Farewell July Hodgepodge

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

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood. Sure. Especially the gone too soon part. I love the end of the year trip to Okoboji. We'd have gone pretty soon, it was usually the last week before school starts. I love that last hurrah before being sucked back into school.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about? I don't care about car races. I do love old muscle cars though. I love going to the Good Guys Car show that comes to Des Moines around the 4th of July. Unfortunately, no one wants to go with me, so I end up not going.

Some of my favorites:

 I believe this is an Olds 442

 Chevy Stingray

 Chevy Camero

 Chevelle SS

 Any kind of cop car

 3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game? I think it depends more on the context. I've seen people joke about anything and everything and it seems to depend on what's happening at that moment whether it will go well or not.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti? Yes. I love meatless lasagna the best. I've never made it, mostly because I don't have enough people to eat it with me. I would choose lasagna over spaghetti any day.

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life? I don't know, maybe reading. I love reading, I love digesting non fiction books.

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose? Not a clue. Maybe something to do with creating, I'd love to create art all day.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words. Goodbye extra stress, hello new path. Yay!

8. Insert your own random thought here. We had our last garage sale last weekend. I'm not sure how much I made total, but I'm tired of getting ready for garage sales. I forget how much work they are.

Is it August yet?

So, it's almost August. And things are soon to change. My parents are about to close on their house. The new owner is coming on the 1st to do a final walk-through and whatever else is required. My parents moved out last week, they're just finishing the clean-up. It's so weird going downstairs and it's almost all empty.
Yesterday, we had our last garage sale, I have to say, I'm really tired of having garage sales. The previous one, my mom pretty much only had her stuff out, she decided they didn't really have room for my stuff. This time, they tried to pull out the rest of the stuff they didn't want. There's still a lot left. After we closed for the day yesterday, we were packing up and all these people kept coming through, it was rather annoying. At first we were just letting them take things, but then they irked us so much we made them pay for them. And they were taking their sweet time going through everything.
I have noticed quite a few things that bother me during these sales. I don't understand why people feel the need to bring their dogs. We had all sizes of dogs wandering through the sales, and the owners didn't see anything wrong with it. I didn't want to say anything because they might decide not to buy anything, but what if I had someone there that was gonna buy a bunch of stuff but they were afraid of dogs or really allergic to them? I like dogs too, I just don't know why people need to bring them everywhere. There was one couple that got out of their truck and took the dog out, it didn't have a leash let alone a collar, and they just let it wander all around with them, didn't even seem to watch it. And they didn't buy anything either.
There were a couple people that rode their bikes through pretty much the entire sale, that was weird. I didn't understand why they couldn't just plop them down in the front yard.
We had a couple people pay us for free stuff because they felt bad just picking up free stuff, that was kinda cool. We decided to have it all day on Friday this time, and I think that helped, but it seemed after the first hour there wasn't a ton of people here at the same time.
I had to take Friday off because last time, they sold a pretty big ticket item of mine, but didn't attribute the money to me. I did have one thing disappear. It was a ring in a bag with something else for 50 cents, and someone took the ring out. Now, I don't know if they put it in another bag and paid for that or just stole it. I just was annoyed that it was so cheap, and you still stole it.
I'm also amused that people always look at stuff that's not for sale and try to talk you into selling it. It's like you have to completely cover everything else in your garage or wherever your sale is, so someone doesn't look, and they still uncover things and ask you about them. And then when you say no, they get all annoyed. Or then, there was the lady that got annoyed that we stopped to think about a lower price on something when we were in the middle of another transaction and didn't get back to her soon enough. Sometimes it's just interesting to people watch at these things.
I think I started making deals way too soon. I just wanted to get rid of the stuff. I didn't want to haul it back up to my apartment. I feel there was a lot of stuff left over. After the first sale, it seemed not too many people looked at art supplies, so I have a ton of those left. Looks like I'll have to take new pictures and re-post on Etsy. I had taken everything off because it seemed like nothing was selling, so I didn't see the point of paying the 20 cents every time they expired. I didn't get rid of the two vintage trunks I wanted to.
I guess I did pretty good, as I've been living off cash for the whole month of July pretty much. It's really nice to not use my checking account. Though the other day, I was using my debit card and I forgot the pin (because my bank assigned me a new one and it's not something I would pick). It's really nice to have extra money, but I don't want to spend it at all.

I'm still stressed with my parents. Wednesday morning was so nice because they weren't around, but since then, I've been really stressed. My mom was complaining on Thursday that she'd have to be at the sale on Friday morning because it wasn't as ready as she wanted it to be so she could work in the morning. And she's saying this in front of me, implying it's my fault. She's been doing that a lot during the move. She's the one that's not doing things that need to be done, but she doesn't want to take the responsibility for it, so she puts it on someone else. She's also realizing how much my dad can't see the more she's around him. She realizes why I get frustrated because he can't see things and then he doesn't take my word on things and asks me dozens of times. They're in an apartment while their condo is being finished and in this apartment there aren't phone plugs, so they're doing some kind of internet phone and they have to connect their modem (which they didn't have) to an internet port in the wall and then into their phone thing, and dad's asking me how to connect the Ethernet cable, so I told him twice. And then, he called my brother and asked him, and he told him the exact same thing. My mother has decided being blind somehow affects your ability to remember things. I can understand that with things you see, but I don't understand how it's with things I'm telling him. I mentioned it might also be because of his hearing, but the minute I said that, she changed the subject. I think it's because both of their hearing is kinda going, and if she confronts his problem, she'll have to confront hers.

