Weekly Update

It's Thanksgiving week!!!
Sunday: I went to Walmart and lunch and our local festival of trees with my parents. It wasn't that bad. We hit Walmart first and it took twice as long because my mother would only focus on one thing on her list until she found it and then go to the next thing, I felt like we were in the same three aisles 12 different times (that's an exaggeration, but I do know we went back to one aisle three times). My dad had to come along so mom could pay for her purchases with one of his credit cards to get money back, I don't understand why she couldn't just take it and give it back to him. I love my dad, but he's legally blind, so he goes with us places, but sits down somewhere so he's not running into things.
Lunch was at a new Mexican place. My dad suggested it and then my mom asked me what I wanted and when I told her, she's like 'Let's be adventurous' which is the complete opposite of my mother. It was good, I just don't see why she asked me what I wanted and then ignored it.
We went downtown to our local festival of trees which I found kinda sad this year. There were no trees/wreaths to bid on like other years, and there didn't seem to be many exciting trees. Also, there's a silent art auction at the same time, all the art was prints or flat stuff. They've had jewelry and pottery and more interesting stuff, other than paintings and prints in the past. Granted, I wasn't going to be bidding on anything, so I didn't feel too bad, but there should be at least something to entice me. I asked if we could hurry up at lunch, because I had other things to do that day (surprise), but my mom's always on her time, whether it be she's in a hurry or not. And then gets annoyed that I didn't clear my whole day to hang out with her. When I got home I had laundry and some swaps to finish. My mom asked if I wanted to have dinner with them because my brother was coming in to town for the holiday week, again, why don't I spend all day with them.
I did finish two swaps, a Christmas file folder pocket letter:

 and a winter white pocket letter:

Monday: I caved in and went to Hobby Lobby. I had another file folder pocket letter I was making and couldn't find paper I wanted to use on it, so I went. Plus, I was hoping to find some great deals in the fall or clearance section. Last time I went I couldn't get to the clearance section because they had carts in the way.

 I picked up a mixed package of 12x12 paper for $5.99, a winter paper pad for $6.50, a sheet of snowflakes for $0.22, a sheet of bunny rabbits for $0.35, a Christmas sticker book for $2.50, a sheet of penguin stickers for $1.00, and a gingerbread ornament kit for $2.50.
I love paper, and there were a few sheets in that mixed package that I think will work for the file folder pocket letter. I decided to get the winter one because I thought I'd have more winter swaps before the season was over with. The bunnies were just too cute. I didn't want to pass up the sticker book and kinda feel like I need another Christmas swap to use it. I signed up for a paperclip swap and thought I'd make some with these penguin stickers. I plan to make these ornaments for my friends.

 buttons, flowers, alligator stickers, sunflower stickers.
I can't help buying buttons, I believe they aren't packing these as full anymore. There were a ton of cool shank buttons in both of these, I remember looking at a package of dog buttons with huge eyes in the store, and I probably got about a whole package of them between the two bags. I thought I could take the flowers off these hair clips for wands. I couldn't pass up these stickers, I also picked up the sunflowers for wands.

I also got a couple swaps in the mail
A sock swap:

We stuffed a pair of socks with goodies for our partners.
a tag swap:

 I love the graduating giraffe.
I worked my regular shift at the library, and had to stay a little late due to finding mold while cleaning out lost and found. Yuck.
Tuesday: my usual day off, but my parents, brother and I went to lunch at a new restaurant. I wasn't impressed. I got tomato basil pasta, I thought it was rather bland. We all got dessert to go, I got bread pudding and it was sad and bland as well. If I ever go back, I do have something else I want to try, but I wouldn't recommend it. I meant to finish another file folder pocket letter, but I just wasn't interested, so I finished a few books instead. I also attempted to watch The Mummy with Tom Cruise, I got 45 minutes into it and gave up. My experience is, if I don't like it after half an hour, it's not getting better.
Wednesday: Slow day at the library, I figured it would be busier with it being the last day before a holiday. I mailed a couple swaps and for once I had quite a long line at the post office. I bet the lines will be getting longer until we hit Christmas, then they'll taper off.
I had a Hollar box waiting for me when I got home. When they told me it had been mailed last Wednesday, I didn't think I'd get it before Thanksgiving.

