~~~~ Weekly Thrift Store Finds~~~~Simple Pleasures

This weeks treasurers, and missing 4 glass candlesticks that were getting all sparkly clean in the dishwasher and a beautiful brand new filigree shabby chic frame that was out of the shot....total $28.00. Love this farm set - barn and lots of John Deere stuff (noise activated) and animals and vehicles I know my boys will love....some pop beads (new in box, fisher price) to go with my original ones I have from when Adam was a baby....the boys like to make long strands of them to have their Monster Trucks run over them....a great set of old world bookends with globes that rotate - love these...remind me of that fantastic old globe table I saw in Palm Springs - still waiting on the price to drop on that one...also some incrediblocks that are discontinued and very collectible.

The other day our neighbors got a new appliance.....We asked the delivery team for the box and they were more than happy to give it to us. I remembered how much fun my kids used to have with old appliance boxes and I knew the boys would as well. The next time they came over, we brought it in, I made a door and windows (ok, a little crooked but a pretty stylish design don't ya think)....they boys got out their crayons and 'decorated' it....

Dylan decided to name it 'Our Kids Playhouse' and I love that....he drew a rainbow over the front door and he did a really good job!!!

The loved taking turns getting in together and ate their snack in there and of course if you look you can see Baby (Mickey) was tucked inside by Brody...

This is Brody checking out the door before it was decorated or filled with toys.....when they went home I found everything from goldfish crackers to my old cell phones they play with to Monster Trucks, Thomas the Train, flashlights and crayons.....it was entertainment for hours and it is rainy today and they are coming back over.....we will have hours of fun with this simple pleasure.

What simple pleasure is in your life?

Rewards of Volunteering.....

I used to volunteer so much when I lived in LA....Methodist Women's Group, Leukemia Society, Church Attic....then when we moved here and the kids were in school I volunteered in many things that supported such as, Boy Scouts (Den Mother) and Girl Scouts (Troop Leader and Cookie Chairman) started the yearly fundraiser for SRHS for Girls Athletics, Cancer Society and Diabetes foundation....but as of late (past couple of years) I have been donating items and money, but not hands on time. I forgot how rewarding it was to give of your time to something you really believe in....I was happy to help with the tables and food offerings at the recent VIP Race Reception at the Museum....here are a few pictures of the most wonderful event that brings so much awareness to the community here in SD....

The lobby looked so beautiful with the special lighting and the tables were dressed with black tablecloths that I purchased and tied with turquoise organza ties....the food station was upstairs and quite busy....we think there was over 200 people in attendance....Steve and I are in this crowd somewhere....

Dr. Parzen welcoming the guest to the event....love the LCD lighting in the background

The beautiful lobby before the guests arrived....

We had 2 food tables that overlooked the lobby and the beautiful lighting....

It is true, when you give you get.

What have you given lately?????

Taxes ~ Marathon Week ~ Thrifting ~ Valentine Fun

I worked long hours all week, including about 10 volunteer hours and babsitting the boys and worked and worked on taxes every spare minute I had....I needed a break so I went Thrifting on Thursday and found this little treasure for $9.95!!! I had to remove the car seats from my car to get it in but I was determined and had a little fly by help loading from Kristen.

It is a Power Wheels jeep complete with battery and seats both boys.....I polished it up with Armorall and cleaned it up really good (after these pictures were taken)

I also found these three crystal candlesticks for my collection/projects and the cutest pull/push stick that has a king sitting on an alligator that chomps when you push it - total for all 4 = $2.00.

Friday we had a big night at the Museum and I will post on that once I get the pictures - it was a magical night and I can't wait to share. I got up early Sat and finished up the prep on our portion and was ready to play - I felt like the weight of the world was off my shoulders....

The boys came over Saturday afternoon and while the battery was charging we played out front with the boys and pushed them all around the cul de sac in the jeep and got some good exercise and lots of laughs and fun.
