The dejunquing of DS11's room went superbly. Asked to take things off shelves that he doesn't want (ie old models, books), he almost CLEANED off shelves.

Moved furniture around slightly, rearranged a few posters on the wall, and freecycled the computer in his room.

A needy sounding family picked it up within hours. No printer. Windows 98 set up, Compaq model. They're happy.

A big sailing ship kite and 5 well kept games went to the Boys & Girls Club.

I feel good for donating and the space looks like new.

Remodel on a rupee. Two new light fixtures, a small bedside shelf and a (thrift store) basket for stuffed animals he still wants came to $100.

I should've took before and after pics, DANG! Submit to a magazine.

Today is the last room to clean and dejunque, DD9. No expenses, just thinnng out of toys. 5th room of the house to do in as many days. I'm pooped.

Thanks for taking a look at something I've always wanted to do, wire wrap stones.

Coin Earrings




Free form bound stone coin earrings include a bali style dangle flower. Artistic, yet casual enough for everyday.

Not yet for sale. Contact me for more detail.

NEVER TOO LATE for SPRING CLEANING - Chapter 4
'How to Remodel w/o the Re'

Today is the day my DS11 is looking forward to?! We are cleaning out his room. Ok, he's just been saving up him empty gum wrappers to throw away all at once. Bleh.

Anyway, the air hockey table is coming out (assuming I can get the legs off, it doesn't fit through the door). I'd like to sell it on Craig's, and KNOW it would bring at least $50. But husband wants to take it to our weekend house.

Also cleaning off the shelves, hopefully of the clay dragon he made at his 7th bday party, the old car models that he used for demolition derbies. Maybe the books from 2nd grade...

Next the too small clothes out of the closet. Such as the dress shirt from that wedding a couple years ago. A cubscout shirt he'll never wear again.

Then the desk - Oh the desk. Just suffice it to say the thrift store is going to be happy. YUCK!!! Every drawer is filled with junque.

There is a magnetic dart game on the closet door that is going to the Boys/Girls Club. A set of Mega blocks (yes those big ones for 4 year olds) that also goes to B/G club.

A rainbow sailing ship kite on the ceiling that I hope he'll part with. We've flown it at least twice to the end of it's rope. Time to give it away.

And a light pole fixture that never gave enough light is OUT. The only $$ to be spent is on a new one that gives proper light for homework before he needs glasses. Probably a wall mount type, but maybe a better different floor model. No ceiling type (the room is not wired). Unfortunately, light fixtures are not cheap, but I am not compromising on this.

I'm also cleaning out, using up older gem and beads in my stash to make room for new supplies later in the year. A Russian friend gave me some amber awhile ago and here's what I made of the remainder.

Imperial Amber Photo Necklace





Honey hued amber nuggets and abalone shell discs attract interest in this highly styled 18" necklace. Interchangeable photo frame adds even more character.

Not yet for sale, contact me for more detail.

First day of 'vacation', meaning I don't go to 'work'. Staying home on the couch eating bonbons, right? How about:

NEVER TOO LATE for SPRING CLEANING - DAY 2
Attack of the kitchen!

1. Give 409 (or some such homemade organic cleaner) to kids and stand back for spray shower on appliance degreasing.

2. Remove lace valance and hand wash, line dry, iron (omg I hope it doesn't disintegrate)

3. Top of fridge, what's that??

4. Clean tile counters with a little bleach, wear old Tshirt!!

5. You know those thingy's you put on your feet to mop the floor? Hmmmm.

And that is just before noon. OK, ok, will take the afternoon off and PLAY with the kids, or go to the beach, or walk the dog, or ...

*snap*

Today is the day I SUBMIT an entry in a formal juried art show. My first time ever entering with a fee, $8. LUCKILY I made one sale at the Farmer's Market on Saturday (poo, just 1). Even though it's only $8 to enter I feel hugely better using earnings for the fee instead of my own pocket money.

I'll find out by Wednesday if I make it in the show.