I just can't wait until they're not here and I don't have to do (it seems like) everything for them. Half the reason I'm so stressed is because of them.

Yesterday after the sale, I had to mow the lawn because my cousins were taking our lawn mower, and then we were packing things in their trailer, I don't believe I really got to relax until about 8:30 last night. By the time I went to bed at 10ish I was so tired and my whole body hurt. I wish I could just relax today, but I have to go to work at noon, and that's just (not) fun. Maybe I can relax on Wednesday.

Hot and Sticky Hodgepodge

1. When I look at the sky I feel free. How could you not when all that's up there is clouds?
2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this? I wouldn't ever run for office. My mom was on the city council for years, and I saw how stressed she became because of it. I know I'm never going to please everyone, but I don't need a bunch of people mad at me because of the decision I made.
3. What scent makes you think of home? I don't have one specific scent. Mowed grass is nice, wet dirt, lavender, roses.
4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection? Not a lot, mostly because I don't know where I want to be headed, so it's hard to look at it. I know where I don't want it to head, and I know of a couple things I want, but I don't know how to get there, especially not from here.
5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream? rice. Nice hot rice with cold vanilla ice cream, it's soo good.
6. What might your autobiography be called? Boring
7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why? Bicycle, my butt gets sore if I'm on one for too long. I know, if I rode more often, it wouldn't, but I prefer walking over biking.
 8.  Insert your own random thought here. It's hot and sticky here, I can't wait until cooler weather (didn't think I'd ever say that). We had a heat advisory yesterday afternoon and into today until 7pm. I had sweat running down my face and neck yesterday by the time I got home. Today, it was just on my face by the time I got to work. I was really overheated, plus the library doesn't have that great of AC at this location, so certain parts are very warm.
Also, I'm bored. Everything I do is boring. Movies/TV I watch is boring, the books I read are boring, I can't get inspired to do any artwork. My food I had for supper today was tasteless and boring. I'd really love to drag myself out of this rut, but I don't know how to do it.

I need a break

I need a new job.
My job was re-organized in May, and I got demoted. Everyday I come in and they tell me what I can't do for the day, and every day it gets worse. I've had days I've felt like just leaving. Or I come in and I think I should just turn around and leave. I need the money though. I was going to wait until after a big even happened thinking it would get better, but it just keeps getting worse. It's just blow after blow. We have lost about 10 people since we got re-organized, so much that they're relegating our details to other people, and then they decide we can't even do those duties. Basically everything is not our problem, and I have a hard time putting in the effort when I'm there.
It used to be, work was a way to get away from my personal life, but right now, both are so stressful, I woke up physically drained yesterday.
My parents are moving (I live on the 3rd floor of their house) and the moving truck is coming next Tuesday and this Monday they started freaking out. And now they're bugging me to help them, because they are nowhere near ready. I know I don't need an excuse to help them and I shouldn't be bothered because it's not my fault they didn't get in gear earlier. They've known for a little less than a year that they were moving, and they just ignored it. I know they should have been sorting a long time ago. But, now my mother says she doesn't have time for sorting, but she has time for other things. Shouldn't moving be her first priority? She shouldn't have said yes to all these things she said yes to, because she has a ton to move. But I can't say anything, because I'm wrong and she's right.
I don't have any where to escape too. I need a vacation from my life.

Summer Hodgepodge

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

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom? I read. I always have plenty of books in my apartment on a variety of subjects.
 2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for? Probably for brunch on Father's Day. We don't do a lot where reservations are required.
 3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen? I don't make summer bucket lists, even when I plan things, they somehow fall through, so I gave up.
 4. What's your favorite summertime sip? I love homemade lemonade. I don't like lemonade any other time of year.
5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension? Try to figure out why they are hostile and find a way to calm them down.
 6. Your favorite film set in summer? American Graffiti
7. What word are you using too much lately? I can't think of one. 
8. Insert your own random thought here. I think my parents are finally realizing they have too much stuff and need to get rid of some of it. We're having our second of three garage sales this weekend. The first one seemed to be mostly stuff they were getting rid of anyway. This time they're starting to sort through things they haven't seen in awhile. I'm afraid they're going to get to their new condo and realize they have too much stuff. I'm also trying to stay out of their business it's not something I need to worry about. I may not be moving, but I'm still trying to downsize for when I do move.

Last week's finds

So, it's been awhile since I've had a real post other than hodgepodges. Has anyone heard of Little Libraries? Basically it's a box of books, you take one and give one back. They must send you a generic box, because a lot of them look alike, but then you decorate it however you please. I've also seen a lot of customized boxes. This one is fairly close to my house and they decorated it all with buttons. How cool is that?

Side:

It says "Unbutton your imagination" Front:

A full frontal:

Other side:

And back:

Last weekend, my mother and I went to Junkin' in June. A lot of little antique places around central Iowa open their doors for people to shop during the weekend. I think I had the most fun this year. I'm not entirely sure why, it might have been because I only went to the ones I knew I liked. I had to work Saturday afternoon, so I had limited time.
The first place we went to, we went to it last year, they moved to a bigger location. I saw a lot of cool things, but since I'm trying not to spend much money lately, I didn't find much I couldn't live without. Maybe that's why I had a better time, I took the time to figure out if I really wanted things before buying them.
My first purchase was this cute little pillow made out of an old quilt. I love old quilts, but they're usually out of my price range, so I try to find other ways to get them.

