Again...with the Mary Kay, Smokey Bones and PartI: Rochester, NY

(George Eastman)
I think we were all feeling stuck inside these last few weeks so a plan was made to get OUT of town this weekend. After some discussion, it was decided that Sunday we would visit my Husband's college town of Rochester, NY.

 Saturday I spent the morning with Tammy. She had somehow engaged herself in a Mary Kay party and asked if I would come along. Never to disappoint a friend, I went in the promise of a FREE continental breakfast and the hope that I would win a PRIZE. The breakfast was a few sconces and fruit, but hey I got some FREE food and it was healthy too. Plus Tammy bought me a D&D coffee for coming with her. I don't mean to sound to sarcastic about these things, I do after all sell my own home products, so I know how important they are, but I have survived some 40+ years without buying any MaryKay products, chances are I can make it another 40+ or so just fine. Additionally, if I am going to buy anything I would hit up my friend Kari (the party I went to a few months back).
Might as well make the best of it...and I SURE did!

I played the games...and scored BIG tickets. (I even called myself the ticket WHORE) the women laughed, but I think the 77 year old sales lady was unsure what to think of me.

Tammy and I both won PRIZES!!!

I won GREEN mascara, and an eyelash curler!!! I can wear my GREEN in a few weeks for St Patricks day.
We both got 1/2 face facials. Yes I thought this was a little weird. We only scrubbed and cleaned 1/2 of our face. Apparently this is so we can feel and see the difference. I am not totally sure if there was a difference or if I was simply imagining that my left side drooped slightly from my right.

We also got gift bags. I LOVE GOODIES! Tammy purchased a few items, and even though I gave her the evil eye...she did discuss the potential for selling herself. I used that as my out, stating I was going to wait to explore a purchase until Tammy made a decision to become a consultant herself. Whew....dodged that bullet. Now Tammy's taking it. Not that I am against home business's (I am the Queen after all) I am a little concerned about if she is thinking this through. At least she didn't sign on the dotted line today.

We did look pretty once we were complete in our make up. Originally I thought we were heading to FREE yoga after the makeovers, but Tammy was not prepared, and the FREE breakfast was NOT what we had expected and we were both hungry.So we went to Zebb's. I had the soup and salad combo, and Tammy had some really big YUMMY chicken club sand.

After lunch we discussed some shopping, but it was already much later then I had hoped so we made our way home. She has been struggling with her lemon of a car since she bought the thing a few years ago, and we got stuck at the exit light as we were leaving due to her clutch. I went home to my family, and she went to buy a new car. She called me about 7pm reporting she was coming over to show me what she bought. I had no idea what she was talking about and I was expecting to come out to see a tiki bar sticking out of her trunk. (She had informed me earlier that she wanted this tiki bar from the Christmas Tree Shop, which was were we had discussed shopping earlier in the day but hadn't). I was shocked to see her in a band new car. YOU GO GIRL!!! Glad she will be in a safe car from now on.
The boys requested that their friends Steven and Tyler come over to play, so that became the plan as I am friends with their mother; Carol, we would all have some company. We had a few hours before she could come over so we spent the afternoon cleaning, Mark and I got the bed for Gavin, (it should be delivered sometime this week). He and I discussed the idea of a new living room set. We have been going over changing things around in the house for a few months now. We currently have a living room, where the main tv and game systems are, a computer room/office which should be a dining room, and a den area which currently hold my dining room table and has been the dining room area for several years now. Mark and I have discussed the idea of returning the dining room to it's original purpose (I want to replace the floors first, but all in good time) and making the den area a den. He originally wanted to make this "our" room, and get a few recliners for us to watch tv, use the computer, and relax. The thing is, I host several of my gathering's and parties back there. If we have a few recliners, where will people sit or do projects? Thinking the dining room. Yes this works but the kids all hang out in the living room which is OPEN to the dining room, we would have absolutely NO PRIVACY whats so ever and the NOISE would be a nightmare. Re-thinking.....which made us re-think the purchase of two new recliners. Back to square one. Bed for child done, and NO additional debt to take on right now either. That is the most important in my opinion anyways.
It's funny how much I complain about money and not ever having enough, but then we EAT out almost ALL the time, and I did do my bi-monthly grocery shopping on Friday afternoon. BTW I saved over $88-. Love that!
This is a luxury I do not think I can get my family or myself to tear away from. We simply LOVE food!!! We decided to have a nice dinner out at Smokey Bone's and guess what? I had a $10- off coupon so I feel somewhat justified...and it was delicious!!!

