Fun Finds

I haven't been to any garage sales lately. I think, with it being October, I feel the garage sale season is over even if I see them being advertised, plus it's cold and that makes me not want to go outside. Thursday, I did wander to a few stores looking for a cheap Halloween costume, I didn't find one, but I did find some other things to buy.

First stop was Target, I found a jack-o-lantern shirt for Halloween, some monster finger puppets for Christmas gifts, some washi tape for me, a corkscrew for my family Christmas, and some candy for me.

 I forgot Halloween costumes are so much money, so I decided to just buy the t-shirt, which I also thought was a bit much, but it turned out to be on sale, I think it's more fun to include whimsical presents with my Christmas cards, so I buy them when I find them cheap.
Next stop was Walmart, I found a cute reindeer wine bag for my brother and a reindeer ISU ornament for him, and some more washi tape for me, and some glow bracelets for Christmas presents.

 My brother collects reindeer, and he drinks wine.
Next stop, the Dollar Tree, a pocket calendar for me, a cute bobble head doll and a cheap corkscrew.

 I keep forgetting we're getting closer to the end of the year, and I need to have a calendar for next year's schedule. I'm making an Advent calendar for myself, and trying to fill it with cheap, cute stuff. I found this corkscrew after buying the other one, the other one's cuter, I figured I could use it in a swap.
Next was JoAnn's, a pair of cheap stretch gloves and come cute stickers.

 I always pick up a pair of knit stretch gloves every year, JoAnn's always seems to have them for $1, so I can. The stickers were just cute.
Last stop was Hobby Lobby, a pack of Christmas cards, a neat candle, and an octopus Christmas ornament.

Hobby Lobby has had Christmas stuff out since July, and it's already on sale, so I figured I'd take advantage of it and get some cards, and an ornament. The candle was also on sale and I find it's fun to send them in swaps.

After that little spending spree and paying all my bills yesterday, I decided I can't spend any money on me for awhile. I'm not extremely low on money, but after having a certain amount in the bank, I got used to having that much, so when I dropped below that much, I got a little worried. Plus, my rent went up this year, so I'm worried about that. I've decided this is the last year that I can live like this. I will need to find another or a different job that pays me more money next year. And that means I'll have to face certain things I don't want to face, but that's life.
I decided, I can still do the 2 swaps I already joined, and maybe one more. Swaps make me so happy.

Friday Confessional

So, it's Friday, I thought I'd do a Friday Confessional


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:

 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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.

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?

Leafing through the hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge, head on over to Joyce's to see what other people answered.

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe? They are beginning to change and fall, I love walking through them. I am not missing yard work, and will not miss raking leaves, I really loathed that chore.
2. When did you last shake like a leaf? I do when things don't go my way. I get really upset when things happen that I can't control. Monday, that happened, I won't go into more detail.
3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss. I'm not a sports fan and I really don't care.

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why? Probably fall, I usually get some kind of cold/allergies and I hate dealing with them.

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are- clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods),  trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing),  cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable), kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller), fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to), and community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership). Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd like to try before year's end? I like cauliflower.
6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu. Tomorrow will be kinder.
7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it? My 5-year anniversary of being at my job will be soon, I'm thinking of baking a cake. My grandmother's birthday is coming up, she'll be 97 or 98.
8.  Insert your own random thought here. I'm so ready for a break from my life, unfortunately, I have to come back to it.

It was all downhill when I saw the buttons

Hello all, so what have I been doing other than filling out the hodgepodge? Not a ton actually, trying out our new media box at the library (it's kinda like a redbox), reading and checking out way too many books.

The other day, I made myself hamburgers, I'd never done that before. I know, it's sad, I'm 31 years old and I just made hamburgers for the first time. I made them Sunday afternoon/night and had all 4 eaten by Monday night. They were really good.

