Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Yard Sale Bust

This weekends yard sale was not so hot. Friday (I worked), but in the afternoon, it rained so Don had to bring everything in. On Saturday is was COLD with really high winds making it even colder. Sunday was beautiful and we got some foot traffic during the hours after church, but that was it. We only made about $200 total. At the end of it all, one of our neighbors walked by and asked what we were going to do with the left-over items that didn't sell. She asked if she could have them because her church will give them to people in need. Don and I quickly agreed...we didn't really want to mess with the stuff any more.

We are now getting ready to go to my dad's this weekend - Thursday actually. Cooper is very excited - I just hope we can afford it!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Wella's 90th

This past Saturday we celebrated Don's grandma's 90th birthday (everyone calls her Wella). She is adorable and it was a great party that went late into the night. Although I left around 9:30. My MIL forgot to tell Joseph about the party - so I texted him Saturday, and fortunately, he didn't have much going on and was able to go! I was very excited about that! Cooper had a great time! He danced and played with his cousins and was completely exhausted.



He was so pooped that when we woke up the next morning, he begged to have a jammie day and not go to church. So, I agreed...I kinda needed a jammie day too.

Don got home from SXSW around 5:30 on Sunday and as usual, was just there in the physical - not at all mentally.

My cousins wedding shower is coming up - and I have to figure out something to give! I started knitting this weekend - maybe I can quickly knit up some dishcloths for her.

I am really hoping that Don goes back to work soon! I really miss shopping!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Habits

This may be a first...but I worked out three days this week. Each day, I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes and walked approximately 1.5 miles each day. This is the first time I have had any amount of consistancy in an exercise routine. So YEAH me! I need to try to fit some exercise into this weekend - maybe a video in the morning.

I've realized that in order for me to change things, I have to do them one at a time - instead of all at once!! For example, I've been trying to be good all around...eat well, exercise, take care of my skin, take my vitamins, improve my overall health, do my nails more, take better care of my hair. I usually try to do all of this all at once, get burned out in a week and go on a binge of food while laying on the couch with bad skin, hair and nails. I've made a slight change. This time, I'm doing things one at a time. I may have done things a little out of order, but this is working for me (for now). I first started with skin. My skincare routine was seriously lacking consistency. I have my routine set in stone (or at least written out in my filofax) and I enjoy following it religiously. Second, I began taking my vitamins regularly. I have found a system that helps me remember to take them - at it too is working. Third, I have worked-out three days this week. I know, it's just one week - but it's a start...and I have been doing good with my other new habits that it's only a matter of time before working out is a habit. Once that goal is achieved, I'll work on eating better. See, one thing at a time. I expect by the end of this journey I will look and feel younger (with great skin, hair and nails and a rockin bod!)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

MIL Strikes Again

It's been a while since I have written about my MIL. We try to stay out of each others' hair as much as possible - it just makes our lives easier. Yesterday, I knew she was out and about with Cooper so I tried to call her around 1:00 pm, then probably 1:30 ish, then 2:00 ish, etc. I called again around 3:00 and again, like the times before, no answer - just ringing. About 15 seconds after I hung up from the last call my husband called me. He said, "mom just called, and she's at the laundry mat and wants you to stop calling her because she can't talk, she'll call you later". To this I responded..."your mom called you to tell you to call me to tell me to stop calling her? Why didn't she just pick up one of my calls and tell me that she would call me back in a little bit?" INSANITY!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Nails

I went to Trade Secret last night to pick up some nail polish. I didn't know what I would get, but was in the mood (and the $10 off coupon helped the mood). I got a nice pale pink for spring for my fingers and a couple of other fun colors out of my comfort zone. The farthest color away from my comfort zone by far is the black nail polish I bought. I actually can't wait to put it on tonight. When I paint my nails a dark color, my toes have to match...so I have to do both my nails and toes black tonight. It will be interesting to say the least.

Since today is St. Patrick's day, I am of course wearing green (sweater set). I couldn't bring myself to buy/wear green nail polish, so I opted for a gold-tone (pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - get it?!). It looks cool - but I have the urge to go black before the summer. Perhaps I'll post photos of the black nails and toes!

