Tag: shopping

Nine of Eleven

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Today I went with one of my nieces craft shopping.  I used gift cards and holiday cash to make all of my purchases!  The other great thing is everything I bought was on sale – everything.  So not only did I get great deals and the materials I wanted but I didn’t spend a penny out of my own account.  Thank you to my faculty at my job, one family member, and a friend.  They made this relaxing day completely possible!

Joanns has a great sale on and I stocked up on crochet cotton.  I can’t lie – the $1 a skein made me nearly clean out their display of the colors they had.  Then I hit the aisles to look for yarn for two blankets, one scarf and other crochet cotton (also on sale) which had different colors.  The per ounce price (yes I figured out for each of the brands on sale) for the $1 per skein was FABULOUS.  I got most of what I wanted – though I never get enough yarn.

My niece and I had a lovely day together, spending time and chatting.  We went to Burnie’s rock shop as well.  It was crowded and busy and yet we both managed to find items to purchase.

I have an afghan nearly done for her and I was hoping to surprise her with it today but at 12:30 last night I gave it up and said nope… too much left to do.  I’ll keep working on it and hope to get it done in the next week or two.

Aside from her blanket, I’m going to be at the Whitewater library on January 19, so I plan to make a few small things which can hopefully fill up my table and make some sales.  At this point, I’m thinking coasters and dishcloths but I want to consult my list to see if I can come up with other things.

While at Joann’s today, I picked up pins to use for blocking several pairs of earrings, bracelets and a bookmark.  Once they’ve dried, I’ll have to find buttons for the bracelets and those can come with me to the sale as well.

I feel like I’m getting caught up.  Tomorrow I plan to work on crochet patterns – publishing and posting.  I’ve got a long list of them to work on so I’m hoping to get a large chunk of them done.  I have new patterns which include two leaflets (meaning multiple patterns) to publish.  I have three groups of patterns I’ve not posted on Ravelry and need to get those up there.  This is the task which takes the longest.  I’m hoping to get through all of them before I go back to work so the next two day I think will be taken up with those.

I’m winding down on my days off.  I feel good about the progress I’ve made with projects.  Before this time off, I always felt like I was falling further and further behind.  Now I feel caught up and ready to move forward.

If I manage to get through the crochet patterns, I think I’m going to work on the short story I had professionally edited – it was so mangled from all the different version, I needed to help with it.

I’m at the end of my day and feel really good.  It was good to get one on one with my niece and to shop for things I love.  Now I get to play with all of it, making things for others who will hopefully really appreciate the goodies.

Long Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Three days off was nice but it makes for an odd start to the week.  It’s Tuesday already and I feel like I’m behind but I’m not. 

The weekend was busy.  Vicki and I did the errands.  This included grocery shopping, visit to the butcher, Walmart, Aldis, and Hobby Lobby.  We grabbed lunch on the run and took it home.  This was all on Saturday.  Sunday we spent the morning doing food prep.  I repackaged a bunch of stuff for lunches and breakfasts.  Monday I made fruit salad and finished the few things we missed on Sunday. 

On the writing front, I wrote a little since finishing the last novel.  I did get through a paper edit of Wayfarer Evolution and started a paper edit of Wayfarer Resolve.  Monday morning I managed to get some publishing done (see previous post). 

I figured out what I want to do for goody bags for the event in November.  I started crocheting coasters.  I have ten done of the hundred I’ll need.  Fortunately, it’s a quick pattern.  I plan to expand the pattern into a shawl and make one for the gift basket I’ll send in for the raffle. 

My neighbor stopped over and wanted some more books.  I gave her three more.  I hope she enjoys them.  She started with Secret Past.  She said she’s not a fan of science fiction and most of mine are in that genre so I’ll see whether she continues to read my books. 

I’ve got a list of crocheting I want to get done.  I still need to upload several patterns to Ravelry.  I’m hoping I’ll have time to do that next weekend.  My to do list got things crossed off but not nearly as much as I would have liked. 

Ken worked on the patio we are putting in.  With the temps being over 90, he got some done but it was too hot for that kind of work.  Hopefully this next weekend he will be able to get more done.  I sat outside for a while but the bugs and the heat drove me back inside.

A Bit of Zen

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

It’s Sunday night and I’m headed to my recliner.  It’s been a busy weekend.  Yesterday my middle daughter, her godmother and I went shopping.  I drove, they shopped, I crocheted.  I wouldn’t have minded going into the bookstores they went to but my scooter has been sporadic for operating.

