Crazy Product of the Week

This is a prom dress. It is made of an unusual material. See if you can guess what it is.

Time’s up. It’s made of condoms. Luckily, I don’t believe it’s for sale. But seriously, who would wear it?

New Old Desk

I bought a desk. I wasn’t looking for a desk, but in playing on Craigslist I found this one for sale for $30 and I wanted it. So after work I went by and picked it up. (Thank you to the nice woman I bought it from and the man working on her house for loading it in my car!)

Once I got home I realized that I had no way to get it out of the car and into my apartment. I wish I had pictures of me trying to get it out of the car, but I was too busy trying not to drop it and failing (I only dropped it once and very lightly) and NO thank you to the woman who arrived in the garage and walked right by me while I was trying to balance the desk and get it out of the car.

I finally got it loaded up onto one of the carts my building keeps for groceries and got it upstairs (thank goodness for elevators!) Then I had to figure out how to stand it back up. About 30 minutes later I had it in it’s new home.

Here are some pictures:

I was debating painting it, but after a quick Google search, I found out it’s called a Spinet Desk typical from late 1800’s to early-mid 1900’s. Apparently after a spinet (kindof like a piano/harpsicord) worn out they were sometimes converted to desks. I believe that’s how the style started. Not exactly something I’d paint.

The top folds back with a piano hinge. It’s missing the piece of the top that folds over the front. The lighter colored wood writing surface pulls out for more space. I think for now I’ll try to fix the pieces that are breaking (drawer bottoms, front piece) and leave the rest alone.

So……. what do you think?

All Over the Place

My taste is all over the place. Here are some things I’m in love with at the moment. In a dream land these would be mine. Or in real life if I happened to have a few extra thousand dollars to spend on expensive furniture.

Slowly Going "Green" - Recycling

My office and home buildings both recycle. It's easy at work - shredding bin on my desk and I walk the soda bottles/cans to the bins in the kitchen (two on each floor). At home, I found out that my building has two recycling bins in the trash room - one for paper/cardboard and one for plastic/glass/metal.

I didn't think I produced much recyclable "trash" until I realized that it takes cardboard. EVERYTHING is wrapped in cardboard. Cereal boxes, frozen food, the cardboard that keeps all 6 yogurt together......

Then it occurred to me how much plastic/metal I go through. Milk jugs, yogurt containers, frozen food meals, cans for food, plastic that berries come in, tinfoil.....

I had two paper shopping bags set up in my kitchen next to my trash can for a few months. When it got full, I emptied it. They weren't pretty though. I was on the lookout for cute bags/bins to put in my kitchen for months, but they were all ugly (or super expensive.) Until one day I was strolling around Target and found two of these cute totes. I couldn’t find them on the Target website, so here’s a pic of one from my kitchen – complete with recycle-ables in it. Oh – and better yet – they fit in my pantry so they are no longer sitting out.

What Happens in Vegas…

gets blogged about.

In this whiny post a while back I mentioned that I had a trip planned to Vegas to visit D. And then in this post I learned that he had relocated and would no longer be in Vegas for my trip.

Whatever happened to my trip? I still went. I had a work training out there and some friends met me afterward for a long weekend. D was supposed to be in Orlando, but ended up in Denver. (Even though he has “relocated” up by me, he travels a LOT for his job and we still rarely see each other :( Ok – enough whining for now.)

The trip was actually the first week in April, but I came back to a mess at work and am just now getting around to blogging about it.

I have to say that Vegas is fun with friends, but really boring when you’re just walking around by yourself. Thank you to the two women from Texas that sat next to me in my training and took pity on me invited me to join them for lunch and dinner!

I never had any desire to visit Las Vegas, but I’m glad I went. It was fun, but the best part was the gorgeous hotel and pool (I spent the vacation part of my trip at the Venetian) which I could have done at any pretty hotel. For my next “real” vacation (trips back home to Florida don’t count) I want a passport stamp!

Crazy Product of the Week

I’m not really sure who wants a scary face on their fridge, but in case you do, this magnet is available. I can just picture attempting to get a midnight snack out of the fridge and instead giving myself a heart attack because I came face to face with this!

Wall Art

I’ve been searching for some cheap wall art and haven’t found anything I like. My living room wall has been blank since I moved in over two years ago. It can’t be something heavy since I can’t put holes in the wall. Anyone have any ideas?

