S.A.D.

I have some bad news to share. I've been diagnosed (read: in a chain email I saw this and decided it fit my personality quite well) with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Yes, this is a real disease (or mental state, or excuse, take your pick) see link here http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm

I hate winter, there isn't a think about it I like. Snow is nice the week of Christmas but I have to say that last Christmas in AZ I didn't particularly miss it, I still enjoyed the lights and presents and music just fine. I don't ski, I don't snowboard. Sure, I could learn, but that costs bucks, and unless someone is willing to donate the money, the equipment, an instructor, and TIME then I will not be learning to ski/board in the foreseeable future, and I'm fine with this because as I mentioned, I hate winter.

Its mostly the cold that gets me though, it can snow all it wants, as long as its above 55 degrees (I am willing to withstand that slight bit of cold just to truly be able to appreciate summer when it finally drags its lazy butt out again) that of course is 55 as a low, not a high. I even quite enjoy the rain. Again, as long as its above 55.

By some unfortunate series of events I was born in Utah. Not southern Utah with the red rock, hiking, Lake Powell, and heat. But the Salt Lake Valley (yes, I really do love it, I'm just in a bit of a funk) Where we get cold (humph) snow (gasp!) and inversion (gag, cough-cough). Somewhere in me there is a beach bum sunbathing on the sandy beaches of wherever.

Here is the depressing, sheltered side of me. I've never been to a beach. Not a real beach anyway. When I was 12ish my family traveled to Fortuna, CA (link too long to post, check out mapquest. BTW if anyone knows how to post a link but have it appear as the text you desire, please let me know) in the winter months, and we played in the water there. It was freezing cold, but we did it anyway because it was the ocean and we were kids.

So one day, hopefully while I still have a youthful physique (sort of) I'd like to visit a nice warm beach with hot sun, blue water, and no day planner to attend to. Until that happens I guess I'll be sitting here in fabulous SLC- where the snow falls, the temperature drops, the inversions settles in, and we're all warned to stay inside for the health of our lungs- waiting for the slow 6 months of winter (October-March it seems some years, yes this might be a bit drastic, but you forget I'm in a funk and apt to rant. And, as far as I'm concerned if its not summer, it's winter) to painfully slug by so that I can again bust out the flip-flops.

Ah, you know me so well. Yes, the flip-flops will certainly be seen before that. I wear them any day the temperature is above 60, or if its just a quick trip somewhere and the weather is dry, or if I'm being defiant and trying to show winter who's boss.

For fabulous flip-flops see the link at the left sidebar.

P.S. Sorry for the blantant mis-use of the parenthesis, that's just how my brain thinks, and I wouldn't want to rob you of the experience of the authentic me.

How To Scavange

We did it! Bob and I have purchased our first home. We've also purchased our first piece of furniture/appliance, a fridge. We've been married for three years and until last week had never purchased so much as a mug for ourselves. Thanks to some wedding gifts, thriftiness, and hard work we've managed to put together quite a charming little home at no cost to us. Except for the home that is.

I know, I'm sorry I still don't have pictures, there is currently an issue getting them off my camera, onto my home computer that doesn't have the internet, and to my work computer that does have the internet, but no place for disks or USB drives or cameras due to the secure nature of my work.

So if there is anyone willing to take, transfer, and email pics to me, I'd appreciate it. That is assuming anyone is actually reading my blog.

So, I'm going to share with you some savy scavenging tips. I say savy, becuase anyone can pull something out of a dumpster (no, I have not actually done this) or pick up a busted piece of whatever at the local D.I. I, however, will show you how to score stuff that is truly usable and attractive...or at least can be.

#1- Get married.
This was a big one for Bob and I, and we thank our many generous friends and family. What we didn't get as actual gifts we were able to purchase with giftcards or cash from wedding guests. If you're already married, you know what I'm talking about and you should take care of those gifts unless you plan on doing the whole over again, although I hear the take isn't quite as good the second time around. If you're not married please see this amusing link http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates$fn=default.htm . Type in "Dating vs. Hanging Out 2006" and search in the Ensign, the first results from Elder Dalin H. Oaks is for you.

#2- Be creative.
If someone wants to give you a table for example, but it doesn't currently match your decor, what do you do? God gave us Home Depot (more especially the paint deparment) for a reason. Sand it down, slap some paint or stain on it, and if you're really daring maybe a decorative flourish or two, and you've got yourself a lovely, custom dining table your friends and family will ooh and ahh over. Which is the ultimate goal, right?

#3- Have a variety of (financially sound) friends.
This is important for two reasons: a) you need people who have various tastes in home decor so that when the time comes for your new acquisition you have a plethera (that one's for you Kendra) of options. b) if you have nothing but poor friends you're not likely to get very good hook-ups. But acquaintances in different tax brackets will be willing to give up more/less quality items at different intervals of time.

#4- Beggars can't be choosers.
If you need a couch and all someone has to offer is a mauve, sea-shell-esque, 80's wonder...take it! Unless you really want to fork out the $500 plus dollars to Furniture Warehouse (even though I've never bought furniture I prefer this store to any other I've ventured into- that's affordable anyway).

That is the story of how Bob and I have decorated our little space so quaintly and so cheaply. How many other (non-rich) people can say they've decorated their home without one credit card/store credit line/loan from Daddy?

Ok, so there are probably quite a few, but I'm still proud of us.

For more tips on scavenging furniture, tools, clothing, food, etc. leave a comment!