Oh how I love the "Cheapy Store"

I promised forever ago that I would tell you guys about the "cheapy store". Here in Topeka it is called Capital City Surplus. But thinking back I have had one close to where I live in both Utah and Michigan as well. I Provo it was Reams and in Fremont it was Brookside Market. I have done a little research on the internet about these stores. They are called salvage grocery or banana box stores or scratch and dent stores. There are some chains that have begun to specialize in salvage grocery. I also understand the Amish also frequently run these stores. In Fremont the store is run by the Amish. This store here in Topeka is actually a warehouse that distributes these banana boxes. So they are only open to the public Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And things are not as organized and you would find in many salvage grocery stores. There is a lot of digging and searching for what is available.

A salvage grocery store takes things that for a variety of reasons traditional grocery stores are not selling. Usually it is because the box or can is dented, the label is peeling, perhaps it is past its best by date, maybe there was an overstock of a certain item, they can be things that were limited edition items, or things that are no longer made. I am a firm believer that a dented box does not affect the taste of my hamburger helper. I am sometimes a little concerned about the best by dates. My mother told me that when she worked at Gerber one of the scientist there told her that food was good well beyond its best by date. I also think this is true in most cases. Or at least I hope it is because I rarely check the dates on things from my own pantry. Who knows how old some of the soup in there is.

Here is a picture of the items I bought on a typical trip to the Salvage store.

The total cost of these items was $7.35. Not bad right? I mean you could pick out just a few of these items and come up with $7. Although this is an example of how careful you need to be. The Justice League Teddy Grahams were rancid. Some things can be that way. They were well past their "best by" date. And since they obviously had oil in them I probably should have chosen not to purchase them. But I figure with how much I paid their was really no loss. That was an example of some limited special edition that the stores no longer sell. You can also see I bought soy chips. When at the store I rarely try things like this. I know I like potato chips. Why risk my money on a more expensive unknown? But for less than a dollar who cares. If I hate them, I know where the trash is.

I think I will list just a few of my favorite purchases from the cheapy store. Nutella, Jergens Natural Glow Lotion, John Frieda Blonde Highlights Shampoo and Conditioner, Pantene 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Icee Green Apple and Cherry Frozen Treats, a case of giant pretzels ($1), Edemame 16 servings ($2), giant bags of Nestle Semi-Sweet Morsels, Jiffy Baking Mix, Purina All Natural Cat Food, Johnny Cat Litter and Bags, Crest Tooth Paste, all kinds of cereal.

I get to try things that I normally wouldn't splurge on. For example I found some Kashi Orchard Spice Cereal there ($1.25) I have an old recipe for microwave cereal muffins. I thought that would be a good cereal to try it with and I was right. They were fabulous! With real apples and nuts and raisins in them.

So my advise is to look around in your area. Find a salvage store. Try it out. You might like it. You may not be able to do all of your shopping there but I usually go there first and then fill in the rest at a real store. If you need directions to the one in Fremont or want the recipe for microwave cereal muffins let me know.

Want a good laugh?

As I have stated before we watch a lot of Disney Channel here at the house. I have to admit that sometimes it is the only thing that is decent to watch on TV. Anyway, they have a new show with the Muppets ( or Muffins as Aidan calls them). This clip is from that show. I have also included the original clip from Camp Rock, just in case you aren't familiar with it. I was only sort of familiar before I saw the Muppet one so I thought I would add it too. Watching the original makes the spoof twice as funny because Beaker is no Joe Jonas.

Can't you just feel excitement of new love?

Oh I forgot

Three more things I forgot. Yesterday we went to the train station to watch for trains when we were done at the park. We saw one just sitting there but it wasn't very fun. Then on the way home there was a huge train parked at the intersection by our house. So Aidan and I pulled over and got out and looked at it. How cool.

I have not yet put my flowers on Etsy. I guess I am just too nervous. I am afraid they just aren't good enough. Although we went to a craft show last weekend and someone was selling Christmas ornaments that were just paint swirled around inside glass bulbs. I did that ten years ago as my Christmas gifts. I pointed out to Matt that he had $40 worth of handmade ornaments on his tree. He said I should make some more and sell them. Men just don't understand art. Well, except for Dan.

