Thrifting Goodness 1.22.10

I went thrifting in Minneapolis this weekend. In the picture are all of my awesome finds. The red milk crate is packed with crafting goodness that I didn't want to spread out. I am pretty excited about all of it, I feel like I got lucky! I found a few new stores and went to my regulars that never let me down.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I am trying to save money...so I am avoiding the MOA, but you can't keep me from my thrift stores.

I figure I go thrifting enough that I will dedicate a post each time to my finds. Should I list what I find, or just leave it up to your imagination?

I want a maid, I need a working vacuum.

I find myself in this mindset of "wanting" lately. I need to remind myself that wanting doesn't get me anywhere, it is the act of working towards what I want that gets me where I need to be. It seems that words want and need cross paths quite a bit. During this transition in my life I have a hard time deciphering between the two. I am just going to lay out the definitions ...here...maybe I will be able to prioritize better ...

So... my problem is I want new clothes so I go out an buy them. I need food in my apartment but I wait as long as possible to go grocery shopping. My budget needs to figure out that I am an "adult" now I have have finical responsibilities. I am very lucky to have a supportive family who is helping with this transition, but they won't be able to help forever.

My gaol for this year is to save money. Simple as that. Narrowing the goal a bit, I am trying to save at least $200 a month, but more when applicable. That way I can start a savings to buy the things I want, earn the things I want. Things like a Mac Book. Something I have wanted for years and told myself would be the first big thing I would by myself when I got a "real" job. That idea got pushed further and further back with every trip to the Mall of America.

So, hopefully soon I will be able to get the things I want, like the Mac Book, or a new camera like the Nikon D40, or new couches, or a maid to clean up after me. Okay, maybe not that last one.

Then there are things I want that money can't buy, like peace of mind, success, and happiness.



But then I remember I have people like this in my life:

My ...bff... and her son are coming to visit me this weekend. I may have just been home less than 2 weeks ago but I miss my family and friends every day, and knowing they are coming 370 miles just to see me makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It brings me some peace of mind.

Having people like them in my life is really all I need.

Home for the Holidays

It is November. That means the holidays (Thanksgiving, Birthday, Christmas, New Years) are RIGHT around the corner.

At age 12- 17 I always had mixed feelings about the holidays. I always love time with my family but when my parents divorced in 2000 there was extra emotions put into the family time. I now had to choose who I wanted to be with and no matter the choice one person always got the shorter end of the deal. So after that I really started to hate the holidays.

But then as I got older (18 - 21)I became more understanding of the situation as did my parents, but now there was a different pressure. Money. This time of the year became focused on spending money and hoping to find the perfect gift or receiving what you asked for, but what was really important was the time spent with the family, but that seems to get looked over with all the stress.

And now, as I am about to enter my 23rd year of life I have come upon a new problem but also an understanding. I live 350+ miles from my home. Now I don't have the convenience of just being there for the holidays. I have to wait to hear about my work schedule, I have to make sure I have a place to stay when I go back home (never really a problem but still something to think about), and it is not always guaranteed I will be home for them either. My birthday isn't a holiday but it has always been included because it is right after Thanksgiving. This is the first time I won't be able to see my family on my birthday. I guess that is part of growing up. Birthdays aren't special and it becomes just a number.

BUT, something I am looking forward to was an idea my mom proposed to her family. This year extra money for presents is hard to come by so we have decided that gifts should be home made or, if bought, not more than $10. She said that the important part is the time we spend together not what we get for each other. I love this and I already have a head start!

I am crocheting gifts for everyone this year! My goal is two things for each person and then for my mom, sister, and grandma I will actually buy them something extra. I still have a long way to go (I only have three things done) but I know what I am going to make for everyone and it should get done pretty quick. Something I had forgotten about, because I haven't done large amounts of crocheting in a long time, is the muscle I use constantly. I am not sure what the muscle is called but because of the motion of the hook I am feeling the crocheting in my arm! lol I will get used to it. I can't wait until after Christmas so I can post pictures!

I hope everyone remembers the importance of seeing your family because as you get older it becomes harder to see them. Appreciate them while you can.