Bargain Hunting is a way of life for some

I woke up this morning and joined the millions of other early-bird shoppers on the prowl for a discount. For us, it was a new Christmas tree. Our 6-year old artificial tree was $15 at a church garage sale. So a new tree had to be of a similar value to us. My first stop proved to be unfruitful, as they did not carry the full-range of door-buster deals that a full-sized store would have. I was met with satisfaction when one of our other frequent big-box retailers had a similar tree for a better price. Later in the day I pondered the discount-drive that my wife’s family has. I decided that the Stevens tribe has a deep-seeded genetic drive to secure discounts and bargains of all kinds. Here is my tribute to the Lynnwood Band of Stevens bargainers. The Chief of this tribe who I call “Grey Discount” has leaped into the 21st century and has set a family record in scouring the Internet for vehicles online. His squaw “Walks With Sharp Eye” is somewhat of a multi-mode connoisseur of deal-hunting. “Walks With Sharp Eye” frequents the antique mall, consignment store, and auction. Princess “Card In Hand” is a main-stream value vixen. “Card In Hand” has probably subscribed to every discount email alert system from every major retailer in the lower 48, and one form Alaska. With the updates “Card In Hand” gets on her Blackberry in real-time, she can adjust quickly to a changing economic climate. I was permitted to join this tribe by barter and fair trade by marrying “Bargains With Strength” , a skilled urban and sub-urban deal finder. Garage sales and the best thrift stores are treasure troves of dollar saving goodness. Later, this nomadic group of penny-wise spenders sits around the proverbial village fire to tell tales of their trials, tribulations and success. My hats off to this noble tribe, Happy hunting

Tony Stanza

So... we have two cars. One that I drive mostly, and one that Greg drives to work and back, which is a very short drive. That short drive is why Greg's car, an 18 year old beauty named Tony Stanza, has survived as long as it has. Tony is a special car, kind of like an ugly dog. No one out of the family would like it much, but if you know it, and it's part of your family, you love it.

It's the car Greg drove when we were dating, and every time I ride in it I am transported back and riding shotgun next to my boyfriend. It's the car I learned to drive stick on. We love it extra because it just won't die- and that's a great thing for us.

One of Tony's many unique qualities is that it makes a really loud, shrill squeek when it turns a corner in first gear. Sure, it's embarassing when you're driving it, and as the squeek has gotten louder lately, Greg's reported many a funny look or gesture. But Addie and I have grown to love the squeek, because it's the sound of Greg coming home. As he turns the corner into our driveway and garage, we can hear him from inside. Just yesterday, Addie heard the car and excitedly shouted "Daddy's home!"

Well, Greg decided he was done with the squeek, and sent me this Suessian email today:

The car squeak is gone
this much is true
I learnt how to fix it
from a website or two

They said "look at this"
or "look at that there"
"look for some leakage"
or "a wire that's bare"

the serpentine belt
that is the cause
of the squeaky-squeak sound
that gives bystanders pause

so with a small wrench
I opened the hood
and did what I did
and did what I could

with a turn of the bolt
a dozen times or so
I tightened the belt
then started to go

I turned the brown car
to the left and the right
no noise to be heard
no "check engine" light

the squeak is all gone
I'm sure that you're sad
cause now you can't hear
the car that brings Dad

It made me laugh, and I thought a few of you would enjoy it too!

Halloween in the Courtyard

So, I've heard that some of you think that we live in a pretty great apartment complex, and I'd like to agree. And I'll bet that the next few posts will really convince you of that if you weren't sure already. See, last night's Halloween festivites captured some of the best of living here.

First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween, and have spent the last month or so averting Addie's eyes from all the ghosts, ghouls, and other assorted death decorations everywhere we go. And if we lived in a "normal" neighborhood, I would consider boycotting Halloween altogether. But we don't live in a normal neighborhood. I'm glad Addie could still have the fun of dressing up and getting candy without any of the general evil associated with this night.

