Prepare to be shocked!I have a few weekend confessions to make.
First, I went to the semi-annual Paper Source warehouse sale with this gal. You can read more about the annual sale here. I won't go into details because, well, I didn't get into a cat fight over cardstock, and it's much more fun to pretend like I did. Anywho, that gal has a card company, which made our trip totally logical. I, however, already have a mammoth collection of stationery and scrapbook materials that I like to look at but rarely use. One day I'll figure out things to do with them, like origami furniture and thank yous for thank yous, but you all know I have to get through my first 12 to-do lists before I get to that stuff. And another one of my confessions is that I'm lazy. (Also, that I'm not gifted in Asian paper arts much to my chagrin.)
So I told myself I wouldn't buy much. I would only get a little something to make my journey worthwhile. But suddenly people were rushing around throwing paper, and I felt like I had to have some, too:
"Oooh, a huge stack of cardstock. Don't think I need it but that lady is buying some so maybe I do."
"Pre-made cute cards only slightly discounted? Well, I am too busy to make cards. I'll take six!"
"I don't know what this is, but I'm going to buy it. I'll use it to make cards."
"Rub-on letters? I don't really scrapbook, but if I did I would sooo use these. Must have!"
"Blank books! #48 on my seventh to-do list says buy more blank books to make more to-do lists. So I can't refuse, right?"
In the end, I spent more than that gal, and she has a card company. And apparently self control, which is something I clearly lack, especially when it comes to a bargain. I just can't get it into my head that lots of discounted items can still cost a lot of money. Also, I think that overspending is replacing overeating as my thrill addiction of choice. I obviously need a healthier outlet. Does anyone know a good bookie?
Finally, Miss Dub and I are off to her 9-month appointment, and I don't think I've adequately prepared her to get her shots. Laugh if you want, but I feel strongly that communication builds her trust and confidence. For example, I credit her quick cry-it-out skills to ... well, a lot of things including prayer, your encouragement and the sheer belatedness of it all ... but I also credit it to my pep talks: "Don't worry, sweetie, when you cry tonight I'm not going to interrupt you like I've been doing. I'm sure that was annoying you. Big girls hate to be interrupted."
Anyway, I haven't given her much encouragement or reverse psychology to get her prepared to be poked and prodded today. Of course, my best friend tells me that she also thought her first was a genius, full of deep thoughts as an infant, until he began to speak and said things like, "Ki-tty go bye-bye," and she realized he was indeed just a baby. Then again, he's now almost 7 and refers to himself as a "junior scientist," so maybe he was just pretending to be dumb.
But even though I know she's probably right, I have a strict policy to ignore other mothers' epiphanies so that I can have them myself one day and realize with amazement the same things they did. Because I like a good epiphany. Except when it involves me buying less, eating less or doing more with my existing supply of paper products.
Dang it.
First, I went to the semi-annual Paper Source warehouse sale with this gal. You can read more about the annual sale here. I won't go into details because, well, I didn't get into a cat fight over cardstock, and it's much more fun to pretend like I did. Anywho, that gal has a card company, which made our trip totally logical. I, however, already have a mammoth collection of stationery and scrapbook materials that I like to look at but rarely use. One day I'll figure out things to do with them, like origami furniture and thank yous for thank yous, but you all know I have to get through my first 12 to-do lists before I get to that stuff. And another one of my confessions is that I'm lazy. (Also, that I'm not gifted in Asian paper arts much to my chagrin.)
So I told myself I wouldn't buy much. I would only get a little something to make my journey worthwhile. But suddenly people were rushing around throwing paper, and I felt like I had to have some, too:
"Oooh, a huge stack of cardstock. Don't think I need it but that lady is buying some so maybe I do."
"Pre-made cute cards only slightly discounted? Well, I am too busy to make cards. I'll take six!"
"I don't know what this is, but I'm going to buy it. I'll use it to make cards."
"Rub-on letters? I don't really scrapbook, but if I did I would sooo use these. Must have!"
"Blank books! #48 on my seventh to-do list says buy more blank books to make more to-do lists. So I can't refuse, right?"
In the end, I spent more than that gal, and she has a card company. And apparently self control, which is something I clearly lack, especially when it comes to a bargain. I just can't get it into my head that lots of discounted items can still cost a lot of money. Also, I think that overspending is replacing overeating as my thrill addiction of choice. I obviously need a healthier outlet. Does anyone know a good bookie?
