Halloween Frenzy

I'll just warn ya ahead of time.  If you're counting on a long, detailed post....I'm sorry.  I just don't have the energy for it.  Would you believe it if I told you I slept for 11 hours last night (and this morning, if we're being technical)?  I was worn out.  What can I say?  It's not easy being green...

Yep, you will have to turn your heads if you want a good look.  I cannot believe we allowed ourselves to be seen like this, but alas, here we are.  It was a long day full of festivities and now I have to decide if we are up for a little more treating tonight.  I'm yawning just thinking about it.

Ebaying Maniac

I've been following this blog, My Dear Trash, for a while now.  It's about finding....treasures at thrifts stores and garage sales and reselling them on ebay and craigslist.  It's been fun to follow, but now I've decided to give it a try.

This was the first thing we sold.  12 Tupperware stencils with case.  It sold for $10 something (plus shipping).  This was something I had lying around the house that made it's move with us to Casper.  It was something I couldn't just get rid of, but somehow felt okay about selling them.  I've sold a sweater, pair of pants, and a shirt.  The clothes are something I didn't sell the first time, but when relisted, sold.

I'm slowly learning the art of shipping cost, but thanks to My Dear Treasure, I think I've got it figured out.  It's easy to lose your profits to the shipping, but I learned you can stuff a lot into that small priority envelope.  COOL!  Chris and I have goal.  We want to make enough money to buy a tv to go over our fireplace.  This will be our birthday/Christmas gift to eachother.  But we won't feel nearly as guilty if we can pay for it with our ebay profits.  One day, we'll expand and look for treasures outside of our home, but for now, we've got plenty in our closets to draw from.  Even the kids are getting in on the fun.

Sweet Cravings

It can happen to the best of us, no matter how good our intentions; that amazingly strong urge to eat something sweet.  Something chocolately sweet.  So, like any good parent, I decided to delegate. 

Geneva was our main baker.  Shem tried helping, but with a diva in the kitchen, there's only so much one is allowed to do.

I have to say, it was worth every egg shell I might chew and swallow.

Living the Good Life

Our family has had to make some adjustments this month.  All our Rexburg bills came in at once (this has been a headache since August), along with a LARGE deposit we had pay and some other one time expenses (Christmas gift)....all in October.  We know that we just had to make it through October, but having survived the 1st week (well almost) feels so great.  It's allowed us to become a bit more creative.  My oldest wants to be Bobofet (sp?) for Halloween so has decided to paper mache his own helmet.

Some of that food we've had in our cupboards for 3 moves. 

It was time to either use it or toss it, which has allowed my cramped kitchen to feel a bit larger.  It's forced me to take inventory of what we have and quit buying what we don't need.  For instance, I've discovered that frozen fruit taste amazing and solves my sugar cravings. 

Occassionally, when that salty craving comes, I slice me up some extra sharp cheddar and am in heaven.  We've also started doing home lunches.  It saves so much money and I like knowing what my kids are eating (I can see what's leftover by what's in their boxes when they get home).  Another thing, the kids aren't asking for stuff quite as much and for things that they do want, they are coming up with their own plans on how to make that money (selling homemade cookies, ebaying toys/clothes they don't want anymore).  I've also started looking at what craft supplies I have on hand and have come up with some pretty fun Christmas ideas.

 I can't even express what a cleansing feeling it is to stop producing so much waste.   We eat better, we're more aware of what we have, and we are having fun doing it.  Course, I still look forward to next month when I can look back and see that all those bills are paid and we're even ahead on Christmas, but until then, I will think of this time as a creative adventure.