my week

So, I'm still spending money. Now that it's getting colder, I need dressy long sleeve shirts and cold weather shoes. I have tennis shoes, which also need replacing, but I need nice looking shoes. I bought a pair of really cute flats a few weeks ago at Walmart, but they gave me horrendous blisters when I wore them, one is still healing. I bought a simple black pair at Target, but they didn't fit well, too big. I did find some 'combat' boots at Walmart that looks like they'll work, but they're not really dressy looking. I'm thinking I'll have to go up to Younkers, they have Clark's which I've been happy about.
I'm just trying to remember what I've done in the past week, which is kinda sad cause I haven't been that busy.
Sunday, we went up north to celebrate my grandma's 99th birthday (which was actually Thursday). That was fun, but I feel I don't have that much in common with my mom's family anymore. I used to love going to family get-togethers, but now, I don't have a family or a boyfriend and that's what seems to interest them. They don't seem that interested in my job, even though I'm now salaried and more settled. That was all day.
Monday, I worked in the afternoon/evening. I've been watching Halloween movies (I have a lot) every October up until Halloween when I watch Maximum Overdrive. When I was in high school my friend would have a party every Halloween, and I remember one year her parents were watching Maximum Overdrive and it seemed soo cool. So, when I found it on DVD it's my Halloween movie. Some of my movies, I'm getting tired of. I've seen them so much, they're just boring after awhile. I'm also working through the X-Files TV series, so I've been binge watching that when I have time.
Tuesday, I had training with the city. Since I'm now salaried, I have to go to a few days of training with the city. I'm not really learning that much cause I've been with the library for 6 years, so I know about the city, but it's fun to be with different people. This next week is the last day and we get free lunch.
Wednesday, I work a weird shift 10-3, it's been shortened lately because I can only work 20 hours and I get about 8 hours on Tuesdays. After finishing season 2 of the X-Files I had season 4 of The Walking Dead to finish.
Thursdays, are laundry days. That's stressful. I'm going to my parents house to use their laundry facilities because it's free, but it's way more stressful than paying. Now that I've switched to Thursdays, my dad doesn't make me go out to lunch with him cause he's got other stuff going on. My dad's legally blind. I enjoy free lunch, but my parents still treat me like I'm five. Last weekend, we went to lunch and they had to ask about health insurance. I may be making more money, but I still can't afford the city's insurance. My parents seem to need to know everything about me. They're always asking my schedule, and I know they think that if I'm not working I have all the time in the world to help them out with stuff. Sometimes I feel like I should have moved away for college and stayed away. This week, I had an Art Club meeting at the library. About a month ago I was working on a Thursday because of stuff, and someone came to unlock a meeting room for this art club, that sounded interesting to me, so I had her add my name to her list. So, this month I went. Most of the people there were drawing people, which I find interesting, but not my thing. I also felt a little out of their conversation. I took some Halloween stuff to make ATCs for co-workers. I think I'll take something different next time, and try it again. Afterwards I went back to the walking dead.
Friday, I had off because I'm working this afternoon (which is weird), and I hate having the whole weekday off. I never know what to do. I went to Target to return a bra (because colors and sizes are hard) and see if they had any cardigans I wanted to buy. I ended up with a new bra in the correct size, a cami and some cookies I've been wanting to try. I downloaded the cartwheel app to my phone a few weeks ago, but I might be giving up on it. I don't shop at Target very much, mostly because things are cheaper at Walmart and one of our Walmarts is a little easier to get to than the other one (which is by Target). I like going to Target for their selection of chocolate, but I sure don't need it, so it's not like I go to Target for things I need. It's nice saving money on stuff I don't need, but why go to Target just to do that, why not not buy the stuff I don't need and save more money? I had a lunch with a friend scheduled at 12, that was ok. We went to Perkins and while I was waiting for her, I was staring at the muffins and they were having a special of buy 3 get 3 free, so I did. After lunch I realized I had 6 muffins to eat, and decided that was too much so I gave my free ones away to co-workers, so everyone won. I haven't been to Perkins in awhile, but they've been on my mind since they had their free pancakes a few weeks ago. Now, that I've been there twice in a week, I remember the food's not all that great and I might as well stay home and not spend money there. Afterwards I totally used my self-control to only buy bodywash at the dollar store, like I planned. Later that afternoon I met with a friend to check out a new thrift store that neither of us found very interesting and I went home.
And now it's today. And I've totally wasted the whole morning online. Like I said I have to work this afternoon, which is weird. I'm used to working the weekends as an aide, but now that I can only work 20 hours a week and am still in training, my boss has had me only working the weekdays. I'm ok with it, I've just heard that it's a little more hectic at closing time.
Tomorrow, I'm thinking of heading over to our Goodwill to see if I can find any nice long-sleeve shirts or cardigans. I've thought in the past they don't have a lot of good stuff there, but I also don't really look at clothing. I could get away with character T-shirts and jeans for my job. Now, that I can't and have to find dressier shirts I'm totally checking out the second-hand stores.
I bought 4 pairs of earrings on Etsy today. If they just didn't send me the email about stuff that looks cool. My mom was always about having the perfect earrings to go with her outfits, I've kinda fallen into that lately. Earrings are good, my necklaces all seem to be the perfect length to have the pendant fall into my shirt, I don't wear bracelets cause they get stuck on stuff, I'd like to find a nice ring that doesn't stick out too much, kinda like a cuff, but in a ring. I've also decided I want earrings that match everything. I got some copper ones and white ones at the art festival a few weeks ago.

