Friday, October 31, 2014

Friday Confessional

So, it's Friday, I thought I'd do a Friday Confessional
FRIDAY CONFESSIONAL at HIGH-HEELED LOVE

I confess....
It's payday, but after I paid all my bills, I'm rather bummed about the amount left in my checking account. I try to remember the days when I had less than $200 in the bank, so this really isn't much, but I still get depressed. Christmas is coming up and that means swaps and gifts.

I confess....
I look so forward to swaps every year, but I might have to not participate in a few. I commented on CG swaps about the 12 Days of Christmas swap, and I love picking things out for people, but I think I'm gonna have to forgo that one this year. I really do want to participate, maybe I can do that one and not sign up for more.

I confess....
It's Halloween, so I'm watching my favorite movie:
 It's not a great movie, but I saw it at a friend's house (or at least parts of it), when I was younger and have loved it ever since. My second favorite would be:
The Last House on the Left (2009) Poster This one is more violent, but not as bad as the original. I was reading the plot on Wikipedia about the original, and that one's really violent.
 
I confess...
I need to stop spending money on stuff I don't need. I've told myself this in the past, but after paying my bills (tomorrow), I'm gonna have less than I want in the bank. I've tried to stay above a certain point, but with the raising of my rent this year and having to pay for laundry, I'm gonna have to really get hard on myself.
 
I confess...
I really wanted to dress up this year, but I couldn't justify spending $30 on a costume, and I'm not that creative at putting things together so they look cute. I wanted to do a steampunk thing, but I'm not that good at sewing and that would have taken much more than the skill I possess. I did buy a jack-o-lantern t-shirt yesterday, that was more than I should have spent though.
 
I confess....
I was trying to downsize earlier in the year because I was going to be moving, so I was getting rid of stuff. I know I'll have to move in the near future, but I still want to buy stuff for myself.
 
I confess....
I spent about $50 on stuff yesterday, for me and Christmas, but it looks like that might be the last time I spend money on me.
 
I confess....
This is a very depressing post, but I was all excited that it was payday and then I spent all my money, so I feel the need to complain.
 
I confess...
It's November tomorrow and that brings basketball season and shifts at my other job, so I'll get a bit of money there, little bonuses.

I confess....
I really need to get some reading done. I was doing so well and then I got more movies from the library and got behind. The movies are always due back earlier than the books, so I feel I need to watch them. I really need to stop requesting all the new movies and just get the ones I know I want to watch. I also need some not so thick reading books. Most of the books I have checked out are close to 300 pages, sometimes I just don't want to read that thick of a book.
 
I confess.....
I'm tired and bored with my life.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Christmas Swaps

It's coming up on Christmas swap season. I'm planning to join a few, as you can see from my last post I already joined a Cozy Box 2014 Swap. #cozyboxswap2014
cozy box swap
I'm hoping to join the 12 Days of Christmas Swap at Chaotic Goddess Swaps, I joined this one last year, and even though there were a couple kinks, it was still lots of fun.

I also have joined an ornament swap in years past, we exchanged ornaments the other person would like.
I've joined the Button Floozies White Christmas Button Book Swap, we'll make either a paper or fabric book full of buttons for our partner.

I love Christmas, and I love picking out/making things for people. My mom said we shouldn't do presents or just do small ones, so I guess if we're doing that, I should just do swaps.

New Swap

It's Christmas Swap time, and one of the swaps I joined is #cozyboxswap2014
cozy box swap
Like most swaps it's a get to know someone and send them cool stuff swap. Sound like fun? Go on over to Lipstick and Tractors and sign up for yourself.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Turn Turn Turn for Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time again, head on over to Joyce's blog to see what other people are saying.