Back to last night - I went to Trade Secret after work. They were running a special on OPI nail polish...buy 2 get Rapid Dry Spray for free. Great deal (especially with my $10 off to boot!). There is a big sign on the OPI display about the promotion as well as a sandwich board sign on the sidewalk of the store. I had to tell the little girl working there about the promotion. She didn't know. So at the check out, I ask for my free product. She looks around franticly and can't find it. She leaves a message for her manager. Another teenager comes in to work and together, they look for the Rapid Dry Spray. No luck. So the little girl says to me, "maybe if you see the manager she will give you one". So I say to her, "how about you take down my information and have your manager call me". She looks at me like that was the greatest idea she has ever heard. By lunch time today, the manager hadn't called me. So I called her - and again - customer service is severely LACKING! With so many retailers struggling to keep their doors open, I would want to make sure that whatever customers I had - kept coming back!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Weekend adventures

As I was driving home on Friday, my husband informs me that he needs my help when I get home (insert eye-rolling here). I reluctantly ask why. And he responds "We need to catch a baby bunny that's under my car". At some point, a baby bunny went under Don's car for warmth and to get out of the rain. So, my husband, set up an Elmer Fudd-style trap to capture the bunny. Luckily, he caught the bunny right as I was arriving home, so that I didn't have to "help". He isn't a wild rabbit. He looks like he was someone's pet that got out our was let out.


We brought the bunny in and put him in the bathtub. He's very cute. Cooper loves him, so it looks like we have a pet bunny. We went to Petco Saturday morning and bought a bunch of stuff to house the bunny and hopefully all will be well. Murray was a little tense about the new pet, but he's already calmed down around the bunny. The bunny's name is Ozzy.


This weekend was great also because Don was home. He hasn't been home on a weekend in months. We just ran a couple of errands and hung out around the house, but that's what made it so nice.


This past Saturday, we were supposed to have a birthday party for Don's grandmother (she turned 90 on Sunday). We didn't have a party because no one could get it together. That whole side of the family lack the ability to properly plan for anything! It looks like her party will be this Saturday. I have plans this Saturday, so I hope it doesn't interfere.


What plans could I possibly have this Saturday you ask? I am having lunch with a friend from high school that I haven't seen in 21 years! Stephanie moved away before our Senior year and we lost touch after that. Through technology and recognizing her brother in a picture, I was able to get back in touch with her - and we live nearby each other! How cool is that?

Friday, March 13, 2009

The method to my madness

Last night at BUNCO we got to talking about how we eat Skittles. Each person had a different method, in order of preference, etc. to eat their Skittles. Each of us varied it in some way. It was a fun conversation to have with other people as it lets me know that I am not the only one that does this type of thing. For me personally, I like to dump out the bag of Skittles (single-serving bag) and seperate them all by color. I eat them in twos...first the yellow, then orange, then green, then either red or purple. Sometimes the red are my favorite, sometimes the purple are my favorite. Just depends on my mood.

I realized today, that each month there is the same type of method to my madness when it comes to my monthly magazine reading. Each month, I thumb through each magazine to see what's inside. I turn each page and look at all the pictures, ads and read the headline of the articles. Then (after my Lucky Magazine arrives) I go through each magazine a little more carefully and I mark things I want to look at more (with the little stickers that are in the Lucky magazine), would like to buy, research or read. Then I go and investigate the things I have marked. I don't know why I do this. It's like the Skittles, it just happens.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My little show stopper

Cooper gets out of school at 2:00. I know that when my husband calls at exactly 2:00, that something went on at school today that he couldn't wait to tell me. As I picked up the phone, all I hear is laughter from my husband. During assembly (not really sure what this is, but everyone gathers in the sanctuary I think), each child has an opportunity to get up and sing something and his teacher told Don that usually they sing something they learned in school (Jesus Loves Me, Go Tell It on the Mountain, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, etc.). My son got up on stage and sang a heavy metal song using his fist as a mic complete with rock 'n roll horns and totally rocked it! She said he knew every word to the song and did a great job! His teacher couldn't wait for Don to come and pick him up so that the teachers could find out what song he was singing. Cooper told us later he was singing Ozzy. His teacher said that he was a very good performer!

