Christmas Eve Eve

[kimana517]

+ Happy Christmas Eve Eve! I've only wrapped two presents so far. I keep meaning to, and then other things come up - like today, when Mom called me and asked if I wanted to go to SnS for lunch. How could I say no?

+ I've been a crocheting fool lately. My first attempt at making the hat I mentioned somehow went haywire and I ended up with a slightly concave doily. LOL. So I tried an easier one and it turned out pretty darn cute. It's a little small, but it will work for my purposes. I may make another just because I am empowered by my success. Today I began working on a lacey scarf, which will be gorgeous when finished. It'll take me a while though - it's quite intricate.

+ Thank you to all who've sent Christmas cards. I've put them up on the part-wall between our living and dining rooms. I fully intended to send some of my own this year, but I didn't even get any out to relatives. I really do like sending Christmas cards, but oh well. Maybe next year. So yeah, if you were waiting for one from me, don't worry - it's not you, it's me. Hehe.

+ I went to CVS at midnight Sunday morning to get all the free stuff before it was taken. (Then yesterday I learned they offered rain checks for all of them. Heh.) That should've been quick and painless (and it was kinda fun CVSing in the wee hours of the morning; if only Angela was here to go with me!), but I was not the only person with that idea, and the cash registers were acting up. At least everyone was in a good mood. I got so many goodies. I gave some of my loot to my family Sunday night - that was cool. And I managed to get two bottles of laundry detergent, which weren't even on sale, for $1.50. Nice.

+ I keep forgetting to tell y'all my thoughts on the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner. The shower certainly isn't sparkling (and we've been using it for about a month now), but it is definitely cleaner. I like knowing that it's cleaned and disinfected every day. I would say don't pay the asking price, but if you can get a good deal like I did, go for it. It's worth it to have to scrub the shower far less often.

+ I think we're going to spend the night at Mom & Dad's tomorrow night. We'll watch movies, eat some caramel corn and Doritos, and sleep in the living room. After breakfast we're going to go to the beach (it's going to be 80º and sunny!) and then probably go see Bedtime Stories. Then Dad will get home (he's working in the afternoon), we'll open presents, and eat dinner. Sounds like a great Christmas to me.  =o)

+ I think my dishwasher has officially died. It's been acting screwy lately, and after the last wash, which I had to cajole it into doing, none of the dishes were clean. Well, I suppose 2 1/2 years for a countertop dishwasher isn't too bad of a lifespan. I wish we had the money to redo our kitchen and just put in a real one.

+ I hate doing laundry. I usually put it off till we have a humongous pile. Today was just a medium pile, but I got it done. Bleh. I don't know why tags on cashmere sweaters say to dry clean only. I've washed all of mine in cold water on a gentle cycle, and they come out clean and even softer than when they went in. I hit a thrift store on Saturday and found my 2nd thrifted cashmere sweater ever. It's a lavender one from Ann Taylor, and it is so gorgeous and soft. It's one of my favorite sweaters now - not bad for $4. I also found a totally cute casual dress from Banana Republic for $2. I may wear it on Christmas, just because I can.  =o)  I went to the Ann Taylor and Banana Republic sites to find out the average price for those things, and basically I got them at at least 98% off original retail. Rock on!

+ Does it annoy you guys when I write about my thrifted finds, or do you just skim right through? I just realized the other day that it may come across as bragging, but that's not at all how I mean it. I'm usually just thrilled that I found such great stuff, so I want to tell you about it. Still, I could stop it if it bugs you.

+ Well, I'm gonna go keep crocheting and watching Supernatural season 2 with Seth and Isaac, and then it is off to bed sooner rather than later. I've had a sinus headache all day, and sleep is the only way to put an end to it. In case I don't get on here again in the next few days, I pray you all have a fantastic Christmas, celebrating the birth of the Savior!

Comments

[wandering-flame.livejournal.com]

I think you should write a book about saving money and stuff.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Hehe. I think there are already enough books on the subject. I have, however, thought of starting a Jacksonville thrifting blog. That could be fun.

[sir-flute.livejournal.com]

I've bought all my Christmas presents too but haven't wrapped any of them yet. I'll have to get my sisters on that tomorrow. lol

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

I've only wrapped one, so I'm not very far ahead of you. Hehe. So I take it you didn't get presents for your sisters, if you're letting them wrap the packages for you? ;o)

[lupinskitten.livejournal.com]

I think it's neat that you go bargain bin shopping and save tons of cash. I enjoy saving money when I shop too, although I do considerably less shopping AND saving money than you do. =P

I'm sorry about your dishwasher. Mine has been acting up and it IS new. *grumble* I don't WANT to rinse the dishes off before I load it! *grumble, grumble*

Merry Christmas. =)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

I don't actually shop that much - I just write about it in detail when I do, so it seems that I do it a lot. Unless 1-3 times a month is a lot? I don't know. Could be that's average. *shrug*

Oh, that stinks! I usually do rinse dishes before putting them in, but even that's not working anymore. Grr. I ought to just buy a new one; at $175 it's hardly breaking the bank. Or I could get a nicer countertop one for $250. I just wish we could get a real one!

