Macaroons

My workplace is having a pool party tomorrow. I learned last night that my swim suits don't fit, so I went to Target today to find a new one. Dollar Tree is right about across the street, so I messaged a lady in one of my Facebook groups who was looking for some flower stickers, to see if she wanted me to pick up some if they were at my DT.

They were when I went last Saturday, but you never know. I did find a swimsuit at Target, even though it was on clearance I still paid about $28 for it. I hate that clothes are so expensive, but I won't shop for certain things at Goodwill. I also picked up a coat that was on clearance for $20, I didn't need it, but I've been looking for one for awhile, so I didn't want to pass it up.

I actually found a few things at DT that I've been looking for. I love this bag:

 Who wouldn't want macaroons?

 Sadly, I don't have a use for it.

Found some more bow tie paper clips, some cute animal erasers, another lace sticker, some glue dots, the Dory stickers are from Target, and some gel pens.

I only picked up the animal erasers because there was an elephant in it. I picked up the lace sticker for a swap. I've been seeing people haul the glue dots, and I like glue dots, I've just never seen them at DT before. Like I said the Dory stickers are from Target. I was going to pick up some of the yellow ruler tape and the Dr. Seuss quote erasers, but as I've learned if I don't buy them the first time, I never see them again.

 duct tape, two glitter tapes, and two of the self-inking stamps.

The duct tape was in a box labeled spring, that tells you how long it takes my DT to get things. I had just asked someone about the quality of the glitter tape, and then I found these on an end cap, so I grabbed them. I had to pick up two of the 'handmade with love' stamps. I've been wanting a rubber stamp that says this for awhile, and when I saw them in other people's hauls, I really wanted them. I believe all the other sayings were there too, I just wanted this one.

Here are the flowers I picked up

 dimensional flower stickers.

I saw these last Saturday when I went in, but they don't really interest me. I thought I'd see if they were still there for someone else who was looking for them. I try to do that when people can't find stuff, I would hope others would do that for me, too.

I also got an interesting package from Grace today. I asked for happy mail for my birthday on Crafty Lori's wishing video, and Grace said she'd send me some. Sadly, I'll wait a week to open it.

That's life

Sometimes I miss what I had in college. I loved (still do) learning about criminal justice. I miss going on motorcycle rides, and I miss talking to like minded people about CJ stuff.
I love my life now (most of it), but I never get to see the police stuff anymore. I've loaded up my staff pics with my love of criminal justice and true crime. I have The Siege by Cathy Scott-Clark about a hotel that was seized by terrorists and kept all the people inside as hostages. Kitty Genovese by Kevin Cook, about Kitty Genovese who the bystander theory was based on. The bystander theory basically says that if you view a crime and a lot of other people view a crime, you are more likely not to report it because you feel that someone else will. That is untrue for Kitty's story. She was followed home, assaulted and then killed right inside her apartment building, and it was led to believe that a bunch of her neighbors saw her getting assaulted and didn't do anything. I have The Most Dangerous Animal of All by Gary L Stewart about Gary's search for his father and finding out his father was the Zodiac Killer. I read Cries Unheard by Gitta Sereny about Mary Bell, one of the youngest kids to kill multiple people, apparently she wasn't the cold blooded killer we all thought her to be either.
I miss having people to interact about criminal justice and police work. Most of the officers I know on my PD don't talk to me anymore, I don't really run into them anymore. I'd heard awhile back that they really didn't like me, but the source of that wasn't really reliable. All the cop blogs I follow seem to have dried up, but I get why.
I got to interact with an officer tonight at work and the conversation was not about my life and what's going on in it. And I want to tell someone with CJ ties, but I have no one to talk to anymore.
I was thinking I wanted to watch the last episode of Third Watch, but I just got rid of my VCR tonight, so that won't be happening. I miss that show. There are so many good cop shows from my childhood that I miss. New York Undercover, Pensacola: Wings of Gold (OK this is about Marine fighter pilots), Third Watch, Cover Me, Nash Bridges, Walker Texas Ranger, 21 Jump Street, Pacific Blue.
I took down my Hott Guys blog because I just didn't see the point of having a blog of pictures of guys I thought were good looking. In theory, I got one of my favorite cops from the TV show Cops to comment on a few of my posts, Officer Pilutik, that was a nice thought that the guy actually commented. It was probably some random person pretending. I am bummed I lost those comments, though.

