Ravings of a VA

Tastefully Simple Online Party

2015-03-03T02:23:05Z

On Tuesday March 3. you can come and hang out in your PJ's and learn all about the new Spring-Summer Products.  There is a new TS Eat Well collection in addition to many other goodies.  Just join the Facebook event below!  You could even win a chance to be the host of the party!

www.facebook.com/events/1550421145242673

There are new party options as well.  If someone books a party, the host will get an item for 50% off.  That could be you!

So stop by on March 3, beginning around 7 PM!  I look forward to seeing you!

Almost Friday

2015-01-16T01:48:55Z

It's been a hectic week. Work has been...crazy, to say the least. There's a lot going on. Stay tuned. And I've been busy outside of work as well.

I haven't gotten as much done around the house and on my to do list as I would like, but I should have some time this weekend to catch up. Or at least I hope I do.

The no spend challenge. I was a little more successful this week. If I remember right. LOL. I have not been to a grocery store. I have not put money on my vendor card at work. In fact, I actually had tea yesterday and today. Piece of advice, don't drink HOT TEA through a straw. OWWWW. I have not eaten out. However, I haven't worked out either. But, spending wise, I've been good. I've also cooked this week. Monday was ribs in the crockpot, Tuesday was Chicken Paprikash and tonite was a spaghetti frittata. Last night was leftovers and tomorrow will probably be leftovers for me.

I've read a couple of books, but haven't done much crafty this week. It's in the plan, but just haven't gotten there. I have to do list for that as well. I have UFO's I want to finish.

1) Cross Stitch Tablecloth (started in college?)
2) 2010 UFO Snow Day Mystery Quilt
3) Pirates Scarf
4) Legacy Scarf (started 2 years ago)
5) Finish a block of the month started 2 or 3 years ago
6) Quilt and finish at least 2 quilts
7) Tshirt quilt promised for a pinball friend.... I've had the stuff for too long.
8) Finish one kit previously purchased from connecting threads

So, being ambitious or trying to be. But I need to sit down and work on some of them at some point. Along with everything I want to do. I think my problem is that I'm trying to do too much. And I'm not succeeding at anything right now. So, I need to take a step back and re-prioritize and come up with a plan and stick to it. One thing at a time.

But, that's life right now. At least I'm being somewhat good in the spending category, which is a major goal. Now to find money to pay off my debt. :)

Back to Reality

2015-01-12T03:24:01Z

While this weekend blew the no-spend challenge, it was much needed. Last year, Pete won a Visit Erie package at the Home Show. It included an overnight stay, several gift certificates and some other goodies. Well, as is always the case, things got crazy and we didn't get a chance to use the package until this weekend. Only the coldest weekend of the year so far.

We did some wine touring on Saturday because we had a passport and a gift certificate for the wineries. But, sampling isn't free and some of the wineries had non-wine food goodies (I'm trying to justify our purchases there as grocery shopping...but it was unnecessary stuff). We also had a couple of certificates for restaurants, but did have to eat out a couple of times.

The only places we really didn't spend anything were the two places that involved clothing that we had gift certificates to. And that was fun. Two people trying to shop for stuff but knowing they don't need a whole lot, but have to use the GCs. But we finally found some things that we could use and shouldn't go to waste.

All in all, it was a good weekend and while I feel a little guilty, I know I can start fresh tomorrow. And tomorrow will involve starting my work outs again, so...I won't be going out to lunch or anything anytime soon.

Tonite was also a good night because I did some sewing. While I can't wait to finish the project I'm working on (TINY PIECES), it was nice to sit down and sew. But I need to focus on finishing this project before starting anything new. Here's a sneak peek:

Small backslides

2015-01-09T01:05:45Z

This week has been tough to get through. I could blame the weather, I could blame the fact that it's the first full week back, I could blame the face that I'm just tired. But I simply have no will power. Yes. it was a small backslide. but still. I ran out of pop. And I didn't want to deal with the caffeine headache quite yet. I was going to drink tea. And I don't have a reason why I didn't. It's cold. Tea would be better than pop. But no. I loaded my card and proceeded to buy a pop. Or two this week. Sigh. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day, right?

