Devious kitty sofa cookie jar

Looking back through my photos, I found this gem. I'm using the cookie jar to contain all the cat treats. Through my online research, I found out there is a matching salt and pepper set.

Purchased for $4.99
Retails for  $34.95 @ebay
Savings of  $29.96






 Isn't the salt and pepper shaker cute?

Garage Sales!!! YAY!!

Today, I rode my bike around the surrounding neighborhood garage sales. First I visited the bigger houses south of 135th street and on my way home, I hit some north of 135th street. I had a lot more luck in the northern less ritzy sub-divisions. In the photo below you can see the catches of the day. Eight movie posters at $3 a poster. I just cannot wait until my husband gets home, he is going to flip!  A Vtech Touch and Teach Turtle $1. That was the best name they could come up with? A metal sign that says, "What part of meow don't you understand?! for $2. A quotation stamp, "Dreams are the touchstones of our characters." ~Thoreau $2. Made me stop and think, what are my dreams? Devoid of dreams right now, other than car and house. I need to work on some better dreams. Pink size 24 month pants from Sonoma for $1.50.

Turtle $19.96 @Amazon
Stamp ~$10.00 @Inkidinkado
Metal sign $7.95 tag on back of sign
Pants on sale $10.99 @Kohls
Posters $15-25x8=$160

Total Spent $30.50
Retail Cost $208.90
Savings of $178.40

My Haul: Part 2

Brown La Blanca swimsuit top by Rod Beattie

Purchased for $5.99

New Price      $50-75.00

Savings of     ~$56.00

 

 

California Innovations Whataday Totepack & Cooler in One

Purchased for $6.99

New Price      $20.00

Savings of     ~$13.00

 

 Avirex red cotton reversible jacket

Purchased for $3.99

New Price      $40-60.00 

(my best guess as the brand has been bought by echo and is well known for leather jackets and supplying the military)

Savings of     ~$46.00 

 

Beach Towel

Purchased for $3.99

New Price      $12.99-19.99

Savings of     ~$12.00

I have been looking for absorbent, thick beach towels to gift to my family's lake house. This was the right price for a decent item. They aren't making bath towels like they used to...

Liberty of London for Target Stoneware mug

Purchased for $.99

New Price      $15.99 set of 4

Savings of       $3.00

Rue de Paris hand painted collection from Tabletops Unlimited

Purchased for $.99

New Price      $20.00x2

Savings of       $39.00

My Haul: Part 1

Ravensburger Enchanted Forest Game

Purchased for $1.99
New Price      $25.00 (Amazon List Price)
Savings of       $23.00

 Ceramic fish with broken tile detail
Purchased for $6.99
New Price      $20-30 (depending??)
Savings of       $18

Gift for my grandma that reminds me of Italy and matches her bathroom decor, priceless!

Purchased at $.50x4= $2.00
New Price
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly $5.99

Sheep Trick or Treat                                         $5.95
Dan Zanes and Friends Family Dance                $11.00
                        (only available used)
Mangia! Mangia!                                               $6.99
Savings       ~$28.00

Under Armour Tactical Shirt

Purchased $7.99
New Price $26.98
Savings    ~$19.00

Nike Dri-Fit Long-Sleeved Shirt

Purchased $9.99
New         $35.00
Savings   ~$25.00

Specialized Cascade Top Zippered Biking Shirt
Purchased $9.99
New         $40.00
Savings   ~$30.00

Woot!!

 I had a very productive day shopping at Savers, which supports the Big Brothers and Big Sisters. I spent $25 at the Nall and 95th St. location and about $45 at the store off 135th St close to Blackbob after a 30% off coupon from a lovely employee at the first Savers. These are the two best locations in my area (KS and MO). This is my favorite purchase of the day...okay, favorite two purchases of the day.

$5.99

Octopus Trash Can

Purchased for $8.99
New Price      $20-30 (@Target Sea Life by Circo)
Savings of     ~$16






The Original Locker Bag by Ogio

Purchased for $5.99
New Price      $35.00 
I found a similar bag used on ebay. I can't really compare it to the newer ones which are priced at $65.00, but I would definitely consider buying from this company because this sturdy bag will be an awesome carry-on for my upcoming trip to CA. That's why secondhand is great, you find out about products you never even knew existed.
Savings of       $29.00

Birthday Presents

Disney Cinderella Crown and Slippers

Purchased for $3.99
New Price $40.00
Savings of $36.01

I'm thinking our niece will really appreciate these accessories with a Cinderella gown.

