Deals and Wheels

I spent hours the past couple of weeks washing, ironing, and tagging clothes for our local seasonal consignment sale.

I made a list of what the kiddies needed (and wanted!) and double-checked it.

Then I headed off to the pre-sale, set up only for consignors, to see if I could clothe my kids for the upcoming spring/summer for a reasonable price.

It was a most successful shopping trip. Hubby gave me a $150 budget.

Here's the loot:

The cost? A mere $108! I definitely got almost everything I needed off my list and a few extras as well, including some goodies for my little niece due to arrive this summer.

I left the sale, grinning from ear to ear at the thought of the deals I had just gotten. I didn't even mind walking the five blocks it took to get to where I had parked.

All bargaining elation quickly faded however, when I noticed that I had left my headlights on. I hurriedly tried to start the car, but to no avail.

I calculated my situation. I was five blocks from the sale. I didn't really know anyone at the sale - my friends that had been there had left much earlier. I was in downtown Portland, with my mother-in-law back at the house watching the kids.

After calling the hubby and realizing that he would not be able to get away from work to come jump-start the car, I started walking back to the sale. I briefly considered asking a total stranger to help me, and then in the distance, I thought I saw a familiar figure. I ran ahead and was thrilled to see that my friend Christy was still loading up her car. Of all people, I was particularly glad to see her, because I knew that she would actually know where to put the jumper cables. :)

We got my car to start, and I thankfully drove home. And now I know - red is positive and black is negative.

Green Shoes

The Drama Queen has been begging for a pair of green shoes. Currently her favorite color is green, and she already has a green jacket, green coat, several green shirts, and a green star necklace.

And while I would love to give my little girl anything she wants, it's hard to justify spending money on a pair of shoes that will not match everything. Especially a pair of shoes from the oh-so-cute but oh-so-pricey Gymboree.

Last night I went shopping for the kids' fall/winter clothing. We have this fantastic huge consignment sale twice a year here, and I usually sell enough to pay for the kids "new" clothes. I always make a list of each child's needs before I go and set myself a budget. This year the budget for all three little ones was $100.00. I was thrilled to find everything on my list - from winter coats (brand-new) to shoes to skirts that were actually long enough to keep my little girl modest. The total for the 35 items I was purchasing was $95.00. And then, the Drama Queen saw them. The coveted green shoes from Gymboree! I checked the size - just right - and there was exactly enough money left in the budget to get them.

I am thankful for the big things in my life - my familly, my home, my church, our vehicles. But every once in a while I can be thankful for the little things. Thank you God for green shoes!