A couple months ago, I discovered the "bargain book" section on the Barnes & Noble website. Since I had just quit my (horrible) job and had nothing to do, I decided to give these "slightly damaged" books a try. I bought 4 books--and the big news? The "damage" ended up being slightly creased book jackets, the creases were on the edge of the spine. And most of the bargain books are HARDCOVER and you can buy 90% of them for under $6! The only downside to the bargain book selection is that only the "damaged books" make it in and it is a first come, first served type of deal since there are a limited number of the books. You do have a really great chance of grabbing best sellers, though, since the book store apparently orders more of them more often.
Anyway, my big news is that I made another purchase today! Here is the rundown:
I bought 7 books and 1 movie. The full book/movie price WOULD have been$183.73.
Shipping SHOULD have been $10.92.
And I used a 15% off coupon (that applied to the most expensive item--the movie, which was $8).
Grand Total Spent: $44.85!!!
The biggest saving, other than the bargain books themselves, was that I got FREE SHIPPING! Don't ask me why--maybe it was just another promotion. Basically, I got my whole $200 purchase for 76% off. How freakin' fantastic is that???
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Today begins another weekend of wedding preparations. Bart and I are going to go back to the jeweler's and return the wedding band I bought and meet with a ring designer to being the work on my custom made band. After all that, we are going to go to Macy's and finish our wedding registry. I don't know why, but this just isn't fun for me. Bart loves it though, which is great.
We've also decided that we want to start looking for our own apartment. I'd really like to stay in this same area if possible, but looking for apartments in the city is so much harder than at home. I just love the street we live on and I really, REALLY hope that we'll find something we like--and can afford--soon. It will be our special thing after we're married. We've never lived alone without a roommate before.
Anyway, there isn't much else to add. Things have been boring, but busy what with school for Bart and work for me. It will be nice to get to spend the day together, just the two of us, though.
We've also decided that we want to start looking for our own apartment. I'd really like to stay in this same area if possible, but looking for apartments in the city is so much harder than at home. I just love the street we live on and I really, REALLY hope that we'll find something we like--and can afford--soon. It will be our special thing after we're married. We've never lived alone without a roommate before.
Anyway, there isn't much else to add. Things have been boring, but busy what with school for Bart and work for me. It will be nice to get to spend the day together, just the two of us, though.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I Wish I Had More To Worry About Than The Wedding, But...
I'm feeling so overwhelmed with all of this wedding planning! It seems that the harder I try to get things in order, the faster our wedding date approaches.
Today Bart and I sat down after breakfast and decided that we are going to break our entire To-Do List down into two-week chunks. Every smaller list has to be completed in two weeks or less. I really hope his little idea works, because I'm really beginning to worry about getting stuff done in time.
Anyway, in other wedding news, I hate the wedding band I bought. I think that I just got wrapped up in the idea of buying one and checking it off of the list (and I'm sure I got distracted by the glittery diamonds, too). The jeweler said that I can return it, no problem, and that they will be happy to custom make a wedding band for me, which was what I had planned to do in the first place. It stinks because they'll have to keep my engagement ring for 1-2 weeks, again, which means that I'll have ended up without it for a total of one month when all of this is said and done. My advice to girls checking out engagement rings? PICK THE SIMPLE STYLES!!! It's so much easier to find wedding bands when your engagement ring is a) simple and b) not an awkward shape. But don't get me wrong, I have the most beautiful engagement ring in the world :)
Today, Bart and I are (finally) heading to Michael's to check out centerpiece stuff so that I can make a decision and have everything ordered and shipped home. It will be nice to check some more things off of my list, but I honestly feel like when I check one thing off, three new things that I need to do pop up! I don't know if I'll ever feel like I'm moving forward on this! One great thing is that my friend, Maria, insists that after her honeymoon is over, she take on some of my planning. That will be a HUGE help, especially since she lives in Albany and I know that I can count on her to do what I need her to do.
As for now, I'm going to finalize everything at David's Bridal and then send out a mass email to my bridesmaids to go buy their dresses. And then maybe I'll call a florist. And then shower. Before rushing to Michael's so we get there before closing time. Do you see why life is so stressful???
