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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,256
Registered: ‎06-25-2011

Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Hi girls - I guess everyone is out and about doing Christmas errands, huh?

Well, I didn't make it to the church fellowship last night. I went to the PO go get some gifts mailed, and my debit card was declined; fortunately I had cash with me. I went home to check my balance, and sure enough - a charge went through from HSN for the tablet which made me overdrawn; I had assumed they charged me as soon as I placed the order, but they didn't until after it shipped, and my bank honored it - which I've asked them not to do. By then it was after 3:30 and I didn't have time to get to the nearest branch of my bank before they closed, so I had to drive to Jasper as they're in an earlier time zone. There the teller told me that deposits can be made in an ATM up until 6 p.m. and be credited that same day. (sigh)

Anyway, I had been planning to make a coffee cake to take to the potluck, but got home too late to do so, and I didn't want to show up without anything. Next Wednesday is Christmas Eve services at my regular church, so I guess I'll check the new one out after the holidays.

I stopped at Dollar Tree on my way home to get a cookie tin; I made my cousin some gluten-free peanut butter cookies, and needed something nice to put them in. The recipe said it would make 20 cookies, but even following it precisely as to size, I got over three dozen, so the cookie tin was too small and I had to use one of the boxes I used to send cookies to the troops. I need to get that package out today, as well as the gifts for my pastor in Hawaii and his wife, especially since the PO is running very late on deliveries: a package I mailed to California last Wednesday still hasn't arrived. {#emotions_dlg.mad}

I was surprised to see the shelves of Christmas items at Dollar Tree were nearly bare - almost no candy was left at all, and the rest of the stuff was pretty much down to the last bits and pieces.

Today I have to make two rum cakes to be shipped tomorrow; I'll probably go with FedEx Ground, seeing as the PO is so messed up. I'm also getting started on making (and delivering) 20 dozen or so cupcakes - I'll make 8 deliveries tomorrow.

I tried to make an appointment for a haircut, but my stylist is booked up until after Christmas, so I made it for early January - I'm not going anywhere special, so it doesn't much matter.

Guess I'd better be on my way - have a blessed day, everyone!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,022
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Hello ladies, how are we doing on the shopping? I had to return some tights that didn't work so I did reorder from a different company. I wanted fishnet stockings so trying again. Along with the stockings, I thought I would try this cute dress that I fell in love with.

My party last night was fun. Woke up early (4:20, surprise) and came to work a bit early to get some things done. I had to bring my dog to work because she had no breakfast. So at lunch we went and bought her some food and tried on some clothes, all too tight. Too bad, because it was a cute little UT Longhorns dress and teeshirt. ha ha

DH will be home tonight, tomorrow DD will be with us. I am really looking forward to the weekend.

What is everyone up to?

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,597
Registered: ‎07-03-2012

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

I keep losing my post before I hit send. FHG, It is too bad that you had to miss your church meeting as the banking problems took longer than expected. I went to Dollar Tree a couple of days ago to get Christmas stickers for my cards & they they said they sold them all out a couple of months ago & won't get any more in. It sounds like you are baking up a storm yet.

RC, it is nice that your DH & DD will be with you for the weekend. Too bad you had to make an exchange.

DH & I went to a neighboring town yesterday just to get away from home. After having eye drop duty for 9 weeks it seems like I can't get away from home enough. I am supposed to avoid crowds so I try to be good & not shop on the weekends. The only thing I bought was a bag of chips for our party next week & a gift card at Target for our DGD. DH bought a bag of cashews for our DSIL's Christmas stocking. I never know what to put into it.

When we got home I had a phone message from a gal that I used to work with. She wanted to know when I wanted to go to the outlet store of the large company that I used to work for & she still works for. She had lots of booster bucks that needed to be spent before they expired so she bought me 3 1# beef logs for our DGC's Christmas stockings, a 3# beef log for our Christmas lunch next week, a couple of pkgs. of flavored coffee for our DD's Christmas stocking, some limburger cheese for my DH, some cheese curds & a block of cheddar cheese. Now all I need is good weather.

A am posting today's activities separately.

Hugs to all of you.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,800
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Arlene--Thank you for starting the thread. You certainly are keeping yourself busy baking for the holidays. Sorry about the HSN surprise. I think with most debit card charges they encumber the amount so it is actually there when the item ships. I know when I was looking at hotel arrangements last night, I saw one said that the room charge was encumbered when making a reservation with a debit card.

Kathleen--Glad you had a fun party. Enjoy the time with DH and DD. Sometimes getting to work is a positive as you can get much done before people come in with the possibilities of interruptions, etc.

Twinny--It is very understandable that you would enjoy going elsewhere for an outing. You were tied so close to home because of the frequent need to give your mother the eye drops. You are feeling free to plan around you and DH.

I worked today and this evening marks the beginning of my break for the holidays. They did want me to work tomorrow but I'm meeting my niece in the city for an early Christmas lunch. She has been off work for 3 months because of neck surgery, and will be going back to work next week.

