Not in a good mood

Tuesday: I went to bed really early on Monday and had a great night's sleep. Advent calendars:

 The two ephemera packs were from the Advent calendar swap, the gnome and minion washi are from mine and the decorative brads were from the 12 Days of Christmas swap.
Close-up of what's in the ephemera packs:

 And the Christmas one:

What I sent:

 Some chalkboard tags.
I didn't do much all day, just relaxed and read. I didn't get any mail. I did have a Christmas card in my work mailbox from a friend.
Wednesday:

 The ginger bread die cuts, trim and bling are from the Advent calendar swap, the washi and Snoopy journal are from mine and the Christmas ephemera pack are from the 12 Days of Christmas swap.
What I sent:

A mini journal that I altered.
I had signed up for a Favorite color tag Tuesday night, thinking I wouldn't worry about it until later as I will be doing my mailing on Monday next week, I woke up about 6:30, so figured I'd just go ahead and get it ready to be mailed:

 It's a journal. When I tried to find the person's address I'm mailing to, I couldn't find it in the database, so I tagged the person and asked them to post it. I saw they liked my post, but I don't see them adding their address. They could have had this by Friday, but by not following the rules of adding your address, they're going to have to wait until next Thursday at least to get it.
I did find out that I won a Winner Takes All on my mail group, and will be getting 32 pieces of mail from that. That totally made my day. I highly doubt I'll get any of them before I leave next week, so I'll have a pile of mail to open when I get home.
Work wasn't interesting. I got my presents mailed out as well as two ornament tags and a winter pocket letter.
I found a Christmas card when I got home:

 And a favorites tag:

Thursday:

 The mini notebook is from the Advent calendar swap, the lace from the 12 Days of Christmas swap, the gnome and Paris washi from mine.
I was really excited about the tiny notebook, mostly because she made it. I also got really excited about the gnome as well.
What I sent:

 Also a cute little notebook, not quite as small as the one above.
I was planning to go shopping, but then I got sucked into YouTube and ended up reading and watching TV and then my mom texted me saying we should get together on Sunday to exchange presents. She told me awhile ago that we should just do stocking stuffers because they didn't want to do big stuff. I wait until the big holidays, my birthday and Christmas to ask for big things that I want/need. Of course, I'm still waiting on the microwave they were going to get me for my birthday, so I guess I just shouldn't bother. Anyways, I kept with that. There were more things I would've bought for her, but every time I thought about it, I kept thinking of her wording of not needing more stuff, so I didn't. It worked out with my schedule this year to go on a short trip to visit my brother in Chicago, so we're heading out early next week and coming back at the end of the week. Mom seems all bothered about packing the stocking stuffers and taking them to Chicago. I can't imagine what stocking stuffer she has that she can't handle (or fit in a suitcase) to take to Chicago. Also, that means it would just be my brother and his girlfriend giving us stuff and us giving them stuff on Christmas, I'm not doing it, it's all packed and ready to go.
I'm just always so grumpy this time of year. I totally blame my parents. The first year I was with my ex, they said they were going to Rome for Christmas, when I said I wasn't interested in coming, they were just like, fine we don't care what you want. Thankfully, my ex said I could go home with him and that became our Christmas tradition. That was 2007. In 2011, my ex couldn't wait one day for me to come home with him, so he went home and basically never came back. He must've had some deep conversations with his family and decided to break up with me, because he never made contact with me after he came back. He finally broke up with me in a really long text message around Valentine's Day of 2012. Obviously I knew by then we were broken up, but this time of year just makes me grumpy. I think that's why I'm always going overboard with Christmas swaps and stuff and continuing into Valentine's Day with stuff. I just want someone else to give a damn about me.
No mail, which did not help my mood.
Friday:

 The gnome and washi is from mine, the stamp is from the 12 Days of Christmas, the rest from the Advent calendar swap.
So, that's 5 days of handmade stuff, 3 days being die cuts. I should have 7 more days of handmade stuff. There's only 4 more days left. GRUMPY FACE!!!
I'm thinking of putting all my gnomes and yeti's in next year's Advent calendar, I get so excited when I open days with those in them. I can't enjoy them except during this time of year, so I should put them early.
I'm definitely going down south shopping, if only because my mother pissed me off and that's how I deal with stress.

Toy story postcard

Sunday:

 The mermaid, unicorn coin purse, macaroon bath bomb and snowflake washi are from mine. The ribbon from the swap. I used the ribbon on the right to wrap a present already.
Day 15: what I sent:

I got my laundry done, watched some movies, and read a couple books.
I also got my mail packaged up for the week.
Christmas ornament:

 Christmas ornament:

 I usually don't allow myself to do more than one of a single tag, but I had some ornaments I wanted to get rid of, I was hoping to do 3, but the tag was Friday, so it was hard to get it in between my travels.
Gift for a friend:

 She likes Peanuts stuff, I figured she'd enjoy these. I picked Woodstock up at a thrift store last year and the socks at TJ Maxx.
A gift for a co-worker:

