A Few Friday Favorites

Yesterday was full of complaints, so today we're keeping things positive.

1. My birthday is Sunday. Which means I'm going to Athleta to buy a few treats and I got a new pair of boots too. There will also be ice cream cake. I have an idea for a new one and I hope it works.

2.  As is tradition for this blog, I'm giving away a $10 STARBUCKS CARD because it's my birthday.  This year, to be entered, you have to answer a question in the comments: What is your favorite book ever? I'm doing a winter reading challenge and need a "friend favorite" (See #3 on this list for why I'm asking you, a blogger).  I'll pick a winner by Monday!

3.  Have you tried the Slate Audio Book Club podcast?  Love it.  I'm not saying the people I see everyday don't read, but I don't generally make it a habit of getting into book conversations with people other than fellow bloggers.  The last time I got into a face-to-face conversation about books, the person talked about how beautifully written and sweet 50 Shades of Grey was.  It's really hard to come back from that.

So when I have the opportunity to listen to fellow readers discuss books I've read, and maybe no one I know has the desire to read, I jump on it. So far, I've listened to The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, Life After Life (helped tie up some potential loose ends!), The Martian (though I didn't read it), and All the Light We Cannot See (just to see why people seemed to like it so much).

4. And Rodan and Fields. I won a $50 gift card *just* for selling products.  There are more giveaways than I can keep track of each month and often my sponsor has to remind me to enter them because I forget that I'm eligible!
While RF is a form of multi-level-marketing, there's no quotas and you don't have to set up a stand at craft fairs or host parties in your home. It's a mostly virtual business; there's no paperwork! And you don't have to hold onto any products unless you want to. I have one drawer in the bathroom closet that holds R+F products.  The fact that I'm not personally responsible for boxes of products was what sold me on the business end of things.  And, you know, the fact that the products actually work.
If you're even a little bit interested in this opportunity, let me know...I'd love to chat with you about it.

What's your favorite thing this Friday?

Clarification

Leggings: Athleta // Shirt: TJ Maxx (2 years ago) 

Boots: Madden Girl // Scarf: Target (and Jett ripped a hole in it so this might be its last season)

I was talking to Joey the other day, and I made the point of saying that whatever clothing you see on this blog is exactly what I wore to work and it's exactly how I wore it to work.  I'm not one for playing dress-up and I don't wear a lot of accessories or extras because I work with children and they get in the way (sometimes both the accessories and the children, actually). And shoes?  It's boots in the winter and sandals in the summer. It's that funny springtime weather I always struggle with.

Also, I put on sweatpants or gym shorts (season-dependent) exactly 2.5 seconds after each photo is taken because I take these pictures after school.

And I'm usually telling the dogs to stay as the automatic timer is going off, lest they blur up the picture.

And this day was cold, so Scott's giant camo coat that I wear when I walk the dogs was sitting just out of the frame.

I'm not sure how I feel about these boots.  They're not as fabulous as my other brown ones but the other brown ones are 3 years old and boots don't last forever.  These were bought preemptively, just in case the others fall apart or something.  Always be prepared and whatnot.

Do you have favorite boots? Where are they from?

The Great Pumpkin Swap Link-up!

Also, I must add that it's time to retire these boots.  They have a hole in the back.  

Dress: Target (2012) // Boots: Decree (2011) // Scarf: gift

My plain brown Madden Girl boots have a detached sole too, so they're pretty much garbage.  This is what I get for buying mid-range boots.

I just ordered some gray boots (also mid-range), but they're a different brand and I haven't read reports of them falling apart.  I have read reports of Madden Girl boots falling apart = no more Madden Girl boots for me.

Oh, problems.

Today's the day to link up what you sent or received from your partner in The 2nd Annual Great Pumpkin Swap.

I love giving gifts.  I love blog swapping.  I love being able to bless others with something to brighten their day.  Even if it's just with something simple, like a package of fall treats.  

(Can you sense that there's an excuse coming?)

I'm just so incredibly bad at taking care of things like this in a timely manner.  So that's probably why my partner hasn't received her gift yet. 

 I admit that my procrastination caught up with me.  I had the gift.  Then I needed to make sure I had the right address because she was traveling. Then, my local post office keeps weird hours: 10am-2pm Monday-Friday.  So when I was in Mansfield on Friday, I managed to get into the post office and buy the supplies and seal up the gift for Karen, my partner.  As soon as I pulled out my wallet, the lady reminded me that I needed a customs form because it was going to Canada.  She was really nice though.  Sometimes those post office people aren't nice.  I don't remember having good post office experiences in Alaska, um, ever.  

 Anyway.  

Karen ran into an issue when it came to mailing out my package too.  So I'll share that as soon as I get it.   

