Garage Sale Finds: Water Balloons - augh!

Early this past summer Beth and Wullie arrived for a visit bringing along a new package of water balloons. Nice, cool summer fun - right? Well, I am the one who had to tie the balloons and let me tell you they are absolute murder on the fingers. Yes, we used the balloons - sessions would only last until my digits screamed for "mercy"! A couple weeks ago we used up the very end of the supply. I was such a happy Grandma!

Until last Friday.

There were two local garage sales last week and the grand kids were with us. Yep, at the first sale they found a brand new unopened pack of water balloons! My heart sank but we bought them anyway - 50 cents. Sad to think they will last the rest of the Fall before being put away for the winter. And of course the kids won't forget we have them next Spring. Sometimes I just can't win!

The second sale we went to was a joint venture of several neighbors. One seller had a lot of interesting collectibles. She knew what she had so items were priced accordingly. Just no room for profit. Oh well. So my attention focused on the kids. Beth fell in love with a pink suede coat. It was a perfect fit which means no room when she gets bigger. But she looked so cute in it - I spent $2. She'll get the use of it until the snow flies.

We let the kids each pick out a small toy and they were happy with that, BUT they insisted Henry needed something too. They picked out a very nice small truck for him. Of course it will be a long time before baby can actually play with it. But the idea is that the kids didn't want their little brother to be left out. Bless their hearts - I was so proud of the two of them!

When I Am Not Frugal: A Birthday Card

There are times I simply am not frugal. I knew my Dad's birthday was coming up. Could I have saved some money by making him a homemade card? Of course the answer is yes. But, not being very clever crafty I couldn't come up with an appropriate idea.

My Dad is in a nursing home 350 miles away in Northern Wisconsin. He has never seen his great grandchildren in Illinois or Washington state. Luckily he does get to have lunch everyday with his Wisconsin great grand-kids. So, what I am getting at is that I could have Beth and Wullie make him some cards but he just wouldn't understand who they were from. The kids' pictures are hanging in his room but to him they are only wall decoration. He is clueless.

So, what to do for a card? - a trip to Hallmark of course! There I found one in the "Expressions" line. It's big, bold lettering and very colorful - so OK, you see it at the top of this post. I felt it was perfect. I think he will understand it came from me and Frugal Grandpa - but then if he is having a bad day it won't register. It cost me 4.29 and I felt it was worth every penny.

Thank you Hallmark!

Post script. My sister has three September birthdays in her family - of course one of them is Dad. She had one party for all three. After dinner & cake she put a box of chocolates on the table. My Dad stuffed a bunch of them in his pockets (he doesn't eat much candy - he likes to treat the staff at the nursing home). My sister said by the time she had to take him home the chocolates had melted and his trousers were a disaster.

Bless his heart - Happy 88th Birthday Dad!

PhotoHunt Theme: View

Wullie and Beth each have a front row "VIEW" of a rainy day catastrophe. Heavy down pours in the Midwest after Hurricane Ike produced so much water that it couldn't drain off.


Beth is "view"ing Grandpa and Sonny trying to pump water away from the cottage. At this point they have already averted much of the water.


Wullie is "view"ing his Dad and Junior trying to push the flow of water towards the river.

It was only after a second pump was purchased that the men got the situation completely under control. We came so close to having the cottage flood.


Beth and Wullie are "view"ing Grandpa's plan to avert future flooding - a new drainage system!

Garage Sale Finds: A Time To Give Back

Beth is going to pre-school this school year. Our local Methodist Church has offered this program for decades - in fact all my boys attended when they were youngsters. You need not be a member of the church. There is a fee but it is very reasonable.

The church holds an annual rummage sale every September. Since we never did manage to have a sale ourselves this summer, I decided I would give a lot of the items we have been storing to the church. They are giving so much to Beth, surely we can give a few items to help with their fund raising. When we took our donation over I was amazed at the amount of items packed in the church itself - I couldn't wait to actually be a buyer.

