Shake Down at the Local Walmart

 We don't have a lot of shopping options in my small town. The big name stores we do have: Meijer, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Marshalls. We just got the Marshalls about eight months ago. It was a real big deal for us.

The local Walmart is on the small side and is definitely third world (it's a little shady). You usually can find what you need. If you can't find it, you probably don't need it. Or someone thinks you will be fine without it.

I made a quick run to our shady local Walmart. I had to pick up a few things. I made it through self checkout (I had a great cashier) and was heading for the exit. At this time, I am approached by security the greeter asking to see my receipt for my white vinegar purchase. Maybe that's a high steal item around here? I don't know. I hand over the receipt and tell him it's the last item I scanned. There are probably five or six items on my receipt so it shouldn't be difficult to find the white vinegar. In the meantime, a friend of mine comes up to me and we start talking. I realize the sheriff greeter is struggling to find my white vinegar. I go through my bags and show him all the items that I purchased (still while talking to my friend). My friend realizes the stressful situation and says goodbye. I finally take the receipt from the sheriff and point to the last item that says, "Wht Vinegar" (aka white vinegar). I'm not sure if that registered with him, but he did give up on me. 

I think the sheriff was upset he wasn't able to bust me on my white vinegar. Let's be serious, if I'm going to steal, which I'm not, but if I was to steal, I don't think it would be a $3.00 gallon of white vinegar.

Small town life. You gotta love it.

Would you steal a gallon of white vinegar?

National Thrift Shop Day

 "Hey, Mackelmore, Can we go thrift shopping?" 

It's National Thrift Shop Day so get ready to pop some tags!

A thrift store, also known as a resale shop, consignment store or charity shop, can be found in most towns. Items are donated to the stores and the staff stocks the stores with these donations. By shopping at a thrift store you are able to save money and find some hidden treasures (like vintage and unusual clothing). For some it's not just about saving money, it's about the thrill of finding the unusual items. While thrifting helps the budget, it also prevents these items from ending up in a landfill.

How can you observe the day?

If you have items at home that are not being used, pack them up and bring them down to the donation center at your local thrift store. This is a great way to clean up your home and give your items a second life. 

Check out some new thrift stores in your area.  Bring a friend along and make a day of it.

And, of course, playing, "Thrift Shop," by Mackelmore is definitely a must today.

Don't forget! You can post your treasures on social media using #ThriftShopDay 

How will you participate today?

National Tell a Joke Day

 Knock, knock

Who's there?

Boo

Boo, who?

Don't cry, baby.

Today is National Tell a Joke Day. A day to laugh, celebrate and have fun! Join in on the fun today by telling a joke.

Here are a few more to get you in the joke telling mood.

What is the smartest insect?  A spelling bee.

How does the ocean say hi?  It waves. 

Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert?  He was stuffed.

Name a tree that you can hold in your hand.   A palm tree.

Why do ducks have feathers on their butts?  To cover their butt quacks. 

Tell me your favorite joke in the comments below!

Oh, and don't forget you can post to social media #TellAJokeDay

National Underwear Day

 Today is National Underwear Day!  A day that is used to honor the most intimate piece of apparel that many of us wear.  Originally celebrated to focus on emphasizing positive body image to women, men willingly joined in on the movement.

Underwear was originally meant to protect clothing from sweat stains.  Included on this celebration are corsets, bustiers, boxers, sports bras and briefs.  If you wear it under your clothes, then it is a garment to be proud of!

How to celebrate today:

Clean out your underwear drawer.  Throw out anything you wouldn't want to be seen if you were in a car accident (Mom advice).

Purchase some new underwear.  I think underwear is the last thing people think about when they update their wardrobe.  When was the last time you bought yourself some new undies?

Have a movie night!  Put on, "Risky Business" and watch Tom Cruise dance in his underwear.  

Read about the history of underwear in, "Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear," by, Elaine Benson.

If you are feeling bold and have the courage to wear them out publicly, you can have a friend take (tasteful) pictures of you.

And, of course, you can always just parade around (inside) your home in your underwear.

Oh, and don't forget to post it on social media using #NationalUnderwearDay*

How will you celebrate today?

*Be careful! I don't have bail money for you!

National Grab Some Nuts Day

 Just trying to get some new traffic to the blog....

Believe it or not, this is an actual "holiday," celebrating the health benefits of nuts.  Toss them into salads or oatmeal, add them to your baked goods or just grab a handful for a healthy snack.  

A few things I learned along the way:

Almonds and cashews are not nuts.  The almond is considered a stone fruit and the cashew is a seed.

Nuts are a great source of plant based protein, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin E, selenium and copper). 

How to observe #NationalGrabSomeNutsDay

Grab a handful of your favorite nuts to snack on.

Fire up the oven and add some nuts to your baked sweet treats 

Toss some into your salad or a stir fry

And don't forget to post about it on social media.*

*I'm trusting you on this one.  I'm not bailing you out of jail.

Get Rid of Your Shi#

Recently I posted about give something away day, a day set aside to share a little of yourself and all of your life extras hanging around your home.

I finally got a hold of the book, "Nobody Wants your Sh*t: The art of decluttering before you die." I'm always up for a decluttering, organizing, minimalist book, article or podcast. This one sounded like it had a humorous side. After clearing out both my parents and my in-laws house I don't want to leave too much stuff for my children to wade through after we die. 

There is a book out there about Swedish Death Cleaning. Basically, decluttering your house by getting rid of stuff so it's not a burden to your loved ones. It will also make your life and home easier for you to manage. 

When we moved (the big move out of state) I got rid of a lot of stuff. I was accused of not being sentimental. Just for the record, I do keep a few things that mean something to me, but I'm not going to keep EVERYTHING I have accumulated during my entire life time (can you imagine?). I feel some items come into your life (either by purchase or inheritance) and are not all meant to be kept forever. I realized after that big move, I should have let go of more stuff. Luckily (or unluckily) I moved again within a year and a half of that big move and I now had another home full of stuff to make disappear.

We are down to the last of the boxes and some really hard decisions need to be made (tossing stuff). You have the non-sentimental person in one corner and the sentimental person in another corner. I'm not sure if this is going to work. Prayers for my marriage are being accepted at this time.

Have you gone through the process of a death cleaning?

National Give Something Away Day

 Happy National Give Something Away Day!

Most of us have more than we need to live. Today gives us an opportunity to give back and share some of our bounties. Giving benefits both parties. It helps put much needed services and goods within reach of those who need it while the giver gets the good feelings, while also teaching us gratitude.

Unsure what you can give?  Words can be a gift. Showing empathy, encouragement and compassion to someone in time of need may make us feel vulnerable but it empowers those we offer it to as well. You can share your time by volunteering. Of course, items like clothing, money and food are needed. 

How to observe the holiday:

How about starting the day by buying the person behind you a cup of coffee or tea?

Clean out your closet or garage and make a donation.

Donate to a local food pantry or one of the many little reading libraries 

Volunteer your time or skills

Make gift baskets for the shelters

Start a fundraiser for your favorite charity

Help your neighbors

You can share on social media using #GiveSomethingAwayDay

RT is focusing his time and energy on raising awareness of human trafficking. He plans on climbing Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado and is trying to raise $14,440. That's $1 for every foot of the mountain. That sounds like a lot of work and a lot of money, but every dollar goes to helping the survivors of human trafficking. $1 goes a long way. To donate, please visit givebutter.com/climbingforfreedom  

What will you give away today?