This week's shopping list & organzing ideas

I came across this while I was looking through my blog roll and I've already started a list of things we can get rid of.  It's hard to do with 2 littles running/crawling around and since our house is SO small and every floor creaks...well, you get the idea. 

So this week I'm in search for:

Something to put on top of the microwave to hold our paper clips, lip balm, rubber bands and the such. Now that I think about it, I'd like something like this for the van too....hmmmmmmmmm

I'm also looking for 2 bedrails for my parent's house for their spare bed.  My mom likes to watch A once a week and she naps over there.  She's currently in the play pen but it's getting too small for her.

I'll also be on the lookout for hoodies for baby J.  His 2 American Apparel ones are getting a bit small, even though I love them to pieces.  And no, this isn't my son, it's a stock picture from AA's website :)

For me, I'm looking for workout videos.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to move my sewing area (a very small corner of our bedroom) downstairs and use that area to workout in during nap time.

So that's all.  Have a great week everyone :D

Garden dilemma

So, I've never successfully grown a garden.  I've tried and than given up and now my hubby seems to think I'm a little crazy for thinking of growing a huge garden this year.  BUT, this year is different.  I've learned a lot of where our foods comes from and the awful things mainstream farmers do to our food.  It's bad people, REAL bad.  Anyways, we live on an urban 1/2 acre so I've got plenty of room for a large garden.  Here is what I'm going to grow this year:

Cilantro
Bush beans
Beets
Broccoli
Carrots
Chard
Cucs
Eggplant
Lettuce mix
Cantaloupe
Onion
Sugar snaps
Hot peppers
Sweet peppers
Radish
Spinach *I'm still not sure
Zucs
Butternut squash
Parsley
Watermelon
Tomatoes (I think I'll be buying these as plants)
Strawberries
Garlic
Corn

I'm still looking for organic eating corn

All are coming from organic seeds I'm going to buy from Uprising Seeds

So, what's my dilemma?  Well, I'll need to purchase some items to grow a garden, like plastic containers for seedlings, poles, fencing (to keep the dogs out), tomato cage thingys, etc etc.  I will be looking on CL for all of it, but I'm unsure of how lucky I'll be.  Regardless, I think these items can be allowed since I'll be growing much of our own food.  Okay, maybe not, but I'm going to allow it :)

Tonight or tomorrow I'll dive more into our mainstream food system

Today's finds

Today I ran to Thrifty Living w/ 3 non-stick skillets I don't use anymore because I've switched to cast iron.  They gave me a discount on my purchase so today's total was $3.46!

I got a Style & Co cotton skirt that is really beautiful, for me.  I'll be dying it another color because I know that I'll stain it the first day I wear it $.99

I got Miss A a retro twin sheet for $1.99 and I got the garden thingy (yes, I should know the technical name, but I don't) for $.99

This week's shopping list

We aren't in dire need of any of these things, but if I find a deal, I'll snatch it up

King size fitted sheet (our spare's elastic is toast)
Twin size fitted sheet (the one my mom gave us for A's new bed doesn't fit right)
An 8x10 photo frame for part of my hubby's V-day present
A present or 2 for my mother-in-law's upcoming birthday
A pair of running pants for myself (my other pair got trashed this week when we re-did our living room floor, whoops)
And of course toys for J that are NOT made in China (for his upcoming birthday)

A Challenge

I've decided to challenge myself even more for my son's upcoming 1st birthday.  I'm going to scour my local thrift stores in the coming weeks for toys that are NOT made in China.  This will prove to be tough, I know, but I'm excited.  I'm confident that I can find a handful of items before his birthday.

A little back story...

We purged our home of 90% of the made in China toys one night this week.  With the lead, cadmium and who knows what else that is tainting toys these days, I've had enough.  Our son is the type of baby to put anything and everything in his mouth.  So, out the with old and in with the new :)

Today's finds

Today I got some much needed things for my ever growing toddler.  5 Carter's leggins $.89/each.  These will work for both now and then in spring/summer as capris.  I also got her a nice pair of thick mittens...if we get any snow :( $.89

I got myself a Gap wool scarf $.89 and a reversible cranberry/asphalt fleece zip up (perfect for running) $.2.45

I got all these deals at my local Salvation Army

I also visited a newer thrift store today *Shele's Bargain Barn* in Greenacres.  I went in and it smelled of smoke and she was selling expired car seats.  Both are against the law and I've reported her to the appropriate gov't offices. 

Gift giving

This is a sticky part for many people who hear about The Compact.  I'm already starting to think about this year's birthdays and holidays (I'm a big planner at heart).  First will be my wonderful mother-in-law, then my son's 1st bday, then my hubby's bday and the list goes on.

These are the options I've come up with so far:
Used items: DVDs, clothing, tools, CDs, books and much more
Experiential gifts: Museum membership, movie tickets, lift tickets to a mountain
Donations: made to a group/cause/etc in the gift receivers name

*Please feel free to add to any of these in your comments*

So, I'm sitting here contemplating my son's birthday.  To be honest, I don't want any new toys, and to be REALLY honest, I don't want anymore plastic toys.  It's become more and more obvious that China is trying to kill us (well at least the corporations).  Whether it be through toothpaste, lead poisoning, or the newest cadmium levels in children's toys and jewelry.  I don't want all that junk in our house.  My daughter just had her 2nd birthday around Thanksgiving and we got LOTS of toys.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful and feel very loved.  I've gotta think about how I want to word his invitation...