Pull The Trigger!

There’s been $20 of gift certificates just burning a hole in my virtual pocket since early November. (I know, me NOT spend gift certificates lightening quick? Blacklight is in the background muttering something about checking me for the pod marks).

Now since I’m trying to keep a sharp eye on my money (must try and keep at least one New Year’s Resolution!), I wanted the best deal for this $20 of loveliness. So I’ve been filling virtual carts  to compare prices and wondering how Company X can have corporate perks for B&N and Borders but NOT Amazon. Because you know the second I put on my big girl panties and actually break down and buy a book the local libraries are going to have copies just flooding the new fiction/non-fiction shelves.(see True Prep, any biography of a Tudor/Stuart/Hanoverian royal)

But today during morning snack,  riding the last of a Hershey Kisses for breakfast high, I said ‘SCREW IT” (okay it was more “do this thing! yeah!” to myself) I broke down and just ordered the $20 in Amazon e-certificates. Time to get me some new books! Seconds later the e-certificates are in my Outlook inbox just begging to be used. But morning snack was OVER! Back to work!

Lunch finally came eons later (okay, it was actually 90 minutes later) and cramming Aldi’s brand snack mix (Blacklight: “Ghetto Chex Mix…ewww it reeks! Why does all your food stink?”) in my maw, I click into Amazon and realize I can’t remember my blasted password. And the e-mail is my personal not work email. Pout and eat more snack mix.

Get home. Haul out Mr Laptop. Reset Amazon password. Add e-certificates. Realize can’t use e-certificates if want to buy Kindle edition. Get off Mr Couch, find wallet, update credit card information. Decide to buy single book and use $20 if decide to get hard copy of the new Peter Walsh tome. Place One-Click order.

See ship to HOMETOWN, CT vs ship to Gwen’s Mr Kindle. Scream because have bought hard copy vs Kindle edition of chosen book. NOOOOOO!!!!! Mr Laptop battery takes that very moment to decide it’s quite empty. Lunge for Mr Laptop’s power cord. Power restored. Discover One-Click has a 30 minute window to change mind. Cancel hard copy order with reason “stupid me want kindle edition not booky-book come UPS”. Cancel request accepted. Kindle edition of book purchased.

Goof off online for a few hours. Dig out Kindle to sync and update Kindle purchases. Critical battery error….FROSTED POP TART!!!!!! FROSTED STRAWBERRY WITH SPRINKLES NAME BRAND POP TART!!!!

I LIKE YOU and SIMPLE TIMES

If I ever need to feel like it’s the 1970s again I don’t have to rummage through Blacklight’s lair using all his electrical bits and bobs to build a time machine. I just have to pick up I Like You and Simple Times because between the hardcovers is all the 1960s/1970s goodness you can imagine. It’s like the senior center gift shop, church rummage sale, school craft fairs and Woolworths had the most awesome babies ever!

And who do I have to thank for this flashback? The very talented and crafty Amy Sedaris. Not only are there recipes that look majorly wrong and gruesome just like in certain blogs (I’m thinking a Wendy McClure blog and possibly a Vintage Ads thread or two) but whole themes along with projects. And ways to turn your gathering into a money making venture…now why didn’t I think of bundling up random items and selling them along with cupcakes at Blacklight and I’s holiday party? Maybe for Blacklight’s birthday? 🙂

Once your world has been opened to the awesome of the I Like You life, why not keep the fun coming with a book of crafts. No crazy expensive Martha Stewart things here. Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People brings back all those crafts you learned in Bible Camp or Girl Scouts and takes it to the next level. That nifty needlebook you wanted in third grade can be yours!

My mad glue stick and construction paper skills aside, when it comes to my own entertaining, I think I’ll stick to my nice white brocade tablecloth and napkins or everything red from the dollar store. Unless I’ve decided to channel my own thrifty and crafty mother. Then let’s see what I can create out of posterboard, construction paper, staples, crepe paper and tape (for example, a 3-D holiday wreath). Otherwise I LIKE YOU and SIMPLE TIMES will always have a place in my circa 1972 heart…