Cheer Up Swap

I received my Cheer Up Swap from Rebecca on Friday.
The very cute card

A rug hooking kit and an embroidery kit, they got put in my craft closet.

A "joy" necklace. It's very cute, waiting to be worn.

A square plate, it says "If the tiara fits, wear it". I put it in my bookshelf in the entryway.

It's a clothespin with a frog on the front, has been added to my frog collection.

A very cute purple pinwheel with butterflies.

A bag of peanut M&M's.

A wine glass with indications of how my day has been with "feet" to put on other wine glasses.

Thank you Rebecca for my package, it did cheer me up. I can't wait to see what you think of your package.

And the winners are....

Yes, I said winners, I had decided, but didn't post, that if I got over 100 comments, I'd add another prize, which would also be from my garage saleing days last year. I'm still figuring out what that will be.

Anyways, the winner for this batch is Homemaker Honey

And the winner for the second batch of garage sale finds is: Kim @ the Fairytale Cottage.

I've left comments on their blogs and will be emailing Kim shortly. Hopefully they both get back to me within 48 hours so I don't have to pick someone else.

Congratulations you two!!!!

Stuff

I finally got through all the OWOH blogs yesterday. Last year I commented on and visited every single blog, and I won a couple things I wasn't that excited to win. This year, I went to all the blogs, but I only commented on the items I wanted to win. So, if I win I will be very happy with what I receive.
I got some more swaps in the mail. This one is My Valentine Swap from Allenaim Photography.
She sent me a container of tea, some vintage linen napkins, a head scarf, a bird, a fabric flower and a bunch of Hershey's Bliss.

Here's the close-up of one of the linen items.

I am happy with most of the items. I don't like tea, but I love the roses on the top of the container, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that. I received this package last week sometime.

The next one is from my Healthy Valentine Swap partner, Lisa Anspach.

So, there is a cute stamp, some apple smelling hand soap, a caribbean smelling candle, a "W" journal, some emery boards, a set of notecards, a bar of soap, a set of tags, and a very cute egg. Lisa posted my package on her blog, so go ahead and click her name above to see what I sent her.

I was so happy to see this package on my doorstep on Wed. I finally decided that Kevin and I are broken up on Monday night. I felt that if you don't call your "significant other" on Valentine's, no matter what you're going through, they aren't your significant other. So, it massively helped to see this gift with items picked out just for me, Thanks so much Lisa.

Since I didn't get any Valentine gifts from Kevin, Tuesday, I decided to wander down to Walmart and Target and buy something for me. I ended up spending about $25 dollars on stuffed animals and chocolate. I originally planned to buy one of Walmart's $10 alien/monsters I had seen, but they didn't have any left, so I got a big pink teddy bear, and it has definitely helped me lately.

At Target, I bought 2 boxes of chocolates, one Russel Stover with a very cute "ugly doll" on the front, and one Ghiradelli. In the future, I will not waste money on Russell Stover, out of the 10 chocolates in the box, I ate 3, the rest tasted like crap. The Ghiradelli on the other hand, is splendid, but I have been rationing. I also bought a puppy dog, which is extremely cute, and a pink lion.

I decided today, that stuffed animals get me through everything. I have tons from places I've been and important times in my life. I have a bunch of stuffed frogs that Kevin got me, most of them in the closet now, so I don't have to see them. And the pink teddy bear, is really helping when I have to curl up and cry with it.

I also finally took all of Kevin's Christmas presents and put them in the closet so I didn't have to look at them.

I would still love to know why out of the blue he decided I wasn't worth talking too, or having as a girlfriend anymore. I don't know if I can really talk to him, should he ever decide to call, I'm just so upset over it. I would love to get my Christmas presents, since he decided to stop talking to me before I could have them, plus I want my things back. I did text him before I realized we were through saying I wanted my stuff back if we weren't together. I think that's reasonable.

