Small Haul

I went shopping today. I've been trying to be good and not shop (especially since I have a couple bigger shopping trips planned in the next few days) but I needed some adhesive.

First up was Walmart, we got a new Super Walmart, and I have to say I had a hard time finding stuff. I'll need to go back and just wander.

 paint, mod podge, tape, stickers
I was pretty proud of myself, I only spent about $20. I picked up the suncatcher paint for some Mario suncatchers I bought at a thrift store back in February. I needed the mod podge, the container I have now does not spread (I think it's just really old). I also needed the tape (I really wanted a tape runner, these are 'dots', but they didn't have the tape runner). I only picked up two sheets of stickers. The butterfly ones I picked up because someone had sent me some in a swap and I was excited to find them. Who can pass up ant stickers when it's summer?
I also picked up a bra, and I have to say I love it. I don't shop for bras much, I found some that fit and I hate shopping for bras cause they never seem to fit.
Next up was a garage sale that was right behind the Walmart.

 I picked up this tea pot for a friend.
I had to go to Younkers to get rid of a gift card. I don't usually shop at Younkers, but I found a pair of jean short and only had to pay the $8 difference.

 Last was TJ Maxx, I love going here. I found a few things:

 A collapsible storage bin on clearance for $4, it was originally $4.99
Next, a set of notepads:

 These were on clearance for $2, originally $3.99. It didn't have the pen, which I was ok with, I just wanted the sticky notes, I'm sure they will fit in pocket letters.
Some nougats:

 I got a pistachio one another time and it was so good. These were the only things I picked up at full price of $2.99 each, pistachio, strawberry and hazelnut/almond.
I found a Valentine bag on clearance:

 It was $0.50, I admit I mostly picked it up because it was 50 cents. I think I could cut out the balloons, it was originally $1.79.
I found another giftbag and tissue:

 The gift bag was 70 cents and the tissue $1. I figure I could always use these.
The last thing I picked up was a pack of paperclips:

They are shaped like little martini glasses, it was $1, originally $2.99.
I have plans to go to a few garage sales tomorrow and Saturday, and then some thrift stores on Tuesday.

Hodgepodge Volume 306

1. Can you tell I'm embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? Do you like Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice? What about heat-mild, medium, hot? Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drink on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo? I like Mexican food, I really like our local Mexican restaurant, El Azteca, I like to get the same thing when I go, I'm not exactly sure what it is, but it's got meat and cheese. I don't do well with spicy foods. Honestly, I haven't even thought about it, probably not, I have plans for a few garage sales and then work.

2. Ever been to Mexico? For work or holiday? Love it or no? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to visit? Can you speak Spanish? No. I'm not a big travel outside of the US person. I can speak very little Spanish, I took it the first three years of high school.

3. What's one thing you may accomplish this month? I will be finishing a bunch of art swaps I signed up for. 

4. If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what's one thing you'd like to see changed, done away with, revamped, or accomplished? Is serving in public office something you've ever seriously considered? I don't know. My mother was on the city council when I was in high school, it's not something I ever want to do.

5. What's something that may be popular, but that you just don't get? Buying distressed jeans, I figure if my jeans are gonna have rips and holes in them, I will have put them there.

6. Can't let this week slip by without mentioning Thursday May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in 'May the 4th be with you' ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series? Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being 'I've seen every film, own the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year', and 1 being, 'what's a Vader?' -where do you land? I'm not a fan of Star Wars, I watched the middle three when I was a kid and I like the Ewoks, R2D2 and C3PO, but it just doesn't interest me. The library is showing Rogue One and I'll be interested to see how many people show up. 

7. Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true today? Is it a topic you re-visit on your blog from time to time? The changing of relationships and growing apart. It made me a bit nostalgic for that time, or even the older time it was describing. I certainly miss having people to talk to, and I definitely miss talking to the cops in my town.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I just paid off my student loans, I have this huge grin on my face and I want to celebrate. Maybe I'll buy myself something extra nice at the garage sales this weekend.

