High-brow hobby and weekend

When I was single, I was very aware of the fact that I had no cool hobbies. I like to read and travel, but everyone says that. And that was really all I had. So when I was meeting someone new or going on a date, and they said, "So, what kinds of things do you like to do?" I was at an instant disadvantage. :) But now, I officially have a hobby - one that I'm obsessed with. Luckily I am happily married, because this is not the kind of hobby that would get me a second date. I love getting up early on Sat. mornings and going to garage sales. Laugh, if you will, but I have gotten the coolest things at the greatest prices. One of my favorite parts is getting home and telling my mom and sisters about my great finds. If I couldn't brag about it afterward, I wouldn't enjoy it half as much. (They go to garage sales also, so it's a mutual brag.) So, for example, for Eli's birthday, I got Bionicles for less than $2 each, in their boxes with instructions and in great condition. I also got a big box of Legos, with different kinds of sets in it for $5.
For Tori's birthday, I got this wooden/magnetic Melissa and Doug doll in perfect condition for under $2. Truth be told, almost everything I got for my kids for their birthdays were great deals at garage sales. I also get many of their clothes there. I'm very picky. I get Gymboree, Baby Gap and other brand names and only stuff that is nearly new. I love shopping good sales as well, so some of their stuff is from real stores. :) By telling you this, I don't mean to encourage others to do the same. I don't need the competition!

I haven't yet written about a very fun weekend I had in July. My sister's husband planned a fun weekend for us to get away and relax. So Kimberly and I said goodbye to our husbands and kids and headed to Little America in SLC (a 4 star hotel!). We shopped, wandered around The Gateway, and ate at Biaggi's. We had Butternut Squash Ravioli there, which was heavenly. After, we went back to the hotel and read. I think that was my favorite part. I read a book called The Goose Girl, and was able to read most of it that night and the next day - all guilt free. The next day, we went to the temple. Thank you, Kimberly and Tom!