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Post by bluefrog on Apr 8, 2014 15:52:26 GMT -5
I saw a sweatshirt that said "I knit to keep from killing people" bluefrog. Yeah, puppybox, there's that, too. I crochet rather than knit, but the sentiment's the same.
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Post by bluefrog on Apr 8, 2014 16:03:20 GMT -5
lucie, I download about a dozen books a month on my Kindle. Most of them are freebies, but I'll pay for three or four. This month's purchase of six was exceptional, because the Agatha Christie books were such a bargain. I have fewer than two hundred books actually installed on the Kindle, and another couple of hundred housed in the ether at Amazon. I have read a bit more than half of them, but have kept some of them that I really enjoyed around so I'm reminded of the author's name when I want to look for the next book in a series, or remember which ones I've already finished.
Edited to add: The e-books that I do buy are all bargains, mostly in the less-than-$5 range. I refuse to pay more than $8 for a Kindle book when I can generally find a used paperback for much less, even with shipping.
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Post by papermoon on Apr 8, 2014 16:27:46 GMT -5
I splurged on my favorite Clinique serum yesterday. It came with a "gift with purchase" containing two samples of items that I normally use anyway, worth about $10, so that helped offset the splurge. In the past, GWPs have been a terrible clutter downfall for me. I kept saving the bits I didn't use, plus all those makeup bags, until I had a huge box full of 10 years' worth of unused GWP stuff. I finally sold the lot on eBay for $76, but what a drag it was to photograph and itemize everything... took me 2 hours! As soon as I got rid of the lot in one fell swoop, I vowed I'd never ever hang on to another GWP item if I wouldn't use it immediately. So this time I kept only the 2 good samples... but all the rest, including 2 makeup bags, went promptly into the "free" box in my apartment building. All gone, yay! And all packaging into the recycle bin.
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Post by angela on Apr 8, 2014 17:01:26 GMT -5
I've enjoyed reading the posts today. irisbloom, on submitting your work. That's great that it was so satisfying to you. bluefrog I think it is awesome that you have bought craft supplies that you can use. That is so key I think. creativechaos, those storage boxes are everywhere, even found them at Walgreens so next time you come over, you can still get some. No worries there. I'm sorry the gifted painting is causing you grief. Do you even like it? If not, find a medical center or nursing home to give it to. Then you can tell the person that it went for a higher purpose.
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Post by angela on Apr 8, 2014 17:32:51 GMT -5
I have been promoted to think about objects and stuff a lot more lately, mostly because of where I work. I have developed a sort of anti-stuff mentality and it sometimes makes it challenging to work where I do. This time of year there are more tourists in town because of the Tulip Festival and they come through town to look at all the cool STUFF. It's stuff, stuff, and more stuff. I sometimes get cynical and see these folks through the lense of avarice and vanity. I see what a lady will spend on a single item of clothing and think, that would buy my groceries for a month, why aren't you giving that money to a food bank (the lady I mean). This is such a rarefied atmosphere in this little tourist town. Of course not everyone who comes through is rich but many are well-heeled. And at the clothing store, I see plenty of women who shop recreationally and I really have to grit my teeth to stay in a good attitude. But wasn't I doing the same thing at one point? I mean, my hoard didn't just materialize out of the ether. I spent hours and hours and hours and thousands and thousands of dollars acquiring it. What was I thinking? What I was thinking, as best as I can remember. Initially, there were years of suppressed longing, I was poor for so long and was constantly having to say no to myself. It was really a sensation of deprivation and lack and once I had some money to spend, I bought literally whatever I wanted. What did I buy? Books, craft supplies, which is a genuine interest but I had not been able to get materials to pursue those activities. Clothing because I always liked decent clothes and I didn't know what to buy for my new life and activities. Household type stuff, because I was taking care of Grandpa and was heavily influenced by my mom and her very high standards for home-making. Later, I was still buying in those categories but at the local thrifts and at yard sales. Maybe more affordable but still way more than I could put to good use in my home and through my creative activities or entertainment activities. Other money got spent on trying to live a healthier lifestyle, buying supplements and better food to try to manage the health issues brought on by stress. I spent a lot of money on classes, craft classes, and classes on how to use herbs and supplements. I also spent money to get my Reiki Master level training. I had for the longest time wanted to do a little craft business. On three occasions I bought out the stock and equipment of women who were leaving their businesses, one a marine canvas and cushion business I quickly abandoned because it's so physically demanding. 