May 13th, 2008
When I was a kid in the 70’s we kept cool by staying outside rather than inside. Hardly anyone from the old neighborhood on 50th Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens had air conditioning then. Some of the people in the newer apartments had a Fedders unit under a window, but no one I knew had it. In the evenings we spent our time sitting on the stoop or in the backyard talking with friends and neighbors or playing hide and seek outside until our parents called us in. It may have been hot outside, but it was even hotter indoors.
There were eight of us in my family. My two brothers, three sisters, parents and I. We had a little fan in the kitchen but that did little to cool things down. Most meals were eaten at the two picnic tables my father put together outside under the giant maple tree. We ate every single dinner out there in the summer except if it rained. On the weekends we even had breakfast and lunch outside. Somehow the food always tasted better.
We had one of the bigger backyards in Elmhurst, though it pales to the acre my family has now. It was called a “double lot” and gave us ample room for a backyard basketball court, and an inexpensive swimming pool which we all helped my dad erect in the beginning of every summer. We learned some of our best curse words on the day we put up the pool. We also learned who our true friends were as people we hardly knew came out of the woodwork to use our pool each summer.
Sitting under the old maple eating dinner was fun. We talked, we joked, we fought… and all the while neighborhood life went on around us. We’d wave to old Mr. Valluzzi on the other side of the fence as he tended to his tomatoes and grapes with a fresh mint leaf tucked behind his ear. We waved to Mrs. Waddington as she came out to feed stale bread to the birds and we waved to Jimmy Sweeney or P.J. Greiner as they ran through our backyard and jumped the fence in an attempt to thwart off those in pursuit during a game of ring-o-leevio. We didn’t mind, we knew everyone on the block. I heard of families watching dinner in front of television sets, but I couldn’t understand why when our backyard was so entertaining.
After dinner on those hot nights Mom would break out the ice pops, such a treat, and ice cream cones on the weekend. I always bit the bottom off my cone and sucked the ice cream through the bottom. I suppose it might have been hot on those nights in July and August, but I don’t remember feeling uncomfortable, at least not until later on at night when trying to sleep while a fan blew the hot summer air around me.
Nowadays my new neighborhood doesn’t even have sidewalks. We eat dinner outside or sit out on the back deck but there are no neighbors to wave to and no friends using our backyard as command central. I keep telling my husband I want to move to a neighborhood, I want our son to experience the friendships and community we experienced on 50th Avenue. But he says it won’t be the same.
I know we can’t go back, but we can still dine al fresco and wave to your neighbors, even if they won’t let their kids run though our backyard.
Image via Old Elmhurst
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By Deborah Ng -- 4 comments
May 12th, 2008
If you gave your teen $1000 as a graduation present, how would he (and by he I mean he or she) spend it? Would he use it to help defray college costs or invest it in a savings bond? Would he put it in savings or spend it on a new gaming system.
My son is only six, so I’m not about to be giving him a grand right now. If I did I’d hope he’d use it for college or to invest in his future. I’d probably be very disappointed if he ran out and spent in toys.
What do you really, honestly feel your child would do with $1000 upon graduating from high school. Vote in the sidebar poll and discuss in the comments.
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By Deborah Ng -- 7 comments
May 10th, 2008
Today, we’re going to take a field trip. We’re going to the visit with blog three doors down from Simply Thrifty, Guerilla Parenting. Originally known as Super Nanny Rules, moms Kadi and Gayla dispense tough love parenting advice. In fact, Kadi, mom of seven, was actually on Super Nanny so she can truly share what she learned with others. Gayla has been sharing the benefit of her parenting experience for years over at MomGadget, and she’s someone I’m happy and proud to call friend.
I don’t know that I’m a big fan of guerilla parenting methods, but I do believe there are times when we need to be extremely firm and unbending in laying down the law. That’s not all of what Guerilla Parenting is about though. Gayla and Kadi also share touching and amusing anecdotes, review products, offer awesome giveaways and turn your on to other cool parenting blogs.
If you’re looking for some firm parenting techniques, stop by and visit Gayla and Kadi. Tell them Deb sent you!
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By Deborah Ng -- 0 comments
May 10th, 2008
Thanks who all particpated in The Couponizer contest. I’ll pick 10 winners at random this weekend and notify the winners. Please visit often for more contests, but don’t be a stranger. Just because I’m not giving anything away at the moment doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come on in and join us. We’re always up for company!
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By Deborah Ng -- 0 comments
May 8th, 2008
I enjoy online shopping for the convenience, but have been using it less because of the shipping. Thanks to skyrocketing fuel costs, shipping charges are outrageous. That’s why it’s good to now what stores offer free shipping. Note: Most of this applies to the continental U.S.
- Amazon.com - Free shipping on certain order over $25. Read all fine print.
- Coastal Contacts - Free shipping on orders over $100
- Zappos - Free shipping AND free return shipping.
- Discovery Store - Free shipping over $75
- Blue Nile - Free Fedex shipping
- Fresh Pair - Free shipping over $25
- BackCountry.com - Free shipping on orders over $50.
- Booksamillion - Free shipping on orders over $25.
- Parts Express offers free shipping on orders over $99
- Ice.com - Free Fedex shipping over $100
- Alohakine Designs offers free shipping on all their beautiful quilts.
- 1-800 Contacts - Free shipping on orders over $50.
- Avon - Free delivery when you shop with an eRepresentative.
- Cheryl & Co. - Free ground shipping
- Back Country Outlet - Free shipping on orders over $50.
- My Jewelry - Free shipping over $99
- Sephora - Free Shipping on orders over $75
- Barnes & Noble free deliver on $25 or more worth of “eligible” products.
