Skip to main content

It's OK to Let the Air Out



This morning I was watching "The Today Show" when a commercial came on advertising Sesame Street Live!  OH!!!!  I remembered taking our little cherubs to those shows -- how fun it was -- and how expensive it was too!  But I thought more about how fun it was -- and how cute they were (my cherubs, that is) -- and then again, how expensive it was! 

But then I remembered what we used to do!  That's what I want to share with you!  I prefer not to think of myself cheap -- 'cause I don't really think I am.  What I do know is that we only have so much money, and I can cut corners here in order to have "full corners" someplace else.  Life is about a little give and take, don't you think! 

Back to what I used to do.  Both of my cherubs L.O.V.E.D balloons.  Not just any balloon  --- yes, the plain ones were fun, but the shiny Mylar character ones were GREAT!  One time my son got a a mylar Elmo balloon from his Mimi.  Once the balloon lost it's zip from the helium, I got a great idea!  I stuck a straw into the little hangy-downy thing of the balloon, which opened up the little air passage, and I gently pushed all remaining trapped air right out of the Mylar balloon!  I folded that sucker up and stashed it in the closet!  I did this with several balloons that were cute or fun for the kids! 

Then guess what I did!  Whenever we were going to Sesame Street Live or some other gimmicky kind of place, or even if it was a Balloon-Kind-of-Day, I'd go dig through my neatly folded up, and used but perfectly good, Mylar balloons and find one that MOST looked like it fit the occasion and I'd run right to the grocery store and have that thing filled with helium and a new curly ribbon!  Often times, the story didn't even charge me for the helium.  The most I ever paid was a buck!  A buck! 


We ended up with a collection of about a dozen balloons.  One day, after several years of re-use, we decided to donate them to a children's wing of a hospital so that they could brighten up a kids day!  Hopefully my tip will brighten your day too!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charleston's Style Potato Soup

Love Charleston's! Love everything I ever eat at Charleston's. Love the blackened fish sandwich, which isn't listed on the menu but you can still order it, with glazed carrots. Love the carrots! Love the chicken fingers;  the best there are!  I rarely order them -- because it's not a healthy choice, but oh boy!  They're delish! Love the honey glazed croissant. L.O.V.E! Love the pork chops with smashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Love the potato soup! Seriously adore it! It's thick. It's simple. It's delicious! We don't have a Charleston's where we live. Boo hoo! Here's a close replica of Charleston's baked potato soup.  I found it at www.tastebook.com   I made some adjustments to the recipe.  Not because I think I "know," but because I didn't have everything on hand nor can my sweet girl cherub have some of the ingredients.  I made it and didn't tell my family what it was su...
3 comments
Read more

Neiman Marcus' Chicken Tortilla Soup

 I've been to eat at Neiman Marcus one time. It was really good! "Everyone" talks about the Neiman Marcus cafe and the things they love from there. Because I've only been once, my variety of selection is limited! However, I have had lunch with friends that serve this Neiman Marcus soup recipe. It is so delicious that I wanted to pass it along to you! If your weather is like our weather, one day you're making soup and the next your grilling out! But because these are simple ingredients, you'll be able to throw it together in a moments notice! Neiman Marcus' Chicken Tortilla Soup 3-4 chicken breasts; cooked and shredded (or whole chicken;  cooked & shredded) olive oil 1 c onion, chopped 1 c bell pepper, chopped 1 c celery, chopped 1 c carrots, chopped 1/2 T minced garlic 2 t cumin 2 t coriander 1 t paprika 1 t red chili powder 1 T oregano 1/2 t cayenne (adjust to your taste) 1 28-oz can diced to...
2 comments
Read more

Chicken and Artichoke Casserole

Picture from Cooking with Paula Deen ( . . .and aren't those cute dishes!) We first had this delicious casserole on Mother's Day while feasting at "Dining on Persimmon Hill," which is a restaurant at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK.  Side note --- if you have the chance to visit the Museum, please take advantage of the opportunity.  It is a wonderful experience!  And don't forget to eat at the museum restaurant.  It's delish! So back to the casserole.  After eating it we knew we had to find out the recipe!  The owner of the restaurant graciously shared her secret!  It's a Paula Deen; which means it's full of fat AND yummy flavor! This casserole is a hit with my cherubs and the Mr.  Also, whenever I make it for friends, they always want the recipe . . . maybe they're just being nice, I'm not sure!  When you look at the recipe, you might think it's a pain, but really, it is so easy!  ...
Post a Comment
Read more