 I've been wanting to spend money on myself for awhile. I know I should be saving money and I'm trying, but it sucks. I recently joined a swap where we shop for our partners on Etsy, so I know someone's spending at least $25 on me, maybe more, but I still wanted to shop.
I also wanted to do a steampunky costume for Halloween, mostly because I have a top hat, ribbon and gears to add to it. I have a flowy skirt, so I was hoping to find some kind of top and wear some boots I just bought, but I've come up empty on things. My plan was to shop the thrift stores for clothing, but the one I thought might have some good pieces didn't have any here.
Anyways, on to my shopping trip today. I saw these cute button canisters:

 I mean, how cute are those? I don't have a place or need for them, so I didn't buy them. I also found a really cute perfume bottle, but didn't buy it.
My next stop had this cute sign:

 and a handmade cyclones care bear that I almost bought. But, it was about $15 and I really don't need it. I basically wanted it because it was ISU themed and handmade. It was really cute.
My next stop was a toy store where I wanted to buy a marble, but I didn't have any cash and most of the small businesses downtown have a minimum spending limit to charge. It also seemed kinda stupid to charge $.40 for a marble, I might go back later with some cash and buy it. In the basement I found what we all need:

 a giant lego head.
At my last stop, I saw the cutest steampunk jack o lantern, only it really wasn't:

 When I walked around the corner, I first saw the pumpkin and the clock. I thought the clock was attached somehow as an eye. Wouldn't that be cool to add other things to it for a steampunk jack o lantern?
My second to last stop was where I found the buttons. Here's what I bought:

 lots of vintage buttons ( 4 bags at $2 a piece, and a jar of buttons), a brass W (top left corner, it's kinda hard to see), a jack o lantern and a pewter pig.
These are my favorites:

 My favorite of all is that one above the yellow one. It is carved dark MOP, with a tiny white MOP piece attached in the middle. Anyone know anything about it? The yellow one and green one are both glass balls. Most of these are glass. The top two I'm not entirely sure about they're pretty light, but sparkly. The black one's a little hard to see, but it's got some flowers on it.

 The one behind the green one is metal with what looks like a mirror behind it, but it seems pretty new. The pink ones, the red/white one and the other white one are all plastic. I just liked them. The large copper one is metal. The fern ones at the bottom have ferns cut into them, I'm pretty sure they're glass too.

I miss buying vintage buttons. I knew it was all downhill when I saw the buttons, and then there was a minimum of $10 to charge, so I had to find more.

This weekend, there is an annual art festival, I'm hoping to find something cool there.

Falling into Hodgepodge

So, it's hodgepodge time again. I think this is the only thing I do on here regularly. Head on over to Joyce's to see other people's answers.

1. It's fall. Y'all. My favorite season of the year! What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel it's officially fall? And unrelated to that, do you ever say-'y'all'? I know it doesn't really mean fall, but here it totally does. A local art festival will be happening this Sunday, and I'm totally saving for that. Plus, a couple churches have their fall fairs coming up and the library's semi-annual book sale is coming up in October.
I do say y'all occasionally. That mostly started when I began listening to country music.

 2. When did you last have a falling out with someone? Has it been resolved? A year or so ago, I stopped talking to my best friend. She didn't give me any comfort when I broke up with my ex and it kinda seemed like she had talked to him before we were 'officially' broken up. Then last year she contacted me on my 30th birthday and I thought we were good again, except it felt like I apologized more than she did. I showed her something I thought to be a big accomplishment for me and she kinda brushed it off. Then, she didn't talk to me until around her birthday (a bit longer than 6 months) and I decided she wanted me to just wish her a happy birthday on her big birthday. I didn't think that was right (to just talk to someone when it's convenient for you). So I stopped talking to her again. After she went away to college and then graduated and moved (not that far away, mind you), it seemed like so much work for her to call or converse with me (this was before I broke up with my ex), I knew we were growing apart anyways.
No, it hasn't been resolved.

3. A song you love with the word 'fall' in it's title? Free Fallin' by Tom Petty. You really can't go wrong with Tom Petty, plus it came on my mp3 player when I was in Hawaii, so every time I hear it, I'm transported back there.