1. Elizabeth Lawrence is quoted as saying, 'Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." So have you done just that? And what did you leave undone in order to do so?
No, I don't really do that.
2. Since we're talking turning...what's one thing you feel you're doing 'every time you turn around'?
Cleaning in my apartment. Now, if I would just wash my dishes at the end of the night and pick up my stuff instead of leaving it on the floor, I wouldn't have to do that.
 3. How hard is it for you to 'turn the other cheek?'
I don't have a lot to worry about on that account. I guess I get a little stressed and swear at people under my breath when they annoy me, but I don't come out and accuse them of it. I can't think of anything that has caused me to call the cops or anything like that.
4. When did you last turn a drawer, your car, a room, or your entire house upside down looking for something? Did you find it? This afternoon actually, since Christmas is coming, and I like to start wickedly early (like in January), I tend to lose things throughout the year. I'm trying to put everything in the same place and plan out who I'm missing things for. I was looking for a piece of artwork I bought my mother in January, I did find it. Unfortunately, I didn't find the other item I was looking for. I was pretty organized until I started packing things up thinking I'd have to move. There are a lot of boxes where things are just thrown into them from when I had to have my apartment clean for showings.
5. 'One good turn deserves another'...were you most recently on the giving or receiving end of that sentiment?
Honestly, I don't know.
6. Red, yellow, and orange are the colors of fall. Also the colors of fruit. If you were permitted only one color of fruit in your diet, which would you choose? This question isn't as easy as it sounds, at least not for me.
That is not an easy question, because I don't eat a lot of fruit. Even when I buy it and it's sitting in my kitchen staring at me all week I still don't eat it. I think I'm more partial to red though, I buy red apples, when I actually buy apples, I like strawberries and watermelon. Those are probably the fruits I do eat the most.
7. The Hunt for Red October, October Sky, Halloween...which 'October' film is your favorite?
How about Halloweentown? It's a nice kids movie where a 'normal' family is living in the US and grandma comes to visit every Halloween. Turns out grandma's actually a witch and mom and daughters are in line to become witches in Halloweentown, but mom wanted to raise her family normally and left. Unfortunately, there's a horrible warlock in Halloweentown that's turning everything weird and grandma gets taken and the family has to save her. I think it's pretty cute.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of Christmas (I know, no one wants to), I realized two months from Saturday is Christmas. That doesn't really bother me, because I've gotten presents for people. We're actually going to Charleston, SC over Christmas, so I'm not sure we'll be doing much around here for Christmas. I'm thinking of getting small presents and putting them into gift bags for people, I figure that will be pretty easy to transport, plus still fun.
On another note, my parents are not to pleased about November coming soon. If you've been reading me for awhile, you know that my parents bought a condo in my old elementary school and had to sell the house. In theory, they were going to be able to move in November 1st, so they're living across town in a condo owned by the people renovating the school. My mom told me on Saturday that they may not be moving in until December. I know she's stressed about that. I'm also wondering how that's going to work out, because most of their winter clothing is in storage. And then there's the whole part about having the movers scheduled only to find out they can't use them on that date and have to schedule them later out. Plus, like I said we're going to Charleston in December, not that it's right at the beginning, but I'm sure they'll still be unpacking when we're getting ready to leave. And, Thanksgiving, that's another fun issue. Normally, my brother comes in from Chicago and makes lunch, that includes soaking the turkey in a brine overnight and he has to turn the turkey because it's generally too large for the bucket it's soaking in. There's not much room for him to sleep in my parents condo where they are now, he could always blow up the air mattress. I know we're all hoping to have Thanksgiving at their new condo, but we'll adapt if that doesn't happen.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Etsy Swap

Hi All,
I participated in a swap where we followed our partners through social media and bought things off their Etsy favorites site.
My partner was Katherine Lau, she has now received her package, here's what I sent her:
A bunch of floating flower candles, she said she liked flowers and bright colors. 
 A cute little notebook, doesn't everyone need one of these?
 A bird nerd from Collage-O-Rama. I really liked this, I almost bought one for myself.
 A pack of key charms from Charm Emporium, very cute.
 And a pair of acorn earrings from Ashley Elaine Designs, also very cute.
I wrapped everything, because I think it's way more fun to unwrap each present, not just see them when you open the package. Because I was lacking a bit of packing material, I also added an orange ombre scarf.  I'm still waiting on one little piece, I'm thinking it's lost in the mail.
I thought it was pretty cool that she makes papercuts, way back when I started doing art, papercutting was the second thing I learned to do, right after origami and before stamping.

My partner was Brandi from Lipstick and Tractors, here's what she sent me:
A sparkly butterfly, a couple rolls of washi tape, one is owls, the other green with spots; some metal charms, a few felt owls and some cute owl earrings. I think my favorite piece is the owl earrings. I did get all inspired to alter a cigar box with the butterfly.


I liked this swap, except for the fact that I had to pay separate shipping on all my Etsy purchases. We were all supposed to spend $25 for the gifts, thankfully the shipping wasn't too bad, but I hate paying shipping. I decided I could handle it because someone was doing the same for me. I might bow out of more swaps in the future, I've been trying to save money and sadly spending money on swaps does not save it. Maybe, if I could find more ones where I get to make things...

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Grouchy Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time again. I'm kinda in a funk where I'm not really caring about much lately, so I didn't participate last week, I'm still in that funk, but since I like reading other people's answers, I feel it's only fair to provide my answers as well, plus it's a bright spot in my week. So, go on over to Joyce's to see what other people said.