Gavin had the ever popular BBQ dish of bacon burger, Ben also kept the BBQ plan with a Turkey club. (do you note the sarcasm), at least his Turkey club had a BBQ mayo. Notice they do not look up from the GAME systems. I am surprised they stopped to eat.
 

Mark had a more traditional BBQ of pulled pork, brisket, mashed potatoes, corn and country toast. I had a pulled pork sammy with french fries. YUM!

Never do we walk away from Smokey Bones still hungry or unsatisfied. YUMMMMMM!!
We spent the evening waiting for friends to come over. Tyler did and the boys had a good time. We watched Paul Blart Mall Cop. Tyler's birthday was Sunday. We will need to get him a card. Happy Birthday Tyler!!!
I would have enjoyed some time with Carol, but I was tired anyways and fell asleep pretty early for a Saturday evening.
As many know Sunday we lost an hour...I hate daylight savings time, so heading to bed early was a good thing. I don't know about you but it never seems to affect me until Monday.

 We were up and out the door heading towards Rochester, NY by 9am (8am in actual brain time). Rochester is mid-way between Buffalo and Syracuse and approximately an hour and 1/2 from our home.

 Rochester was home to George Eastman of the Kodak company, RIT and Rochester University.  Fredrick Douglas, and Susan B. Anthony are both known to have resided there and are buried there as well.
 Mark spent four years attending college at University of Rochester, I took my CASAC exam there as well as some training, and we have all gone to visit the Strong Museum of Play. (If you  have little kids and are in the area it is highly recommended and TONS of fun!!) Other thing the area are places like Sea Breeze amusement park, and The Finger Lake's race course (now a race-cino). Go south from Rochester and your in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country. Good location for keeping busy, and the visit this time was no different.

Mark intended to show us a little of his old home, so we were off to The University of Rochester. He showed us his old dorms, the science buildings the classrooms, local hangouts and the like.

 The nipple of Knowledge.

I thought these two items were a little different from things I saw in my college days. Water bottle fill stations and Gender Neutral restroom. 

 It was all very beautiful campus and apparently the kids are on Spring Break so we didn't have to many people bumping into us. Above Mark reported used to be where he made Sandwich's for some extra cash.

We even got out to tour the campus on foot. He was not impressed with the blending of old and new, and he commented that several things added were not there when he attended (nearly 20 years ago). I thought they did a nice job of keeping the school charm while adding the new advanced culture of todays college student.

The boys were most impressed with the TUNNELS. There are a host of tunnels that connect underground from one building to another. There are some new tunnels; shown above with bathroom access, emergency phones, and water fill up stations as well, but the older ones are quite different, but interesting in their own right.

These are the tunnels Mark remembers.

This tunnel opened up into the court yard. We found the School Center, as well as George Eastman himself. Apparently he is ready for Spring Break with his bikini and everything. George donated many dollars to U of R!!!

We headed back towards the library, crowned with the "nipple of knowledge". I never stopped to really look at building architecture and design until I started focusing on my photography skills. This old building had a lot of character, so I allowed my camera skills to play. (still have work to do I'm afraid, but I'm getting there.)
Once  inside, the boys were on a mission to get to the tippy tip top. We all just started up as many stairs as we could find.

We unfortunately ran into a dead end. (Professors offices) but I got a good work out and we caught these Greek Gods/Godess's waiting in the hall for us to ascend upwards.

It was getting close to lunch time, and we still had 1/2 the day to enjoy so we headed back to the car and hit Downtown Rochester heading towards The Rochester Museum of Science.

Blog Problems...end of the week Ya WHOO!!!

I have been struggling with this site the last five days or so. I'm not sure what the problem is. So this is my test to see if things are, up to code!
Thursday I got Gavin early from school. It was the first warm day we have had in what seems like forever, and when I say warm I mean it was about 40 degree's. HEAT WAVE!!!
We had a mission to drop off Lexi at work then take the dogs to the Dog Park. First calling was to indulge in one of those SHAMROCK shakes!!!

I have to get one every March...they are so yummy. YUM! I understand mixing it with chocolate is YUMMY too!
Then off to the dog park. Dogs were in heaven!!! We spent about 45-50 minutes letting the canines run themselves silly before we called it a night. Friday I was off to Vera House for work and Gavin had 1/2 day of school. The afternoon was spent in total LAZY bliss. I have been watching the TV show MOM on demand. It's about this dysfunctional family of recovering alcoholics, somehow I get the twisted humor. I spent a few hours watching the past shows.

