Stuff?

Remember how I said I was going to try and save money? Well, I'm doing a pretty poor job at it. Partly because I keep signing up for swaps where you send your partners gifts. I signed up for 2 Easter swaps (technically 3, but the other one I made something), and a Spring swap. And then I went to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's to make sure I had sufficient items for the swaps and spent a bit at Hobby Lobby, because they had they're "summer" stuff out, and that wasn't on sale. This first picture is an idea of what I'm sending someone for one of my Easter swaps. It's only an idea because we haven't gotten partners yet. This one is what I'm sending my partner in the Spring swap

And here's the box for my other Easter Swap.

Obviously you can't see much, but I needed pictures for the post, and the last box is not filled with lifesavers gummies. And this time, I did not go over the spending amount. I've done that a couple times in the past and haven't been as excited with what I got back. My gifts are just as equally exciting this time, I do have stuff that I would like to get, but maybe not as stuffed to the gills as other times. Though, I would love to keep all this stuff to myself.

Anyways, back to saving money, I've decided not to enter myself in anymore gift swapping ones, I should get into the more handmade ones. I really want to spend more money at garage sales. Course this year (hopefully), I won't spend on craft supplies, because I have tons of those, I won't be spending on a boyfriend, cause I don't have one of those. But, I do plan on spending on homemade goods (maybe not as much, because it will just be me eating them), I love buying goodies at garage sales, and I haven't met a goodie that I didn't like, so they've all been money well spent.

I'm especially excited about this weekend, I've decided it's the official start of garage sale time, a neighbor is doing one, and theirs are always great, plus the library is doing their book sale this weekend and this year they're selling baked goods as well. Unfortunately, that's tomorrow, I have to wait until then. Sigh.

I will not be going to the antique mall until garage sale season is over. Two reasons, one I don't need to spend money both places, and two, I haven't found anything really good there lately, it's the same stuff over and over again. And, garage sales usually have cheaper prices for some of the same stuff like hankies, tea cups/glassware and jewelry. Those are my favorite items. Might have to find some room for them, but I can handle that.

I did realize yesterday that since it's warmer I will be doing less stuff than last year. I just don't have anyone to do things with. I'd love to go hiking and swimming, but once again, no one to do it with. Though, I'm thinking of asking some of my work buddies about going to the aquatic center this year. It still looks like fun, and I'd love to do it with friends.

I will be going on vacation in early June. My parents, aunt, and uncle and his family and I are planning a battlefield tour in DC. I am really excited to go on vacation. My last vacation was last January, and I can't wait. Hopefully going to battlefields will mean I'll spend less money on souveneirs, probably just postcards, which are cheap.

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.

if I could just crash here tonight

My parents are planning a cruise to/around Hawaii for the end of this year/the beginning of next year and my dad had me looking at dates/prices. The lowest price for the dates he had me looking at was $899 PER PERSON. I think that's a little much. Think of all the other things you could spend $900 on. I mean if you really wanted to spend that much money on me, I could think of a couple other things I need like a new power strip for my computer, an external hard drive so I could set my computer back to the restore point, a new MP3 player, a couple HD TV's so I could see the edges of TV shows, a nice TV stand for my bedroom, digital antennas, a new swimsuit for this season, money for other things. I'm sure I could rack up $900 worth of stuff I need that's not a vacation that I can enjoy once (ok, pictures and souveneirs you enjoy more than once, but still). Granted I do like vacations and it's always fun to get away, but I'd really like to have those things I need instead.
I have/had a giant power strip/box thingie for my computer that has been acting up lately. It's called a CyberPower 525SL, it's a box thing with 6 outlets in it, plus a serial cable to plug into your computer (not really sure if that does anything though), it's got 3 outlets that run on battery and 3 that only run when the power strip is turned on. Anyway, it's been flicking itself on and off for the past couple of days. I noticed it Sunday, it clicks on and off, but I couldn't figure out what the hell the noise was. Then last night, I realized it was coming from the vicinity of my computer tower (the power strip sits on top of it under my desk), and I turned the computer off, then noticed it was the power strip, so I turned that off, thinking if it was off for a little while that would cure it (always works for the computer). Today, I turned it back on, still did it, then I unplugged it, plugged it back in, same thing. Finally I disconnected it, and plugged everything into the wall. Luckily I have 2 outlets (2 plugins each) cause I'm in a corner, and I only have 5 plugs, I decided I didn't need the speakers plugged in all the time, especially since I rarely use them. So, now I have to go buy me a power strip. Nothing like spending money you don't really have.