Here's some new work I am going to enter into future shows.

Pressed Plant Enhanced Photo Compositions

Last day of work for the summer! When my kids are off, I am off except for 2 days/month.

My left brain has it all ready - scheduled and free time, home biz here I come, and cleaning out the kids' rooms!

To prepare for a 2 week camping trip coming soon, I'm trolling the thrift stores for new family/kids activities. Found the 'UnGame' (from 1975) for $2. We tested it out for 1/2 hour, the kids have already pulled it out twice more to play with. Anyone heard of this? You travel around a board pulling a card with a very univeral question when landing on those spots. Such as 'Say something about war' or 'what color is happiness'. There are no right or wrong answers. The discussions get lively.

----------------------------------------
Also last year we had this useful boredom buster:

1. Write on slips of paper fun, as well as, chore activities. Examples:

Weed the flower bed.
30 minutes board game.
Swiffer the living room.
Trip to rent a movie.
Ride bike to the park.
Take dog for a walk.
Bake cookies.

2. Put slips in decorated lidded box or can.

3. Pick one when summer vacation boredom hits, with the promise that WHATEVER comes out will be done.

NOTE: Limit picking slips to one or two a day if necessary.

----------------------------------------
So long to bus commutes which yielded stuff like this for the next 8 weeks!

Little Lamb Newly Born Photo Baby Announcements - Pack of 4
(if the pics don't work, click here)

pics

I don't watch nor listen more than an hour or so a day, far less than a typical CNN junkie. But the world problems weigh on me, especially in light of raising two grade school kids and with parents advancing in age. (Hormone changes in life don't help either!!)

Discovering a sweet therapy. It's rewarding, creative, and inexpensive (my specialty!). What is it?

Pointing my camera to happy things, scenes, and otherwise good subjects.

Here is a place I'd like to cast off the cares, not to mention the socks.

Under the Trestles


And you wouldn't believe this is not in 'big sky country', that I'm a city girl.

Grazing Sky Scape


Not to forget the technical side of my brain.

Old Arch Bridge


More photos to lighten up at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap (please respect my ownership rights and do not reproduce).

How long has this Wizard101 game been around? It's very Harry Potter'ish, seems innocent enough, and there's very little, if not no, pressure to buy anything.

Wizard101

My grade school kids heard from friends at school, and tried it out about a week ago.

It takes an inordinate amount of time to load, but I chilled out and let it go.

They are having a blast and the only caveat is to limit the time so they don't become couch potatoes!

Anyone else heard of it? If there's a catch and you figure it out, make a comment here. Thanks.

Though comparison shopping is very time consuming I enjoy the bargain hunt and usually just do without if the item is not found at an acceptable price.

That means today I am:

~ wearing really old tennis shoes (haven't found suitable replacements in the boys section of the sports store, payless or a going out of biz store yet)

~ a second hand sweater

~ carrying a thrift store purse (I love it)

~ wearing white sports socks from one of those swap meet vendor type packages (and might even darn them when they get holes).

But I expected a Target coupon for $5 off $50 purchase to go farther than it did yesterday.

List of Potential Needed Items:
girls bathing suit
girls tennis shoes
movie for Dad for Father's Day
lightweight folding lawn chairs

These are tough tough items to find, I've been scouring Craigs for the lawn chairs (everyone only uses stacking ones now but I have not given up at yard sales), and I will not get my kids secondhand shoes or bathing suits anymore (bad fit, worn out and bad value).

Off we went, DD9 and I, to the kids section. There were a nice selection of suits, especially in her size, and one for $13. She also wished for another for $19 which included a little skirt. Then to the shoes, nothing. I passed a rack of stretch black pants for moms. Hmmmmmm.

The last black stretch pants I had were from a higher end women's store (my mom had given me a gift cert some years ago) and they fit like a dream! This store closed a year or so ago and I have been searching for longer than that to replace the pants. I have also scoured Susie's Deals for something similar for over a year.

