An update on the front page story for the Wisconsin State Journal.
I had mentioned yesterday that there was an article about Freecycle, and that 5 of the 10 items mentioned that were given away had been ours, and the microwave a different guy gave away is sitting on our counter....

Anyway, DH checked his email yesterday and the writer of the article had emailed him Monday (for the Tuesday article), after he had already checked his email.
She wanted to talk with him. If he had read the email and gotten ahold of her, our names would have been in print, and the way the article had been written, the majority of it would have been about us....

When DH wrote her back, he said that if she ever did any more articles on Frugality or Simple Living, we would be more then happy to help.

Since the article came out, the membership to Madison Freecycle has more then doubled!!!!

The house assessment is tomorrow at 9am. As long as that goes well (which we both think it will), we'll be that much closer to closing.

A college friend emailed to let me know that she has started selling Avon. I know a lot of people can make good money doing this, but I wonder if it can ever compare to back in the 50's-60's.
You didn't have Walgreens, Target, etc... offering quality cosmetics and body care. I know Avon isn't as expensive as a lot of items out there, but at the box stores (Target, etc.... stores that are all laid out similar), you can get your product right away and most likely at a very competitive cost.

I think the appeal of Avon and MaryKay is that there is still personal interaction. For me, the parties are okay, but I would rather just have a representative come over, and have it be one on one. The thing that I don't like about parties is the pressure to have a party yourself, and to go to a friend's party even if it's for something you don't use.

I asked her to send us a brochure and to recommend (if they have anything) for Spyros's super dry, weather-beaten hands.
I am also curious to see what they have available since I haven't looked at a booklet in years. Plus if I can help out a friend, all the better.

I was looking through last year's Family Circle Christmas issue (free from the library magazine exchange), and I came across an article about buying gifts from different charities and organizations. The receiver gets a nice gift and the organization gets money for their cause.

After this past Christmas and having received lots of gifts from my Dad, Step-mom and Step-sisters, DH and I both agree that with the Frugal/Simple life we want to live, this is not something that we want to continue to do.

My Mom and Step-Dad on the other hand, did the opposite. (Past Christmas at their house was always filled with gifts too.) Mom made us an afghan and a pair of slippers each. We also got a pair of PJs and a box of candy.
This was the perfect amount. Of course if we just spent time together with no gifts that would be just as great.

I want to write a letter to Dad, Step-mom and Stepsisters expressing how we want to incorporate our simpiler life into a more simple Christmas. But if they are still reluctant to give up the gifts, besides homemade gifts or great sale items, I would enjoy giving gifts from charities.

Hmmm... Any thoughts? Do any of you celebrate the Winter Holiday Season without giving gifts or just homemade ones, or possibly just an ornament exchange?

Frugal/Simple Thought of the Day: Don't be afraid to speak your mind, you never know what positive things may come about because of it. Although it may not always turn out for the best, at least you can feel good because you tried, and you won't have to keep asking, "What if?"