Monday Accomplishments

Mondays are hard. I always feel a little guilt about what I didn't get done over the weekend. I always feel a little overwhelmed by how much of the week looms in front of me.

Today, I choose to celebrate what I accomplished today (instead of focusing on the Mondays).

1. I only spent money on parking. No coffee. No treats. No lunch. Just parking.

2. I kicked it at work today. I planned a presentation and made all the copies. I sent an agenda for a meeting that doesn't happen until next week. I answered every email I received today.

3. I minimized screentime by choosing Pandora over television while making dinner.

4. I made a colleague smile today. He loves sugary cereal. I delivered some to his cube.

5. I only drank coffee (one cup) and water today. No soda. No beer...yet.

Meal Plan # 8

Monday:
Butternut Squash Risotto (with shrimp)
with steamed broccoli

Tuesday:
Stuffed Pepper Soup
with a salad

Wednesday:
Dinner meeting

Thursday:
Class = Dinner to go

Friday:
Italian Beef
Portillo's Chopped Salad

Breakfast:
Pumpkin granola
Vanilla yogurt
Banana

Snacks:
Apple with PB
Chocolate Peanut Chex Mix

Lunch:
Crab and Avocado Salad
served in a pita as a sandwich

Stylist for a Day

Welcome to this Wednesday edition of Ventage Tuesdays brought to you by Too-Busy-Enjoying-Life-To-Write-About-It.

I have the great pleasure today of selecting the perfect outfit for Katrina. I decided to choose pieces that were classically Katrina with a few Barb-esque touches on the accessories.

I think of Katrina in skinny jeans. So, on the bottom - skinny jeans.
Let's go with these (Lucky, Lola Skinny).

And, a cardigan, of course (J Crew Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan in heather acorn).

Not quite sure if this works, but I'd try this shirt under the cardigan (Boden Crinkle Jersey Shirt in Pewter Twilight).

Accessories.

I've never seen Katrina wear a belt. I'd like to see her pair the cardigan with this belt (Colorblock Belt from Gap).

And, to emphasize the yellow in the belt, I suggest she carry this fabulous bag. I will be INSANE with jealousy (Hobo Savannah in Yellow).

And, since we're dreaming, I will also add these shoes. This (along with the belt) feel Katrina to me, even thought I'm not sure she'd choose them for herself (Frye Carson Lace Up in cement).

And, because I'm dreaming, I'll also add this bracelet (from the Lucky Elephant). If I can't have it, Katrina should.

And, the ensemble would not be complete without the ultimate arm candy:

Love you, Katrina. XO.

For Sale: Scrapbook Mystery Boxes

Photo compliments of Em and also used by Katrina

I packed up my scrapbook room more than 10 months ago to move. Anything I haven't unpacked since the move needs to go!!

I tried to organize products into related categories and packed them into Priority Mail flat rate boxes. These boxes are incredibly full!! The product inside is new, unused, and (most often) in its original packaging.

It's a Mystery Box sale. I'm trying to keep this simple, so I can't provide photos or lists of products of what is contained in every box. Here are a couple samples, though. 

One of the Studio Calico boxes.

There is more paper stacked beneath the paper.

 Crate Paper box. 

There is paper stacked beneath the embellishments.

One of the embellishment boxes.
Each contains at least 40 items.

One of the mini album boxes. 

Each contains at least 12 albums.

The prices below INCLUDE shipping to a US address via Priority Mail flat rate box ($12.35 value).

Box 1. $50 Studio Calico

Box 2. $50 Studio Calico 

Box 3. $50 Studio Calico 

Box 4. $60 Crate Paper 

Box 5. $50 Jenni Bowlin 

Box 6. $40 Amy Tangerine 

Box 7. $50 October Afternoon

Box 8. $40 Smash

Box 9. $30 Mini Album (includes at least 12 albums)

Box 10. $30 Mini Album (include at least 12 albums)

Box 11. $50 Christmas 

Box 12. $50 Christmas

Box 13. $50 Embellishments (includes at least 40 items)

Box 14. $50 Embellishments (includes at least 40 items)

Box 15. $100 Thickers (at least 45 unused packages)

Leave a comment letting me know which box or boxes you're claiming. 

Be sure to include the email address you would like the PayPal invoice sent to.

For Sale: Studio Calico Kits and Merchandise

Updated 7/25/13 6:00 P.M.