                    Doodle Do Ten Blocks for One You
                    Purchased for $3.99
                    New Price $14.99
                    Savings of  $11.00


This will be a gift for the little lady for which I nanny.
Think these are neat blocks? Buy them here: http://www.amazon.com/B-One-Two-Squeeze-Blocks/dp/B0030F67N6











Pretty excited about these finds. More to come soon, I'm off to the drive-in.

Water Skeeter and Pet Carrier

Purchased for $14.99

New Price $200.00

Savings of $185.01

Plan to use this on my next float trip! It's holding air. If there are any problems, there is always goop! Love you, Grandpa Tom!

They are on clearance for $75.00 if you want your own!
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/water-skeeter-daytripper-float-tube~p~70793/reviews/#reviewsTab

Purchased for $11.99

New Price $59.99

Savings of $48.00

Last Christmas I took my two cats home with me. One carrier was tight quarters with our big guy Gulliver hogging most of the space. Here's how it went, poop=vomit=more poop and more vomit=unpleasant car ride for all involved. Needless to say, I needed another pet carrier. Glad I kept an eye out because this is nearly identical (holes on side sunrise vs waves) to our other carrier and it is much easier to get cats in through the top than traditional front door.

If you want one just like it...
http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Deluxe-Kennel-Medium-Peacock/dp/B000A703QE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1333076458&sr=8-6

Productive Day

It is so hard to find time for blogging, exercising, and cooking dinner. I work pretty much 10:00-9:30 PM in two different childcare positions, so those are the three things that are most put on the back burner. I'd like to do them more. Today, I have walked (with 2 1/2lb weights in each hand) a little over 3 miles and at the moment am writing this blog. The plan is to make Thai Chicken Pizza for dinner tonight courtesy of Rachel Ray. I had to find adequate duck sauce which I found at Hen House.

Finished season two of Sister Wives. I don't know how they do it. I'd rather be a wife with four husbands than a sister wife.

Well, off to the showers. One other thing, donate things you don't want to a secondhand store. Nowadays, you don't even have to load it up, just call the store and they will send a truck.

Holy Rally Squirrel Berkman

GO CARDINALS!!!! Now, time for bed. No, time to go to bed and lie there in the dark thinking how the f did that happen? Ha, ha and to dream about the handsome (without the beard), dependable, patient Berkman. Lance you are my man.

Pre-Cycle Insomnia

Right before my monthly time, I usually have a few nights where I can't sleep. I liken it to my body telling me it's my last chance to get pregnant, as if... I noticed a lot of people read my blog from postcrossing, thanks to you, I feel motivated to keep this more current. The cats are quiet (as I wrote that one jumped and grunt-meowed) and my husband is completely out. He never has trouble sleeping. The computer is the last place one should be if they are trying to get to sleep, as the light reduces the melatonin in our body, causing us to get less sleep, but it is the easiest place to write and doesn't give you a hand cramp as quickly. So yes, if you were wondering I now have two cats. When I was, in my head, more of a dog person and a dog was what I pined for in MN. Both cats came into my life, I did not choose them, they chose me and I think it is better that way. I have an orange swirled tabby named Gulliver Rambo Lucifer McGonagal and a black cat named Polka Dot (Dottie). I'm sure more names will present themselves as I learn more about her personality. Gulliver was brought home by my brother from church one night to be a barn cat and he climbed up onto my shoulder and into my heart. So regardless of the new leather couch at my parent's he was allowed to stay (currently laying against my thigh in bed). Dottie was found with her sister in the Arby's parking lot. My husband stopped when he saw her and I said, "We don't need another cat." Adorable, cuddly, lovey kittens are impossible to resist and that was all she wrote. Two are better than one anyway and now we have permanent Halloween decorations, (my favorite holiday). Currently, I am working on training them because contrary to popular belief, cats are smart and can learn many tricks. I'll keep you updated. It is just one of many things floating around in my brain tonight.