Finally, take a look at my friend Katie's blog. She is pregnant and had a plaster cast done of her tummy. You have to see it. It is so beautiful. Mine would never look that good, but her's is awesome.

Just a little taste

When my grandmother served leftovers, she would come in from the kitchen with the leftovers heated up in a frying pan. There were usually several items but only about one serving of each. She would say "there is just enough for everyone to have a little taste". Then she would give each person a spoonful of the various selections. That is what this post is. Sort of a catch all.

First off, I saw a new baby sea monkey in the tank today. Almost missed it because it is the size of a piece of food, but there it was just cruising around. I hope it lasts. I also tried to make a video but I just can't get then in the right light or something. They are just about clear so it is hard to catch them at an angle that the camera will pick up. In person they are clear as day. So why don't you all just drop on by?

Next, we started potty training today. I think Aidan thinks there is actually a train. We got a video from Pull-ups about potty training and he says "let's go watch the potty train". Maybe if I blew a train whistle when it was time to go potty. I could do some sort of Pavlov's dog thing with him. Which might work at home in the short term, but I am sure his kindergarten teacher would not blow a train whistle for him.

I can't say if it is going well or not. He likes the potty, but he keeps dribbling. He goes when he sits down but it is mostly dribbles too. Dr. Phil suggests you get them to drink a whole lot. Normally, I can't keep up with Aidan and all of his cups, but today, "no thanks". I am perplexed. I have seen him drink Lake Michigan in a day. Maybe if I pretend I don't want him to drink anything that will help.

As for my calling, it is going better. The past two weeks I have called the people and they have gone and cleaned no trouble. Last week the sister even came and picked up the key. Although the first time she came I had fallen asleep and didn't hear the doorbell. Boy did I feel bad. Then the other member of the bishopric pulled me out of Relief Society to tell me we needed to get together to make a new schedule. I am not opposed, but I don't know how I can be of much help. I don't know anyone. I don't know who is in the ward or who has left. I don't know who is active and who isn't. But I guess maybe I will learn as I do the schedule. Beth made a good point the other night. She pointed out that I had been a member all my life and served in a variety of callings. I have been able to be successful in those callings or at least I knew what I was supposed to do. Maybe this calling is a tad confusing. I also found out from the previous building cleaning coordinator, who still does it for the other ward that meets in our building and schedules the building for both wards, that I am supposed to schedule the building for our youth night. I may even have to go to ward counsel to make this happen. Wow! how hard can we make this. I don't mean to complain. I actually had a good moment this week. I called to remind a sister who is elderly. She said there wasn't a whole lot she could do and the others could just clean circles around her. I said "we appreciate your efforts". I think that made her feel good.

Aidan and I went to Gage Park yesterday. It is really a nice place which I would like to explore more. It is quite large and divided into several different areas. The zoo is there. There is a playground and rose garden and a cool water park play area place. Aidan's favorite part is the little train that goes around the park and gives you an informal tour of the park. The part I find interesting is the part of the playground area where they have cement animals. Giant cement animals that the kids can play on. They also have a little train engine and a real caboose. I took some pictures when we were there. I thought you might like them.





What you can't see in this picture is that Aidan is scared to death.
He is shaking and maybe crying a bit. The sunglasses hid quite a bit.


We did not even try the elephants. I think Aidan was afraid when
I said the word "elephant".


I think these weird looking things are kangaroos. I guess you are supposed to
climb in their pouches but they were filled with water, dirt and cigarette butts.


Here is Noah's Ark. Aidan liked this one a lot. Maybe because he didn't
think a boat could eat him like an animal would or something.


Climbing and playing in the boat.





Here is the adorable little engine. There are nobs inside to turn and
things so it is really like they are driving.


This is the shoe of the "The old women who lived in the shoe".
There is a fireman's pole inside which Aidan is too scared to go down.
But here is what he looked like before I helped him down. Again, the
sunglasses hide the fear.