I'm still doing okay with the meal planning. But, I think I need to stick to the basics. I'm trying to get too fancy and messing up dinner. To the point that I just don't want to eat it. Not that it's bad. It's just not...what I was trying to make.

This week has just been a struggle all around. I think I'm just being too overly hard on myself when I don't finish the to do list or do something that I know I should do. I'm barely keeping up on the basics this week. I have SAD (seasonal depression) so, I imagine the cold snap and the snow kicked it in pretty hard. But I want to get past it. So, after this weekend. I will focus on what needs to be done. And be a responsible adult again.

Monday? Already?

2015-01-06T02:27:26Z

I will never understand how the weekend goes so quickly. I can't believe it's Monday already!

So, one thing I'm realizing tonite is that I need to quit making my to do list so overwhelming. I need to focus on the items that I can do that day, rather than sweeping generalities. And I need to leave some time to do something I enjoy doing. Hitting the ground running is either going to burn me out or keep me from getting done everything I want to get done. So, start small there, right?

Today I had a small victory. I forgot to take my last bottle of pop to work. And oh man. Did I want that pop. But. I didn't have any money on my kiosk card and I didn't want to load it. And believe me, I tried to talk myself into it, several times. While I had a slight caffeine headache, I was proud that I resisted the urge to spend!

Next up with this challenge is being able to find deals and save money on the things I need. And be able to plan a menu around what is on sale. Which is just a scary thought to me right now. But, I want to save money, so it's a step I'm willing to take. It's just being organized enough to do that!

I've had some offers of help and I look forward to following up on those. Better to use tried and true systems than to come up with my own!

A new day

2015-01-04T01:26:01Z

I'm sitting here watching the Steelers game and hoping for a win. Go Steelers!

So, we're three days into a new year. It's still hard to believe. As I get older, I find the years go faster. Next thing you know, it will be Valentine's Day.

The challenge continues. I did spend $2.87 on Friday for a cheap lunch. But, that was with restraint. Thank you dollar and more menus! I haven't really gone shopping or really gone anywhere since the challenge started, other than that one stop at the grocery store. Yesterday I planned menus for the next week, or at least through Wednesday. So that's a start. But I have to stand in front of the freezer sometime and figure out what's there since that hasn't been done yet. But I think right now, there's almost anything I could want of our normal choices. I should work on some freezer meals, but that will be another time.

I did make lettuce wraps tonite. It was an interesting experience. I'm undecided if I will do it again. Possibly, because they actually weren't too bad. I just have to figure out how to do the lettuce they way they do in restaurants. :)

Last night and today was spent putting away Christmas and cleaning my living room and dining room. One upside to this challenge is that I'm trying to keep up on the cleaning a little at a time. I want to get into some type of rotation. I know there's lots of websites out there, but I'm not ready to tackle that yet. One thing at a time or else I won't do anything. So, focus on the no spending and trying to be more proactive about meal planning and keeping my kitchen clean. Then next will be the cleaning schedule and household binder.

2015 will be the year of change. I can do this.

Day something

2014-12-31T02:41:11Z

I've already lost track of the day. I *think* it's day 5. I went to the store Monday. I somewhat stuck to the list in my head. I bought one or two things not on the list, but I still managed to stay around $20. Not bad considering I usually spend much more. Oh, I'll just pick up this while I'm there and oh, I'll get that too...

Since I had some buttermilk left, last night for dinner I made this recipe:

http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/smothered-chicken-with-buttermilk-gravy-carla-hall

I don't like the buttermilk flavor. Unless, of course, the buttermilk was on the verge of going bad, then that explains why I didn't like it.

Tonite was using up some of the steak Pete grilled Saturday night. I made a steak wrap for me. I imagine he'll make steak salad. I set aside some of the lettuce because I want to make this or something similar to it:

http://www.food.com/recipe/p-f-changs-chicken-lettuce-wraps-15865

I stopped at half price books on the way home and sold a box of books. I will never understand their pricing structure. One week, I can sell a box and get $25, the next week, I sell similar books and only get $20. No, it's probably not worth it, but it gets them out of the house and it gives me a little extra cash to work on paying off some debt. I have to do a second pass in my library and weed out some more, but until I get rid of the rest of what I have to take (3 or 4 more big boxes), I'll wait.

