Return of the Pozitive Peerz!

So first things first, Matt Ladd sent me this picture overnight of a certain one of our friends who is home visiting from his job overseas for a few weeks. I've made it my mission to see him before he leaves. This, along with a multitude of other reasons are why...

2008 v. 2013 : the shirt survives!!!

^ Catie and I bought Jamie that shirt at a thrift store for $2, sometime back in 2008. The whole thing stemmed from a joke about Catie & I on one of our purposed missions into the thrift world; we came back with this gem and apparently he's held onto it all this time. This guy completes the quartet that I more affectionately call The Twigs , but of which I for some reason have ZERO pictures of all together. Whatever. I... LOVE it... & can't wait to see this guy asap.. 

see? i tried.. 3 at a time is the best our cameras ever got..
[& shouts to catie, deanna, whit, nala & amanda for cameos!]

Ahhh.. eventually. We'll get there.

Tonight was volleyball; we ended up playing a double-header since another team's competition bailed. We're still a little behind on posting those W's, but for a group whose never played all together, one of which has never played at all in the first place, we're getting better! Just wait until next session rolls around.. I think we voted on the Sandbar, so that will be the real test of how we do.

harbor view + spirits + sand volleyball? win.win.win.

This week has felt exceptionally long for only being four work days for me. I'm interested to see what the last two days hold before I get Sydni and she, [hopefully] Rob & I head up to good old Mt. Vernon for Dad's birthday.

 

Almost there! (:

 

xo | cmd

Thrifty Office Deco | VBS Day 3

Tips for office deco:

Don't spend more than necessary.
Done, and done!

why thank you, goodwill!

^ Magnetic dry erase board, in pristine shape, making its new home on the wall next to my desk. Since we moved out of the janky neighborhood on the other side of the dividers, I no longer have the overhead that previously attached itself above my desk. First world problem, I know, but as it stood, I had a cup full of homeless magnets that were taking up desk space. I decided I'd consult the inventory at Goodwill, thinking I may on a whim find something fun to brighten up the day. Goodwill so rarely disappoints; today was one of those days in which I felt I was almost expected. Ah, thrifty finds. :)

Oh, and VBS is in full swing!


meet your vbs music directors: kirsten & cori
see them taking a break? yeah... :)

Three days down, three to go. We are on fire! The kids are incredible.. and we are.. exhausted ;) Haha. All in good fun, and really we're having a blast doing it.

Y-E-S to V-B-S!

What a day... :)

xo | cmd

Back to the Popcorn

Popcorn!

I've been going through weekend withdrawal.

Sometime last week, I found this at Goodwill, and I didn't think twice about snagging it. It sat on my desk for a few days, unused, because I was out of popcorn. I replenished my supply towards the end of the week, but forgot about this ceramic bowl for fluffies until I got back to the office today.

This is the second shortened work week in a row. We're getting spoiled. I'm not sure what we're going to do when we have to actually work a full 5 days. Ha. Anyway, it's been somewhat of a trying 8-5, so I'm gonna go get these chicken quesadillas going for the fam and call it an early night.

Ciao!

xo | cmd

And A-Thrifting We Go! [Again]

It’s been one heck of a weekend, in terms of sleep schedule and time management. Joe started into his mid-shift rotation a few days back, and since then it seems like the zany sleeping hours have spilled out onto the rest of us. For instance, Joe headed out for work around 10pm last night; I was up until almost 4am. Don’t ask me how that worked itself out, but it’s my hope that we’ll nail down separate sleeping agendas sometime before his next rotation rolls around.



christopher. loralye. easton. sydni. carlee
&& santa! :)



Anywho, we managed to pull it together and make it to church this morning, which was followed by lunch at the Woods’ with the Werner’s and Page’s. The somewhat bittersweet blessing better known as our small group expansion, has taken off so much so that it was mutually voted upon to split our one bulk small group into three smaller small groups, if that makes sense. That being said, it was decided that Dan & Robin, Adam & Cathy, and Joe and I would be the three couples accountable for hosting and discussion generation during our bi-weekly gatherings. At the last group gathering at the Woods’, names were drawn randomly to assign out all the couples or families to one of the three groups. We’ve landed three of our groups extraordinary couples, as well as two other ladies looking for involvement with Koinonia. Today we met with the other couples and the Woods in a spearhead planning session. We nailed down some solid ideas on how to move forward collectively, which can’t be shared for the sake of being a spoiler! J



ok, fine... i'll take it!

 Upon leaving the Woods’, we made a bee-line back to the house so Joe could get a start on his sleep. Sydni went down for a nap as well, and I headed out to run some errands. I decided to hunt down a mattress for the [Goodwill] bed frame I’d toted home a few weeks back. Along the way, I must’ve blacked out, and when I came to, I was walking through the door of Plato’s Closet. Go figure. I realized the reason for the unplanned stop when I landed one of those deals that remind me why I rarely deviate from thrift-fueled shopping. I finally made it to my original destination and found exactly what I was after: twin mattress. The whole thing is set up now and I must admit it adds a nice touch. I like it!



twin bed :: finished!



It’s been a long day; the work week starts tomorrow. *Sigh.

ZzZzZzzzz….

xo | cmd

Dumpster Diving with Diana

I have absolutely no problem openly discussing my indubitable obsession with thrift shopping. There's a certain subtle thrill that, though unspoken, is very alive whenever I acquire something fun for a fraction of what it would retail. In terms of consumerism, I pride myself on exercising discretionary spending without sacrificing in any one-or-the-other ultimatum. I am all about resale shops, yard sales, and hand-me-downs. When it boils down to it, really, I apparently am open to any form of transferring noteworthy items into my life.

