Beauty

[just bee]

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@sundrops wrote:

Hi, justbee,  Dosey and others.   Dosey, please accept my sympathy for your loss.  Justbee, congratulations on your BSN degree.  I've wanted to fill you in on our progress here in ABQ.  I've been working about  2 months now--only 2 days a week.  It's ok for now, but after the 1st of the year, I will need to find 1 or 2 more days.  DH has been working also for about a month.   He's only part-time, but he needs full-time so we can hopefully get some health insurance.  His work told him that full-time is a great possibility.  He's just not sold yet on the job.  He's a slower moving person, and his job can be fast paced (retail)  He likes a straight Monday-Friday, and daytime hours (who doesn't ?   Lol ) and he of course has to work some nights and weekends.  So far, we love it here and are very happy.  Our dog has settled in nicely too.   I wish everybody a nice, safe holiday season.  I decorated our 3 foot Christmas tree today!

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Howdy, stranger!  Good to hear you're settling in and all three of you are adjusting.  The job thing will work itself out, so take advantage of the time you have to explore.  Check out all the Christmas decorations around town!

[just bee]

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@FindingMyJoy wrote:

How did everyone do on Black Friday?

After I fell off the no-buy wagon earlier this month, I really FORCED myself to really stop and think about every temptation. I was quite impressed! At Target, I only bought gifts for others. The only thing for me was a bottle of milk since I drank the last of it yesterday and a box of cold meds. The sheer abundance of dvds on ridiculously low prices usually catches me but not this year! I knew thlat I would have major buyers remorse if I did buy them since I would watch it maybe once or twice then it would collect dust.

Kohls was about the same. There was a lot of temptations around but I stuck to the items on my list! I left there with only 1 large bag. In comparison, other years, I easily fill 2-3 large bags. My sister was surprised when she saw how little I bought this year.

Also a HUGE thing for me - I totally skipped Bath and Body Works! Their sales always lure me in to buy multiple candles. Not this year! I made myself look at my stash - I have 10 unused 3 wicks collecting dust. This is on top of 2 that I have been burning already.

I took advantage of this clearer thinking, I went ahead and cancelled ALL auto deliveries I have with QVC including the Bare Minerals one that was to be delivered next month. I have NO need at all for anything in the kit since honestly, I haven't used much from the kit I received a couple months ago. I also went on HSN and cancelled all auto deliveries there except for 1 that I pushed out several months to see if I ever would need it.

The boxes from my earlier online splurge haven't arrived yet? I expect them early next week. I really should just open the items that are gifts and the rest don't even open just return. If I keep them, they are going to be tainted with stupid guilt and shame since I didn't need the items, was just at low point and needed a pick me up. I'm clinging to the Compacting bandwagon, wishing to clear my thoughts so I can have a guilt free December!

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Smart move!  You won't regret it.

[dosey]

Hi, everyone!

Thank you for your condolences, gezzerette and sundrops.  Sundrops, I like the idea of a 3 ft. tree.  When my kids are on their own, I plan on having a small tree that I decorate with ornaments that my kids made in elementary school.  I have photo ornaments of my kids for every year until they are 18 yo.  I'll put those on the tree, too.  That and the manger are all I need.  If I really want to jazz up the place, I might buy some of those narrow pre-lit trees and place them around the house.  They are so festive and are no trouble.

Yes, the cheesecake was yuuuuuummy!!  Sadly, I forgot to line the pecan pie pan with parchment paper.  That's a tongue twister!  The pie stuck to the pan, but it was still good.

FindingMyJoy, I caved on Black Friday but not badly.  DD and I ate at Panera, and it was not crowded at all.  There were only three people in the restaurant.  Panera is next to the mall, and we could see that there was plenty of parking.

Our first stop was Belk because they had a bunch of doorbusters.  I found a plain beige bra for $15.  With my rewards dollars, I paid less than $6 for it.  A fantastic deal, plus I needed a plain bra.  I looked at the Origins and Kiehl's doorbusters and had to talk myself out of buying them.  My main argument was that I am happy with my skincare so why buy something that I do not need.  That argument did not work completely, so then I told myself that even if I like the Kiehl's body lotion, am I really going to continue using it when a 16 oz. bottle is $48?!  No.  Finally, I told myself that the money is better used elsewhere.  It took three arguments, but I did not buy either set.  The cosmetic doorbusters were long gone, so there was nothing to tempt me.

JC Penney had a super cute cardigan in gray and purple for only $15.  It wasn't a plain, basic cardigan, but it wasn't overdone, either.  My purple and gray cardigans are a few years old and are fading, so I bought both colors.  With my $10 coupon, I got both of them for about $22.  Another great deal!

