Month: January 2018

Volkswagen Jetta 05/2000 – 01/2018

Posted on

The Saturday before last (1/20) I said goodbye to the Jetta when we brought it to the DMV and had everything transferred into Joe’s daughter’s name. I’m not gonna lie – I’m going to miss that car. I know it was time to upgrade but I loved how it accelerated and it had the best heated seats. My new car only has low and high. Low seems a bit too low and high is too hot. Such is the life of an overly sensitive person such as myself. I didn’t cry seeing the car go, though. Maybe it helped having it sit out in the driveway for the past few months while I got used to my new car. I dunno. I try not to think about it too much because I do get attached to inanimate objects I’ve owned for a very long time and that Jetta was like giving birth to a baby and watching it go off to college. Yikes!

I can already tell that I won’t be keeping my Crosstrek nearly as long because I really HATE how it does that jerky movement when you’re slowing down. It’s so stupid and annoying and I’m really just cranky in general today so I was feeling sorry for myself about how I’m not as thrilled about the car like I was initially. It probably didn’t help that I messed up the passenger side mirror recently when I hit the shelving unit pulling into the garage. Now there’s some paint missing on the mirror and the plastic molding on the wheel well is jacked up. I was so worried about someone else messing up my car and I did it myself. FML

Home Security

Posted on

Quite awhile ago, Joe purchased an Almond 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System primarily as a wi-fi extender so we’d get better signal on our second floor. However, it can also be used as a home security system. The problem is trying to find compatible devices. After some searching he found motion detectors and sensors for the doors and windows that work perfectly. He installed and tested them today, including a smart outlet that can be programmed to switch on and off at particular times and tied to certain rules. An example would be “if off, but the back door opens past x time, automatically turn on”. Everything can be monitored and controlled from an app on your phone and tablet too. It’s pretty cool.

Needless to say, we’ll be cancelling our $40 per month home security plan with Comcast/Xfinity this week since we’ll no longer need it. I’m looking forward to getting rid of their home screen device and special router so I have more space on my desk.

Shopping & Valentine’s Day Decor

Posted on

We did a lot of shopping this weekend and finally got around to returning some items we had been putting off.

Between Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree I really beefed up my Valentine’s Day decor collection which was truly lacking. Now it looks like cupid threw up all over the house! The best part is I don’t think we spent over $30.



There’s also some tea towels on the stove and a heart banner hanging over the patio door that I didn’t get good photos of while they’re up, so below is a pic of them after being purchased. The towels are from Walmart and the rest is from Target.

Sunday (1/14) we decided to visit IKEA since they sent me a $15 off coupon for my birthday. We opted to check out a different location than our usual since we needed to return an item to a store nearby. Never again! While I preferred the layout of the display areas, the restaurant was a disorganized mess where you couldn’t figure out from which direction you were supposed to line up to get the food. They have arrows all throughout the store but opted not to bother in that area for some reason. In addition, the walkway by the drinks, utensils, and napkins is quite narrow and makes it difficult for people to get what they need without getting in each other’s way. It didn’t help that staff members were restocking at the same time too. Why they didn’t do it before the restaurant opened is beyond me.

We found some good stuff, though, including a very narrow table (that stylistically matches our coffee table) which we set up against the wall by our floor lamp to act as a charging station. We have so many devices but no good central place to charge them until now. The best part was the table was only $15 so with my coupon it was free. We also got two metal planters which I plan to incorporate into my spring decor, a picture ledge Joe is going to install over my desk, and a tea kettle. I tried it out this afternoon and am loving it. We had a tea kettle years ago but it made a mess when you tried pouring water out of it so we got rid of it.

We found the cutest pet food canister at Home Goods and some new ceramic bowls.

Wookie was not liking them at first and barked/growled in protest but she finally relented and ate from her food bowl just a bit ago. She’s so weird about that but I want her to be more flexible since her beloved bowl could easily break one day.

Our best find of the day, however, was the unlit 7.5 foot slim Christmas tree we came across when returning a clock to At Home. It was exactly what we had been looking for and was 75% off so it was $15. Can’t beat that! I was so excited about that find and the fact that next year we’ll be able to enjoy putting up the tree without being annoyed by how much space it takes up.

Side note: before IKEA we stopped at Jamba Juice so I could pick up my free birthday drink and I decided instead of my usual (Five Fruit Frenzy) I’d try something different. I got the Orange Berry Antioxidant juice which I really enjoyed. It’s just fresh squeezed orange juice blended with strawberries and blueberries.