Today Bart and I sat down after breakfast and decided that we are going to break our entire To-Do List down into two-week chunks. Every smaller list has to be completed in two weeks or less. I really hope his little idea works, because I'm really beginning to worry about getting stuff done in time.
Anyway, in other wedding news, I hate the wedding band I bought. I think that I just got wrapped up in the idea of buying one and checking it off of the list (and I'm sure I got distracted by the glittery diamonds, too). The jeweler said that I can return it, no problem, and that they will be happy to custom make a wedding band for me, which was what I had planned to do in the first place. It stinks because they'll have to keep my engagement ring for 1-2 weeks, again, which means that I'll have ended up without it for a total of one month when all of this is said and done. My advice to girls checking out engagement rings? PICK THE SIMPLE STYLES!!! It's so much easier to find wedding bands when your engagement ring is a) simple and b) not an awkward shape. But don't get me wrong, I have the most beautiful engagement ring in the world :)
Today, Bart and I are (finally) heading to Michael's to check out centerpiece stuff so that I can make a decision and have everything ordered and shipped home. It will be nice to check some more things off of my list, but I honestly feel like when I check one thing off, three new things that I need to do pop up! I don't know if I'll ever feel like I'm moving forward on this! One great thing is that my friend, Maria, insists that after her honeymoon is over, she take on some of my planning. That will be a HUGE help, especially since she lives in Albany and I know that I can count on her to do what I need her to do.
As for now, I'm going to finalize everything at David's Bridal and then send out a mass email to my bridesmaids to go buy their dresses. And then maybe I'll call a florist. And then shower. Before rushing to Michael's so we get there before closing time. Do you see why life is so stressful???
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wedding Preparations
I hate the gym. But I love that going twice per week (and running/biking/sit-upping until I want to die) is actually paying off! I don't know how much weight I've actually lost, but my work pants are beginning to fit better, thank God. It was almost like they cut off my circulation from the waist down before, and it's hard to walk when you can't feel your legs!
I hate that I've gained so much weight since high school--or since my sophomore year of college, for that matter. I didn't have to work at exercising, though I have never liked it. I just played all the sports my friends did, so I stayed skinny by default, I guess. Eating right is another huge challenge for me. I have absolutely NO willpower. Ask Bart. And the bag of chips I just ate. All I ever want to eat is salty, gooey, cheesey, carby food.
Anyway, I'm trying to get in shape for the wedding. I don't want to be sickly skinny, but I don't want to look like a stuffed sausage in my wedding dress, either. If I can get my arms to stop wiggling when I wave and scrub the counters and my puffy belly to go down, I think I'll be happy. The rest can be taken care of by Spanks!
P.S. At the gym today I:
Elipticaled (sp??) for 15 mintues and went 1.34 miles.
Powerwalked with weights for 20 minutes and 3 miles.
Stationary Biked for 28 minutes and 10 miles.
I wish I could remember how many calories I burned, but hey, we all know that numbers never were my strong point. I'm surprised I remembered the milage and minutes I clocked today!
I hate that I've gained so much weight since high school--or since my sophomore year of college, for that matter. I didn't have to work at exercising, though I have never liked it. I just played all the sports my friends did, so I stayed skinny by default, I guess. Eating right is another huge challenge for me. I have absolutely NO willpower. Ask Bart. And the bag of chips I just ate. All I ever want to eat is salty, gooey, cheesey, carby food.
Anyway, I'm trying to get in shape for the wedding. I don't want to be sickly skinny, but I don't want to look like a stuffed sausage in my wedding dress, either. If I can get my arms to stop wiggling when I wave and scrub the counters and my puffy belly to go down, I think I'll be happy. The rest can be taken care of by Spanks!
P.S. At the gym today I:
Elipticaled (sp??) for 15 mintues and went 1.34 miles.
Powerwalked with weights for 20 minutes and 3 miles.
Stationary Biked for 28 minutes and 10 miles.
