Stuff I Bought While Self-Quarantined

2019 was rough on our family---we had something like 8 emergency room visits and 2 surgeries.  

When 2020 rung in on New Year's Eve we celebrated. YAY new year!  No more crud!

And then 2020 was like "Not so fast."

Worldwide, we've had threat of war, wildfires, and now a literal pandemic of a deadly virus.

Enter online shopping.

I decided to try to write a note each day and mail it to my grandparents in another state. But I had run out of cute notecards and envelopes.  So I bought this cute set of bright cards from Amazon.

And of course needed wanted some new pens.  My boss has these Retractable Paper Mate InkJoy Gel pens and they are fabulous so I pulled a "Treat yo self" and got a set. 

My youngest has worn out most of his pants.  2 pairs of Russell brand sweats from Walmart found their way to our house.  Then he used some of his money for a new Angry Birds Lego Set.

We paid $3.99 to rent Contagion on Amazon Prime Video.  A movie about a surprise virus that attacks your respiratory system? How did we miss this back in 2011?  It is relevant now and not too horribly scary (unless you are presently sick and then DO. NOT. WATCH.)

Before we decided to self-quarantine in an effort to help stop the spread of illness, I hit the Dollar General (yep, we are in a small midwest town, why do you ask?) and loaded up on cough / cold medicines, Lysol spray, some snacks and cherry coke. The essentials. 

Has anyone else done some online shopping while stuck at home?  Any must-see deals out there?  Good things to keep yourself busy and away from crowds? 

**Amazon links are affiliate links. This blog is part of the affiliate program and will earn a few cents from any purchases through these links (at no additional cost to the buyer). Full disclosure here.

4 Things I Regret Buying

Do you ever buy something and then think it was a waste?  There are 4 really specific things I regret spending money on.  Hopefully my list will spare you!

1. A Juicer.  

I fell prey to those late night/early morning Jack Lalane infomercials. In my defense, I didn't actually buy a new one.  We bought a used one from Craigslist for around $45.  Guess what? Drinking celery juice tastes EXACTLY like drinking a stalk of celery.  Blech.  After a couple months we listed it on Craigslist ourselves and the circle of life for that juicer continued. The funny thing is my father-in-law must not have learned from our mistake because word on the street is that he has just purchased a juicer.  I give it 6 months before he puts that bad boy on Craigslist and the circle of life will go 'round again.

2. WEN haircare. 

Granted, I had a Swagbucks promo so I ended up not being out any money (the cost of the WEN was credited back to me in Swagbucks points).  All the before/after photos look so convincing and I have a friend who uses WEN.  Seemed like a good idea; until it made me start losing hair more than normal so I quickly abandoned it. 

3. That ticket for a hot air balloon ride. 

I thought it would be fun. Wrong.  Panicked. Had to have the conductor (driver? pilot? man who held my life in his hands?) bring the balloon down early.  The other paying customers got to go back up for a longer ride while I hyperventilated on a nearby bench. 0/10. Do not recommend.

4. Kicking Horse coffee.  

My husband picked this out and we bought it month after month on autoship from Amazon.  Just one problem. We discovered that this stout coffee is far too strong and harsh for our stomachs.  It gives us both unbearable indigestion.  For all you sadists out there, here's the link to Kicking Horse coffee on Amazon.  Maybe your gut can handle it.  My family is going to take a pass on that.  We've gone back to lighter roasts. 

Links may be affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

Happy Festivities!

My youngest has an ear infection from a place that rhymes with "bell."

They gave him Omnicef and he had an allergic reaction.

(I couldn't find any un-nasty photos of an
ear infection or rash. so here is a picture of a sad looking dog.)

Husband, a freak who is never ill, actually needs to see a doctor this week.

And in the midst of all this we have Thanksgiving, Black Friday, a baby shower to attend, and boy scout popcorn to deliver!

(this Target Commercial Lady is my Role Model)

SO. This will be my only post for this week. Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. friends, and to my friends across the pond. . .nevermind. :)

If any of you shop for Black Friday, think of me! I'll be out in the wee hours hitting up Target!

(Not going for any big electronics.
The odds of me getting trampled
on my way to buy "The Big Bang Theory" season 1
for $12.99 are slim)

I'll be back next week with the updates from my Space Bag trial, visiting the Container Store, and a new quilt being planned!