- Lamps.com - Free shipping AND no sales tax
- Dog Funk - Free shipping within the lower 48.
- Drugstore.com - Free shipping.
- Bellacor - Free shipping on domestic orders with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii
- Case Logic - Free shipping on orders over $25
- Colorado Bag Company - Free ground shipping on orders over $100
- eBags - Free shipping on orders over $35
- Folica.com - Free shipping over $75
- Fragrance.net - Free shipping over $60
- Hp.com - Free shipping on selected items
- Lancome - Free shipping over $50
- New Balance - Free shipping over $99
- Shoe Buy - Free shipping & free return shipping
- Wine Country Gift Baskets - Free shipping on selected items
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By Deborah Ng -- 1 comment
May 7th, 2008
So my husband and I are suffering from a variety of ailments this week, probably the flu. Yesterday we were totally wiped out, today we’re functioning. My Chinese mother in law always has home remedies for what ails us. Some, like this tea that’s made up of some sort of bark, are just so nasty I can’t drink them. Others, like her sore throat remedy, work wonders.
I’d like to tell you about my mother in law’s kumquat tea remedy for sore throats.
Here’s how it works:
Place several kumquats and some honey in a mug and fill with hot water. Let steep but drink while still very warm. I can’t tell you how soothing the kumquat tea is on my raw throat. When my dad was undergoing chemo several years ago, he always had a raw throat. My husband suggested the kumquat tea and Dad found it so soothing he had it every morning in place of his coffee.
The only problem is kumquats aren’t always easy to find. In Queens, where my mother in law lives, there are so many Chinese supermarkets. Each has plenty of kumquats. It’s not something you can pick up at the local Stop ‘N Shop though. A fruit and vegetable market might have them or stores that specialize in health foods or specialty fruits.
Trust me on this, once you start using kumquat tea to soothe your throat, you’ll never go back to lozenges again.
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By Deborah Ng -- 3 comments
May 6th, 2008
Are you expecting? If so, celebrate with a dish or cone of soft serve. Baskin Robbins is celebrating the mother-to-be on “Bump Day,” May 21st. The promotion takes place from 11:00 AM until 10:PM at Baskin Robbins stores nationwide.
Mark your calendars. I wish they had Bump Day when I was pregnant!
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By Deborah Ng -- 4 comments
May 5th, 2008
`The owner and creator of The Couponizer was so impressed by the turnout for our giveaway two weeks ago she sent me 10 more Couponizers to give away! Now the odds of winning this great coupon organization system are even better! Would you like to win a Couponizer? Leave a nice comment in the space below and I’ll choose ten winners at random.
For a full description and review of The Couponizer, please see my original post.
Good luck! This contest closes at the end of the day Friday, May 9th.
Deb
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By Deborah Ng -- 426 comments
May 5th, 2008
I’ve been writing a lot about proms lately for a few of my b5 blogs. In my neck of the woods, the last weekend of May is prom, and right now teens all over are booking hair and makeup appointments and looking for the perfect dress. Through my two year stint as a wedding writer, I learned about some great ways to find cheap prom dresses and other formal wear, and I’d like to share some of those findings with you today.
Here are some great ways to find inexpensive prom dresses:
- Vintage Shops - Not only do vintage shops have some adorable retro-styles, but they also have some very inexpensive finds.
- Thirft Stores - A lot of women balk at the idea of second hand formal wear, but when you consider most formal dresses were only worn once - and for a few hours at that - it doesn’t seem so terrible.
- Consignment stores - Consignment stores won’t generally accept any merchandise unless it’s in tip top condition. For the best formal wear or designer duds, visit consignment stores in upscale neighborhooods.
- Ebay - You can find some great deals at eBay.
- Borrow from friends or relatives - Do you know anyone with prom dresses languishing in closets or attics? There’s nothing wrong with borrowing.
- Wedding shops - Wedding shops often have clearance racks where you can buy last season’s model at a great price.
- Make your own - If you’re handy with a sewing machine, buy a pattern and some material and make your own.
- Rent your prom dress - More and more formal wear rental places are springing up. This might be a better alternative than buying a dress you’ll only wear once.
A Note About Buying Second Hand Prom Dresses
Not all second hand clothes are in pristine condition. Always examine all merchandise thoroughly before purchasing because most second hand stores don’t allow for refunds. Check for rips, pulls, tears, stains and other damage. Ask yourself if you’re sure you can repair said damage, and if so, go ahead and buy the dress. You might even use that imperfection to haggle for a discount. You’ll also want to try on the dress before you buy it. The worst thing that can happen is that the dress doesn’t fit you and you can’t return it. If the shop doesn’t allow for try ons ask if you can return it that same day if it doesn’t fit.
Even though the dress might look clean, do dry clean your garment before wearing it, just in case.
A Note About Buying Prom Dresses Online
There are some great bargains on eBay and other online shops, but you can’t examine the merchandise. Ask the retailer for full disclosure on any damage and what happens if you receive the dress and it’s damaged or doesn’t fit. Unless you buy it with enough time to make repairs and alterations, it’s best not to buy formal wear online.
There’s no reason to miss out on prom because you’re low on funds. Plenty of shops have inexpensive formal wear - and the best part is - no one ever has to know.
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By Deborah Ng -- 1 comment
May 3rd, 2008
‘Morning thrifty friends. We have piano lessons in a little while so it’ll probably be afternoon before you see this, but here it is. This weekends list of thrifty links. Oh and I finally got around to updating the blogroll too. Do visit some of the great other blogs and websites on the list. Enjoy your reading…
Thanks for stopping by.
- Deb
I hope you’ll also visit some of my other blogs:
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By Deborah Ng -- 5 comments
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