 Other news of the week; Basement is finally completely clean out, new dryer arrived. I was scheduled to work as someone was apparently dying earlier in the week, and wasn't the day I was to come in and cover. (My husband was again livid). My scrap room is organized and cleaned out, and I have sorted through about a million pictures. I ordered 8 CTMH studio J layouts and cannot wait for them to get here!!! Seems like I have been pretty busy when you sum it up like this. Week end was GREAT!! I have over 100 pictures of Rochester, NY which I will post later, and right NOW....I cannot believe I scheduled myself to work my volunteer shift at Vera House on the Monday following a Spring forward hour change and I can feel myself resisting the demand to go....Looks like my blog is actually working again, so I will post this TEST and credit my husband for working a magical miracle. (I don't think he even realizes he did).  Til later...cheers!

A trip to BIG LOTS, an analysis of DISCOUNT USA!!!

Monday was non-productive. I accepted a few dates to cover for work, developed 40 of the nearly 2,000 undeveloped pictures I have waiting, (I had a coupon, although the deal would have cost me about the same if I sent them out instead of getting them instant.) I cleaned floors for Riley to track MUD on to, (Just where he found brown in the sea of white is unknown, but he found it). I was, if you can imagine quite PO'd and now needed carpet cleaner. My daughter and I wasted about an hour of our lives being silly at Big Lot's.

(this is clearly NOT a Big Lot's picture I took....it is lacking the SNOW, but the all look the same)

 The showerless, braless, bad hair day dash to the store was for some simple cleaning supplies ended with me walking out with $23- dollars of JUNK but I just had to get that toilet bowl hanging deodorizer/cleaner thing (that does not clean or hang), and those St. Patrick's day decorations that we know will get lost before next year or become destroyed before this years. Yeah!!!! SOMETIMES I JUST CANNOT PASS UP A GOOD DEAL...right. Those stores are like the $1- stores, it SEEMS like such a GREAT deal, but ultimately you buy a ton of crap. Of the $23- I got 1 bottle of cleaner, and 2 love my carpets totaling about $5- the rest was stuff I did NOT NEED. Sad but true, I actually stopped myself on multiple items that did not make it home with me...including a box of HoHo's and Zingers marked down to $2.75. THEY DON'T MAKE HOSTESS GOODIES ANYMORE......THIS IS LIKE BUYING GOLD!!!!! So they are at Big Lots because...........? they specialize in RARE (as in no one wants) hot ticket items at a CHEEP price. I am not knocking Big Lots, I am making fun of myself and the thousands of other who do the exact same thing. Hell my daughter; also showerless, braless and having a bad hair day, went just to keep her mom company, spent $55-!!!! Admittedly she purchased birthday items for a friend, but she CLEARLY is my genetic off-spring.

There is something about stores like these that allure permission to pick things up and put them in your cart...The store SCREAMS CHEEP!!! The aisles are lined with Orange, White and Black Signs reading Prices Slashed!!!! 70% OFF, DEALS!!!!  All rational is gone.

 Dollar Stores are the same way. I simply toss items into my little green basket, (I stopped getting carts at the dollar store for my own financial health) with out even thinking.

 I have driven out of my way to go to one of those Five Below stores on the belief that I CAN find that ultimate cheep gift that the person will think I spent a fortune on.

 I do not reside near a Family Dollar, so I rarely make an appearance but the other day I entered one as I ran out of windshield washer fluid. I felt I had died and gone to heaven. I could SO easily have LOST control with the CRAP I could have brought home from this place. What Family Dollar does to make it all seem even more OKAY to buy that not needed item is the little red mark down stickers.....There is NOTHING like finding a CLEARANCE rack at a Family Dollar. I found myself standing at the Family Dollar clearance section picking up random food items I had never heard of and thinking, "hun.....discounted at nearly 1/2 off the already cheep price" and actually holding it in my hand as a consideration. Hello? I have never eaten nor has anyone else on this planet eaten such an item and consideration of buying has crossed my mind.... I got my washer fluid (at an AMAZING price btw) and RAN out of there. I think I may have even told the cashier who honestly looked like her JOB at Family Dollar was as exciting as having a wisdom tooth pulled. "Someone like me could get in trouble in here". I don't think she got it. 