The Story:
I packed up all my scrapbook supplies when I moved 10 months ago. I just moved again and decided that it was finally time to get rid of anything I hadn't touched in 10 months.

Directions:
Leave a comment with what you want to claim. First come, first served.
Include email address in comments.

Payment:
Via PayPal within a timely manner.

Shipping: (to be paid by buyer) Only shipping to the US.
For Studio Calico Kits:
Shipping is not included in the purchase price. Shipping via USPS flat rate Priority Mail box ($12.35 per box). I anticipate three kits will fit in a single box. 12 x 12 paper fits diagonally in the box which may result in some slight bending. You've been warned.
For Mystery Boxes:
Shipping via USPS flat rate Priority Mail box included. Everything is packed in medium-sized flat rate boxes. 12 x 12 paper fits diagonally in the box which may result in some slight bending. You've been warned.

Studio Calico Main Kits and Add-ons:

Date	Main or Add-on	Kit Name	Retail	Asking
August 2011	Main Kit	Boardwalk	$34.50	$15
September 2011	Add-on	Pep Squad	$29.75	$20
September 2011	Add-on	Home Ec	$27.50	$15
September 2011	Add-on	Debate Team	$32.00	$20
November 2011	Main Kit	Handmade	$34.50	$15
November 2011	Add-on	Pincushion	$27.00	$20
December 2011	Add-on	Salvaged	$37.25	$20
January 2012	Main Kit	County Fair	$34.50	$15
January 2012	Add-on	Photo Booth	$34.00	$15
March 2012	Add-on	Atlas	$31.25	$15
March 2012	Add-on	Illustrated	$29.75	$15
April 2012	Add-on	Versailles	$25.75	$15
May 2012	Add-on	Brownie	$30.50	$20
October 2012	Main Kit	Roller Rink	$34.50	$15
February 2013	Add-on	Popcorn	$30.25	$15

Studio Calico Mystery Boxes: $50 $60 (includes shipping)
These boxes are FULL (and I mean really, really full) of Studio Calico papers and embellishments including: kit-exclusive papers, paper collections, embellishments (wood veneer, Fabrips, label stickers, chipboard), albums, mists (2 bottles per box), and alphabets. The vast majority of items have never been used.
I don't have photos of the mystery boxes available. 

There are THREE mystery boxes available.

Email scrappybabs@gmail.com with questions.

More boxes with other products to be posted soon. . . 

After One Year

I'm not lonely. Someone - in her infinite wisdom - pointed out that doing things solo is not new for me. I was a solo act even before I wasn't.

My life is still intertwined with his in more ways than I'd like it to be. Mostly, these are financial connections. I just try to remind myself they are temporary.

I'm continually surprised by how deeply this has impacted my relationships. Mostly, the impact has been positive. I am generally overwhelmed by support and love and caring. Old friendships have strengthened, and new friendships have formed. Occasionally, though, being "New Barb" challenges my friendships. I'm not the same person I used to be, and my friends seem to be in varying places with their support of this. This isn't just an adjustment for me.

I am disappointed. I'm disappointed in him for not wanting to fight and work for us when things got tough. I'm disappointed in him for just giving up. I'm disappointed in myself for taking our relationship for granted, for not seeing that things got bad before they were beyond repair.

I'm not where I thought I'd be. Okay. I don't even know what that means. A year ago, I had no plan for where I wanted to be. I still don't. Maybe it's more accurate to say I'm not satisfied or comfortable with all aspects of where I am.

I still cry. I'm crying now. I'm considering staying in my pajamas and crying all day.

I've found new things I love - sushi, gin, Taylor Swift, Max Brenner chocolate, and eye liner (to name a few).

My pronoun use hasn't adjusted. "We stayed in a treehouse when we visited Seattle." "Our house is for sale." 

I'm damn proud that it's me who has built a new life. It's me who has found happiness in a new city. It's me who is satisfied with a new job. Those are the very things that he said would make him happy. Has he gone after them? Nope. But, I have.

Apparently, I'm also a little bitter. 

I have a stash of stuff from my married life. A box labeled "Wedding Dress," plastic bins of photos and letters, my rings. I can't sort through them yet, and I can't bring myself to just throw them away.

I get incredibly nervous thinking about seeing him (or someone who is part of his team) somewhere unexpectedly. 

