Apparently I'm Recovered Enough To Spend A Hundred Dollars At The Mall

Lately it's so easy for me to feel down about myself: less-than-stellar haircut, fifteen extra pounds in my trunk, ugly circles under my eyes from pushing bedtime to midnight or beyond.... Who knew all those bad feelings could be cured by spending some Benjamins?

(Say hello to my father-in-law, whose charming smile graces the (stage) left side of my new FREE make-up bag.)

Thanks to a little help from my friends, suddenly everything seems much brighter: my hair, which is actually growing out quite nicely, thank you very much; my skin, which is appearing to benefit from my mother's household stash of Proactiv; my weight, which wears much better when it's not being squeezed into clothing that emphasizes my mid-section.

OK, so these purchases don't exactly fit in with my quest to save money, but in my defense, I had an NY&C coupon that gave me thirty bucks off a total of seventy-five or more, resulting in five tops for under fifty dollars; plus, it was Bonus Time at Clinique. Who can resist the lure of delicious free samples for a minimum purchase of twenty-one fifty? Obviously not Frema. So what if I spent forty-five? I was still seven dollars shy of the amount I told Luke I would spend when I informed him this morning of the shopping trip that was sure to take place that afternoon.

(Edited to add: I have one gripe about Van Maur's Clinique counter: when I inquired about make-up removers, the girl tried to sell me a bottle of something that was already included in the Bonus Time package, a detail she failed to confirm until I carefully examined its contents and pointed it out; a detail that totally pisses me off. I'd already signed on for the All About Eyes and the Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder. You're getting my commission, woman! For cripe's sake, I'm shelling out twenty-seven Wendy's crispy chicken sandwiches for eye cream! Did you really need to extract another fifteen bucks from my debit card?)

Life is good. I'm feeling much better, I made it back to step class for the first time in two weeks, dishes are done, the checkbook is balanced, and once I hit "Publish," my blog will be updated. All I need is some sleep. I woke up at four o'clock today to deliver Luke to the airport in time for a seven o'clock flight, and since the lab is just another few minutes away, I decided to clock in two hours early. Of course, I left two hours early to make up the time. Such the dedicated worker bee am I.

And for the month of November, I hope to become a more dedicated blogger. When I heard about National Blog Posting Month from Kerflop a few days ago and the accompanying challenge to post once a day every day for the entire month, I hesitated to register. I can barely manage to update once a week; how can I possibly find something interesting to say thirty straight days in a row? Will writer's block resign me to cheesy literary devices like memes and sequels to my 100 things list?

There's only one way to find out.

People, I'm gonna need your help. Are there any topics you'd like me to address? Issues in my personal life you wish I'd explore more intimately? Embarrassing pictures you want to see? Then bring them the hell on, because OH SNAP. THIRTY STRAIGHT DAYS. GOD.

I have to pick up Luke from the airport now, so we can end this day and go to bed already, but before I do, I wanted to share some pictures I took during the Lost A Sock family's trip to Indianapolis this past Sunday. They are among the elite few who have dared to step foot in the Frema-Useless Clutter apartment, and their visit gave me a wonderful excuse to dust my picture frames and bleach my floors. In return, they provided two more reasons for me to speed up the childbirthing process. Thanks for making my ovaries ache, kids.

Doesn't Molly look fabulous? I'm drooling at the mouth over her hotness.

...And the utter coolness of KJ's glasses. My nine-year-old self is so jealous.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

I totally hear you, shopping makes me feel better. And, of course, my stomach bulge is way less noticable in some bigger pants (ouch! bigger!). I , too, cannot resist the Clinique Bonus, my total excuse for buying makeup, ever.

Blog ideas: food diary (i'm doing this, even though it's crap, but it will help me to keep eating better and give me somewhat of a start!), what you do to pass the time when Luke is away, live "deal or no deal" blogging? Good luck :)

[Dawnie]

Yay Clinique bonuses! I just happened to drop in and buy stuff on the last day of the one up here. Although, while the bag I got is supremely functional, yours is way cuter.

[Lost A Sock]

You are so very sweet. And I am so very glad you are feeling back to your old self (the proof is in the shopping!)

I can't wait to read thirty days of entries!! That is so exciting to get from you! And! Somehow! I! Can't! Stop! With! The! Excitement! (Must just be cause I love you that much.)

:0)

[Lost A Sock]

PS- Last picture? Kevin in the background savoring the living heck outta Luke's coffee. Discussed in the car ride home...mmmmmmm.

[debi]

Yippy,a post a day from you. I get so sad when there are no new posts for a week at a time. I am still lurking out here and I miss knowing your every move.

[Kelley]

Most of my makeup comes from CVS, but my mom uses Clinique, and she always mails me the free-with-purchase goodie bags. My pulse quickens whenever I see a package from my mom in the mail - what tops free Clinique? Nothing.

And, hey, I want a baby houseguest! No fair.

[Mrs. S]

I understand the ovaries aching thing... which is why I now ache from head to toe, 'cause little brat won't come out and my body can't handle the extra weight (between baby and swelling) gracefully. Of course, I never could do ANYTHING gracefully, so I'm not sure why I'm surprised...

Glad you had a great time! And I can't wait to see what you find to write about.

[Isabel]

I'm loving all the goodies you got. Good for you.

(stupid salesperson. Stupid.)

Wow, a post a day? Including weekends? That's insane.

Here's a topic:

wWat is a day in the life of Frema like??

Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing. I love looking at other people's cute kids!

[daddy d]

Thanks for the picture within a picture. The kids are just super.

Travel man is doing big miles in a short period of time. It is very much like the idea of power. Power is work divided by time. Hence, a big work load in a short time period is big power.

[Stacey]

Shopping always cures what ails you. Glad things are looking up!

[Art Nerd Lauren]

Your free Clinique bag is cuter than mine- I have freebie envy!

I've decided to do the same with the post a day. We'll see how it goes. I'm planning on taking photos and posting them. And the end of the semester is luckily ripe with blog material by way of the students.

Do you ever do something and then think- that's almost a blog entry? I'm going to be posting shorter entries, like 3 paragraphs at the most. Those kinds of things are what will make it in this month.

Work stories? With caution so as not to be Dooced? I don't know, I give it a week before the memes start flying. for me at least :)

[Britt]

You just can't turn down a coupon that gives you thirty bucks off a purchase. I'm glad you found some good stuff.

[Sambo V.]

Sister, I'm so sorry for not being faithful to your blog these past two months. I love you so much and your writing is important to me. I LOVE YOU and I'll do better! ;)

[Silly Hily]

I am SO jealous! You just wouldn't stop with this post. First NY&Co. Having one of those coupons makes it toally worth it and totally okay to go b/c it would be a sin not to use that coupon.
Then Clinique. I myself hooked up during the last Bonus Week! I love Bonus Week.
And then Molly came to see you? WTF?
With the kids!?
Well Bree, why don't you just twist the knife while it's still in me?

So jealous!

[Liz]

Those little gift bags with all the samples inside are so tempting, aren't they? :)