jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Garage Sale Finds

June 4, 2010 jennifer Happy Finds

Hitting some garage sales with my Dad is one of my favorite things to do when we’re in Colorado. Last weekend was no exception. This time it was doubly fun because my brother and sister and their spouses were also there, and they feel the same way. We went as a group. I picked up some great things and spent only $9 total.

I scored this awesome mirror for $5.00. I plan to paint it. I bought another oval mirror recently and think I may use them together. We’ll see.

This wood cutout was only $1.00, and I think it will look really neat with a coat of paint, and perhaps a mirror behind it. And yes, I really like mirrors. We have many of them in our home, and I love them. I love the way they reflect light around the room.

I picked up a couple of old hardback books for $1 each. One is a collection of Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories, and one is a copy of Tales from Shakespeare by Mary and Charles Lamb. The Tales from Shakespeare is over 100 years old. Not bad for a dollar! I love that the cover says it’s “profusely illustrated.”

Lastly, I also picked up a really cute pair of leather boots for $1.00 which pleased my five year old. She’s already worn them.

In all, it was a lot of fun. The garage sales in Colorado are amazing. My parents and sister have decorated their homes with beautiful pieces of furniture they’ve found for very little money. I was half hoping to find an incredible piece while I was there, but was also relieved when I didn’t. What I picked up was all we had room for in the car. Anything bigger would be an adventure to haul home. I took my parents to an upscale home decor store when they were in Utah a month or two ago, and after walking them around the entire shop I took them to the last corner and showed them my favorite piece, a huge wreath made with antlers. It was painted a flat white, and I’m smitten with it. I don’t even think it’s for sale. They had it custom made. I showed it to my Dad and he said, “Oh, we bought one like that at a garage sale the other day, but there are more antlers and they’re smaller. The circle is a little smaller too. Maybe I should paint it white.” Man! I wish I’d been with them that day! I’m pretty sure my Dad can find anything at a garage sale. In fact, the car my husband and I drove when we were first married was a $100 garage sale purchase. We drove it for 4 years.

Too bad we can’t just spend all of our Friday and Saturday mornings in Denver. It would be a lot of fun. And thanks, Dad, for the memory.

Jennifer

It’s Official.

June 4, 2010 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

We have a teenager in our home.

Today our oldest turned 13. Interestingly, it feels perfectly natural. I feel like we’ve already been in this stage for a while. I’ve decided that I’m going to spend a lot of years living with teenagers, so I’m going to enjoy them as much as possible. I also want them to know that we are their safe place, that their family loves them best of all.

In all, I think he ended up having a great day.

He loves to ride his longboard, so adding new trucks and wheels were a big deal.

The Paris Trucks were a birthday surprise.

And the Orangatang wheels (durian) were his own purchase. He’s been earning money with the goal of buying them in time for his birthday. His Dad drove him to the only skate shop that had them in stock. It’s funny that something so simple can 1. cost so much, and 2. make someone so happy.

He wants to begin playing lacrosse, so a couple of sticks and a package of balls came in handy. It also helps when you have a brother who can play catch with you.

Tonight a couple of buddies wandered over and we enjoyed brownies and some homemade vanilla frozen yogurt on the front porch.

As a mother, I feel really good about today. I’m happy that he’s got a couple of fun new things, but what I feel really good about is the knowledge that he is going to bed tonight feeling absolutely CERTAIN that his parents love him. A LOT.

He’s right. We do.

One Step Report #21

May 30, 2010 jennifer One Step

Greetings from Littleton Colorado! Yes, we survived our last week of school and the drive to Denver. In general, things worked out. The cake actually tasted good, so it became the dessert we needed for the gymnastics dinner. We ended up with enough clean clothes (barely) to get in the car (thanks to my sister’s efforts in finding what we needed in the mountains of clean clothes). There are plenty of little things I forgot, like my makeup which is sitting on my bathroom counter at home and our toothbrushes, which we bought more of. In all honesty, I think I forgot my brain as well since I’m having a hard time thinking and speaking since I’ve been here, but at least I’m here. The house didn’t get clean, but I’ll deal with that next week. The drive was eventful enough to be memorable, but gratefully we were safe. And let me just tell you, our kids said some hysterically funny things on that drive!

So we’re here, loving every minute spent with grandparents and cousins, enjoying fabulous weather and the beauties of the foothills. It’s been so long since I’ve been here, I’d forgotten how pretty everything is. I’m loving the flowers my parents have everywhere, making me regret my decision to leave these at the garden center a couple of weeks ago. I love geraniums!

Ok, this week’s report: 48 steps. Good enough. Some weeks it is enough to have lived through it all, and this was one of them. It was pretty ugly, but it’s over.

Highlights:

1. Yesterday we attended the baptism of my niece. Everything was wonderful and it was a privilege to be there.

2. On Thursday I took my son to a soccer practice with a new team and a coach I’d never met. It was amazing. I was very impressed with the coach and feel thrilled to have my son play for him. I feel like my prayers in this area of his life are being answered.

3. Yesterday my mom, 2 sisters, sister-in-law and I went on a marathon shopping day together. We had a great time, found some fun stuff, and completely exhausted ourselves. It was so much fun. I can’t remember the last time I was able to do something with my mom and both of my sisters.

4. Today I was able to visit for a few minutes with an old friend, which was refreshing.

5. I’m feeling inspired and motivated by my sister’s cute house. I might actually get mine clean this week after being in hers.

6. Yesterday morning a few of us jumped in a couple of cars and hit as many garage sales as we could find. I found a couple of cute things that I’ll share soon.

7. I love working in my mom’s kitchen with her. She is amazing, and such an example of joyful service.

And with that short list, I’m headed to bed. My baby didn’t sleep much last night and I’m starting to fall asleep as I type. I hope your week is great!

Hopeful Homemaker