Friday, March 28, 2014

Fun Finds

Last week was spring break, and a favorite antique mall of mine was having spring break sales, I convinced my mom to go with me. Unfortunately, we only had a little over an hour, but I did find some neat stuff to buy:
 a cute Santa Bingo card assemblage for my mother, a tiny McDonald's car (my grandmother had one of these when I was a kid), a Pepsi marble (I just thought it was cool), and a couple quilted pieces (I love quilts, they're always out of my price range though, so when I find something tiny and quilted in my price range, I jump on it).
The next day I stopped over at Hobby Lobby, I noticed I don't have a good Happy Birthday stamp, that's the whole reason I went, but I bought a lot of stuff and not a stamp. Everything was on sale, though, that counts for something, right?
 burlap/fabric flower stickers, colored burlap flowers, blue paper flowers, and colored burlap flowers on sticks
 a cute picture frame, some steampunk stickers and buttons.

Last night, my friend and I went back to the same antique mall and spent almost 3 hours in it, here's what I found:
a large tintype wedding picture (I thought it was a steal at $3), and the cutest pig toothpick holder. It was kinda funny, my friend said she didn't really like antique malls, she was just going because I wanted to go, she ended up spending more money than I did.
Afterwards, we went to Target to see if there were any neat Easter items. I found a few:
a bag of shaped Easter eggs filled with candy (I figured, after Easter I could use them in swaps, they were soo cute), a set of Easter eggs with prizes, a pod of cucumber seeds (these were really neat looking, you just plant that little pod and water it, the outside is biodegradeable and it just grows right out of it, I thought maybe I could handle that), the flower, is a solar flower, my friend got me.

Today, I have to run quite a few errands. I'm mailing my cards for Kimberly's Pink, Black and Bling swap, going to lunch with a friend, looking at a couple apartments, going to Walmart and Dollar Tree for stuff I forgot to buy last night and ending up at the grocery store for ingredients for bread pudding.

HELP

Is anyone having trouble updating their Blogs I'm Following gadget? I've been trying to get all the blogs I'm following listed in this gadget, I've gone through the steps multiple times and it still shows up empty on my blog.
I got a few on, unfortunately, I could only do it by adding URL's, which will take awhile because I follow quite a few blogs. And then, it decided to stop doing that for me.
Anyone have any suggestions?

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time again, check out Joyce's blog to see other people's answers
1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'? How about see which way the wind blows. With things changing at my job and having to move and sort things out and see where things go on that route, and sometimes in just planning my days, it seems to change so fast.

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food? I like pistachios. I know I've made a pistachio bar before with pistachios crushed in the frosting and pistachio pudding in the actual bar.

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell! I locked myself out of my apartment once. I had to go get a key for a different door, shimmy the chain off of it and slide inside. In this apartment, you can't lock the door without the key.

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why? I can't pick between Mike Wasowski and Kermit, I have figures of both of them sitting on my desk so I can see them while I'm using my computer. I love frogs and Kermit trumps all frogs, and how can you not love Mike?

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not? That sounds like a great idea, if you don't have hope, I don't think you have much.

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title. The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News. I always think of Back To The Future when I hear it. Side note, I put my media player on shuffle and kept skipping through until I found a song that had an emotion in it, it took awhile, and I really do like this one, even though it's also the first one I found.

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take? I love to travel on some road that has a lot of thrift and antique stores and garage sales. With friends, what more could I want. I'd love to stay in the older hotels and eat at local eateries and visit cool random tourist shops.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I feel so stressed lately, this afternoon I was at work and felt like crying, I had just read some emails that upset me greatly. With everything going on, I feel like I need a break from my life.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Buttons

I broke down and bought some buttons at JoAnn's the other day. They were just so bright and shiny:


 How do you pass those up? I'm so sick of the not colorful outside, so I bought them. I have used a few for a colorful birthday card:
And then I found out I don't have a "Happy Birthday" stamp, so I guess I'll have to go find one of those.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for the Wednesday Hodgepoge again. Check out Joyce's blog to see other people's answers.

1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?Totally go walk in the woods. I would be able to walk in the woods, unfortunately, my day is pretty full on Thursday.
2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)Funny that this is a question. One of my bosses at one of my jobs told us our schedule changed last night for an upcoming event. It's a little annoying because I'm going to have to shift things around to be able to work my scheduled time now.

3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring? I can't think of anything new I want to do. I will start perusing the garage sales again.

