Consignment Sale Time

There are consignment shops all over town. And of course there's stores like Goodwill. But, our local Junior League puts on a kids consignment sale twice a year. The fall/winter sale is here. I've been putting money back here and there to be able to really shop for Paige. The ladies of the Junior League are picky about what they accept. They do not accept clothes that are stained, torn, or with missing buttons.

The sale opens to the public on Wednesday at 10 am. I've volunteered to work a 4 hour shift, so I got to shop today with the other volunteers. The sale opened to us today at 4. I got there at 3:30 and was already almost at the end of the sidewalk from the building. Next Saturday is half price day. Anything without a red dot is half off. I'll go back then to shop for my friend Nikki. Today, I was shopping just for us. I did pretty well to. Here's my total:

1 dress
3 skirts
1 overalls
5 sweaters
13 shirts
11 pants
1 hat
1 jacket
1 sit & spin
8 Bob the Builder toy trucks.

Total spent? $132. Not too bad. The items I bought were name brand. I got a Ralph Lauren Polo sweater, purple with buttons at the shoulder, barely worn, $4. Tommy Hillfiger pants, look new, $4. Gap sweater dress, $5. Other name brands I got are Gymboree, Old Navy, Bongo, Gap, Osh Kosh & Levis. Usually I'm not about name brands. But, when buying used clothing I want something I know will hold up to more washings.

We have lots of pink, lots of sparlies, flowers & stripes. Of course there's the usual assortment of embroidery & rhinestones. Paige can uphold her title of best dressed at daycare again this winter. I get compliments all the time on how cute she's dressed. I've had Moms tell me they just can't afford $45 Polo sweaters for a 2 year old. I can't either. I can afford it for $4 though!

Daddy's Girl

In case there was ever any doubt, Paige is most definitely a Daddy's Girl. Today just really hit the point home. I heard Paige ask for Mommy on the monitor so I knew she was up from her nap. I went in to get her like a good Mommy.

Paige, "Mommy, there's something on your shirt."
Mommy, "Yes, Paige. There's something on my shirt."
"I don't know, Mommy." Little hands in the air.
"It's chocolate."
"It's chocolate!" Her eyes get big.
"Yes, Mommy is making Paige cookies."
"Cookies for Paige? Mommy make cookies?"
"Yes, Paige. Mommy is making cookies for you."
"I love you, Mommy!" As she throws her arms around me for a big hug.
"I love you to, my Paige."
"No, not Mommy's Paige. I Daddy's girl!"


Well, at least I'll have monster cookies to console myself with, right?

My BFF

We all have one. That friend we've had forever. The one that will always be your friend no matter what. They know wayyyyy to much about you to ever let them get mad. Mine is Kim. She's been my best friend for probably close to 25 years now. Man. We're getting old. Anyway, Kim has known me forever and still loves me anyway. I've actually known her longer than Ronnie.

In junior high and high school we were inseparable. I'm an only child and she's the youngest of 4 girls. But, it's like we were meant to be sisters. We went to our first year of college together and realized we just can't live together. After that year I moved to Mobile and she joined the Army. A year later, I joined the Army. I got stationed in Panama and she got orders to Panama. Someone in Washington must have realized they screwed up putting us together in the place. Kim went to Hawaii instead.

Over the years we've both moved a lot. While she was in Hawaii I left Panama for Honduras and Germany. She left Hawaii for Kentucky while I went to Miami. She got married and had 2 beautiful girls. I got married, then divorced, then married again.

Currently, Kim lives in North Carolina and I'm in Alabama. Paige asks to talk to Aunt Kim. When the phone rings she asks if it's Grammy or Aunt Kim. If it is, she wants to talk. Kim and I chat everyday. Some days it's actually on the phone, some days it's only text messages, some days, like right now, it's chatting on Facebook. I guess there are times when we go longer without talking. Hectic lives with our families just overwhelms both of us some times. But, when we do, it's like we just talked the day before.

Now, go call your best friend. Doesn't matter if it's been a month, she'll be happy to hear from you. Really, she's been meaning to call, she's just been busy. If you had a fight, go say you're sorry. It doesn't matter if you were wrong or if she was. Just go say it. You'll both feel better. Life is short & she knows a lot about you. Do you really want her repeating it to the world?

Halloween is coming!