Next step is over the weekend. I want to take some pictures of some of the stuff in the garage and post it on some of the FB yard sale sites and see if I can get anything for it. It's better than waiting to try and have a huge garage sale in the spring and end up donating most of it. I have some craft stuff, two microwaves and a few other things I want to post.

So, I'm slowly getting somewhere. Next up will be trying to build a budget I can live with.

Best Laid Plans?

2014-12-28T03:08:09Z

So, Day one turned out to be a flop. To be fair, it wasn't entirely our fault. We went to Applebees with the intention of using gift cards. But, as is our luck. Somehow the gift card was not activiated. *facepalm* So we ended up having to pay for the whole dinner. So, as the saying goes, tomorrow is another day....

Today it was easy not to spend anything. We didn't go anywhere. Yes, I could spend money online, but there's nothing I desperately need.

But, I spent today cleaning, going through some stuff and generally recovering from the holidays. I have a long way to go before I can let go of some stuff. But other stuff was easy to chuck into a box or the trash can. Now, I need to spend some time in the garage and start posting it on FB and craigslist.

Tomorrow. I'm not sure what I'll do. Clean up my living room and dining room perhaps and maybe do some sewing. Finishing up some of my UFO's will be another goal next year. After all, maybe if I spend some time doing that, I'll realize I don't need to buy fabric for anything.

Day one?

2014-12-26T14:56:10Z

So, I guess technically today is Day one of my no spend challenge, since Wednesday and Thursday were holidays. I looked in my lunch and already am struggling. Not that I don't like ham, but a burger sounds good. I think where I'm really going to struggle is when I run out of pop. But I can drink tea. (as long as my cream here at work hasn't been thrown out. I need to check the fridge today). I partially went through my pantry on Tuesday and have a list of what we have. I found 4 cans of corn and that doesn't count what we canned from the summer. I also found 4 or 5 different types of peanut butter and like 4 different types of chinese sauces. I'm not excited about the chinese sauces, but I'll figure it out. The goods we canned and my Tastefully Simple stuff will need to be a separate list. And some of the dried mixes and dip mixes didn't get listed yet either. However, I don't think we'll starve. I may need to get creative, but we won't go hungry. I have to decide if fresh veggies go on the list of "allowed to buy" I'm thinking they should be. But only if I have a plan for them. So, I'll have to plan for like a stir fry. Although, I think one of the days is meal planning. Looking at the schedule, Day 3. So over the weekend, I'll be spending some time on the internet planning ahead at least for a week or so to start. Our schedule is fairly easy over the next week. I'm more worried about the following week when real life hits again.

But, I know I can do this. I have $8 in my wallet. It can last me a while. And I can get away with only buying gas and necessary items at the grocery store. That book I want? It can wait, I have a whole kindle and a whole room full of books. That gorgeous fabric? Well, I can go home and fondle pretty fabrics in my craft room. That candy bar? Well, all I need to do is step on the scale. The hardest part is going to be not eating out. But. I can do it. Oh. and giving up pop like I said earlier. But water is better for me.

I spent some time trying to get caught up on stuff when I was home on Wednesday. It felt good to actually move around some clutter. Now, it needs to get out of my house. I have boxes that need to go to half price books. I have stuff that needs to go to the post office. Next will be picking a room a week or a month and digging into it and deciding what I want to keep and what needs to go. I'm starting to feel like a hoarder and I hate it. There's stuff in the house that I haven't used since we moved in. So, time to let it go. Unless, it's a family heirloom. Then, it gets packed away to get passed down to the next generation. OR it goes now to one of them. We'll see.

But. It's going to get done. Stress free living. It's for me.

something new and accountability

2014-12-23T02:59:10Z

So, I'm reading an ARC of a book called Living Well and Spending Less. There's also a website of the same name. www.livingwellspendingless.com. It's time to start seriously cutting expenses in my life and work on decluttering my life.