2 machine knitting businesses. One, I still have most of the yarn stock I bought. The other, I donated much of the yarn and the machines. Then I helped clear out the various stashes of a lady who belonged to a local knitting club I had belonged to. I still have a lot of sewing supplies from her stash. Another lady I knew died and I got her little table loom and most of her yarn. The fabric and beads I bought all on my own. So that's how it started. The excess clothes are gone. Many of the books are gone. The VHS and DVD's, mostly. Still have many CD's but since I've made my little McGyver sound system I am listening to them regularly, yay. The craft supplies, still hoarded, neatly, in boxes and bags in the doom room. The household trinkets I collected to make displays on the tables are stored neatly in bins in the little house. All the artificial flowers I collected to make bouquets, stored in plastic bags. I really used to have a good time making table tops displays and displays for the fireplace mantle. The house is too cluttered and shabby to do that now. Oh and another little hoard of stuff I get from my friend when I help her put her sales samples away. There are products that she gives me to help her and sometimes, whole categories of products that she is no longer going to use. Thank goodness most of this is consumables like shampoo and conditioner, whey protein powder, nuts (big score there, bags and bags of almonds, walnuts, pecans, LOTS of money if I would have bought them). I also have product leftover from the demos I do. I give away anything I can't use (baby food went to my cousin with 5 kids, detangler, hair gel and mousse went to my niece and nephews.) Nowadays, when I am tempted by acquistion, it is very usually something I think is pretty or could be meaningful, like those pendants I bought. Or if I think it's something that would help me look good for work. I am tempted by craft supplies but I know better. I don't buy any house trinkets anymore since I can't really use them, haven't bought fabric for a year. With my appearance, I am vain. And I very much want to look like I belong. I can be a bit competitive. So I have to keep a close eye on wanting to acquire the new cute things at the clothing store where I work. I have enough to look appropriate, AND to have a bit of creativity and personal expression as well. I cannot compete with women that spend most of their paycheck on clothes! I'm there for the money... Right now I consider this to be my primary area of weakness.
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Post by lucie on Apr 9, 2014 5:54:26 GMT -5
angela, you said it so well! I too know the transition from wanting to buy everything I like and looking at things as unnecessary stuff. I have already mentioned it Puppybox's thread, I gave myself a rule that I can buy extra things - those that are not basic necessities - only with my premium money (we get premium twice a year). I do not count food, necessary cosmetics, travel expences, basic clothes, exercise fees, massages, garden stuff like fertilisers and presents (I do recycle unused things as presents though). So far I bought these things with my last premium money I got in December: 6 ebooks, a little wallet, 8 porcelain mug coasters, a camping bed, one kitchen utensil and a strawberry scented candle. bluefrog, thank you for sharing your way of acquiring ebooks and congratulaion on that Agatha Christie bargain. I would not have missed that one either. I also got most of my ebooks for free. I have so many I have not read yet and now I wonder if I should allow myself to buy more.
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Post by bluefrog on Apr 9, 2014 10:23:42 GMT -5
This week I've purchased a yard of mottled blue fabric and 24 little black-and-white buttons for the pieced quilt I'm working on that looks like a school of fish. EEEEP, new fabric is expensive, and so are buttons. Together, they cost about $25US, including the shipping. I'll use all the buttons, but I'll probably have some fabric left over to use in another quilt. Good thing I like scrap quilts.
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Post by Layla on Apr 9, 2014 12:15:30 GMT -5
Hey there, I just had family come to visit, which is always a good incentive to clean things up!
I have been getting things done around here. I did go out thrifting and antique shopping with mom and sis. I left with ...
Antique dresser and Sofa Love Seat(drove strait to store and put all these up for sale in my booth)
I also got a shabby adorable end table and metal outdoor table(outdoor table can go in the yard so thats not an issue, I have a big backyard) the end table was for resale but its so cute I may keep it, if it works somewhere, otherwise it will go to the store.
My mom and sis brought a vanload of my stuff from Cali(i had an antique booth there and closed it end of Jan) and got one in my new state, but couldnt bring it all in one load, I brought most of the big stuff when I drove, they brought the boxes of nic nacks and 3 smaller furniture pieces. So I have to go through and get all that in my new space. So that is a bunch more stuff here, but the good side is most of its tagged already, I just have to go through and sort and take it over and see where I can fit(as my booth is full at the moment)
I am also trying to devote more time to eating healthy, I attend a monthly food/veggie swap. I have lemon trees so that is my barter currency. So I left with oodles of greens, oranges, mandarins, tomatoes, herbs, beets, homemade lotions, you name it! I use a juicer and juice almost daily(green juice) as it does make me feel good, healthy, my blood sugar is great, my energy levels are great. I just feel better when I do it. But as with everything, its more work, washing everything, cooking and preparing, but I have been eating more natural and fresh, and bartering doesnt require buying, I guess with veggies and fruit, it eventually goes bad if you dont eat it! So it goes in my compost bin. So it may provide a brief clutter when it all arrives, but it will pass. I just love having fresh foods to eat and look at! I feel so special eating the salads from all the ladies home grown lettuce and tomatoes!
So yes I have made some purchase for resale. Not too much though, well mostly some bigger ticket items. I have turned down some items, items a little too much or that require to much work.
And we put a deposit down on a place by the beach for our Annivesary in May, Montecito, where Oprah lives next to Santa Barbara, Ca. We are getting a little house by the beach, 3 nights!