DD and I walked past B&BW without going in.  I asked her if she wanted to go in, and she said no.  It smelled wonderful!

We then went to Dillards.  Holy macaroni, it was packed!  Dillards was having an extra 50% off sale on some of their clearance things.  One of them was handbags, and boy, they had a ton of them.  Women were everywhere.  There was something for everyone - inexpensive bags to expensive ones.  I decided to look for a smaller bag but realized that I really couldn't remember what I had in my closet.  DD did not like the craziness and wanted to leave Dillards, so we did.

DD's mood dropped (13 yo puberty).  I had to think fast, so I asked her if she would like to go to Barnes and Noble.  This helped somewhat.  Once we were in the car, she was a little happier.  B & N is her second home, her mall, her Home Depot.  I had a coupon, so I told her to pick out a book.

Talbots was next door, and I saw the 50%/40% off sign in the window.  That's just plain trouble.  We went in, and I immediately saw two necklaces that I loved.  I chose one and bought it.  DD said it looked like me.

So here I planned on spending money on only breakfast, I ended up spending $88.  Ay yi yi!

[dosey]

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@just bee wrote:

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@dosey wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@dosey wrote:

Congratulations, just bee!!!!  

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Thanks!  I've been cleaning house so I haven't had an opportunity to celebrate.  Had the carpets cleaned yesterday and the house smells like a big wet dog this morning.  Speaking of dog, I feel sorry for him.  If the smell is strong to me, he must be suffering.  He couldn't eat breakfast.

I hate carpet.

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Our carpet looks terrible.  DD is going to have friends over during the Christmas break, so I think we will clean them within the next couple of weeks.  One day, I am going to replace the carpet downstairs with hardwood.  One day.

I hear ya!  But we have so much sand in these parts -- wood is really not a smart option for us.  The carpet cleaners told Better-half to hang onto our carpet and put off buying new because carpet like ours was made to last 30 years whereas NEW carpet is now guaranteed for only 12 years.  I now hate new carpet.

Spoiler

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Would tile look nice in your home?

[dosey]

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@just bee wrote:

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@dosey wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@dosey wrote:

Thank you for the kind words, everyone.  I am trying to push through this but just can't.  I feel terrible and cannot believe that my sister is gone.  Black Friday is almost here.  DD and I usually have breakfast around 6:30 a.m. and then go to the mall.  She is really looking forward to going and is excited about the holidays.  I do not want to go.  I don't feel like doing anything.  I'll go because DD wants to, but sleeping sounds so much better.

To say your plate is full would be an understatement.  You need to prioritize.  The box of broken figurines (you didn't kick it when it arrived, did you?) and the bumper can wait.  Find a spot in the garage for the box and worry about it next year.  Maybe you can make a mosaic with the broken pieces.

It's time to focus on your family and the holidays.  Sounds like everything's happening at once (it always happens that way), so just get through it as gracefully as possible.  Remember: You're building character here.  Next thing you know, it'll be spring.

I think it's fortuitous that you were reminded of the TV repairman.  When I was little my mother moved us to Rogers Park, which was a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Chicago.  When things are falling apart and I feel overwhelmed I always take a moment to think about those who faced the unimaginable.  People survive some terrible things.  I don't know how they do it.  But I know you'll get through this rough patch because your family's counting on you.  We are, too.  We missed you.

So figure out what you'll be wearing to the mall.  Remember: No eyeshadow.

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I'll never forget Mr. Krafsner.  I have remembered him throughout my life and can picture him with his tool box.  He was always smiling.  My mom said his wife suffered from emotional problems and rarely left their home.  I'm glad they made it to the US and hope the rest of their lives were peaceful.  That was quite a generation.

DD and I are going to continue the Black Friday tradition and start with breakfast at 6:30 a.m.  She is really looking forward to it.

I am not going to give the knick knacks a second thought.  Part of making the claim is proving that everything was packed securely.  I cannot do that because the boxes used were too small in my opinion, so I am going to left it go.

The bumper is the last thing on my list.  That will be repaired after Christmas and after the MRI and CAT scan.

Yes, no eyeshadow.

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Do they even teach kids about this?  What does the average history class look like these days?

Sounds like your priorities are set for the rest of the season.  Well done!

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No, they don't, and many kids aren't interested in our history.  I have talked to my kids about Mr. Krafsner and about my mother's first husband.  Before they married, he was a pilot in WWII and a tough, brave man.  He was awarded many medals for his actions, including a Purple Heart.  My older brother (his son) has the medals.  He saved men in his squadron after their plane crashed.  Later, he was captured and held in a camp.  Somehow, he escaped, and an Italian family hid him until he was able to arrange a way out that was safe for him and this family.  My mother never recorded any of this, so it all comes from memory.  After the war, he finished school and became a doctor.  He died from cancer when my brothers were very young.  My mom thought he was exposed to something during the war.  I sure he was.  Probably when he was held in the camp.  The pictures of him and my mother are beautiful.  She looked like a pin up girl, and he looked like a Hollywood actor.