More books

Today was a busy day.

I had a few garage sales, my mother and I were meeting to discuss some games for a bridal shower tomorrow, then we had lunch and went to Walmart, after that I was going to visit my friend with some treats and peruse the library booksale.

I was supposed to meet my mother at about 11:30, so I left for my garage sales a little after 9, walking by the library to drop off some books. I didn't find anything at the first sale, the second sale I found a perfect book for the bridal shower tomorrow.

As I was heading towards the second sale, I saw this cute set-up in someone's yard. It looks like they used cuts of the branches for chairs.

 At the last sale, they promised lots of vintage stuff, I really wanted to go for the jewelry, which sadly I wasn't interested in.
This Gremlins lunchbox was one of the first things I saw:

 My brother has (maybe he got rid of it) a Star Wars lunchbox when he was a kid, it's in much worse shape than this, but wouldn't it be cool to get one of these lunchboxes to take your lunch to work in. I'm not interested in spending $8 on one, though I'm sure it's a good price.
I also found this cute yellow colander.

 It was $5, probably another good price, but I don't need a colander (I have two already), maybe I should have bought it for the bride.
I also saw this cute chair:

 Someday, when I have my own house, I plan to have all vintage furniture, I'd love for this chair to be in it.
We went to Perkins for lunch, which was extremely busy. Afterwards, we had to go to Walmart to get some prizes for the games (I tried to contribute some stuff I had at home, but my mom seemed like she wanted to buy stuff). At Walmart, I saw these cereals from my childhood making a comeback for the Halloween season.

 I don't remember what they have in them other than marshmallows, so I didn't waste my money on them. Here is what I did buy, garage sales first

 A couple Christmas stockings (I have more than enough for Christmas swaps now), a cute elephant planter, a fall towel, some Valentine's playing cards, that perfect book for the bridal shower and some cute keychains.
I'm planning on giving the elephant a good scrubbing and then going over it with some brown alcohol inks. I was going to paint it, but I think it would be way cuter to just put the brown ink on it. I'm also going to glue some fabric on the inside and use it to hold chocolate on my desk at work, I really don't have room in my elephant collection at home.
The book is called The Perfect Man, it's got pictures of different things and says why it's the perfect man. The cover is a chocolate man, it says: "He's sweet, He's smooth, And if you need a friend, you can chew his ear off."
The key chains are for a few of my friends and some Halloween goodie bags I'm putting together for them.
You don't see the picture of some pot holders, measuring cups and measuring spoons I picked up for the bridal shower gift. There's also not a picture of some other necessities (someone commented the other day that I spend more cause I'm younger, most of my spending lately has been things I need for work, and I still need other things for the colder months).
I got home, unloaded my bag and went to visit my friend, she was working at the library, and while I was there I looked at the book sale.

