TRU will have Gil soon !

Current Mood : Tired but satisfied

Whew ! Five big loads of laundry - including sheets ! - washed, dried, and put away today. From the first shirt to the last sock, it's all done for another week or so. I confess, it was such a large job because it kept getting put off until there was about two weeks' worth piled up, but it's done, and I did it all ! Well, Dearest Son helped put away his clothes... but all the rest was a solo act.

I feel really great, but sooo tired ! My new diabetes prescription arrived - my Dr. had it mailed to me - so I think I fell asleep reading all the information and directions. But it wasn't long between I was done and Beloved Hubby was home. Yaaay !

I also got to see today's photo, reposted from MonsterHighDolls.com, that site I still avoid, but somehow always has the latest, not-yet-seen photos of the newest stuff. These are the accessory sets (sold separately !) to the 'Create A Monster' line, due out supposedly in February, but now seem to have an earlier release planned. TRU has a Create A Monster listing as well, along with 'Sweet 1600' Clawd and Skull Shores Gil. This would make me excited, even though there's only photos of the CAM set and Clawd, but...

TRU drives me crazy. I've been through this before with them. They put up listings weeks (often about a month or so) before they actually have stock, and I'll check, often a couple times a day, hoping to catch when the goodies go live. After a while I get tired of always coming up empty, and the day I don't check, bam ! I hear on another site that they have stock, but when I check, TRU's sold out before I even know they had anything. The only good thing about it is that, hey, they're TRU. They pretty much always get in more later.

Still, it was nice to see Gil is listed as $11.99, not $25. And I already know shipping will be six or seven bucks, not ten. This is why it bugs me - there's always the fear you won't get one if you wait ! - but I still prefer to buy retail. Honestly, I don't have the cash to pay what Angelic Dreamz and the eBay scalpers demand. 

I think I used my 'extra' hour to sleep - as usual !

Current Mood : So tired...

McRib Count : 4

I survived the 11/11 Earthquake ! Seriously, last night, while we were watching another silly RedBox movie, Beloved Hubby and I heard an odd noise. Sort of like a train rushing, but no train horn, and much too close to be the local late-night freight. Also, no tornado sirens. We looked at each other... as the house began to sway. Earthquake ! We rode it out - it only lasted about ten or fifteen seconds - then made sure everyone was OK. It woke up Dearest Son, who was more freaked out than scared, but it was over, we'd escaped damage, and the rest of the neighborhood was fine, too. Still, it was an unusual experience, and I felt dizzy and disoriented until I fell asleep.

Not sure if this affects anyone but me, but I'm still gonna put this out there - if you've been saving points for freebies over on DesignsBySiCK.com, they're scrapping the whole program tomorrow. It's 'use 'em or lose 'em' time, so head over soon. If you're unfamiliar, SiCK is a machine embroidery design site, one I used to really enjoy visiting. Probably spent about $50. there, back when we had money, mostly a dollar at a time during sales. I was over there nearly constantly, until one member seemed to really take a dislike to me, and followed me on the forums, trying to pick fights and basically taking issue with everything I dared type. Whatever. I didn't wanna fight, so I quit posting.

Eventually, I quit going completely, since without the forum, fewer designs I liked and rapidly shrinking rewards, I simply wasn't interested anymore. Soon discovered that I didn't really miss them that much, and I didn't have the funds for it anyway. I did, however, still have points, enough to buy one last embroidery design set. Did that today, and figured I'd best pass along the word, just in case.

I also sneakily used my latest survey money ($3.) on a design from Embroidery Library, on one of their sales. I say I'm sneaky because their sale offered 40% off any selections, then they send an e-mail good for four more designs for free, my choice. Well, I only had four designs I wanted, but I soon found a miniature I liked, so I selected the most expensive design, applied the 40% off, and bought it for $2.99. And I got the code for four more for free. So I basically got five designs for $3., which is pretty darn good. Even if I am being a bit sneaky.

