Target Haul

This haul starts like most hauls start for me.

It was late one evening and random things found their way into my buggy. This night was at Target, which everyone knows how Target sucks you in and forces you to buy unnecessary things, so I feel like its not my total fault. 

Of course, there are snacks for work, which I would argue is reasonable. And Nivea lotion. I haven't used this since I was a teenager, but remembered that at one time I had really been wild about it.  I'll try it again. Why not?  My verdict.... It does bring back good memories and, partially due to the memories, has taken second place in my lotion library. I feel that nothing can knock my number one lotion love out of first place, though, which is the cheap and old Cocoa Butter Palmers

I went down the makeup aisle looking for a brow pencil and found, here is where the totally unnecessary things start,  a new brow highlighter from Wet and Wild that I got home and instantly hated. It was chalky and the wrong color and returned. 

I got an eye shadow brush from Sonia Kesheck, for $5, and an eye shadow pallet from the same brand which was also returned after realizing it was almost $14! I can buy Estee Lauder for a few dollars more! I felt like I had been tricked. I expect drug store prices at the drug store.

I did find a brow pencil too, from Revlon. I really seem to go through these things and haven't found one I really love but  I like this one. A lot of mine get chewed up in the pencil sharpener thing, but this one has a retractable pencil so it doesn't get sharpened, which will probably prolong its life expectancy with me.

Ipsy January

Unlike some of the subscription boxes I see, Ipsy keeps getting better. 

My two favorites this month:

Bye Bye Undereye concealer from It, Probably my favorite. I had lost mine in the flood and hadn't replaced it yet. I was very happy to see it.

Ciate Gel Top Coat polish. A full size.

Simple Woman's Daybook Saturday January 28

Outside my window:

Colder weather has returned and I have been delighted. Its cold enough for an electric blanket at night and sunny and bright in the day and does not get above 60. My favorite kind of weather, and it looks like I have a few more days of this to enjoy.

My current view:
A sunny window from bed.

I am learning:
Constantly re-learning that I can't do everything at once. I simultaneously wanted to go to Bible Study, the grocery store, get some errands done, clean the car, measure for furniture, go to work, and clean the upstairs but I also want to stay in my PJs and lounge around the house. What I did do is Bible Study and grocery store and back in PJs by noon. 

Currently:
I'm sick. The doctor said it is not flu but its flu like symptoms. I missed a day and a half of work, and was trying to make it up today. Instead, this Bible Study and grocery store wore me slap out and I voted for PJs and I stayed in bed, a lot.


Around the house:
Surprisingly, things have really started moving around the house. It was a big week. I picked most of the tile, flooring, tubs, sinks, backsplash and a partridge in a pear tree. The kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and dining room were painted. This fireplace (finally) went in. It was my third choice but the best fit for the space without major re-structuring of the entire house. The scaffolding is half built so the living room and entry can be painted.  Its shocking how much can get done in a week after what feels like months of not much happening. 

I am looking forward to:
Getting a new front door. Its suppose to be in this week. It was ordered in October and scheduled for delivery December 1. Its been almost 2 months delayed. This is the fourth delivery date I've been given, so I don't have high hopes.

I am looking forward to, part 2:

Cable TV.  I'm so tired of watching antenna TV. I miss the Food Network, HGTV, Hallmark movies...

I'm looking forward to, part 3:
Beth Moore Live in June and the two day class prior to the event.

I listening to:
I shocked myself by finishing Outlander book 4 in about two weeks and a half or so. Its quite the accomplishment. It was 44 hours and 54 minutes long. I did not enjoy book 4 as much as I did book 3. I have book 5, but cant jump into it.  I feel I need to rest up before I get so involved again. Although I accidently read a pretty detailed spoiler on book 5 and I'm a little disappointed I already know the major plot lines. This series is so  popular and discussed at such length, that it is almost impossible to avoid all spoilers. I keep saying I'm going to stop getting sucked into this series, but....

I am cooking:

Not much. I'm enjoying home made chicken noodle soup from a friend,  weekly dinner invitations from my neighbor/cousin always with leftovers, meal delivery from a local organic health food service, and the few things from grocery store like peanut butter sandwiches, deli potato salad and ham. I make myself breakfast easier than anything else. Yogurt, eggs, oatmeal, toast, cereal. That's about all the makeshift upstairs kitchen can manage.



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Friday night with Beth Moore

Beth Moore had her first book club simulcast on Friday and guess who was in the live audience?

Six women from my church were invited to attend.  I was the only one that had already read the book, which was a requirement to attend. The others spent some really late nights ignoring everything else to finish the book in two days so they could go.

It was at New Orleans Baptist Theologicial Seminary, but not in one of the class rooms. It was a full living room set up in the lobby of the college.

Coffee plays a pretty big role in the book (See the French Press on the coffee table? Months ago, after I read the book, I went out and bought a French Press). It was a nice touch to find a nice coffee shop inside the college. They make pretty coffee at NOBTS. and it was cheap! $1.62.

There was about 40 women in the live audience.  Mostly from Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, which also has a major role in the book, and where we plan to visit one Sunday. There were also a few professors from the college there and a few women Beth brought from her own office.
I was in the second row and this is how close I was to Beth. You can see me several times on the simulcast but, it looks like it was disabled after Saturday.

One spoiler.... which really isn't that much of a spoiler. Everyone expected there will be a sequel, but Beth said its going to be a prequel! 

She also said she wants to have the same audience back for the second book.