My next purchase was this cute little box. I took it home and altered it, I love how it turned out.

And my last purchases of the day, some vintage photos,

And the word "ART", there's also a tiny metal guy that has the word Buster on his hat. The straws are spotty and came with my meal.

The meal was a cute little boxed meal, and it was little. I thought it would be fine to eat at work and I'd be filled up til later, nope. It was a very small bun with a piece of cheese and turkey. I was still hungry afterward, so I had to go buy more food.

Like I said I had more fun this year than in previous years. Maybe we'll have to do it when I limited time next year.

My week has been nice and busy. I feel as if I've been working all week, and I did most of it. Monday was work and then it poured right when I got done, and continued pouring for about an hour. Tuesday we had flooding and a little more rain. Wednesday, I picked up an extra shift and just worked. Wednesday was my birthday, but I didn't do anything special. We went out for supper and I got a cake, which we haven't touched yet. Thursday, I had a split shift and in between had to mow and rake the lawn and take care of laundry. I was so exhausted when I went back to work that night, afterwards it was fireworks. Friday, got up and went to the parade, after that we got ready for a family get-together and then I wandered downtown for a little while. Unfortunately, that was un-exciting. I thought there was supposed to be more to do/eat/see. Yesterday, we spent the day sorting through my brother's old things while he was here. And today, I got back to work, I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

How was everyone's 4th of July?

My birthday (but mostly Wednesday Hodgepodge)

It's my birthday!!!!

It's also time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge, check out Joyce's blog for other people's answers.

1. Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something? Maybe on viewing my life lately? I think it 's time for a new direction, I just don't know what it is.

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America. It's America, what's not to love?

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie? Stars, Blue, and blueberry pie.

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking? When I set up my microwave a few years, I gave myself a jolt while attempting to plug it in. That was fun.

5. 'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on', 'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately? Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell? Let's go with Lost of Bells and Whistles, because today is my birthday. I don't have anything planned, I'm working, and then going to supper with my parents. I keep trying to schedule something with my friends, but out schedules are not working well this week. So, unfortunately, there won't be lots of bells and whistles. I did ask family and friends for a card shower, and I'm hoping to get a lot, but I don't think that will happen either.

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all? I'm so ready for it to be over. I don't pay attention to sports at all, but I seem to run into it on Facebook and Google, and I'm ready to not see it anymore.

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less. Goodbye busy June, welcome July.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Like I said, it's my birthday, but I don't have anything planned. Maybe I'll get a bunch of online birthday wishes. I was hoping to do something fun, but it seems my planning of things with friends this year just isn't working out.

It's Sunny Hodgepodge

It's time for Hodgepodge again. Check out Joyce's blog to see everyone else's answers.

 

1. What summer activity most takes you back to your own childhood? Miniature golf. There are no places around here to play, but up in Okoboji, IA (where we have a timeshare), there's quite a few. Everytime we make it up there, that is one of the must do's on our list, whether it's the one we always went to when we were children, and were rewarded with an ice cream cone at the end, or a newer one with pirates right next to the amusement park. Last time we were up there, my brother's plans got changed so he didn't get there when my parents and I were there, so my mother humored me and played with me. That's something I've never seen her do

2. What's your favorite summer smell? This:

The lake at Okoboji, our condo looks right out onto it. It's also one of the best views.

3. It's beach season in the US of A...so how do you feel about sand? I like sand, because with sand comes water, and I love being in the water. I don't like how sand sticks all over you, but it's a small price to pay for being in water.
4. Sun tea, SunChips, sunflower seeds, Capri Sun, Sunny Delight, Sun-Maid raisins, sun-dried tomatoes...your favorite food or beverage with sun in its name? I don't really consume a lot of food with sun in the name, but if I have to pick from the above list, I'd go with Capri Sun, that stuff's good.
5. What's your favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day? A cold shower. No one ever complains if you use too much cold water. If I can't get one of those, an ice cube run over the back of my head cools me off really quick too.
6. Share a favorite song with the word sun or sunshine in it's title. Sunshine of your Love by Cream. I'm not exactly sure what the words are, but I like the flow and sound of it.
7. Tell us about a time you had an exceedingly good or truly awful customer service experience. If it was awful, did you report it? Ever go back there again? Sadly, I don't really remember those. I know at the time, it will bug me, or make me so happy but after talking about it for awhile, I tend to forget. Plus, I'm also trying not to dwell on the past too much.
8. Insert your own random thought here.  It's my birthday in a week. Next Wednesday, I will turn 31.
If you'd like to help me in a card shower, where everyone sends me a bunch of cards, please leave a comment.
And as of last night, my plans were cancelled, so I have nothing to do for my birthday.

It's back!!!

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

1. Since you weren't Hodgepodging last Wednesday, how did you pass the time? I was getting ready for a garage sale, I also had a cold. Two things that one should not have together.

2. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? Yes, one word.  Honestly, I don't think of a single word. I think of certain couples and how I don't want mine to turn out like theirs. And then I wish I had a prospective guy that I would think of marrying in the future.

3. Summer officially arrives in the Northern hemishpere later this week. Does it feel like summer where you live? Describe your idea of the perfect summer day. Our weather definitely feels like summer. Yesterday, the humidity was at 74%, that's melting weather. Plus, we had high winds, that's tornado weather, we were in a tornado watch from early afternoon until midnight. That's what summer is in the Midwest. Though my perfect summer day, is temperatures in the 80's and a nice rain.

4. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."(Sam Keen) Is laziness ever respectable? Do you have a lazy summer planned, or something semi-ambitious? Sometimes it is nice to just relax and do nothing. Since the house has sold, we've been enjoying the porch a lot more. For Father's Day, we had lunch on the porch and just continued to sit there and enjoy the weather for awhile afterwards.

5. Past or present, who's your favorite television dad? Why is he a favorite? Is he anything like your own dad? I like Bill Cosby, mostly because I laugh everytime I think of him. He is not like my own dad.

6. June 18th is International Picnic Day...share a favorite picnic memory. I like picnics in parks. Last year, my friend, her mother and I all went to The Ledges park here in Iowa, had a nice lunch and wandered through the creek. That was fun. Anything with food, friends or family, and nice outdoors works for me.

7. The travel site Trip Advisor lists the top five islands in the world for 2014 as- Ambergris Caye in Belize Cayes, Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Marco Island Florida, and Lewis and Harris in The Outer Hebrides (Scotland). Have you been to any of these? Of those listed (and if price were not a factor) which would you most like to book for a holiday? They all sound pretty good to me. I'm a cancer, so anything to do with water and I'm happy. I haven't been swimming in years, so to be able to relax and swim in the ocean would be great. I really love hunting for shells and beach glass when I go to the beach, they look like great places to do it.
The last island I recall going to was in Florida quite a few years ago, my dad attended a conference and I went along to help him with things. The resort had their own private island, so I took a boat out there and gathered lots of seashells. I also go to save a sea cucumber and push it back out to sea, it was pretty cool to see.

 8.  Insert your own random thought here. It's almost my birthday. It will be two weeks from tomorrow, though I know I'll be disappointed. I always get myself psyched up for things and then they don't meet my expectations and I'm let down. Last year, I turned 30 and had a dinner party with friends, which was pretty fun, I guess I expected more glam. And a couple of my friends gave me wine, I'm not a big wine drinker, I've never really found one I liked, so to get 2 bottles of wine when I gave them plenty ideas well ahead of time, was a little disappointing.
My mother and I have been going on this antiquing thing around central Iowa the last few years, it falls on the weekend before our birthdays (mine is on July 2nd, my mother's the 3rd), and it's always fun to check out new antique places and spend a little money. My mother said she might be too busy this year and that I should see if anyone else wants to go with me. Most of my friends are not into antiques and garage saleing and all that, so I don't have anyone to go with, I'm rather bummed.
I will mention again, that I'd love to have a card shower for my birthday. Basically, that means, you send cards to someone, so they're "showered" with cards. If you'd like to help me out, leave a comment, make sure I can reply to it, and I'll send you my address.

I'm so ready for a little sanity

It's been a long weekend, and it will be a long week.
As you all know, my parents are moving, the house has sold, they will be living somewhere else for 3 months while their condo is being finished. Last year, they decided we should have a family vacation in Charleston, SC around Christmas. I tried to tell them, that I'd prefer not to travel around the holidays, but when do they ever listen to me? In March, my mom suggested I do work for them to earn this trip (she had actually suggested I do work for them to earn money, which I agreed to, and then she changed it to earning the trip), and even though I tried to convince them I didn't want to go, they didn't listen to me, and we have a house we're renting down there, and we ordered plane tickets last week.
Anyways, back to the work thing, basically it was work to help get the house and them ready to move. Lately it's been getting ready for a garage sale. So, this Saturday and Sunday, we sorted and moved stuff. I'm pretty sure this sore throat I have is from inhaling dirt and dust from the garage and basement. Yesterday, we hauled all the stuff up out of the basement. Today, I felt like I could curl up and take a nap all day. I was soo tired at work this morning, it took me twice as long to do things as it normally would. When I got home, I decided to move all my stuff to the garage. Bad idea, my knees hate me lately and are very painful when I bend or squat down, they were really not happy with all the stairs yesterday, and I bruised my kneecap on Saturday kneeling on concrete (it's such interesting colors right now). And then tonight, I decided I was bored with the arrangement of my apartment, so I moved my bed, a chest, and a recliner around. I am sooo tired. Crawling on my knees on my bed hurt. I'm ready for a deep sleep.
I don't have a day off until Sunday, I'm totally counting the days at the garage sale. I figure we'll take pictures for the craigslist ad, so I'll totally put them on here. Anyone close to central Iowa wanna come to a fairly large garage sale?
I think I should stop planning things with my friends, things keep coming up and they have to keep cancelling, it's really starting to wear me thin. I understand life gets in the way sometimes, I just want to get away and do something fun for a little while, is that too much to ask?
Plus, I don't have anything fun planned for my birthday. There's this thing called Junkin in June, that's held the last weekend in June, that my mom have been doing for a few years as a little fun birthday trip for us (my birthday's on July 2nd, my mother's is on the 3rd), she told me, she thinks she'll have too much to do, and I don't really have any friends that would go on it with me, and it's no fun by myself.

Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Check out Joyce's blog to see what other people answered.

