"Moppet Togs"

What's this all about? What a mess!

I've been participating in children's consignment sales for the past 3-4 years. I sell clothing/items that my kids have outgrown or don't use any more. There are three different groups I've consigned with. They are all very similar, only differing in location, management and quality of items. They take 20-30% of your sales. (If you volunteer, you get 80%, otherwise 70%.) You name your price and tag your items. It can be a lot of work, but it's kind of fun and you can sell stuff, you would otherwise D.I. or give away.

I've been most loyal to "Moppet Togs" www.moppettogs.com. They have this cool system which allows you to enter your items on-line, at home. Then when you go to drop off your items, they print out adhesive labels and you put them on your stuff. The labels have the description you entered, price, your consignor # and a bar code. (So when things are purchased, all they have to do is scan the tag and it automatically enters it on-line. So professional. You, as a consignor, can look on-line during the weekend sale and see what has sold and how much you've earned.) It's so cool.

In the Fall, I like to put Halloween costumes into the sales. I purchase them on clearance, at the end-of-season, and sell them that next year. --I really should catalog and keep receipts to see how much money I am actually making...if any. :o) --I store the costumes in moving wardrobe boxes. It works ok, but I'd like to get something a little more sturdy and permanent.

I love Halloween costumes and dress up. (Although I've never been a huge dresser-upper and hate it when my kids leave dress-up everywhere and refuse to clean it up.) I have so much fun buying them at wonderfully discounted prices with exciting thoughts of the next year's profits. I think part of it is the season and part of it is the thrill of the bargain hunt. It's kind of a weird hobby, but I like it.

*This year the sale is September 18-20th. If you're in the area, you should stop by. It's located in the old, "Play It Again Sports" building, in the ShopKo shopping center at Fairview and Milwaukee. Come check it out.

"Patriot Day" at J's

Jason has been working hard to "spruce up" the carwash for some big-wig carwashers that were coming into town. He's painted curbs, lines, arrows, and tunnel walls. He's had his "flower artist" (a.k.a. landscaper guy) plant nice flowers, shrubs, plants all over the property. And he's purchased many new signs, seating, and crisp new uniforms for his employees. He wanted everything to be PERFECT. (I guess all the new stuff wasn't just for the big-wigs, but for the upkeep and investment of the carwash too.)

Another thing he did to impress the big-wigs was to have balloons and flags set up. It also worked out quite conviently that it was "Patriot Day" (9/11)... red, white and blue all over.

Abree's favorite was the balloon "rainbow". She talked about it all day, to anyone who would listen.
Jason did a nice job getting everything looking awesome. He's such a proud Carwash Papa!

After the big-wigs visited, Jason headed to Sun Valley, ID for "business meetings" with them. His ride was a private jet and his accomodations were at the famous Sun Valley Lodge, where he'll be "wined and dined" or altleast soda-ed and dinner-ed.

Oh, what a tough work day. :o)

School is Cool

Finally, I'm posting "Back to School" pictures!

The pictures of Taylee and Treyson were taken during the first week of school. They are close enough they can walk/bike to school. So far, Taylee has had bike issues, so they've been walking every day. Don't know what's up with their attire this day. These aren't the cute school clothes I bought them. Oh well.

Rylee gets up just too dang early for me to get the traditional "stand by the door w/backpack" photo. I've had good intentions of catching her before she goes out the door, but to no avail.

These pictures were taken at the 2nd Annual Heritage M.S .Family BBQ. The families were invited to come to school for dinner, a short assembly and then visit each class period (way shortened) and meet the teachers. Rylee escorted us all over the school, stressing if we were walking too slow or didn't make it to the destination quick enough. Treyson was going nuts having to sit for so long and Abree made loud/funny comments, at inappropriate times, making everyone laugh. It was a long night, but I'm glad we went.
I like knowing the school and teachers.

Rylee's new friend, Sarah. They're in the same "Advisory Class" among others.
Rylee showed us her combination lock skills and how organized her locker is.

I didn't expect anything less.
I love the different expressions in this picture. Look at the attitude Abree is sporting.

Look what I've been doing

So, I'm in a mood...crafty!

I've been wanting to make some bows/headbands/barrettes and ponytail holders for some time now. Just recently I started to gather/buy supplies and print off tutorials of "how to". What fun!

Here are some of the examples of what I've been working on...

I've been asked, "What are you going to do with all of them?" Well, I dunno...I'm just having fun and fulfilling that deep-down need to create and craft. I'm sure my girls will claim some of them and some of them may go to you! :o)

Filled to the Brim!

We just had the most wonderful weekend filled with friends, food and fun...

Our good friends Steve and Kristin (Krissi) Goodmansen flew down from Post Falls for the weekend. Friday night, we went on a triple date (Steve/Krissi, Brek/Marianne and Jason/me)to Deseret Book's "Time Out for Couples". With it only being 3 hours, we wished for less music and more instruction. Our favorite speaker was Kim Nelson. He used humor to lighten the more serious issues of marriage. ---The basic points I got from his talk were; Men and women ARE different. Realize these differences and work with them. Talk to your spouse and let them know what you REALLY want. Steve and Jason standing in front of the "Time Out for Women" poster (for the next day). Jason wouldn't hold my purse in the picture, but he had been carrying it around for me. :o)

After the Time Out conference, we went to Applebee's for appetizers and dessert. Yum!

Brek, Marianne and Steve.

Krissi, Jason and me. (Well, atleast my right eye.)

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On Saturday, we had the most fun and relaxing day. Krissi and I went shopping (of course) while Steve and Jason "played"...video games that is. (Jason had taken the day off of work. A VERY rare thing because it was Saturday.) Then for dinner, we went downtown to P.F. Chang's. We called it a birthday dinner, since Krissi's birthday is this month and mine is in October. We had yummy food on the patio. The weather was perfectly pleasant and the company was even better.

I can't explain how wonderful this weekend was for me. I felt joyful. It's been a LONG time since I've been "filled" so full. Thank you to my wonderful, eternal companion Jason (who puts up with me and my weirdness) and to my good friends for such an awesome time. ----I really needed that!!!! :o)

Smullin Reunion

I have no photo proof that we went to the anual Smullin Reunion, over Labor Day weekend... but we did! My camera memory was full and I didn't take the time to download or develop pictures

The reunion was hosted by Jason's Uncle Fred and Aunt Jenni this year. It was an afternoon event in Utah, somewhere outside of Odgen. We BBQ-ed, visited, participated in the Smullin Olympics (a tradition every year) and benefited from the reunion raffle. The raffle is the highlight of the reunion for us. Every year, my kids look forward to getting their tickets and anticipating which prize they might win. And every year we have to talk about being gratefully for what we get and that we might not get exactly the thing we were hoping for. -As they get older, this IS actually getting better. Whew! -My favorite thing I got from the raffle was a Christmas table runner that was made by my sister-in-law Melissa. Thanks Melissa. It will look great on my new table.

I know, I'll take a picture of that...there's my proof. :o)

We stayed with Jared and Teresa (Jason's brother and our new sis-in-law). They were awesome hosts and we enjoyed our time with them thoroughly. Thanks guys!