Markdowns

The 2nd Pier 1 Sale of the year is June 22 to July 19.

In preparation, a lot of merchandise was marked down last night.

I was able to get the chairs for my $68 table (originally $350) at $60 (originally $99) each. To the general public, they are $79.98 as of today.

This means that more than one of us can eat at our dining room table at a time.



These cute lanterns are now $2.98 - great for burning citronella candles in your back yard.

They're about six inches tall (not including the handle).





Our Island Orchard scented candles (kind of a tropical apple smell - one of my favorites) were also marked down last night - I believe they are now 25% off.

There are votives, tea lights, and pillars in three sizes. This is the scent I have in our bedroom - kind of a mellow fruity smell.

There are probably 15 patterns of dishes that are now on clearance.

These are all 25% off:

Best Friends! Day Two

(Sunday, May 3)

Sunday morning Scott had to work, so Andy and Monica accompanied me to the 11am service at our church.

After church we came back to the house and Monica and I colored our hair.

Scott got home and we all took naps until it was time to head out to Amy's house. On the drive out we saw a lot of the wreckage from a tornado that passed through the area a few weeks before.

The plan for the evening was to grill some veggies, sit in the hot tub and enjoy each others company.

While Amy and Carrie were cooking, I played Wii. Monica and I played tennis for a bit and then I got hooked on a dance game.

Being raised Adventist, I'm not a fabulous dancer, but I did pretty well!

Cooper was happy to be the only dog among many dog-lovers, so he soaked up attention from everyone.

By the end of the night I was in need of re-hydration and there were no water bottles in the fridge, so Amy rigged one up for me.

Best Friends! Day One

Andy and Monica arrived at Jackson Hartsfield airport in Atlanta at about 1:50am Saturday morning (May 2).

It had only taken me about five minutes to drive from our hotel (Comfort Inn) to the airport, but it took us about fifteen to find our way back, partly hindered by a vehicle going about five miles an hour on a 35mph road parallel to the freeway. We were all hungry so we stopped at a Waffle House (Andy & Monica's first, my second) and each had a grilled cheese sandwich and hashbrowns - Andy had them All The Way: cheese, onions, jalapenos, ham and chili. We were concerned that it would affect his ability to sleep, but we all managed to sleep a few hours after I called down to the front desk around 3am to find out what time check out was (Noon).

At 11am we had just gotten up and the phone rang - it was the desk clerk telling us that check-out was 11am. When Andy tried to pass me the phone, the desk clerk hung up on him. I called back down and she repeated "Check out is at 11am. You need to check out."

I replied that at 3am the desk clerk on duty told me that check-out was at noon. She told me I must be mistaken, the night clerk was the manager, he would never tell me the wrong information and check-out has been 11am for five years. All of this was in a rather rude tone and I was not impressed.

Even though this was kind of a crummy start to the day, we were excited about our adventure. Before we left the hotel I obtained directions to a Starbucks, IKEA and Old Spaghetti Factory (thanks to Google Maps).

After gearing up at Starbucks we found our way to IKEA, much to Andy's dismay and my amazement. I had never been to IKEA before, and Andy has been dragged there a few times.

I managed to refrain from buying a bed and just escaped with some pillowcases, a cheese grater and a few other minor items.

After such strenuous excercise, we were ready for a hefty lunch at OSF, where I enjoyed spaghetti with mushroom sauce and mizithra cheese.

Just after we got in the car it started to rain. My driver's side window currently has a motor issue and will not roll all the way up, so we pulled under the shelter and tried to get the window to stick closed. When that didn't work we crossed the street (still in a deluge) so Andy could get some duct tape. We managed to tape the window closed, a sturdy enough fix to keep whoever was driving at the time reasonably dry.

We got back to the house around 6:30pm and after relaxing for a bit Scott, Andy, Monica and myself went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

After dinner we stayed up at the house for a few hours catching up.

Dealz

This wood panel is about 3'x5'. It's $32.98 and was originally $199.












This dragonfly accent table is $69.98. It has three dragonflies etched into the top. Very cute!