**************** "A black cat crossing your path just means that it is going from one place to another." Proud owner of a black cat and a shopper of QVC since the merger with CVN.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,597
Registered: ‎07-03-2012

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

I took mom to her eye appt, this morning & came away totally disappointed. We were there almost 4 hours. She can still see nothing besides a shadow after over 3 months of eye drops. They thought that maybe a lens change would work, but nothing they tried was any better than the lenses she has right now. The retina specialist gave her another eye drop to start using as the inflammation is still there. When we went to pick it up at the pharmacy, the pharmacist said it was $156 for one bottle. He then told us to go back to the Eye Dr. to see if they had a sample or a different eye drop. I went back & forth 3 times. The nurse came out with samples of eye drops that you twist the end off before the eye drops can be used. I don't think she will be able to administer these eye drops as they are so fine & she couldn't even tell when I put the drop in. Now she needs to put this drop in 4 times a day. 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & ending up at 7:00 p.m. I told her I would do the 11:00 a.m. drop & my DH would do the 7:00 p.m. drop as it is only one drop those times. She is very stubborn & said she will do them all by herself. I am hoping maybe her neighbor will go over each day at 3:00 p.m. I also wish that she would let the gal come in each day at 7:00 a.m. instead of the once a week as is happening now. Sorry, but now I feel better.

I am just getting back to normal, so I would appreciate prayers for me that I don't over due things again. It will be a busy time as I prepare for our family Christmas Eve luncheon. I get my next infusion Dec. 26th so I will soon be winding down.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,597
Registered: ‎07-03-2012

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Jean, I am so glad that you will now be enjoying a much needed break. It is nice that you can have lunch with one of your nieces before she goes back to work. Our schools don't get out until next Tuesday.

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Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Twinny--It just doesn't seem that things are working out for your mother, and for you. As you know, you have to take care of yourself. If you become fatigued, you will be very susceptible to whatever bug is in the air. Since your infusion is on the 26th, perhaps some of the family can help you with the Christmas Eve luncheon.

As for me, I just got comfy inside the house and changed into comfy clothing when the drugstore called and said my prescription was ready. I'm tired so the drug store can wait until tomorrow.

**************** "A black cat crossing your path just means that it is going from one place to another." Proud owner of a black cat and a shopper of QVC since the merger with CVN.
Respected Contributor
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Registered: ‎06-25-2011

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Well, I'm home - two more packages and an envelope with a Ziggy calendar have been mailed off, leaving three that remain. I'm going to go to FedEx first to see how much they'll cost, since it's only a couple of blocks from the PO - a few dollars here and there add up, and after today's shopping excursion (the last of the year) things are very, very tight. I hate that I had to dig into my reserves, but don't want to touch any more.

Aldi was a mob scene, with lines even longer than usual, but I got the few things I needed and got out as quickly as I could. I took Angelica into Tractor Supply with me where everyone fell in love with her, and got a huge bag of dog food that should take me into February, as well as pig ears - one each for today, and another for a Christmas treat. Obviously Angelica never had one before, and at first wasn't sure what to do with it! I was going to get a 20# bag of bird seed for $8.99, but then saw a 50# bag was marked down to $11.99 because it had a hole in it that had been taped up, so I grabbed that one - I got more than twice as much for only a couple of dollars more.

Came home, brought all the dogs in for a while, and Angelica - after being outside all morning and then again after we came home, went upstairs...and when I went up to get something, saw she had peed and pooped on the floor. {#emotions_dlg.mad} That's it - she's going to be outdoors all the time, except when it's cold at night...in which case she'll be in her crate...in which she has destroyed the bed that was in there. (No, I'm not replacing it.)

Twinny, I'm so sorry you have to go through all that - I know how exhausting that can be. Jean is right - you need to take care of yourself first and foremost.

Well, in honor of Hanukkah I'm going to make some latke, then start baking. Have a blessed evening, everyone!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,122
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Twinny: So sorry for your doctor's results. It is so tough to deal wiith medical issues sometimes.

What a bunch of items you were able to get---wow--how nice.

I went to pay my taxes. Thought I would just use my debit card. Fortunately I had grabbed my checkbook as the lady told me there was a fee of $3 per $100!!!! I thought no way Jose! So I wrote checks to pay taxes and vehicle registration.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,662
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Shopaholics - ODAT - Thursday

Good Evening! Sorry you are having trouble doing all you want to do Arlene. I can certainly appreciate that money is a bit tight this time of the year. Also sorry about Angelica. I miss having a dog, but not that problem.

Hi Kathleen -- hope you and your DH have a great time together, and your weekend is great. Sorry you needed to return items, etc. Army DGS is in the Reserves, and he has finished basic and advanced training. But, they are still not saying anything about when he will be deployed. DD is still exercising and watching her diet, but I think she gained weight since last June. I didn't say a word, since it wouldn't help, and would make her feel bad. I don't think she has had to move up to the much larger size as she was at one time. Thank goodness.

Hope you have a restful break from work Jean. Glad you will be seeing your niece tomorrow. Hope she is okay when she goes back to work next week.

I'm so sorry about your Mom and the eyedrops twinny. What a shame that things aren't improving much. Do take care of yourself. I will be praying for you.

Hi LindaR. I have noticed that some places do charge extra for using a CC or debit card, but $3 per $100 sounds very pricey. Glad you had your checkbook.

Waves to Susan, Marijane, Rosa, Karen, and all of our posters and readers.

I finally managed to work on my Christmas cards. Better late than never as they say. I have done zero baking so far, and that needs to be my focus soon. I did take a walk (late morning), but DH did not join me since it looked like rain (did not rain however.) After lunch, I went to Curves and took DH to the library. Also made it to the storage room to put back the suitcases.

For some unknown reason, one of my alarm clocks went off at 4:00 a.m. I really don't know why that happened, but.... I had trouble getting back to sleep, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to do so tonight.

Hope all of you have a nice evening.

Hugs,

Linda