MN vs FL Garage Sale

Ryan and I had our first rummage/garage/yard sale today. Although I was pretty prepared and heard a FL sale is much different from a MN sale; I had to experience it for myself.

Similarities:

• Preparing for a sale is a lot of work.
• You always think your junk is worth more than someone else does.
• No matter what time you say you open, they arrive 30 minutes early.

Differences:

• Most (not all) FL people are *ssholes wheeling and dealing to practically rape you like a car salesman. You could tell them it's free and they would still try to talk you into giving them more.
• Items that would be a hot ticket up north you couldn't give away down here.
• See the first bullet and add rude and disrespectful scammers to the list.

I don't want to sound like it was all crazy people and nasty jerks. I met a few nice young people expecting babies who were very appreciative for some of the stuff I practically gave them for nothing. I also met a few funny people who cracked jokes and were more than happy to be out looking at my stuff under the hot blazing sun.

We opened the doors at 7am to bring the stuff outside and by 8am, it felt like it was 10am. We were about to close shop around 9, and then around 10, and finally by 11 we didn't have enough stuff to make the possible $1 worth it or take much more sun.

We closed the doors with less than one kitchen garbage bag of stuff we planned on tossing anyways. Two toes with a few knick knacks and 8 decorative pillows and a few fleece sleepers. We had a few bottles, my breast pump, and a mirror. Jess and Jerry's stroller barely even got a glance much less anyone interested in it. Looks like a few of these items will go on Craig's List while the others will wait for a second round as Mason outgrows a few more things.

We made $205.25 and Jon made $5. Not really much money considering the $$$$ paid oringinally but it felt good to clear out a ton of space and see people get some use out of stuff rather than tossing or donating. If we do another sale, I will never mark half of it because it was called "Let's make a deal" all morning long (that deserves it's own post but it might be offensive to some). I am exhausted. I think we will use our profits to have someone else make, serve, and clean up after dinner.

Packaging

I think there are a few companies that like to continually change their product label/packaging. It wouldn't be too terrible if the stores would keep it in the same spot each time I shop but they love to shift it just ever so slightly to keep the shelves looking full. I find this most annoying with personal hygiene products. I really don't want to spend that much time reading ever label. I am a sight shopper. I know what my bottle or box looks like at home and damnit, that's what I want to see when I get to the store. Is that too much to ask?

If you haven't guessed, I spent too much time searching for one item yesterday and upon getting home, realized it wasn't my usual product. Argh!

DJ Miller 3+ Years Later

Last night Miller sat down to watch a movie on his Leap Pad. Since we didn't want to listen to it; the heads phones came out. I didn't capture the best photo but look at my DJ Miller 3+ years later. Still melts my heart.

8 months old

 4 years old

Father's Day

We are half way through the day and so far, I think the boys and Ryan are having a good day.

Everyone slept in. Miller and I picked up donuts and coffee. Presents were opened. The paper was read uninterrupted. There has been some guitar time and some play time. On to lunch, naps, pool time and hopefully a trip out for dinner. Ryan can post details but I think they look like they love their daddy and he is enjoying his day.

Miller's Birthday Party (part 2)

Miller had his big birthday party at the beach on Sunday. The kids had a blast, were all very well behaved, and no one drowned. I consider that a success.

As for mom, well, let's just say I stressed about not having enough food so I had enough to feed an army and then some. We had a little tense morning getting the boys and I out the door. To top the barely gonna make it in time feeling, there was an accident on the bridge. We sat for over half an hour less than a mile from our destination. Luckily, everyone else was stuck behind us except a couple people.

When we got home, Miller was too excited to take a nap so he played with all of his new loot. He even passed up swimming in the pool with us!

I have to mention I think Grandpa Jeff had a good birthday and early father's day too. Although Ryan put him to work Saturday and Sunday morning, he did get plenty of relaxing, grandson time, and food/drinks along with his own presents.

Here are a couple pics: cake, table/scattered decorations and food, getting ready to hand out cupcakes, and Mason showing off he can sit on the dump truck (this one his eyes are funky, the rest he is in motion).

M & M Checkups

Here's another shout out to all the single parents...I don't know how you do it but God bless you!

We took the boys to the pediatrician for their checkups yesterday. Overall the kids were ok but having two adults to hold, wrangle, reason, listen, answer, and basically try to keep the kids from going completely bonkers at the doctor's office started my day off with an extra level of "oh my goodness, it's not even 10am!" feeling.

I don't think it helped matters with the nurse we had. She was not the good one and honestly, the last few times has seemed pissed off. I usually try to give people the benefit of maybe she was having a bad day but repeated visits point toward it just being her personality and disposition.

Miller was good until the nurse gave him a shot and drew blood with a finger prick. You would have thought the world was ending. After that, having him sit still and listen was not going to happen. He was good for the actual doctor and nurse but not a very good listener when he needed to sit down and be quiet during Mason's turn.

Mason did about the same. Cried for a brief second after his toe prick and after his shot. Otherwise he was just the normal Buddha baby.

Official stats (didn't have percentages, kids were too wild to hear them).

Miller 4 year old:
Height: 44 1/2 inches
Weight: 42 lbs

*The doctor did mention he was the size of the average 5 1/2 year old...

Mason 9 months old:
Height: 30 inches
Weight: 25 lbs 10 oz

He is in the 94th percentile for something but as I mentioned, it was too chaotic to get a repeat on that info.

The other weird part of our visit is we asked about going to a new practice closer to home and daycare. That took the doctor by surprise. He only had one name off the top of his head so that search now begins. The good news is he combined the 8 month and 10 month appointment for Mason so we don't have to go back until his 1 year old appointment. It may or may not be with them. For non-emergencies, I don't mind driving down there but for sickness and urgent items, I really need a doctor that's closer. Any Coral Spring recommendations?

Happy 4th Birthday Miller! (part 1)

It's hard to believe I have a 4 year old. Miller has been the best little boy one could ask for (yes, many trying moments too but we won't talk about those).

We had a fun filled weekend with Caleb's first birthday party on Saturday. Sunday we celebrated at home with presents and cake. We skyped with G&G Froyd too. Today, Miller's official birthday, included cupcakes at school and we went out for dinner. Afterwards we put Mason down and Miller and I ran around outside. Let's just say this old lady doesn't do much running but we literally chased each other, played with a new squirt gun (thank you Emily and Erika-Sheryl too), and watched Transformers Prime before bed. We also got some skype time in with Auntie Em.

Next weekend G&G Sladky come to celebrate Miller's official "friends" party at the beach. Hopefully I get some more pictures but for now; here's the big boy with his new bike, loot, cake, and being silly (out of order because blogger is being a pest). There's also a Mason one too.