I wish I could remember how many calories I burned, but hey, we all know that numbers never were my strong point. I'm surprised I remembered the milage and minutes I clocked today!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Big Day
So today has been a very busy day off for me. I woke up at my normal "work day" time to get ready to go to the IEI for my first eye exam in years. Tommy (our temp. roommate) gave me my exam, which lasted 3 hours. It was a really good experience, apart from being dilated and having horrendous bright lights behind magnifying lenses shone into my poor eyes all day. Anyway, the Doctor is worried that I might develop glaucoma in my left eye because of the damage and surgeries I've had, so he wants me to stop up every 2 months just so it can be monitored. Which is fine, since I work right there anyway.
I'm also going to be fitted for contacts in a month. I made that decision a while ago--I want to be able to see what's going on during my wedding. I WON'T wear glasses on that day. Tommy and the Doctor also talked me into trying a super powerful contact in my left eye for a few weeks. We tried it out on this machine (the kind they use to help find your prescription for glasses) and I could see much sharper images out of my left eye, but the sight still isn't good. It was totally weird because I've never really seen anything other than light and colors out of that eye before, so I was totally confused.
I know that sounds odd, but it was like my brain couldn't figure out what was going on. It even sometimes looked like I was seeing out of my right eye. And I had no idea where Tommy was. He looked super close to me, but when I looked out of my right eye, he'd be far away. I'm actually kind of nervous to try the contact lens. It's just that the idea of seeing out of two eyes (which I can only imagine as seeing two separate images) is something that my brain can't understand. Bart said it's because my accident happened when I was so little. Basically, that part of my brain is completely inactive and can't function properly now. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
For now, we're having burgers on the grill, pasta salad, and baked beans (ewwww) for dinner! Thank the Lord it's SPRING!
I'm also going to be fitted for contacts in a month. I made that decision a while ago--I want to be able to see what's going on during my wedding. I WON'T wear glasses on that day. Tommy and the Doctor also talked me into trying a super powerful contact in my left eye for a few weeks. We tried it out on this machine (the kind they use to help find your prescription for glasses) and I could see much sharper images out of my left eye, but the sight still isn't good. It was totally weird because I've never really seen anything other than light and colors out of that eye before, so I was totally confused.
I know that sounds odd, but it was like my brain couldn't figure out what was going on. It even sometimes looked like I was seeing out of my right eye. And I had no idea where Tommy was. He looked super close to me, but when I looked out of my right eye, he'd be far away. I'm actually kind of nervous to try the contact lens. It's just that the idea of seeing out of two eyes (which I can only imagine as seeing two separate images) is something that my brain can't understand. Bart said it's because my accident happened when I was so little. Basically, that part of my brain is completely inactive and can't function properly now. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
For now, we're having burgers on the grill, pasta salad, and baked beans (ewwww) for dinner! Thank the Lord it's SPRING!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Manicotti? Tonight???
So tired. Went to bed late last night and didn't sleep well. Had to take an extra hour at work tonight to cover for a co-worker. Almost fell asleep at my computer while I was there. And what did I decide to make for dinner? Manicotti. With brownies for dessert. What was I thinking?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Couldn't Be Happier
The sun shines during the day.
It is warm enough for shorts and t-shirts.
People eat at the "patio" sidewalks in front of restaurants.
The air smells fresh--most of the time.
The breeze is warm.
And I get to enjoy it all with my Bart <3
I couldn't be happier!
It is warm enough for shorts and t-shirts.
People eat at the "patio" sidewalks in front of restaurants.
The air smells fresh--most of the time.
The breeze is warm.
And I get to enjoy it all with my Bart <3
I couldn't be happier!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Easter
This morning Bart and I began preparing for our Easter dinner. Since I made a ham a little while ago (and there was so much we ate it forever), we decided we'd do something other than the traditional meal. We're having home-made pork dumplings with honey-soy dipping sauce!
The recipe I got is really great because it begins as a Hawaiian Pulled Pork recipe. You are supposed to eat the pulled pork sandwiches one day, and the make the potstickers with the left over meat the next day. Since Bart and I are HUGE dumpling/potsticker fans, we're skipping the sandwiches and making a ton of dumplings.