I'm not really allowed to buy more books, I have a whole shelf on of books I've bought at book sales and haven't read, some from years ago of library book sales. I really wanted to just peruse the books, but knowing I shouldn't buy more I just didn't feel like it.
I have read a volume of "A History of Women", my luck, this is the volume I've already read. I've heard good things about Little Heathens, plus it's about Iowa and I love books about Iowa. And I can't turn down a good sounding quiz book.
I've found I don't have a lot of interest in stuff that usually interests me. I haven't baked anything in awhile, my anniversary at the library was yesterday and I usually bake something, but I didn't feel like it this week. Tomorrow's my grandmother's birthday party (she'll be 99 years old on Thurs) and I usually make something for that, but I didn't feel like it (I think part of that is, being at the end of the alphabet I was assigned a salad or a vegetable and I'd rather bake). I haven't really been interested in doing art lately, I did some cards for a swap last month, but other than that, I haven't been interested.
All I really feel like doing is sitting and watching TV or reading books. It's kinda worrying me.

Side note, I would love to do a Christmas/holiday swap this year with some one who crafts. I have a lot of crafting supplies I'd love to wrap up and trade with someone. If anyone knows about a swap like that (I know it's a little early), or knows of someone/website that will be doing a holiday swap, let me know.

I need to stop spending money

I really need to. I have more money, but I'm also spending too much. Right after I got my new job, I started buying nice tops, I went to a few stores and after awhile stopped. I was so excited when I paid my rent this month and still have money left. This week, I feel I spent too much money again.

I got this book from the library and decided to just buy it on Amazon, while I was there I thought I'd get The American President for my mother, she's been wanting it for awhile, so I got it for her for Christmas, I might give it to her sooner. Then I wanted to make sure I had enough for free shipping.

 So, I bought a mix of Russian/Ukraine candy, of course I found out after I added to my cart, that it shipped from elsewhere and didn't qualify for my free shipping, by that time I was tired of looking for something that made it enough for the free shipping.

 I decided I still wanted the candy, though when it came today, it was smaller than I figured it'd be. I thought it would be more candy bars, not just small wrapped candy.

 I had the whole day off today. I totally slacked off until about 3pm. I had to go to Target to return some flats that were way too big, plus I need some winter shoes, all I have are tennis shoes, which do not work with skirts and dressy pants.
So, I ret'd them and picked up a bra.
Since I was at Target, I went to Walmart (they're right next to each other), I did find some 'combat' boots. They lace up, but also have zippers on the side, I think they'll work, but I probably still have to find some nicer boots. I also bought a Batman shirt.
Afterwards, I went to meet my friend and go to JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, an Asian food store and HyVee.
I found a cute tiny keychain at JoAnn's, some Halloween treat boxes, a porcelain flower and some metal reindeer for my brother at Hobby Lobby. I had a gift card from my birthday for Hobby Lobby.
I also went to an Asian food store that I haven't been to in awhile. I picked up some taro mocha, some green tea pocky, custard cakes, and some strawberry corn starch snacks.

 At Hyvee I picked up some dark chocolate covered cashews, a Russel Stover pumpkin, a couple skeleton eggs and some cranberry orange muffins.

And then I got home and found I picked up the wrong size bra at Target. I guess it's not that bad, my Cartwheel app wasn't working when I was at Target, so I didn't want to look at the things I knew were on the app. I guess there will be another day.
Tomorrow, I have a couple garage sales to go to and one on Sat, but I don't consider using my cash to spend money.