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Post by Di on Apr 10, 2014 20:44:54 GMT -5
I love Retail Therapy. But today I think I made some good decisions. R At this point the child's room is rather pathetic looking and her clothes make me sad, so I have been trying to get clothing and a beautiful room ready for her to move in.(I will be taking care of her as well as Kiddo) Today I had time to go to Good Will while Kiddo was in dance and I found several items for the children in my life. For the 5 year old, I found an adorable two piece navy gingham outfit with ruffled pants. I also got her jeans and a cute top. I got my grandson a navy sports coat for Easter (he asked me to find him one) I also found him a winter coat for next year. I got my granddaughter a navy gingham dress trimmed with hot pink ribbon with navy polka dots and a pretty little multi colored seersucker outfit. All of the items will be used and enjoyed. To put in the bedroom here for the BF's Daughter, I got 3 very good children's books. She has books but they are what I think of as "junk books" Not the kind that endure for generations of story reading. I got Stone Soup, A Child's Garden of Verses, and Stellaluna. All books that are childhood classics. I am a firm believer in buying books that stand the test of time. (there are good new books, but honestly most of the books I see for kids just turn me off.)
For myself I got a beautiful tea pot. I recently broke mine and have been looking out for a new(to me) one. I enjoy sitting down with a pretty pot of tea with a bit of honey and some milk. My new pot is something that I will use frequently and it was inexpensive enough, $4.99, that if it gets broken I will be be sorry but not devastated. Sometimes you just know that something won't last forever but you still want something pretty.
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Post by canna on Apr 11, 2014 6:33:53 GMT -5
Di Enjoyed reading your post about nice clothing finds for the children.
Stellaluna is a good children's book! My daughter loved it when she was little and it was definitely one of her favorites.
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Post by bluefrog on Apr 12, 2014 9:48:02 GMT -5
AARGH! I've had to order a crafters' compression glove, because I'm developing tendonitis in my right thumb. It's an occupational hazard for hand quilters, and I knew that, but it sort of snuck up on me. I'd have saved myself a week or so of sore thumb if I'd ordered it sooner. I'll be very glad when it gets here.
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Post by irisbloom on Apr 12, 2014 12:09:32 GMT -5
The shoes I've been eying on my favorite clothing site came back in stock and my husband gave me permission to go for it. Yep, I'm asking his permission before buying online because he's less impulsive than I am and going through him makes a good filter. I also ordered On Becoming a Novelist since I plan to write my novel over summer break and I love reading writing craft books. I also bought White Oleander on my kindle and I've barely been able to put it down. I told myself no more books until my to-read list goes down but I read an excerpt of White Oleander at writer's group last night and just had to read more.
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Post by Di on Apr 12, 2014 14:17:29 GMT -5
I am thinking about making a fairly expensive purchase today. Please comment with any reviews (positive or negative) on the Ninja blender. I can't afford a Vitamix or one of that ilk but the Ninja seems like a decent alternative. If you have any experience with one please let me know.
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Post by lucie on Apr 14, 2014 11:40:21 GMT -5
I went shopping for shoes I really need on Saturday, so of course I came home with a great summer dress - sort of 50th cut, flowery pattern. Next time I am going to shop for a dress, because I really do need those shoes, but I could not found any suitable.
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Post by toomuchstuph on Apr 14, 2014 14:00:30 GMT -5
I am thinking about making a fairly expensive purchase today. Please comment with any reviews (positive or negative) on the Ninja blender. I can't afford a Vitamix or one of that ilk but the Ninja seems like a decent alternative. If you have any experience with one please let me know. Di, I don't know if you've made your purchase yet. If not, here's my review. WE LOVE IT. There are a variety of models out there. Ours I think is the Ninja Pulse. It was a Special Value one day on QVC. It came with a couple containers but not the food processor part. My DH loves gadgets. Doesn't matter if it's power tools or kitchen appliances. He saw this and decided it would be wonderful. The price was reasonable so we agreed to order. We use it mostly for smoothies and I'll tell ya it powers thru frozen fruit and ice cubes like no blender we've ever had. (One smoothie I tried involved raw baby carrots and pineapple. Ninja had not problems with either.) We've also had dry things that solidified (non fat dry milk and things like that). We throw the chunks in the ninja and pulverize them back to the original consistency. It's also extremely easy to clean (no rubber ring and disassembling like you do w/ a regular blender). We've never used it much as a chopper so I can't really comment on that aspect. Truthfully, I wasn't expecting much. The "As Seen On TV" things can be hit or miss. We've had this since June 2012 and have never had an issue with it. I'd purchase another one in a heartbeat. Probably much depends on the model you're getting and what you hope to do with it. ETA: Ours is the one that doesn't have speeds. You just press the container down against the base and it blends. You pulse it a couple times to get things started then hold the container down until it's the consistency you want. Hope this helps.
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