We are also having our little Easter dinner tonight since I have to work early Monday morning. Tomorrow, we'll do Easter baskets, read the Bible and, hopefully, watch The Passion of the Christ. I kind of like the way we are breaking it up into two days so that Sunday we can really think about the true meaning of Easter and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I'm really, really looking forward to watching the movie again--I haven't seen it since it was in theaters. I remember it being completely heartbreaking, beautiful, and powerful all at the same time. I don't think I have ever cried so hard during a movie before.
Anyway, since I probably won't post tomorrow, have a blessed Easter Sunday!
The recipe I got is really great because it begins as a Hawaiian Pulled Pork recipe. You are supposed to eat the pulled pork sandwiches one day, and the make the potstickers with the left over meat the next day. Since Bart and I are HUGE dumpling/potsticker fans, we're skipping the sandwiches and making a ton of dumplings.
We are also having our little Easter dinner tonight since I have to work early Monday morning. Tomorrow, we'll do Easter baskets, read the Bible and, hopefully, watch The Passion of the Christ. I kind of like the way we are breaking it up into two days so that Sunday we can really think about the true meaning of Easter and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I'm really, really looking forward to watching the movie again--I haven't seen it since it was in theaters. I remember it being completely heartbreaking, beautiful, and powerful all at the same time. I don't think I have ever cried so hard during a movie before.
Anyway, since I probably won't post tomorrow, have a blessed Easter Sunday!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Bursting With Happiness
Today was the BEST day ever! Bart and I spent the entire day together walking around the city and just enjoying ourselves and the beautiful (and incredibly hot) weather.
We met a bunch of Bart's friends downtown at a Persian restaurant to try their afternoon buffet. The food was delicious and the atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic. We had falafel, this amazing chicken stew, lamb and other stuff that I couldn't identify. They also served the best REAL lemonade I have tasted in a long time.
After lunch, we decided to finally go and get Bart's birthday gift at Sport's Authority. I bought him a $180 tennis racket for $60. What a deal! He was so cute after we left the store. All he wanted to do in the whole world was play with his new racket and wear the new gym shorts he bought.
We also got in a LOT of exercising today. We must have walked at least 2 miles from the Persian restaurant to our apartment today. Once we got home, we changed out of our sweaty clothes, rested a bit and then we walked a mile to Kay Jewelers to pick out wedding bands!!!
Everyone at the store was so nice and answered all of my (sometimes insane) questions about wedding bands. Bart found a band he liked pretty quickly, but it was very expensive--$700. I had a harder time finding something that I wanted, but the sales ladies were super patient with me and tried so hard to understand what it was that I had in mind. They found me a beautiful wedding band--it's 3/8 carat diamonds on a pronged band that fits nicely against my odd shaped engagement ring. And do you want to know what the BEST part is??? IT WAS ON SALE!!!!!!! I got a wedding band made of diamonds for a price much lower than Bart's plain gold band! I'm SO thrilled to have picked out my band because I can check that off of my list. The bad news is that I had to leave my engagement ring with them for, at most, two weeks to have it re-coated in rhodium so that it will really shine just like my wedding band. I HATE not having my engagement ring. I did get a ton of compliments on it though, and it was nice to have Bart there to hear them for once. He looked so pleased when the lady appraising the ring gushed over how beautiful it is.
Anyway, after picking out the ring, Bart and I decided to celebrate by having margaritas and guacamole at our favorite Mexican place, Adobo. We sat outside on the sidewalk "patio" to eat and talk. I had such a wonderful time just enjoying Bart and the weather. Have you ever felt so loved, so content and so happy that you thought you might just burst? That's how I felt alllll day today. And it really must have showed because when Bart and I were waiting in line to get ice cream, an old man ahead of us turned around when Bart was hugging me and giving me a kiss on the forehead and said, "Now that is true love!"
It is.