These discount stores seem to put you in a TRANCE!

I am in some dream land as items are placed into my cart, budgets are a thing of the past. HOW CAN YOU GET ANYMORE ON TOP OF YOUR BUDGET WHEN YOUR PAYING SO VERY LITTLE AFTER ALL????? This is MAKING YOUR BUDGET WORK FOR YOU!!! 

Needless to say,I almost always get a case of the guilt's when I get to the cashier.....As I start placing the items on the counter I think to myself.... just why did I pick this up? I have, on a rare occasion put things to the side, but usually let the item slide into that big orange bag to take home. I almost ALWAYS say in response to their ever PROMPTED question 

"Did you find everything you were looking for?" 

with "and then some" and a chuckle. 

It's almost like I need validation from the cashier that I AM NORMAL. I

 will wait as they continue the discussion with ...

"everyone says that.."

If I don't get that response I find myself justifying these meaningless purchases to these total strangers.....PLEASE VALIDATE that everyone else buys their 24th pair of $2- ear buds because the last 23 broke and you were to cheap to outright buy the $20- pair in the first place. Remind me again just HOW delicious these no-name, stale, looks a little like oreo cookie's with NO expiration date cookies are!!! PLEASE MR CASHIER!!!!!! TELL ME I AM NORMAL!!!! TELL ME I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO COMES AWAY FROM YOUR REGISTRAR WITH A BAG FULL OF CRAP!!!!! He didn't take the bait.....

Again I am not knocking these types of stores....I LOVE the Dollar Store, Big Lots and the like. I have several items still well loved and used almost daily items that I picked up from places like this. I simply need to look at the bigger picture. These Stores Survive on the impulse CRAP buys and a good shopper will resist the compulsion to  pick up that NOT NEEDED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE item. I have gotten much better, believe it or not! 

 Best suggestions on saving yourself the please validate me cash out at places like these...
1.Go with an intended purpose. I have, (just a few times) gone with a mission to get cleaning supplies (Big Lots does in fact have GREAT deals on cleaning supplies) and come out with JUST cleaning supplies
 2.  Have a list and make it clear on what you will be buying, (I do this specifically at places like Aldi's or the Dollar Tree). I use a list for all grocery store trips.
 3. Do NOT browse. Know where you need to go to get said item, head there get it and exit the store IMMEDIATELY. This will make impulse buys less risky.
 4. Leave the debit/credit card at home....bring CASH only. This tip I use at several of my shopping trips. It prevents me from exceeding WAY over my planned expense .I attempt only to use my debit card for gas or emergency purchases.
5. If you really want to keep yourself from that GUILT purchase...not only avoid credit/debit cards, but only bring a small amount of cash. You can't buy it of you don't have the money.
6. If you do pick up those few impulse purchases ask yourself these questions before you put in your cart/bin etc. Do I need this item? Will I use this item?  Is this item REALLY worth it? This is how I avoided buying Zingers and Ding Dongs yesterday. I sure do NOT need them, they may get use...but by me personally and quite possibly within the first few minutes I get the box home....and NO it's not worth the price or the fat on my already large arse. That was an easy one. I lost the battle with the Irish decorations. $6- for a cheep fabric clover and rainbow was really not worth the price NO matter how COLORFUL it looks on my door next to that SEA of WHITE SNOW....but I bought it anyway....and this my friends is what these American chain discount stores BANK on!!!! and I am one of those AMERICAN SUCKERS!!!! Hey...enjoy your day!

Cold and Snow...with no place to go!!!

 Friday, after looking at the SNOW and grumbling (despite how pretty I really have had enough),

I made my way to the gym, and a few stores. I found myself some workout pants, sneakers and boots for cheep!!! Cheep is nice!!!
Still SNOW..... I decided to clean the kitchen, did some yoga, and a few Zumba steps I found on Youtube to music from the 70's. Music can get me moving...how about you? Mark was gone to his mothers to assist her in moving so it was just the boy and me all weekend long. Gavin and I had a no thoughts dinner of toasted cheese for him and egg salad (minus the olives) for me.

 Nice job...do you think?

