Hopeful Housewife

Ok, maybe not a *miracle* but pretty close.

I go through a TON of Mason Jars. I never seem to have enough of them, in fact.

I have a feeling that wont be a problem for a while now.

A few weeks ago I went down to my favorite thrift store in “town”. I dont get to go very often anymore but the hubs and I had a few minutes while we were “down the hill” (as us mountain folks say) and we stopped in for a peek. I was looking for mason jars, but only found two. I know the manager of the store because of my frequent shopping there when we lived in town so I stopped to chat with her a bit. I told her I was looking for Mason jars and she asked for our number so she could call me when some came in.

Well, some came in.

And by some, I mean more than some.

She said she had a trashcan full, and some boxes.

I forgot to take pics of the trashcan…but it was a huge, outdoor rubbermaid style trash can FULL of 1/2 gallon jars. all of these plus a dishwasher load full of more.

Then we have these:

and two more boxes worth that I had already moved to the dishwasher:

I have already washed about 80 jars and haven’t even touched the ones on the floor yet.

I am on my 2nd dishwashing cycle of the day, and I suspect I have about 3 or 4 more to go. I really think I have close to 200 jars.

I paid $10.00 for all of them.

Neighbor Extraordinaire (thats her official title) just spent like an hour and a half helping me wash and put away. We hardly put a dent in it. I have no idea where I am going to put them all, but I SO dont care. I will figure it out.

In the meantime, I am going to keep on washin’.

Happy Monday All!

So I was planning on buying the wonder wash in the next pay period. The hubs thought it was a really great idea, but says that he doesnt think we should consider ditching the full size machine just yet.

Fast forward to yesterday. The kids and I were feeling a bit stir crazy, and decided to to walk around downtown. We stopped by our favorite thrift store, where Gavin bought Trinity and I some birthday gifts (more on that later).  I was hunting specifically for a giant pickle jar (which I found for 1.50) for my kombucha to brew in.  I had 20.00 of “crazy money” that my dh had given me, but I was trying to hold on to as much of it as possible. So I head to the back of the store, looking at various kitchen appliances, when low and behold, I spot it. A Wonder wash, for $7. 50!! No one can tell me that God doesn’t do things just to make us smile. He seems to do these types of things for me with the most obscure items too.  The 20$ butter crock I wanted so desperately that I found for a quarter at a yard sale a week later, the pizza oven I found 2 days after reading about Laine’s pizza oven (www.lainesletters.com), The now retired vintage set of china including the butter dish that broke a week before that completes my collection.

And of all things, a wonder wash.

I love the thing by the way. It is particularly wonderful for the girls more delicate dresses. It gives you a good workout too. Love that the kids can do their own laundry.The wringing out is a bit exhausting after about five loads, but the hanging to dry is still the toughest part, lol. I love my clothes line, but when its a bazillion degrees outside, its easy to wear out quickly.

I have so much to talk about and very little time. It’s been a few days since I was able to blog, and I’ve stored up so much stuff in my head, lol… This was on the top of my list, but I will be posting some fun stuff (hopefully today) about our new fridge, homeschooling, and a new home tour. Lots of changes around here.

Oh thrift stores, how I love thee!!

 I went out today hoping to find myself some nice loafers, the kids some sneakers, and perhaps a few things for the house (which is always on my list.)

I came home with the following:

A gorgeous clear glass pitcher, $5.00. Yeah, more than I’d normally spend, but it is really solid and heavy. I could tell it wasn’t cheap new.

A vintage kids sewing machine kit, in the box for $3.00! Piper cant wait to learn how to do a chain stitch with the hand crank wheel. LOL It’s almost exactly like this the only difference is the box. I think ours is a bit older. It was made in 1969!

A pink polka dot reversable to chiffon half apron for Trinity. It is SO stinking cute, and it was only $1.50

3 lace valances, which I intend to use in the summer in my kitchen. I officially have a valance set for every season now. I paid .50 per valance.

A cute jumper dress for me, cream and burgandy colors, on sale for $1.50.

Grey wool loafers for me, $3.50

Gavin found a Kansas Jayhawks cap to match the shirt Dh and I got him at the Insight bowl, .50!

The next stop provided us with an olive green-ish leather throw pillow for my couch and a distressed copper candelabra. $2.17 total.

Our last stop was the “spendy” thrift store in town, but I did manage to find Piper some Sketchers white sneakers for $2.00, Gavin some reebok sneakers for $2.00 as well, I and scored some Bass Weejuns penny loafers (Burgandy) for $3.00!

 Ohhh and I found the most gorgeous painting at our second stop. The frame is even glorious. It matches my dining room beautifully, (and you know I’ve been looking to dress it up a bit) It’s a big one, and I got it for 17.50.

Gosh I wish I had a camera. This post would be so much better with one!

The sneakers are washing in a mix of bleach, borax, washing soda, and my soap…hopefully they’ll come out nice and white.

I am so glad Thrift Stores are popping up all over the place!! It’s a hobby I dont plan on giving up, like, ever.

Anyone else have any good finds lately??