I'm thinking if I start journaling about it, it will hold me accountable and make me stick to it. So. Here goes nothing. I'm going to attempt the 31 days of Living Well and Spending Zero found here: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/31-days/livingwellspendingzero/

Christmas is probably the best time to start it. Especially since my shopping, wrapping, etc is done. And I have no need to buy anything for at least a few weeks between the holiday meals and the gifts I may or may not receive. I have more clothes than I know what to do with. I have more books than I will ever read. And my craft room looks like a hurricane it. Add in some other stuff from the past few months and my house is beginning to look like the beginnings of a hoarders episode.

So. If you're game. Check out the website. Then check out the book and consider purchasing a copy. The book is due out at the end of the month.

Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life

But I'm going to try to post here with the challenges I face as I wrestle through the first thirty one days. I've always felt I can buy what I want, but as I've discovered recently, that isn't the case. So it's time to cut back.

Second Job

2012-10-01T01:49:12Z

Just as a side note, I'm selling Tastefully Simple if anyone is interested in buying some or having a book party. (if you live in the Western PA area, I'll be happy to do a tasting party for you)

here is my website:

www.tastefullysimple.com/web/vhendricks

They have a lot of great product that is easy to prepare. It takes one or two ingredients or they have items that you just open and enjoy.

Feel free to take a look and if you find something you like, order. I do take credit cards.

Thanks! :)

Quilt pictures

2012-01-21T23:13:35Z

As promised:

A table runner I made from a kit

Using the four patch posie pattern.

A french braid pattern. LOVE this on my bed!

A candlemat

a table topper

A table runner

A wallhanging. Thought this was adorable. And I did the stippling myself!

my valentine's wallhanging.

A QUILT! Sort of

2011-04-28T01:51:40Z

I'd love to be able to post every day, but I'm not going to make promises. Especially since there are nights where I'm not on the computer at all and LJ is still firewalled at work.

Le Sigh.

So, a few years ago, I agreed to do a signature quilt for the founder of the review site I review for. Well, I had trouble with design, so it sat in my craft room for about 2 years. I finally hauled it out this weekend, determined to get somewhere on it. And I have. It's not completely put together, but I have a design, and 20 blocks pieced together. Now I need to find a day to get the rest of it sewn together. I love having a creative drive right now. I'm going with it while it lasts. Let's see how many quilt tops I can get done! Especially with a quilt show in November (more on that later!)

Anyways, here's the picture of it so far. Yes, I know, the blocks don't all match, but I worked with what I had and also some of the founder's interests. :)

Slacker

2011-04-26T01:36:39Z

I've been promising a post for a while and haven't followed through. Not sure why I can't write. I used to be able to write. Maybe it's because I want to bottle up my emotions and not share them. Maybe it's because with all the hubbub about not being able to post about certain subjects because of employers. Hard to say.

I am still alive, obviously. LOL. I've just been busy too. I'm playing pinball again. Still involved in the review site and finally, finally, I am quilting more. I have...well a bunch! of tops that need quilted. I keep saying I am going to get pictures taken but I've been too lazy to do it. Who wants to pose when I can be sewing???

So, for many excuses, I haven't been writing and posting much.

But, as you can see, I have many hobbies going on right now!

And I'm still looking for donations. Thank you to those of you who have so far, MUCH appreciated!

Please donate here.

A plea

2011-04-17T22:49:33Z

I know, I know. I owe a really long post. A lot has been going on in my life, but I am actually posting today to plead for donations.

I am participating in Chartiers-Houston Relay for Life this year. In 2007, both my mother and my step-mother-in-law were diagnosed with breast cancer. My mom went the radiation route and Petey's step-mom went the chemo therapy route. 4 years later, they are both still cancer free and Survivors. I've been a big proponent of trying to make people aware of breast cancer, but I decided to take it one step further by participating in the relay for Life this year.

Please consider donating, even if it is only a few dollars. Every little bit helps and it goes to a worthy cause (and do I need to mention that a donation is also tax deductible?)

You can donate here:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11PA?px=20369206&pg=personal&fr_id=33614

Thank you in advance for your consideration

-Virginia

Writer's Block: Going down

2011-04-13T01:21:59Z

Wow! This is a hard one! I can't imagine most people would sleep through a plane crashing (screaming, lights flashing, etc), but I'll play along.

