Can't Get Enough of This

My New Coffee Table

$179.99 @ Ikea

Working Grandma Hero

This evening I witnessed a customer berating a poor CVS checkout clerk about an Extracare savings coupon. This lovely specimen of the public was under the impression that anyone can use Extracare coupons. She was owed money and was paid in a coupon (ha ha what a gyp) She thought coupon = money = transferable - totally ignoring the code at the bottom of each Extracare coupon. What is she, new? I learned the coupon ropes eons ago.

As the line behind this woman grew and as she became more belligerent which made the clerk more flustered, I had to speak up. I told her, "Ma'am the coupon is connected to your CVS card, not your name." That shut her up long enough for her to ask for the manager. Good luck getting any satisfaction that route! I have never seen anyone treat anyone else so poorly over a stupid coupon. Plus, the clerk looked like someone's Grandma!

Granted, I wasn't being solely altruistic I was in the line behind the moron customer so she was inconveniencing me along with several others. But I think my need to cut through her bullshit was part sticking up for the little guy and remembering when I was a checkout clerk at that same CVS. The lesson learned is check the fine print on coupons and CVS Extracare coupons are not transferable. Pass the lesson along and stick up for the working grandmas

Catalogue Shopping Crazy

I decided to buy some clothes from a catalogue I have never ordered from. This could be disastrous or a great find. I'll keep you updated!


I like using these kind of shirts as layering options in the cold weather. I bought a ruby and navy blue one.



This could look awesome or horrible. I just loved the look of it and luckily my ass is flat so it will fall well in the back. It's iffy because I can't tell how long it is before it flares out and I have a long torso...


I went to high school and college in the 90's. I simply cannot pass up a chance to buy plaid flannel. Oh yeah, my mother's family is Scottish. Ach, it is in me bones!


Since my chest is miniscule, any gathering or business on the top of a shirt is good for me. I bought the stonewash denim color version of this.

I resisted the urge to buy long skirts and leggings. Is it me or are the late 80's back? My prediction for next year - baby doll dresses will be in (Oh 8th grade and Amy Grant's "Baby, Baby" how I missed you).

Leo to Virgo Then to Libra

This past weekend I packed up a bunch of stuff and discovered that I have stashed way too much crap throughout my parents house to actually be packed up by Oct 3. On the up side, my parents are cool with me gradually moving smaller stuff out of their house in October. The movers have been booked (the same place as last time) and Friday I'm measuring each room of my new apartment so I can use graph paper to figure out furniture layout.

Also, on Friday I am getting blood test results back. I might have hypothyroidism or anemia. I'm just hoping I have something diagnosable through bloodwork because I am sick of feeling so crummy! Also, if it's a thyroid problem, I get to pop a pill and lose 10 lbs with no work. Ha! Anemia would be boring but it's funny timing since I was considering trying out being a vegetarian.

Tolkien Narcolepsy

For the past several years, watching The Lord of the Rings Trilogy meant two things - it was winter and I was lying snuggled up on my couch.

TNT totally threw me off my game yesterday. It was sunny and almost 80 yet they showed the entire triolgy. Where was I? Snuggled up on the couch. At least I got that part right. Damn TNT...

Looking For a Job?

My department is hiring for two positions. If you or someone you know is looking for a finance/billing/analysis kind of job, contact me! If you have any healthcare experience, that is a plus. It is full-time with benefits downtown. Transportation is reimbursed about 50% (parking and mbta).

I really enjoy the work here. Plus, the people are amazing. We are looking for a good fit since we've been getting a crazy array of resumes. You don't have to have 100% applicable backgrounds but you do should have the competencies for the job.

Working in a Leper Colony

This week over half my department has been out with some sickness. Throughout the cubicle maze on my floor, you can hear people hacking away, sneezing, and/or blowing their noses. The train isn't any better. Commuters hacking away... I guess the start of the school year is affecting parents in many ways!

At least I know why I have been exhausted this past week. Tuesday I went to bed at 8pm because I was so spent then I woke up exhausted. It looks like this flu season is going to be a doozy regardless of H1N1!

The New Game Obsession

A couple weeks ago, I discovered the Diner Dash demo on my new cell phone. I started playing it on the the train and all of a sudden, I was at my stop! I played the game all night and had to charge my phone as I slept. Within a week, I bought the computer version. There is also a Nintendo DS version. Gee, I wonder how many different devices I could load with Diner Dash?

I like how with each level, you start with a cash goal. I also like the different varieties of customers. A while ago, I was cursing out the existence of businesswomen in the game. But I learned that if you're attentive, they can really make or break the level for you. I always seat the old folks very last. On my home computer, I have made it to restaurant #5. Ironically enough, having 4 arms doesn't help! I have been stuck on a level for days and I'm cursing free apps.

How Verizon Actually Sucks

1. Their services aren't actually cheaper (contrary to advertising)

2. Their installation and customer service is just as bad as the next company. (drilling holes all over your house, not grounding any wires and wiring your house to look like a Xmas tree)

3. It takes a whole minute to turn on your TV with one of their DVR's. You have to wait with a black screen for 60 seconds. Ditto when you try to flip between stations.

4. Several times a day, entire channels cut out.

5. Their onscreen programming guide is never correct.

To the Lady Who Almost Backed into Me at Shaws

When you back up a car, you CANNOT rely solely on mirrors. You actually have to move your head and look around you. If a pedestrian is forced to a complete stop on the opposite side of the parking row, you might need to actually turn your car a bit more.

Additionally, if you decide to pull your bleached blonde Revere hair over in your old tacky red sports car to yell at the pedestrian, EPIC FAIL. It is not the pedestrian's fault that you don't know how to drive.

Hair Growth That Isn't a Scam!

Back in July, I decided to try out a new hair treatment at the local salon. I had always loved Framesi so when I read about the treatments, and saw the price, I booked an appointment. It was quite simply an awesome and relaxing experience. I chose to try the exfoliating scalp treatment with the hair follicle release treatment.

If you love scalp massages, and don't mind looking like Larry from the 3 Stooges, you'll love the exfoliating scalp treatment. I could feel the extra circulation in my scalp.

The hair follicle release treatment is just a special shampoo and some drops. It smells like blueberries and it really works! I have very fine thin hair and am trying to grow out my hair. I bought the home maintenance kit ($100 - yikes) and have an inch of new growth! I wasn't insanely anal about sticking with the regimen but did it when I remembered. It definitely paid off. Also, the restruturing program smells like sunflowers. There's a reason why these treatments smell so great. the ingredients are all natural.

I highly recommend checking out your local Dellaria salon and trying one of these treatments. You actually get results. It's so nice not to be scammed by a beauty product!

My New Apartment

This Monday, I found my new apartment. Tonight, I am signing the paperwork and cutting a check. I will be moving October 3.

So, here are the details: It is a 3rd floor 2 bedroom with a ton of storage space. The main bedroom is 13'x15'. The second bedroom is 11'x11'. It is in Quincy and within walking distance of the center T stop. No utilities are included but it does have a programmable thermostat and I do work full-time. Parking is on-street but that shouldn't be a huge problem. Thank God that Quincy has a saner snow parking policy than Waltham! It isn't as huge as my old Waltham apartment but that was a bit too big and impersonal. This apartment has a ton of character and coziness. Plus, it comes with a washer and dryer in the unit.