SHOPAHOLICS: ONE DAY AT A TIME (SATURDAY, 11/1)

Good morning:

I didn't sleep well last night at all.

Do take good care of yourself. You have certainly worked a lot of days--and hopefully your medical appointments will provide you some relief. I did see that DB was selling coats on clearance---enjoy your new purchase.

I spent some time over two days unclogging a drain! Finally got it. I couldn't find my plunger so I bought a small one---I thought perhaps it was too small to be effective but finally got it--with two treatments of a drain solution (not the acid one) which is safe for a septic tank.

So many other things need my attention now.

Good Morning Ladies,

Jean, hope you start feeling better soon. It is amazing that you have been as active as you have with all of this going on.

I want to toss something out for input since this thread does deal with responsible spending. We will be curtailing our Christmas budget significantly this year. This is a need to do as much as a want to do type of thing. Christmas spending has never been over the top but I am trying to find the best words to tell family that we are cutting back so that they will not spend as much on us as well. Maybe some of you have been I this boat as well and can pass on tips on how you managed this with your family and/or friends.

I received a Kohls gift card for my birthday. I needed some jeans and new t shirts which I found at a great price. I am trying to get/replenish things that I need vs. just buying stuff. That is about it on this end.

LindaR--Unclogging a drain can be a challenge when trying to be environmentally responsible or having systems that can be affected negatively by some drain products.

Gayle--Christmas is a time that many people buy responsibly but yet still need to find ways to cut back. We went through this with the adult nieces, etc. Basically, we were ending up giving each other gift cards because we had what we needed but the card would help us buy something when the need arose. I just decided that was nonsense although well intended. I just simply said that I preferred that they spend their money on their children or each other and that I need not be factored into it although I appreciated it. They all know that we are there for each other throughout the year if needed and not just at Christmas. Just be upfront and say that you are cutting back on Christmas spending this year. They should be able to read into that message that they can cut back also. If not, it is their problem.

Congrats upon the birthday. The Kohls gift card was used for a great purpose.

If that coat works, I won't have to buy a coat for a couple of years or even more. I think I'm doing more of my buying for myself earlier this year than usual. I'm well stocked with clothing now and also have new gadgets which will work. If my coffee pot goes, I have one in storage which was a gift last year. I don't see a big expenditure coming up unless it is for some household item. I really am trying to focus upon November and December as months to cut back since I have my needs met unless something in the house needs replaced.

I am posting a picture of the snow that hit our state. Trust me; it was motivating enough to stay inside and buy a new coat.

Jean, It is good that you have been so busy at work as I know you enjoy your job & the students are lucky to have you. Hopefully the tests with specialists will find out the problem. It is nippy here too as we hit 38 degrees yesterday & only 40's today & tomorrow. Then they say 50's next week so that will be nice. I am so glad to be done with our hot weather. I saw a washable suede DB coat when I was at the outlet store in Sept. It was about $150 for $91. It had the key lock closing and came in many colors. I saw quite a few women buying it, but with my numb tingly fingers, I couldn't get it to fasten. I prefer large buttons or zippers. I did get to watch AMS today. Beautiful snow picture, but a little too early in the season for a picture like that. Yesterday our mailbox had a dusting of snow on it though.

Linda R, I have been sleeping better at night now that I don't have to do eye drop duty at 7:00. Clogged drains are never fun.

Gayle, I love Kohl's. You did get some nice purchases for your birthday. We have never bought gifts for either of our brothers or sisters after we were all married. We just did our parents of which 2 are gone now. Last year our mom's decided it was time to give up gifting to us kids. Now the mom's do the DGC & DGGC. DH & I do our 2 DC & their spouses & 3 DGC. It is easy & stress free for all involved. It is hard for me to get out when the weather is snowy & icy. The past two years I was lucky to find everything I was looking in our hometown. DH & I don't exchange Christmas gifts for each other because when we need something we go out & buy it. We usually try to take a nice trip in March for our anniversary.

Today looks like it will not be busy except for eye drops 4 times for me today. It is so great having that gal go to mom's at 7:00 a.m. each day except Tuesday's. I can handle one day a week but not 7 of them anymore. DH & I take mom to a nearby town on Tuesday for another eye checkup. I am praying that we will be able to do the drops even less than every 4 hours during the day. Next Friday morning DH & I are leaving to go to a Bluegrass Festival about 4 hours away with some good friends We will not be returning until Sunday afternoon. Somehow we will make things work out for all of us.

Hugs to all of you.

Twinny--Sorry you couldn't take advantage of that great savings on the DB washable suede coat. Fastenings can be so difficult when fingers don't want to cooperate. I don't like to get out when it is snowy and icy so I completely understand your wanting to get things done before the hazards arrive. Having fractured my back once and having lasting problems from it, I live in fear of slipping and falling on the ice. I do hope the eye drop schedule for your mother gets better. The blue grass festival sounds like a great break.

I've been sorting all the wonderful stuff that has arrived in the mail. Right now, I have a beautiful black cat demanding time on my lap.

Looks as if it is another slow day. I've been going through the mail, etc. and sending "valuable" items to the trash bag. I did update my medical information with prescriptions, final wishes, etc. and printed for attachment to the form I had to fill out for the GI consultation. I also carry one in my handbag and a copy is on file with Medic Alert.

I think I'll take a break and have some Kindle time. I'll check in later.

No trick or treaters last night..thought maybe I would get more since it was a Friday. The stores in town have T/T from 3-5 pm so maybe the kids got their fill.

LindaR what type of drain cleaner did you use, one of my batnroom sinks is slow and we also have a septic tank and afraid to use those harsh products that are sold even though they say safe for septic tanks.

LindaL how's your DH doing today?

Twinny hoping for good news on the eye drops when your Mom goes back to the Drs. The Bluegrass festival sounds like a fun weekend!

Jean your snow pictures were pretty but not something I want to see looking out my windows at this time!

Not much here...DH is waiting for 2pm so he can watch his college basketball team on their exhibition game..it's not on TV but will be streaming from computer. have a nice day everyone,Marijane

Jean, Cute poem. Yes, I did sing along with it.

When we were at the QVC outlet stores they had a GILI bag marked down from $191.00 to $91.00. I did see several women standing in the checkout line purchasing one that looked like the one I saw last week on the Q. It was light colored, but I can't remember the name of the bag. Maybe I will remember the name of it later on. Oh, my brain returned. It looked like ostrich leather.

DH & I just got out of the hot tub. That sun was a blessing today. Now if I only had time for a nap. It seems like eye drop duty is always just a few steps away.

DH wants to go out for dinner tonight. Not far from home, but a nice restaurant. I will probably have the whole catfish & salad bar. We haven't been anywhere for so long, that it will be a real treat.