I was sure he would die when I put him on this camel. I thought it
was so cool. We had even read a book with camels in it the night before.
He was shaking like a leaf. I told him it was so cool and all of his friends
would be jealous to see him on them. Nope didn't work. I took the pictures
and then took him off before he passed out.


Well, that was your little taste. I am off to the cheapy store. Some people call them banana box stores, or scratch and dent stores. I find it to be an adventure. I always find different stuff there. The past couple of weeks they have had diapers and pull ups. You can't beat a pack of those for five bucks. Maybe my next post will be on the cheapy store.

What to do about my calling

Okay first off for anyone who doesn't know. The LDS Church is run completely by volunteers. We are asked by our church leaders to fill a position(or calling) such as teacher in Sunday School or pianist for the children. We don't turn down these callings generally because we feel the church leaders have been inspired to ask us to fulfill these callings. I would say that often when I get a calling I don't exactly feel prepared for it, but after a few weeks I get used to it and even find myself growing spiritually and in my talents as I serve.

Which brings me to my latest predicament. About six weeks ago I was asked to be the building cleaning coordinator. My understanding was that I was supposed to call people to remind them to clean the building. There was a key but it got magically passed from one family to the next each week and the two or three families coordinated what time they wanted to come clean or if they wanted to pass the key between themselves. I'll admit I forgot the first week. I can't seem to make it part of my life. Sometimes I remember and call on Monday. Sometimes I forget and call Friday afternoon. I finally got the key last week. Who knows how it ended up being put in an office a church. Anyway, this week when I called I asked the people to call me back and we could set up a time for me to open the building. They never called.

Today a member of the bishopric asked me to please just pass the key around or call earlier in the week so people could pick up the key because the last couple of weeks they had to call a member of the bishopric to get a key. First off, I really don't like this calling. I would pass it around at church except I don't know 90% of the people in the ward. I am shy and it takes about everything I have to call the people each week. I guess I feel as though I am failing but I learn a little bit more about how it is supposed to be done each week. Really I was handed the schedule and said, "here you go, have fun, it's easy."

Like this week I learned there was a code to the security system I had to know to get in. Wouldn't that have been great for me to try to go last week and set off some alarm and have the cops show up. I am sorry this is so rambley. I just feel bad that I don't want to do it. I feel bad that people think I am failing at it. I feel bad that I am not excited about this. I feel bad if I let people down by not calling on time. I don't want people who's only contact with me is this to think I am some sort of loser.

Any help out there? I know it seems ridiculous that I am letting it get to me this way. I just dread the doing it. I guess it is an assignment not a calling so I wasn't set apart. Maybe that has something to do with it. So let me know how you would adapt if this were you.

Thanks

Will these sell?

Matt doesn't think these will sell if I list them on Etsy. Now he is a guy and he says if it isn't at Walmart people don't buy it. He also grew up in a home where that was probably true. In our house we had something called a vase (pronounced vawse). Yeah we had fancy stuff. We had stuff just because it added beauty. So to me it isn't that far fetched that someone would buy one of these. I guess I also wonder because I have trouble seeing past their imperfections. I see what I want them to be or even compare them to the real thing. Of course they never match up to those standards. I guess I am asking for a reality check. So here are the pics. If you could let me know if they will sell and at what price point that would be great. Thanks. The flower is about 4 inches and the whole thing is about 8 1/2 inches.

The Naked Problem

Okay, I need all the help of all of you moms out there. Aidan will not keep his clothes on. I thought I had found a solution today with overalls, but no such luck. He figured out how to get out of those too.

Now this would not be a huge problem for me except, the diaper comes off too. Which would not be a huge problem if he would use the toilet. But last night for example I found him with a poopy diaper on the floor and poop in various places throughout the bedrooms. Even the poor Webkinz cat had poop on her butt.

I have no idea why this is happening. Sometimes he needs to use the bathroom, sometimes he just doesn't want clothes on. He likes to lay on my bed and watch TV in the buff. Where did he come from?? I love to cover myself. I think clothes are the best invention ever.

So is there anyone out there who can help me?? When the old folks used to take all of their clothes off we tried the overall thing. With one we even had to do a jumpsuit that fastened in the back. Do they make those in 2T?