=o)

[lupinskitten.livejournal.com]

From someone who shops for clothes twice a year -- yeah, that's a lot. =D

Ugh. I'm sorry about the dishwasher.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess it is compared to twice a year. Hehe.

[okp.livejournal.com]

I like reading about your thrift finds - I like it even better when you post pics!

I want to see Bedtime Stories - I'll probably have to wait until it comes out on dvd, though.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

For a while there I posted so many pics, I thought people were tired of seeing them. Hehe. I'll keep this in mind.

I think if it wasn't coming out Christmas day, we'd probably wait and rent it too, but going to the movies on Christmas, with my family, is a lot of fun.

[breezy83.livejournal.com]

I love your long bulleted posts Bethany, but by the time I finish reading I'v forgotten all the things I wanted to comment about :P But your Christmas plans sound lovely and FUN and I hope you and your family have an awesome time together!

PS I added you to my "weight loss" filter, even though you didn't reply to my poll, lol. I added people I thought would like to be on it. Let me know if you want to opt out though, hehe ;)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Ha! That happens to me when I read people's long entries too, but I usually just go back up and see what all I wanted to comment on. However, I am not a med student, so I'm sure I have far more time than you do. =o)

Oh, yeah, so, reading my friends page has not been my strong suit these past few months. Heh. But I'm down with being on any filters. You're trying to lose weight? Have you finally gained the freshman 15? ;o)

[breezy83.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I think it was more like the senior med student applying for residency stress fifteen though :P

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Heh. That makes sense. =oÞ

[breezy83.livejournal.com]

Ok, here goes! :D I am very impressed by your crocheting and demand pictures of said hat(s) including one of you wearing it! And I wanna try this Scrubbing Bubbles thing sometime. Maybe when I start over in a new apt next summer I will invest in one and try to get a bargain.

I love hearing about your thrifty finds :D

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

The hat is my picture of the day for that day, so it will be posted one of these days.

Just don't expect your shower to sparkle like in the commercials - at least not if it's an old tile one like ours. I suppose a new, flat-surface one would probably look amazing with the shower cleaner thing. Hmm. Well, like I said, it's still nice knowing it's cleaned every day.

The general consensus is that people like it. I don't know why I worry about these things.

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

I almost always read your thrift store find information. I love bargains myself, so hearing about yours is fun! But like okp said, I like pictures even better. :-D

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Good to know. I didn't realize you guys really liked the pictures that much. Maybe I'll resume posting them. =o)

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

Yes, please do! I still want to see your BR cream ruffly shirt.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was all over my modeling submission pics. Let me see if I can find that entry. Here it is. (http://kimana83.livejournal.com/302269.html) Although, none of those is how I normally wear it. Hehe. I usually put a colored shirt underneath it so it's not so neutral or low-cut. My favorite thing to wear under it is a bright purply-pink cami with a ruched v-neck. Sounds weird, going with the silk shirt, but it really looks cool.

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

That's right! I forgot. It's such a pretty shirt, and I can imagine it would look good with the other shirt under it.

[thatloopyqueen.livejournal.com]

I like hearing about your thrift store finds! :) I only get a TINY bit jealous since I never have as good of luck as you do. ;)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Well, don't get jealous of me, get jealous of my thrift stores. Hehe. I've been to other places with stores where I never found a thing. Jax just has some great places.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review of the shower cleaner! I always wonder about products like that but don't want to spend the money to find out.

Your Christmas plans sound awesome. :)

I love hearing about your thrift finds! Although it makes me a little sad since none of the thrifts here are that good. But that's not your fault. :)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there was a way to get it free at Walgreen's in November, and that's when I got it. I didn't want to spend $25 on it, not knowing if it worked! But I think it's definitely worth $10 or $15, because it really does clean. It's not as good as scrubbing, of course, but we can really see a difference.

I hope someday you get to spend more time here and I can take you to as many thrift stores as you desire. =o)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I hope so too. :)

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

What is it about this time of year and making stuff? I've been in a knitting mood myself -- I added like two feet onto the scarf I'm making. Yay! *speed-knits*

I don't mind reading about your finds at all. I never find deals like you do, so it's like I'm vicariously thrifting. Heh.

I've never put cashmere in the washer, because I'm afraid it would stretch it. But I hand wash mine. I would never dry-clean them. I hate dry-cleaning stuff.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

For me, it's the cold weather. Cold weather = scarves and hats. What color is the scarf you're making? My stuff is white, because I don't have a white scarf.

