this little life of mine

1.  So, yesterday I had an appointment in SLO, and thought I'd take advantage of the fact that I had to drive in to work, and go to the Farmer's Market. Unfortunately it rained. Not much. Only sprinkled, really. But they cancelled Farmer's Market anyway, so I ended up having a late lunch (chicken Caesar salad at Novo - so good!), browsing through a couple of my favourite stores (Hands Gallery and Hep Katz), then going home. It wasn't a total loss, thought, as I found and purchased an adorable Christmas tea towel for the kitchen! Pictures soon!

2.  Also since it kinda rained yesterday, I tried out my new rain boots. Sadly two of the eyelets on the left boot broke when I went to lace them up. It's annoying, but I think I can push them back into place, and it doesn't really affect how they function. They will not be getting a four-star review on the website, however! Also sadly, it pretty much quit raining after my doctor appointment so by the time I got back downtown to have lunch, I kinda looked ridiculous stomping around in slightly too-big rain boots on quickly drying pavement.

3. Now, of course this morning, just as I was leaving for the bus stop, it POURED rain. It rained and rained and rained. But, I already had my new black leather Converse high tops on, and didn't have time to change into the rain boots I really should have worn! Such is my luck!

4. Last weekend I went to K-Mart to look for some sheet straps so I can use some of my flannel sheets on my new adjustable bed without the bottom sheet popping off when I sit up, and ended up buying those plus four new sweaters! I did not need four new sweaters, but they were cute, and they were 40% off, and they fit, so ... voila! Four new sweaters! Now the only problem was that I need to remove four sweaters I currently own to make space for them. At first I wasn't sure I could do it, as I just went through all my sweaters last summer, and got rid of a bunch, keeping only the ones I really really liked, before buying a few new ones. But, as luck would have it, I found four sweaters I had not yet worn this season, crammed in the bottom of a drawer, and frankly, I'd forgotten all about them! So four old, forgotten sweaters are going to Goodwill, and four new sweaters will be worn and enjoyed by me!

5.  Speaking of forgetting things, yesterday I realized I'd forgotten all about December Reflections! Now, I'm woefully behind but I hope to have some time this weekend to catch up!

I hope you're all having a great week! Any super fun plans for the weekend? Or just chillin' (like I hope to do!)? Whatever your plans, enjoy! Cheers!

For those of you stopping by from Holidailies (Hi!), I've been doing this weekly bullet-list on Fridays for a while now. Typically I use it to recap my week and share a photo since I am a bad, bad blogger, and rarely update more regularly than Teaser Tuesdays! Recently I've been thinking of revamping my Friday Five to include some interesting links I've come across, or a quote, or a favourite whatever-I'm-enjoying-right-now. Maybe I'll work on that for next year. For now, however, here are five amazingly interesting things about this past week. Enjoy!

1.  I've been to the dentist twice this week. TWICE! Last month I broke a tooth, and had to have a crown made. This week the crown came in, and was installed on Tuesday. Tuesday night, after the numbing agent wore off, I realized my new tooth was too tall and I couldn't properly close my jaw or chew my food. First thing Wednesday I called to get an appointment to have it adjusted, and thankfully they had an opening THAT DAY! So, long story short, after a lot of time spent in the dentist chair this week, I now have a crown that fits much, much better in my mouth. It's not 100%, but it's good enough: I can close my mouth, chew comfortably, and am not in any pain. As far as I'm concerned, that's a big win!

2.  I just finished a bottle of a very wonderful perfume - Love Story by Chloe. I really enjoyed the fresh, light, floral fragrance the past couple of months, and will definitely be purchasing it again one day. Now, I'm trying to decide whether to jump into my go-to fragrance, Burberry Brit, or try a new rollerball I bought recently, Kate Spade's Walk on Air. Let me know in the comments if you have an opinion!