Ugh

Not a very exciting week. I did receive some cool mail this week, 

Sunday, I worked on getting some swaps put together. I couldn't sleep when I went to bed, so stayed up until 2:30 making a pocket letter.

This showed up on Monday:

 It's a loaded bag filled with goodies and project life cards.
Also had a hard time getting to sleep Monday night, when I finally did, I woke up a ton of times.
Tuesday, I finished packaging some swaps to mail out. I was telling my co-workers the other day, I get annoyed at how much I spend on postage, but when I get my return swaps, I'm so excited to get them, so I guess it's worth it.
Couldn't sleep Tuesday night either, I have no idea what's going on with my sleep, but I had to open on Wednesday, so I was rather irked.
Wednesday I mailed off 9 different swaps, spent about $20 in postage, which really isn't that bad for 9 swaps. Also, helps that I get the experienced clerks at the post office and not the ones that don't know what they're doing and overcharge me. I've also been having a hard time getting into books I'm reading, on Wednesday, I got a true crime one in on inter-library loan and read all 400 pages that night, so I guess I just needed a good book.
Finally got some sleep Wednesday night, I was so exhausted when I got home from work on Wednesday, but I couldn't even nap.
Thursday, I slacked off most of the day, took a look at some of my books that were due on Friday. Thursday morning, my heat kicked on, I looked at my weather app and found out it was in the 30's outside.
I found this in my mailbox:

 It's my surprise Dollar Tree swap, on one of my facebook groups, we had a $5 limit and we had to go to Dollar Tree and buy some stuff for our partner.
I also found this in my work mailbox:

 I love that someone got me a minion peep, I'm not so sure about banana creme flavored marshmallow, though.
The book I chose to start reading happened to be requested by someone else, so I had to finish it Thursday night (actually it was after midnight when I finished it).
Again with the colder weather Thursday night. I wore my light winter coat to work Thursday and today. The forecast for the next few nights is in the upper 30's, but I am not liking this weather. It's almost May, this shouldn't be happening, maybe it's because of those 80 degree days we had in February.
It rained all day today, but by the time I left work, it had stopped. This was in my mailbox, with the envelope soaked:

It's one of my spring mini pocket letters.
I'm feeling rather overwhelmed lately, it might be the lack of sleep, but I know there's a bit of work stuff bothering me and some crafty stuff and maybe this giant pile of books staring at me.
I'm so good at bottling my emotions inside and no one ever sees when I'm having a bad day, but sometimes I wish they could. Some days I wish for a physical hug, or just someone to go out with after work, someone to shop with.
I also feel I have a bit too many swaps that I've signed up for, so I withdrew from the ones that don't have partners assigned. I think I need to scale back my swaps a bit, or maybe just sign up for the ones I'm really interested in.
And the books, I have 28 checked out right now, most of them are pretty thick. My mom told me once, that I didn't have to read them all, I know that, but I feel a little obligated to do so. I just keep renewing them and not even starting them. I have suspended the other books I have requests on and nothing becomes active until middle of May, but May does start next week. I'm thinking I need to cut back on art and other stuff and just read. Reading keeps me really sane.
I'm also a little antsy because I haven't been to any garage sales yet. I was hoping to go to a few this weekend, but with the cold weather, there aren't that many happening, and none in my neighborhood. Next weekend, I'm going to one on Friday, maybe two, I have a citywide one a friend and I are going to, on the 9th, I'm going thrift store shopping with another friend. I really want to do some retail shopping tomorrow after a stressful night at work tonight, but after balancing my checkbook, I really shouldn't. I have to pay rent on Monday, of course I keep telling myself I shouldn't stress over what I have in the bank right now, there was a time I only had $200 in the bank, and I'm nowhere near that right now. I have signed up for some extra work hours in May, so that will help.
I really wish I knew what would make me feel better. I really need to work on a few more swaps to get mailed out next week, so I'll probably end up doing that this weekend.