This kids table is $39.98 and the matching chairs are $29.98 for the pair.

Firsts

In the last ten days I've had several new experiences.

First Time in over Ten Years that I weigh 120lbs.: I had a doctor's appointment a week ago on Tuesday and initially my doctor was alarmed that I had lost another five pounds until I told her that years ago before I ever went on birth control I weighed 105 to 115 and always had a hard time keeping on weight. Since they had drawn blood and run a bunch of tests on it a month ago and not found anything, she decided not to stress to much about it.

(The pic on the left is from around 2004 and the one on the right is from last weekend. I know, 2004 isn't ten years ago, but it's a good example of me closer to 140-150lbs.)



First Solo Hotel: Last Tuesday evening I drove to North Charleston, SC and stayed at a LaQuinta for the evening. I had a Pier 1 meeting the next morning in Summerville, SC and didn't want to get up at 5:30am on Wednesday to drive several hours when I wasn't totally sure where I was going. Also, since I need more sleep than most people, I figured it was wiser to travel one way the same day as the meeting instead of being tired when I arrived and tired before even heading home.

Once I arrived and checked in, I crossed the parking lot and had a quick dinner at Ruby Tuesday. I was ready for bed and had brought my own small fan for white noise, so I was soon relaxing and dozing off... when I realized that it was the first time I've ever spent a night in a hotel or motel by myself. I've flown by myself many times, but it was my first time staying overnight alone in a commercial bed. Consequently the night was spent sleeping for about an hour at a time and then waking up because I thought I heard something. Not quite as restful as planned, but I survived.

First Waffle House: On my way back from Summerville I was hungry and in the mood for a grilled cheese sandwich. Here in the south, there is not a plethora of Denny's every few miles, so I had to settle for something else. I called my friend Rochelle to double check that Waffle House would be able to fill my grilled-cheese needs. It was pretty good. And only $1.95!

First time being referred to as a "Powerhouse": On Friday morning our latest temporary Regional Manager came to visit our store. I had not had the opportunity to meet Joe (the RM) at my meetings in Summerville, so I felt it was important to give him a face to go with the voice since I had been on two of the conference calls this last month. I was there for all of his two-hour visit and my boss and I kind of tag-teamed the whole thing. Once I left (to go home and go back to bed - of course) he told my boss "She's a real powerhouse! You'd better make sure she knows YOU are the manager and she's your assistant..."

Since he had never met us before and doesn't know our working dynamic, this is actually a big compliment and not an issue at all. I have no problem acknowledging my boss' authority and support it 100%. All the associates know this and I don't think there is any question that I am ever trying to usurp her position. The reason it is a compliment is that just in case I ever have the opportunity to apply for the Store Manager position, I think it would be a point in my favor.

First Albino Skunk: Later on Friday (after my nap), Amy and I met downtown Augusta at the New Moon Cafe for coffee and a stroll. We browsed through an antique store and talked with a plant shop owner and then as we were heading back to our vehicles, I saw a man carrying what looked like a very fluffy Pomeranian. As we got closer I changed my mind and thought it was a large Persian cat. Then I realized it was an albino skunk! The skunk's name is Maryland and her owner Jeff let me hold her for a bit. She was very snuggly and sweet.



First Okra: Yesterday I was off work and not feeling well at all. We had limited supplies of food in the house and since my throat hurt the only thing that sounded good was mashed potatoes. I went to a nearby KFC and ordered a mashed potato bowl (potatoes, corn, gravy & cheese) minus chicken, and saw something that looked tasty. I asked if it was okra and the server confirmed my suspicions and offered me a taste. I ordered an entire side.





First Pier 1 Ad: I've been working for Pier 1 Imports since November and today in the mail rececived the first ever flyer or ad in my lifetime. I guess they finally figured out where I live.

Dirt

As always, Buster is the supervisor.

After almost two straight days of rain, I woke up this morning to sun! The back yard is starting to dry out.