I kinda wish Fareway (my grocery store) had an app like Target, it's the place I spend the most money at, so it would help a lot.

frustrating

I apologize in advance, this post is mostly venting about my mother.
Today, we went to an annual art festival that I look forward to all year. In June, my mother and I went to an art walk, which is basically a bunch of stores hosting artists and their work. I met my friend while we were on it, and basically ignored my mother to hang out with my friend. I felt horrible about it that night. I decided when the art festival came around I'd go with her and basically focus on her.
In between we went on the Central Iowa Junk Jaunt for our birthdays and she was not the best company, she seemed bored with the day and that her time was so important that we couldn't have a good time. I decided next year, if I go on it, I'm going with a friend.
When we've made plans lately, she keeps waiting until the last minute to tell me what the plan is, she doesn't really say anything until the day before, so I don't know if we're still doing something and I can't make other plans because that would upset her.
I asked her on Wednesday about today's plans, she kinda brushed it off, so I texted her yesterday. She responded yesterday afternoon.
Today when she came by, I suggested she park in the driveway and we walk down (it's 3 blocks from my house), she wanted to park a block away and then walk down. That frustrated me, I thought it was kinda rude to use a parking space that someone else could use when she had access to a parking space no one else did. As we're getting out of the car she said she was thinking about not going, of course she wouldn't have told me that early enough to make plans with someone else.
I feel that's been happening a lot. She says we should do something and making it seem like it's such a chore for us to do it, and she doesn't seem to enjoy it as much.

I was also a bit disappointed in the art festival itself. Basically, it's big things to hang on your wall, furniture, jewelry, and pottery. I want something different and unique. I'm thinking it's also more exciting to do things with my friends and not my parents.

New Frog

I've been a little lazy the last few weeks and haven't made myself go out garage saleing.

Yesterday, I had the day off, that was weird. I decided to go to a few sales in the afternoon as there was one that didn't start until noon. I did get up and go to one rather early and then killed time until later in the afternoon.

I don't have pictures from yesterday's purchases, but use your imagination, I bought a gallon size bag of mini beanie babies, a gallon size bag of kids toys from fast food restaurants, an old tablecloth, a cute bowl with a bunny on the side, a bag of butterfly pins, and a couple Matchbox cars at the early sale. This sale is a huge sale but I felt it didn't seem as big as most years.

I made myself go grocery shopping and then go to a few sales in the afternoon, I'm not sure I like going to sales that late in the day. I like to get up and go, and that sometimes is hard to convince myself to do. I felt the afternoon sales were a bust. I found an art book, and some book plates. I downloaded an app from mapmyrun earlier in the week and had it track my route and apparently how many calories I burned. Personally, I don't care about the calories, I did appreciate that there was a map when I was trying to figure out if one road ran into another, that helped me today too. I also think because of the bouncing around, yesterday from my purse, and then today with my walk, adds to the total that I "walked". But, I think it will be nice when I go to stores and wander around in them, cause I can't track my route on the map.

Today, I had an extremely hard time making myself go out. I also feel I spent way too much money. The other day, I thought I had finally trained my brain to not want stuff I didn't need, but I bought a bunch of toys today, and now I'm regretting it. I must work more on that.

First of all, I got these math books at a "Teacher Sale"

 They had advertised it as that in their ad, and on a sale as I walked up. I thought it was a little strange, kinda like others couldn't shop there. I love practicing my math (cause I'm not that great), when I was paying the seller asked if I was a teacher somewhere.
At one sale, I found some niceish Pyrex bowls. I believe the smaller one is a 403 and the yellow one is a 404.

 I just realized that means I have a whole set, but none of them are in really great condition. The 404 is pretty scratched, apparently the 403 was green. I noticed that when I was looking at it at home, there's a little green paint right along the lip, it's kinda weird cause that one was priced a $1 higher than the bigger one. My 402 has stuff rubbed off of it as well. My 401 is in the best condition, it was found in a resale shop and is harvest (?) pattern, no damage.
I went to the Farmer's market afterwards because I thought it might be the last one and I have been wanting to try the flavored popcorn that I've seen for sale there.

 I also think I might have spent too much money on that. I was eating the caramel apple flavor (upper right corner) and I think it's a bit too sweet, I should have just bought the kettle corn (upper left).
At one sale, I bought a whole bunch of tiny toys, I get really excited when I see little toys.

 So out of the above picture, I actually decided I only wanted what is in the below picture:

I have an elephant, frog, and pig collection, and now they're bigger. I was sitting here tonight, thinking I have way too much stuff, and this is how I get it.
Like I said earlier, I felt I had trained my brain to not buy frivolous stuff, but now that I'm salaried and have more money, I've gone back to my old ways.
I am planning on going to Target sometime this week to get some monster pens for my desk. I've also been buying more dressier clothes (I think those are something I 'need' though, because better job, I should wear nicer clothes). It's funny, I'm not that into Halloween, decorating, candy or dressing up, but this year I want to buy stuff, I want to dress up, I want the pumpkin flavored things. I also chalk that up to having more money.