3.  OMG, PACKERS! YES!! WHAT AN AWESOME COMEBACK!!! (Sorry, the game just ended, and I'M SO EXCITED!)

4. Ahem. Anyway, looking forward, I recently purchased some cute Christmas accessories and clothes, and I'm very happy it's finally December, and I can start wearing them! I'm usually too late to the game to wear Christmas-themed earrings and sweaters, but this year, I was on top of it, and bought stuff early! Stay tuned for pictures!!

5. And speaking of pictures, here's a picture from this past March, and one of my favourite shots of 2015. Cheers!

1. So I recently received a POS coupon when I was shopping at Vons for a free reusable shopping bag from Shutterfly. Now, to be honest, I usually just toss the extra non-grocery-type coupons/ads, but this one caught my eye, and I thought, what the heck! So I logged into the website, chose a reusable grocery bag design I liked, picked a fun photo (this is one my favourite shots from last year's trip to Monterey, which I tentatively titled "Jellyfish Paparazzi"),and placed the order. The coupon code took care of the price of the bag, but I believe I still had to pay for shipping, tax, etc. Still, it wasn't too bad! And, I think it turned out really cute! I guess it pays to check out those store coupons after all!

2.  This past weekend I went though a couple boxes of old stamping magazines and a manila folder full of snippets I'd cut out of magazines, and photographed all of them so I could just get rid of the magazines and bits of paper. I couldn't believe all the random crap I had! It was so nice to toss all the miscellaneous junk! Some of magazines, though, I will try to sell on eBay, because, who knows, someone might like some old issues of Rubberstamp Madness!

 3. I also went though 2 boxes of stamped cards I created over the years, photographed the designs, and shredded them. I don't know why I was keeping all those; it was stupid, really! I feel so much better that they're all gone! I mean, I still have a picture of the design, if I ever want to check to make sure I don't make a duplicate (or if I DO, I have the design to copy!), so there was no point in keeping the actual card. I did, however, keep a bunch of my old Christmas cards (nearly 20 cards!) I've made over the years, and plan to use them up this year for various Christmas card exchanges. So, I apologize in advance is you happen to get a duplicate card from me, but I didn't keep track of who has received what in the past 15 or so years!

4. Last Sunday I broke a tooth, so I got to spend Tuesday afternoon at the dentist getting a temporary crown attached. Yay! Except, no, not really, duh, it sucks. I mean, My dentist is a really cool guy and all, but I prefer to see him for a few moments just a couple times a year, thankyouverymuch! Anyway, I get my permanent crown December 1st, which, thankfully won't be as painful an appointment as this was!

5.  So, that's all for this week! Happy Friday the 13th, y'all! Try not to walk under any ladders, spill any salt, or break any mirrors! Cheers! 

TGIF! Happy Friday to you all! Here are some random thoughts from my brain:

1. I feel a month of no internet coming on. I did this a couple years ago - I think it was 2012 - where I took the month of September off from surfing the internet, blogging, and social media. I allowed myself email (for family emergencies), texts (from my trainer and/or medical appointments), and eBay (in case I sold anything), and I believe I was allowed to do research and/or make necessary purchases online. Everything else, however, was a no-no: No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, or blogging. I think it might be time to do this again.

2.  I also feel a social media purge coming. At the very least I'm going to take some time very soon to go through my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds, and remove any stagnant friends and/or people who's posts or comments on certain topics offend me. Life is just too short to be upset or stressed out everyday because of what people are saying or doing online. 

Honestly, I believe the stress and emotional upset from constantly seeing offensive or hurtful posts and comments is one of the main reasons I feel the need to spend some time away from the internet. That and reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (and listening to the audio version) has inspired me to reduce ALL the clutter in my life - not just the stuff in my house, but the stuff online as well!

3.  Speaking of online stuff: OMG, I can't believe I forgot The August Break this year!! It's one of my favourite photography projects and one I usually look forward to every year! I just don't know where my mind is at this year! Sheesh!

