Oh, yes. I’m doing just fine with some hot chocolate and raspberry-flavored handmade marshmallows (not by my hands!). Mmmmmm.

This may be my next step if the local thrift stores don’t stop trying to make their stores as [...]]]> Luke Skywalker: “3PO, tell them if they don’t do as you wish, you’ll become angry and use your magic.”
C-3PO: “But, Master Luke, what magic? I couldn’t possibly…”
Luke Skywalker: “Just tell them.”
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

This may be my next step if the local thrift stores don’t stop trying to make their stores as difficult as possible to shop in. I resisted the thrift store world for decades (because of a bad experience as a kid), but I’ve grown to love them in the past couple of years. An old friend, Qui-Gon Jinn, used to say she thought of them as life’s ”storage unit”. Don’t need these black slacks, take them to the thrift store. Two years down the line, if you need another pair of black slacks you go back and pick up a pair of black slacks, paying a small “storage fee” of roughly $2-4 dollars for the service. No, you won’t get the exact same black slacks you dropped off, but really what’s the big deal? They’re black slacks.

Nearly all of the local thrift stores here in lovely Des Moines sort their clothes by color, instead of by size. A little clue here folks: I can easily find a white shirt from within a selection of size small shirts. It’s far harder to find a size small shirt within a selection of white shirts. Similarly, it’s much easier to get a “I hate shopping” teenager to try on cargo pants (that he’s going to out-grow in less than a season) when you don’t have to check the size on every. single. pair of cargo pants in the mens department. Shockingly, this annoys the crap out of boys that hate shopping.

Since I’m venting my spleen, it also annoys me that they don’t sort out the obviously damaged, worn or stained merchandise. Sure, some people don’t care if there’s a nasty ketchup stain down the front of a white top if they’re only going to wear it to work at a dirty, nasty, greasy tool & die shop (i.e., my mother). Maybe someone is just looking for a cheap source of cleaning rags. Perhaps another person is looking for bits and pieces of material they can morph into something else. That’s great! Reduce, reuse, recycle! So sort those “not likely to be worn in public as-is” duds into a special “scratch & dent” ultra-savings section like you find in an appliance store.  For example: all green tagged pieces on these racks or in these bins (still sorted by size, please!) are 25 or 50 cents each. The vast majority of people are looking for good quality used clothes that don’t look like they’re been worn to within an inch of their lives or missed out on the great Washing Machine experience of 2008.

The racks, where do I start? Clothes should not be immobile on the racks, they should slide a little so that the shopper can actually SEE what something looks like rather than having to make a judgement from the sleeve alone. Slide, glide, move; pick your term. If I go into a store and the racks are so tightly packed that I can’t pick one item without fighting off the two on either side, I am more likely than not to just walk away. You do want us interested in the things you are offering, right? To be so, I have to be able to take a good look at it first.

And what’s the deal with the tiny, poorly lit dressing rooms? When I can’t judge how something really looks like on me, I’m not likely to buy it. Oh, and since I’m on a roll, it also annoys me that a “no returns” policy appears to be the norm out here. Which just sucks. The one that I know of that does let you return things within 3 days does so because they no longer even HAVE a dressing room anymore, and even then they only give in-store credit for returns which isn’t exactly the same as getting your money back. If I can take an item home, check to make sure it will go with some of my other items (or give me time to find something to go with it), I’m much more likely to buy it in the first place.

So here you go Goodwill, Salvation Army, Junior League, and the other thrift stores out there that want to outfit the frugalistas of the Midwest: 

• Sort out the “scratch & dent clothes/items” on a seperate rack/location.
• Again: Only clean clothes in good repair on the regular racks.
• Leave room for clothes to slide a bit once the above sorting has been done.
• Have several decent sized dressing rooms with full-length mirrors and good lighting.
• Allow for returns. This is essential. Returns within 30 days – with tags intact – is ideal. Go crazy and make the “scratch & dent” items  No Returns if desired.

It’s really a shame about the anti-customer practices here because I bought nearly all my clothes at the West Michigan stores that sorted by size and – again, key- let me return things up to 30 days. Those stores behaved like… you know, actual clothes stores. For that courtesy, I gave them my business and my loyalty. I can’t say I feel the same about the thrift stores here in Des Moines. I find that I’m much more likely to poke around, find a few cute “maybe” things and leave with all my money still in my pocket because I don’t want to risk that they aren’t going to match anything else I own.