We Courtyard moms got together and decided to add some fun games to the regular candy swapping that goes on around here. We ended up with almost all the neighbors outside, laughing, talking, playing, eating, and having a great time. That is, except for Brooke, who spent the evening in Urgent Care with some kind of tummy virus or something. That meant we got to have Grant join our family for the evening, which is always a treat. (By the way, Brooke is going to be just fine). And we really did have fun.

Here's Addie, the bee.

And Grant, trick or treating with his construction-man lunchbox (we added this to his costume and are feeling pretty proud of ourselves).

Jen helps Addie go "fishing." The Ballard family hosted a game of fishing over their porch railing. Lindsay made individual cookies for each child with their name written on them, and they would fish and catch their personalized treat.


Here Grant reels in his catch.

Bobbing for Apples

The Myers-sponsored event for the night was bobbing for apples. Evidently, none of the kids had heard of this before, because as Ben was explaining it to them, they looked at hime like he was nuts. Stick my head in a bucket of water? Is this a prank? Finally, Tim Starr demonstrated for them, still wearing his big afro wig, and Addie really loved it. How do I know? Because she's told me about 10 times today that Mr. Starr got an apple and he was sooooo funny.

Here's Grant, contemplating this situation. He was veeeeery skeptical about sticking his head down there.

Finally convinced, he was helped by Ben Myers who lifted an apple up for him.

And for Addie too.

Here they are, eating apples (instead of candy) on Halloween night. They have some MEAN parents, huh? (Addie was pointing out clouds, by the way)

Doughnuts!

OK, so my weakness is doughnuts. Man, do I love doughnuts. So when we chose the Spangler-sponsored event for the night, it was doughnuts on a string. Because it sounded fun and interesting, I decided to try making the doughnuts myself. The recipe sounded easy, and it was, just time consuming. But it was well worth it!
Here's a batch, fresh from the fry pan. Then I coated them in powdered sugar.
We put the kids in groups of like age. Here's half of the 2-3 group, ready to go....
And they sure tried! Lydia, second from left, has her tongue way out, and Addie is just standing there licking the powdered sugar off her lips.
Here's the rest of the 2-3 year olds. Notice Lukas' super-cute superman costume!

More Doughnut Eating

Here's a group of the older kids, just starting in.
Now, I wish I had video of this round. This was the men's advanced doughnut-eating-on-a-string. This was serious business. As Greg nibbled away, our neighbor Kempis pushed his doughnut up against the fence and went to town, then Tim Starr's doughnut fell to the ground and he went down on his knees, hands still behind his back, and ate it like a chicken with seed. I laughed so hard I almost cried.
Here's the adult snack table with treats and hot apple cider.
Addie found these goggles on the ground and put them on herself. Hee hee.

Costumes

Grant as "Bob the Builder" aka: construction man, with our bee girl.
Our friends the Espinos- Lukas was superman, mom and dad were Lois Lane and Lex Luther. Lewis shaved his head just for this! That's dedication.
The newlyweds of the complex: the Kelleys and the Starrs. Two couples without children (yet) who love all our children. We love them. Lisa, on the left, had my favorite costume of the night. A pregnant woman with pickles and peanut butter. Considering the amount of young families in this complex, and the fact that there's almost always a pregnant woman around, it was very funny.
A group shot- about 3/4 of the kids- in assorted costumes. Cowboys, princesses, a dog, an elephant, all having a great time.

Bee Honest

"Look into my eyes, deeeeeep into my eyes....."
"Now tell me the truth, does this costume make me look fat? Seriously, you can tell me."

OK, there's something about her face in this picture that made me think she was asking that.
I'm pretty sure the beekeeper costume wasn't flattering MY figure, but it was fun anyway.
Don't we look excited? Well, I was at least. And once she figured out that saying one little phrase made people give her candy, she was too.

Pumpkin Carving

We had an impromptu pumpkin carving gathering in the Courtyard a few nights ago. I guess Jen knew that if you spread out newspaper, we will come. Despite that it was dark and we were carving on the ground with children playing wildly around us, it was fun- and no one got hurt.
Rachel and Jen with their onlookers.

Yes, it was warm enough outside just a few days ago for me to be wearing shorts and a short-sleeve shirt.


And here's the finished project- a kitty with the "S" for Spangler in it.