Thank you so much for your participation in this swap!  I know we all love fall and we all love goodies.  I love sharing this time of year with you guys :)  Thanks for co-hosting, Becky!

Stuff (and things)

In honor of The Walking Dead being back in circulation, there shall be some weekly Stuff and Things to report.

source

-I love these chips.  I mean, I used to think that the slightly flavored tortilla chips were just awful for you (they are) because they have some kind of preservative/coloring agent that causes weak muscles/weak bones/cancer/gnorro-cepha-mylitis/something like that.  Or that's what the nutritionists would want you to believe.

But, a glance at the nutrition label (don't look at it too closely) will tell you that they're no worse for you than regular tortilla chips.  Win-win!

Some nights, I just crave some good tortilla chips and a glass of wine.  My wants are simple.

-A lot of people at my new job are snazzy dressers.  Really. They give me something to aspire to.  I've become known as the "boot-wearer" though.  I've actually had teachers stop me in the hall to ask me if they're wearing their boots "right".  I think I've found my home.  However, they seem to be amused by the fact that I wear boots everyday.  I don't understand that. Boots are just the only acceptable option when the snow starts in October and lasts 'til May...oh.  Wait.  I probably could invest in some actual shoes now.  I'm just set in my ways, I guess.

I think I want these ones next.

-Speaking of cold weather.  There are people at school wearing winter coats this week.  It's 55* in the morning.  I'm so confused.  I mean, I used to go outdoors regularly when it was 2 degrees (let's leave blogging and the things we do for it out of this).  Maybe I should wear my marshmallow coat when it hits 45 degrees later this week?

Maybe not.  I'm actually not sure where it is. Eh, I probably won't need it......right?

-I tend to go for very long periods of time without listening to any music.  Not even in the car.  I'd say it's been about a month.  This morning, I could not get a Taylor Swift out of my head (something dumb about a Maserati), so I turned on the radio.  Now, I feel like a new person after listening to George Strait's "Natural".  I also ran a very easy 2 miles to some Jason Aldean tonight.  I think I'll be listening to music again for awhile.

 -I think I'm going to make these for school for next week.

source

To be honest, I am THRILLED that we're not having a Halloween party at school.  I hate those things. But I do like making treats.  So we'll have treats.

Any "stuff" or "things" to share?  Did you watch The Walking Dead on Sunday?  How about Homeland?  That show is getting goooooood (minus the Dana nonsense).

My weekly gratitude

Would you believe that I had a post all written up for today about how depressed I am?

(Yeah, you'd probably believe that.)

Granted, the majority of that post was making fun of Alaska...but this week wasn't nearly as sucktacular as I thought it would be.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I am still in Alaska.

And last weekend was rough on me.  I was sickish.  Our Army life keeps getting effed up.  I'm stressed a bit over situations beyond my control.  And I still have to show up for work everyday.

But then, some good things happened to me, so we'll talk 'bout them, okay?

#1  The season 1 Breaking Bad finale arrived from Netflix TWO days early.  4 more seasons to go...

#2  The glorious boots that Kelly unselfishly snagged for me at the Mall of America arrived in the mail. This chick is awesome.  I commented that I loved her boots just last week and asked her where I could find them.  She said she'd go pick them up for me at the mall and ship them.  In LESS THAN A WEEK, I had new boots.

They were cheap too!  Paying her for shipping + the cost of the boots was less than I could find for just the boots online.

 I cannot say enough good things about Kelly.  She rocks.

Steve Madden via Journey's via MofA via Kelly :)

#3   Scott sent me flowers.  Orange tulips are my favorite.

He knows to send tulips.  ALWAYS tulips.
This is, like, bouquet #4 from ProFlowers in the last 6 months, but I remember he also bought me flowers a year and a half ago after he decided it'd be a good idea to gut and skin 15 snowshoe hares in my kitchen.  I think he learned his lesson after that one.

#4 After a rainy, hellish week in 4th grade last week, this week wasn't half bad.
Granted, "not quite hellish" shouldn't be my goal.  But it's something.

#5 I never thought I'd be this person...but I must say that when I have news (good, bad, or indifferent), the first people I want to share with are my blog friends.  You guys "get" me, and I'm so grateful for you all.
That's something that Facebook could never do for any of us.  Facebook is about people trying to one-up each other.  Blogging is about supporting each other.  Also, Facebook is like a gossip magazine that you glance through at the grocery store checkout.  You want to skim it, but do not want to buy it, and certainly don't want your name anywhere in that train wreck.

Is there anything you're particularly grateful for this week?  

This lady (and her optimism) was my inspiration for this post.  She always has a kind word of encouragement for me and THAT is why I love my blog friends.