 Most of these are from swaps, she always says I can pass things on to her that I don't want. I did buy the reindeer candle holders and the snowflake. I didn't buy them this year, but I didn't want everything to be stuff I didn't want.
Monday:

 The die cuts are from the Advent Calendar swap, the washi, snowman and palm tree ornament are from mine, and the package of die cuts are from the 12 Days of Christmas swap.
I'm beginning to think all my partner made in the Advent Calendar swap was die cuts. To me, you don't really make those, you cut them out. Maybe if she'd done layered ones, that would be different. There are 9 more days left, we were supposed to make at least half of our items. I've had 3 days of die cuts and a day of handmade embellishments.
A close-up of the die cuts from the 12 Days of Christmas swap:

What I sent:

Some snowflake embellishments that I made.
Another one of my co-workers gave me a cute gift at work:

She made the cookies and ornaments. When she gave it to me, I was really excited about the ornaments, as I was admiring them, she says "there's cookies, too" I was more excited about the ornaments than the cookies.
My plan was to go shopping after work, but the boots I chose to wear are giving me a blister, so I went home and changed clothes and went shopping.
I found a couple pieces of mail when I changed my clothes.
RAK:

 I guess, I'm not sure, but it's cute.
A Christmas ornament:

 Very cute, but I almost had to rip apart the envelope to get it out.
I needed to find something for my brother's girlfriend, they have money, so anything they want, they just buy it. I usually just get her something nice.
My first stop was a local gift store:

 I found the star ornament and the snowflake ornament for her. I picked up the gnome for me. Total spent $13. I put the gnome in my Advent calendar for next year.
My next stop was a local toy store, they always have some interesting stuff. Totally just bought it all for me.

 scratch pack, stretchy lizard, sticky notes, nature activity book, green activity book, flowers dot-to-dot, tiny pegasus. Total spent $11. I put the scratch pack, the lizard and one of the activity books in my Advent calendar for next year.
Next place was another local gift store. I was looking for some fudge for my dad, I found this cute thing for me instead:

 Total spent $4. I put it in my Advent calendar for next year.
My last stop was a drug store. I wasn't going to go in here, but I thought I was there, I'd just look.

 Ghiradelli chocolate, keychains. Total spent $24. I had noticed a post about these mixed chocolate bags in my history on Facebook. I was extra excited when I noticed them, and then I found a bin full of Claire's stuff on clearance. These ranged from $8 to $10 each originally. I'd never pay that much for one thing, but I'll totally pay $8 for all of them.

 I think I'm done shopping. I'll probably put in some chocolates, but I'm done. My mom said we should just do stocking stuffers this year.
For my brother's girlfriend:

 the two ornaments I got today and a chocolate bar.
For my mother:

I feel a little bad that I don't have more for her, she's easy to shop for, because she collects Santas, but after she said she wasn't doing presents, I stopped shopping for her, I guess if she's disappointed, it's her own fault.
For my brother:

 He's also pretty easy to shop for, he collects reindeer. I picked up the Mario ornament because he played that as a kid. I also picked up the R ornament, because he likes green and his name starts with R.
For my dad:

The hardest person to shop for. I usually end up just giving him candy. Mom said that should be fine.

A Hedgehog

Wednesday: Advent calendar:

 The die cuts are from the swap, the washi and snowman are from mine.
Nothing too exciting happened throughout the day. I did have to rush back to the post office because I mailed a bunch of Christmas cards and said they were all the same when the clerk was checking them, and then remembered when I got home that one was going to Australia.
Found a RAK in my mailbox:

 Had a men's basketball game that night, walked home and my feet were wicked tired.
Thursday:
Advent calendar:

 the trees are from the swap, the washi and ornaments are mine.
I had originally planned to go to a Christmas fair, and a couple other places out west, but my feet still ached when I got up, figured I should give my feet a rest for the day. I had 9700 steps on Monday, 17,000 on Tuesday and 14,000 on Wednesday. I read all day instead.
Had a Santa tag in my mailbox:

 She said she wasn't sure what to send, I think she did a great job. I really love the tiny mailbox.
Also, a rainbow tag:

 Not so impressed with this one, I'm also missing a Dollar Store tag from her, but found out she was booted from the group for sending late.
Also, my Advent calendar swap partner is not posting what I sent her for the days, figured I'd post here, even though no one will see it.
Day 1:

 Thought it'd be nice to have her open this one early, so she could use it.
Day 2:

 One of the lace stars I made. I alternated handmade and store-bought.
Day 3:

 Everyone needs chocolate.
Day 4:

 The poinsettia and Santa were in my stash, I made the ornament one.
Day 5:

This was sent with my Advent calendar pocket letter last year, it's an album kit, since I didn't make it, I deemed it as a store-bought item. I thought I'd have her open this one early so she could use it as well.
Friday: The ephemera pack is from the swap, the washi and hedgehog ornament from my Advent calendar.

What I sent my partner:

Some tags I made.

I had to go in early for a work meeting, work was not busy. I was able to go to the back to take care of stuff in the last hour before we close.

Saturday: 

 Stickers and die cuts from the swap, dinosaur and washi from mine.
What I sent:

Got this in a swap as well.