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching? I do not like movie theaters, they're expensive, loud, lots of talking/crying people/kids. I prefer to check a movie out from the library and sit in my living room. The last time I went to a movie was around Thanksgiving, my friends wanted to see the new Thor movie. I'm still not sure it was worth the $8 to get in.

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you? I want them to like me, but doesn't everyone? I want them to think I'm fun, I think that's why I wear a lot of character shirts. I don't want to be thought of as dull and boring.

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item? Microwave dinners. That's about the only thing I purchase, every once in awhile I do get ice cream. I'm always looking for something new and different but yummy.
7. What's something you avoid? Anything? Grumpy people, stress, my parents, cold,

8. Insert your own random thought here.
So, I have to move (if you've read Hodgepodge lately, you know this) and I've been sorting and getting rid of things. My mother asked the other day if I was stressed about the move. I said not so much, and she asked why? I told her I had so many other things to be stressed about. I didn't tell her what because then she'd stress me out by trying to help. She did get a little annoyed about that, but they always want to know what's going on in my life, I find that a little annoying.
My stresses include: my job changing in March (I'm being demoted, along with quite a few of my co-workers), maybe getting a salaried job (but, that will be open to the public and just not internal, so I don't know my chances on that), whether or not I'm staying with my current job (I want to, I just don't know if it's feasible with how my job's changing), the move back of the library (we're in a temporary location, our permanent library will be done in the fall, and we'll be moving back then), and of course my own move (I'm having a hard time finding apartments in my price range, which means I need to find a job that pays more money, but I'm hoping to prolong it long enough to see if I get the salaried job), and of course money (I do have more now than I've ever had, but that's due to cancelling certain things and getting them cheaper, if I have to start paying higher rent, that's not going to last).
I'm really good at hiding my stress. Sometimes I think it's really bad for me. Sometimes I wish I could share everything that stresses me to someone, but I don't have anyone I can tell it to (I do have one person, but we get together infrequently, and she has a lot on her mind as well).  

Friday, March 14, 2014

I confess

I'm stealing this from The Testosterone Three and Me.
I confess....
  • My friend and were supposed to go to a local antique mall today, but she got called into work. I'm really upset by it.
  • I was sooo excited yesterday, I haven't been to this particular antique mall in years (not an exaggeration) and they are having a spring break sale, starting today.
  • I have extra money due to cancelling things and getting them cheaper, I wanted to spend some of that money on vintage buttons and linens.
  • I was going to go on a walk because the high today is 52, and walking makes you feel better, but all I felt like doing this morning was laying in bed and being a mope all day.
  • In being a mope today, I have somehow forgotten to eat lunch, maybe I'll just have ice cream
  • I should know better than to be excited about our plans, I feel that something comes up quite a bit to get them cancelled or derailed.
  • I really want a hug. It really floored me last night to get the text saying she had to cancel
  • I know she can't do anything about it and you have to work when they tell you to, but....
  • Last weekend, I made cheesecake, and it turned out really good.
  • I was always scared of making cheesecake, I thought it was above my skill level and I don't have a spring-form pan.
  • I'm so sick of apartment hunting and realizing I need more money to be able to afford monthly rents.
  • I tried to get one of my friends at the library to go in on a nice apartment, close to the library, with laundry, but she said she didn't want to live with a roommate.
  • I don't either, but that might be what happens
  • I really wish they would hurry up and figure out this position at the library, so I can plan
  • I really wish I get this position at the library, but knowing how many people in the library are going to apply for it and that it will be open to the public, I think I need to just accept that I need a new job
  • I don't want a new job.
Where's the easy button?

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Hodgepodge Vol. 166


1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree. Not really. I know my dad's side is German and my mom's side is English. My last name is kinda unique, so through reading things, I found out one of my relatives worked at Auschwitz and another one ran the Andersonville prison camp during the Civil War.

2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying-"Luck is the residue of design."Agree or disagree? Why? So, you design something, and luck is whatever's left over? I'm not entirely sure what I think.

3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space? McFarland Park brings back a lot of memories, but the place we go to the most is Reiman Gardens, but it's more for the gardens. Since I became single, I don't really hang out in parks much.

4. Who is your favorite comedian? Jim Gaffigan. Some of his stuff's a little vulgar, but I do find it applies to everyday life quite well. My friends and I went to a Mexican restaurant not so long ago, and I was asking them what they thought things were and then I remembered one of his skits. He supposedly used to work in a Mexican restaurant and people would ask him what things were "What is nachos?" "Nachos? It's tortilla with cheese, meat and vegetables." "Oh, well then what is a burrito?" "Tortilla with cheese, meat and vegetables." "Well than what is a tostada?" "Tortilla with cheese, meat and vegetables." "Well, then what I-" "Look, it's all the same shit! Why don't you say a Spanish word and I'll bring you something."