Well the Petit fit great. OK, they were $20. I decided yes. It was worth the price for the years of time I put in trying to find the same thing for less.

We never made it to the garden chair section. Those two bathing suits and the pants were $51. Bleh. I let the kid get both suits since the coupon would indirectly lower the price of one suit to $8.

So now all I want to know is:

Will these $20 yoga pants last awhile?

Three photos of mine were accepted into an art show at the local (very very busy) community hospital lobby!

They will hang 3 months, a relatively long show!

The topic was 'Lazy Hazy Days of Summer' and the pics include:

Leaf Me Alone
THANK YOU to momcents for the title!!


Mustard FireWorks
see it here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap/3499439890/

Made in the Shade
see it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettycheap/3499439916/in/photo...

Please respect my copyrights on these images and DO NOT REPRODUCE

They will be framed sweetly and priced fairly.

for the non-logophiles: epiphanous (def): a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.


1. Fledgling Flight. Not for the first time, but for the longest and least parented time, DD9 has 2-night Girl Scout overnight camp. It's a big troop of 20 girls and there were 2 leaders present (with 2 or 3 parents helping out at any given time here and there over the weekend). She's been in it for 5 years and when I was a leader for the first couple years she was way more insecure in my absences. (We now have the quintessential Girl Scout leader who not only can sing ALL the songs, but knows the words). Daughter is grumpy when I pick her up, as she doesn't want to leave. Didn't brush her hair the whole time.

2. First Bad Hair Day. More hair problems. My son awakens to his appearance, or at least awakens. He cares what happens when he wears a baseball cap and his hair is all wet. Most time ever in front of the bathroom mirror, distressed as all h*ll about a lock or two near his ear. Tries alternately wetting it and blowing with the hair dryer. Over and over again. Get a shorter haircut? Blasphemy. Go back to evening showers? Pfffft. Of course it looks the same as every other day (to me).

3. Blasts from the past. Saturday night I went to a reunion of co-workers from 29 years ago. What can I say, you had to be there? Kind of like a high school reunion, with a much lower trauma factor. Picture a hundred new graduates from colleges around the states in LA in 1982 or so and single, and ... that says enough. One of the best times in our lives, I guess we all wanted not only to relive it a little, but see who turned out how. One fellow never married and is saving the world with 'Water for People' (building wells and clean water in the third world), the best looking guy now has 5 kids, all girls. One of our old bosses showed up (now retired)! UGH!! I didn't look as old as I worried, somewhere inbetween the two guys I would NEVER have recognized in a million years (one looked like my dad, but once he started blabbing it was his old crazy self) and the two girls whom time has NOT TOUCHED!! Names from 20 years ago kept popping up, ouch my memory cells HURT!

With the swine flu on the wane, my kid is probably one of the last to have a very mild sore throat and cold. But need to keep him out of school, which keeps me out of work. S'ok, no pay, but a long to do list:

...Squeeze oranges from tree into OJ
...Make muffins with 2 overripe bananas
...Make something for next Tues school bake sale (probably will use the leftover condensed milk for fudge!!)
...shopping errands

Of the last I will keep costs down, use coupons. For example, my girl would love a few ice skate skirts now that she is in the 3rd level lessons. OK. I can sew. There is a pattern at Joann's and it only takes a little glitzy fabric and a bit of elastic to make the skirts. Yes, I have a 40% off coupon and a sewing machine.

A few things at the dollar store, ie bandaids.

And a wedding gift. They registered at Bed Bath Beyond just a couple weeks ago. The wedding is Labor Day weekend (Sept) so I am going to be one of the first to get in there and choose something REASONABLY priced before only the $500 dollar bed sets are left. Or whatever they listed.

Here's a look at my back yard yesterday.
It's not a honey bee (right?) but is very busy pollinating the apple trees, jasmine and other stuff we have growing. There were a couple dozen of his friends too.

That's what they call it around here, followed by June gloom. Just a function of the marine layer most every morning which clears up by early afternoon (but not always).