 

1. I've read several posts and status updates recently describing end of year school field trips. Do you remember taking school field trips as a kid? Where did you go and do you recall a favorite? For any parents responding today, have you ever chaperoned a school field trip, and if so where?  I don't recall very many field trips. I do remember one where we did team exercises, but nothing near as fun as I hear kids doing nowadays. I would love to go to the zoo for a field trip;

2. What's something you're tired of seeing online? I don't know what I'm tired of seeing, there's not a lot of things I see across blogs and facebook, which is where I spend most of my time. I tell you I'm tired of looking for an apartment and job websites. Unfortunately, I'll be looking at them for awhile.

3. June is the month for roses. Which of the following expressions would you say has most recently applied to your life-'everything's coming up roses', 'there's no rose without a thorn', 'came out smelling like a rose', or 'wearing rose-colored glasses'?  Honestly, I'm not really sure, I'm not in the best of moods lately. I was last week and then I was let down on Saturday and that put me back quite a few steps, and now I have no idea what I'm going to do. I wish I could wear rose-colored glasses and see all the good in things right now, but I'm having a hard time.

4. When grilling outdoors do you prefer gas or charcoal? Who does the grilling at your house? What's the last thing you ate that was cooked on a grill? We don't grill. The only time I get grilled food is when we go to my aunt and uncle's for the 4th of July, it's usually hot dogs and hamburgers.

5. Are you afraid of the dark? I love the dark, unless I just watched a creepy movie about haunted old houses. I live in an old house and even though I know there's nothing happening, after watching one of those movies (you'd think I'd learn), I usually lie awake staring into the darkness wishing it were morning.

6. Share a favorite song with a number in it's title. Four Women by Nina Simone. I heard it at the end of the movie For Colored Girls, and it just hit something. It's about four different black women and their lives. I don't know how to embed videos, but here's a link to a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmzQ39sXTQ It's not a great video, it just has the lyrics scrolling across the screen, but I couldn't really find one I wanted.

7. "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."(C.G. Jung). Do you agree? Why or why not? I can see that. I think things that other people do/are that irritate us is either something we don't have, or something we don't like about ourselves and instead of looking in at ourselves, we place the blame on someone else.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 That's my random thought. The house was put on the market on May 23rd and the offer was accepted on the 29th.

I've known for awhile that I'd need to find a new place to live and I've been looking, I've also known I'll need another job to afford one. I don't have either, I'm still looking. A co-worker said she'd be my roommate and then decided she didn't have enough money to do that. I was so excited when she told me she'd be my roommate, we looked at a few apartments last week and then she gets her paycheck and decides she doesn't have the money. That was a huge let-down. I have about 2 months, I think I'll be on the street.
I have other co-workers who have to move and I ask if we could be roommates and they say, they don't want to live with other people. I just feel like no one cares.

If you're interested in a piece of artwork from me, go here.
Another random thought. My birthday is in less than a month and I'd love to have a card shower. Anyone wanna help me out?

Still Looking

I'm hating my life right now. Last week, a co-worker said she'd be my roommate, we looked at a couple places, found one that was promising, she said she had to wait until the end of the month before she could lay down any money for a deposit. End of the month comes, and she says she can't afford her half, now I'm back to square one.
I've decided I'm not spending any money on things I don't need. That means I won't be buying pop, I won't be buying any sweets, I won't be going to garage sales, I won't be buying clothes, I won't be eating out at all, I won't be able to do anything fun, and I probably still won't be able to afford an apartment by myself.
The house is Sale Pending. It went on the market on May 23rd, the second showing was the Tuesday after, and they took those people's offer.
It just feels like I get a little ahead, and then something sets me back. I was so excited about one of the apartments last week, and once my friend got paid, we could go apply and give them the deposit, and then she says she can't do it.
Some of my friends are also moving this year, so I asked them if we could be roommates, but they don't want to live with someone else, even if it means saving money for both of us.
I'm so tired of trying to do things/doing things and then getting nowhere.
Is it against the rules if I ask people to pray I find an apartment soon? Or at least ask for good thoughts?

Hodgepodge time

Apparently it's Wednesday, it doesn't feel like Wednesday. But, since it is, it's time for Hodgepodge. Head on over to Joyce's blog to see what other people have said.

1. What news story are you following right now? I don't follow the news, it's always depressing. I am following the progress on the new library. We have paint, last week we got a tour, and it's so neat to be able to see everything instead of just trying to visualize.

2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get? That would be the salaried job I applied for at the library. I thought I was going to get it, when they told me I didn't, it floored me. Then my job changed, so even though I'm hoping to stay at the library, I'm looking for another job.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is the one side dish you hope is on the menu? I had a frozen one the other day, but I microwaved it too long and melted the cheese right off of it, it wasn't very good without cheese. Before that, it was at Dairy Queen, and while I liked it at the time, it didn't sit very well in my stomach. The last time I was craving a hamburger, I had a home cooked one, one from Hickory Park (a local place), and one from Burger King (this one was actually reheated the day after purchase), and I found the Burger King one to be the most satisfying, I'm not sure why.

 4. How have your priorities changed over time? With having to move after being in my current living space for a long time, I've decided I don't need so much stuff. I'm trying to cut down on what I buy. I feel with my job situation and my living situation, I've needed to figure a lot out lately, and I'm not entirely sure where I'm going.

5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents? Okoboji. The timeshare we have up there is actually my dad's parents, we were always the ones that used it, so we got it when they passed away. We all went up there when I was very small, and not that I remember a lot because I was 3 or 4, but I have pictures.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example. I'm pretty good, it's something I use a lot in my life and job, so I have to be good at it.