[dosey]

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

Just Bee - I have a LG 47 inch tv. I do like it but the sound is terrible. At least on mine. 

Dosey - good to see you posting. I cant even imagine what you must be feeling. Good that your daughter is dragging you out and about.  It gets you moving even when you dont feel like it. 

Findingmyjoy- one step forward 3 back you say, too funny, exactly how I feel.  I think it is in our blood. 

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This Hitachi sure lived a long time.  I just don't feel like shopping for a new TV.  But I suppose it's time for the new technology.  Ugh.

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Honestly, Just Bee, you will love the smaller thinner tv's, although they are getting a bit too thin. Lol.  sometimes I feel like one of my kitties can go behind it and knock it over. But, I love the fact I can move it around myself and makes the room seem lighter.  But, nothing lasts like those old tv's.  Those things took a beating and kept on ticking.

Try slickdeals.net.  These are deals people find around and post them.  Sometimes you can find great bargains on there, especially tv's this time of year. It is random though. 

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Oh. I know.  The prices have really come down on the new sets so there's no reason to avoid this.  Unless I want to be one of those non-TV people.  But I am of the generation of kids who grew up on the thing.  I remember our first color set.  It was glorious.  Good times, good times...

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Justbee, you really need to go to HH Gregg's or Best Buy's website.  The prices are amazing.  What a perfect time to buy a new television!

[dosey]

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@just bee wrote:

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@dosey wrote:

My favorite Christmas song is "We Need A Little Christmas."  However, I mess up the lyrics all the time.  Why can I not remember the lyrics?  So I just printed the lyrics and am singing it to prepare for Black Friday shopping.  I've added a few spiffy Broadway-like dance moves to give it a little oomph.

Haul out the holly . . .

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Ooooh...  Maybe we should start posting our favorite Christmas music here.  I've already started listening to it on the car radio.

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Yes!  Why don't we do that on the December thread?  Any holiday tune that we enjoy.  Start thinking of your favorites, everyone.

[marky]

Well, I reorganized my spare room today (my hoarding room).  It was a real eye opener.  I shouldn't buy another beauty item for years.  I have way too much stuff and need to get back on the program of clearing out items.  

Just Bee, I even have too much tea.  LOL 

[aprilskies]

FindingmyJoy,  my Black Friday shopping got out of control.  The sales and extra % off just got me good.  I didn't go out though, it was all online.  I was gonna go out and just walk around later in the day but never made it. The rest of the year I am just allowing gifts and i do need some tops and shoes but will only buy a few that I need. 

I had two auto deliveries. I cancelled Wen and kept my isomers immortal which I pushed out until Feb.  I have just a little bit left from the bottle I have now and want to see if I notice a diff when I stop using it.  I wasnt sure if my eyes looked better because of this product or because I was really moisturizing them consistently, which I wasnt doing before. This purchase was perfect for that reason alone. 

For 2016, it has become clear that I need to set a strict budget and goal not only per month but for the year. I need to put some thought into this and figure out what that looks like, for all categories. 

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. 

[aprilskies]

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

Just Bee - I have a LG 47 inch tv. I do like it but the sound is terrible. At least on mine. 

Dosey - good to see you posting. I cant even imagine what you must be feeling. Good that your daughter is dragging you out and about.  It gets you moving even when you dont feel like it. 

Findingmyjoy- one step forward 3 back you say, too funny, exactly how I feel.  I think it is in our blood. 

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This Hitachi sure lived a long time.  I just don't feel like shopping for a new TV.  But I suppose it's time for the new technology.  Ugh.

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Honestly, Just Bee, you will love the smaller thinner tv's, although they are getting a bit too thin. Lol.  sometimes I feel like one of my kitties can go behind it and knock it over. But, I love the fact I can move it around myself and makes the room seem lighter.  But, nothing lasts like those old tv's.  Those things took a beating and kept on ticking.

Try slickdeals.net.  These are deals people find around and post them.  Sometimes you can find great bargains on there, especially tv's this time of year. It is random though. 

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Oh. I know.  The prices have really come down on the new sets so there's no reason to avoid this.  Unless I want to be one of those non-TV people.  But I am of the generation of kids who grew up on the thing.  I remember our first color set.  It was glorious.  Good times, good times..

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Yes, me too.  I grew up on it.  I actually cut my cable last December, hoping to stop watching so much but having Netflix and HBOgo is probably worse.  I have toyed being one of those non Tv people and am not quite sure I can do it.  Good luck with your search if you are searching.