4.  So, I need a new mattress. My mom and I were going to buy new mattresses last weekend, but I really didn't feel like it, and neither did she. Mom opted to have me order a new mattress topper for her, and I figured I'd be just fine with what I have for a few more years, because really, it's not that bad! However, this past week I've been achy and sore, and I'm tossing and turning a lot more, and I think I just really need a new mattress! I just hate shopping for them! Gah!

5. And finally, your Friday Photo: a sunrise over Santa Margarita, taken about a week or so ago out of the bus window on the way to work. Have a great weekend, everyone! Cheers!

Another week down ... hoo, boy is this year flying by! Already we're talking about Halloween and Holiday plans at work, and kids are already going back to school! Un. Real.

Anyway, here's five random things for you:

1.  You've probably heard about our local wildfilre. As of this morning, it has burned 3,500 acres and they hope to have it fully contained by next Wednesday. And, while some residence of Santa Margarita were evacuated for a couple days, I believe everyone is home now, and school has even started! I think we got really lucky on this one, and I sincerely hope this is all the fire this county will see!

2.  Tonight is favourite A-Town activity: Hot El Camino Cruise Night. They close off part of the main drag, people line the sidewalks on either side with lawn chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and even picniks, and watch as gorgeous classic cars and hot rods cruise up and down the street. I'll get to enjoy a little bit of it because they're closing my regular bus stop at 4 today, so I'll be walking from the only bus stop in town (by the Grocery Store Formerly Known as Albertson's) back to my car. Sure, I could've probably just driven today, but I really didn't want to, and besides, it's only about a half-hour walk, and I can use the exercise!

3. Last weekend mom and I stopped by Buckets of Books in Atascadero and I was able to find the last two books for my 2015 Classic Books reading challenge: Around the World in 80 Days, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. I'm excited to start them both! I'm contemplating next year's titles already, and am considering reading 1 novel by each of the Bronte sisters, and then maybe reading two biographies of historical figures. I dunno, but the thought just came to me and I liked it!

4. This weekend I have a 3-day weekend, as I'm taking Monday off. I have a doctor's appointment in the morning, and then mom and I are going mattress shopping. So here's my question: Do any of you have a mattress that you absolutely LOVE and would love to recommend? I'm considering the Tempur-Flex, but I guess I'll just have to try different mattresses to see which one I really like best.

5. And, finally, for fire fighter fans, an admittedly blurry shot taken out of the window of the bus on the way home of a couple of fire fighters along the Cuesta Grade earlier this week. This part of the Grade is done burning now, so all you see now is black soil and charred foliage. Fingers crossed we'll see no more of this! Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll see you next week! Cheers!

So, this week was slightly better than last for a few reasons:

1. I rid myself of TONS of unnecessary items in my bathroom last weekend. You can read all about it here. I'm really enjoying having less stuff sitting on my bathroom counter. I still have quite a bit (leave-in-conditioners and other sundry hair treatments, as well as face creams), but I'm quickly using the stuff up, and vow to NOT BUY ANYMORE until I'm absolutely, completely OUT of something!

2. We had some unwanted excitement at the bus stop Tuesday evening when two thugs decided to beat the living daylights out of each other. It started off with first guy mouthing off, dropping F-bombs right and left at this other guy, and for a few moments I thought it was just two guy-friends messing round, because, you know, that's how guys are sometimes. But apparently, the two were not buddies, and The Other Guy took great offense, and punched F-bomb Guy in the face. Blood everywhere! Then it was on, punches were thrown back and forth, and they even started spitting blood-tinged saliva at each other. Thankfully, right about then our driver returned from his break, and when he saw what was happening, he quickly ushered us on the bus, saying, "Let's get you folks, outta here!" As we were waiting at least two people called 911, and within a couple minutes three patrol cars arrived, and the officers separated the two. We took off about then so the last I saw of the brawlers one was being patted down by an officer, and the other was talking to two other officers, and we were safely away! It was a pretty scary experience (one I hope to NEVER repeat!), and I'm just so thankful neither of them was armed!