I don't think I would wake him up. I would kiss him on the forehead, say goodbye and I love you and then pray as we go down.

A new year

2011-01-02T04:17:29Z

I am going to make this short and sweet. I think I put off posting because I always hope to have pictures of my new projects or whatever and I always forget to take them or upload them.

I don't make new year's resolutions, but I am going to try and post more this year. I used to love writing reviews about movies, restaurants, posting about projects, etc, and I want to get back into doing that.

I need to take time to slow down this year. I am always on the go and while in some respects that is good, sometimes, I just need time to get back to the basics.

I hope to get more organized this year, hope to dig our way out of some debt and I hope to visit some friends this year.

May 2011 be an awesome year!

I know, I know

2010-12-19T23:27:39Z

I am way behind on posting. I keep promising to post more often, then I don't. I think my excuse is that I want to take pictures of my quilts and such and post them, and then I don't. Speaking of, I forgot to take pics of my Xmas projects. Darn it! LOL

Anyways, life hasn't changed much. Busy getting ready for Christmas insanity. Have almost all my shopping done, the presents are wrapped. Didn't bake this year, but I haven't missed it. Yet. I'm looking more forward to the time off.

But, I am still alive and hope to get more regular about posting. I keep finding things that would be great posts, so I will definitely have to do that.

If I don't post again this week, Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Short Post

2010-11-09T01:43:57Z

Its Monday Night Football with the Steelers. So really short one.

I got my first massage about 9 years ago. And ever since then? I've been a junkie. I absolutely am in heaven when I get a massage. Some women do mani/pedi's. I prefer to spend my money on a massage. Fortunately, I get them through my chiropractor, so they are considered physical therapy, otherwise I wouldn't be able to do it.

And my current massage therapist? Fabulous. She is awesome! :) She and I laugh and kid and joke throughout the massage. So, I look forward to those every couple of weeks. I'm limited to 20 next year, which will suck, but its better than nothing I guess.

I could go into a whole rant about healthcare and how it is getting worse despite the "new and improved healthcare bill" but I've been taught not to discuss religion or politics and tonite? I'm sticking to that pledge.

Well, off to watch the Steelers. Have a great night!

Sunday

2010-11-08T01:18:19Z

Sorry, I know I promised I would post every day this month, but I was in Chicago for work on Thursday and Friday, so not much personal time spent on the computer.

Trip was good. I like my co-worker out there and sort of wish that she were able to be in our main HQ because I think I could work with her and she would push me to my limits, unlike my current situation. But alas, it won't happen, so I'll just have to appreciate her from afar. I have a feeling I'll have to go back out there once or twice more, but I'll worry about that when the time comes.

I used to love flying. It was always fun and interesting but not this trip. The TSA is just frustrating. I can follow their instructions to the letter and still have something searched when I fly home. And they have new xray machines. Which makes the process take even longer. Ugh.

And United Airlines? absolutely HORRIBLE. They charge extra for leg room, there's no snack, they take half the plane as "important people" when boarding. And while I have no children, they have no family boarding. They prefer to board their frequent flyers first. Which I think is rude and ignorant. And some of the flight attendents? Horribly rude. I was unimpressed. I have to fly them for work, but I will NEVER fly them for leisure. And the last two times I've flown them? My flight home has been delayed out of O'Hare.

The rest of the weekend was okay, didn't do much of anything, so it was nice. :)

And now to look forward to a busy and chaotic work week. Yay. :P

Day 3

2010-11-04T02:07:44Z

Another day, another dollar? Or something like that.

Leaving for Chicago town tomorrow for work. Not sure if I will enjoy it or if I will regret it, but it is better than the normal routine, and I will be with someone who WANTS to learn and do their job, so that's cool! :)

So, I've probably mentioned I'm in the choir. Well. We're singing Christmas stuff. ugh. So not ready!!!! NOOOOOO. Don't want to think about the holiday season, or I'll stress about Pumpkin rolls! LOL. But, I enjoy choir and bell choir, even though there are days I don't think I want to go and then when I force myself to go, its a good thing. :) Its a commitment, but its one I enjoy. I've debated stepping away from the bells just for a short break because of life and everything right now, but I think I'd rather give something else up if I have to.