A few weeks ago I was contacted by a big group of co-workers from 26 years ago. We are having a reunion this Saturday! I haven't seen most of the people in all those years. (and they haven't seen me!)

Half crazy with self conciousness, half crazy with anticipation, I'm sure it will be a HUGE HOOT.

They know I have a small jewelry design biz and I'm bringing samples. Who knows.

You saw the offer on the Oprah show? Here's the link to the coupon on her website-

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-cou...

ends midnight Central time Wed, hurry!

An on-line buddy makes me wiggle!



Thank you Sparks of

http://www.grungehobbit.com

The spring peak has passed but there are still many enchanting subjects before the heat hits. This one is a visitor to my weekend house front yard.

Does this leaf make her look fat?


I'd like to enter this image into a call for art themed 'Lazy Hazy Days of Summer'. (Because I am from the midwest and summer equals bugs!).

But I need a better title, any ideas?
'Don't Bug Me'
'Bug Bum'
'Does this Leaf make me look fat?'

What a pleasure to flex this new camera's muscles! I have gotten to know the close up side of things, and next want to get good at the long range side of things. Think fabulous mountain ranges over valleys dotted with oaks, etc.

Juxtapose a black covered table full of gemstone and pearl jewelry with a spray paint artist and synthesizer music ...

for 6 or more hours ...

Yesterday was the first day of a big art event in the downtown center where I live. I had planned to set up in the empty foyer of a store recently closed (who hosted me in the past), but the shop has been leased to a real estate biz starting April 1.

For fun (?) the owner decided to have a big art bash for the weekend. The picture windows were full of very urban style artwork, ie sharks, skulls, flames, slogans. Inside was loads of stuff on the walls, floors, demos, music.

There was a constant crowd of 20 and 30 somethings out front. Tattoos everywhere. Skinny pants, bohemian skirts, greased hair, fluffy hair, green hair, pink hair.

A slightly older guy did a (really good) spray paint portrait of Louis Armstrong in black and white out front. Of course, a kinda scary one where his face is all squeezed up like when he plays the trumpet.

It was ok, but for one yucky thing. I noticed alot of these people smoked.

Anyway, I set up on the sidewalks to the side instead.

Sales were good, but it was an unsettling experience. I guess art is supposed to do that to you.

And I will congratulate myself!! Met a goal of selling an item priced at $50 for the first time! This one is gone to a very nice older lady:

Pearl Mix Set

Necklaces? Check
Earrings? Check
Cards? Check
Tablecloths? Check
Chairs? Check

...

This weekend is (maybe the last) big 2-day ArtWalk I am vending. Normally held twice a year, the city is unable to pitch in staff, marketing, and public services funds in the future. (Those trash cans, shuttle busses, and foot officers add up).

But I am throwing 110% effort into the gig. In fact, the retail store that hosted me in the past has closed but is allowing me to set up across their complete front window. This is a quadruple of the space I normally get!!

Foot traffic is major. Thousands of folks stroll around. More in good weather, more in good economic times.

New work to show:

Bead Embellished Embroidery Card


My kids usually stay at home with Dad the whole two days, but he is on a non-optional biz trip this year! So I have arranged for a neighbor's teen to 'hang out' with the kids all day Saturday. This allows them to play outside with friends as usual.

I didn't have to pay a fee to enter Artwalk (since my host closed), but now feel I have to make up the babysitter fee.

Keep fingers crossed for good weather and making up that fee!

Ups and downs. The story of the week.

The Ups: Made shell earrings and necklaces from supplies at a local sea store and the employee at the time encouraged me to bring in a photo of the work for their bulletin board. I'm happy with the results (see below).





The Downs: Upon returning with a nicely designed half sheet flyer with the pics, my shop website and little tear-off coupons to post on their wall, the employee at THAT time said NO NO NO, they would not advertise for me.

The Ups: Got samples ready, especially, cards, to take to a shop who was relocating and wanted to start dealing more in small, inexpensive items. This is the shop who has 'hosted' me for artwalk for a couple years. They are closing their large, downtown location but letting me set up in front for artwalk anyway next weekend.