Went on safari in the shed to find my rotary cutting mat. And I'm really frustrated because I packed the crappy old one and the better new one separately, since I knew it'd cost $30. to replace them. Of course, I can't find either one. ARrrrgh. Instead, I found a favorite clock, the two boxes of DVDs, a pencil cup (need one, with my new Sewing /  Computer arena configuration), and some kitchen stuff we needed. Also labelled boxes, and filled an empty one with Barbie cases. I'd been meaning to do that. Re-stacked the boxes and got it a bit more in order in there. By then, I needed a nap ! 

Instead, I set up the printer where my thread boxes were, and put the thread boxes where the printer was. Printer cable we had was too short, and $25. for a longer one would have to be put off for a while longer. If I'm gonna start sewing again soon, I kinda need a printer, since nearly all my patterns are digital. And I like to scan my efforts and new goodies, too. I already knew that the printer, placed on top of the thread boxes, fit just fine, I just didn't like having stuff stacked that high over my head, or having to dig to get to my thread. A simple swap solved all the problems, and I'd found the paper and trays earlier. With that done, I was really getting weary...

But Beloved fell asleep after lunch, so I let him rest instead. I didn't completely abandon my selfish ways, oh, no. I watched Mystery Science Theater on YouTube, and finished cleaning my arena. I'm worn out, but it was a great day !

Hope your Sunday was special, too !

A fat bottomed girl went riding today...(humming some Queen, slightly altered)

Current Mood : Worried, but tidier. 

Yesterday was so bitter cold and windy, I didn't get to ride my new bike. But today was much nicer, so I did. I'm still only riding for maybe five minutes, but it's heavenly. I rode 'til I got tired, maybe six or seven blocks. Not great, but not bad for someone with my challenges, I think !  I confess, I got nervous around the parked cars, and making a U-turn still freaks me out a bit, but I'm getting better with time and experience. Having the mini oxygen tank in the front basket throws the balance off a bit, but not as much as my hyper-scared over-reactions do. I have much too much fear of falling still.

I actually made my bag of potato chips last three days, but shared 'em with my guys today, while watching a Redbox Thor rental, and that was the end of that ! I'm kinda proud of me, because I used to be an 'eat it 'til it's gone' kind of snacker. A bag of potato chips lasting that long for most of my life meant I was sick, somehow had even better food in the house, or had a sudden vacation. Fact is, I eat better now, and don't get nearly as hungry, even though my appetite has come roaring back. I just try harder to limit it to meals, and have some snack-veggies around, like cauliflower.

My sewing / computer arena was still trashed from Halloween, so when things got quiet and sleepy around here about mid-afternoon, I started cleaning up. One of my craft totes lost its lid during the move - probably caught some wind and blew off, never to be seen again - and I've been contemplating asking Beloved Hubby to make me a sort of replacement lid from some scrap plywood or something, since I hate to have that stuff exposed to wind, dirt, feet, and people mistaking it for a trash bin (sigh).

But Beloved already has enough on his shoulders. At least he's spared from me asking to reserve four $35. 'Sweet 1600' dolls (plus shipping) from Angelic Dreamz. Things are snug enough now that I won't ask to go to TRU for the next couple of weeks. I actually had more fun giving Dearest Son one of my Ghoulias than I have looking for Abbey, so it's time for a break. And time for me to give him one. I still want a replacement tote lid, but I think I'll make it from fabric and elastic instead of bothering him about wood. Heavens know I have tons of great sewing prints - or fashion or stars themes ! - to choose from . Since it took me all day to reset my arena, I hope to get the measurements tonight, and get it started tomorrow. Wish me luck (and I'm serious here, I'm gonna need it !) finding my rotary cutting mat...

They have tinsel-streaked hair, too.

Current Mood : Heavy with concern

Not much going on today, either - Beloved Hubby was home, so we got some houseworks done. Basically what could be done for free, since we're broke ! And DFIL is already asking for more funds, less than a week after we pay an over $500. power bill that was on 'pay off or shut off' notice. It's my worst fear, that we'll never be able to move out of here, because we're either constantly fixing things or paying old bills so they won't be shut off or foreclosed. We were assured before we moved that FIL had things well in hand, and we've quickly found out that wasn't even a partial truth, at all.