3.  I finally wore a new pair of shoes I bought a few weeks ago. I've been wearing them around the house trying to stretch them out. They're better, but I still had to use some moleskin on my heels because they rub, and I knew before I left the house I'd get blisters. Still, if they make it through the day without totally killing my feet, I'll buy a pair in black as well!

4.  This weekend we're going to hit our favourite used books store to drop off more books we're finished with as well as pick up some new titles. I'm hoping to find The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, as they're the last two books on my Classics list for this year.

5. Finally, this week went by FAST!! I swear I missed a day in there - Wednesday, maybe? - because all of a sudden it's Friday! Not that I'm complaining, mind you, I'm just surprised. And thrilled! So, what are your weekend plans, if you have any? I hope you all have a super fun time, and I'll see you next week! Cheers!

Well, this first week of August has been incredibly dull. However, here are a few of the highlights:

1. Things have been cray cray at work this week; lots of nutty, crazy people, and weird stuff keeps coming up. I think we're still feeling the effects of the Blue Moon we had at the end of last month. Hopefully we're done with it and next week can be calmer.

2. I know I said I wasn't going to go to the Central Coast Writer's Conference (it was just last week, wasn't it?) this year, but I ended up talking myself into it yesterday. There are really only two sessions I'm interested in, but I wound up curious enough about them to sign up. There really wasn't much else except a couple of the other sessions on topics I've had before (YA, and World Building), but with different people this time, so maybe the information will be different as well. Who knows? Still, I'm hoping it'll be fun, and I won't end up regretting it!

3.  I went through a few more dresser drawers as well as my closet again this past weekend, and ended up with a full garbage bag of Goodwill stuff as well as a couple smaller bags of actual garbage. There was a lot more stuff I probably could've (SHOULD'VE) gotten rid of, but I was just not able to. At least not yet. I'm currently listening to the audio version of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, and getting a lot of inspiration from it. I really DO want to get rid of most of my stuff! I really DO want to have very few things to have to deal with and have ONLY things which "spark joy" and that I can and will use. I just need to stop forming emotional attachments to things, which, for me, is hard.

4. I finally got my toes done this week! This is Paz-itively Hot by OPI.

5. And, finally, surprise! my iris has suddenly bloomed! In August! All I can think is the rain we got a few weeks ago rejuvenated it! Typically, the irises bloom between February and April, sometimes May. This spring I don't think they came out at all, so this was a lovely and welcome sight!  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Cheers!

1.  I'm so excited! Finally after months of searching, I found my doctor! I'd been seeing her previously when she worked at the now-defunct Central Coast Healthcare. After that place went out of business in April (or, rather, moved to a different location under a different name, and associated with a different medical organization), I couldn't find her. She didn't go with them, and I was afraid I would have to find a brand new doctor all over again. Anyway, I saw a new clinic opening up in Atascadero, and when I went to check it out, there was her name on the banner! Yay! I made an appointment right away, and look forward to getting some stuff taken care of. Or at least looked at!

2.  So, I got my printer/scanner/copier set up last weekend, but haven't had a chance to print any new pictures yet. Actually I don't even have any really good new pictures to post, as I haven't been anywhere in ages! But soon. Hopefully, soon!

3. And, speaking of not going anywhere, I think I've decided to not attend the Writer's Conference this year.  I know, shocking, right?! I think I've gone every year since 2009 at least! There are a couple sessions that sound interesting, but over the past few years, I've taken sessions that sounded interesting, and while they were in some ways, in others they didn't really stick to the topic, or didn't discuss the topic in the way the description lead me to believe it would. I don't know. Maybe I'm a little bored with it in general. I don't know. It always seems very inspiring when I'm there - and even a while afterwards - but after a while, the rosy glow fades, and I'm left feeling just as lost as I was before.