The Downs: The shop owner decided not to re-open after all. She is taking a break from retail for the unforeseen future and working in her husband's insurance business for awhile! No future orders for me I guess!

The Ups: After a sale to the camera store lady for an item on my website, she asked me to do 2 repairs for her. Done, and delivered, NO DOWN HERE! This is the customer from heaven

The Ups: The art gallery shop committee meeting discussed 'featuring' active members (which I am one) and I'm scheduled for May! Doesn't really mean a huge amount. I get a little sign in the shop, a bio, and probably a set aside area devoted to all my things! Nothing in the way of media cause we just aren't that sophisticated yet! OK! I'll take it and maybe spread the word to media myself. NO DOWN HERE YET EITHER!

Pinch me! Is it true you get what you pay for? Then how did this come about?

The free photo book that came with the new camera I bought a few weeks ago is done! It is a product book of my jewelry and craft work. Some of the photos are less than perfect, because there was not time to retake using the new better camera (and I am NOT a perfect photographer). Still I am very happy and know just which shop to take it to first!

COVER



Pages 1,2



Pages 3,4



Pages 5,6



Pages 7,8



Pages 9,10



Page 11



First three pages are about jewelry, then a page about journals, next couple about cards, and the last for bags.

Not to worry about a customer asking for an exact item! It worked out by describing the itemsa as 'Handmade Link Chains (example shown - blah blah blah)' and 'Needlework Cards - Bead, Lace, Special Trim'.

Sooooo, will it pay for itself? It already has! The lady at the photo store bought a necklace and wants me to lengthen another for her.

How do you say 'free lunch'?

A couple weeks ago I made a concerted effort to purchase a new digital camera in a locally owned shop.

Two days ago, upon contacting them for specifics on how to redeem some free print coupons, I found out they are closing at the end of the month.

Bleh. All the Ritz Camera stores in my area are closing. Something like only 6 will remain open in the CA/NV area.

The employees were surprised but still wonderfully courteous to me. The coupon for free prints was honored as will be a coupon for a Photo Album.

In fact, the free Photo Album is a deal! A 8 1/2 x 11 twelve page hardcover beauty. Snazzy layouts and great textural backgrounds included.

It will be a Pretty Cheap Jewelry Product book! Containing example designs and types of items. Like these:

NECKLACES






EARRINGS





BRACELETS






CARDS






JOURNALS




Concern #1: These are mostly 1-of-a-kind things. I have to include only those things I am able (or willing!) to reproduce. But a person seeing the catalog will not get a duplicate. Do you think that's ok?

Concern #2: Picture quality! These are taken with my old camera, and I do not have time to reshoot! The free deal must be redeemed very soon according to the staff because of the closing.

Any pictures you think are horrible?

My apologies to the optometrists.

Anyone a Flickr user here? Need help choosing good nature photo Flickr groups. Please leave a link in the comments. Thanks

For shots like this:

DESERT DAISY


LOG COMPANY


HORTON'S HOUSE

Recipe for peace on Earth
(or at least peace of mind)
1 native plant seed
2 pelting rainstorms
dozen hot dry days

Mix Seed with small pinch or two of soil. Do not over mix. Add rainstorms at intervals with hot dry days. Leave to rise for a few months.

Serves plenty.





Taken Mar/Apr 2009 - California Poppy Reserve and Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Please do not copy photos without written permission of the Frugal Artisan.

A back to basics reminder in this high tech rushed time.

Original prints, by private order.

Above: Fruits of Labor, 5" x 7" glossy, Blank Note Card

One - $3.50
Two - $6.00
Three - $7.50
Five or More - $2.00 ea

To Place an Order contact me at prettycheapjewelry@gmail.com or inside the website above.

SPECIAL NOTE: Free download of the image above to Saving Advicers. Please simply credit to the 'Frugal Artisan' at http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com

It's a minor necessity. I have the cash in hand. And have researched the competition into the ground.