Not really helping the situation is that he and DMIL already stated they're leaving their mortgaged house to us in their will, so as far as they're concerned we own it - along with the flaky wiring, bad plumbing, and wonky appliances. Some days it's a real challenge to keep up my sunny demeanor...

So I played with my dolls a bit. Luckily, I was able to keep my two remaining large props, the folding Barbie 'Country Living Home' and the FriendShip, inside, with me. You'll probably begin seeing them in photos soon. They say what you grow up with is gonna be your life-long favorite, and I admit, I love the 70s-era graphics on both pieces. I think the whole reason I enjoy the Country Living Home so much is that it reminds me of the FriendShip, which is my all-time favorite. I'm very happy the MH crew fits it well, too - or I'd have contemplated selling them too, and I really didn't want to !

Speaking of them, Angelic Dreamz is taking pre-orders on the 'Sweet 1600' line of Monster High dolls, due out around Christmas time, tomorrow. It strikes me as funny that they want an advance 30% down payment, but don't mention how much the dolls will cost. Ah, well, it's not like I'll be ordering any, but it's really lit up the LiveJournal denizens. It was also mentioned that a Mattel Toy Outlets' cashier mentioned selling out of 'that new orange cat-girl' in a day. So we'll probably see Toralei on shelves soon. Meanwhile, I'm still looking for an Abbey...

Sucker for good potato chips !

Current Mood : Ticked off but resigned.

Current Image Notes : We actually went back there today for more chips ! Lol.

Another Thursday, another Monster High episode ! While I'm still ticked that Lagoona and Gil's relationship got such an uneventful 'so here we are !' resolution in Fright On!, of course I'm still gonna watch the webisodes. I just hope they get out of Nefera and the were-cats soon, I honestly don't care about the lot of 'em.

In other news - a few weeks ago, the much-maligned-here Angelic Dreamz doll and collectable store offered possibly the first 'Skull Shores' Monster High dolls that weren't marked up sky-high on eBay. By the time I knew about it, they were all long since sold out, but I put my name on the waiting list for Gil. The ads were updated to show a November release, but I really hadn't expected them to be in today !

So they e-mailed me, but they were long-since sold out again. And by 'long since', I mean in between the hour they sent the message and the hour I noticed, they were all gone. And by 'all', I mean just Gil. The girls were all still available.

I was a little disappointed, but also a bit relieved. Gil had been marked up from $20. to $25. - again, just Gil - and shipping was over $10. Much as I'd love to have him, and even though some folk have $107. to spend for him on eBay, I just can't see spending $35. for a $15. retail doll.

Especially now. Winter is always our hardest season, and it's been brutal cold already. Last night was the first hard frost, and DFIL was having trouble paying the power bill (cutoff notice). So guess who had to do that ? (sigh) Hopefully that won't repeat this winter...and hopefully there'll soon be plenty of Gils at TRUs, Targets, and Mal-Warts in time for the holidays.

Look what I got !

Current Mood : Excited !

I got a bit of a surprise today - my bicycle arrived a bit early ! We ordered it a couple weeks ago, Ship-to-Store Mal-Wart, and it was in at 10am at the Neighborhood Market. We were there within the hour, and a half-hour after that, Beloved Hubby had it assembled and ready. I'd already asked my Dr. about it, and she's fine with my new wheels.

Mine looks just like that, cream-colored tires, drink holder, and all. Wow. Isn't it gorgeous ? Mine had a scratch or two from shipping, but everything else was perfect. Well, it was missing the screw that attached the front fender to the frame, but we found one that works. Other than that, she's just what I wanted - a fantastic adult women's one-speed, coaster-brake bicycle ! I finally have the bike I've wanted since my original one-speed coaster-brake women's bike (that I got the Christmas I was 12 !) was sold by my parents while I was overseas, even though I'd told them I intended to use that bike in college. Had to buy a crappy three-speed from my Uncle's pawn shop, and I hated that thing.