Damn

I'm so screwed. I'm debating whether to cash in my camel bank's savings. I've had this bank since I was a little kid, I'm pretty sure there's not much money in it, but it has sentimental value. It was supposed to be saved until I needed it. It's sad to say that I need it now. I'm cashing in all my new state quarters, that in itself is over $10, I figured I really don't need them collecting dust, they're gonna be around forever anyway. I'm ok with money now, but the beginning of the month is coming up and after rent, student loans, credit card bill, I'm gonna be so screwed. And I know there's no unexpected money deposited into my bank account this time, no tax rebate for me. I can't even cash in the money I made in surveys, cause I already did that. I've been posting things like crazy on my etsy store, hoping someone will want to buy them, but since it's a $0.20 posting fee, it doesn't seem worth it to keep racking up a bill on there when nothing is selling. Course, I also keep thinking that once I put everything up, something (or maybe even a lot of things) will sell, and I'll be ok. But there's not a lot up there (moneywise) that would buy me out of debt. The temporary agency I got hired with says they usually get busy around April 1st, well April starts on Tuesday, so I'm hoping that's the case and I'll get something.

It's snowing

I was in such a good mood this morning, until I looked out the window and saw there was snow covering most of the ground and still falling. No one told me there was a chance for snow in the forecast. Hell the other day, it smelled like spring, there was green grass, birds (even robins) singing, it was spring. Now we have snow. FUCK MOTHER NATURE.
I'm so pissed I'm crying. Course part of that could just be left over from my dad getting me pissed last night. Every time this week that he's talked to me, he's bothered me about finding a job. YES, dad I'm looking, I email people my resume and send my resume out, just cause I don't want to talk about it with you doesn't mean I'm not trying. He's getting to be as bad as my mother. I'm rather upset of the lack of shit coming to the Center, I dont' have money to spend on myself, I have $18 that's supposed to last me a while (and I have to go grocery shopping today), I have no idea what I'm gonna do when the 1st of May comes along and I don't have a job (they're doubling my rent then), just cause I look like I don't care on the outside, doesn't mean I'm not freaking out on the inside. I wish I had something to do all day, I'm bored out of my mind (I'm reading books from college courses), I even get bored watching TV (that's pretty bad).
I'd love to go out drinking for one night and forget about everything, but I have people to bother me and remind that my life sucks, I have no money, and pretty soon I'm gonna be living out of a box on the street.

Bouncing like a bubble in your head

Any health professionals out there? Or anyone know anything about health related stuff? I'm trying to decide what to do with a blister I have. I went walking barefoot on Mon, cause it was nice out, and about 3/4 through my walk, I felt something painful on the bottom of my toe, when I went to pick it off (it's usually a tiny rock or seed), I found it was a blister, and most of the skin covering it was off already, so I pulled the rest of it off (yes I know you're not supposed to do that), and I had to cut my walk short cause it was stinging so much, stuck my flipflops on and went home. Well yesterday it was still stinging, and the wierd part being it was still spewing pus (which is what blisters do when you pop them), but that usually doesn't happen to me after I've taken off the outer covering (hehe that sounds wierd). And it's really red, kinda like it's bleeding, but it's not. Today when I looked at it, cause it's still hurting, it kinda looks like there's 2 tiny tears in the skin. Now I'm wondering if maybe one of the spiders I unhoused on Sunday (when I took out my AC) bit me. Because when I woke up on Monday I was ubscenely (I know that's not spelled right) warm like I had a fever, but of course I dont' have a thermometer, and I've felt like that Tues and today when I woke up. Course it's been kinda warm lately, so it doesn't look weird that I'm wearing cooler clothes. I've also had a sore throat since Sun, but it's gone today, and today I'm really tired, even though I've had my usual amount of sleep. I've also had some nice chest pains, in the vicinity of the heart, but I figure that doesn't mean anything. I don't know maybe I'm just being a hypochondriac (that one might be spelled right)
In other news, it's midterm time now (meaning all my classes are giving tests so we know if we're passing or not), so that's about 2 weeks of tests on various days, already had one in Phil (got a D), Enviro Soc (C), got one tomorrow in Police and Society, one next Tues in Criminology, and one next Wed in Social Psych (I've already had one test in there, and quizzes, believe I'm getting a D). I need to receive a C or better in Environ Soc, Police & Society and Criminology, I only need to pass Social Psych, and well Phil's just an elective, so I don't really need to pass but I'd like to, for my final grades.
And I'm low on money AGAIN. I've already spent too much on my credit card for the month, my cc month is the 18th to the 18th. But I bought groceries the other day and 2 X-Men 3 DVDs, one for me and one for my brother's B-Day (he already knows he's getting it, cause I called and told him not to buy it for himself). And because I'm having them sent to two difference locations I don't get the free shipping, even though the order is over $25 before shipping is added. Plus I spent money for food items since the 18th of last month.
I believe that's the end of exciting shit happening in my life (course if there was more I wouldn't have to think about it).