Case & Point:

BEHOLD : The dumpster that resides in the corner of our parking lot at work. It's responsible for all discards from the 7-8 small businesses that share with us in our little plaza. I've made numerous trips across the lot to toss our trash and never stopped to think twice...

... until today.

My work day begins at 8am, so there I am getting settled in for the day when our co-owner breezes through the door telling me to grab my coat and follow. [Ooookay?] Well, as it turned out, Diana had taken our trash out and spotted a cabinet of some sort, disassembled and left for disposal. If you're wondering if we retrieved it, the answer is YES, OF COURSE WE DID.

I should start a bucket list. On that list I should scribe and check off :

√ Dumpster dive with employer

Fast forward to after we'd loaded this sucker, in pieces, into the back of my Murano and I ended up with it now sitting out, ready for me to attempt re-assembly. I have no screws or nails, and even less of an idea of what or how this thing goes together. This should be interesting. If all else fails, I'm scrapping parts and recycling them somehow. I'll keep you posted on my success [or potential lack thereof].

At any rate, I dedicate today to my boss, the wonderful up-and-coming dumpster diver. She thoroughly impressed me today with her instant initiative and quick response time in spotting and hauling out what we both hope to be a nicely-revived piece of furniture.

Welp, that's about all the excitement I could handle for one day. :)

Short work week, here we come!

xo | cmd

Thrift-a-nista Training

Anyone who knows me knows that, by the process of trial and [major] error, I’ve devoted myself wholly to the search and seizure of cool stuff for as close to dirt cheap as possible. This includes everything from clothing to miscellaneous household items, even cars. [Yeah, remember my Saab 9-3? Craigslist.] I’ve honed my skills over the years, and while I don’t consider myself among the ranks of fervent coupon-cutters or diehard bargain-hagglers, I would still say I’m fairly decent for a common discount digger.

I’m a advantageous fan of Goodwill and Salvation Army. I’m a fan of any charitable [or even simply self-owned/operated] variation of thrift or resale. Garage sales are magical things, and I will not shun a hand-me-down if I think it’s got any potential. I guess I can see what the big hang-up is for a lot of people with places like Goodwill or Sal-Army: people drop whatever they want there, so who knows where it’s been. Right? Well, sometimes. I’ve definitely seen some things that raise my eyebrow, but there are other things I now call my favorites, and the majority of them are second – maybe even third [fourth, fifth…] – hand.

And if you think for a blink that I’d neglect to pass the secrets of the trade along to my next-in-line, well… false. Sydni’s already had her full share of thrifting adventures and exposure to the world of salvaging to restore. We were blessed enough to receive most of her necessities starting out as gifts from friends and family [stroller, high chair, infant clothes, toys…]. Aside from things like bottles, diapers, crib mattress, and a few other things I don’t think I would’ve bought used, you’ll find a plethora of recycled toys, books, clothes, shoes, and furniture [i.e. – the dresser from a few entries back] that we’ve collected from various thrift or resale shops from all over.

Today proved to be a perfect example of why it benefits to be a bargainer. I’m dedicating this one to Sydni, since all this stuff is obviously for her, not me.

Long story short, we went to return a few things at one of our favorite local kiddie resale digs, and ended up walking out with a bag full of adorable and seasonally appropriate pieces. Amazingly enough, I picked out a few pairs of jeans, and Mama’s little helper picked out the majority of the tops. I was impressed, thoroughly. They were all separates, altogether totaling 12 pieces, and altogether on the bill totaled just some change over $26. Subtract the $3.50 from our returned items, and we spent well under $2 per piece. Oh, and while I am by no means obsessed with brand-names [though I am a bit more finicky on the wear-and-tear condition of things for Sydni], the quality indicated by the Gap, Carter, Children’s Place, and Faded Glory tags suggested that these were good calls. Two things still had original store tags attached, and the rest looked as though they’d been worn no more than a few times. Yes, please.

Sydni, when you’re old enough, we’ll sit down and I’ll show you how this all works ;). Good news is, if you’re ever on a bargain mission without me, I know at least a half-dozen frugal savvy’s [who are good at it, too!] that can point you in the right direction. We’re a contagious breed, that’s for sure….

OH YEAH, and did I mention Joe comes home this week?!

It’s gonna be a good week, folks.

P.S. – The Honda has a full tank of gas, too, btw. Thanks. J

xo | cmd  

Handy[wo]man!

That’s right, I’m on fire now!

Not literally, of course, but this building streak I’m on is pretty solid.

Today I conquered another TV stand to complete the living room ensemble, installed a curved shower rod, corner shower tension rod, and hung a half dozen picture frames throughout the house. The pictures need updated, but having a visual helps me decipher just which ones… and you’d better believe they’ll be gems J haha.

Sydni’s been a huge help, too. I actually don’t think I would’ve completed any of these projects without her constant darting in and out of … well, my way. Haha. I can’t help but love it.

The Airman’s Attic is on base, but because it’s run by volunteers, it has these funky hours [Tues & Thurs 9AM-11AM only]. Needless to say, my plans of dropping off all our intended-to-donate boxes were thwarted by both time and my relentless intensity when it comes to finishing any task at hand. So we missed the 2-hour window at the Attic, but no worries; one of my top to-do’s here was to locate a thrift store, for no other reason than to find one. [<3 thrifting!]. I GPS’d a Salvation Army down the street and loaded up for a trip there. Since I had Joe’s Accord for the day, that meant less space for hauling, which meant three trips to and from. The well-humored guy manning the donation truck laughed when I showed up the third time and asked if I planned on filling the entire truck today. I told him I juuuust might J.

Anyway, the week’s almost over, I think: not working really distorts my grasp on time! This weekend will absolutely be a welcome breather from the settling-in process.

*yawn.

Until tomorrow…. <3

xo | cmd