I admit, I couldn't ride it very much today, and I was pretty wobbly getting started, but I'm already looking forward to tomorrow. It rides like a dream ! It's funny that the advertising hang-tag on the handlebars says you'll wonder why you quit riding a bike, because I had such fun, I really was thinking that ! I'm hoping to build up my strength week by week, maybe before it gets too cold, to possibly make short trips to the convenience store a couple blocks over, or maybe downtown.

We also discovered the local Aldi's - actually, I knew where it was, I 'let' Beloved discover it ! - and went in. Their "Clancy's" potato chips are superb ! Like Lay's used to be, when they had smaller, local plants and could use thinner-sliced potatoes. Now they just have big regional plants, so the chips have to be thicker to survive nationwide shipping. But these were excellent. I really had to watch m'self, or I'd have eaten through the whole bag.

They also had a small display of toys, which Dearest Son gleefully went through. I saw the small collection of Barbie princess dolls and smirked a little, since I still feel so 'over' Barbie these days. Beside them, though, were a few Monster High dolls - a couple 'Dead Tired' girls, but mostly Frankie and DracuLaura 'Day at the Maul' dressed versions. Each ten bucks. Dearest sparked a bit at the DT Ghoulia, which surprised me. While he has a Frankie and a DLaura, he never showed much interest in Ghoulia before. I told him I had that doll already (and I was looking at the DT Frankie m'self), and would be glad to give her to him, no problem. Actually, DT Ghoulia was in the 'trade/sell' pile already, I just needed to re-dress her. So I did when we got home, making sure she had shoes and glasses. Ghoulia's now driving the Jem Rockin' Roadster, so I think she'll be happy next door with Dearest. 

Right now, it's closer to 'one in ten or eleven'.

Current Mood : A bit down, a bit challenged

I'm such a bad girl. Not only did I put off Dearest Son's Halloween costume 'til the last minute, I haven't done one bit of my service project. I'd hoped to drop off a bunch today during my first visit with my new Primary Care Physician at the VA hospital, but lazy me hasn't sewn one yet. I've gotta get on the stick already !

Well, it was a great visit, but I got some bad news. My Dr. is awesome, so nice and she really listens - she even gave me her card, for me to call anytime I have a question or a concern. I actually remembered my queries this time, and got satisfying answers. I even got the answer to a question I thought I already had the answer to, but it turns out to be the bad news.

It's appropriate, though, that on the first day of Diabetes Awareness Month, I was told I am borderline diabetic. My test results - got the tests run when I was so sick a few weeks back, and we asked about them then and were told they were normal - were just a bit higher than is acceptable. And no one told us until she did. I actually corrected her when she told me, saying that no, I was asthmatic, thinking maybe someone hit the wrong code on my file somewhere.

So she ordered some re-tests, and by the time we came back home, they'd already been run, the results were in, and she was on the phone with me about them. While my numbers had dropped even further - from a 7.4 to a 6.2, but I have no idea what scale that is - it was still above six, so it'd be a good idea to at least learn what I was dealing with, and adjust a few diet-and-exercise things while I was at it for my heart, anyway. I'll be attending diabetic classes soon, and I'm already scheduled for a diabetic retinpathy screening - an eye exam, in other words - in December. I'm also due for some price-of-being-a-woman stuff, too, ugh.

I confess, I had a bit of a pity party in the elevator between my Dr. visit and the tests, but heck. I'm still alive, I can manage this, and it could sincerely and easily be worse. I'm relieved to say that I won't need insulin shots. Beloved Hubby was patient during my whine-fest, later commenting that if the sooner I gave into it, the faster I'd get over it, and he's pretty accurate. It's when I let things build up that I get deep down into the murk of unfortunate events.

I still have my research to do, and maybe it explains why, the sicker I got, the more I could only eat sugary stuff and fruit, but who really knows ? What matters is the 'next', and if I believe I can handle it, I always do. And that I have the best support ever - yaay !