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May? This year, I have a lot more lows than highs. The job thing mentioned above. The fact that I've had the living situation shoved in my face. I've known since last September, but it became really real this month, last Friday, they put the sign in the front yard, and the next day we had a showing. But, I also found someone that wants to be my roommate, and though we haven't found an apartment yet (we are looking at 3 this morning), we've given each other a verbal agreement to do it, to help with our own finances. I'm going to something fun on Saturday with this person. Personally, I'm ready for the whole summer to be over and to be settled in a new/additional job and new place. I would love to just skip the unsure and looking part.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. There is so much on my mind right now. Normally, I'm a pretty messy person, but we had to deep clean the apartment to get it nice for showing, and I have to say, I like it clean. I never really cared how things looked because I was the only one living here. But, I like being able to walk through my apartment in the dark and not have to worry about tripping over things. I love that I have so much more space in my craft closet. I like the extra space in the living room. Just don't tell my mom, I'm liking the cleanliness. 

Garage sale finds and stuff

Looks like I haven't posted my finds in awhile. Also, this post has quite a few pictures in it. So, last weekend I spent less than $5 all weekend. Friday, I picked up a cute Asian tin, a green scarf, and some vintage trim. I figured the tin would work for a swap, the scarf and trim for art projects, I actually used some of the trim for a blue swap already.

 Saturday, I saw this beautiful carnival glass bowl, here's the top:

 and the bottom, for 50 cents, but I didn't need it, and I'm downsizing, but how gorgeous is it?

 I bought some books (I'm not allowed to buy books anymore), F in Exams, we have another book by this author at the library, I figured after I read it, I would donate it and see if we couldn't get it in the collection. Cut it, Paste it, Sew it, was soo cute inside. Fun food, because I have a hard time walking away from cooking books, and Working with Difficult People, because that's life.

 I also picked up this gorgeous needlepoint, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with it, but it was so pretty.

 Tuesday, we had a hailstorm and torrential downpour. I ran outside and collected a hail stone:

 That was about the biggest they got, most of them were the size of marbles, but they didn't melt at all during that storm. About 10-15 minutes later we got the torrential rain, it rained so hard, some streets got flooded. I heard a few of them took quite awhile to drain.

While I was sorting and cleaning, I found this paper mache rabbit I bought at a sale a couple years ago. I covered it in dictionary paper, and haven't been able to get rid of it. It's probably going into a garage sale.

We had to have the house nicely cleaned because they were going to take pictures on Wednesday in order to list the house.
 Wednesday, I decided to take a little break from life, while they were taking pictures and went shopping. I didn't spend too much, I had to spend the last $11 left on a gift card I got two Christmases ago. I also found a couple $1 shirts at Walmart, and Burlesque. The library used to have a copy and then it disappeared from the system, last time I wanted to watch it, they had to order it from another library, I figured this way, I wasn't going to be a burden next time I wanted to watch it.

 Thursday night, I made myself some yummy looking nachos.

Yesterday, I found some pretty cool things, the coolest was free.
The first sale, I bought a Coke and went next door. While I was there buying the owls and purple bag, I decided I needed the multi-colored purse. I originally bought it for a friend, but I've been looking for a smaller bag lately, and I think I'm gonna keep it. I'm still collecting owls, basically I paid 10 cents for that little tiny pewter one. I figured I could use the purple bag in a swap.

 The background piece was my best find. As I was walking to another sale, I stumbled over a table in someone's yard that said "Free, just leave the table", so I picked up the owl and moose. On the ground was a box of linens, when I saw the pillowcase, I had to have it.

 Here's a close-up, it looks like someone sewed a bunch of vintage lace together to create it, I LOVE it. I did take off the blue velvet bow. I'd love to take off the frilly outside and back it with something to create a wallhanging, but I know that won't happen.

 I bought this box of Christmas ornaments for $1 at another sale, basically I wanted the cross stitch piece and the cute little gnomes

 I also like the snowman and whatever kind of bird is in the lower right hand corner.

 The last sale, I found two cute plates and a matching bowl in a free box. I think I should have left the bowl behind, maybe it will make it's way into my garage sales. I thought the book was extra cute, and the cookie cutters are Pillsbury Doughboys, they're for my aunt

 I also picked up a barrette for art purposes, a cute turtle necklace, a fabric flower and a cute bear.

There are soo many things I keep talking myself out of buying. I didn't buy anything at garage sales today. I found a few DVDs but I'm not buying anymore of those (I have 170 already). I'm not allowed to look at fabric, or craft supplies or many decorative items. It's kinda depressing, but I make myself go to get some exercise, plus if I didn't go, I wouldn't have found that cool pillowcase.
 Last night, they put the for sale sign in the front yard and the listing went up at 10PM. Today we had a showing. Now that it's really real, it's kinda depressing.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time, check out Joyce's blog for other people's answers.

1. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking? It depends on what I'm thinking about. I'm really good about waiting until the last minute to do things. When I have time constraints, I seem to do the best. I was really good with this and writing papers in college. I've told people I can't do that anymore, but today, I realize I do it quite a bit.

2. Are you a risk taker? What's one big risk you've taken? I'm not. I'm a big planner, I like to plan. At this point in my life, I need to take a risk and figure out what I'm doing with my life. And I have no idea.

