Total Clearance Score!

This:

was the ultimate Clearance Section score today.  I've been pining away for a leather topped bench with storage inside for a year or two now.  It's the perfect place to plop down and put on shoes while hiding laundry or random crap that is lying around my house before unexpected company appears toys.

The kids and I were winding up a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond, aka "The Sheet Store" to Sesame, when I spotted a random clearance section.  And there it sat, calling forth with blissful angelic sounds, "the leather bench" (said with the SNL Sean Connery accent.*)

The bright yellow clearance tag read "retail price 149.99 clearance price 20.98"  I looked over my shoulder thinking I was on candid camera.  Nope.  No cameras.  Upon further inspection I found the purpose of the drastically reduced price.

A broken hinge.  No big deal.  Even I could fix that.

Two scuffs and a slight puncture.  

On the back.  

The part that faces the wall. 

The part that will not be seen by anyone.

I whipped out my cell phone, thankful A) I had it with me and B) it was charged for once.  Husband agreed this would be a wise purchase.  I mean, seriously, you can't even buy plastic storage tubs for 20.98!?

So.  There I am.  My cart is full with a 2.5 year old Shirley Temple look alike, a Care Bear and a floral print purse in the front; and, a large infant carrier, complete with 9 week old slumbering babe, in the back.  I already squeezed the 10 tray/organizers under the carseat in an effort to not carry them in my hand.  So.  Out of necessity, I scooted the brown leather bench across the entire front of the store, with my feet, whilst dragging a cart full of children behind me.  I wasn't about to leave the bench just sitting there.  Hello!?  Someone could snatch it up!

Also, watching my mild TV obsession, American Pickers, paid off.  I chose a line with a young male cashier and politely asked, "There are a few other damages that aren't mentioned on the sticker," points to the small puncture (on the back!) and scuff marks on the front, "Would you take 15 for it?"  And what does he do?!  GRANT MY REQUEST!!  AND I had a 20 % off coupon?!  Jigga what?!  Take that!  

Leather bench total cost: 16.00

Score.

Another project I've been working to conquer before we house family for a week:

Sesame's Big Big Girl Room.

Theme: Polka Dots.  :)  Love

Progress is slow but looks better everyday.

 

I'll keep you posted as I paint.  I saved a ton of money by purchasing paint samples in all the colors.  The circles don't take up too much space and thusly, saved money.  Sweet.  Money that I can buy more sweet, cheap leather benches with!?  Just kidding.

If you've made it this far in this post you deserve a cookie.  Thank you for putting up with my overflowing joy at saving a few dollars.  :)  Have a great day!


*If you get that reference then we can be friends.  If not, we need to talk more.  Note: This does not apply to family members.  I love you always and anyway.)

A Note.

I love my kids.  :)
They rock.

Sesame was twirling around the house with a Sunday straw hat on and an open umbrella yesterday, singing "Let's Go Fly A Kite" at the top of her 2.5 year old lungs.  She told me she was Mary Poppins.  I told her I was Bert.  She said "Mommy you are a gurrrrrrrl.  Bert is a boy.  You can be the penguins that dance."  I said "Okay." and waddle-danced around the living room.  Lil Dude just tooted and cooed at the crazy dancing penguin people.

Squirt urped on me 5 times yesterday.  Five.  Times.  These five times were the only times I had to actually change my clothing because of the copious amounts of fluid that erupted out of his teeny, tiny 9 week old mouth. There were other urp incidents that were not wardrobe change worthy.  It's amazing what I deem acceptable with number two.

Squirt is totally rockin' the old man expressions these days.  His strained peas smile spreads across his face more and more frequently ever day.  His falling into mild patterns that are allowing me to plan more effectively for outings and quality time with Sesame.  I love the special time the Lord grants me between 5 and 6 am with Squirt.  He wakes, eats and is happier, more satisfied and animated than any other time throughout the day.  I'm eager for him to be a bit bigger, but am cherishing moments such as these.