Oh, good! I'm glad most people don't mind hearing about my good deals. =o)

Mine have always come out just fine. I just do it on gentle cycle, and that seems to work well. I've never had anything dry cleaned. There's a little place just a block or two from my house though, so at least if I ever need it done I won't have to go far!

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

My scarf is dark green -- I'm making it with wool/acrylic yarn. I wish I had all wool, but that was the only thing available at Michael's when I first started it *cough*yearsago*cough*

I'm going to finish it this time!! I am!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Ooh, it sounds pretty. Ha! I can't believe it's taken you that long to finish it. That's awesome. I'm too OCD to leave something like that unfinished for so long. I would've either finished it or ripped it all out.

I hope you do!

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

Well, I haven't been working on it that long. Right around the time we got married (oh crap, that's four years ago) I was interested in knitting, so I taught myself how and I started a couple of projects at once. Then I got busy and I stopped knitting for several years. I just picked them back up again.

[hominygrits.livejournal.com]

You call it Christmas Eve Eve, too? I'm so glad! I've been calling it that for years!

I wrapped my presents before anyone else in my house. Jake and mom were commissioned to wrap gifts from dad to everyone besides themselves. We only just got all of the presents under the tree yesterday. It really cuts down on the anticipation and torture. Instead of weeks of guessing, poking, prodding, and attempts to peak, we only have to suffer for a few days!

I enjoy your thrifting posts though I will admit I get jealous! It's my own fault. I hate shopping. I really should check out my local Goodwill. I was talking with some friends last night about it and at least in our town, you have to go early to find the good stuff. The workers stock the night before and don't stock throughout the day. So, if you go later in the day, it's all picked over. Seriously, if I ever get to Jacksonville, you are taking me shopping! :-)

Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your day with your family! The beach on Christmas sounds lovely. It's rather grey and rainy here. If only it were snow...

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about temptation--I put my gifts under the tree today while my little one was asleep. This is the earliest I've put them out--the girls just can't stay away from the gifts!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's half the fun! Shaking them, feeling them, trying to figure out what's inside. My mom used to put codes (http://kimana83.livejournal.com/20259.html) on them instead of our names, so we wouldn't know which ones to shake. Hehe.

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

I agree, but the girls would try to open them, not just shake them. That's hilarious about the codes, though. I may have to do that when they get older.

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

But of course? What else would it be? "The Day Before the Day Before Christmas" is too many syllables. ;o)

I did all mine this afternoon. Nothing like waiting till the last minute.

Oh, don't be jealous! Content yourself with the fact that if you were here, I'd take you to thrift stores till your heart's content. That has to mean something, right? =o) Our good stores here have such high turnover that every day is a good day, pretty much, and they bring out new stuff all day long.

Thank you! Yeah, gray and rainy is NOT a fun Christmas. That's often what we had in IL though. Bleh. I hope you wake up to snow falling tomorrow morning!

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

I love wrapping stuff--I can drop by and finish for you if you'd like! ;)

I think after Christmas I may try to pick up crocheting again. Do you know of any websites that give good instructions? Or are you using a book?

Of course my card's the best. ;)

I remember when you bought that dishwasher how excited you were!

I don't mind washing or drying laundry. I don't even mind folding it (too much)--I hate putting it away!

I love hearing about your thrift store finds. Yeah, I wish I could go shopping as often as you do, but it gives me hope that I can find good stuff when I get a chance to go.

You have a marvelous Christmas, too!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

I wish you would! It would be so much fun to spend Christmas with you guys.

There are a lot of cool patterns at crochetme.com. There's also crochetville.com and crochettoday.com.

Yours definitely is one of the cutest! They look so cute in their PJs.

I know! But can you believe that was nearly 3 years ago now? Dude.

You can come do my laundry anytime, and I will fold all of it. ;o)

Just be patient when you do go. I'm convinced that 90% of thrift stores have at least a few good things, but most people just rush through the racks. My grandma was like that - the first time she went to the half-price sale with me, she looked for 20 minutes and gave up. She found nothing. I decided to look for things for her along with things for me, and found her two 100% silk dress shirts in a high end brand for $2 each. I suppose being patient when you have kids in tow is hard though. Maybe someday when I come up there we can have my in-laws watch your kids (I'm sure they'd love doing so) and you, Mel and I can go to Goodwill. =o)

Thanks!

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks for the websites! I'll definitely have to check them out.

I know--I was kind of surprised it had been so long.

It'll be a while before I go thrift shopping, and I plan to go alone (or at most, with Kate). I'll definitely take my time, trust me. I miss the days I could go lesirely shopping by myself and browse at my own pace.

:)