We didn't go to the sale until late in the afternoon on the first day. In fact we were the only ones there so I took one quick photo. I should have aimed the camera in the other direction so you could see just how jam packed the pews were. We spent a lot of time going through all the books, housewares, toys, etc. I gave the clothing a quick look over. Pricing was simplistic - whatever you could fit into a plastic grocery bag was $1. Anything too big for a bag was $1. We filled one bag and I found a Stone Mountain purse - our total - $2.

So, what did I put in the bag? A few books for the kids. Pants for Beth and Wullie, pj's for Henry. A Bratz doll (not for Beth but for me to use as a model to make doll clothes). And a 1979 issue of Saturday Evening Post featuring John Wayne. I know, I was one happy customer.

The next day Charles called and asked if we wanted to go to the sale. Sonny was home for the weekend and he wanted to go. Grandpa declined. I was all for going again with the intention that I would spend my time really looking through the clothes. I had just glanced over them the day before. Beth needs pants and tops for pre-school so I was hoping to find a few articles for her.

We arrived at the sale early afternoon. After a closer look at the clothes I found a few tops for Beth. And for Wullie a winter jacket with snow pants to go with. It's a bit big which means he will get a couple years wear out of it. I spent another $2.

Charles bought the kids some toys. Children's books were free this day - limit five. So he and I each picked out five.

Sonny found a bunch of clothing to buy including some nice flannel shirts. He was charged a dollar but gave them two.

I hope the church made a lot of money from the event even though they were selling everything so cheaply. When we got there on Saturday I could see that much had sold - a lot of the items we donated were gone. In fact the workers at the sale said they were amazed at the amount of customers they had in the morning. And on top of that they were serving free corn dogs and ice cream novelties. We declined lunch but Beth and Wullie each enjoyed a fudgesicle. It was an amazing sale and the church members were so inviting and friendly.

When we got home Sonny was so thrilled with his purchases he proclaimed that he would only buy clothing from garage sales in the future. That's a bit unrealistic but it's possible to get much of ones wardrobe this way. Sonny said he just doesn't care what others think - no keeping up with the Jonses for him! In fact he is squirreling everything possible away, making solid investments, and is planning to retire early. He is aiming for the simple life. Am I a proud Frugal Grandma or what?

PhotoHunt Theme: Road

Beth and Frugal Grandpa walking along the "Road" to Grandma's house!

For more photos and this week's Photo Hunt check out tnchick.com

Garage Sale Finds: (not so) Tastefully Simple

I can't remember ever having a bad garage sale experience. For the most part sales have been interesting, surprising and fun. But yesterday I had a very uncomfortable encounter. There was only one local sale. It was obviously hosted by several neighbors & there was a lot of merchandise to check out. I immediately found the cutest Hallmark ornament - it was a snowgirl wearing a pink scarf marked "granddaughter". What a darling addition that would be to Charles & Di's Christmas tree this year!

Before I could look at another thing I was approached by one of the sellers and was told she was selling Tastefully Simple products via home parties. I've never heard of them before. She showed me her display of merchandise and insisted I should buy some as the products were so delicious. Well, the packaging was very colorful and impressive. But my little frugal granny brain did a quick calculation that looked like this:

gourmet + glitz + home party = expensive!

I politely declined. She continued to praise the delicious quality of the product. And then, horror of horrors, she asked me to host a party! Was she kidding? She had no idea who she was asking - Frugal Grandma does NOT do parties! I would never ask frugal family members and my friends to such an event! If I am not willing to pay an over inflated price, why would they? Just NO WAY!

Then, I suddenly hit panic mode - it was so uncontrollable - I simply had to get out of there. I asked the price of the ornament (nothing at the sale was priced). The gal said $2. I felt that was a bit high for a garage sale but I wasn't about to negotiate - I paid and then ran for the car. I couldn't leave fast enough.

You know, it was a shame. I might have found some other nice things to buy. But, the encounter was such a turn off. I suppose I over reacted. After so many years of going to sales you would think I'd just ignore the pushy sales pitch. It shouldn't have bothered me but it did. How do you react to sales pressure? Do you simply say "no", do you cave in and purchase, or do you high tail it and run?