Even Gramps helped push - the weather was perfect and we played all afternoon until dark and then came in for dinner and then we watch 'Stuart Little '- Brody was so into the movie, cheering and talking and all - I was watching him watch the movie. They boys stayed overnight and Sunday a.m. we all went to the swap meet and then came home and made Valentine Sunday lunch for the whole family for Sunday dinner a la Valentine theme....we had heart shaped sandwiches (egg salad and chicken salad) a wonderful new Asian salad I made and cheese cake with cherries on top.....I love this picture of Brody pushing 'Baby' in the jeep....to Brody Baby is his little brother friend and he shares everything with him.....

Not the best picture of the meal - but a fun lunch to make and it was nice enough to eat outside and enjoy the family.....

What is it about completing taxes that liberates me....granted I only completed the prep for our appointment later this week and still have my parents to do, but I feel so unburdened - so accomplished.....what accomplishments free you????

Tax Time and a side of me that emerges this time of year.....

The bain of my existence this time of year....tax prep....ugh....2 full tables worth and it took 1 whole day just to sort through it....I so dread this time of year and am usually not a procrastinator, however, this time of year I see that avoidance side of me emerge big time....

.....so why not declare a get away to the Palm Springs area for an overnight stay and some play time!!!! Rocky, Steve and I hit the road!

We stopped by the Desert Hills Premium Outlets and the Coach Outlet was having a huge sale....most purses 50% off then an additional 30% off....I got a $200.00 bag for $26.00 - it had been marked down, then the additional off.....the store was jamming and almost everyone was buying 2 - 3 bags....so many cute ones to drool over....we looked for suitcases at Tumi but too pricey and then found a few other things as we browsed around....also had a great dinner, played some games and stopped by a few thrift stores....they have so many in that area! I saw an awesome old world globe that I would have loved to have but it was just too much.....

When we got home I was still not ready to hit the tax prep so I finished off my little Thrift store table for the stair area. I painted it Sat a.m. before we left, then distressed it when we got home and I love the way it looks....not too crazy about the items I put on top so will have to play with that a bit....I have about $12.00 total into this table...

I also painted and shaded my cast iron Fleur de Lis door stop that I got last week....it was kind of blue black and I painted in Venetian gold and did the shading with black....I have about $2.50 into this....

Paid some bills, worked on some other projects....but now I must make myself face the tax table.....well, maybe I will do my Valentines first and then for sure I will work on tax stuff.....unless of course I can find another distraction.....

What do you have to do that you just dread???? How do you motivate yourself?

Weather.....Wondering....Thrift Store Finds....

When daily our SD weather is so perfect... last night we played outside with the boys until dark....

.....I wonder how people live in the cold....I have been in snowy areas and was in snowy SLC last week and it was so beautiful but I just can't imagine having to wear coats and gloves and warming up cars trying to manage little kids in snow suits, pushing a grocery cart, getting your mail.....and how do you go to yard sales and eat at outdoor cafes in the snow??? I have a new found respect for those in the Midwest and east who take this all in stride....

Isn't this a little beauty....very old and in great shape...$9.95 at the Thrift store...it is perfect for the little alcove turn on the bottom of my stairs....some sanding, a coat of white paint and some distressing and then it will be a perfect little addition....not sure what I will put on top of it just yet....any ideas???

A wonderful door stopper Fleur de Leis (this is a funny story, Kristen had seen it there earlier in the week and almost got it for me but passed at the last minute - I am glad it waited for me!) I think I will paint it dark gold and sponge on some black paint texture....and 4 really unique and beautiful glass candlesticks for my craft projects....this entire group was $14.00 and once I washed those candlesticks they really sparkled!

Also bought this other very heavy 2 tiered table (on the right) that I am not sure what to do with but I have never seen a heavier table and it is old, old, old....it was $3.95

We all had bouts with the flu over the weekend - it was ugly....all slowly recovering....hoping to stay healthy and get some projects done!