I went to Home Depot on the way home from church this morning - Scott has been sick with the flu the past two days, so it was a solo trip. I got two bags of "garden soil" - still experimenting with what combination is going to be best for our clay base.












I also picked up a Hosta and four part shade creepers to make a nice pot for right outside the back door.














I added some part-sun creepers in between the phlox and then interspersed the baby wildflower peat pods as they are all about 2"-3" high.




On the veggie side, I picked up some three-foot cedar log short fencing to back the lowest part of the garden, I figure we'll do another step above and back that also. I think it really tightens up the look of the whole thing.


Once it was evident that I had enough soil to extend the low section, I dug up a few more feet and planted the baby bell-pepper peat pods and the baby cayenne peat pods.








Scott took advantage of Buster holding still to get some great shots of his handsome face.

Plantings

On Tuesday I had the day off. After sleeping in I made some coffee and then headed out to Home Depot for gardening stuff and to Publix for groceries.

At Home Depot I picked up a push broom (our back porch has gathered a lot of leaves and Scott thinks he saw a Black Widow near the back door), a small rake (to get the sticks out of the way of the garden), and a few plants and some soil.


I staged where I wanted the herbs to go, since they and a pepper plant I purchased are the only things big enough to go into the ground.

I raked the dead branches and some leaves out of the way and then Scott started digging up the clay.

Buster was very interested in the whole process and we're now teaching him what he can and can't investigate (i.e. PEE on).

We had about a half bag of potting soil left, so we threw that in the hole and then spread a bag of Mushroom compost on top.

It looks a bit morbid from this angle, but I swear, we're not trying to get rid of a body!



We decided to only dig up what we had soil and compost for and we'll dig additionally once the tomato and pepper plants are big enough to go in the ground and we have more soil and compost.

I chose to put the rosemary in on the corner by the stairs, since it has the potential to be a large, pretty bush.

Since we moved the peat pot tray outside and everything but the cucumber plants have been doing great. I don't know if it was too much sun for the cucumbers or if they just outgrew their pods, so I moved them into a couple of big pots in front of the "garden" area.




I'm mostly excited about the basil plant because I LOVE pesto and it's awfully easy and cheap to make when you're growing the main ingredient yourself!

We also planted our mint, oregano and a yellow bell pepper plant.



On the "wildflower" side of the ledge I planted four creeping phlox plants. I'm hoping they'll spread nicely across the front and I'm going to plant the baby wildflowers once they're strong enough to go in the ground.



Of course, we've been having a thunderstorm for the last eight hours and there is about two inches of standing water in the lower part of the back yard at the moment, so all the new plantings could be drowned by now.

Seedlings

By my count, these little babies are about 12 days old.






We moved them outside to get some sun and keep the cats out of them.












This is where I plan to put the wildflowers.













This is where I plan to put the cukes and peppers. I'm thinking about putting the tomatoes in pots just in front of the ledge.








I've started dumping our coffee grounds in the spot to prep the area before I dig it up and add potting soil to the mix. I know, it looks really appetizing. :)

Latest Projects

With the boss on vacation the last four days, I worked the last seven straight.






A week ago last Saturday I planted the seeds I gave Scott for Valentine's Day in little peat pots.











This is them at Three Days.


Now they are outside in the sun and the Cucumbers (both varieties) are almost four inches tall.


As soon as we have a good sunny day (maybe today?) I'll start digging our garden plot so I can at least get the cukes planted.

Updates

see more dog and puppy pictures

I went to the doctor this last Monday, mostly because I needed to find a doc here in GA for prescription refills and such, but we're also going to start trying to find out if there's anything amiss in our efforts to get pregnant.

Along with that, I wanted to switch anti-anxiety meds NOW instead of after becoming pregnant, because who needs raging hormones AND withdrawal?! As it turns out, Lexapro is actually safe to take while pregnant. I am currently on 20mg and will try to go down to 10mg, but not having to switch at all is a big relief.

Life has been hectic lately... It seems like the last few weeks my brain has only been capable of work, food and sleep.

