Thursday, December 30, 2010

Some thoughts

Are you guys sick of staring at that photo yet? This post is going to be what has happened in my life since my last post, and my thoughts of the new year. Throughout there will be random photos of my favorite garage sale finds of the year, because I know I don't like reading pictureless posts, and figure you all like something to look at as well.
This is a velvet painting that I just loved, my grandparents had one of these when I was growing up.
So, since I cut my finger, life has been pretty normal, I did learn how to shower with a plastic bag around my hand, and then got smart and bought rubber gloves. I had a virus attack my computer. I'm still not entirely sure how it got in, but it definitely came from a website. It was called System Tool, and looked like a virus scan program. It popped up saying I had a bunch of files infected and that I needed to get rid of them. The bad thing is, if I had clicked OK, I would have gotten rid of some very important files on my computer. I knew it was some kind of virus, as I had run my software a few days earlier, and had come up fine. I tried to delete the file, it put an icon on my desktop and in my start menu, as if I had downloaded and installed it. It wouldn't let me run my virus scan software or get into my control panel or task manager, saying they were all corrupted. I finally called DELL, and had them take control of my computer in safe mode. After running a few more virus software, and deleting my temporary internet files, it was gone. That cost me another bunch of money I can't really afford.

Here's my first teacup, starting my collection.

I got my stitches out and my hand is healing nicely. I was told it would take about a month to heal completely. I guarantee I'll have a nice scar. I noticed the other day that when I write (it's on my dominant hand), when I'm laying my hand on the paper or whatever, it kinda feels numb, but the doctor did say I might have cut some nerve endings. I also noticed it's a bit stiff when I bend my pinkie, but I figure that's normal as well. I love vintage handkerchiefs especially with embroidery.
For Christmas, I received quite a few things I had on my list: a new printer, which is also a scanner. A pair of black dress pants for work, 2 pairs of pajamas, some clothes, a hand beater. Next time I bake, it will be much easier. My friend, Loretta, made me a very cute journal. I'm still waiting to see what Kevin got me, I sent him home Wed night, figuring the weather would be much worse than it was on Thurs evening. He went back to work Mon night, and we're planning to have our Christmas sometime soon. It all depends on how his schedule works out, I'm kinda hoping he'll have New Year's Day or Eve off.

I love the bowl, carnival glass, and the glass.
I don't have huge plans for New Year's Eve. Right now my plan is to watch a couple movies with my parents, stay up until just after midnight and go to bed. I'm actually kind of dreading it, because my mother has decided that once again, I'm not doing enough to find another job (after losing one of my more permanent ones in September), and is requiring me to do volunteer work with my time. She's never quite figured out that when it's required or pushed on a person, they really don't want to do it. I guess since I live in their apartment, and don't pay rent (even though I've tried to give them money), I must do something else to their liking. They have this thought, that if they don't know what I'm doing all the time, I must be doing nothing.
Love everything in this photo. The stick pin is cloissone, I love these pieces. I gave the box to my stocking swap partner, more on that in another post. The bracelet was just so cute and dainty, and I've worn the earrings a couple times and gotten a lot of comments on them.
I have a few resolutions for next year, even though I don't really make resolutions. I'm trying to cut back on spending money on stuff I don't need. So, I'm not buying more HotWheels/Matchbox cars for myself, and probably won't be buying more for Kevin just for the heck of it. Or at least I won't be buying more than 2 at a time for him. I figure if it's really cool (meaning a great color scheme, or something he doesn't already have), it's ok, also when you find a good one in Matchbox, you kinda have to buy it, as they don't have cool/new ones out that often.
I'm going to think a lot about my garage sale purchases, and only buy the following for good prices: vintage hankies, preferably with stitching; tiny teacups, doilies, rose items, glass items mostly cups, creamers, and sugar bowls; and game pieces if they're really rare/old looking. I have way too much stuff as it is, and I don't need more. I'm also going to be on the lookout for good gifts, as they will be cheaper.
I'm going to try and not buy more craft supplies, I have a ton I don't use as it is. And it's not something I need more of.
The new schedule for the library starts in 2 weeks and I'm scheduled to work Fridays 1-6pm, so I won't have to worry about going to those garage sales. Though I do plan to be on the lookout for garage sales. I found I love going to them and that extra air of mystery of what might be at them. Also, other than having to be somewhere, I don't have a huge reason not to go, I can always plan not to spend anything.
I love finding creamers and sugar bowls, as well as the teacups.
I'm going to try and get back into walking every day. I have no reason not to, I'm just lazy. I gained more weight than I wanted to last year, and most of it is because I wasn't walking regularly, add that to the fact I lost one of my jobs that's probably about a mile in walking each night.
My favorite piece is the sugar bowl.
I want to join more swaps next year. A lot of the time, I'll join a swap and then back out because I waited until the last minute to make something. I hope that will get my creative juices flowing again.
I'm also planning on listing more stuff on Etsy again. With the amount of garage sales I went to last year, I did buy some stuff that I can list and hopefully sell on there.

