Just got back from Michael's and Joann's

Okay... I hit Michael's first thing this morning to return that stinking yarn and buy a couple more frames while they're on sale. Boy! Was that lady LIVID that I returned that yarn. First off, she didn't even greet me (if she could have spit on me without getting slapped, she probably would have tried) and second off, the receipt bar code wouldn't scan so she had to type it in and that made her even madder. Next, she BANGED on her keypad REALLY HARD when she was punching in the numbers and then she SLICED my credit card through the register and SLAMMED her pen on the counter for me to sign the slip! Then when it was all over with she didn't say "thank you", "kiss my ass" or ANYTHING. She just started scanning the next customer's stuff before I could get my purse zipped up (I hate it when they do that!).

So... (and I should have left right then, but I didn't), I went back to the frames and picked up the ones I wanted (and I still managed to not get an 8x10 frame I need for the new pastel painting). And, I then rolled them back to the register where the same lady is still unhappily waiting on people, and when it was my turn, I said "hello again" and do you know what she said to me? "Huh?" And I said "hello again" and she says back "Huh?" So I said "I was just up here returning yarn." And her stupid response: "Yeah?" So I just said "Nevermind."

Her name tag said Floor Shift Supervisor.

Next I went to Joann's. I was in pursuit of TLC Essentials Butter, but they didn't have it. I bought Medium Thyme instead, and I think that will look just fine with the other colors I've already bought. At least the lady there was a little nicer, BUT she couldn't get the plastic bag opened so she licked her fingers a couple of times to see if that helped. I just said, "Whoa! I don't even need a bag!" I have one of their reusable totes, but I forgot it in the car, and all I had to carry out was two skeins of yarn so I didn't really need a bag anyway.

New Medium Thyme yarn:

The Saturday after Black Friday, etc.

I headed back to Joann's at 7:00 this morning. I was 6th in line, but there was no rush to get in (big difference from yesterday!). I got several bags of batting (Queen, Full and Crib Size; they were out of twin) and I picked up three bolts of Pelon interfacing (what a steal at $2.99 for 10 yards!). And, I DID buy those Legacy Studio fat quarters that I'd talked myself out of (because I don't NEED anymore fabric!).

Now, I'm trying to find a quilt pattern that I can do to use of all those fat quarters (it's a set of 24), and I'm not having any luck! I guess I need to add a solid Kona cotton, and that may help me pick a design.

Next, Brian and I went to the gym for BodyCombat. That was fun, though I couldn't understand anything the instructor was saying. The music was too loud plus and she has an accent. Fortunately I was able to follow along pretty well without accidently kicking anybody because I was out of sequence!

I may run on the treadmill later this afternoon, too. I wish I had my music which helps me keep a beat and run longer. My MP3 player is crapped out. It won't hold a charge, and it gets stuck at the "Welcome" window. We opened it up, but there's no way to replace the battery. I was able to hook it up to the computer and copy all of the music that was on it back to the computer so I can pitch the stinking thing in the trash. Last week, I ordered a new MP3 player from Overstock.com, but it won't get here until Monday. It's a SanDisk Sansa 8MB player. It's refurbished, but it's over half off the retail price of a new unit, and it still has a 90-day warranty. I just hope it works, and I don't have to go through the hassle of returning it.

I asked Brian for an armband to go with it for Christmas. That way I can run on the treadmill with it. Until then, I guess I'll tuck it in the waistband of my pants and hope I don't jerk it off of myself.

Black Friday Shopping

This morning, I braved Black Friday crowds and went shopping at Joann's. This was my first time ever attempting the sales. I got there at 5:50, and the line was wrapped around the side of the store! Most people already had their carts, but I didn't realize that until I was already at the back of the line, and I didn't want to lose my place to go get one. I didn't want anything big anyway so I stopped by the front door and grabbed a hand basket (and almost got trampled in the process because the lady with a cart behind me almost ran over me!).

I totally didn't need one, but I bought a Gingher 45mm rotary cutter for $29.99 (it was one of the doorbusters for today--regularly $74.99). It feels sooooo nice in my hand. It's a light-weight metal. I can't wait to use it. I also bought some 50% off sewing machine needles and a 50% off 12x12 rotating self-healing mat. I was happy to get that little jewel since I've had my eye on one of those for quite awhile.

Fortunately for me, everybody else was making a mad dash for the $1.49 flannel, and they had to stand in line to have it cut. When I was ready to go, I didn't even have to wait in line to check out. I was home by 6:20! Not bad at all.

The bad news is that I have to go back tomorrow because they're having DIFFERENT doorbusters tomorrow. I want a set of Legacy Studio fat quarters for $34.99 and a couple of bolts of interfacing for my purses. The interfacing is a steal at $2.99 for a 10-yard bolt!