumpsuit! I just can't settle for the store ones! LOL I want some cool pictures for the Kitchen!

Monday Mommy Tip with Mommy Community: Pride in your child's Masterpieces!

Hey all!

It's Monday again!

Time for Monday Mommy Tip; hosted by Mommy Community!

My Monday Mommy Tip is one I may have shared in a different way somewhere else on this blog; however, never hurts to repeat, it was some time ago!

I think it is wonderful to honor your child's artwork and self-esteem to get their best piece of Artwork and FRAME it and hang in a "seen" place in your house. Don't hide it in a "guest room" put it in the kitchen, living room, or somewhere others CAN see it! Your child's self-esteem will shoot through the roof with pride and worth towards their artistic abilities! All children ARE artists! They see life in such a different way that when we become adults, we miss the world around us the way a child sees it! Get a frame, MATTE the work! Make it important! If your child gave you the work and says, hey I made this for YOU! Feel pride and know that is like them giving you a million bucks or better, THEM! You can make, even a piece you think is not so great looking, look fantastic with a nice matte and frame! This is a famous work by a famous artist (your child)! Treat it as such! I am certainly not suggesting every piece they give you, include your child in the decision making, as to what they see as their best piece and why. When guests come over, go the extra mile and have your child "explain" the piece and be "Art Smart!" Talk about the lines, colors, emotions in the piece. Have fun with your new found gallery curator!

Alrighty, obviously this is something I love and believe in...I will stop because I can blog all night about it! Not to worry, I have kept every piece of art my child has created at Daycare, Home, and Church! He is only two! No, again, you don't have to do that, just take pride in one piece! You child's self-esteem and pride will definitely be the end reward!

Friday Favs with Mommy Community! Favorite Snacks!

My favorite snack is:
Chester's Flamin' Hot Cheetos! Yummy!!!!

After Chester's I really can't think of any other favorite snack! When I think of Chester's Flamin' Hot Cheetos, my mind is clouded to anything else! Nothing else can compare or compete! I am not huge on snacking, unless something is just there and I am hungry! LOL Hence, we don't buy snacks for our household...saves money and keeps us a bit healthier!

Friday Favs with Mommy Community: Favorite TV Shows!

This is Friday Favs with Mommy Community!

This week's Friday Favs is for your Favorite TV Shows! I love this one, as on my other blog, I love to "talk" about my favorite shows already!

Here they are in no particular order:

My #1s:
THE OFFICE
BEAUTY AND THE GEEK
HEROES
THE BIGGEST LOSER

My Okays, will watch and enjoys:
JUST FOR LAUGHS
BACK TO YOU
EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION
EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS

My Late Night TV; going to sleep shows:
BERNIE MAC
THAT 70S SHOW
KING OF QUEENS
MY WIFE AND KIDS

And seriously, NOT a couch potato; although seeing this listed out, makes me want to go exercise! LOL :-)

Got any Favs? Drop them in the Comment Jar!

Visit My Other Blog: Melanie's World for updates on my Favorite Shows (Well, my perspective!)