I really miss the motorcycle culture as well. I used to have an ad on craigslist looking for rides. Risky I know, but I never got in trouble, I feel I can get a pretty good read on people. I miss the feeling of a motorcycle ride. I found my helmet in a closet the other day when I was cleaning out. No way would I get rid of that. I haven't used it in years, but it still fits, and I want to have it if the opportunity ever comes up again.
The Harley store in town does these rides in the summer where bunches of bikers get together and go on a ride to some place and then eat and come back. I got to go on a couple of those, I really miss that.

I miss having a connection to people outside of work. At one time, my life revolved around my ex, now I feel it revolves around work. If I'm not there, I'd rather be. All my friends are from work.

Shopping haul

I am seriously failing at not doing things I said I wasn't doing. I'm gonna give up on saying that. Anywho, I had a bad day at work on Thursday and my mother pissed me off yesterday, so I went shopping. Thursday, I had one patron who made my day bad, I felt like the car lady in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, except I couldn't say "You're fucked!" at the end, because this was real life and it was a phone call and not a face to face interaction.

So, I went to Target and the Dollar Tree today. I really don't need to buying anything since my birthday is in a couple weeks (July 2nd) I was only going to buy a few things, and I did pretty well at Target, the Dollar Tree, now that's a different story. I loaded up my cartwheel, but didn't really feel like spending much at Target, so I just checked out Bullseye's Playground and the clearance sections. School just barely got out here, but Bullseye's Playground is in back to school mode. Here's what I didn't buy:

Thought this was cute

 I really wanted it for the cake stamp

 Love erasers

 more erasers

 Thought these pencil bags were cute

 I need alpha's

 Lots of Dr. Seuss, I really wanted the chunky erasers with the quotes on them

 More Dr. Seuss

 This is the shark from Finding Nemo/Dory. There were a lot of Finding Dory things, too

 numbered washi

 apple tags

these were chalkboard tags

  these were felt
  these were like wood veneers
 a cute mason jar shaker tag
  apple linen goody bag
  graph paper tags
  felt notebook paper banner
  a very cute crate with rulers
  Love this notebook, but it had dots not lines inside
  this is what my basket looked like at first, there is a package of those Dr. Seuss erasers, wood veneer like alpha stickers, yellow ruler like washi, solid green washi, solid purple washi, a package of Finding Dory shaker stickers, a magic washcloth. Then I decided I didn't need it, so I put back everything except these:
  Hello panda cookies, felt pencil stickers and owl paper.
I spent a grand total of $3.09 I think.
Then I went across the street to Dollar Tree, bad idea. I originally went there to find these emoticon plushies I saw in Gracie's Dollar Tree haul, but my DT never seems to have stuff right when it comes out.
 Here's a very few pictures of what I didn't buy:

 this one I did buy

  these say the days of the week in the paperclip

 these also say the days of the week

  love this owl, not that I have a whiteboard.
  these new solar things looked like Dory and Nemo. They had a shelf end devoted to Finding Dory and these were on it.
Now, what I did buy (way too much):
  dried apricots, gummy bears, freeze dried peach slices, butterscotch oatmeal bars, gummy fruits, freeze dried apple slices, and wax bottles
  puffy cookies, butterfly cookies, cream cheese and chive crackers, pirouline chocolate hazelnut, and palmeritas.
 Sadly, I found out I don't like dried nectarines, freeze dried peach slices, puffy cookies or the butterfly cookies. I guess it's good I only spent $1 for each of them. I usually don't go down the cookie aisle, but Cheap Crafty Girl had the puffy cookies in one of her last hauls and I really wanted to try them.