3. Some of the most common phobias according to the National Institute for Mental Health are-fear of spiders (arachnaphobia), snakes (ophidiophobia), heights (acrophobia), fear of spaces from which escape is difficult (agoraphobia), fear of thunder and lightening (astrophobia), fear of dogs (cynophobia), injections (trypanophobia), social situations, flying (pteromerhanophobia) and fear of germs and dirt (mysophobia). True phobias affect only about 10% of adults, but of those listed which would you rate as your greatest fear? Fear of the unknown. If I don't know what's going to happen, I get really freaked out, kinda goes with number 2, that's why I don't want to stray from where I am now, though I kinda feel I need to strike out on my own.

4. Are you settled or do you feel the need to move somewhere new? I am very settled, unfortunately, the house my apartment is attached to is being listed on the market, tomorrow in fact, and I have to move. I don't like change.

5. What is something you find annoying when dining in a restaurant? Noisy people. I go to restaurants to have nice, quiet conversations and a nice dinner, when people are noisy, it kinda feels like I'm at work. I get enough noise there, I don't need more.

6. Daffodil yellow, sunset orange, spring green, or sky blue...your favorite color this time of year? I don't really have a favorite. I love daffodil yellow, when the daffodils pop up, I know it's spring. Though I'm not as excited about dandelion yellow, I like them too, but sometimes there's just too many. Sunset orange is just a gorgeous way to end the day, I actually like sunset pink better and over water, that's a great sunset.

 Spring green, is the grass, lots of lush green grass always signifies warmer weather, and with it seems to come freshly mown grass smell, one of my favorite smells.

And sky blue, is such a nice thing to see, especially after sky grey we had yesterday complete with torrential downpour and hail.

7. If you were going to take a holiday all by yourself, where would you go? I don't have a specific place, I like going places with people, it's way more fun to share the experience. But, if we're talking just a nice peaceful vacation, Okoboji, that's the place to relax and get away from the world for awhile.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. As mentioned above, I have to move. Today, they're taking pictures in order to list the house tomorrow. I'm not ready for pictures (I should probably be organizing/cleaning instead of this, but I need a break). I've been so stressed about this upcoming move, finding an apartment I can afford, my job and so many other things in my life for awhile now. Anyone have any good suggestions to de stress? I'd really appreciate them. 

Favorite Color Swap

It's time to reveal what I got in The Favorite Color Swap.

I was paired up with Tracee of A Taste of My Mind. I told her my favorite color was purple. I actually don't have a single favorite color, but I thought I'd try to incorporate some purple into my decor. Here's what she got me:

A purple towel, purple candles, a purple spatula, a purple hedgehog lip gloss, lavender scented soap, and some pretty purple flower napkin rings.

To see what other people got, click on the button below:

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem? My life feels like mayhem right now. I'm looking for a new job, looking for a new apartment, cleaning my current apartment, sorting and getting rid of things in my apartment. Sometimes, I feel like just taking time for myself is just wrong.

2. When did you last feel dismayed? Last week. My job was reorganized and I'm not pleased with the outcome. That's all I'll say about that.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange? Rice and ice cream. My ex introduced me to it years ago and I thought it wouldn't be good, but now every time I have Chinese food, I feel the need to grab some vanilla ice cream and mix it with my rice.

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? I like the idea.

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.  Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person? I've been to Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, LA. I will be going to Charleston, SC for Christmas.
I think it would be fun to see Philadelphia, PA and Savannah, GA. I'd love to see Liberty Hall, and all those cool sites you see in National Treasure, and I'd love to see the houses in Savannah.

 6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose? I like walking.

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up? I like that everything is within walking distance.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I'm still cleaning and sorting. Sunday, I was going to make a graduation card for a friend, but then figured since I was in my craft closet, I should pull out supplies for a couple swaps I'm in and then I decided I should start sorting and cleaning in there, and then I got tired of sitting on the floor. I worked on it again yesterday. Tonight, we have family coming to move stuff, so I have to have it done before I go to work today. I'm not entirely sure that's possible.

I posted a Pay it Forward post a few days ago, and no one has signed up. Would anyone like to receive some art made by me? If so, go here and comment.

Pay it forward

Last year I commented on someone's blog on one of these and I never got anything. I also posted it on my art blog and didn't get any sign ups, so I'm trying it again this year.

I commented on Ma Vie Trouvee's post about this, and so I have to do the same thing on my blog. Maybe I'll get people commenting this year.

 

Pay It Forward Art-making Project for 2014

I'm participating in this art share project - do you want to join me?

What I will do:   Make a small work of art for the first five people who comment on this post and say "YES, I want in!"  It might be a fabric piece, paper piece or something mixed. 

What you will do:  Swap a piece of art with me, post the rules on your blog or any other social media AND make something for the first five who comment on YOUR post...you in return will get 5 pieces of original art.  Really it is 4, as I count as one of your swaps.  How fun is this?

The rules are simple:

– It has to be your work, made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends.

 

- Copy & Paste this as your latest entry on your favorite social website

– It can be anything art-based: a drawing/illustration, a photograph, digital, jewelry, a knitted item, cross-stitch, paper maché – or anything in-between.


- It doesn't matter if you aren't an artist...the sky's the limit...

Okay - who is in??

My week

I was so glad it was Friday yesterday, I've been waiting for the end of the week since Monday night, which was really crappy.

So, Monday, I found out I didn't get a salaried job I applied for. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I know I can't live off the library as my main job anymore, it's not economically feasible for me.