So the time has come. Today is the day I am going to at least *see* *feel* *discuss* the Canon A590 IS digital camera at the local Ritz camera store.

Yes, I said local. Yes I said digital camera.

My existing camera is a hand-me-down from shopper DH. So it's been in the family some 6+ years. (He has the next generation one).

I use it extensively for product photos (see left sidebar) and have s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d it to its limits. With glee.

Guess what?! My 11DS gets it as an incentive to go to overnight camp with 5th grade as soon as I get a new one. He is waiting ... tap tap tap ... waiting.

(He was reluctant to take this trip due to his normally introverted nature.)

Looked at Cnet, Consumer Reports, PriceGrabber, ad nauseum. Ugh. There are Sonys, Kodaks, Nikons, and enough to make your head spin. Not my idea of fun sorting this out. But holding the line on cost and particular features I wish, the Canon A590 keeps surfacing.

One call and the store said they have it. I didn't even know there WAS a Ritz camera store nearby. Was HOPING to do this locally, not over the net to BOOT!

WOOT!

24 Cards ... That's how many I took to a new sales venue today. I hope they all get displayed.

It was a stroke of luck or maybe when one door closes, another opens?

The closing: is a business at the end of the month that generously gave me space 2ce a year for the past few years during a big city-sponsored art event. In fact, they finally had carried a few of my products (and sold almost half over a few month period).

The opening: of a card rack in the city Visitor Center which already gives my art association space. A call to members was made yesterday to bring in cards for sale. So I wasted nada time, zip, zot, zwin I went.

My work is completely different than the typical art card. That's my only concern. They are not the usual print of an original painting.

I took with confidence: dried flower cards (small beauties themselves), and a new line of photo cards (WOOT! satisfying a personal goal how to get more involved with photography).

These are the ones I wasn't sure about: embroidered cards -




But as I tell my kids, "You'll never know if you don't try."

OK, if they don't think these kind belong in an art card rack, let 'em call me to pick up.

Taken by surprise yesterday! After 50 years of pennies in my hand, it is different!!



Did you know this was in the works? I didn't. Where have I been? OK, don't answer that.

Lots of interesting info in this article such as; there will be 4 designs this year depicting Lincoln's life.

http://coins.about.com/b/2009/02/12/the-new-us-penny-is-here...

Top o’ the morning to you! We’re having a little St. Patrick’s Day fun over at the

Etsy Twitter Team blog! It’s time to “Find the Leprechaun”!

Ten leprechauns pictures are hidden in the item listings in the shops below. Click through the shops to find the
leprechauns. When you find one, send the URL of the item displaying a leprechaun in the pictures via email to:

etsytwitterteam@gmail.com

You may enter more than once as long as you have a different URL for each entry.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Must be at least 18 years old to enter.

Entries must be received by
midnight EST on March 16th.

Five winners will be chosen by random on
March 17th!


List of participating shops:

Threepeats
Art by Betty Refour
In My Head Studios
Sandi's Ts
Liv'nGood Jewelry
Firebird House
Rhodes Annals Designs
Jenco13
Emily Claire Creations
Fat Daddy Sweets
Joslin Jewels
Herban Lifestyle
Peanut and Tommy
Nikky Lee Designs
Linda B's
Creations
Sox and Patches
Angel Kisses Jewelry
Imogen's Garden
Ambient Lights
Soap Rehab
Huayruro Peru
Bugs 'n Bees
Pretty Cheap
Aquarian Bath
Scrap With Style
Bella Tu Jewelry
Tamdoll

And what might you win? Our team
donated some very lovely prizes! See the team blog link in the first paragraph for pics!

Soap Rehap-Wasabi Ginger Soap
Bar is bright, green, and fresh--all the good stuff but without the
bite! Notes of eucalyptus, ginger, and top notes of lemon and a hint
of mint make for a refreshing clean feeling.