 I almost bought all the lace looking stickers I found, I was surprised I found them, my DT is not very good at having the stickers I see in hauls, plus they were hidden behind some others. I was also surprised to have found the glittery owls and flowers. The other glittery ones were there too, I just wasn't interested. I also saw the dimensional flowery looking ones, the ones with the pansies and daffodils, but I wasn't interested in those either.

  a solar frog, ice cream and owl stickers, mini butterfly gift bags, a flower bookmark, gel pens, a pink jeweled pen, and up at the top, the one thing I actually went for, hand soap.
I spent about $42. That's more than the time I gave myself permission to spend money. But, I don't feel bad about any of it. I bought multiples of the stickers for a friend. I'm not too pleased with the cookies, but they will be going to my work, and like I said at least they were only $1, I'd be really disappointed if I spent more than that for them.

Hodgepodge Vol 270

It's Hodgepodge time. Head on over to Joyce's blog to see other people's answers.

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? Definitely Lake Okoboji in North Iowa. I love going there for vacation. We have a condo for one week a year that is right on the lake. My family used to go there all the time when I was a kid. Every time I go back, I'm transported back to my childhood.

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? I don't drink a lot of fruity drinks. I like strawberry banana smoothies. I really love the Naked Fruit Juice mango flavor. 

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go I'm not good at cleaning, it would definitely simplify my life if I did that. 

re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties) I have re-evaluated my relationships in the past, I find if I stop trying in relationships where the other person isn't trying, I'm more happier.

unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites) I should weed down what I subscribe too, I have a program where I put in all my blogs that I subscribe to and it just shows me when they post new things. Now, that I've figure out how to do that on YouTube, I spend less time on those sites.

de-clutter I should de-clutter, technically I am decluttering (I'm really failing at it) because I'm moving soon.

write down your daily goals I don't really have daily goals, maybe if I wrote down that I was going to this room done at then end of the day, I'd actually get things packed up and sorted.

reply to emails right away This one I'm pretty good at

forget multitasking You know they do say that when you multi-task it's harder for your brain to focus on everything. I don't multitask that much. I do have a tendency to do things on my computer when watching movies, but mostly because I'll fall asleep if I don't.

create a morning routine I have a morning routine when I have to work in the mornings, otherwise I'm good if I remember to eat breakfast.

re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you) I'm trying to do this. I'm trying to make more time to do my art because it makes my life less stressful. But, I shouldn't really be concentrating on doing art right now.

say no I don't really have this problem. Unless my boss asks me to work a bit extra.

clean up your computer There's actually not that much on my computer. This computer is pretty new, and most of my stuff is actually on USB drives.

and plan your day ahead This kinda goes with my daily goals. I don't really have a plan. Unless I have to work, I don't plan much.

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month? I like replying to emails right away. That way I don't forget to do things. I also try to get my bills paid right away.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? I believe I did some kind of get ready for college program. I remember going and staying at the dorms on campus and being in a program with other people my age.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? I don't listen to podcasts.

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past? I'm thinking they have it easier. I think of the times when they had to work on their farms 

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier? I love to read
8.  Insert your own random thought here. So, it's been really hot here. We had a heat advisory all this past weekend. And now we have buckled roads. And then there's that whole high humidity and wind that can create tornadoes. I hate tornadoes. I've never actually seen one, but they freak me out. Sadly, that's one of the things you just have to deal with in Iowa. Can't beat summer in Iowa (and technically, it's not even summer yet.) 

Garage sales haul

Not too exciting of garage sales this weekend. I had yesterday off because I'm working this afternoon. I walked about 4.15 miles. One of the sales I wanted to go to, didn't start until 10AM, so I waited until 10 to start out. I went to four sales yesterday, and sadly the one that didn't start until 10 was a bust, it had a lot of antique things for antique store prices.

I found a few things though, the second sale I went to:

 I've been collecting Care Bears lately, I also found this cute necklace of a girl with an "m" on her dress. I thought it'd be great to use on art.
This next sale I spent about $5 at:

 I picked up the shirt for the fabric, it's a burn-out velvet. There's a dresser scarf I plan to send with a future PL. There's also a day-by-day calendar of word searches, like I really need another 'activity book'

I picked up some alphabet stickers, a foam ladybug sticker, some napkins and a glass ball. I figured I could use these for art.
Today, was a little better, I walked about 3.48 miles. Sadly, most of the sales I went to were duds. I had 4 on my list, I found another one while I was out.
The first sale I went to:

 I couldn't pass up the Yoshi (I think that's who it is), and the mushroom head guy. The purple dragon is very soft and I just love the turtle. Those were $1 altogether.
At this same sale they had this birdhouse:

 that they were asking $100 for.
The next few sales were not very interesting, I did pick up a few free things:

Mostly for my co-worker who is collecting superheroes.