I'm not ready to talk to my family about this yet. I changed my status on Facebook Monday night back to single. I've told people at work, but I still have an incredibly hard time, not letting my voice crack. I moved most of the stuff he's given me, out of my site. I stopped wearing the ring, and am thinking about investing in a nice peridot ring for myself. Though, it's been nice not having a ring on my finger anymore.

I wish I had friends closer in mileage to me to hang out with. I've been working a lot last week and this week, because when I'm at work, my mind's on other things, and it doesn't wander. I really need to take a nice long walk with my headphones and music, since it's been nice lately (better do it soon, as I've heard there's snow in the forecast), it was 50 degrees before 8Am this morning.

I would just like to do something with friends for me to get my mind off him. Thankfully, he doesn't need to come to this part of town for anything, so hopefully I won't see his truck. But, I'm coping. He was my first boyfriend, and I've never broken up before, so I don't know what it's like. Any suggestions on coping would be great.

And now that I've bored you all, I'm signing off. Thank you for all my new followers from One World, One Heart. I hope you'll stick around awhile, but my posts jump all around on emotions. I will be posting something I found at an antique mall soon, I just keep forgetting to take the picture when it's light out.

Thank you all for reading.

A good day

I had a good day yesterday, my friend Loretta and I went to Ankeny to Micheal's and the dollar general store. I needed to shop for myself and to get away from my life (more on that below).
Here are the great things I found:
This is a solar dancing flower. The leaves and the stem move around when it gets solar energy and it definitely puts a smile on my face when I see it dancing.

This is just a cute stuffed lady bug.

Here's a frog mug.

A Christmas stocking that was part of a $2.00 Christmas Grab bag at Micheal's, I've decided the rest of the items in the bag will be in a Christmas giveaway this December.

A nice notebook to match the mug above.

The box of gifts for My Healthy Valentine partner. I found some great things and I hope she'll like them.

A stuffed teddy bear. I've been drawn to teddy bears lately, I don't know why. Maybe there's just too many frogs in my life.


I've been pretty depressed the last few days. If you haven't talked to someone in over a month, haven't seen them in 7 weeks, do you still consider you're in a relationship with them? I'm not sure, but I'm thinking the relationship is over with. He won't answer my phone calls, or my texts. I sent him an email the other day and a message in facebook, but I know he doesn't check those that regularly. I know he's been around his phone, because it varies from going straight to voicemail, to ringing a few times and then going to voicemail. I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything wrong. I did send him a text complaining that he was picking hunting over me. He called me on Jan 13th, but didn't leave a message. I wished him a Happy Birthday in a text. I also again complained about the time I wasn't spending with him. I don't know where he lives, so I can't hunt him down. He moved from a previous address and I hadn't had a chance to know his new address as he's been busy working. I know where he works, but I'm not going to cause a scene at his work.

I don't know if it's worth it to keep calling and hope he picks up, or to just wait until he calls.

I never got to spend our "Christmas" with him, so (hopefully) we both have presents for each other, plus I have birthday presents for him. Though, I am seriously considering just opening them and saving them for myself, since some of them are things I like.

I didn't go to a neighborhood soup supper last night, as I wasn't ready for people to ask me questions about my life including my boyfriend. I keep wearing the ring as I'm not ready for those questions either. I keep wanting to go buy a peridot (green gem) ring for myself, and once I do that, I plan to switch out rings.

Today, I'm hoping to wander down to a few stores looking for more gifts for my healthy valenting partner, and my cheer up swap partner. It's supposed to get pretty cold again this week.

Valentine's Day Swap

I received my first Valentine's Day swap in the mail yesterday from Liz. Here's what she sent me:
A bag of Hershey's Kisses and a Reece's Peanut Butter heart, we must think alike.

Close-up of grow my own frog prince (I can never get my pics to upload in order). The instructions on the back say to put the frog in water and after awhile it will dissolve to show a prince, and then the prince grows bigger.

She also got me a package of stationary and envelopes, a grow your own frog prince, a heart necklace, and a heart bracelet.

Thank you so much Liz, not only for the package but for getting it out to me so quickly.