PhotoHunt Theme: Wild

This week I have a few pictures to share from our visit to Donley's "WILD" West Town, Union, Illinois.


We rode on the Union Express twice - it looped around the grounds for quite a fun ride.


We had a chance to talk with these actors after the "Wild" West Show. We were surprised to learn that a lot of Hollywood stunt men get their start at Donley's - it's a coveted job for any actor or stunt man's resume.


What would a visit to the "Wild" West be without a horse ride - it was Wullie's favorite activity of the day!

Answer to last week's Photohunt theme - "What was hanging on the two strings?" Jams at The Poor Mouth got it correct - two haggises! Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish. From the dictionary: "haggis ,n, Scot., a dish made of the heart, liver, etc. of a sheep or calf, minced with suet and oatmeal".

The Bonnie Wee Prince

Prince Henry arrived September 8th weighing in at 7 lb 12 oz. Baby and Mom doing well.
Frugal Grandpa couldn't wait to hold him!

Garage Sale Finds: Stocking Stuffers

There were only two garage sales over the weekend. This is the first time all season that I have actually found some items to use as stocking stuffers. I don't claim responsibility for providing little toys and baubles at Christmas - that's up to Charles and Di. But, if I happen across a few things it certainly helps them out. After all - a desperate trip to the dollar store just before Dec. 25th for a bunch of little items can end up being one big expense.


I found these five stocking stuffers - so OK, it's not much, but it's five less items that need to be purchased come the holidays. A mini Christmas teddy in box - 25 cents, Troll - 50 cents, little tub toys - 50 cents, Mary Engelbreit note pad - 50 cents and ladybug stickers - 10 cents.


We were lucky to be without the grandchildren when we hit the garage sales. I got Beth this Barbie horse and carriage - pretty impressive looking and only $6. And, NO, I am not going to go get her a Barbie Princess doll to go with it. She has a bunch of Barbies as it is - they don't have to be in Princess attire to ride in the carriage.


We found this cool plastic Home Depot tool set for Wullie - $2. I hope it will be a good introduction to the use of different tools.


And finally for Ebay - these salt and pepper shakers of the Marina Towers. They are so funnky and kitchy looking. They are so "Chicago" and surely someone on Ebay really needs them for their vintage collection. They weren't marked so I was a bit taken back when the gal said they were $3. I had already oohed and aahed over them and pretty well committed myself to the purchase. Of course I was also buying the stocking stuffers and tool set. Besides the sale was to help fund the seller's run in a race for some charity. So, I wasn't going to haggle - I paid the price and over all I was very, very happy with all my purchases.

Anyone have some great stocking stuffer advise or stories? We need all the help we can get come Christmas time!

Baubles & Balloons at Fox Fest

Frugal Grandpa and I tagged along with Charles, Di and grandkids to our town's annual Fox Fest. This year it was held in the park just down the road from us so it was in easy walking distance. You can't have a festival without balloons - Beth and Wullie each got one. Grandpa didn't but the local beauty queen gave him a big smile so he was pretty happy with that.


Fox Fest is geared mostly towards children. Events included kid's bingo, cake walk, balloon art, owls and raptors on display, a Mad Science stage show and kids haunted house. The haunted house couldn't have been too scary - Beth went through it about a dozen times.

Our Chamber of Commerce was handing out the baubles which were placed in one of those nice reusable grocery totes. Freebies included a magnifying glass, magnetic clip, map of our area, pen and great coupons. I was a very happy Grandma.


There were a few monsters on hand to promote the upcoming Halloween Haunted House.

It was a fun afternoon for all of us. Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

PhotoHunt Theme: Strings

Two "STRINGS" attached to two ........?

Answer next week!

This is an older photo so the quality is rather poor. But the image fit the theme perfectly so I just had to use it. Here is a little hint to answer the question "what are the strings attached to?" - the photo was taken in Scotland.

For more photos and this week's Photohunt check out tnchick.com