Bargain Madness

On Monday I had to run some errands with the boys which took me to a part of town I don't usually go. After we finished up the errands, I asked Owen if he wanted to go to Saver's to see what they had. Eli had been feeling sickly and we all really needed to get out of the house.
We pulled into the parking lot and I noticed there were quite a few cars, but didn't think anything of it until we walked into the store which was pure pandemonium. I looked around and saw women with shopping carts heaped with clothing--seriously about 60+ items in each cart. I still couldn't figure out what was going on until I heard someone say, "Yeah, everything in the store is 99 cents." What? Seriously? EVERYTHING?!?!?
Then, I became a bit anxious. I don't know what it is, but when I have the kids with me, I can't really take my time to look at anything, it's more of a quick browse and rush on, so that I can keep them entertained enough for me to get errands done. This was madness though. It reminded me of an event that BYU holds annually (at least they used to anyways) called something like The Rummage Sale. What it amounts to is that anything that has been turned in to the Lost and Found during the course of the school year and not claimed gets piled on tables to be sold. The one time I went we stood in line for two hours to get into the sale. Once they open the sale you have to calmly enter the ballroom (that's where they hold it, so you can imagine how much stuff is there), but then it's every woman for herself.
Because I didn't know about the sale and didn't arrive at the crack of dawn, a lot of stuff was gone, but I did manage to get two sweaters and a little jacket for myself--none of which I tried on with the mentality, "So what if it doesn't fit. It was only a dollar!" The best find were the two pairs of Banana Republic slacks in perfect condition for my husband--for the grand price of $2!
I kept thinking to myself, "Boy, my mother in law should be here. She'd come home with a complete set of china or some painting that would end up being a front for a Picasso."
You have to know my mother in law to appreciate her bargain savvyness. I usually go into Goodwill or Savers or such stores to get used books, but she goes in to find anything and everything. I like to go with her because, though I'm not a superstitious person, I think she's good luck. Really. You know how we all have different gifts? You know, some people have faith and other people have a good voice? Well, among the talents that lie within my mother in law is thrift store shopping.
I guess because I was still feeling pretty high on my Saver's find, I went to Goodwill to get some glass for a frame that had broken. We walked in and there were oodles of people. I almost started to get nervous again wondering what was going on, but it turns out it was nothing. However, I did manage to snag the complete hard back boxed set of the Eragon book series in perfect condition. I've never read them, but I've heard they are great. Besides the box sells for $67 and I paid $19.99. Maybe if I keep working, I can develop my thrift store gift too!

Valentine Traditions

Before I was ever married I remember hearing several stories about how Valentine's Day was a miserable holiday. In particular what caught my attention was how married women felt abused because their husbands didn't remember to get them anything or because the wife had given her husband a wonderful Valentine's Day the year before only to feel completely ignored the next year. I didn't want any of this to describe my Valentine experience.


So, the first year Derek and I were married I took care of Valentine's. Derek bought me some cinnamon lip candies (which I have discovered since we moved from Utah are not easy to find and yes, there is something different about them vs. the cinnamon bear candy) and I made him a yummy homemade dinner and bought him a favorite CD and we celebrated in our little, basement apartment--just the two of us. I still remember that Valentine's Day because it set the tone for the rest of them. They didn't have to be grandiose to be special. Just remembering each other was what mattered.

We decided that year that I would be in charge of Valentine's Day celebrations every year while Derek would be in charge of anniversary celebrations every year. That way each of us had an entire year to plan for the other person and there would never be any hurt feelings. It has worked beautifully. I look forward with great anticipation each year to planning a fun date for my Valentine.

This year I was able to surprise Derek. Last year, for one reason or another, he discovered every single thing I had planned as a surprise. But not this year! I reserved a racquetball court for us to play for an hour before we headed to dinner at Trader Vic's in Scottsdale. The food was super yummy and I had a sweet coupon through one of my new favorite discoveries: Groupon! If you don't know about it--you should. It's wonderful. Though, I do think you need to live in a large city to access the benefits.We finished off the night by watching the Olympics--my FAVORITE thing to watch every two years.

I love you Derek!!! Thanks for being a wonderful Valentine.

Oh, and earlier that day we took the kids to Goldfield, AZ, for a fun family outing (Thanks for the idea Alacey & Melissa). It's an old mining town that you can go and tour. Here are some recent photos.







We made shish kabobs at home (Owen was getting oil all over his clothes hence the lack of a shirt). These turned out super yummy--you should get the marinade recipe from me.

Since we had the coals all ready we toasted marshmallows for our Family Home Evening Treat.

Squeezing our HOME GROWN lemons for lemonade.

Goldfield, Arizona

The Superstition Mountains

Do the deed--do the time.