But, I really couldn't take much time for myself. I had to have my apartment cleaned by Tuesday at 2. My mom had told me I had three weeks of cleaning to do. I know you guys don't know what my apartment looked like before, but here are some nice clean pictures for you. They're a little out of order.

This is looking into the living room from the doorway. Normally, there is a stack of books behind the chair, a box of mail stuff on the floor by the magazine rack, a box behind the desk chair, and some kind of food stuff next to the couch.

This is looking toward the living room from the top of the stairs. My apartment is on the third floor of a Victorian house, so that's two flights of stairs, one very windy when I get home from a long day. My craft closet would be to the left of the photo, most of the time, my craft supplies cover the hallway because I don't have much room for them.

I've turned to the left from the picture above. I'm now looking east to my bedroom, you can see my craft closet door on the left.

And here we are in my bedroom, to the left is my bathroom. To the right is one of my dressers. Normally, I have a lot of stuff on the floor. The bed is generally not made. That pink chair is usually filled with stuffed animals.

Here I've turned to the right of the photo above. Usually, I have a large laundry basket on the floor next to the chair, there's clothes hanging from the rack in the corner.

Like I said the pictures are out of order. You can see my stairs to the right. The place we're looking at is usually covered in boxes, coats, shoes and my purse. My kitchen counter is usually covered in dishes waiting to be washed.

And here were are looking into my kitchen. The table is usually covered in stuff. Like I said the kitchen counter is usually covered in dishes. Until last week, I had a large box on the floor with stuff I wanted to get rid of.

And here we're looking into the living room from the kitchen. This doorway is on the other side of the refrigerator in the picture above. Once again, I usually have a lot of stuff on my floor.

This is what our garbage cans looked like Tuesday morning. I was really impressed that the garbage guys took it all away. I felt sorry for them.
So, I took the rest of the week for myself. Tuesday, when the realtor and my parents came through, I went downtown to buy things for my Favorite Color swap partner. I found a few things, and something for me. I found a 1.25 pint Old Orchard Pyrex bowl. I don't know if it's vintage, but I love the size, so I bought it. That night, we went to Red Green. It's hard faking being happy, when you'd really like to stay at home and mope.
Wednesday, I had to be at work at noon, I basically sat on my ass and watched a movie I forgot to take back, I figured if it was gonna be late, I might as well watch it. It was hard at work, thankfully it was all people who didn't get the job, so we all talked about it, we needed it. One of my co-workers even gave me a hug, I really needed that.
Thursday, I also worked at noon, I'm not even sure what I did that morning. It was very awkward at work, I had to work/interact with 3 people that got salaried jobs.
Friday, I slept in and took my time at stuff. One of my neighbors was having their annual sale, so I wondered over to that.

I bought two Pookie bears (Garfield's teddy bear, it's kinda funny, I got rid of all my Garfield stuffed animals, but I bought these.), an I Love Lucy beanie baby, and a couple cute boxes I thought I could use for swaps.
I went to the grocery store to mail my Favorite Color swap package, and a couple Altoid tins someone bought off my Etsy store. On the way home, I stopped by our cupcake emporium, I had to pick up my free cupcake, and of course buy some. I'm standing there waiting to be helped and there's these two ladies in front of me ordering lunch (which is kinda weird, cause their main product is cupcakes), and one of them says all she wants is lunch, no cupcake. The other one comments that just by being there and smelling them, she was gaining weight.

They are peanut butter cup, pink champagne, dark chocolate/white swirl, dirt and worms, hazelnut and dark chocolate raspberry. Later that night, I hung out with a friend who also didn't get the job and we bitched about work and other stuff.
Today, I had about 6 garage sales I wanted to go to. I had planned to do some of them on Friday, but I got distracted by the computer. I didn't find very much to buy and spent about $5.00. I ended up walking 5.52 miles, and my feet were not happy when I got home.

I've dubbed this, the Elmo pillow. It pretty much looks like someone skinned Elmo and made him into a pillow. And I certainly don't need another pillow, but I like it.

I have no idea what these are, I found them and bought them because they are wicked cute. There's pigs, frogs, turtles, killer whales, seahorses, hippos, a dolphin, a teddy bear, monkeys, kangaroos, clown fish, octopi, and elephants. They're kinda rubbery and have a hole in the bottom like they're pencil toppers. I also bought a thimble for my collection.
When I got home, I found my Favorite Color package on the porch. I said my color was purple, and I'm a bit disappointed in the stuff in the package. There were a couple fake flower napkin rings, a spatula, a towel, a couple candles, a cute little hedgehog lip balm and a bottle of lavender soap. I kinda feel that she just put in things most people would like/need and didn't really pay attention to what I liked. I did say I liked fake flowers, so there was that.
I feel I should stop doing swaps, it seems one of every five or so I get something I'm actually excited about.
After getting home, I sat down for about 20 minutes, then had to go get gas so I could mow the lawn. And then had a heck of a time starting the mower, and then it got clogged because the lawn was really bad, so we had to raise the height of the mower, one of the wheels is stuck or something, so it's really hard to change, that was fun. Even with raising the height of the mower it still took forever to get the lawn done, and then I had to lower it back to normal height and mow again. I did get to take a small break while eating lunch.
I feel like I've been busy all day. Now, that I'm actually sitting still, my legs, feet and back hurt. I'm really tired and heading to bed really soon.

How was everyone else's week?