Tomorrow, my mother and I are going to an annual art festival that I was so excited for, because I might be able to buy something, but I don't need anything,

Busy Day

Yesterday was a busy day. I felt like I didn't really have time to relax until about 5:30.

I got up about 6:00 (rather early for me), I had volunteered to help with the library's Zombie run. It was pretty fun, it was just a little too early and a little too chilly.

My mother and I had made plans to go to lunch and then to a quilt show, so we had a nice lunch at a pretty new lunch place. I had a half sandwich and macaroni salad.

And here are the quilts, it's a lot of pictures:

 I remember last year not enjoying it very much. I think they were more traditional quilts, which are neat too, but this year there just seemed to be less of that and more experimentation.

 There were a lot that had embroidery accents and 3-D pieces.

 This quilt seemed very busy. The description said the creator wanted to use up all the little tiny scraps she had, then she affixed all these buttons on top of it.

 This one, the leaves popped off the edges of the piece.

 This one was huge, and it had all these elements on it. There was a lot of lace and layered details.

 Like this flower

 This one was all about leaves, the leaves on the side were painted on and then embroidered to give them more definition

 Here's a close-up of the ginkgo leaves

 In another part of the garden, they had a display of our campus buildings made out of natural things, like gourds and mushrooms, etc.

They also had a big part that looked like a natural wonderland with a plastic train and a giant gnome, kinda like a fairy garden. I was looking at that, and the first thing that popped into my mind was that my ex would have really liked that.
I hate that I do that, I just knew him for so long when I see something he'd like, I'd love to call him up and tell him, but that will never happen because of his choices.
There was a place to buy stuff, I wanted to buy stuff (mostly because I haven't been garage saleing because I keep being busy or it rains), but I could find anything I really wanted (I think I've finally retrained my mind to not buy things I don't need), but then we found this hallway with plastic totes filled with fabric. Basically, the idea was you filled a plastic bag with fabric, they weighed it and you paid by the pound. I don't need more fabric, mostly because I never do much with it, but I bought about 2 pounds.
After that, we stopped at the grocery store and my mother told me my aunt and uncle were coming over for Octoberfest. I wasn't really interested in going because I don't like beer, but I knew my mother would say I should try new things, so I went with them.
I got in free because it was sponsored by my bank and if you had your debit card that was your admission, I did pay for some spaetzle, it was supposed to be cheese pasta, it tasted like unseasoned dumplings and didn't look very appetizing. And then there was the beer, which I didn't like. I tried some. I thought it was really interesting, when I was telling my mom about the foodies and brew I went to about a month ago, she said I should have tried some of the beer, but she wasn't going to try any of the beer here.
I felt I didn't get enough to eat all day. Now that I'm home today, I'll probably spend the day eating and reading.

New position

Like I said in my last post, I got a salaried position at the library.
Tonight was my first shift. I survived (honestly, I didn't think it would be too bad), it's basically what I did before but with a bit more.
Friday, my boss said she had a an awkward conversation to have with me, that made me a little nervous until she started talking. Basically, I need to dress a little dressier for this job. That makes sense to me, it's a step up, I should dress a little better. Probably shouldn't wear my character shirts and jeans all day. She basically said either my top or my bottom should be more dressy. Like if I'm wearing jeans, I should have a nice top, or if I'm wearing a not so nice top, I should have nice bottoms on. I'm guessing there will be no more minion and Kirby shirts, oh well.
I did learn (I already really knew) that I need to hit the other second-hand clothing stores around Ames. We have quite a few and you can get some nice things for cheap prices. I spent way too much money last week after finding out I got the position, so I thought maybe I should wait until I had some actual money to spend.
It feels weird just leaving at the end of the night. I'm so used to clocking out at all my jobs, to just get my stuff and go, is strange.
I like that I will have more of a set schedule that won't change when ISU changes schedules.
I have a meeting with HR this week about benefits, I'm excited about that. I'm trying to figure out what I want and what I qualify if I don't go for the city's prices.
I like that I'm back to interacting with the customers like I used to. I like the chatting with them and learning about their lives, I felt there was more of a disconnect in the Aide position. Basically, you'd help them find things, but that was it.
I'm really happy, excited about this job.

