Wordless Wednesday Bliss

Hittin' the Trails

We recently got a bike seat attached to Tim's bike so we can enjoy some family bike rides. Micah has been out on the bike twice now and seems to really enjoy it, especially because he gets to wear his "hat" and say the word over and over and over again.

On Labor Day, we rode on the Schuylkill River Trail which is actually part of our street (you can ride all the way to Philly now). I don't know why we never did it before; it was so easy and enjoyable! We traveled along our street to the end of the canal and before we knew it we were on a paved bike trail surrounded by trees. It was great...well, except for the soreness that followed for several days. I forgot how brutal a first bike ride is for the body!

Micah's First and Last Modeling Shoot

While shopping in Babies R Us the other day, one of the photographers came up and asked if she could use Micah as a model to practice her photo skills. Seeing as we were out to give Tim time to paint the living room in peace, I figured "why not?" I wasn't wowed by her photo taking skills (I mean, some were cute but Tim can accomplish the same thing for free!), but I did learn one trick for the next time we try to do a photo shoot on our own-- tickle him with a feather duster. The kid went nuts! Anyway, we got to keep them so I figured I might as well post some. Micah was a well-behaved model but I don't think we'll make a habit of it...

Oh Savings, How I Love Thee...

I have always appreciated a good bargain, but my love for cheap things has grown over the past 2 or 3 years of furnishing and decorating a home on a budget. Bargain hunting has become a way of life for me, a bit of a passion...and maybe a sickness? Whatever it is, I feel the need to share it today. Maybe it's because I am trying to focus on all we have saved instead of how much we just spent on our car's transmission! Plus, I think a lot of people are looking to save some dinero these days... and I am here to testify that it can be done!

Between yard sales, consignment sales, Craigslist, and Freecycle, we have been able to furnish our home without breaking the bank. I am continually amazed at how much I have saved! I'm sure many of you have done the yard sales and consignment sales so I don't feel there is much to be said about them. I will just say that I am thankful for them and enjoy finding them in the area. We went to a ton of yard sales before Micah was born and purchased many baby items--clothes, play gym, bouncy seat, toys, swing, etc.-- that remain in great condition for future children and saved us hundreds of dollars.

So on to Craigslist. If you haven't used it, you are missing out! I think half of our furniture has been purchased through Craigslist and I am sure we are in the thousands at this point in savings. We bought a dining room table for $100 that turned out to be worth $900. We bought a swing set this summer for $200 instead of $600. What a blessing! We have purchased dining room chairs, blue stone (for a patio project), a jelly cupboard, and much much more. We have also sold items on Craigslist to put toward new purchases such as a kitchen table, chairs, and a sofa.

And then there is Freecycle. Do you know about this?! All you have to do is find the group that is closest to you (There is a Phoenixville group), sign up for free membership, and next thing you know you're getting emails about free stuff nearby. It is a wonderful non-profit that helps those in need and makes sure good things don't end up in our landfills. You just email the person posting the item you want and then they get back to you about pick-up. Everything I have gotten so far has been porch pick-up; I never see the person or have to give an exact time of my arrival. So far I have picked up a sand box (sells for $60) and baby pool, a baby gate (sells for $70), and several bags of clothes for Micah for the coming fall and winter--all in great condition and super cute. I have also posted about a dozen items on Freecycle for pick-up and have gotten rid of all but one.

Amazing, isn't it? I think so. Okay, I think I'm done now. I hope this post will be an encouragement to some of you who are looking to save some cash or donate/sell items of your own... it can be done!