1. What's your favorite time of day? Why? It used to be mornings, I liked waking up and deciding on what to wear, but lately I've been waking up later and just choosing the next thing hanging in my closet. I think I like the afternoons, I'm trying to read some of the 37 books I have checked out from the library, also it's quiet downstairs (I live on the third floor of a house and the people below me have a 3-year-old who has a lot of energy).

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house? I don't have any of those, but I would say maybe my toaster oven. Sometimes it stops counting down when I put the timer on it, it just sits there, and I have to reset the timer or give it a little nudge. It's pretty sad as it's only about 6 years old, I would think it should last longer than that.

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy? certain things at work that I'm not going to discuss. Some things just don't make sense to me.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see? Personally, I have no interest in going to Canada, but browsing the site, I choose Calgary, because in the tiny description it mentioned a zoo.

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite? Honestly, I don't know, but I'm guessing pizza, because what kid doesn't like pizza? I still like pizza, but it generally costs more money than I want to spend on it. Right now, I'm a big fan of dark chocolate.

6. Do you cry easily? Not really, unless I'm watching a sad movie. I chose to watch Now is Good, about a girl with cancer and her last days and then The Fault in Our Stars about two teenagers with cancer, and then Soul Surfer about a surfer girl that was bitten by a shark but kept surfing, today, so my eyes did not stay dry. But, in real life I don't cry about much.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it? I started my Christmas shopping last January. I always start it that early, I've seen how stressed my parents get around the holiday time, so when I started shopping for people, I started early. I think it's more fun to pick up things for people throughout the year. My mom said we shouldn't do presents this year because we'll be going to Charleston, SC over the Christmas holiday, but I'm still doing a few small presents for people.

 8.  Insert your own random thought here. Today is my grandma's birthday. She turns 98.

Thursday, October 02, 2014

last weekend

So, last weekend, I went to a few sales and an annual art festival. Saturday, I got up and noticed it had rained overnight, when I went started going to sales, the rain had stopped for the day, and had been done for about 30 minutes. I guess since it rained overnight, sales decided to get a late start setting up and/or uncovering their stuff, three of the five sales I went to either decided not to set up at all, or were just getting to it. I left my house at 9AM because that's when the closest one said they were starting, they were just bringing things out to tables, so I skipped it, I did go back later though. The second one was just uncovering and I felt awkward going through their stuff when it wasn't uncovered yet, so I skipped that one. The third was open at 7AM and they had their stuff out and ready, I bought a TV tray from them. The fourth didn't even set up, I could see a tent from further up the street, so I went over to it, but there was nothing out, as I was leaving, someone else walked up to it. The last sale was barely setting up as well, this was very close to 10AM and they supposedly started at 9, they didn't have much out and were still pricing and setting up.
I understand it rained the night before, but I also know it hadn't been raining for about half an hour, so I was really annoyed that people hadn't gotten outside and set up sooner. These were at the last sale, be sure to click and make them bigger, they are goregeous
 Did you see the price tag? One dollar each? Like I said they were gorgeous, but I have no place to put them, so I left them behind. This week as I was checking craigslist for sales, I see someone bought them and was trying to resell them for $15/pair. I felt kinda sorry for the person who sold them last week, not only did they not to go a home that actually wanted them, they're trying to sell them for a bunch more. Oh, well, I guess that will eventually happen anyway.
Here is the TV tray I bought, along with a balsa wood box found in the free box at the last/first sale I went to.
 Here's what I bought: everything but the Hello Kitty key chain, the hexagon box, and the crystal piece were in a box for a quarter. I really only wanted the tiny caterpillars, but I liked the other stuff too.
 Sunday was the annual art festival. I had decided before going I was going to buy some collage packs from a lady who makes books, unfortunately, she wasn't there this year.
Here's what I did get
 a cute knitted creature, a wooden snowman, and a money clip with a computer chip on it.
The money clip I mailed to my brother for his birthday, he works with computers so I figured he'd find it intriguing. I doubt he'll actually use it, as I don't believe he actually carries cash anymore.

So, I decided to create an Advent calendar for myself. Every year, I say I'm gonna make a cute one with neat gifts that I pick out early in the year, and every year I don't. This year, I started collecting tiny boxes to put things in. I'm going to put in future purchases, there are a couple annual fall sales coming up; but I also scrounged up some stuff around my house that I haven't used very much, or put away and forgot about.

I spent a $25 gift card at Amazon last week on stickers:
They were so cute, but now I want to create with them and I don't know what. Any suggestions?