Fortunately I love my job and I actually perform better with a bit of pressure, so things are going great in that aspect.

The house is a little chaotic, we have a guest at the moment and I feel really bad when I keep coming home and she has cleaned my kitchen! I'm off today though, and plan to get a head start on her so she can just relax.

In the food arena I'm trying to eat on a regular basis, which has been hard with everything that's been going on, but I'm down to about 125lbs without trying and if I am going to get pregnant I'll need to be better about nourishing myself.

Sneaky

I shouldn't be surprised that I'm up at 3:37 trying not to throw up.

I'm in the midst of an anxiety attack.

I'm actually amazed that I've done so well with all the stress and chaos since we moved from Key West, it's just that I've really poured myself into work and let that keep my mind busy.

This week my mind has taken over again... a friend has had to make a very hard decision and I am one of her only means of support.

I've also been picking up some slack at work, which would normally be fine but my health hasn't been the best lately... I fainted at the bank last week and when I weighed myself last night I'm down to 124.

Fortunately I have a doctor appointment set up for this coming Monday morning, to get checked in general and in specific to see if there's anything we can do to try and have kids show up.

It doesn't help my nausea much that Scott just burned a bag of popcorn.

Oscar Commentary a la Twitter

• Why is Miley Cyrus AT the Oscars? Just because she CAN?
• Anne Hathaway is very classy.
• Meryl Streep's daughter is pretty. I like her brown dress. It's brown.
• Cocktails with Jack Black. Except they aren't drinking anything.
• Seth Rogen looks slimmer.
• The set up for the music looks awesome. I'm loving the nightclub atmosphere
• I'm really excited to hear the new arrangements of classic movie themes
• I love Hugh Jackman. He's very pretty. And Handsome.
• Now I see why Hugh Jackman is on Broadway. and boy would I love to see him in a show!
• Anne Hathaway is such a cutie.
• And she can sing!
• "I'm Wolveriiiiiiiiiiiine!"
• It certainly is a more intimate atmosphere.
• This set up is very cool. Kind of like a Tonight Show stage. In a good way, of course.
• Interesting... having former winners announce the nominees together. I like it.
• Marisa Tomei is beautiful. I just wish she would pronounce her own name correctly.
• Penelope Cruz is so cute! I never liked her before tonight.
• You can't NOT love Steve Martin and Tina Fey. And Steve Martin.

• How can you not fall in love with him?
• I may just have to see this Slumdog Millionaire show. It looks pretty fantastic.
• It's so good to Jen Aniston looking FABULOUS.
• Animation 2008. I still need to see Wall-E, Star Wars Clone Wars, Horton Hears a Who, Despereaux, Space Chimps, and Bolt.
• Especially since Wall-E won. I do so love kid movies.
• This Way Up looks QUITE entertaining.
• I think this guy just thanked his pencil.

• These sets are just awesome!
• Its pretty cool to see an action/comic film be nominated for an oscar, even if just for Art Direction.
• I can haz chandeleer in box?
• Even if Keira Knightly ends up being pigeonholed for period pieces, she still looks GREAT in the duds.
• Oh how I love DVR. Fastforwarding commercials and boring speeches.
• Ben Stiller mocking Joaquin Phoenix. PRICELESS. Natalie is pretty talented at keeping a straight face.
• Don't like Jessica Biel's outfit. Her Giant Bow is trying to eat the rest of her dress.
• Almost fastforwarded through the Seth Rogen Comedy clip.
• I love Seth Rogen. Love Love Love.
• James Franco definitely does not speak German.

• What the heck in on Phillip Seymour Hoffman's head?
• Hugh Jackman is so multi-talented. I love musicals and I love montages about musicals! Beyonce should be on Brodway, too.
• Those High School Musical kids better know how lucky they are to be performing at the flipping oscars!
• Apparently PHS didn't have time to shave or do his hair.Apparently PHS didn't have time to shave or do his hair.
• Cuba Gooding Jr. could have been a stand-up comic.
• I have no words for Heath Ledger's win other than that it is timely and deserved.
• Bill Maher is a bit snarky. And not necessarily in a good way.