Hacksaw Ridge

This post is just a catchup from the week, I happen to be watching Hacksaw Ridge at the moment. I posted about Easter and my shopping haul on Monday, check that out, here. I'm attempting to not spend money as I might be going on a fun shopping trip in early May, plus garage sale season is starting up.
I haven't done much this week beyond my shopping trip on Monday and grocery shopping on Wednesday. I had a great mail week, though.
Monday:

 Journaling card swap. I love the clipboard, the lined and flower ones. She also wrote my note on a tiny library card.

 Journaling cards swap from facebook. I love the brightness and color on these, my favorite s being the bicycle ones.

Button swap. My favorite one is the purple lion one on the bottom.

Singing in the Rain tag swap. I love the quote.
Tuesday:

Favorite animal pocket letter swap. I love the stickers she included.
Wednesday:

Paper clip swap. I sent my partner an owl and a "D" paper clip, her last name starts with a "D". I love how she personalized mine with a "W" and an owl. My favorite it actually the coffee cup, I love coffee stuff (except the actual drink), I think they are wicked cute.
Thursday:

Mermaid pocket letter. I love how she use die cuts for the mermaids as well as adding real sand on the bottom.
Friday:

Dollar Tree Surprise swap. We were instructed to pick out $5 of stuff from the Dollar Tree and send it to our partner. I love the fish stickers. I also love how she added the paper clips so she didn't have to worry too much about weight. I already have the flower and owl stickers.
Saturday:

Spring pocket letter swap. It's so nice and colorful. Love it.

I hope next week will be as eventful. Also, hoping I can keep up not spending money.

Easter and stuff

I spent a lot of money since Saturday. I went to mail a few things, which was a bad idea. There was a pretty long line, part of the people were picking up packages and the other part didn't have their stuff packaged. I feel that happens to me every time I go to the post office, even though there's a sign saying you have to have your stuff packaged and labeled and ready to mail, a lot of people don't. They had two new people at the windows with a third who happened to be doing a huge box of envelopes. The guy I got, was really new, I kept hearing him tell people he didn't know and then he had to go confer with someone else. I think he may have overcharged me on something, but since I don't know the weight, I don't really know. He also told me it was a bad day to come to the post office because people were mailing tax stuff, which I didn't even think about, but most everyone in line had boxes, I'm pretty sure they weren't tax stuff.

After that I headed downtown to see if there was anything fun to buy. The director at the library has been into collecting fun teapots because we have an event every once in awhile called Author Tea, and she wants to have neat teapots to put out. I found this one at one of our consignment stores:

 It was originally $11 something and was marked down to $8 something.
I also found this really cool wallhanging that someone made out of vintage cards:

 I found this sorta ugly teapot at another consignment store:

 It reminds me of something you'd take camping, it was $4.
I picked them both up for the library.
I also made a reservation for Easter brunch while I was down there. Sadly, I don't think it was worth the $30. There wasn't anything really exciting on the brunch table, I had ratatouille and chicken and sweet potatoes and French toast.
I also had a couple deserts but one tasted very weirdly carmely, the other was red velvet cake but it was dry. Oh well, at least I tried something.
Here's my Easter basket:

 And here's what was in it:

The Tsum Tsum's pencil pouch set was $3, the pink pencil pouch was about $3, everything else was either $1 from Target or the Dollar Tree.
I was really excited to find some tape especially the new skinny tape everyone's been talking about. I looked closely at the patterns and picked the three I liked. I was also really excited to find the reading angel, sadly she doesn't really fit in with my decor. I'm not a big fan of religious stuff but I like anything that has to do with books.
The food:

 I can't believe I didn't buy any chocolate. The TimTams are from Target, I don't know how much they were, I had a cartwheel for them. Everything else was $1.
Today, I thought I'd go after Easter shopping, plus I had to buy some stuff for a swap.
First up was Hobby Lobby:

 All Easter was 50% off, so everything was on sale. the felt bunnies and flowers were $1.50 each. The cupcake picks were $1, the bunnies were $0.75. The cashier didn't know the candy was on sale, so I had to go back and do a return and then get charged the sale price for them. I don't know why she couldn't do a return and sale in the same transaction, it would have been way easier.
I really wanted to nerdy chicks, they had chenille chicks with glasses on, but not when I went.
Next up was JoAnn's, but we're back to not finding anything good there, so I didn't buy anything.
Next was Dollar Tree, I actually had to go here to get some stuff for a swap:

 markers, pom pom keychains, pencil pouch, notebooks, pens, foam tape, stamps, sticky notes, glue runner, and stickers.
The markers are for me, I'm sending another set out for a swap. The pom pom keychains are for future swaps as is the pencil pouch, one of the notebooks. The poop notebook was for this swap as was the stamp set. I always try to pick up the neat pens. The dry-erase markers are for work. I wanted to make sure I didn't run out of the foam tape, you know how the DT is. I picked up the glue runner to try out. This sticker set is my favorite of the new ones and I was surprised they had it.
The food:

 All the Easter candy was 50% off. I was glad to see the oozers and the berries come back.
Next up was Target:

 I was disappointed in Target. Their signs said 30% off or more, markdown at register. The few things I picked up and scanned on the price checker were regular price, so I wonder if they were just too lazy to change it in the system and were having the checkers do it. It frustrated me, so I didn't buy any Easter stuff. Also they were about to re-stock the dollar spot, so I didn't get anything there either. I needed these felt pens, mine all the exciting colors don't work anymore and they were less than the price on the shelf. The green thing is actually a little coin purse in the shape of a cactus, I couldn't pass it up, it was $5, it was in the kid's clothing section, I think it was a display of things to put in your kid's Easter basket, the brand is Cat & Jack.
Last stop was Walmart:

LOVE the Minion Easter basket. He was $2.50, the bag of chocolate was $5, the eggs were $1.50, the activity books, keychains and Reece's carrot were $0.50, the tape was $1.50
So, outside of Hobby Lobby I spent about $20 at each store. I was going to go up to the new Super Walmart on the north side of town and TJ Maxx tomorrow, but I think I've spent enough money, especially since I'm supposed to be on a spending freeze (so much for that). I think the fact that I didn't do after Valentine's Day shopping helped and that I needed to shop for this swap. I have a plan to use or eat most everything I bought. I have a few spring swaps coming up, some stuff I bought because it wasn't just Eastery. I've already shared about half of that large bag of candy at work, I also shared some of the other chocolate in a swap as well as a few things from the Dollar Tree.
I do really well at not spending money when I don't go anywhere. I wonder how long this one will last.

Suicide Squad

This week was uneventful, too.
Saturday, my mom and I went to the ISU fashion show. We went to The Cafe for supper, I decided to try something new and got the catfish po'boy. Not the greatest decision, there was something sorta spicy in the sauce, so I took the sandwich apart, still didn't like the breading on the catfish, so I unbreaded it and ate it as an open-faced sandwich.
The fashion show is just less and less interesting to me each year. My mom and I started going when she started her job at ISU when I was in high school. I feel like there's not as much interesting stuff anymore. I remember one year, they did a skirt made out of CD's. Now, it's just main stream clothes.
Sunday, my friend and I went to the International Food Fair. It was more fun with a friend, though I didn't eat as much as the last time I went. I remember spending about $30 in food last time, this time I had a hard time spending $20. I also feel there was more sit down food and more stuff that sounded spicy. They post the menu a few days before the fair, so I google everything on it.
I didn't eat much this year. I bought a potato/spicy dumpling like thing. That was good. I also got a pork dumpling from the Chinese booth. I got some kind of bread pudding made with puff pastry and almonds and pistachios and honey. It was soo good and soo sweet, that filled me up. Last time I bought a bunch of the drinks. I did get a few drinks this time. I tried bubble tea, I think I would have liked it more if it came with the extra big straw so I could have the bubbles with the tea. I had something that tasted like tea and fruit juice and I had a lassi which is a milk based drink.
I'm trying not to spend money, so I don't do much. I just read, do my online stuff and work. Last saturday when my mom asked what was going on with my life I told her just that and she didn't believe me.
I did buy a Peachy Cheap grab bag, because that's the whole reason I signed up for Peachy Cheap. I got it in the mail yesterday:

  I'm actually pretty happy with this purchase. I was afraid I'd get some dies. I think I'll use mostly everything.
Here's some close-ups:

  These are by October Afternoon, called Daily Flash Flash Blurbs "Eggnog" 16 die-cut shapes. They retail for $2.09

 This is a sheet of stickers by Jenni Bowlin studio, they are called numbers quilted stickers. They retail for $0.97

 

 Jenni Bowlin studio general store stickers, retail: $1.75

 

There's no packaging with these, so I don't really know who made them. They are cling stickers with all sorts of sentiments. Probably a happy birthday set. I don't use a lot of stamps, but I like these and the other set below, I just have to get an acrylic block to use them.

October Afternoon, Witch Hazel postcards, retail: $4.58

Prima Fancies, Aloha petals. I can't find this in a google search, but we all know Prima is not cheap.

Dear Lizzy rub-on pens, retail $9.99

Another stamp set, it's hard to see in the picture, but this has butterflies and flowers and a few sentiments: hope your day is as sweet as you are, especially for you, and heartfelt thanks. I just realized there's a mason jar stamp on it. Again, no packaging, so probably about $10.

My Mind's Eye Hello Gorgeous 6x6 designer paper pad, retail: $6.99

Studio Calico vellum labels, retail $6.66

a couple rolls of washi, no packaging. The left one is white with a blue pattern of triangles, I think there's about 1/2 inch thickness of washi. The right one is lime green stripes, probably the same amount.

imaginisce 75 die-cut cardstock shapes, retail $4.79. These were a little rough shape, the glue around the package holding them in is old and wasn't really holding them in anymore.

freckled fawn 6 paper clips, retail $3.99

Fancy Pants good fellows tags, retail $2.99

I don't really know much about this, most of the words are in Asian characters, all I can read is the Memo-it at the top, the God bless you at the top of the sheet and the hello jane at the bottom of the sheet, I'm having a hard time finding it online, it's probably around $3

These also don't have any real packaging. They are wood shapes of butterflies, big and small.

I paid $14.99 for the grab bag, plus $5.99 shipping. It was mailed on 4/12 and got to me 4/14 in a priority mailer bubble envelope. I am very happy with this purchase. I've seen a few peachy cheap deals I've been interested in, but like I said, I'm trying to do a spending freeze (i should apparently do a swap freeze too, because a lot of my money has been spend on postage for swaps), so I haven't jumped on them. I will do another grab bag, though.
I also ordered some checks that got here today, I noticed the other day, I had 3 checks left. I know I have a couple books of checks somewhere, but I don't know where, so I just ordered more, probably too many because I only use my checks for rent, medical insurance and a few random things. I mostly use my debit card or direct withdrawal from my bank account.
I don't think I even made that much this week. I did paperclips last week, I don't take pictures of those, I don't know why. I finished a loaded bag for a friend that I mailed off today along with a singing in the rain tag. I got to the post office and it was a long line, when I got up to the window the guy said I picked a bad day because it was tax day, I didn't even think about that, though I'm pretty sure most of the people were not mailing taxes. From what I saw, there were a bunch of packages, some international and a lot of people picking up packages. I feel a lot of people do their taxes online now, which I know the government is pushing.
Last night, the library had a drag show, that was pretty cool.
I watched Suicide Squad when I got home last night, it was good. I'm trying to finish a book called Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. It's very interesting, it's just thick: 451 pages and lots of little articles on each page. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.
Tomorrow is Easter, the library's closed, I have a whole basket of stuff to open/look at and I made a reservation for myself at a local restaurant mostly so I wouldn't have to sit in the car for 4 hours with my mother. It's a little sad, but I want to eat something exciting, and not be in the car with my family.
I doubt next week brings much more excitement. I'm hoping garage sales will pick up soon, I want to go shopping, but not store shopping. I am hoping to go after Easter shopping on Monday, though, i'm craving chocolate.