 My CTMH order came in and my evening consisted of crafting the workshop on the go, the Skylark pack. I like it it's pretty. I went to bed pretty early and easily fell asleep.
Saturday, Gavin was on a mission to find a certain video game at the video store so we made plans to hit up the video store, get a few things for the evenings dinner and crawl back into the cave locking ourselves in from the cold, wet, winter mess surrounding us.
No luck with the video game, but he scored several video's.. I love getting videos from Family video, the movies we want are almost always there, and I pay about the same as at Redbox. One of the movies he rented didn't work, and when we returned it today, they gave us the video game that finally came in for FREE.
We stopped at Wegmans for a few items and I picked up my favorite soup; Wegman's broccoli white cheddar. YUMMMYYYY!!!!

Gavin wanted a Wendy's salad and chicken nuggets, so I agreed and we found for $1- we could score a FREE frosty anytime we got some food until the end of Aug. He was psyched with his salad, nuggets and FREE frosty! The $1- key tag supports Adoption. Check out if your area Wendy's has this.

 I made a decision that the basement NEEDED to be cleaned out...Last Saturday Mark informed me (right after I had made plans to make a substantial payment on the new bed we put on layaway.) that the damn dryer bit the dust. We have had it for about 8 years (what is the lifespan of a dryer anyways?) I just Google it and it was recommended we fix it as they should live 14 years. Opps!!! We had problems with this set from the time we bought it, and have already replaced the washer after having multiple service workers in to try an fix it, best solution is get it replaced, but we are NOT financially at a place to simply slap down a few hundred for a dryer. Anyways...we ordered a new one and it will be here Wednesday...and the basement is a MESS!!! I am embarrassed to say that this was what I started with.
BEFORE:

It continues to be a work in progress, I cranked the music and made the most dent I have in years. Still needs a lot of work.
CURRENTLY:

Looking much more organized.

Things have somewhat of a place. Wonder why we have TWO Life games? Is that because we really ned to get a LIFE!!! (Bad joke).

My plan was to finish it today, but I got sidetracked with a few hours reading the newspaper, trolling the internet, playing with my scrap stuff and watching The Dallas Buyers Club. (It was pretty good.). As I finish up this post I am even more glad to say I watched a movie that WON two Oscar awards!!! Best Actor: Matthew MCConaughey and Best Supporting Actor: Jared Letto.

Here is the trailer.
While internet searching/stocking I enjoy reading blogs, pinning pins, and playing stupid FB games. This is all terribly addicting. I stumbled upon a few fun sites for women one was about Glamping. I stole this definition from the urban dictionary". Going camping, but with glamour. A combination of the two words. It's like regular camping , but with nicer things than usual, being warmer, and more comfortable. Glamping isn't done by usual outdoor types who climb mountains."
We have always had camping sites with electric so we could watch TV.....LOL. I most enjoyed the site Maryjanes farmgirl sisterhood. Let me see if I can get a link to it.
 http://www.farmgirlsisterhood.org/
try this.

Anyways. It had tons of information, pictures and a women's "club" "group" that one can sign up to be involved with. I'm not sure if they meet up, or if this is my thing, but I did get a kick out of the badges that one can earn. How fun is that???? It's like being an ADULT GIRL SCOUT!!! After some consideration I decided that the badges are just to much work for me to try and earn, but it was fun to consider. There are so many things I have never done on these lists that it might be fun just to try. Something like make my own apron, or run for some political seat.
Another fun women's group is the Sister's on the Fly.
http://www.sistersonthefly.com

These women travel together camping in their vintage campers simply having tons of FUN!!!! They can earn badges too. Their badges seem a little more like fun then the hard work of the farm girls. Some are things like make a signature mixed drink. I have a "shot" (pun on words get it) of earning these type of badges.
Both seem like so much fun. It's nice to know that there are groups like this out there for women to embrace each other. I think I am drawn to these groups, because they so remind me of my Grandmother. She was a big traveler and spent many years traveling with tour groups and such. I bet she would have been a sister on the Fly or a Farmgirl in a heartbeat. I know she struggled after my grandparents divorce. Something like these groups would have been right up her ally. I so wish I had more time with her. It makes it all the more important to spend that time with my own mom!!! I could see her being one of these women too, but she would already blow off the badges in the crafting section, and she has just taken on a new business venture. I have some pretty amazing strong female footsteps to follow......

Can you see NOW why the basement never got completed???? Anyways..I had hoped to have this blog out last evening, but now it is Monday morning and another week lay ahead. SNOW still, but at least it's not NEW, COLD  yes, but NOT nearly AS COLD. Is Spring on it's way? I'm not convinced quite yet, but hopeful. Enjoy your day!