4. What's something you've recently let 'fall by the wayside?' Cleaning. I'm not that great at doing it regularly, but it's getting annoying when I have to clear a path to get to the couch. Or when I run out of plates.

5. When did you last attend an event, read a book, watch a movie, try a new recipe, or visit a shop-town-tourist attraction that fell short of your expectations? In what way? I feel like everything I psyche myself up for does that. For some reason I get really excited about stuff, and then I get disappointed that it didn't live up to my expectations. I'm always looking for something really cool (mostly to buy) and I just don't seem to find it. Of course, most of the reason is, that I have no idea what it would be.

6. Describe a time you said or thought, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

7. Was today better than yesterday? Why or why not? Not really, I was expecting something and it didn't happen. But, I did get my shopping done for a swap, and I started a book that seems pretty good. I got to eat ice cream for supper, and I've been wasting way too much time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I joined Pinterest. I'm not sure that's a good thing. I've been avoiding it because people say it sucks away their free time, and it really does. I basically joined because every time I'd go on it through people's links it would beg me to join, and I'm in a swap where I shop for someone based on their social media things. One of those was their pinterest page, and the thing kept getting in the way when I tried to look at their page, so I joined. I'm finding it a little confusing. I tried to install the "Pin it" button on my IE browser, but it didn't work.

Sadly, I'm wasting my time on it, but the pictures are so pretty. If you wanna see what I've been wasting time on, go here.

I wanna spend money

I wanna spend money. But, there are no good looking garage sales, and next weekend is an annual fesstival, so I'm saving for that. I really want to buy some vintage buttons, or jewelry, or linens. I really want more stuff. I've been craving different and interesting foods lately. I've been scouring Amazon's grocery department but haven't found anything I want to spend my money on. I wanna go to Hobby Lobby and buy art supplies and stuff. I just want to buy something cool, is that too much to ask?

New Swap

So, I signed up for this swap the other day.

 It's hosted by Rivers and Roads and Taking Steps Home, basically you get a partner, shop for them on Etsy and send them cool stuff. You spend at least $25 which is a bit steep for me, but I've been itching for a swap lately, so I signed up, plus I'll get it back in gifts from my partner.

Sign ups are until tomorrow, but if you're interested, head on over here to sign up.

Aging Hodgepodge

So, it's Hodgepodge time again. I will try to publish the correct one this week. For some reason, blogger decided to not publish last weeks, so when I thought I added it to Joyce's list, I had added the previous week. I went back and added it on Sunday, but I bet most people missed it. If you're interested, go here. Otherwise, head on over to Joyce's blog to see this week's answers.

1. I'm celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, 'You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." Would you agree? If not why not? I'm not entirely sure what that all means. I don't get how these things equal an age. I've always said you're as old as you act and feel. We all know some people act very childish, but sometimes I think it's because they feel old. I would think there's some medium in there somewhere.
2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birthyear, just the same date/same month. Wikipedia says July 2nd is the midpoint of the common year, there are 182 days before it and 182 days after it. In 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution severing ties with Great Britain, although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not approved until July 4th. Amelia Earhart disappeared, the alien spacecraft crashed at Roswell, and that is the end of the interesting stuff.
 3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to 'have your cake and eat it too.' How about the time(s) I've had to make my own birthday cake, I totally ate it.
4. What's something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old? Reading makes me feel young, especially when I go back to favorites of my childhood. Hanging out with some of my co-workers makes me feel old, a few of them are in their 20's so when I mention something from my childhood and they look at me like I'm nuts, I totally feel old. Or sometimes getting up, and my back aches, that's always a nice way to remember how old you are.
5. When did you last do something that was 'a piece of cake'? How about setting up my home network, I thought it would be harder, but I found it extremely easy.
6.  Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What's something else you'd add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage) Furniture. Especially if it was made with strong materials. I have quite a few antiques pieces that have withstood the test of time. I like to buy antiques over new stuff because I know they've done well through the years and I feel they will keep going.
 7. If I were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should I give away? By my calculations we'll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas. Personally, I like other people's creations. Or, vintage hankies.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I just finished this book: Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory. It's a YA nonfiction book (YA 823 MAN) and it's all about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, apparently we're celebrating the 50th anniversary this year. If you look at the pages of the book from the outside, you see there is a rainbow of colors, each one a different section in the book. There is an introduction from one of Roald's grandchildren about the wonderment of chocolate at his house. The book starts out with re...d: the background on writing Charlie and the Chocolate factory, then goes into orange: Charlie going to video and stage, next is yellow: focusing on the various illustrators of the books, and then blue: showing the effect on popular culture with various memorabilia including a LEGO Chocolate room and tiny dolls of Willy and Oompa Loompas. Purple follows focusing on chocolate, and how people tried to make Wonka bars and take chocolate to whole new levels, finally there is green: with the thoughts from critics and fans about the book. Throughout, there is illustrations from the book, movies, plays and fans creations. Very cool!

Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time again! Go over to Joyce's blog to see other people's answers.

1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way? Sadly, I wasn't even thinking about it. Thursday is my first day off since the 3 day weekend, I was looking forward to BINGO and ice cream sundaes. I will remember them, maybe listen to Tim McGraw's Please Remember Me remix with audio from that day.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone? I rarely listen to the radio, mostly because I don't really like the new music people are putting out. I do watch videotapes sometimes. We had a few garage sales this summer and as I was sorting through things, I decided I needed to keep the VCR because certain things I taped off TV are not on DVD. Sadly the quality of the tapes has declined quite a bit, and you can really see it on these new flat screen TV's. I did have to look up a number in a phone book for my father, but I don't use the phone book that often. We have looked at the atlas on road trips, there's a lot of tiny roads around here. I also don't use alarm clocks, but I never did, I'd set the alarm on my stereo, which I don't think was that helpful, cause it really didn't wake me up suddenly as it did help me wake up.

 3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? I don't discuss them with people I know. I've found they are very heated topics and no one ever changes their opinions on them, so I tend to stick to safer topics.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month? Nothing really comes to mind

5. What's something you know nothing about? Just one thing? There are several things I know nothing about, but that's too much thinking for right now.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece? I'm not a huge fan of classical music, I like my music to have words. But, I do like Beethoven's 5th, or Trans Siberian Orchestra, they may be a stretch for classical music.

7. What's the oldest thing you own? I don't know. I do have a doily I bought at a sale that had a note affixed to the back of it saying it was from 1910. I have a penny from 1912. I have an old steamer trunk, a book from the early 1900's. My oldest thing before (after) that would probably be a radio of my grandparents. I do live in a house that was built in the 1890's, does that count? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I think I'm ready for a change in my life. I can feel it, I don't know what it will be, but it feels like it should be something big. Someone last week told me I should follow my heart (we were talking about my change in job titles and the reorganization at the library), I'm just not sure where my heart wants to go.

Quilts Galore

Lets begin with the really exciting news, shall we? Today was the grand opening of the library, and it was crazy. Not only did we have the whole city (probably not quite that many) inside, but we also had a musician, magicians, a balloon creator, our mascot, Smyles, Not Elmo and an author signing her books. Like I said, crazy. But, I believe everyone was overjoyed about us being open again and are excited about exploring the library and checking things out. The returns were nuts too, it's like everyone waited until today to return their items. I believe there's still quite a few that are not checked in yet, but they will be soon, so not to worry.