I have 2 more Valentine's swaps and a Cheer Up swap yet to get. I sent my Be My Valentine swap through Meg's blog Friday, I also sent my package to Liz on Friday. I'm waiting on information to come today for my Healthy Valentine swap (I'm going shopping with a friend around 2, so I hope it comes before then), and I have started picking things out for my Cheer Up Swap.

Having a bad day

My day just keeps getting worse, and it's only 11:30, such a long way to go.
I realized something this morning that's put me in a tiny stat of shock.
I was told not so long ago that I messed up a few things at work, which I don't remember, but I believe is probably true.
My mind has been elsewhere lately, and I'm trying to get it back.

I did find out my partner for the Cheer Up Swap yesterday, I have a week or so to pick some great things out for her. I hope I do well for her.

It's been greatly cold here lately. Today wind chills are expected to be in the negative 20's to 30's. Thankfully, I don't have anything to do today, and will spend my time indoors getting things to mail tomorrow.

To my Valentine's swap partners, your packages will be in the mail tomorrow.

OWOH and Stocking Swap

A couple things today. As you can see in the previous post, I'm participating in the One World, One Heart event. I wasn't going to this year, I just didn't know what I would do for the giveaway, and since the hostess, said we couldn't do surprises this time, I wasn't really sure. But, I was reading Art Saves Lives this morning, and she mentioned that quite a few of the blogs she reads are from participating in OWOH, and finding them from that. And I agree with that, a lot of my blogs are either from that, or connecting to other blogs from blogs from last year's event. So I choose to participate.

I did receive my stocking swap box of goodies from the hostess of the swap. I never heard back from my original partner, so I hope she enjoyed the box even though she didn't feel the need to hold up her end of the bargain and send me one back. I'm not going to post who she is, as you never know what's going on in the blogging world, and we don't need to be bad mouthing each other (even if it's deserved). The hostess, Noelle, was gracious enough to spend more money and send me a box. Here's what I found in it:
A package of 4 of these glittery green snowflakes, they are hanging throughout my apartment.

This cute needlefelted snowman ornament, also hanging in my apartment.

This votive candle smelling like apple berry spice. I see it's a horrible picture, and I apologize for that. This is the first thing I smelled when I opened the box, I love the smell.

Another bad photo, I couldn't get away from the glare from the light in the kitchen. It's a book called Christmas treats with recipes for Christmas treats, imagine that.

A box of Christmas cards, and a box of Paula Deen cupcake mix. I'm planning to make these soon and add the mini chocolate chips that are sitting on my counter.

Some cute, glittery, paper embellishments and a pack of paper.

The stocking, very cute, and another snowflake ornament. This ornament, almost looks like I could use it as a stamp. They are both hanging in my apartment.

Thank you very much Noelle for doing this.

One World One Heart

It's that time again. Time for the One World One Heart Blog Mingle. It will be from now (Jan 31) to Feb 17, 2011.

Hello all new readers, I am a 27 year old female living in Iowa, USA. I work part-time at my local library, as well as at local basketball games.
I live on the 3rd floor of a Victorian house built in the 1800's. I live in the downtown area of my town, where I'm close to everything I need.
I love reading, watching movies, playing with my guinea pig, hanging out with my boyfriend, being in nature, walking, going to garage sales, making art (you can visit my art blog if you like).

I found this questionnaire online today, and figured it'd be a good way for you all to learn a little more about me:

1. What is your favorite household chore? And what is your least favorite? I love vaccuuming, I love hearing everything get sucked up into my vacuum cleaner. I also love doing dishes, love getting my hands in the hot water. I don't like cleaning my bathroom, or my floors. I'm sort of a slob. I am the person that brings their stuff in the door, and then plops it on the floor.

2. What is your favorite city? I like New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., I loved walking around those when we went to them on vacations, so many neat and cool things to see.

3. Have you found real love yet? I've found a love, but I'm not sure about if it's a lasting one.

4. What's one thing you eat almost everyday? I don't have a thing I eat everyday, I'm trying to eat sandwiches for lunch and dinner to stop me from splurging on less healthy things. I'm trying to make sure I drink a glass of milk every day.