Finally, Miss Dub and I are off to her 9-month appointment, and I don't think I've adequately prepared her to get her shots. Laugh if you want, but I feel strongly that communication builds her trust and confidence. For example, I credit her quick cry-it-out skills to ... well, a lot of things including prayer, your encouragement and the sheer belatedness of it all ... but I also credit it to my pep talks: "Don't worry, sweetie, when you cry tonight I'm not going to interrupt you like I've been doing. I'm sure that was annoying you. Big girls hate to be interrupted."
Anyway, I haven't given her much encouragement or reverse psychology to get her prepared to be poked and prodded today. Of course, my best friend tells me that she also thought her first was a genius, full of deep thoughts as an infant, until he began to speak and said things like, "Ki-tty go bye-bye," and she realized he was indeed just a baby. Then again, he's now almost 7 and refers to himself as a "junior scientist," so maybe he was just pretending to be dumb.
But even though I know she's probably right, I have a strict policy to ignore other mothers' epiphanies so that I can have them myself one day and realize with amazement the same things they did. Because I like a good epiphany. Except when it involves me buying less, eating less or doing more with my existing supply of paper products.
Dang it.
11 comments:
i have a really great solution for you... i'll send you my husband to tag along on your shopping trips. nothing ruins the fun of shopping and spending lots of money on stuff you 'have to have' like "do you really need that?... come on, tell me what you're going to use that for?... why get that, when this one is cheaper?" ... needless to say, my banana republic bill is grateful, but my closet hates him.
You can bring my husband too! The other day we went to IKEA (we have one in Utah now... we are moving up in the world-ya know) and I didn't buy one single thing... because he was right beside me... I had a few $1.00 markers in hand for the kids... and he said.."We have so many markers I find them everywhere!" Dang it- it was absolutely amazing I didn't spend a dime! BTW- so the crying it out thing- Has it been working? I have a five month old- and every night she seems to be getting up more and more- and when I finally give in- she acts like she is starving! Anyways- have a good one.
Do you want to talk to me and calm me down before I get my shot today at 2:30? :( I always hate getting them done... especially the older I get! lol
I remember looking at El Guille and thinking to myself, “He seems like such a wise soul. I wonder what’s going on in his head.”
Then he started to talk and I got to hear what he was thinking all the time:
“Car! Car! Car-car. Car-car. Car! CAR!”
I do not have a little one yet, so I cannot commiserate about your shot adventure. However, I am “that girl.” And, I have to say that any self control I demonstrated on Saturday was due to a solid week of preparation. 1) “I will not spend too much. I will not spend too much.” 2) My husband reminded me three times about the new tires we need. 3) It was cash and carry – so I brought about one tenth of what I wanted to spend.
And, if it makes you feel any better… Immediately after arriving home, I sat my husband down to talk about my 6-month saving program for the next sale. I also decided that you need to bring your stroller next time. Not because you should bring Miss Dub (because the ladies with the babies are NUTS!), but because I want to fill it full of stuff and I need the wheels to move it!
and, p.s.
thanks for a lovely Saturday morning (and good luck today)
maybe i'm psychic or just plain forgetful, but it turns out miss d. didn't have to get shots today. (no more until she's 1!)
as for crying it out, she's pretty much been perfect since that one painful night.
as for bringing a stroller - yes! maybe if you spend a lot, i can live vicariously through you. (and every dollar you spend will mean a few more you make later.)
because of the way you talk to your daughter already, i think a great book for you would be 'happiest toddler on the block.' he promostes talking like that. i don't feel the same way about talking to my daughter, but if you already do, this book is right up your alley. rent it from the library and go straight to PART 2 and you will see exactly what i mean.
I get a little crazy when I think I am getting a great bargain because usually I'll buy something I don't really need or want...it is just fun getting a good deal.
I'm glad Miss Dub didn't need to get shots this time. I just wanted to say how ADORABLE she looks in the picture today. I haven't seen much of Mr. Dub, but the little miss is SO YOU. She is obviously part of the S* family. Is that your bedspread she is standing up against?
Where do I sign up to be a junior scientist with Blue?
I am glad I am not the only one with seemingly no self-control when it comes to sale shopping, or any shopping! Amen to janaya, nothing cures my spending like bringing along my hubby. So glad Utah hasn't moved up too far in the world to have a Paper Source store (just online for me which isn't nearly as dangerous) but love and spent enough at the SF store!
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