JBF Consignment Sale Time!

It's that time of year again, the leaves are turning colors, the morning air is nice and crisp and dollar signs are floating in my mind. That's right, it's the fall installment of the Just Between Friends consignment sale. This is perhaps the greatest event for any parent looking to save money.  From clothes, to furniture to toys and gear, this sale has everything!  I purchased my $200 jogging stroller for $40 last fall, which was a fabulous deal, but not an unusual one.  In the past I've gone pretty crazy getting toys and clothes for Tysen.  I think last fall I spent about $150 which got me 35 clothing items and 15 large toys.  This year we're pretty set on toys, though I do hope to add a few hotwheels to his collection.

I have attended the sale four or five times in the past few years, and I started consigning at the last sale that was held in the spring.  Last spring I was definitely more organized, I had everything done a few weeks prior to the actual event.  This year I've somehow lost that organization and I have only a few days left to get everything on hangers and tagged before the drop-ff on Thursday.  If you've never been to a JBF sale, I urge you to check to see if there's one in your area.  They typically happen twice a year, and are located throughout the country.

Saturday Dilemmas

Aww, the weekend.  For many, it starts at 5:00 Friday evening.  Sadly, I am not most people and am forced to endure an additional agonizing day of work on Saturdays.  This Saturday posses fun new challenges beyond the regular work related few I must face.  In comparisons to world peace and ending hunger, these are really low on the scale, but for me, they are mind boggling!

Tonight is a book signing for one of my favorite blog authors, Jen from Cake Wrecks at a local book store.  Not only will I be able to get her new book signed, there will also free cake!! Who doesn't love cake!!  Sadly, I do not think I will be attending this wonderful event, which I have been looking forward to for months, by the way!!  There is a football game tonight, which I should probably attend,  at 7:00.  I am saddened that I will miss out on all the fun and hilarity that I am certain will ensue.

I'm contemplating skipping the football game, which I promised I would take Tysen.  Would a tiny person really remember that he was supposed to be cheering on his daddy's team and not eating cake?  I doubt it.  Thus my dilemma...

Blog Redisgn!

new design preview

I have decided that I am going to tackle the art of blog design!  Actually, for the past couple of days, I think the art has been tackling me.  I know that I must be making it harder on myself than it needs to be, but I feel as though I'm learning more that way...Or at least that is how I justify all the time it's taking me!  I've always loved Photoshop, so that part has been pretty easy.  The hard part is all the coding, which I haven't used in years!  Though I did minor in computer science in college, I feel as though I'm only remembering about half of what I learned.  It's a slow process, but I'm enjoying it, and hopefully the end results will be worth it.

I Love Fall

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons.  The beginning of fall means my birthday is right around the corner, soon we will be heading out to the pumpkin patch to select the perfect pumpkin.  Also the leaves have just started changing, bringing a whole new color pallet to the Pacific Northwest.  Also, candy corn will be hitting the store shelves in mass quantities.  Who doesn't love a big bag of candy corn? No one I tell you!

Yesterday was the first day of fall, and here it was ushered in with a 95 degree day.  Though I did grumble a little about the heat because we don't have AC, secretly I was loving the warm temperatures.  I am not quite ready for the rain and grey skies of late fall and early winter.

It's getting to be that time when Justin and I have to figure out what our little man is going to be for Halloween.  Last year he made an adorable bear, all soft and fuzzy.  This year I think he'll be dressed up as something a little "tougher" (as Justin has put it).  We are leaning toward Harry Potter, though I think Draco would be a better choice due to Tysen's bright white hair.  Though, I just can't see myself hugging a Slytherin, so I suppose Harry Potter will win out in the end (doesn't he always).

I hope to pull out my camera as the leaves start changing, and capture some nice fall photos.  I've had my Nikon D40X for about two years, and I always forget to take pictures of the fall leaves.  I'm forgetful that way.  This year I plan to be better!!  You know what they say about the best laid plans though...

Do The Puyallup-The Big Fantastic

This last Sunday we "did the Puyallup" as locals can be heard saying at the Puyallup fair.  Of course we ate too much fair food, but that is to be expected! The fair is huge and I think we probably covered all 160 acres!!  Though Tysen was too small for almost every ride, we did sneak him onto the train that runs through the kiddie area.  Technically children are supposed to be two years old to ride, but try telling that to a train lover like Tysen; he wasn't going to let age stand in his way of riding that train!  Her are a few  photos from our day.

Justin and Tysen waiting for the acappella group, The Coats

Riding the merry go round, one of his favorite stops anywhere

Playing carnival games

Today I woke up with a horrible migraine, which I am just now recovering from.  Otherwise, I'm sure there would be a witty review of all things fair related.  The best I can say is that the deep fried Twinkie did not live up to the hype, and I should have caved and purchased a Sham-WOW.

The Family We Create

Candy and Tysen in February 2008

Growing up, my mom had several close friends who treated me just like family.  One of the greatest women in the world, Candy, was such a friend, she was in essence a second mom to me.  Her daughter Jessica and I were quite close growing up and had quite a few happy times.  I recall many camping trips and sleep overs, birthday parties and dinners that were filled with happiness and love.  Candy has always been the type of person who embraces other people, always making room in her heart and her home for others.  I remember the very first holiday my mom, sister and I spent with Candy and her family when I was 11 or 12.  We had been planning a trip to Eastern Oregon to visit family there, but at the last minute, I no longer remember why, we were unable to make it.  Candy welcomed the three of us into her home as though she had been planning for us all along.

We spent many holidays after that with Candy and her family, often with as many as 20 other people. That's just the way Candy is, she is such a giving person, always thinking of others long before herself.  Now that my mom has passed away, Candy is the closest thing I have to a mom, and I am truly blessed that she is a part of my life.  Candy's husband Bob actually married Justin and I, fore he is also an amazing person.

Candy and Bob, are visiting us this weekend, hence the reason for my reminiscing.   We are separated by miles and miles, but I know that should I ever need them, they are just a phone call away.