Yesterday, my mother and I went to a quilt show. Every time I go somewhere with either of my parents, I'm a little on edge. They always seem to bring up stuff I don't want to talk about. It's gotten way better now that we don't live so close. We had a somewhat pleasant lunch. She picks me up at the library, about 10 minutes later than she said she would, the part about her making my time not as important as hers has not changed (we make plans for a certain time, and she's never ready at that time, and I'm always waiting for her), and then she suggests a place to go for lunch, which I replied that I just went there on Friday. This place has about 10 things on the menu, and they're not that great, there's one thing I like, and I had it Friday. So, I ordered something that was the equivalent of a grilled cheese sandwich, if I had known that I wouldn't have ordered it. I'm pretty sure it was a piece of processed American cheese, grilled. There was also way too much bread, so I took the top off and attempted to eat the bottom that was grilled a tiny bit too much.

Anyways, here are the quilts I really liked. Unfortunately, their not the greatest pictures.

This one had a lot of texture and buttons.

 This one was very metallic.

 This one was my favorite, with all the different sewing techniques and other things going on in it. I like the mixed media aspect of it.

 This one's hard to see, but there are two tiny gloves on it.

 This one was called Raggedy Ann and Andy.

 I like the flower on this one.

 This one was about the artists' husbands cancer. She had negative things about cancer outside the body and things he liked inside the body. She said it was a work in progress and she would add things as she found them.

 I didn't think this one was really a quilt. It looked like she had drawn with metallic paint crayons on the black background and added a few stitches.

 Also very cool stitching techniques.

I wish I had taken my camera and gotten some close-ups.

As you can see, I don't particularly like the regular quilting style, ok I do, I just like it when people do more.

End of summer hodgepodge

It's hodgepodge time again, head on over to Joyce's blog to see other people's answers.

1.  What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to actually doing? Find a really good garage sale. It feels like every year there’s one sale that’s great: has great prices and lots of cool stuff to choose from, I didn’t find one of those this summer.
2. Share a favorite memory of your own back -to-school days as a child. I love back-to-school shopping. I remember going to Target with my brother and mother and picking up the lists that told us what we needed and picking out supplies. I really loved getting notebooks and folders the most. I’d make sure my notebooks and folders went together, one for each class. I recall doing this through college as well.

3.  What's one chore or daily task you prefer doing 'old-school' ? Mail. I miss getting cool things in the mail. I love sending people things in the mail. I used to have pen pals, I miss those. It’s always fun to get news of your penpal.
4.  Share something you've learned in life through the 'school of hard knocks'. Don’t trust people. Sad as that seems, when I trust people or depend on them they just end up letting me down. I’ve learned to only trust myself, and if I need something, I’m the one to provide it for myself.
5.  As a child, did you mostly bring or buy your lunch for school? What was your favorite thing to find in your lunchbox? We were talking about this the other day. I remember doing both. I remember the breakfast for lunch days at school, you never wanted to miss those, but I also remember taking my lunchbox to school. I don't know of anything I looked forward to seeing in my lunchbox.

6. Football season is upon us which has me wondering... how big of a sports fan are you (not just football) ? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 'I scream at the players through my television screen' and 1 being 'is knitting a sport?' where do you fall in fandom? I don’t like sports. I may work basketball games, but it’s more to see the fans, I really don’t like any sports myself.

7. Share a favorite quote you think might inspire students of all ages at the start of a new school year. Imagination is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration--Eisnstein. I just like that he's telling people you have to work for things. Most likely it's not just going to pop out of thin air. Most ideas come from years of hard work and sometimes it pays off.

8. Random Thought: It's fall. I'm excited and not excited about it. I like that the year's moving on, but like always I'm not happy that life's going so fast. I like that it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas soon and that my parents will be moving into their permanent home and I'll get to see the finished product. I don't like that I will be back to not using my brain at work and that I need to really get into the job search and that I will also need to be looking at apartments again. Not having laundry here and maybe not having a friend live as close will be an issue next year, also my internet keeps dropping. It's something that happens every summer, I know it's not on Centurylink's end, I think it's something to do with the wires and this old house. It would be so nice to have internet when I want it.

I'm also not excited that it's the end of garage sale season, I feel like I haven't found anything really cool this year, and I keep wanting to find that item (whatever it may be), but I'm trying to save money now that I'm paying a higher rent and life keeps getting in my way.