I'm afraid of becoming one of "those" bitter divorced people - the woman who doesn't trust, who says negative things about men, who tells stories of her divorce, who commiserates a little too emphatically with other divorcees.

Ventage Tuesday: Gifts to Give

Today's topic: Gifts to give. 

1. A well-wrapped gift
My favorite gifts to give are in pretty packages - almost always.

2. Ideas from Pinterest
I keep a "Gift Ideas" board to pin ideas that make me think of other people. I also stalk other people's pin boards when I'm stumped on what to get a special someone for Christmas or their birthday.

3. A gift in the mail for no reason at all
One positive of having friends that live far and wide is sending fun packages. Maybe chocolate? Maybe a little notebook? Maybe just a card? Maybe some Lego Mini-Figurines? Small gifts in the mail for no reason at all are some of the best gifts to give (and receive).

4. Custom gift basket
Obviously, the gift basket needs to be wrapped in a very cute way (see item 1). Some favorite possibilities:

• For my friend's daughter on her seventh birthday: swimming suit, sunglasses, beach towel, and sunscreen.
• For a relative: fancy spaghetti sauce and fancy noodles packaged in a great strainer.
• For a friend who needs to relax: pajama pants, slippers, and a throw blanket.
• For my dad: ingredients for his favorite mixed drink (and a muddler) in a clear gift bag with some crunchy paper.
• For new parents: Gift certificates for Netflix and take-out pizza tucked into a six-pack of beer.

5. Plane tickets and a vacation rental
I'd love to whisk off my most favorite friends to a beautiful destination - a place where we wouldn't have to do anything we didn't want to, a place where we could cook and drink and visit and laugh and relax and enjoy.

Meal Plan # 8

Sunday: Burgers with Bacon Jam (German potato salad and broccoli)

Monday: Buffalo Chicken Salad

Tuesday: Shrimp Fajitas

Wednesday: Out for my new book club

Thursday: Crock-pot Chicken with Pesto and Ranch (noodles and green beans)

Breakfast:
Iced Coffee
Granola and Yogurt

Lunch:
Broccolini Salad
Burritos and Veggies

Ventage Tuesday: Pinteresting Summer

*Title shamelessly stolen from Stephanie.

Turns out I am in good company offering Ventage Tuesday - the Wednesday edition. Several of my other Ventage buddies made similar posts today.

I shared my summer manifesto; today I am sharing five Pinterest ideas that will be part of my summer.

1. Pineapple, Chicken, and Spicy Peanut Salad
I think I could actually eat this as a summer lunch. Plus, I had a great dish at a local Thai restaurant with a peanut sauce. I've been obsessed with it.

2. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Good idea for a super hot day. (And a second salad recipe because what's coming next is not-so-healthy.)

3. Cheeseburger with Bacon Jam
Cheese. Yum. Burger. Yum. Bacon. Yum.

4. Chocolate, Banana, PB Pie
A dessert that doesn't have to bake and contains three things I love.

5. Blackberry Gin Fizz Float
Berries. Ginger ale. Ice cream. Gin.

What I Might Read

A few things from my reading list.

I used Meetup to find a book club. They read about food and meet at local restaurants. The book for June is The Debt to Pleasure. I better get reading. The meeting is less than two weeks from now!

I downloaded And The Mountains Echoed the day it was released. I haven't started it. I'm weird like that. I'm almost afraid to start it. I want it to be wonderful, and I don't want it to be over all at the same time.

Bread and Wine was hand-picked for me by Katrina. I think reading this will make me want to host a dinner party or maybe just convince me to cook again.

Because every summer needs some YA, I will read Eleanor and Park.

Five Quarters of the Orange has been recommended to me by two people from different aspects of my life. I should probably read it.

Maybe I should read a little non-fiction? I started Switch when I was traveling in April. A friend who is completely not a reader highly recommended it. So did lots of other people.

Maybe I should also read a "classic?" Maybe Slaughterhouse Five doesn't qualify as a classic. Maybe I should read something that I should have read in college?

Now, I need to exit the Information Superhighway and step away from the television long enough to actually make reading a habit again.

Happy Summer

Taking a cue from Katrina and from the always-inspiring Ali Edwards and making some plans for summer twenty-thirteen.

Summer Dozen - 2011
Summer Plan - 2010

Ventage Tuesday: Drink Up

What I will be drinking this summer.