Here is a pretty bad picture of the living room with the blank wall. I assume whenever I move I will no longer have giant windows all along one wall of my apartment, so I need something that will go over the couch.

Hmmm. It looks so bad in this picture. I’m amazed it has taken me this long to fill it!

Slowly Going "Green" - Grass-Fed Beef

So in my attempt to be “green”, I have been looking at buying local. I tried out a local co-op that has grass-fed beef. It’s something I’ve looked at before, but I had never really tried. I don’t typically cook meat at home since I’m not really good in the kitchen (a few exceptions – anything in the crock pot, and a few recipes where all have to do is stick it in the oven with a meat thermometer in it).

So on Saturday I was out and about, hungry and needing to pick up some groceries. I head to the co-op and get some frozen pizzas for Saturday’s dinner, and decide to pick up a piece of beef for Sunday.

I should have mentioned at the beginning of this post that not everyone will want to read it. For example – folks who get queasy easily.

Ok – now that I’ve warned you. It’s really nice that the package has the packaged date and a use-by date. The particular steak I picked up was packaged just two days before. Talk about fresh!

I had read online about different cooking methods to make sure the meat doesn’t get tough (apparently a big complaint from people switching from “regular” meat to grass-fed). What I didn’t prepare myself for was that when I opened the plastic it would drip on me. Not regular meat-juice. Blood. Like when you prick your finger or cut yourself shaving. Real blood. Not meat-juice.

I have always been able to separate in my mind the animal from what I’m eating. So I marinate the meat and cook it (using the meat thermometer to be sure I don’t overcook it). And yet, when I sit down to dinner – I couldn’t separate the meat from the animal. Don’t get me wrong, I ate it (well, the half of it I was planning to eat). But I couldn’t help think that this is why people become vegetarian. And I didn’t enjoy it. The other half will not be eaten.

I don’t think I could go vegetarian – I hate beans! So I guess I’ll go back to not making meat at home. Ew.

Crazy Product of the Week

Is this a child’s toy?

The description talks about his razor blade necklace, prison number around his waist like a badge of honor, and his yellow teeth. I don’t get it.

Slowly Going "Green" - Shopping Bags

I am slowly taking steps (tiny, non-painful steps) to go "green". When I moved to Minnesota a little over two years ago, I did not bring any plastic bags with me. None. About a year ago I noticed that I was running out of room for all the plastic bags I had accumulated at that point (and I use them regularly for trash bags and to clean the litter box.)

It was then that I splurged and purchased reusable shopping bags. These particular bags roll up and five of them fit in a tiny pouch. Since I hardly ever remember to pick them up before heading to the grocery store, I can just carry them around all the time. They've also come in handy for many other tote-bag-related things. And they're cute! Other added benefits are that they hold a lot more than a regular plastic bag and they fit over my shoulder so I can carry all my groceries up to my apartment without killing myself!

Now I only use the store bags when I need more for the kitty litter.

Is it bad that it bothers me that they are cuter patterns out since I bought mine?

Burger King

They need to fire their advertising company. First, it was the creepy Burger “King”. Then, if you ate at Burger King, you would grow a large mustache, now it’s a square butt?!? (If you haven’t seen them, it’s worth clicking on the links. It’s freaky and will make you think twice before going to BK.) Freaky!

Apartments

I hate apartments. Maybe apartments aren't that bad. I hate sharing walls with neighbors. I just want a quiet place to live. Ok – I do have a few more requirements than that….

I started apartment hunting in earnest. My lease is up the end of July. Instead of an apartment I found this house, and this one. I have never really cared for mid-century modern furniture, but I really like these houses. Hmmm, now I just need to figure out how to rig the lottery.

Pretty houses just make apartment hunting that much more depressing. I hate apartments.

Crazy Product of the Week

Just in case your co-workers steal your coffee mug on a regular basis (why you wouldn’t just take it to your desk is beyond me) this mug has a missing piece so no one else can use it. At least not without spilling hot coffee all over themselves in the process.

At least it’s reasonably priced at 9.99 Euros.

Crazy Product of the Week

I’m hoping this is a halloween prop more than something used year-round. I still don’t think I could bring myself to have this in my house. Of course, even though I haven’t seen Psycho, I still sometimes try to shampoo with my eyes open.

