new not new

ok, i did a little unique shopping this week. got several items... jeans for the kiddos, two sets of napkin rings, two sets of cloth napkins... to which my favorite checkout guy said, "hey you're going to have a lot of laundry..." what else... more clothes, for me and the fellas, and some new tupperware cereal containers. and since i shopped on customer appreciation day and received the additional discount, the grand total was 35.00. not too bad.

for some reason my mom really does not love my dining room table. i'm sure why. she thinks it's not a "real table" and not made with "real wood" neither are true. which just makes it all the more funny. so we went to a little reuse shop in south minneapolis that has our favorite finds. we (she) purchased a new table and six chairs, for 89.00. ya-hoo. it didn't matter that i said i didn't need the table, that was part of the deal. oh, and we (she) got a matching hutch. so i am going to be feeling pretty fancy with my new not new items! thanks mamacita!

what really caught my eye was the stack of fiestaware... but alas, my mother told me i have enough. which may or may not be true, but i have plenty. but there were colors that i do not have in my collection... i am going to have to grapple with this one for a day or two....

but other than that, i have been putting up a good fight. not submitting to pleas from my children, or even giving into to my own desires for new items. i think i just have to avoid the sunday papers.... everything is so new and shiny and fancy...

i recently had a job interview. i gave my employer an alternative phone number to my cell and explained about the compact.... i hope i didn't blow my job prospect. and yes i am looking. as a single parent, the consulting gig is hard, especially when the money coming in is contingent on others.... and they may or may not want to haggle on payment after services rendered. which to be fair, is not my best talent.. haggling. and getting tough. not for me. so i am looking for a regular paycheck, and then may take some work or jobs on the side.

so goes the life of a random....

best!

the phone

ok, i think i have to give in and get a new phone. it has gotten to the point of being extremely problematic. new phone...? anti-compact...?

my other compact issue, when my family (my mom) hears that i am going without or not purchasing an item, she really wants to get it for me. bless her heart, she means well, but i am filled with guilt....

i have also run into some folks recently who really cannot get what i am doing. i recently told a woman that i was in the compact and not buying anything new for a year. it turned into a comedy routine... i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i don't understand. i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i have never heard of that. and so on. thank goodness i have a sense of humor.

today the twin cities compactors are getting together. can't wait to meet everyone.

sometimes it snows in april

there is no spring in minnesota... not yet. snow in april. prince has a song about this. sometimes it snows in aprril.... i guess he is right.

i have been trying to be good. i have gone thrift store shopping here and there... curtains, aprons... odds and ends. and yes, sometimes, i wear my aprons. i love them.

i have been trying to get settled in, i don't know that i will ever feel settled. but i am getting closer to it.

i have found that the harder i try to live by the goals of having enough, i am tested. new cars, new toys, new clothes.... i have enough. more than enough. i am blessed. but i really want new fiesta ware and a new phone and new....? the most difficult part for me so far has been not buying into conveniences, like baggies and other items... and feeling very guilty when i do.

it has come to my attention that if i plan appropriately, i could be in the position to buy a house within 12 months. me, buying a house. not new, so i think i would still be good with the compact. so my goals have shifted to focus on that. i love imagining my house, my home, small but functional, with my family and i using all areas of it. i will keep you posted. and the countdown has begun.

my new find - aldi's. i have heard mixed reviews for some time. i am not certain if aldi's employees are union or not, like other grocers, but i went to one off the beaten path, and i had a great experience. it was clean. the employees were very helpful and i found bargains galore! i was able to snag cfl's for just over 2 bucks! seriously, it is worth checking out, i was pleasantly surprised!

other than that - i am sticking with the classics, coupons, unique, local crafters, and keeping it low key. trying to work as much as i can, and spending time with the fellas!

to my girls - thanks! you are so awesome! really.