5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way.  What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try? I don't diet. I'm really good at not eating healthy. I should have better breakfasts, I should stop drinking pop, I should make more of my meals instead of eating frozen meals. The key word being should. I am again trying to cut down on my pop, we'll see how that goes.

6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain. Ummm, no. I'm not envious of anyone, I can't grow things, I haven't been sickly, and I haven't been given the ok to do anything.

7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting? I mind waiting everywhere. I try to bring something to do so it doesn't seem like very long.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. One of the ways I'm cutting down on drinking pop is by not going to the HyVee gas station that's on my way to work. Last week, their sidewalk wasn't completely cleaned off, so I told the clerk. It still wasn't shoveled the next day when I went in, so I mentioned it to a different clerk and he rolled his eyes at me. Thursday, it still wasn't shoveled. Sunday, I sent an email to the HyVee at the other end of the parking lot. I haven't heard anything back, but I told them because of the rude clerk I wouldn't be using the gas station anymore.
Tonight, I successfully didn't. I did drink a can of pop that I bought somewhere else, but I did not go to the gas station on my break, or on my way to work. I will still be buying things at the HyVee, but I don't plan on frequenting the gas station anymore.
Also, last week, I mentioned that I got my hair cut, everyone keeps saying how cute it is. So, I'm hoping it really is. I like it, I don't like that it dries funny if I sleep on it. I never had bad hair days when I had long hair.

Saturday, March 08, 2014

Butterflies and Cheesecake

I love vintage jewelry. I love going to garage sales and finding cute jewelry. It's winter, though, so I visit our consignment stores for my fill of gently used goods. Last time I went to one of my frequent stops, I looked at their jewelry case, bad idea, now I check it out every time I go in.
Yesterday, I felt I should visit a few places downtown, I didn't plan to spend money, but I did find a few pieces to take home with me.
 A cute basket of flowers, a ring of flowers, 3 butterflies, a caterpillar and a cute pair of earrings.
 
 I also found that really cute square piece.
If you haven't noticed, I really like butterflies. I don't really know exactly why, but I try to pick them up if I see them.

Tonight, I have a trivia event I go to with my family every month. My job is to bring dessert. This month, I decided to try making cheesecake. I've never made it before, mostly because I think it's above my skill level, and I don't have a spring form pan. My co-worker, who makes cheesecake a lot, told me I didn't need one and that I should really try it.
I bought a Taste of Home Grand Prize Winners magazine at the grocery store the other day, and they had a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake. It looked sooo good, so I decided to try making it.
I messed up a couple things, but it tastes delicious to me. Hopefully, everyone else agrees.

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Check out Joyce's blog for other people's answers.

1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way? I can't give you a specific time, but most likely it was when I was late and looking for something because I didn't plan ahead. I have a tendency to hurry through my apartment, throwing things around until I find what I'm looking for, or run out of time and leave.

2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going? Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home? No, I've never been to Mardi Gras. I have, however, been to Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. My dad had a radio conference there where I was in high school, and I got to go along. One of the night events was to go to Mardi Gras world and have dinner there. It was pretty cool.

I'm not sure I'd want to go be around all those crowds and drunk people. I don't wear a lot of those colors. Green is probably most prevalent in my wardrobe, though I'd like to have more purple. Green again, my favorite colors are blue and green, though I'm trying to bring more vibrant colors into my home.

3. Are you old fashioned? It depends on what we're talking about. I think I may be old fashioned in what I expect out of people. I really hate that people have to check their phones all the time, like at work and when you're out with other people. I expect them to pay attention to what they're doing.
And I love antiques and old houses.

4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous? I like to plan certain things out. I like to make sure I have a hotel to stay at. But, usually I'll just kinda wing it when I get wherever I'm going, unless there's something I want to make sure I see and I need to set up a tour ahead of time.

5. March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce? I like pesto. It's easy to make and makes things taste very good.

6. What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye? Animals

7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why? I don't do sports

8. Insert your own random thought here. I cut my hair yesterday. It was at the length where when it's in a ponytail, it annoyed me. It was about chest length and now it hits my ears. The stylist said it was about 8 inches cut off. A pretty drastic change. I work almost right next door to a Great Clips, so I figured I'd just go after work. It's Tuesday (when I write this), very few people have seen my hair cut. I'm curious how people will react when I go into work tonight.