Crazy Product of the Week

Do you sleep better on the arm of your special someone? Can’t sleep when he’s not there to lay on? Overstock has a solution that (amazingly enough) has sold out. Unlike most of the other crazy products, this one is only $29.99, if you can get it in stock!

Crazy?!?

Maybe all the crazy products have gotten to me, but I kindof like this one. Not for $650, but I would much rather have this on my wall than one that used to be alive.

Not Me! Monday – on hold

Not Me! Monday is on hold this week.  MckMama’s youngest is in the hospital.  You can get to her blog here.

Crazy Product of the Week

This I can see in a themed room, BUT – check out that price tag. OUCH. Seems like someone’s getting screwed. (don’t pretend that you weren’t thinking it too!!)

Apartments

I'm not a fan. My building is just about full, which means I (finally) have neighbors. I've had neighbors next to me for a while now, and I hardly ever hear them (thank you!!). However, I believe I've just gotten upstairs neighbors. Who are loud. About every half hour everytime I'm home, they hammer on the floor (or at least that's what it sounds like). 8-10 times. Then they stop. They start again in a half hour or so. All day. I think they must stop around midnight.

Last night it sounded like something was hitting my windows. I believe it was the upstairs neighbor again. I had to check my windows to make sure they weren't breaking. Twice. Grrrr.

At least my lease is up this summer, so only a few more months. Except that I still have a house for sale in Florida, which means I can't buy anything up here yet. Which most likely means another apartment. Grrrr again.

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday, a blog carnival created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog and read about all the things that she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week I did (not) eat cereal for dinner multiple times because I was too lazy to heat the pre-made meals in my freezer. Heating pre-made meals is super simple, so I most certainly was (not) too lazy to do it.

I have lived in Minnesota for about two years now, and this weekend was (not) the first time I’ve ever visited the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. I have (not) been talking about visiting it since before I moved here and just have (not) made it there yet. This weekend I did (not) specifically go because the cherry from the Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture has been taken off to be painted. It would be silly to go to the sculpture garden when the most famous sculpture is taken apart. Unless you think it’s cool to see it taken apart. I do (not).

This weekend I did (not) say that 50 degrees is warm. I grew up in Florida where 50 degrees is cold (not cool, cold!) I am (not) finally starting to understand spring fever. I do (not) wish I had a little yard just so I could put up a hammock to nap in. I do (not) have an obsession with napping/sleeping outside. If I did, I most certainly would not post about it here, here, here, or here. I have (not) thought about getting a portable hammock and setting it up at the park so that I could nap outside when the weather is nice. That would be taking it a little too far.

So as you can see, I am (not) lazy and do (not) have a weird obsession with sleeping outside. That is everything that I care to admit that I did (not) do this week. Don’t forget to check out MckMama’s blog and read about everything else that was (not) done this week!

Crazy Product of the Week

I was just wondering where I could buy green glass sperm. Apparently the answer is Vivre. On sale for only $57.

The “R” Word

I have a two nieces and a nephew with Down Syndrome, so this is an issue close to my heart. Help spread the word.

Not Me! Monday

I’ve been following MckMama over at mycharmingkids for a while. She started Not Me! Mondays and now has a huge following of folks that do it too! Head over there and read about all the things that folks did (not) do this week.

This week I did (not) start to wonder if my eyes need to be checked. I did (not) end up holding a book much closer than I thought I should and end up with a headache. I do (not) get regular eye exams, so it’s (not) like my eyes haven’t been checked since I was in school and they had those little charts with the E’s M’s and W’s. (Was that just in grade school?!?) I have (not) used the excuse that as long as I see better than my friends I don’t need to have an eye exam. That would be stupid!

I am (not) trying to eat really well and exercise because I’m headed to Vegas in a couple weeks and will need to wear a bathing suit and be cute. I did (not) spend the morning on Saturday trying on cute dresses, which I did (not) care for on my body shape only to leave and get an ice cream sundae. That would (not) undo what little work I’ve done so far. I am always in perfect shape for bathing suit season and most certainly would (not) wait until three weeks before the trip to work on getting into shape. I do (not) use weight loss shows to benchmark how much better I could look in a bathing suit in three short weeks. The people on those shows are working out HOURS each day while I sit all day at my desk at work.