5. What was your last thought before falling asleep last night? I honestly don't know, probably something about not being comfortable.

6. What's the worst injury you had as a child? I didn't get anything more serious than skinned knees, I did just slice my hand open on a glass this past December, and am still dealing with things that pertain to that.

7. Will you/have you worked out today? I have not yet today, unfortunately, since it's winter, my 'working' out consists of walking the 4 blocks to and from work. Of course, we're supposed to get some snow today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so I will be working out scooping that.

8. Do you tweet? If so, what's your name? I have a twitter account, I never use it. I have enough to occupy my time as it is.

9. List three things you wouldn't want to live without: 1. music. 2. my computer. 3. my art. They all keep me sane, if I don't listen to music, I get very irritable, the computer for the internet and keeping in touch with my friends, and my art again keeps me very sane.

10. How old were you when you had your first kiss? 24. I never had a boyfriend until after I graduated college, and that's the one I have now.

Does that interest you or drive you away? I hope it interests you. I'm not that great at getting pictures where I want them in blogger, so if you're interested in seeing some of my favorite garage sale finds, please go here, to see some good pictures.
Last summer, I started garage saleing, I have found it so much fun. I have started a few collections, one of mini tea cups, one of vintage hankies, one of cute little vintage glassware, and silver pieces. Right now, I would say garage saleing, as well as going to antique malls and thrift stores is huge in my life.
That being said, I'm giving away a few things I found at garage sales last summer:

A pair of elbow length crocheted (?) gloves, a square doily, a shell necklace, 2 pairs of earrings, a crocheted (?) pink cross, and a Christmas ornament.

Like I said, you need to be an active blogger and just leave me a comment. If I can't find an email on your blogger profile, I will need one in your comment.
I will pick the winner at 9PM on Feb 17th. I will put a post up here the next day (Feb 18th) with their name, as well as email them. If I don't hear from the winner in 48 hours, I will pick a new one.

I hope you learned a little about me, and are interested enough to come back.

Thanks for reading, enjoy your trip.

Wendy W

More Swaps

I just signed up for 3 more swaps today. They aren't artsy swaps, they are put packages together swaps. But, I love doing that, and as it's felt like no one's been doting on me lately, I figured why not.
The first is Be My Valentine.
We are to list 5-10 faves in a comment on Meg's blog, spend up to $15, and send by Feb 7th.

The next is a Cheer Up Swap.

For this one we have to be active bloggers, spend $20-$30, and ship on Feb 16 or 17th. The sign up date is January 30th.

And the last is Be My Healthy Valentine Swap.

For this one, we have to link to her blog, comment with our email, post on our blog, and sign-up before Feb 3rd.

This one's supposed to be healthy, so we send actual gifts that aren't chocolate.

I know I already signed up for one other (that's in the box and waiting to be shipped), and I did just do a post about not being able to afford my life. But, I love these swaps, almost more than art swaps. I love putting together gifts, which is why I love Christmas and birthdays, and getting things in return. But it's so much fun to get information on people and then pick something out for them. I can't help these swaps.

I can't wait to get information on my partners and get started.

I will add the buttons to my sidebar as well.

I can't afford my life.

Now, that sounds like I'm living a hugely extravagant life, but no, just a normal one. It means, I can't afford my emergency room bill for my finger, that will be over $600, I can't afford my medical insurance because my monthly payments keep going up every year, I can't afford something else that needs to be done, but won't.
I guess I really need to get off my ass and looking for a full time job, but working at my part times makes me want one where I don't have to deal with the politics in the job, unfortunately, I think you have to deal with those everywhere.
I was thinking of something yesterday, that I shouldn't be thinking of, but seemed like a great way out.
And then I was watching a movie last night and a line was "let go and let god". I don't know what I think about that, but most likely in my lax at finding another job to cover my bills isn't that kinda like waiting for something to happen or letting god?

I don't know, I'm stressed and not happy.

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.

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.