So. Just a short one because I gotta get up at the crack of dawn to get on a plane. Yay. lol

Day 2

2010-11-03T00:26:49Z

I can do this, really. I can.

So today was Election Day. I could do my usual rant of go vote, people fought and died for your right to be free.

But. I'm just going to say, the country has gone to hell in a handbasket (see my post from a couple of years ago...) and I'm anxiously hoping that the people are fed up and have voted for real change.

Fingers crossed

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-01T20:22:53Z

Okay, I am not participating because I honestly have no desire to be an aspiring writer. I enjoy reading works by authors, and dabbling in an occasional short story that is on the risque side, but other than that...can't say I have a goal to be published.

But, I want to use NaNoWriMo as an excuse to post to my journal more. So, as much as I would like to post every day, I don't think my life is exciting enough for that. And I could write reviews of places I've eaten, movies I've seen, etc, but...I'm behind on my BBB reviews, so...until I get those caught up... I won't bore you too much. ;)

Halloween weekend was crazy busy but fun for us. We went to a wedding Friday night, that was not more than 5 minutes from home! Lots of fun. Thrilled to death for the bride and groom and they looked dashing! :)

Saturday was a Halloween party. I was a fairy, and it was lots of fun! :)

Sunday was my nephew's 7th birthday and my brother's 40th birthday party. God, I feel old! :)

And then we got to see our nieces in their costumes and do trick or treat with them! :) Loved every minute of it! :)

And I spent the weekend getting lots of odds and ends stuff around the house, so I feel pleased that even with a busy weekend, it was productive! :)

Monday again

2010-08-17T02:04:56Z

Just a short one tonite. I have a ton of review site stuff to catch up from the last couple of days.

This weekend was PAPA 13 (www.papa.org). The Pinball World Championships. They have 3 divisions and mini tournaments from Thurs through Sat. Petey and I went and had a blast. Sadly, he didn't qualify for his division, but there's always next year! (I tried, but I knew I wouldn't). We saw lots of friends, spent lots of hours at the warehouse in Scott Twp and played and socialized alot.

I was BEAT! I still am. And of course, I have a million things to do this week. Sigh. Housework, crafty stuff, etc etc. Oh well. It will get done somehow.

I averaged around 8800 steps last week, so that was cool. I'm up over 10K today, so I'm happy. Hopefully the week will continue with that number! :)

So, that;'s the weekend in a nutshell. Fun times. :)

Tuesday

2010-08-11T01:24:39Z

I'm waiting for Petey to come home, but thought I'd throw out a quick post (see, I'm trying! LOL).

Today was good. Went to work. And got lots done. I'm in great shape to take Thursday and Friday off. I have odds and ends stuff to do, but if I don't get it done, I can do it next Monday. But it was a good day for the most part. Although I got bored near the end of the day.

We're doing a 10,000 steps a day challenge at work. I'm currently averaging 7500. I was up and down from the printer today and was discouraged to find that it took forever to hit 2000 steps this morning! But I'm at around 7500 now and and still have a couple of hours to go this evening. So, hopefully I can hit 8K steps.

I did some sewing tonite. I'm participating in the blockofthemonth . I should have used stash, but I was inspired by someone else's color choices, so I decided to participate for a change. And really, making one block per month is easier than making a whole quilt. Now just because I have about 5 quilts going right now because I am feeling inspired, doesn't mean anything. LOL.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. PAPA13 is this weekend. We'll hang out at Silver Ball CC for a PAPA pre-party tomorrow night and then the big event begins Thursday. I'm really hoping Petey will be the dark horse this year. PAPA13 is the World Pinball Championships. And SBCC is a private home up near Seven Springs. The gentleman opens up his arcade (which is THREE floors) to some of the competitors every year. It will run late. Last year I got to play pinball with Todd MacColluch (a former NBA star!). So it should be LOTS of fun!

All right, I'm off. Have a bunch of other things to do, but that's my day in a nutshell!