It's almost the end of September and our temperatures have dropped below 90. That must mean Halloween is fast approaching. And I can't wait. It's one of Ronnie's favorite holidays. Our house doesn't really get many trick or treaters, but we go all out for Paige. Last year we dressed as Jedi. Paige was the perfect Yoda. Ronnie & I dug our Jedi robes from the back of the closet and off we went.

This year Paige gets some say in what she wants to be for Halloween. Maybe we'll tell her soon what she's going to be. We don't think there will be any problems. Paige will be Bob the Builder, I will be Wendy, and Ronnie will be Bob's Dad. Paige's costume is pretty easy. They do make a Bob costume, but we just didn't like it. It looks too plasticy and cheesy. So, we're making it. We found material that closely resembles what Bob wears, so Grammy is making us a shirt. Add some overalls, boots and the Bob the Builder tool belt from Target, and we're done. The tool belt even came with a hardhat. Our costumes are just as easy to put together. Grammy even had the red button earrings that Wendy wears!

I'm one of those mom's that goes all out for things at daycare too. I'm sure the other moms roll their eyes when they see the goody bags I put together. I just finished the ones for the Halloween party. I started with cups, and filled the bottom with spider webs. I then added mini Play Doh, bubbles, spider ring, foam stickers (cat, bat, pumpkin, ghost) & 2 pieces of candy. I put it into a goody bag, and tied it with Halloween ribbon, adding a name tag to each bag.

Ronnie will probably have to work Halloween night. Both of us will be attending the daycare party. We can dress up and help with taking the kids trick or treating. Our daycare is located in a cul-de-sac. For weeks before Halloween they collect candy from parents, and take it to the businesses in the cul-de-sac. The kids then go trick or treating for the candy. Of course there's always a party too. I can't wait.

Paige did it!!!

She pooped in the potty!!!!! Huge milestone for us. We sent Paige to daycare in big girl panties today. Ann, the director, told me Paige was doing pretty well, except for pooping. So, instead of diapers, we went with the big girl panties. She had 1 accident all day, which I think is really good. Ronnie picked her up and she was still in the big girl panties & he was told the good news. As soon as they got home Paige got to pick 2 M&M's as a treat.

Looks like we'll be buying a bike pretty soon. Tomorrow will be a big test. We'll be shopping with my parents. Let's hope we can do it!

Ronnie's new job

Beth's comment reminded me that I haven't told you about Ronnie's new job yet! Things have been so hectic I forgot to mention it. Sorry! :)

Ronnie started work at Carrabba's last Wednesday. It's an Italian chain restaurant, much like Olive Garden, but a bit more high end. It's not his dream job, but it's a job. He's working nights since they aren't open for lunch. He was hired in as a line cook, with the idea of having him be assistant kitchen manager within 6-8 months, and kitchen manager within 12-18 months. So, definite growth potential.

One good thing about Carrabba's is that they don't just preach family time, they actually practice it. Ronnie told them when he was hired that he has a wife and daughter and that he must have either Saturday or Sunday off each week. He's asked for Sunday, but realizes for scheduling purposes they may need him on a Sunday. So, as long as they give him 1 weekend day off a week, he's fine with whichever day it is. Managers are required to take 2 days off a week. If something comes up once in a while, that happens. But, no manager may work continually without a day off.

Ronnie's able to get up with us in the morning and spend time with Paige. She has to be at daycare by 9. They get up and play, eat breakfast, read books, whatever she feels like doing. Then, Ronnie drops her off at 9, and heads back home. He has part of the day to clean, do laundry, play video games or take a nap. He can be in to work anywhere from 10 am to 6 pm and work a full 8 hour shift.

It's a learning curve for all 3 of us. Paige is testing Mommy as far as she can. Last night she went to bed early without Bob the Builder. I think we'll adjust pretty well though.

That's a good Daddy

We've hit the Why stage. I knew it would happen sooner or later. Well, it hit full force last week. I refuse to give Mom's standard answer "Because I said so." That means I have to come up with some answers. Here's our conversation driving home from daycare:

Paige, "Where Daddy?"
Mommy, "Daddy's at work."
"Why""
"To make money."
"Why?"
"Daddy has to make money to buy Paige new shoes."
"Oh."

She had to think about that over. In case you don't know Paige has a serious shoe fetish. A minute later I hear from the backseat:

"Daddy works to make money to buy me new shoes?"
"Yes, Paige. Daddy goes to work to make money so you can have new shoes."
"OOOOHHHHH! That's a good Daddy!"