Exciting News

Last Thursday, I had an interview at the library for a salaried position. This is the 4th time I've applied and I finally got the position. They called me Thursday night before I went in for the position I'm in now, and asked me to wait to tell people until they sent an email and had contacted the other applicants. I had a really hard time holding that in.
I'm rather excited to start. I bought some new shirts before my interview, and went to Goodwill last Wednesday and bought more. I've spent way too much money since I got the job. When I get my first (or second) paycheck, I'm gonna go get some more clothes.
Today, was my last day in this position, Monday I start in the new position. Thursday, I have a physical to make sure I can do what is expected of me. I was talking about that with my co-workers last night and we kinda laughed. The aide position is way more strenuous than the clerk position, I'm not really worried about the physical. I also have a benefits meeting with HR next Thursday. I believe that's informative about what I can sign up for, I am eligible for health, dental and vision. Depending on how much they are, I want to get all three, I do have to wait until November 1st before I can have those. I also get vacation, but not until after 6 months.

It's interview time

Yay!!! It's Hodgepodge time, head on over to Joyce's blog to see what other people are saying.
1. What's on your September calendar? Anything fun?

Thursday, I have a job interview, I'm not sure I consider that fun. September 30th is my brother's birthday, but we probably won't be doing anything. My art is in my workplace's breakroom to exhibit it, that will be fun. What I'm really looking forward to is the Octagon Art Festival, it's a big festival that covers 5 or 6 blocks filled with art vendors. It's always fun to look even if I don't buy much.

2. You might be described as a natural born _____________________?

artist? I don't really know. I know I'm good at art

3. September is National Courtesy Month...what one act of courtesy would you most like to see more of in your home, town, or the world at large? 

I would love for people to just pay attention to others, it seems so many people are just in their own world and don't pay attention to anything else.

4. Eager beaver, chicken out, clam up, or let the cat out of the bag...of the phrases listed, which one have you related to most recently? 

Maybe Clam Up, like I said above, I have a job interview on Thursday, but I don't want to say much about it, because it's the 4th time I've applied for this job and I don't know what I'm going to do if it falls through.

5. What's your movie theatre snack protocol? Do you chow down on snacks during the previews or wait until the movie begins? Do you buy snacks or refuse to pay those kind of prices? What's the last movie you saw in a theatre? How many thumbs up would you give it?

I don't go to movie theaters, generally there's too many kids, it's always cold and I just prefer my apartment. And I certainly can't afford the price of a movie and snacks.

6. Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "Nobody can think straight who does not work. Idleness warps the mind." Agree or disagree? Why?
I can see that. Since I got reorganized at my job, I feel like I'm not stretching my mind as much and I get bored, much easier.

7. What's the last job you completed or task you performed where you had to 'work like a dog' until it was finished?
I haven't had one of those in awhile. I am really good at joining art swaps and then waiting until the last minute to get them done.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Like I said, I have an interview Thursday, I'm having a hard time deciding what to wear, what do you guys think?

The first time I applied, I wore the black skirt in the pictures and a nice black top, the next two times I wore black pants, the pink shirt and a suit coat. I thought it was maybe a little too professional looking (if that's possible), so this time I thought I'd go with a skirt.

Here's A, with the same pink shirt and the original black skirt

 B, with a different skirt and a new black top I bought

 And C, with the black skirt and black top

I know you can't see it in the pictures, but there is some nice detailing on the top. I'm also worried the top's cut a little low, but when I layer it with a tank top, you can't really tell. I wanted some color, but I don't have any brightly colored tops, other than the pink skirt. I thought maybe a nice necklace, but apparently I don't have any short pretty ones of those either. Also, sorry the color's off in the last one, my computer was being annoying and I had to re-take it this morning with bad light.