See, internet - this is why I have only one child.

Weekly Skincare routine

I recently wrote about my new skincare products - all by Mario Badescu. I just love it and can't get enough of it. However, I wasn't using all the products as often as I should have. I have now come up with a routine that I follow, and I love my skin!!

Every morning, the routine is the same...I wash my face with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream, Oil Free Moisturizer w/SPF 17. The evening routine differs:
  • Monday and Thursday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, I use the Silver Powder for blackheads (works like a DREAM - way better than the duct-tape-like things I used to put on my nose - I think by Biore), then I use Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
  • Tuesday and Saturday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, then I exfoliate with Kiwi Face Scrub, and follow that with Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
  • Wednesday and Sunday, I wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, then I use Orange Tonic Mask and follow that with Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream and Seaweed Night Cream.
  • Friday's I don't use any "speciality" treatments, I just wash with Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Lotion, Gycolic Eye Cream, and Seaweed Night Cream.

Can't wait to earn more money to buy more products!

When Don and I were much poorer (not that we are well off by any means!), but I stopped buying "stuff". I hadn't bought make up or skin care (and it showed) in a really long time. I just didn't have the money to do it. Don was working for a while, and I had a little bit to spare. I was able to catch us up a little and have some money to buy these things - and it makes me happy!!

I'm really looking forward to losing weight and buying new clothes - that would make me REALLY happy!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

MAC

I love to buy make up. I especially love to buy MAC make up because they have such a great variety of colors whether you are looking for a new eyeshadow, or lipstick or glitter eyeliner. I have joked with many MAC salespeople over the years that I should create a list of things/colors I currently have, to eliminate the chance of duplication. And wouldn't you know it - it happened. One neutral eye shadow color was duplicated. That isn't too much of a big deal - but I didn't realize it until I finally drug out my make up stashes and went through it all and created a spreadsheet of my MAC cosmetics. I carefully went through it all and I organized it the way I wanted, and as I looked at it - I noticed that the lipsticks looked a little light - I thought I had more. But maybe I just wasn't as bad as I thought. After looking at it, I realized, I have an entire make up bag under the sink with a TON of lipstick in it. I need to go through that real soon and update all my stuff. Besides, going through all that might make me feel like I was buying something new, again!

Sometimes, people annoy me.

Here was the scenario today...I was coming out of the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A. This particular location is a very busy CFA and the drive-thru line usually wraps around the building. When you exit, you need to make your way out of the parking lot as there are others entering, exiting and trying to find a place to park or trying to get out of a parking spot. As I was exiting, there were a group of three people that just got out of their car and were making their way to the restaurant (single-file). As they began to cross in front of my car I could see they were chit-chatting, I slowed down a little more and then the first girl , stopped, turned around and was very animated with their conversation. I then had to stop - other cars behind me had to stop and when this girl finally realized what she had done, she giggled with her hand over her mouth like she had no idea what she was doing!

If this were me - I might have done (and probably have done) the same exact thing! But for what ever reason - this annoyed the crap out of me today! Hopefully it's just that the weather is crappy and I'll be better soon!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Some more faves



This is the ring that my husband got me for Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised and I wear this all the time. It is such a great accessory and since I wear a lot of black, it goes with most of my wardrobe.
The polish on my nails is another favorite for Spring, it's OPI's Dutch Tulips. It's the perfect dark pink/almost red and looks great on my toes as well.
I have had scalp problems for a number of years. Aveda made a scalp therepy that I loved and cured my problem for a while. However over a year ago, they changed the formula and the new formula doesn't work for me. My scalp is dry, itchy and flakes. I did some research and instead of trying different dandruff shampoo's I went straight to Nixoral. It's expensive at $9.99 for a small bottle, but I thought why mess around! I used to wash my hair about every other day. My hair is dry and any hairsylist will tell you that with my curly hair, you aren't supposed to wash your hair daily...however I want to clear up my scalp! Every day for a week I have washed my hair and it seems to be working! YIPEE!
I have a $10 off coupon for Trade Secret that has to be used in March - so I'm going to look through my magazines and find the perfect deep conditioner since my hair needs additional moisture.