Admitting It Is The First Step!

I have a problem.

When it comes to certain stores or websites, there is no such thing as a small purchase for me. It is just impossible for me to go in, buy one thing, and get out. I will ultimately get sucked in and spend the usual average $ amount that I often spend there. For example, I love Longs. I mean LOOOOOOVE passionately! It started when I was younger and living in Hawaii, and all of the Longs stores there have such cute things...things that are only sold in Hawaii. Back then I could walk into a Longs and have control, back in the days of only having a weekly $20 allowance and having to budget, but nowadays not so much self control. Not that I don't have to budget now, but I always spend an average of $100 there! Beauty products, hair stuff, seasonal items, seasonal clearance items, even the grocery items are always high frequency items on my list. So most recently, since I'm home most of the time, I went shopping at MAC online because I was out of concealer and had to restock. No, I couldn't just get the concealer and check out. I HAD to get the other things that I've been "needing" and the grand total came out to $170. At least I qualified for free shipping, right? LOL Just last Friday, hubby and I went shopping at the new Ikea because the kids were spending the weekend over at my parent's house and we needed to get some curtains for the living room. Back pains and achy legs weren't enough to keep me from hobbling around the store and getting my shop awn! I was dying when we finally paid and got into the car, and couldn't wait to get home, but no...we didn't just get the curtains and go. We slowly made our way around the store (which is purposely built like a maze) picking things up here and there and spent over 2 hours and 20 minutes there shopping...which after the 15 to 20 minute car ride was 2 hours and 20 minutes too long for me to be out! Two shopping bags full (remind me to get a cart next time because we never just get a few things at Ikea!) and one plant, and almost $400 later, I was too sore but happy that I got to be out and about and shopping in one of my favorite stores.

Hi! My name is Staci, and I have a shopping problem.

Doin' the Happy Dance

Ikea opened in West Sac today! WOO HOO! :) I've been watching the local news coverage of the grand opening and it's quite an event. I wish I could be there! I WILL be there as soon as my back is healthy. I loooooove Ikea! We bought a lot of our furniture from them when we first moved into our house...3 couches, coffee table, 2 bookshelves, computer hutch, tv cabinet, lighting, etc. We got up early, drove all the way down to Emeryville, had breakfast there, and did our shopping thing. We ended up having most of the things shipped because of course we couldn't fit all of that into the Forerunner, but it was so much fun...not to mention the fact that we saved a lot of $$$ because they are such reasonably priced. Some people might think that Ikea is cheap, but the things that we bought still look brand new, are working out well for us, and we love it...AND I loved putting everything together. Aah, the Ikea phenomenon!

My new laptop is here and I'm in love :) It arrived 2 days ago and I have been in techie heaven ever since. Dell is the bomb! I swear we got it in less than a week! Last night we hooked it up to the TIVO to start transferring some of our saved programs to burn onto dvd. We got it with the media center package, so it has a built in tv tuner and a remote so we could use it as an extra TIVO to record some of our favorite shows. It also has a built in wireless card so I've got internet while I'm here on the living room couch. Now it's not that I can't be away from the computer and the internet. It's just that now I don't have to struggle to sit in the desk chair for a few minutes while I use the computer. YAY!

Rants and Raves, Poos and Oohs

I am miserable. Not only have I been sick with a bad cold and sore throat for over a week now, but I woke up with a case of pinkeye on Friday in addition to the usual back and leg aches that come with the bad disc. Under protest (because I HATE going to the Dr), I went to the doctor on Friday (only because I didn't want the kids to get it) and got some eye ointment, which I hate because it is a pain to apply and my vision is blurred for awhile after application. I've had pinkeye before and was given eye drops...so much better than the ointment! I have a different doctor this time though, and didn't feel comfortable asking for the drops. It's looking better today. The eyes still ache, and I'm still waking up with the crust but it's doing better. As for the cold, I guess I'm getting better slowly but surely. At least I've regained my sense of taste. (sigh)

On Saturday, we went over to Nextel and I traded in the blackberry 7100i for the i355 . It was a cool phone, but I couldn't do as much web stuff as I wanted too, and the battery life sucked. And I got a proposition from Alex that I couldn't turn down...why don't I exchange the phone and we'll get a laptop! Nice! I'm happy with my new phone, though. It's a very butch phone...not at all cute and sexy. Alex says that it would match the Hummer H2 that I want! LOL From the Nextel site: "It's certified to Military Standard 810 F for blowing rain, humidity, and salt fog. Designed to withstand exposure to rain, sleet, and snow. Rubber encasing, interior linings and seals protect the phone's antenna, speakerphone, keys, battery door, and accessory connections against water intrusion." It's a lot different than one that I would normally choose, but I love how it is really durable and can withstand being dropped or splashed by water (which I've done in the past). I've already personalized it by downloading some games, wallpapers, and ring tones. Love it! The only downside that I've found so far is that because it's made so durable...it's heavy! The muscles in my arm hurt a little from playing with it over the weekend, and my fingers hurt from sending text messages. It's not that I've sent a ton of messages, but you have to really push down on the buttons to key in your entries. We're all set on a laptop choice as well. Alex stayed up late to shop on Dell's website and I think we've settled on our choice. I'm so excited...I can't wait! :)

OOH, we went to Indian Buffet on Saturday night at Sher-E-Punjab. Everything was sooo good! Alex and I even got into the Bollywood movie playing on the plasma screen that was mounted on the wall...so much, that I'm having Alex call the restaurant to ask what movie was playing that night so that I can add it to my Netflix queue!

Since today's a holiday, the kids are home with me. It's been a good day so far and they're both doing a great job, not to mention the fact that they're getting along almost perfectly. Did I just jinx myself? Hope it lasts! LOL