 gift card holder, food.
I got the gift card holder for my brother because he collects reindeer. The pretzels and chili peanuts are for my dad. The toffee peanuts are for me as is the pop corn. Last time I picked up the tins of peanuts, I ate it so fast and was sad I was done with it already. I had picked up a tin of honey roasted peanuts and they weren't that good. I thought I'd try this other brand of toffee peanuts as well. I opened the pop corn, not so great, it doesn't have enough coating on it for me.

 Stickers, tape, journaling cards, sticky notes, dryer sheets, acetate pieces, stuffed animals.
The sticker book is cute, but I don't think I should have paid $2 for it. I always need tape and with the holiday season coming up, can't have enough. I've been eyeing these journaling cards for awhile. Also, loved the sticky notes and the acetate pieces. I also really loved these small stuffed animals. I don't use dryer sheets anymore, but a couple times when I washed bigger loads of towels and blankets they have come out smelling weird, so I thought I'd pick some up.
I put a can of the peanuts, the journaling cards, sticky notes, acetate pieces, the donut and the nerdy emoji in my advent calendar. I know I'm pushing it on time, and probably won't add anything more (even though I'm only at 20 items), because of the time frame.
I have one more Hollar haul coming and then I think I'm done with Hollar, the one that shipped on Monday, I didn't even put enough items in it to get free shipping, I didn't want to spend that much money. I've been spending too much money as it is. I *tried* to cut back, but I think that might be a new year's resolution.
I also got an Advent calendar pocket letter:

This is one of the reasons I'm not so bothered about not having enough in my personal Advent calendar, the other one is another Advent like swap I have coming, plus it's Christmas right after, do i really need more stuff?
Thursday: Got up and went to my cousin's about an hour south of here. It was fun. It was really fun to see my cousin's kid 'teaching' my dad who's legally blind to play a video game on one of those new video game consoles that are about the size of an Ipad. Also, we had a 'would you rather' game going on, that was fun to hear people's answers. There was my cousin, his wife and four kids, one of the kids' brought her boyfriend and his family, there was also my cousin's in-laws, another cousin and her dad and her 2 kids plus their significant others and one of her kids' brought her 3 kids. It was a nice group. Nice to hang out with people on my dads' side of the family that I feel we don't hang out with much. We got home about 5, so I popped Planes, Trains and Automobiles in the DVD player and fixed a microwave dinner.
Friday: It got up to the upper 60's here. While I love the warm outdoor temperatures, my apartment is only nice and cozy warm when it's cold outside.
We had second Thanksgiving (I feel like a hobbit when I say that), with my mom's sister and her husband. This one was much more low-key with people and food. I enjoyed both, though I feel I didn't eat too much on Friday. After lunch we went shopping. I didn't plan on it, but I did go Black Friday shopping. I bought a Peachy Cheap grab bag in the morning (this is the only thing I ever buy on Peachy Cheap) and almost got a planner grab bag, but the website was being weird, so I didn't (I'm not a planner girl, but I LOVE grab bags). Anywho, we went to JoAnn's for fabric, I was saying how I never go to JoAnn's anymore, cause they suck in the paper crafting section, but I found their cheap Christmas section (kinda like Bullseye's playground at Target) and a few things in the clearance section (which they never have good things there either, hence why I stopped going). Here's what I picked up:

 Everything except the washi was from the Christmas section. It was also on sale apparently, I didn't realize that, I thought the $1.99 was a good price for all of it. I have to pick up $10 worth of Christmas crafting supplies for a swap, I'm not sure if I'll give my partner both tag sets (probably cause I don't use tags) or both the journal sets (I kinda like the ones that aren't solely Christmas).
Here's what I picked up in the clearance section:

 I mostly picked them up because the pink set has a bicycle, and the blue set has a pineapple, as did the mini banner set. They are very glossy, but I like the colors.
We also stopped at Hobby Lobby, but as I was just there on Monday, I didn't buy anything. We went back for dessert and then my aunt and uncle left. My parents, brother and I had a play, Forbidden Broadway, to go to that night. It was fun, but I think I would have liked it better if I knew the songs. They took a bunch of Broadway plays and spoofed the songs in them. I've seen one Broadway play, and it wasn't included, so like I said if I knew the original songs (or even the plays), it would have been better.
When I got home, my Lollipop box was waiting for me:

Saturday: I returned a bunch of library materials and went to Small Business Saturday. I was early enough to get a swag bag, which was about as unexciting as last year. It's just a canvas bag that has Small Business Saturday on it with a bunch of coupons. Sadly, most of the coupons I will never use (which is why it's unexciting to me). I didn't plan to be downtown that early to get one, but I was up and awake and ran into a co-worker who wanted one, so I went down with her. I went to 3 stores and didn't find anything to buy (which is good, because I certainly don't need to be spending more money), I tried to go to a fourth store, but apparently they didn't want to open an hour early for Small Business Saturday, I don't know if I would have bought something, but I won't be going back downtown for awhile. I did find some things to take pictures of and send to my mother as gift ideas for me.
I put up my winter decorations and wrapped my presents today. I've misplaced a present (which is sad, I didn't lose it over the year, but after getting out my presents and putting them in a different place), thankfully I have time to find it. I feel very accomplished for having things done, though I do like to have them done early, so if something comes up, I don't have to worry. I was supposed to get 4 more presents for my Advent calendar, because I only have 20. Not like I need more, though, I have an Advent pocket letter and an envelope countdown to Christmas, so I'm well stocked.
I had a game tonight and would have posted this sooner, but I was hoping I'd have something in the mail. I found out why I don't, though, because there's always an excuse as to why people can't have things done on time. The last two people said the holidays got in there way, nevermind the mail by date was before the holiday (11/21 for one and 11/16 for another.)

November Lollipop Box

So, this month's box theme was Mermaid. LOVE IT!! First look:

 Opened the box:

 Here's the mystery gift:

 It's a wax melt, it reminds me of clean laundry. It smells great, but I have a sensitive nose and it's a bit overwhelming.
The planner stuff:

 Not too exciting this month.
The papers:

 I really like these, that one in the top right corner is metallic.
DIY:

 It's a page marker kit, but I probably won't make it. I love the mermaid by itself, and I don't use 3D bookmarks.
Treats:

 I love that sequin kit (even though I really don't like sequins). I also like that pack on the right with the hearts. I didn't realize it, but there's a cute postcard under the list paper.
All the rest:

I love the jar with beads in it, the mermaid charm is also cute. I'm kinda bummed we didn't get the bramble box charm this month. I wanna put that button on my bag.
I'm excited to see what next month is.

Weekly update 11/18/17

When I do these at the end of the week, I look back at my pictures to see what I did all week. My life is not exciting, which is why I don't do the November or December daily thing. So, what happened this week?
Sunday: I finished my Christmas Envelopes swap:

 Basically, it's an advent calendar. We created 24 envelopes and put goodies in them for our partner.
I also finished my December calendar tag:

Very simple, but cute.
Monday: I finished my Advent calendar pocket letter:

 We created 3 pocket letters for our partner and filled up 25 pockets of goodies. The two advent calendar swaps were my biggest swap and I was so proud of getting them done.
I also finished a card kit:

 One of my groups sends us pieces for a card, asks us to use at least three items to make a card.
I went to work, which was kinda weird after having the last 3 Mondays off.
Tuesday: The only pictures I have are the back of that advent calendar pocket letter. I realized I forgot to take a picture of the backs and that I hadn't covered up some of the goodies, so that package looked so great when I sent it out.
Wednesday: I opened at the library, mailed my swaps and went grocery shopping. I love how the sky looked when I was going home:

 I got a destash swap in the mail:

 It was called a Gingerbread brown bag destash. Basically we decorated a brown bag like a gingerbread house and stuffed it full of goodies. My partner spoiled me.
Thursday: I got a pocketful of sunshine swap in the mail:

 We had to send our partner at least 10 things that would make them happy.
Friday: I went to probably the last garage sale of the season. I saw this cool car while I was out:

 Here's what I picked up:

 stocking, snowflake ornament, holiday pins, pretzels.  Basically, I thought if I did another swap, these were a few things I'd include. I think I'll give the snowflake ornament to my brother's girlfriend.
I also decided to go Christmas shopping, I was going to go on Tuesday, but I just didn't feel like it on Tuesday.
My first stop was Dollar Tree:

 pretzels, shower loofahs, duct tape, storage container, cookies, butterfingers.
I just picked up a bag of these pretzels at Hollar (I caved and put in two orders this week, wait for those), so I don't really know why I bought these. I'm trying to replace my loofah every month, and if I have to do that, I'm not spending more than $1 on them. I've noticed these little guys hold up better than the regular loofahs, so I've now bought every single one that they've had. I always need duct tape, I was going to look in the clearance section at Walmart, but I didn't make it there. My current laundry basket is a bigger size of one of these, but the shape is not holding up very well, so I thought I'd see if I could find another one. Everyone's been hauling these cookies, I picked up both kinds last time, I thought these orange and chocolate ones were kind of like Jaffa cakes that I used to get at the British foods store, so I picked up a package for a friend. I picked up the Butterfingers because I'd never seen the crisp in tiny size and I'd never seen them at the Dollar Tree.

 gift bags, keychains, bath bombs.
One of the swaps I signed up for is another file folder pocket letter, when I did, my vision was to have a large Santa on the front of the file folder, only I didn't have one. I didn't find anything that fit my vision at Hobby Lobby, and while I was wandering around Dollar Tree, I saw this gift bag and thought it would work (it fits, and looks great). On the inside of those, they usually have a glassine bag, I thought one of these bags would be more fun. I forgot I picked up the tassel keychains until I was checking out, I got them because I got sucked into the peer pressure of people hauling them. I also did that with the bath bombs. I don't really have friends I could give these to, but I'm sure I'll figure out something.

 When I saw people hauling these, I told myself I was allowed to pick them up if I found them. They are the only stickers I bought. I kinda wanna put them in my friends' mailboxes at work.
Next up was Target, which I have skipped the last two times I went shopping down south.
Because everyone's so obsessed with this image, I took a picture to show the world:

 It's a wooden ornament, I believe it was $3, it's in their Christmas section with the ornaments. I think it's a cute image, but it doesn't do much for me.
I also saw these:

 Which I love and am considering asking for for Christmas. I didn't look to see what it includes, but wouldn't it be fun?
Here's what I picked up:

 chocolate and food.
The Dove was on sale 2 for $7, my original thought was to take them to Thanksgiving, but I don't know if I really want to part with them. I picked up the chocolate 'trees' ($1 each) for stocking stuffers. I picked up the Hickory Farms ($9.99) for my dad, I did that one year and he seemed to like it.

socks, unicorns, stickers.
I have a swap where I have to stuff a pair of socks with goodies, I picked these up cause they were $3. I couldn't pass up the unicorn at the top, it was in Bullseye's playground for $3, it went in my Advent calendar. As did this pegacorn ornament, it was in the Christmas section for $4. These stickers were something I also gave myself permission to buy if I found them, they were $1.
I stopped off at Burger King on the way home for lunch. I feel I've been eating frozen dinners for the past month and then some, so I splurged for lunch.
I also put together my sock swap:

Basically, we filled the socks with goodies spending no more than $10, including the price of the socks. I'm worried my partner will buy some really nice socks and put like nothing in them. I stuffed mine with some chocolate, hot chocolate, nail file, washi, sticky notes, pens, a tube of glitter and a bath bomb.
I also got a pocket letter in the mail:

Saturday: I worked.