Sesame lined all her stuffed animals and dolls up on the couch today.  When I inquired, "What are you doing?"  She proudly reported, "Sending them to school."  "Oh," I replied, "Are you the teacher?" She looked at me like an alien "Mommy, I am 2, I cannot teach them school.  I will teach them Sunday.  About Jesus and dying on the cross."

I cried a little.

My sweet Sesame is growing into such a person.  A person who shares the gospel message with stuffed animals, grocery store clerks and her little brother.  I don't mind that potty training is taking forever - she's picking up quickly on what's important.  :)

If only we were all so bold as Sesame.

Ninja Homer Clone and Reptar

Now that  is a title.  :)  Right.  So after my last post Husband dearest asked about the "chasing the not my dog" story.  Upon ceasing my re-telling of the episode, he immediately begged me to re-tell the story, once again, to the world via this tiny little blog.

So.

I had Little Squirt up on my shoulder/against my chest venturing around the house picking up Sesame's loose toys.  It's quite the task.  I must say, I feel closely related to primates when I do this.  I tend to use my feet much like hands so as not to disturb Little Man's cozy, content place on my shoulder.  If only I had thumbs on my feet.  Moving on...

As I picked up what felt like the tenth naked doll baby I realized Homer had been outside for an extended period of time.  I thought to myself, "Self, it's probably not the best idea to leave a black, longish haired dog outside when the heat index is 110."  Thusly, I decided to let him in.  I opened the back door and whistled to call Homer inside.

Only he was outside of my yard.
Down the easement.
Far away.
Between to houses.

I immediately frantically screamed like a crazy lady losing her mind called his name.  He turned and looked over his shoulder as if to say "Come and get me Momma."  Then turned away.

At this point I freaked.

I went bounding across the yard in my bleach stained, too small, post partum T-shirt and yoga shorts - Squirt in tow.  And, by "in tow" I mean still being held on my shoulder.

And he's 6 weeks old at this point.
With decent head control.
But not enough for a sprint across a prairie-like 1/2 acre yard.

As I bounded, dodging dog poop and sand toys, I half yelled at Homer half tried to protect my son's head from banging into my shoulder, or head, or chest or pretty much anywhere that his floppy neck muscles would allow.  I am fairly certain he looked like a Dwight Schrute bobble head on crack.

He was a trooper though.
Cooed the whole time.
I think he's going to be laid back.  :)

We neared Homer when I noticed something odd.  This dog was smallish.  Homer is not.  This dog had no collar.  Homer has a choke chain collar.

This dog, was not my dog.

Yes, it's true.  I ran, with my newborn son, across our yard in clothing that should really be at the bottom of a trash can, only to find that the dog I was chasing, was not mine.  Fail.

But at least my dog was lounging on my bed, legs flailed about haphazardly, snoring in obedient domestication.

Thus ends the dog story.

               

 This Reptar.  I dubbed Squirt "Reptar" because of his reptile like skin.  It's all in love kids - all in love.  In all seriousness though, his skin is so terribly dry that we might have to see a pediatric dermatologist.  Poor kid.  Keep your fingers crossed that detergent switches, olive oil, hydrocodone and insanely thick lotion goo will do the trick.

Growing Boy.

This won't be long.

No, really - it won't.

I'm not going to elaborate on how I'm typing this in the kitchen, standing up with a pile of asparagus in front of me while Sesame is playing in a sink full of water, pantless.

I won't spend my precious moments of time recounting the tale of why my couch cushion is sitting in the middle of my dining area, covered in baking soda and seltzer water.

I don't think you even want to know why I'm on my fourth shirt of the day and why the only pair of summer weight pants that fit me have been washed twice today.

Even though you would most likely cackle uncontrollably if let you hear how I chased after my dog.  Only to find out that it was, in fact, not my dog - I will not tell the tale.

Why?  

Because this little dude:

has been waaaaaaaaaaaaay too fun today to think about any of that!  :)  

Have a fabulous day!