This morning we headed to Chick-fil-A for breakfast since they were giving away egg white grillers until 10 am. I also had a small fruit cup but I won’t be doing that again since it was primarily cut-up apples and sour ones at that. I was hoping for some pineapple or watermelon.

Next we went to Savers but I didn’t find any sweaters I liked. I did get a cute bag for travel purposes, though. I like how it’s see-through on the inside compartments so I can see what’s in there quickly without having to open it all the way. I also got a smaller pouch to store some cables in my car. I’m currently using a much larger pouch which would make grabbing them a little more cumbersome. I’m addicted to pouches!



I forgot to mention that when we went to Walmart on Saturday I picked up three pairs of leggings. I was really excited about them until getting home and noticing they are capri style. I hadn’t tried them on in-store because I already know what size fits best.

I’m not sure whether I should keep them or take them back. On one hand since they are thin so they could work in the warmer weather and the plain black pair (not pictured) would look cute under a dress, but I was really hoping for the regular length since they are thin enough to be comfortable under jeans but thick enough to add some warmth right now since it’s so cold outside and in the office. I particularly don’t understand why the St. Patrick’s Day ones are capri style since it’s still pretty darn cold in March. They aren’t very expensive but I’d hate to keep them and never end up wearing them. I haven’t washed them yet while I mull over a decision.

Birthday Weekend

Posted on

Friday night we were invited to watch the Blackhawks game at a friends business that has a huge projector. Pizza was ordered and much fun was had. I was surprised with a birthday cake too!

Even though my friend who had purchased it thought the frosting was too hard and didn’t taste good, I enjoyed it. Buttercream tends to be more firm than the whipped cream on the other cake they had purchased for another person who also has a birthday coming up. Joe and I were the only ones to eat my cake because I think my friend’s complaints turned everyone off to mine. I took it home so more cake for me I guess.

After the game was over and a people left, we ended up exploring the rest of the building and trying out some massage chairs. Our friend set mine to the vigorous setting which was more painful than relaxing so I didn’t enjoy it.

The highlight of the evening, at least for me, was discovering their game room which included a ping pong table. A woman, who I met that evening, and I played quite a few games whilst everyone else rotated through playing pool, Mrs Pacman, and the electronic drum machine. We didn’t end up getting home until after 2 am and I didn’t get to sleep until nearly 4 am.

Needless to say, our Saturday consisted of nothing more than sleeping in, watching tv, and eating. I wanted to check out the Laser Gaga show at Triton college but developed quite the headache mid afternoon and opted to skip it. I hate how that always seems to happen after a late night of socializing. I only had one alcoholic drink at the beginning of the evening so I doubt that was the cause. My jaw hurt the next day too, probably from all the laughing.

Sunday was my birthday. Before my shower I opened my presents from Joe – some chocolate candy, lip balm, a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and a flameless candle lantern with magnetic scenes you can switch out based on the seasons.

We went to an early matinee of Jumanji – Welcome to the Jungle, which we both enjoyed. Afterwards we did a little shopping and I found a cute pair of polar bear slippers for only $3.88 and a welcome mat for only $1.99, both at Sears. We had lunch at Red Robin followed by me getting a new pair of gloves from Kohls (only $18.45 after 50% discount and $5 birthday coupon). We also went to Party City but their Valentine decor was weak. I picked up a free scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream from Baskin Robbins and we stopped at Dollar Tree where I found some cute Valentine and St. Patrick’s Day decor. I also grabbed some storage bins because they had new ones in a deep purple which is my favorite color.

Monday I headed to Savers where I found a purple sweater, a plate/bowl for Wookie, a cute planter I plan to use for fake flowers, and a sunflower plate. My total was under $7 for everything which is why I love that place. Unlike the guy who was whining to his girlfriend saying he can’t stand the place. It does get crowded on Mondays since everything is 50% off, but it’s not unbearable.

I stopped at Five Below to look at potential birthday gifts for my brothers but left empty-handed and then at TJ Maxx to look around. I really wanted to find some “winter” decor but all they had was Christmas clearance. I did get a new sponge holder for the sink, though.

My last stop was Chick-fil-A for free lunch since they put a treat in my app (not birthday related). I have grown to love their grilled nuggets with their special sauce. They really are good, but pricey ($4+ for an 8 piece).