I couldn't pass up the hair comb or the tiny teacup.
Here's an end of the year meme:
1. Will you be looking for a new job? Another job, for sure, hopefully something more permanent, I'm getting really sick of places closing that I work at.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship? I'm hoping to make more friends.
3. New house? Maybe, I hope to not live in this apartment forever.
4. What will you do differently in 2011? Like I said above, spend less, walk more, think more about my purchases.
5. New Year's resolution? Same as above.
6. What will you not be doing in 2011? I don't know, hopefully not helping another store close.
7. Any trips planned? Not at the moment.
8. Wedding plans? No.
9. Major thing on your calendar? My birthday, but that's normal.
10. What can't you wait for? Warm weather, as always. Though so far, we've had a pretty good winter.
11. What would you like to see happen differently? I would like to spend more time with my boyfriend, but unless he gets a different job, that won't happen.
12. What about yourself will you be changing? Like I said, I hope to walk more.
13. What happend in 2010 that you didn't think would ever happen? Didn't think I'd lose another job to a store closing.
14. Will you be nicer to people you care about? I always try.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 2010? Probably not.
16. Will you better your relationship with your family? I think it's a lost cause. I try, and then they just treat me the same, so I don't know if it's worth it.
17. Will you do charity work? Not unless I have to
18. Will you go to bars? I don't like bars.
19. Will you be nice to people you don't know? It's kind of a requirement in my jobs.
20. Do you expect 2011 to be a good year for you? I hope so, I hope I make more money, so I'm not struggling as much, but that's normal.
Love the silver tray and the hankies. Though I believe the hankies were embroidered later in their life. I sent 2 of the pins to my stocking swap partner.
Speaking of spending less money. My friend, Loretta and I went shopping Tuesday, and I didn't spend that much. We started at Target, where I chose not to spend $10.00 on a season of Bones. I did buy a box of Christmas cookies, that I'm almost done with, shouldn't have done that. I didn't go down the car aisle, so I didn't buy any of those. I did buy a Mountain Dew, shouldn't have done that either.
Then we went to Sam's Club, where I didn't buy anything, even though I was hungry and tempted to buy sugary food.
Then we went to Ankeny to Micheal's, where I spent less than $5.00. I did buy another clear stamp, and a plastic block, I bought a stationery set and some cards. Most everything was on sale and I used a 50% off coupon on something that wasn't. I decided not to buy more buttons, and I didn't buy any of the Christmas decorations, even though I wanted to.
Love this sundae cup, especially for the price of free.
I also have a lot more money in my wallet than I usually do. A few of the shirts my mother got me for Christmas didn't fit, so I got cash back for those. And I still have cash from before Christmas, now if I could just hold off on spending it that would be great. Usually when I have cash in my wallet, it gets spent pretty quickly.
Another teacup.
That's all I have on my mind. I hope everyone had a good Christmas, and has a good and safe New Year's. Hopefully I'll post more next year, no promises. Enjoy the rest of the pictures.
This is a compact with 2 mirrors.
A silver bowl.
Another cute glass, this one is pink depression glass.
Some salt cellars. I love the unique items at garage sales.
Another creamer.
The first vintage handkerchief I bought. I sent it to my treasured tin partner.
Some more cute cups.
Wanted to show a couple of the pins I love: the embroidered rose, and the red rose.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

I feel stupid

I was washing dishes today, and one of my glasses broke, and this is the result: I have about 9 stitches to sew that flap back on, went to the ER about 4:30, the pain is just starting now. I was told to leave my bandage on til tomorrow night, not to soak it, to wrap it up if I thought I might bump it, and leave it in the air if I'm just hanging out in my apartment. Also, to come back in 11 days to get the stitches out.
I'm still paying off my medical bill from my kidney stone last year, I'm not looking forward to seeing this bill.
Any well wishes will be appreciated, and I need some new glasses. Kevin said I'm getting plastic glasses for Christmas.