A free and much needed prescription

So as a couponer I am always on a hunt for fun things to do with the family or for the kids. I saw one of the latest raves about "Painting Parties" where you go to a painting studio with a group of friends (or by yourself) and you have a guided class teach you how to paint a canvass picture. The whole class paints the same picture.

Me someone who cannot draw a circle or make a line look remotely straight was so intreged but this class.

This is it.... exactly what we started with. A blank canvas. Spinning this to an inspirational view... my life can be a blank canvas and Im in charge of the picture I want to be.... filling it with BEAUTIFUL colors and happiness.

Oh the hell! I bought the deal for myself and 2 of my girl friends. I had panic attacks and all the way up to the day of the event they were telling me I was bailing out.

However, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is important. My comfort zone = comfy pants, my boys, at home, with a blanket and either glass or wine or hot coffee. That's my zone and I love it. This whole going out during the work week, painting and I have never done anything even close to this before... WOW taking a big jump (ok it was a big jump for me putting my brush to the canvass).

With the health struggles I have been having. I decided a laugh is probably the best dose of meds I could take right about now.

Taking a moment to enjoy our wine... wine is healthy its good for your bloos. AND My wine for the night was green tea wine.... yummy!!!!!!!!

My beautiful friends and I. It was a great evening!!!!

This prescription was the best I have had so far.... laugh! Laugh until you cry, laugh until your body hurts. Even in those moments when you want to hide in a dark room and be alone PUSH yourself to take the medicine... its free and simple.

I did it and so can you!

"Recycling" World as a Mom

My sister and I have been sharing a table at a Mom2Mom sale once a year for the past 4 years.  I think the biggest thought to enter the world of Mom2Mom selling is... you aren't in it for the money. This doesn't mean you won't make money, but in my opinion by the time you sort and sell any money you do collect at the sale you will use on your laundry list of items you have been waiting to buy (probably for your kids). It all works out... out with the old and in with the new. If the clothes look new/barely worn you might as well help another mom out and give her a deal on them. Meanwhile you go hit a few tables and deals yourself.

The greatest thing about doing the Mom2Mom sale with my sister is it's a day full 5 to 6 hours of spending time with eachother. We love, chat, and it's almost like Moms Day out!

We have grown in the past years to where we now are in need for and reserve 2 tables one of girl and one of boy clothes with a hugs assortment of toys available.

Some things we have learned over the past years that I think make a BIG difference in a successful sale.

This was my table at our last sale. I took out how much I spent on the table, bought 2 pairs of shoes, a coat, couple pairs of pants for Stinker. Walked away for $75 in hand to "recycle" and spend on the kids for new stuff needed.

• Start your preparation for the sale months in advance if possible.
• Dedicate at least one or two evenings before the sale to layout ALL of the clothes.
• organize by size NB-3mon, 3mon-6mon, 6mon-9mon and so on.
• If there is any stains dont attempt to sell if. Ask yourself the question... if I saw this at a table would I buy it? Chances are no. Don't risk losing customers because they find a stain. Seems silly but sometimes if they see one flaw, they move on with the assumption that you didn't take the time to care for the clothes.
• Make sure you are bringing clothes in season. We recently found Fall sales people are coming for Fall and Winter. Then the Spring sales they are looking for the warmer clothes. If you have room on your table sure bring it all BUT if its going to be crowded, I suggest only in season and upcoming season. If anything bring the off season clothes and store them under your table incase someone asks for them.
• Always have a petty cash box set up. We use one of the billion crayon boxes from our kids. Set it up with small bills and maybe a few bucks in coins. We normally start with $40 = 20 singles, two $5 bills, one $10 bill. We keep a pad of paper and pen in the box to help us keep track of sales. Also, this is nice incase either of us use a few bucks to go shop ourselves.
• Signs.... bring some markers and blank paper. When you are all setup make a few signs that explains what you have for sale. "Boy Clothes NB-3T" or "Puzzles, Books, Video Games" Include prices on as many things as you can.
• You will be there a long time. Bring some treats, drinks, and wear comfortable shoes because chances are you will be standing alot. 
• We prefer to bring a sheet and cover the table before laying anything on it. No fault of the host but sometimes the tables are older, dirty, or if made out of wood you can even get splinters when picking up clothes (this is speaking from experience). Plus we think that the sheet once again shows a sign of preparation and care.
• The couple weeks before the sale when I do my grocery shopping I go to bag my own items and "borrow" a few extra bags or I am the overwhelming bagger with only 1 or 2 items per bag. Once again you don't want to lose a sale because you didn't have a bag. It seems silly but has happened!

Most importantly get some rest before the sale. Chances are the past few nights you were running around. The evening before the sale you can normally set up. As soon as you are done go home and sleep! Show up the next morning with a big smile and no matter how sales go enjoy your day and make the best of it. Good luck!!!