This morning I did (not) hit snooze for 45 minutes because it was dark outside and I didn’t want to get up. This snooze time did (not) take the place of the time I had set aside to work on my Not Me! Posting. So I will (not) leave you now without filling you in on the rest of the things I did (not) do this week so I can head to work. Maybe by next week I will either be used to the darkness in the morning or give up and plug my Christmas light timer into a bedroom lamp. I have (never) done that before and most certainly (not) every year since I moved to Minnesota.

Those who throw stones....

Shouldn't live in glass houses. (Isn't that how the saying goes?) But does that mean that if I DON'T throw stones that I can live in a glass house?

My current apartment is a bit of a fishbowl. The exterior wall is floor to ceiling windows (that don't open, Grrrr). I live on a lower floor, and the dog walk area is just outside my window, so I thought it would be weird at first having people be able to see in. There are blinds, but I'm too lazy to put them down each evening and up each morning.

Turns out - I don't really mind it. Sure, I'd prefer to have it facing reserve land or something where no one could see in, but I really like having one whole wall that is the outdoors.

So now I'm thinking that living in a glass house would be pretty cool. Think about it - stare at the stars just before you go to sleep, great views of the lightning in thunderstorms, watching the snow fall.... sounds so peaceful!!


But since I do want a LITTLE privacy. I'm thinking something like this. Doesn't that look amazing?

Crazy Product #5

This is what to buy if you really want a chandelier that looks like it is covered in really thick cobwebs. If you prefer to spend $3,516 (on sale) rather than just go to the dollar store at halloween and get some of that cotton-cobweb-stuff.

Too long!

In my Not Me! Monday post, I alluded to D visiting.  He came over on Saturday and picked me up for dinner.  In HIS car.  This was confusing to me since every other time he’s visited he’s had a rental car. 

Turns out, his company has him working up here now!  So he (and his kitties, clothes and car) relocated last week.  What a nice surprise!   He’s staying at his parent’s house – they’re snowbirds – about 25 minutes east of me. 

It’s so exciting to have him in the same state.  We haven’t lived in the same state for two years.  It’s been too long!!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have (not) been doing this week.

This week, I did (not) bring my workout bag to work on Monday and let it sit unused under my desk all week. I did (not) take it home over the weekend and then bring it back to work today still unused. I always work out and never sit lazily in front of the TV.

I also did (not) spend two nights this week cleaning my tiny apartment because it was so messy that I was embarrassed to have D come visit and see it that way. My place is always spotless and I never “crisis clean” to get it company ready. I also did (not) pack up four garbage bags full of clothes and other items to go to the thrift store which are now in the trunk of my car riding around. I did (not) go to three different thrift stores yesterday only to find out that none of them take donations on Sundays. I always research things before I leave the house.

While sitting in my apartment, D did (not) ask if I rented the place furnished. I was (not) a little bothered that he doesn’t remember my furniture even though he hasn’t seen ME in 9 months, and my apartment for over almost a year and a half. It did (not) take me a few minutes to realize that guys don’t typically pay much attention to furniture and that I shouldn’t read much into it.

When I lived in Florida – before I moved to Minnesota – my kitty did (not) used to be mean. She did (not) care for visitors in her house. She has (not) been cooped up in a tiny apartment for so long with me as her only companion that she does (not) throw herself at guests like she hasn’t been pet or loved for years. D did (not) comment on her change in temperament and then five minutes later have her batting at him like old times.

Whew! What a long list of things that I did (not) do this week.

Whatever happened to…

The sleeping porch. I love to see the stars just before I fall asleep, but not really a just-me-and-a-bed-roll-in-the-woods kind of girl. I would love to just roll my bed out onto a porch and sleep in my nice cushy bed under the stars. Of course, screened to keep out the bugs (and keep the cat in) – and quiet enough that I could actually sleep.

Can you tell…

My mind is on spring already?

How pretty?!

I wonder what you do with it during the winter up here?

Interior

My apartment is tiny. Essentially just a great room and a bedroom, but I’ve made “rooms” out of other areas. I can’t paint the walls. And I h.a.t.e. white walls. Can’t stand them, and have lived with them for two years. Stupid white walls. Grrr.

We’ll call this first picture the foyer. The laundry/coat closet is on the left. (hello kitty!)

I’ll have to take new pictures of the great room later – new pillows!