4.  So, in an effort to jump-start my purging and organizing, I downloaded the audio version of Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It's pretty awesome, and I'm hoping to get rid of some more stuff this weekend! To anyone out there who wants to get tidy and organized, I highly recommend this book!

5.  And, finally, here's the latest inspirational sign from The Backyard:

Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll see you next week! Cheers!

Hello, good morning, and TGIF!! Happy Friday, everyone! Let's get started on our Friday Five:

1. So, I'm sure you've all heard about our BIG STORM last weekend - it was awesome! Tons of thunder and lightning, and RAIN! Actual RAIN! We got nearly 3" in our rain gauge. Our little froggie was doing a happy dance! (And so was I!)

2. Since I wasn't able to get any work done outside last weekend, that's probably what I'll do this weekend. I still have two decorations I purchased at  Hands Gallery downtown San Luis to put up, and I know everything was overgrown before the rain, so I'm sure it's totally wild out there now!

3.  My other plans for the weekend include setting up my new all-in-one printer/scanner/copier I purchased a couple weeks ago and posting some new Art Wall pictures. Due to the electrical storm that lasted through most of last Sunday, I elected to NOT use my computer last weekend! Why take a chance, right? Anyway, I'm excited to set it up and try it out this weekend!

4. I started reading Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee this past week, and am really enjoying it so far. I have reached the part in the book where the controversy is starting, and I must admit to feeling uncomfortable with all the "n" words flying off the page. But, I do understand the time in which the book takes place and the attitudes in the south during that time, so I realize that language is necessary to tell the story. It's still disconcerting for me, though!

5. A recent episode of House Hunters on HGTV actually featured a young couple looking for a home in either Atascadero and Paso Robles! I don't think it was a new last night, but it was quite exciting to see our beautiful Central Coast featured on a national TV show! They showed the very nice downtown areas of Atasacadero (The Carlton Hotel showed prominently in one shot, and another showed one of our favouite restaurants, Fig!), Paso Robles, and even Templeton! It was super cool! (And - no spoilers, but, FYI, I really loved that downtown Paso house!)

Has your hometown ever been featured on TV? Was it a positive or negative feature? Hope you all have a great weekend! Cheers!

TGIF, friends! I hope you've all had a lovely week! Here's your Friday Five for the week:

1. I had X-rays of my neck done earlier this week, and according to my chiropractor I have a slight problem. Where my neck (all of our necks, actually) should have a C-curve shape, mine is very nearly straight up and down, and a couple vertebrae are actually heading in the opposite direction. Not good, but hopefully correctable as it's been caught before any of the bones started touching and rubbing together which would not only be painful, but would eventually require surgery to correct. So I'm on a regimen of two adjustments per week and using a traction device at least four times a week at home. I'm optimistic this will correct the problem as well as me correcting my bad posture and general sitting position most of the day.

2.  I've been really enjoying the return of Bloom County this week! I used to read that comic strip all the time, and had two or three compilation books back in the day. I loved reading about the adventures of Opus and Bill the Cat. Ack!

3.  I finally finished Walden - SO good! - and finally started Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - SO excite! I know there is some controversy over this book, but I'm not going to worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy the book!

4. So, they say there's a chance of rain this weekend due to what's left of hurricane Dolores moving up our way. Rain would be lovely, but we really never get that this time of year, so I'm not holding my breath!

5. Last Tuesday the bus broke down on the grade. That hasn't happened in YEARS! Seriously, like four years at least! It was one of the older (and more comfortable) buses, and apparently a hose blew. I was snoozing, but heard the BANG! and felt the bus jerk sharply. Thankfully, our intrepid driver was able to pull over, and a new bus was dispatched quickly. We were actually only sitting there waiting about 20 minutes or so, and once we were all on the new bus, we were at our next stop in about 10 minutes. I still had to cancel my chiropractor appointment that evening, but while we waited, I took a random photograph out the window. I used the Orton filter from PicMonkey.com on it, but yes, the sky really is that blue, and the hills really are that dry.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend whatever you decide to do! Cheers!