1. Gin and Ginger

Gin and Cherry Ginger Beer. 

Or Gin and Ginger Ale. 

Or Gin and Ginger Beer.

Made with local gin from Death's Door.

No matter what - completely refreshing.

2. Bloody Mary
Is it a drink? Is it a meal?
Doesn't matter. It's delicious.

3. Hefeweizen
I'm always excited about New Glarus Dancing Man.
With a lemon, please.

4. Dark & Stormy
Made with local rum from Old Sugar Distillery.

5. Iced Coffee

And, a non-alcoholic option.

I prefer Pioneer Woman's Cold Brew mixed with a little sweetened condensed milk.

There has also been lots of talk (between a co-worker and I) about spiked Icees. A drugstore near work has an Icee machine. We could easily stop after work and have our own little happy hour. Hmmmm.

Don't forget to visit the other V-Girls to see what they are slurping down: Angie, Emily, Katrina, and Stephanie.

33.5

It's my half-birthday, Friends. You know how I feel about half-birthdays. They deserve to be celebrated. I treated myself to a fancy coffee this morning and a little trip to Ulta this afternoon.

And, I spent some time on Memory Lane. I meant to find my favorite 16.5 photos taken since my 33rd birthday. I couldn't choose, though, and ended up with a few extras.

My life might not be exactly what I thought it would be, but it's full, it's happy, and it's mine. I built it for myself.

Some things I like about me. . . 

• I know how to say, "No." I still sometimes feel a little guilty, but I can definitely say it.
• I can imagine the possibilities. I fall short in the execution more often than I'd like, but I can definitely imagine.
• I'm learning to not apologize. I have different priorities than many of the people who are closest to me - not worse, not less important, not insignificant. I shouldn't feel inferior or apologize for that.
• I'm colorful (in my clothing, language, and culinary tastes).
• I am accomplished in my career. It's humbling to think about the brilliance of the people I've formed relationships with in the last 10 years.
• I make people laugh.
• I'm learning to stop biting my nails - still working on that one.
• I like spending time by myself. I can go out to dinner by myself. I can go to the movies by myself. I prefer to shop by myself. I love to travel solo.
• I'm a good friend. I don't make friends easily, but I'm fiercely protective of my people.

Wednesday Blessings

A stranger stopped me on the street on my way to work. She discretely mentioned that my sweater was inside out. (She didn't point out that it was also completely wrinkled and clearly peeled off my bedroom floor.) I will definitely pay that fashion advice forward at the next opportunity.

It didn't storm today. It was supposed to. Instead, it was sunny and breezy and beautiful. I ate lunch outside. I walked through the farmers' market.

I work with amazing people. Brilliant people. Strong people. People who love to laugh. This seems especially important on days when work brings unexpected challenges.

A fabulous new outfit found its way into my life today. It's a green polka dot dress Joan (a la Mad Men) would wear. Except, I can pair it with a hot pink sweater that Joan could never pull off. All that's missing are some pearls.

A friend made me a generous offer today - something I didn't realize I wanted but am so grateful to have.

Ventage Tuesday: Weekend Hangover

Sigh. I miss these girls. They are in my life every day via the Interwebs, but this weekend they were in my actual life. We ate. We drank. We laughed. We (mostly just Em) danced. We talked and talked and talked.

And, today, there is a big hole.

How to recover from an epic weekend?

1. Water. Glasses and glasses and glasses of water. Drunk through a bendy straw.

2. Scheming. Inspired by Katrina to think about a summer manifesto. Dreaming about what will be the most excellent of Barb & Kat's adventures in 2015. Planning a fall trip to VT.

3. Perusing the photos. #averyventageweekend. All 77 photos.

4. A nap. Don't hate me, Ventage Girls who are moms (i.e. all the Ventage girls). I took a giant nap today.

5. Savoring new inside jokes. 
"Whatever question mark." A perfect response to anything ridiculous or non-sensical. "Don't be insulated." To be used in place of "Don't be insulted" - especially in situations where you very clearly should be insulted.

Ventage Tuesday: Ode to Stephanie

Happy birthday to a friend who. . . 

. . . is a great mama to two of my most favorite little men.

. . . can always be counted on to bring dessert.

. . . is the reason that the Ventage girls are finally coming together!

. . . is one of the friendliest, most out-going people I know.

. . . always lends a helping hand (or her husband's helping hand!).

XOXO, Barb