Here’s the boring bedroom, but the bed sure is comfy! I used to have color on the bed, but my it was scratchy, so back to the plain white for me. Stupid white walls.

And since kitty likes to open my drawers and sleep in them and because she’s fat enough to break them I typically have it looking more like this:

Yes, instead of putting the shams in the closet or in a bin, they go in front of the nightstands so the cat can’t get into the drawers. Come to think of it – anyone know how to kitty-proof drawers? I need to do it to the dresser too.

Crazy Product #4

This one has me scratching my head. I’m familiar with chocolate bunnies. But not chocolate pigs. Six pound chocolate pigs. $100 chocolate pigs.

Clearance?!? *sniff*

I have been drooling over this lounger since I first laid eyes on it. I wish I had $800 to get it. Or a yard to put it in.

Waiting

For the past two years (since I moved to Minnesota) I’ve been waiting. Waiting for the big work project to be over (yes, it’s been that long). Waiting to sell my Florida house so I can buy a place up here. Waiting for my boyfriend “D” to be relocated up to Minnesota. Waiting to go on a nice vacation (need the money for the Florida house, can’t get away from the big work project, can’t match up my schedule and D’s)….. Waiting.

So now that the big work project is complete, I thought I would be able to check one thing off my waiting list. Except that now I move in to another stage of waiting. Waiting for the Government to make the award.

So, although the big work project is “done”, I’m still waiting on it. Waiting for the Florida house to sell. Waiting for D to relocate. Waiting sucks.

And now I’m done whining for tonight.

UPDATE: I am booking a trip to Vegas (where D currently lives). First week of April! Yay!! No more waiting for a vacation :)

Kokoon

I like it. Can’t afford it even a little bit, but like it. Ahhh. I’ll just dream about it.

Family

Something my sister posted on her blog today made me laugh out loud. She and her husband attended a marriage seminar this past weekend and one of the activities was to draw out a family tree, make notes on relationship, themes, etc. to see how they affect the person and the couple. The specific note that had me laughing was how she was similar to my mom. Her comment was
"Her outgoing personality that could hold a 30 minute (or more) conversation with an empty wall and the ability to make friends in every grocery store line and shopping mall trip that she ever takes."
That is SO my mom. I hadn't noticed it in my sister yet, but I do live a couple thousand miles away.

Crazy Product #3

Because I was just thinking, I wish I could leave a note on my lampshade

You too can write notes on your blackboard lampshade for the low low price of $500 (includes lamp, but not chalk – because that’s the expensive piece.)

Kitty

Kitty has a new house!

This is my attempt at giving her a place to hide besides in my clothes. She likes to open my dresser drawers and sleep in them, or get in the bottom of my closet. I’m hoping she likes this box enough that I won’t have to keep blocking the dresser drawers to keep her out of them!!

DONE!

My big project has gone to print! I’m finished (in theory). I won’t really breathe a sigh of relief until it’s delivered to the government. That day we’re doing Happy Hour! (ok - we're also doing it today)

Valentine’s Pillows

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today I had to go into the office (3 days left until my project is turned in!!!) and before I went in I ran a few errands.  One of them involved going into Target. 

While there, I found the Target Home Design Event was really cleaned out.  At 75% off, I wandered through and found these green pillows for $6.24 each!!

 

They match my place perfectly!  A little valentine’s gift to me!

Crazy Product #2

I am always amazed at the products that are made. First the ugly unicorn-head-candle-holder. Now the ants on my cup and saucer

Nothing says appetizing like insects.

So pretty

I don’t really read in bed, but I think this bed would make me start. This was my second choice when I got my bedroom set. Isn’t it pretty?

Don’t listen to Lowe’s

Lowe’s is trying to be romantic for Valentine’s Day, and failing miserably.

A blender? Red, ok I get that, but a blender? Men – listen up – Never buy a woman anything that plugs in unless she specifically requests it. Even if it is red.

I’ve discovered…

The reason why weekends were invented.  People by nature need a few days off to rejuvenate and be able to go back in to work the following Monday.

This big project at work continues, but even though I can see the light at the end of the tunnel (drop dead finish date is Feb 18), I don’t care for giving up my nights and weekends.  Only 11 more days though!!

Crazy Product

Do people really buy these?

You too can own a freaky-scary head candle holder for the low, low price of $100 from Urban Outfitters.  Wow.