If you make it easy, we will buy more.
If we buy more, you can do more for your programs.

Ah, but the [...]]]> Darth Vader: “What is thy bidding, my master?”
Emperor:        “There is a great disturbance in the Force.”
Darth Vader: “I have felt it.”
Emperor:        “We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker.”
Darth Vader: “Yes, my master.”
Emperor:        “He could destroy us.”
Darth Vader: “He’s just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Ah, but the Emperor knew what Darth Vader had not yet fully begun to grasp. The acquisition of knowledge is a powerful ally against the Dark Side of life.

Padawan Learner’s first year of high school is moving along, and I find that I need to cull the homeschooling shelves again. That can only mean one thing, a few more additions to the Watto’s Junk Shop page. If you see anything you’d like to claim, please just leave me a comment on that page and I’ll forward it to you promptly.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have received cheap and free curriculum from other homeschoolers over the years, and I’m glad to keep the generousity humming along. With this many books involved, a little help with shipping would be appreciated – if you can swing it. If you’re in a bit of a tight spot though, just let me know. I’ve been in that boat before and remember the relief that came when our curriculum needs fell into place.

Note: Comments have been re-opened on that page. Sorry for the mix-up.

I fight the good fight. I want, no demand, equal rights for women. I expect women to be taken seriously in the workplace - even (especially) if that workplace is [...]]]> “What could possibly have come over Master Luke? Is it something I did? He never expressed any unhappiness with my work.”  -  C-3PO, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

I fight the good fight. I want, no demand, equal rights for women. I expect women to be taken seriously in the workplace - even (especially) if that workplace is the home. I hate doing it, but I make myself speak up every.single.time someone (be it dentist, hairdresser, or family member) makes a comment about the fact that I don’t work. “Would you have said that if I was volunteering at the Art Museum?” Because I do work, I just don’t get a paycheck for my physical and mental labors. I may go back into the labor force at some point, but it will be my and Dad Windu’s choice – we make all our important and family-affecting decisions jointly – and not my dermatologist’s misgivings.

Maybe I don’t look the part of the traditional housewife (whatever that is). Maybe it’s because I don’t have a gaggle of small children following me everywhere I go. Maybe it’s because I hold an advanced degree. Maybe it’s just assumed that people at home are just scratching at the walls or bemoaning a lost income.

This is the reality and explanation of my current non-employment status.

No, I have no plan to get a job at present. I did have a very successful career for many years, doing important work, and I made decent money doing it. I was very good at what I did, was in high demand with vendors because I got results, and I hated every minute of it. It is always a stressful job working with people at their worst physically and emotionally. I was the middle man in ongoing contentious legal situations every minute I worked, while trying to do right by the clients receiving services and the funding sources paying the bills. Money was, not surprisingly, the root of the conflict, as it so often is.

These days, I make my family’s life better and easier by staying home. I save us money in a variety of ways to keep us living comfortably and well on one income. I budget, cook, clean, comparison shop, and as often as possible take care of our things rather than sourcing out their care. I still get results. Additionally, by not entering the labor force, I free-up a job opening for someone who absolutely must work in these tough economic times. All in all, this isn’t a bad way to spend my time.

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Doh! I forgot to tell you all that Amy, over at The Foil Hat, is making soap again. Luscious, decadent, lovely homemade soap. As [...]]]> Leia: “I thought you knew this person.”
Chewbacca: [Chewie barks something to Han]
Han Solo: “Well, that was a long time ago. I’m sure he’s forgotten about that.”

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Doh! I forgot to tell you all that Amy, over at The Foil Hat, is making soap again. Luscious, decadent, lovely homemade soap. As I was typing up the last post, I kept telling myself, “remember to tell everyone about amyjosoap“ (because that’s what I thought about the minute I saw this at the Living History Farms), but alas I popped that picture of the laundry shelf in and just kept on typing.

So how about you all pop over to her new soap making site, order a few bars, and keep small, passion-based, businesses alive and well in the world. I’m saving my pennies, nickels and dimes to gather a few bars in my own galvanized bowl. And the sudsy baths they’ll make… oh, those are going to be divine!

Note: I was not contacted by Amy to tell you about her soap, I just think it looks fantastic.