I was really annoyed with one sale, that I basically walked out of my way for. They advertised as being open Thursday and Saturday. Last night they changed the time due to heat, and when I went over there today, it didn't exist. And when I looked on the facebook page I got it from, they had taken down their ad.

The heat has been very warm lately. We are in a heat advisory until tomorrow (I think). So, I get changing times due to heat. This morning it was very overcast and felt like rain, but all the radar said no rain.

What's new?

Friday, was the annual art walk. Here is one thing my friend's mom bought for me:

Saturday, I found a few garage sales, sadly they weren't as exciting as I wanted them to be. I walked 4.32 miles and spent $3.50

 some appliques, a birdhouse hanging made out of lace, cross stitched girl and balloons

 a snowman stocking, a couple vintage ornaments and a magnet

 some flowers and a couple scones

Today, I read that Hobby Lobby had the Paper Studio and Stampabilities on sale for 50% off. I needed paper and I've really been wanting a punch lately. I ended up spending about $47, but I found a great deal.

 12x12 all seasons paper pack, cupcake stickers, travel stickers, coffee washi, 'snail mail' stamp set and a 1" circle punch.
I *needed* 12x12 paper. One of the things I've been trying to do (and mostly failing), is putting a piece of paper in the back of my pocket letters, so my partners can't see right away what goodies I put inside for them. I didn't have a lot patterned papers to do this with, so I picked up a 12x12 paper pack today. I also wanted some colored cardstock, but because of the great find in the picture below, I put it back.
The cupcake stickers are for someone's birthday. I have no reason for buying the travel stickers. I wanted more washi and for some reason picked up this coffee set, I don't even like coffee, the other one has tiny +'s on it. They are foiled, which I love. The 'snail mail' stamp set has a snail and an envelope. I've been looking for an envelope stamp/stickers for awhile. I saw this set a few weeks ago when I was here, and wanted it, this time it was 50% off so I picked it up. I've also been wanting a punch lately. I found some punchouts someone had sent me and started using those for handmade embellishments. I really liked the smaller circle, so I bought a 1" circle punch today. I have been punching circles out of sticker backs since I got home.
Here is the great find:

 In the back is a Project Life starter set on clearance for $10.97. I calculated it out, it comes to not even 2 cents per card. There's also a stuffed monster, some heart flat backs, some teal/pink bows and some pink flat backs.
I've been watching some videos where people are buying the Project Life starter sets. They are marked at $29.99, the person I've been watching has been using her 40% coupon to get them for $17.99. I found this set on the bottom shelf of the clearance section, I couldn't find anything wrong with it, and when I saw the price I didn't think twice. I put a few things back and got that. I've been wanting Project Life cards for awhile, I didn't realize there were so many multiples in the set. I love it, though!
I can't pass by a monster, I love them. The rest of the items in the picture are for someone's birthday.
I also went to JoAnn's. I haven't been there for awhile, I just never found anything to buy there. Last Monday, mom went there for something, so I tagged along. I found their clearance aisle, which wasn't that impressive, but most items were marked at $0.50. Most of what I bought went into the picture below.
So, I went back today and picked up a few more things that also went into the picture below. I did find one thing for my friend's birthday:

 One of the items I bought, was marked at $1.97, but rang up over $2.00, I didn't notice it until I was home, and I wasn't interested in going back for the right price. So, I guess I won't be frequenting JoAnn's anymore. They have one aisle for papercrafting stuff, half of that is their clearance aisle. The other side of the aisle is punches and dies for die cut machines and cutting tools. There aren't any stamps, barely any stickers, none under $4.00. So, it's just not worth it.
This is what I was talking about. Every time I've bought something fun/crafty, I've been putting it in this bag for my birthday present to myself. Today I decided it was full enough:

 Plus, my birthday is on July 2nd. So I might as well stop buying before I remember what's in it. This way I know I'll have something I want for my birthday.