Simple Woman's Daybook January

Outside my window:
We had three days of winter, which I enjoyed, but now its over. In its place is some weird season of warm yucky weather with a lot of rain and a lot of fog. I am hopeful there may be a few more days of winter left this year, but it doesn't appear so. The tree in the backyard thinks its fall, though.....

I am buying:
Heavy winter clothes, in general and this coat, in particular.  I had amassed a small collection of heavy winter items for my winter travels. The flood took out all the coats, but I think the scarves, gloves, hats and warm underthings were saved.... and being kept safe with a friend, but I don't know where they are right now. It helps that all the heavy winter things are on clearance.

Around the house:
heavy sigh.... changes continue to be made. some wanted, some unwanted.  In true, if you give a mouse of cookie fashion.... I couldn't have the double fireplace because the ceiling in the bedroom was too low. So I bought a bigger fireplace in the living room (this one). After much angst, the carpenter informed me I cant have the bigger fireplace because the framing will disrupt the structure/attic and AC unit placement in second floor. Now the carpenter and the fireplace guy are putting their heads together and who knows what I'll end up with..... heavy sigh. Meanwhile... my house looks like this.....

I am listening to:
This book. Number 4 in the Outlander series of 8. Its 44 hours and 72 chapters so I have to kind of get myself psyched up to start the book and I really feel like I've accomplished something when I finish it.

I am cooking:
Not much. Accepting leftovers and dinner invitations from cooking friends.


The weekend:
Saturday has become my busiest day of the week. Each week is different, but last week I had a dr appointment with the dog at 7a,  The Daniel Plan class at church, then bible study at church (entrusted), lunch, then errands to the mall to find a cocktail dress for a work event. A trip to the grocery store, and the whole day is done. I am home by dark, exhausted and wondering where the day went.  This week, its the same schedule, except sub out the cocktail dress, for shopping for bathtub and the countertops. It sounds like it would be fun, but its not.  And here she is, sleeping it off....

I am looking forward to:
Seeing some progress in the house rebuilding.

I am looking forward to, Part 2:
Vacation. I'll be spending my birthday (which happens to coincide with a 4 day mardi-gras work break) here.



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2017 goal planning

Can it be called goal planning if you don't actually make goals?

Like last year (here), and the year before that (here) I did the Lara Casey thing..... But, I'm not really doing much goal setting or making any goals this year.  Instead I made what feels like a to-do list...

This year I am going to:

1. Take two big vacations.

One during my birthday week in February (that conveniently coincides with Mardi Gras and 4 days off work) to Vermont (here), and one later in the year which is still up in the air but will probably involve me and a friend from Boston heading to Maine (here).

2. Attend the Propel Women Conference.

Their third conference and my third trip. They haven't released the events dates and cities yet, and it would be more prudent to pick the one closest to me (last year it was Jackson, MS),  I'm throwing off prudence and hoping for an excuse to see California again this year. (I guess that will be my third big trip of the year).

3. Getting my house completely rebuilt.

Since I can't hang doors, install bathtubs and build cabinets, there is not much I can do to actually rebuild this house, but there is going to come a point in the rebuilding nightmare fiasco ordeal process  when it'll turn into fun. I'm keeping my eye on that prize and vowing, when the time for the fun begins,  I'm going to pick out doorknobs, and put in closet shelves, and pick out a bathtub with joy and fun.  But its not fun right now. My goal is to actually have fun when it comes time for the fun stuff to start.

4. Buy a Michael Kors watch.

I want a Michael Kors watch, but I don't want to pay for a Michael Kors watch. I am willing to pay 1/4 of the price for a slightly used one at a consignment shop. I've got my eyes peeled. One shop in town currently has two of them, but I don't particularly like the style of either. I'm holding out for that special one.

walmart beauty box winter 2016

 

 

 

I am no longer loving the Walmart box and it is on the canceling list.

 

Its been a long while since I felt like I had a good box. None of the boxes have been as exciting as the first one was. 

 

This one was kind of pitiful.... Dove bodywash (that feels like it is in every box), a small ponds, Avena lotion and Curel lotion.

 

yawn.

2016 a recap

January:

Project wallpaper: full steam ahead...

Hygradrana blooming

Blanche in her usual happy coma like state

February:

More painting

More resting

Happy birthday to me

March

Tulips on the table make me happy
Abraham Lincoln, the first rose in the new bed, blooms
Joined Weight Watchers (again)

April

Napping in a sunny spot

Started a new Bible Study

Rose bed taking off

May

Fixing a makeup spot in the bathroom
Fell in love with a consignment shop. This blouse was $12
Community Agriculture farm box sharing program in full swing

June

The breakfast nook has become my favorite spot

New curtains for the guest room

New curtains and new couch for the livingroom

July

Amaryllis blooming (finally... what took you so long?)

Swapped the upstairs guest room and upstairs office around, waxing the floor in the process

Worked all night at my church service BR Police Officers funerals

 August

Beach trip to Gulf Shores

Surprise flooding (my house is above word flood)

Stayed with a friend for 6 weeks where she left me little gifts on bedside table

September
Powerwashing the livingroom
Baylor Baseball team surprise work day

Down to the studs

October
A weekend at the Propel conference in Jackson, MS
Settling into upstairs living
The drying continues

November

And still more drying out
Signing the construction contract (on a dog crate)
Never thought I'd be so happy to see insulation going in

December

Quite a few Christmas parties
Walls and new windows installed (this is the dining room)
Contractor left a little gift at my front door- the painting started