I don’t know what the phrase actually means. Dog days of summer? But it sounds good.

We’re back to the Summer Jar this week as the past 2 have been full of VBS attending, picnics and crazy evenings spent driving around looking for a place to live.

Today we picked out something that didn’t sound good to any of us, so we threw back in the jar and said “TRY AGAIN!” then we chose the Fountain, which was perfect because our daughter has been talking non stop about wanting to go there again. I didn’t actually bring my camera with me. {GASP} So no photos for the jar today.

We had a great Fathers Day last weekend for Aaron.

Lunch out, Boatwerks.

We ended the night with a BBQ with his side of the family at a home his sister was “house sitting” and “dog sitting” for. (Which, if you ever need a recommendation, I can give you a great one … she is amazing and LOVES animals!)

4 Generations.

We’ve been having a blast, amidst all the big-grown-up decisions about where to live, what to do and how to break it to the kids. (More on that soon.) I can’t believe it’s almost July already. Which means we have just over 2 weeks left in this house.

It’s time to break out the champagne … maybe throw one last party for this place, love it, remember it and get Her ready for the next family to walk Her floors and care for Her old bones.

I went THRIFTING today. I love thrifting. Especially after months and months of staring at Inspirational clip outs I’ve hung on the wall to motivate my inner decorator.

I got some amazing deals.

This mirror was marked $5 but I wasn’t willing to pay that, even though I REALLY wanted to get this mirror (5 year old calls is a Meer-Air) for my daughters bedroom, as we’re redoing the decor and taking it from nursery to big girl this weekend.

So I offered $3, they said $4 and I said, I’ve got three. Then I paid and walked out a happy girl.

When I got home, I did this to it.

Then we went to another thrift store and there happened to be a bookshelf in the corner that caught my eye. It was for sale however I couldn’t buy it because they were using it for display. You can imagine my confusion. And then I said that outloud. No, really, I want to buy this bookshelf today. I’m willing to give you cash for it. How much is it?

Then she said, $20 … probably $14.99. And I pressed harder. NO, Really, I want this book shelf.

This is why:

She finally said I could buy it (for $20) and let me take it home, when I got it there I did this:

Better photos coming in the daylight. I was too excited about these not to show you tonight.

Some other great finds I had I took home were this awesome little cast iron skillet. I love cast iron, so much. But I only have one skillet that I use Every. Single. Morning and some times 2 or 3 times a day. This one is smaller but I think I’m going to like that for when the kids just want some sausage for a snack or I need a quick pick me up fried egg at 3 pm. (Only paid a quarter, even better!)

These “bar glasses” were a set of 10 for $6, I only needed six so I split the set with my mom.

And this SAHWEET stock pot (think LOBSTERS!) was marked five bucks, I paid two.

This light fixture is going in my daughters bedroom after I paint it and find matching globes for the lightbulbs. (Etsy here I come!) Now, I could paint this the same color as the mirror, or go with a an ivory … or even dark purple. I don’t want to go crazy with the color in her bedroom, as we’re trying to stay away from the childish theme … but shout out some good accents. Maybe this is where I incorporate yellow?

At the same store that I bought the light fixture we found some fun stuff but didn’t purchase, here’s a looksee.

These light bulbs were $2 a piece and I almost bought three of them to make a light fixture over our dining room table (when the kitchen remodel is done … and it hasn’t started yet, and won’t this year … so I was thinking way ahead) but then I talked to one of the men working there and apparently they burn more than 300 watts a piece … so, bad for the environment in a little dining room. I put them down, but they’re SO cool.

This filing cabinet is only $50 – I can see this in a crafting room. A room that I do not have. But if you do, you should totally make use of this!

Molly, my sister, found a potential new front door. I love it! I’m a sucker for mission type furniture – and those windows? In love.

Now, to round out the fabulous day here’s my inspiration for my daughters bedroom … and photos of the transformation are coming soon … but here’s a sneak peak:

What have been some of your favorite thrift store finds? What about the best steal of a deal?

I told a story over at Naturally Knocked Up this week on how we live without a microwave. Super fun, go see for yourself.

We’re half past normal over here and totally loving it. Donielle is a passionate homemaker and very knowledgeable woman when it comes to researching and understanding what we put in our bodies and how it affects our fertility … but more than that, how it affects health and our children and our overall happiness. She’s not a doctor though, so *ahem* consult your own physician before putting anything into practice. Disclaimer, disclaimer and more disclaimer. You guys, just do your own research. Knowledge is power.

I’m also doing some fun stuff on the facebook page for jodimichelle. More giveaways coming soon. Etsy style. And since I have some men who are brave enough to be friended (YOU ALL ROCK) I’ll be doing a more “male” themed giveaway here soon. Delurk, lovelies.

The sun is shining in the second happiest place in the US so we’re obviously rocking it today.

I love living here.

Since Jessica’s swimming lessons have been canceled twice now and we still don’t want to spend the money for gymnastics we’ve been looking in to a few other options for her.
Here’s what we’ve found – links and information – for her age group in Holland, Mi.
Holland Christian is running an Enrichment program for 3 and 4 year olds – each class is only $15 and they’re offering the classes at separate dates at a North and South side location. Jessica will definitely be signed up for some of these. She’s already infatuated with school – what better way to spend a snowy afternoon than learning and playing with other kids IN SCHOOL!?
DeGraaf Nature Center also offers some interactive classes and fun filled afternoons for 3 and 4 year olds – although the 3 year old classes are sparse, there is one in Feb that she could do with an adult on Making a Bird House – I think her and Aaron will be doing that one together.
Have an afternoon and you really want to see a movie – something with or maybe without your child? Celebration – Woodland offers all their movies at a ticket price of $3.50 – a total steal. We’ve taken Jessica to Ratatouille and when the new Veggie Tales movie is offered there we’ll probably venture out there again.
Also Celebration Cinema South offers Monday’s Movie’s for Mom’s – they keep the lights up a bit and turn the volume down so your little one isn’t disturbed and mom’s can catch the new releases without stares from other patrons. We did this often when Jessica was younger, I’m not sure it would work so well now that she knows whats going on in front of her.
Of course there’s always the mall play area, FREE and very entertaining for Jessica – Crazy Bounce, which she loves, but it’s spendy to do often, and the Aquatic Center is a huge hit – for only $3.50 per visit, it’s not too bad to splurge there a couple times a week if the need arises.

It’s true. And I get Midwest Living and devour every issue. I love Michigan and I especially love Holland.

This has not always been true. For a long time in middle school/high school I wanted to get as far away from this place as I could. That would still be nice for a time but I think our home will always be here. We’re 3 hours away from Chicago, only 20 minutes away from sandy beaches, 45 minutes from a large enough airport that getting anywhere is never hard. I can walk down the road to a local grocery store 6 days a week. There’s a pony farm right up the road from us and we’re 15 minutes away from neighboring towns such as Saugatuck and Douglas. As well as Zeeland, in the other direction.

If we hop on the highway we’re 15 minutes away from Grandville, which is a shoppers dream. In the summer Holland has a Farmers Market every week which is absolutely essential to the experience of living in our town. Fresh fruits, produce, breads, homemade goods, organic foodstuffs and more. It’s amazing. Oh and $6 fresh cut boquets. You simply cannot beat it.

Just as equally as charming as all the ammenities of this little town are it’s trails for hiking, biking or otherwise being in nature. They abound endlessly. We don’t have mountains here and we don’t have the painted canvas earth like Arizona or Utah – but we’ve got Beech Trees and Sand Dunes and 4 seasons.

I can’t wait for spring!