Weekly Update

I feel these are going to become more boring since I'm not spending money on things I don't need.
Sunday: Basketball season started with a double header, I basically worked all day. Had to be at Hilton at 10:30 for the noon game, got home about 1, ate lunch, had to be back at 3:30 for the 5 o'clock game, got home about 8, ate supper and went to bed.
Monday: It has officially been a week since I stopped drinking pop. I don't think I really crave it, but water and milk are very bland in taste. I was tempted to drink one of my screwdrivers just to have something else. I'll look into the flavored water they sometimes have on sale at Fareway, I like the taste of that, and it's still cheaper than a 20 oz of pop.
I have not been inspired to make anything recently, so I haven't been signing up for more swaps. I don't have a ton that I signed up for for the rest of the year.
I did do my laundry today, that's probably the only thing I achieved.
I got a mini hedgehog pocket letter in the mail:

Tuesday: No idea, I'm pretty sure I just sat in front of the TV, I did finish a birthday card for a friend:

 I also finished a tag swap:

And finished making envelopes for an advent calendar.
Wednesday: I opened at the library, I mailed the tags, a loaded envelope swap, and some stamps. Went grocery shopping, and who knows. I know it was a very boring week. Again, I haven't been interested in doing much, I was trying to get through season 5 of ER and catching up on YouTube (which I think is never ending).
I did get another mini hedgehog pocket letter in the mail:

I know I spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV and youtube. I did fall off my wagon and drink pop on Tuesday and Thursday. It tasted so good on Tuesday when I drank it, Thursday, not so much. And now I'm back to not drinking it, I don't know what will happen on Monday, there's someone that I work with that is very hard to work with and having a Cherry Coke helps, so I don't know if I'll get some or not. Sometimes I just get tired of the blandness of milk and water, I tried to buy some of the 16.9 oz flavored water at the grocery store, but I didn't want to pay the price they had it at, of course now that I think about it, it's not that much more for a 20 oz of pop than for a 6 pack of those. I did buy some 1 liter bottles of flavored water, which is not that good.
I have 4 swaps I have to mail next Wednesday, so I will be working on those tomorrow, like I said, I just haven't been motivated to do anything but sit on the couch and watch TV. I can't believe next week is the middle of November, the week after that is Thanksgiving and the week after that is December. I'm done shopping for my brother for Christmas, mostly done for my mother and haven't even started for my dad, he's the worst.
I'm tired of staring at my fall/Halloween decorations, so my snowmen might be coming out soon, we'll see.
Maybe next week will be more exciting.

Weekly update

I feel it's going to be depressing.
Sunday: Did 4 loads of laundry, watched scary movies, found out I had a cavity and finished a flip book:

 Monday: I found out my health insurance premium is going up $200, so spent the day depressed and watched movies.
Tuesday: got my cavity filled and watched movies. Here's my Halloween set-up:

That sad pumpkin I made last week, a tiny velvet pumpkin from a local store, a ceramic pumpkin from Dollar Tree, and a foam jack-o-lantern from Hollar. The skeleton bird is from Dollar Tree. The zombie is from Hollar. I just realized there is a Halloween snowglobe elsewhere in my living room from Dollar Tree as well.
I don't really decorate for Halloween, I actually am not a big fan of Halloween, I've amassed more Halloween crafty stuff for swaps, but I don't really like it, still. I just love getting other people's creativity (I actually like getting anything handmade all year long). When I was a kid, there was cool Halloween candy, I feel it's just all the same now, nothing interesting. I didn't have to work on Tuesday, I only put on a Halloween shirt because I went out.
Wednesday: I opened at the library and did my regular errands of the post office and grocery shopping. I cut myself off cold turkey with pop. It's money I don't need to be spending and maybe it will cut down my belly fat.
I started my healthcare application before work, which totally stressed me out at work. I went after Halloween shopping on the way home, I found bought some Christmas presents:

The reindeer are for my brother, the Iowa ornament for my mother, the nutcracker for a swap, the pretzels for me and the chocolates for stocking stuffers.
I took a bunch of pictures of stuff I'd like for Christmas, as I was uploading them, I thought it would be stupid to ask for them because I have way too much stuff. I don't have room for much more. I was even thinking of not getting all my Christmas stuff out this year because it's so much work, so why ask for more?
I got home and finished my healthcare application and it turned out less painful than I expected, I'm a little on edge because it took so long last year. I just expect everything to be so hard
Thursday: I went shopping. My friend's birthday is next week, so I was hoping to find some hedgehogs, also hoping to find some good Halloween candy.
I started at Hobby Lobby hoping there would be some hedgehogs in their fall section. When I got there it said fall/Halloween was 50% off, I didn't find anything I wanted. I also noticed that Christmas was at 50% off as well, but I was only there to look at fall. I walked out without buying anything.
My next stop was JoAnn's, every year I buy those knit gloves for $1 and every year I somehow manage to misplace them. I picked up a couple more pairs this year:

 I spent a grand total of $2.14.
Next stop was the Dollar Tree, I needed a few things for a swap.

 I found manila folders, some envelopes, those are both for swaps. I picked up the snowflakes for winter wands, and the anti-itch for me.

 The gummies turned out to be 50 cents, I saw people hauling these cookies and food is my ok splurge, especially when it's $1. I picked up the almond roca for Christmas. I spent $9.89.
I went to Walmart to get tape, I found this wicked cute owl mug for about $5.

 I stuck to my tape, picked up the Oreo bars because I love these and I haven't been seeing them in my local grocery store, the Hershey's are for a swap and I got the fruit medley because I haven't had it in a long time.

 Grand total spent: $22.04.
I stopped in at a local thrift store just to see if they had any hedgehogs.

I didn't find those, but I found a bag full of flowers for a swap, and this creature. I admit, when I'm feeling depressed, I really want to buy stuffed animals, must be why I have so many in my apartment, I only bought him because he was $1, I've decided I can buy stuff for myself if it's $1 or under, or food (though I will be paying attention to how much), I will not however be stopping at the Asian food stores or getting food subscription boxes for awhile. My grand total here was $1.50.
My last stop was the grocery store, I needed milk and I picked up some Smirnoff screwdrivers. I don't drink much alcohol, so this six-pack will last probably about six months.
Friday: I didn't do much, but I did get a private swap in the mail:

 I love the Olaf button and the 'Do you wanna build a snowman' middle pocket. This picture was taken at work, because when I work in the afternoons, I collect my mail on the way in to work.
We had an interesting day at work, it's book sale weekend, plus our Automatic Handling System went down and we thought it might not go up before we closed, not a good way to start the weekend. Thankfully, our tech guy performed a miracle and got it running about 45 minutes before we closed. I did enjoy checking things in by hand, I kinda miss that, because I don't really see the books anymore, I used to check out so many more books when we checked in by hand. I stopped by the grocery store for cereal on the way home and was pretty tired, so went to bed about 9PM.
Saturday: Me and my mom were visiting two of the church fairs about 9AM. I'm actually a bit disappointed in them this year. They usually all (3 of them) do it the weekend closest to October 15th. I was all ready for them at that time this year, and they all changed their day they were doing it. The one that's furthest away from me apparently had theirs on October 21st, which I didn't know. One of my co-workers goes to that church and told me it was October 20-something, but never gave me an exact date, I never saw any ads or signs for it anywhere, I found out it was on the 21st because I went to work that afternoon and my co-worker was working that morning and asked if I went, I'm kinda bummed about it. Another co-worker told me about one of the churches was having theirs this weekend, which was fine, I was just ready for it in November.
Here's what I picked up:

 I also picked up a couple teapots for my boss, they were $7. I spent a grand total of $11 on food between the two sales. I also picked up that tiny little Santa pin for my mother for $0.25. I realized after I got home, the only things I got for me was the food, because I'm practicing not buying stuff I don't need, it's kinda depressing. Not that I need more food things either, but I love hand made goodies.

I relaxed in front of the TV and some ER for awhile, and went off to finish some swaps.
A yellow flip book:

 A 'pocketful' of sunshine, or yellow products to make your partner happy:

 I got a few more swaps in the mail,
A flip book:

 and a fantasyland flip book:

I am now trying to catch up on YouTube, I'm not sure it will happen.