Fat Daddy Sweets-Caramels
Wonderfully buttery, creamy sweet goodness. Soft vanilla caramels are handmade, cut and rolled and will cure any sweet tooth!

Tamdoll-Fabric Button Brooch
Frayed edged fabrics, button sewn on, pin on the back.

Emily Claire Creations- Jewelry
Shimmery silver chimes with amethyst and moss green cat's eye beads. A silver leaf toggle clasp completes this enchanted ensemble. This bracelet measures at 7 1/4" (excluding the clasp). It is made to
wear a little loose, so it may shimmer with any wrist movement.

Joslin Jewels-Jewelry
Faceted and translucent beads of natural green chrysoprase, each adorned with a
sterling silver bead cap resembling a three-leaf clover, suspended from handmade sterling silver ear wires.


Thank you to Sheridan, from Joslin Jewels, who made the great leprechaun graphic for our contest!!

GOOD LUCK!

My husband has asked for this item a couple of holidays (ie birthday, Father's Day, etc.) but he has not had time to research the topic.

Anyone out there with progams?

What pros and cons? What to look for? Price Range? Vendors?

He is not a total beginner, ie has added sound and edited taped home movies in the past (not digital).

I don't have the video camera brand off the top of my head (it's probably a Sony).

He has a pretty good DELL computer and disc burner software already.

Thanks for your help.

I've been featured by a fun site of artisan crafters for the day!

Those are my 'Recycled Guitar String Bangles - Teal and Plum' top right.



(see them also in the product mosaic here on the blog left column)

So pleased and flattered! Anxiously awaiting my stats on the shop page for the day!

Got an offer to do biz together lately, hmmmm. A very popular lady frugalist on Twitter suggested she model some of my items (a la Oscar style) at conferences/meetings as a partnership. After we hammer out some details, ie time frame, commission, etc. I think I will go for it. Am willing to part with some of my older pieces such as:

Dragonfly Necklace


She is a completely trustworthy person, as much as possible I suppose via internet. And of course, I have to take the risk of never seeing these things again in case she isn't. That's why I will do this with items I can live without. However, this is a method that small biz advisors advocate, ie form creative partnerships.

The car is sold! Craig's list is amazing.

My 2001 Toyota Camry; 135,000+ miles, needs frequent oil and engine noises (disclosed), clean and good mileage though; gone to a guy who was completely comfortable with the engine noise.

We sold it for $500 under blue book. Would not have increased the price because of the known faults.

But that didn't stop 6 people contacting us the first day, and something like a call an hour today.

The guy paid cash. Green cash. (kinda scary actually)

Soooooooo....DH using the pick up truck as 2nd car (gas guzzler) for a short while and I get the Corrolla.

He is very keen on a hybrid, wish there were hydrogen cars ready!! The cash is going straight toward the down payment for a new one. We're not strapped, it means tho less going to saving until Sept when the last vehicle payment is made on our tractor.

And my spouse is completely thrilled with the hunt.

He's an expert, ask me how he got the last one (it has manual windows and un-power locks!!)

it's been doing this for a number of months and I happened to see a family friend who is a mechanic last night. I asked him to listen and he took it for a short test drive.

His diagnosis: this is a baaaaad noise.

Probably the engine rods. Likely due to a couple of times in recent past years I waited too long to have the oil changed (the oil light came on for a couple days).

Not worth working on the engine unless it's a Bentley. Ummmm, this is a 2001 Toyota Camry. With 130,000+ miles.

Alternative plans of action (some pillow talk, eh?):

A. Sell it sooner to capture as much resale value as possible, For Sale By Owner type of thing.

B. Drive it gently until Sept when the last payment for our small tractor is made. Use for park n ride, around town, for example. Then trade in with new car purchase, and meanwhile watch the local dealers on how strong they want to make a sale as well as watch the Feds on what they might do to stimulate auto sales.

C. Drive it till it dies. Donate it to charity, but don't want to have to tow it to do so. Least safe of the options especially since I carpool 2 of the neighbor's kids to school (and would mess up their life for a day or so possibly).

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