When we got home, I finished the afghan I was working on.  Vicki took pictures for me so I can get the pattern ready for publishing.  I have to think of a name for it.  I’m not happy with any of t

he names I’ve come up with.  After I finished it, she and I talked about the submission guidelines I looked up for a couple of publications.  I made a list so she pulled yarn to see if I could use her yarn to make something to fit the categories which she would like.  We found a couple.  I started one yesterday and am about halfway through with it.  I’m hoping to finish the first steps of it today.  Once I finish it, I’ll snap a few pictures of it and send it to the editor.  If they accept it, it gets sent off to them for photographing and then it comes back to me.

I’ll work up the pattern but until after it’s published, I can’t publish the pattern myself.  I need to look at my list of things to do submissions for poetry and articles as well.  I have a number of them to work through.  Hopefully I can make some good progress.

I have so many projects right now, it’s crazy but at the same time I love it.  I love having a list, working on it, and being able to cross them off my list.  

I’m taking three days off next week.  I know exactly what I want to accomplish while I’m off so I’ll see how things go.  There are two small areas in my office I want to finish in order to start the move to bring the bookshelves into the office.  I have a long list of writing projects I want to work on.  My to do list may seem endless but it isn’t (not quite) but I do have crocheting projects and household projects to deal with as well.

This is going to be a mini break before things go crazy at my day job.  Advising and registration will fill up my time.  I’m hoping this time off will be a decompressing time for me before things wind up too stressful for March and April.

The pics are all from our various trips to the Atlanta Aquarium.  I LOVE going there.  It’s expensive but worth it.  I could watch the fish (and have) for hours.  The movement of the jellyfish (and other fish) are mesmerizing and it makes me feel zen to watch them.  I’m sharing here to share a bit of the zen.  I hope the video works as this is my first time posting a video.

Crafting as Therapy

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Saturday I had a plan which changed.  My plan was to get a bunch of book work done.  When I was playing one of my games, I got several hours of free play.  So instead of being responsible, I played on my phone until my middle daughter and a friend showed up to go craft shopping. 

I was reluctant – yes, I know but true.  I felt like I had too much to do to wander a craft store or two.  I went and in the first store we were wandering.  I got some Christmas stuff to decorate my mom’s room in the nursing home.  I also found a Christmas present for my oldest daughter. 

At one point, I was by myself in the yarn aisle.  I texted my youngest daughter and she said it was dangerous.  I was good and didn’t buy any yarn in that store. 

In the second store, I wandered off to the yarn aisle by myself again.  I found the colors and type of yarn I was looking for. 

In both stores, I was able to get a lot of great deals.  The Christmas stuff was half off and I had a coupon for 40% off the other item.  At the second store, I had a 50% off coupon for one item and then a 20% off coupon.  By the time I was done, I saved more than I spent.  In the second store, I got three skeins of yarn and with my coupons, the third skein was free. 

The rest of the day was spent crafting, cutting out fabric, prepping projects and crocheting.  I spent most of Sunday (after doing the responsible stuff) crocheting and watching tv.  After all the drama and stress with dealing with my mom’s health issues, it was nice to hibernate in my house and do something which de-stresses me.

I finished one project for a Christmas gift and worked on more prep stuff for other gifts.  I’m happy with my progress on the projects even as my living room is a bit crowded with projects.  I really needed a crafting weekend to help reduce the stress. 

Three Day Weekend Equals Three Visits to a Craft Store

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

This past weekend was busy.  It seemed like there was no time to do anything.  I hoped for more progress than I got on my list but I don’t know when we could have done more.

Saturday I paid bills, worked on budget and we went to my sister-in-laws wedding.  Sunday we went to several stores.  The first was Home Depot and after that I sat in the car while Vicki and Ken went into the stores.  Vicki and I did go to Joann’s.  There were Ibottas and coupons.  I got a lot of money back for buying yarn I was going to buy anyways and 10% back.  Additionally I had a coupon for 20% off my whole order.  On Sunday, I had two coupons for 60% off any regular priced item.  I got two lengths of luxe fleece.  This is super soft fleece which is normally $15 – $20 per yard.  I only buy it when I have big coupons or it is on steep discount.  I also found lace I liked for the front window.  Ken had put up an dark blue ugly curtain I didn’t like on our front door.  I looked through the lace.  There was this gorgeous feeling white which I loved the feel of but didn’t really suit the room.  Vicki picked out a color I liked but I didn’t think Ken would.  I’m not sure he likes it but I do.