It's December

Sunday: I was so excited to open my Advent calendars, they weren't that exciting. 

 My partner sent the sequin mix and the trim, I'm excited about the tiny pompom trim, I like the sequin mix, but I'm don't think I'll use it. Mine was the lace, gingerbread guys and the poinsettia flowers. Mine aren't numbered for days, I have numbers on them, just to make sure I got the right amount, but they're not pertaining to the days. I like it, obviously, I was just hoping for more blind bags/toys. I'm almost done with Christmas swaps, I don't know what I'll use them for.
I made a Christmas flipbook:

 I went flat this time, I'm kinda hoping it can be sent as a large envelope.
Christmas card:

 Happy mail:

 I finally finished my giant book and CSI: Season 5, both requested. I made tentative plans with my aunt to get together and help out with Christmas stuff at her house, and maybe some shopping.
Monday:

 My partner sent the double-sided tape and twine. I love the twine holder, not sure I'll use either of these. Mind was the ornament, washi and chocolate. I was surprised to find chocolate in there, I'm sure it's still good, I just don't usually put it in there for a year. I was wondering what happened to this ornament.
As I was leaving for work, I found an envelope stuck in my door, turned out to be a Christmas Happy Mail tag:

 It's very sparkly. I used a couple of the cut aparts. Figure I can use the trees for my winter pocket letter I have to do.
I also received 6 items in the mail.
Fandoms: minions

 I really like this, I was thinking of minions in general, but this will work.
Sticky notes:

 Very cute.
Christmas ornament:

 Not so happy about this, it showed up broken. It was sent in a regular envelope with one stamp, it's not surprising it was broken. Wood is not flexible, should've been sent non-machineable, not sure it'll get replaced, though.
Wrapped Christmas Gifts swag:

I was going to wait to unwrap it, but I was grumpy, so I unwrapped.

 I'm not so excited about any of it, though I might use the face mask, I kinda need some aloe vera cream. I'll eat the chocolate, not sure what I'll do with the garland.
Also received my replacement Wrapped Christmas Gift swap:

I couldn't wait on this one either.

 This one is a bit better, I like the journal, cards, gel pens, and the minions stickers. I'll pass the rest on. I'm thinking I just can't be pleased at Christmas, ever since my ex broke up with me (around Christmas), I'm just grumpy and I realize I shouldn't be, but nothing really seems to make me happy, I think that and the depression and I probably deal with SAD as well. I have no answers.
I put together a favorite animal: cats tag

Tuesday:

 My advent calendar had the sloth keychain and washi, the stickers and gems are from the swap.
I went shopping, first stop was the Dollar Tree:

 a couple layered sticker sheets, that second one on the top will become a pocket letter, and some fruit stickers. Some tiny gift bags, a 2020 calendar, some brown paint, a mini pineapple clipboard and some peanut butter clusters for my dad.

 air freshener, multi-purpose knife, toothpaste, Irish spring, pens.
I've been having a mouse problem and heard that if you put out Irish spring, they will keep away from those areas. Spent about $15.
I wanted to go to BAM, but knew I'd just end up spending money on stuff I didn't need, so I just went straight to Walmart instead.

 Double stick tape, pain gel, zit cream, mailing envelopes, cellophane bags. I've been making these cute lace stars and figured I'd give them out as New Year's gifts, but I didn't know how to package them, I thought I could wrap them up in some tissue paper and some cute bags.

 Surprizeamals, emoji holiday stickers, Toy Story toy, tiny ornaments. I did pick up a couple blind bags. It looks like I went with having a roll of washi in every day of my Advent calendar, of course I keep hoping I put blind bags in them, but I don't think I'm finding any and I want blind bags. This one turned out to be a multi-colored chameleon, he did wonders to my mood when I opened it. Spent about $37.
Last stop was Target, I've never done Target as my last stop before.

 chocolate and some red velvet chips ahoy. I really wanted more chocolate, but I refrained.

 toothbrush heads and tums. So exciting.

 A couple more kitty blind bags and llama blind bags. I'm hoping there will be some marked down blind bags after Christmas, but I'm wondering if stores are marking down their holiday stuff before the holidays lately. Target was really picked over, it looked like the last time I went when they were just stocking stuff. If my plans with my aunt fall through on the 19th/20th, I'll go shopping and see if people are having sales, otherwise I'll do after Christmas shopping and make sure I have blind bags for next year's advent calendar. I'm also thinking of continuing the washi thing, but picking up an empty Advent calendar at Hobby Lobby this year for that. Total spent $43.
Last stop: HyVee Drug

 I've been thinking of getting something for the post office window crew for putting up with me throughout the year, plus I know I don't have the same mail carrier, so it'd be stupid to give them something. Figured I'd drop this off next week with a card saying thanks.
I received a Christmas pocket letter in the mail:

 the goodies:

 Very simple.
I also picked up a bunch of books from our free shelf:

I ended up putting about 3 back, I do not have room for more books.
I ended up having about 17,000 steps by the end of the day. I basically took a shower and went to bed when I got home.