• Will Smith rocks.
• Finally the Dark Knight won something! (Aside from the Heath Ledger win, of course)

At this point in the evening, Stinkerbell woke up and wanted to snuggle on my lap, so thus endeth the commentary.

EXTRA Love Day

Scott had to work Saturday morning and I closed the store Saturday evening. When I arrived home around 10:30pm I was anticipating some macaroni and cheese for a late dinner.

From the moment I opened my car door in the garage, I could smell that there was something happening in the kitchen that was a bit more than macaroni and cheese.

Scott made me home-made ravioli, complete with home-made filling and a butternut squash sauce.

It was fantastic.

Happy Valentines Day to ME!

Love Day

Happy Valentine's Day to those of you that appreciate this sort of thing.

Since Scott is working this morning and I am working this evening, we decided to celebrate our love yesterday by having dinner at Red Robin (we got to use our two free milkshakes cards finally) and then a romantic candle-lit game of Scrabble. Scott toasted me 225 to 147 before we both got sleepy and decided to call it a night.

This is our first Valentine's day as a married couple.

Here's to many more!

Spreading the Virus

I'm not usually one to propagate the popularity of a viral video, but this one is too funny not to share.

Checking In

I've been working like mad crazy since Tuesday. Opening shift Tuesday, Thursday and Today, and then the 6am truck shift on Wednesday. I work two to close tomorrow and then work again on Sunday.

The only inspiration I've had today is that I'm really hoping the details work out for my two best friends to come visit us in May, via my frequent flier miles.

Stupor Bowl!

I'm off today and tomorrow, which is a welcome respite from the chaotic schedule that has run me ragged this last week.

I slept in today and then cleaned the master bedroom a bit, unpacked a few more boxes, hung a picture and tried to figure out a good place for the jewelry hanger I took so much time to create.

There's not a suitable wall in the bathroom unless I hang it on the back of the bathroom door, but as we are renting I don't want to put a hole in the door. I don't want to hang it on the wall in the bedroom as it would detract from the decor (or what there is of it... it would certainly detract from the fabulous decor that is in my mind) and there's no room in the closet.

I poured a bowl of cereal only to discover that the milk had gone bad yet again. After the last round of rotten milk I turned the thermostat on the fridge a bit colder, bought the milk from a different store and put the milk in on the shelves instead of in the door. I don't know what the problem is.

When Scott got home from work we were both hungry and craving Pizza and Coke/Diet Coke but as we are lacking in the financial department we had spaghetti and iced tea instead.

Neither of us really care who wins the super bowl today, my favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks so I am less than interested in the Steelers and the Cardinals.

I have always enjoyed the festivities and the commercials though, and have prepared myself to nap/read/crochet during the game.

Oh the excitement.

As Promised...

Pier One's Christmas stuff all went to 90% off yesterday morning.

Ornaments are now all under a dollar, and a giant ornament covered gold star measuring about 4 feet across is now $12.98. It was originally $129.

An older woman came in and bought LOADS of stuff for her church decorating committee and it all came up to $69. When I say loads, I mean around 35 ornaments, 40 small potted plants, an ornament covered tree, 8 sets of boxed ornaments (which each had 12 or 16 inside) and a bunch of stuff I can't even remember now.


This set of four dessert plates is now under $2.

Oh, the insanity.

What I've Been Up To

I have had an odd schedule this week, so most of my free time has been taken up with housework, sleeping and cooking.

I had a recent obsession with the idea of cinnamon rolls and have started on a quest to find the tastiest easy recipe.

Here's the posts on our food blog regarding the rolls: Part One and Part Two. There's also a little bit of a healthier attempt (successful, I think) at my grandfather's macaroni and cheese recipe.

And then there's always Stinkerbell's antics over at Happiness Is a Warm Skunk.

More Dealz

These pillows are $5.48 right now.

This serving bowl and platter are oversized glass, very vibrantly colored. They are $7.48 and $8.68.