Monday Vicki and Ken went back to Home Depot to get a range hood.  Ours has been getting louder and louder as well as working less.  They picked up one.  Ken came home and installed it.  We discovered more strange things about how they did things in our house.  The range hood is on the same breaker as our garage.  Vicki and I went back to Joann’s because when we were there on Sunday we picked up some buttons on clearance.  These are the fancy buttons which normally cost anywhere from $1 – $5 each but on clearance for 50 cents.  When we were there on Saturday the buttons had all sorts of prices on them but they rang up as 50 cents.  So Sunday we went back specifically for buttons.  Vicki and I picked over what they had and then found a table to lay them all out at.  We weeded through and narrowed it down.  I still spent over $20 on buttons.  But I got a great deal on them.  Plus I got the 10% back on Ibotta.

All three days we went to Joann’s and I used coupons to save big, bought stuff on clearance, or used Ibotta to get rebates.  I saved over $16 in rebates from Ibotta but in savings from the coupons and in store sales I saved over $85.  I saved almost as much as I spent so really good deals.

As for what did get accomplished, I got bills paid.  That was on my list.  Ken finished the closet space in the family room.  Next step is for Vicki and I to figure out what we want out there.  I did work on crocheting all weekend.  I got six sets of hand towels / dish towels done.  I also prepped five fleece blankets for crocheting.  I crocheted the edging for two of them.  Other items I worked on, I got four pairs of earrings and four scrubbies made.  I organized all the stuff which had been accumulating on my couch.  I’m going to keep working on dish towels and hand towels.  I have three skeins of scrubbie material so I’m going to keep making them up.  All the excess crocheted items are going on the rummage and craft sale we’re going to have.

I got stuff done.  I shouldn’t feel bad I didn’t get stuff done.  I just didn’t get the stuff done I planned to get done.  In the meanwhile, I’m going to keep crocheting and adding to my stockpile for the sale.  I have excess fleece in the craft room which I plan to make up into blankets for the sale.  In my head I have a list of things I want to make for the sale.  I’ll see how far I get in making the stuff.  I’m trying to only use the yarn I have on hand.  I’m trying to use up my stash of yarns and reduce the amount of stuff I have in my craft room.

Ultimately a productive weekend but not productive for my list.  Part of me says to let go of the damn list but another part of me knows I’ll forget things if I don’t keep my list.

Disabled Shouldn’t Mean Unable

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

First let me say, I don’t like to burden people or even businesses.  Part of the reason I don’t go shopping is because it is too hard in a lot of stores for me to get around.  I use a scooter to move around.

I went to one of my favorite places to shop and I don’t think I’ll be going back there.  This makes me sad.  JoAnn in Janesville is a nice store, carries a variety of items I like to wander through, has a different variety than Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

I have two difficulties.  Their doors aren’t automatic so when I go by myself, I have to struggle to open the door to get in and out.  Now I’ve found that the people who go to craft stores are really nice and I’ve almost always had someone offer to open the door for me.

The second difficulty happened today.  I’m always concerned about the aisle width as I’m riding on a scooter.  Today the aisles were so narrow Ken had to move things so I could make turns and even get down the aisles.

In fact, if Ken hadn’t gone with me (which is what we both prefer – he hates craft shopping and I hate craft shopping with him), I wouldn’t have been able to get to the items I wanted to purchase.

I called the manager and got a “we’ll work on that” and “all you have to do is ask” response.  I felt like she fobbed off my concerns.  If you want my business, you will make it so I can get around in your store.  I can manage the door but I can’t manage or don’t want to have to rearrange your damn store so I can get through to what I want to look at.

I’m not a big shopper in the first place but this just makes it even harder for me to think about shopping.  If I can’t get around in your store, I can’t buy your products.  I thought stores wanted me to spend my money in them.  Apparently not in some cases.

Coupons and Organizing

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Vicki got me a binder for my coupons.  Up until now I’ve been keeping them in my card holder.  It is difficult to keep track of what I have with them in my card holder – they were just bunched together.  With the binder, I have a slot for each coupon. 

We generally shop at Woodman’s so I took the store layout from their web site and organized the coupons according to how the store is organized.  This will be my first week using the binder; it will be interesting to see if I like it better. 

The other store we go to (Schnucks) is having their 11 for $10 sale again.  I like these sales because you can mix and match.  I look through their flyer but I also like to wander the store to see what isn’t in their ad.  This sale is a good time to stock up. 