The best part of the season has arrived here in central Iowa – that first day of seriously crisp, cool, breezy fall [...]]]> Lama Su: “I trust you are going to enjoy your stay. We are most happy you have arrived at the best part of the season.”
Obi-Wan: “You make me feel most welcome.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

The best part of the season has arrived here in central Iowa – that first day of seriously crisp, cool, breezy fall weather. I love autumn, but never have I loved an authum like I love the coming of this autumn. This first summer west of the Mississippi has been an adventure for us. 

rain, flooding, rain, heat, rain, rain, rain, flooding, heat, heat, heat

That was summer this year, but today we have a high of 69. The apartment windows are open. Since he woke up to a morning in the upper 50s, PL even had to wear a sweatshirt over his shorts and t-shirt as he left for classes. I wore jeans and a 3/4 length-sleeve shirt. I’ve missed sleeves.

The Iowa State Cyclones had their season opener last night; U of Iowa has their opener tomorrow. An entire city’s emotional balance appears to be teetering on the outcome of these games. Seriously, Dad Windu watched the news this morning just to see if ISU won last night. He needed to know what kind of a day it was going to be in the office. The two schools battle each other on the 11th. If this site goes quiet after that date, it’s because the city has imploded due to overload.

High school football also begins all over the region tonight – weatherman recommends a jacket as the evening will be dipping down into the 40s (!) overnight. Fall is upon us – and none too soon. And no, I am not going to be thinking about white flakes falling from the skies before long. I’m just going to enjoy this lovely, gorgeous day and soak in all it has to offer.

And I grabbed two pair of pants that fit like a glove, an adorable skirt, and two nice sport jackets today at the thrift store… for 1/2 off. Oh, yeah, color me happy.

It was just too beautiful to be indoors yesterday.

After dropping my brother off at work and grabbing a quick lunch, Padawan Learner and I found ourselves about 30 minutes [...]]]> Rune : “We have them on the run, sir…they’re no match for destroyer droids.”
Tey How: “Sir, they’ve gone up the ventilation shaft.”
Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

It was just too beautiful to be indoors yesterday.

After dropping my brother off at work and grabbing a quick lunch, Padawan Learner and I found ourselves about 30 minutes west of town at a park with a fantastic wooden play structure, trails, enormous map of the US fashioned out of stones, and endless open areas for running, jumping and clamoring around. Flowing games of tag and such were played with whomever was around. As it is Spring Break around here, the park was full of other kids but not packed.

We are slightly sunburned but happy. PL slept until lunch, and I napped on and off during the morning thunderstorms – something I never do.

When people say “cottage” nowadays at The Lake, they often mean an obnoxiously large structure blocking everyone else’s view that could easily fit a half-dozen families with no one seeing anyone else for days unless a map and a to-the-minute time table was involved. This [...]]]> “It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

When people say “cottage” nowadays at The Lake, they often mean an obnoxiously large structure blocking everyone else’s view that could easily fit a half-dozen families with no one seeing anyone else for days unless a map and a to-the-minute time table was involved. This was not that kind of cottage. This is a real cottage. Three tiny bedrooms, a single small bathroom, an open living room/kitchen area big enough to hold a dozen bodies – just – should the rain begin to pound, a great big brick patio on the back with three swinging chairs, a large table & chair set for meals, and lots of space to move around. Seriously, you’re there for The Lake. Re.mem.ber? Best of all though, it has one of the most fabulous views for which a person could hope.

Ah, recharged batteries. Not only are they a beautiful thing in a camera, they’re also a beautiful thing in life.

I spent the last week pretty much unplugged, save reading a few [...]]]> Obi-Wan Kenobi:     “Just relax, concentrate.”
Anakin Skywalker:  ”What about Padme?”
Obi-Wan Kenobi:     “She seems to be on top of things.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

Ah, recharged batteries. Not only are they a beautiful thing in a camera, they’re also a beautiful thing in life.

I spent the last week pretty much unplugged, save reading a few blogs, and I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes I forget I can do things other than type. With Padawan Learner’s birthday and our first week off of the summer’s morning lessons, it was a good time to step back and do a few things I had been putting off like laundry reading and crafting and petting cats for more than a moment and hanging out with my two favorite men – add a long holiday weekend into that and so much the better.

Yesterday, I finished my week of pure relaxation with a trip out to The Lake to see Qui-Gon Jinn, Endicott and C-3PO at their cottage. We had a great time trying out the kayaks (well, the guys did – the moms chatted), sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun, having a yummy dinner together and relaxing some more later.

At all times, Indy, Head of Cottage Security, was available to protect us and eat our red licorice. He was prepared, on-guard and in control of the situation at all times, even when it looked like he wasn’t.