We met a bunch of Bart's friends downtown at a Persian restaurant to try their afternoon buffet. The food was delicious and the atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic. We had falafel, this amazing chicken stew, lamb and other stuff that I couldn't identify. They also served the best REAL lemonade I have tasted in a long time.
After lunch, we decided to finally go and get Bart's birthday gift at Sport's Authority. I bought him a $180 tennis racket for $60. What a deal! He was so cute after we left the store. All he wanted to do in the whole world was play with his new racket and wear the new gym shorts he bought.
We also got in a LOT of exercising today. We must have walked at least 2 miles from the Persian restaurant to our apartment today. Once we got home, we changed out of our sweaty clothes, rested a bit and then we walked a mile to Kay Jewelers to pick out wedding bands!!!
Everyone at the store was so nice and answered all of my (sometimes insane) questions about wedding bands. Bart found a band he liked pretty quickly, but it was very expensive--$700. I had a harder time finding something that I wanted, but the sales ladies were super patient with me and tried so hard to understand what it was that I had in mind. They found me a beautiful wedding band--it's 3/8 carat diamonds on a pronged band that fits nicely against my odd shaped engagement ring. And do you want to know what the BEST part is??? IT WAS ON SALE!!!!!!! I got a wedding band made of diamonds for a price much lower than Bart's plain gold band! I'm SO thrilled to have picked out my band because I can check that off of my list. The bad news is that I had to leave my engagement ring with them for, at most, two weeks to have it re-coated in rhodium so that it will really shine just like my wedding band. I HATE not having my engagement ring. I did get a ton of compliments on it though, and it was nice to have Bart there to hear them for once. He looked so pleased when the lady appraising the ring gushed over how beautiful it is.
Anyway, after picking out the ring, Bart and I decided to celebrate by having margaritas and guacamole at our favorite Mexican place, Adobo. We sat outside on the sidewalk "patio" to eat and talk. I had such a wonderful time just enjoying Bart and the weather. Have you ever felt so loved, so content and so happy that you thought you might just burst? That's how I felt alllll day today. And it really must have showed because when Bart and I were waiting in line to get ice cream, an old man ahead of us turned around when Bart was hugging me and giving me a kiss on the forehead and said, "Now that is true love!"
It is.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Good Day
So today was a really great day for me. For so many reasons.
First, today begins my Easter break from work! THREE WHOLE DAYS OFF!!! And for a girl who doesn't get two days in a row off, it's pretty freakin' great.
Second, I got to have lunch outside in the 80 degree weather with full sunshine with Bart for the second day in a row.
Third, Bart and I worked out at the gym before coming home, which makes me feel pretty good about myself. I nearly died on the eliptical machine, but that's neither here, nor there.
And fourth, we walked to the train station (again, in the great weather) and got to spend some time together and really talk about things going on in our lives. We haven't had that luxury in quite a while since Bart is so busy and we are almost always with Tommy.
I love days like today. I almost feel like I'm back in school and getting out for summer vacation. Roscoe is in a great mood, too, which is surprising because he's starting to shed. He's usually miserable around this time. He keeps skipping and jumping all over the living room. I think everyone is ready to say goodbye to the yucky, cold weather and welcome in the Spring!
First, today begins my Easter break from work! THREE WHOLE DAYS OFF!!! And for a girl who doesn't get two days in a row off, it's pretty freakin' great.
Second, I got to have lunch outside in the 80 degree weather with full sunshine with Bart for the second day in a row.
Third, Bart and I worked out at the gym before coming home, which makes me feel pretty good about myself. I nearly died on the eliptical machine, but that's neither here, nor there.
And fourth, we walked to the train station (again, in the great weather) and got to spend some time together and really talk about things going on in our lives. We haven't had that luxury in quite a while since Bart is so busy and we are almost always with Tommy.
I love days like today. I almost feel like I'm back in school and getting out for summer vacation. Roscoe is in a great mood, too, which is surprising because he's starting to shed. He's usually miserable around this time. He keeps skipping and jumping all over the living room. I think everyone is ready to say goodbye to the yucky, cold weather and welcome in the Spring!
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