After these two errands tomorrow, we have to go to the post office.  I have to mail out another review copy of Moon Affirmations.  I have an editor who will put it out to her reveiwers and hopefully put in her magazine.  Stephanie also left stuff at our house when she was home that we have to ship down to her.

I think it will be a calmer weekend for errands with only a few errands.  This is good and will hopefully allow me time to work on writing activities. 

Don’t forget – my books are 25% off right now at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/kevvs229

MIA

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

For the last week, I’ve been traveling.  Ken and I went to visit all three of our daughters.  We had a wonderful time and enjoyed our family time.  I was very worried about not being able to go with all the problems I’ve had but I checked with the doctor and she said it was okay to travel.

Our southern girls gave us great hospitality and entertainment.  We played games, shopped, went to a movie, and visited an aquarium.  Since we don’t get to visit them often it was wonderful to meet their cats – two of my grand fur babies – Moo Shoo and Gus Gus.  They are adorable, of course.  The girls have a lovely apartment and we had a good visit.

Our midwest girl gave us great care when we showed up on her door tired from driving.  She took care of us, made us food and talked a lot.  We also went to her ortho appointment and her shoulder is on the mend.  We also went shopping and I found the shoes I love at a great price – saved myself about $50.

I was thrilled to come home though.  It has been a long week with driving and visiting and all the activities.  All of my daughters were careful about my foot issues which are doing much better.

As I drove home yesterday, I thought of all these things I need to get done.  I’ve done some of them this morning but my foot will soon drive me back to my recliner.  One last thing I want to work on is updating my todo list I have on the computer.  I have to cross off all the stuff I’ve gotten done and add in all the things that came to my mind when I was driving yesterday.

I wasn’t completely unplugged for the last week.  I did check my home email a few times but it was good to be mostly unplugged.  It was fun to focus on family and let the phone, email, and all the technology go for the week.

At the same time, I’ve been working on the computer this morning and it is like coming back to an old friend.  I’ve gotten a lot done including paying bills, submitting written work to different places, and checking on all my different publishing avenues.  I cleared a couple piles off my desk which is always a good thing.

While I was gone, I crocheted several scarves and slippers.  I enjoyed wandering around in JoAnn with my youngest daughter and Beth.  All of the items I crocheted stayed with my daughters.  My oldest daughter got the scarf she liked and my youngest got slippers she’s been nagging for and several scarves.  My middle got two scarves.

All in all – it has been a really good week.  Tomorrow I return to work and am looking forward to seeing my faculty and student workers.  I’m sure I’ll be stressed with all the emails I have and with catching up but that will pass quickly.

Danger! Beware!! Yarn Sale!!!

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Finally I have a moment (or half a one) where I can put some thoughts together.  It has been a very busy period for me.  Here it is nearly two weeks later from the last time I was on here – I can’t believe that much time has slipped by. 

Work has been frantic and by the time I do work and school I’m so tired I can barely get through the night.  Registration this semester has been more stressful and difficult than in previous semesters.  I thought maybe it was just me but I talked to a couple other people and they agreed.

This last weekend I got talked into going to Herrschner’s for the day.  For those who don’t know, they are a huge mail order catalog company with a store in Stevens Point Wisconsin.  I crochet.  I crochet a lot when I’m stressed.  I like to have one big project going – like an afghan (currently Stephanie’s star shaped with an 8 mile circumference) and small projects to fill in when I want something quick to finish and feel like I’ve accomplished something. 

I have lots of faculty and student workers to make gifts for.  This gives me a target for making all my little goodies.  I’m not going to say what I’m making them for the winter holidays but they will be crocheted things most likely.  Herrschner’s was having a HUGE sale on yarn.  Instead of doing homework on Saturday like I should have I snuck off to this sale.  Stevens Point is a two hour drive so it generally turns into a most of the day event. 

Friday I printed off their internet page with all the sale yarn listed.  I circled the ones I was interested in.  Saturday we asked and they honored the prices.  I got skeins of yarn that normally cost between $7 – $10 each for anywhere from $1 – $3.50 each.  I was thrilled for the savings but also I will get to work with yarn I don’t normally buy.  Some of the yarn includes silk, chenille, fleece, and alpaca.  I’ve been wanting to work with all of these for quite some time. 

While I didn’t get homework done, I did enjoy wandering through the yarn and touching everything.  Yes I touched all sorts of yarn.  There is something about the textures, softness, and colors that just gives me a thrill.  Other women have a thing for shopping for clothes – my thing – YARN… 

Best part of the day – my husband didn’t complain at all because I spent money on yarn!!!