Shopping rules, super glue fixes, and DIY torches, er, candles

I have a rule.

When I find something, whatever it may be, and decide not to buy it, but continue to think about it for days, then I know I should have it. Such was the case. I found a pair of pants that I really liked at The Loft, which is very rare because I've never liked pants from The Loft. Well, surprise!, I do now. They are orange! A pretty orange. PERFECT for fall! I tried them on during my shopping last weekend, but didn't buy them. Liked them, may have loved them, but decided I didn't want to pay full price. BUT THEN!, I got an e-mail on Monday that The Loft was having a sale so I went back and had a horrible pants experience (for whatever reason I was feeling bold and decided to try on some jeans...no dice), so I bought nothing and vowed I would never buy jeans or pants again. Never. It was the emotion of the moment. Don't lie, you've been there. Then I called my mom and we talked about shopping and pants and ranted and vented about how awful it is shopping for pants and I felt better....aka my self esteem was back in tact. Bruised badly, but back. 

Despite the rollercoaster of emotions regarding pants this week, I decided that since I could not stop thinking of those orange pants, I needed to see them again. So I headed back to the mall today (this is the most I have ever been to the mall in...ever?...twice in a week?!!? Yeah, I know. I'm that girl) and tried them on and I loved them. I started envisioning fall outfits, and that alone made me giddy, and they were still on sale so I bought them. Done. I am very pleased. 

AND!!! I have been told from at least 6 people in the past week that American Eagle jeans are awesome. Since I am not longer in high school, I didn't feel I was "of age" to be shopping there but feeling bold after my success at The Loft today, I went in and tried on some jeans. I was very pleased. No purchases were made as I had other things to buy today, but I will try them out again.

AND!!! I got a coupon in the mail for 40% off at the Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy outlets and what do you know, I just happen to live near Tangor Outlets. So after my mall excursions, I headed to the outlets and got some wicked deals. Love it! 

All this and I saved $96! YAH! 

Now, I did have one minor casualty today. I was wearing my new shoes that I got for a steal of a deal last week. Please see my previous post for details. Well, as I was exiting the mall, all of the sudden something felt weird on my left foot. My shoe felt loose. I looked down to check the strap and it seemed fine so I kept walking. But it still felt weird!!! Once I got outside, I sat on a bench and upon further inspection, and to my dismay, one of the straps on the left side of my left shoe had come OUT of the shoe and that's why it was feeling loose. Basically my shoe was partially broken. I was devastated, but it looked fixable. And since you couldn't really tell, and the shoes were still functional, I decided instead of going home and switching shoes, I would continue on with my shopping endeavors. Once I got home I busted out the super glue, which got all over my fingers of course, and poured heaps of glue onto the strap and shoved it back into the slit of my shoe. And then poured more super glue over it just to make sure that bugger wasn't ever coming out again! 

I let the glue dry and then a little while later tugged on it. It seems to be stuck but we'll see the next time I wear them. Hopefully this did the trick or I will be very, very sad.

My pals Amy and Jen, and I like to have Ladies Night, which usually consists of dinner and a Pinterest craft. This past Friday we decided to make our own mason jar candles. They seemed simple enough. We even added some essential oils (lavender!) and they turned out great. 

The only thing is the wicks are HUGE. About as big around as my middle finger. That's fine and dandy and all, but apparently it's safest best to shove the wick down as far as you can before you light it. Amy did not do this initially, and her candle was our guinea pig, so when she lit her candle, it was like a torch. I'm NOT even kidding you. The flame was probably 6-8 inches high. Jen and I were on the floor laughing as Amy tried to carefully carry her torch candle to the sink to blow it out without singeing  her eyebrows. Again, Jen and I were holding our stomachs on the floor laughing. Ah Ladies Nights are always a blast. 

And let it be know that this week I will finally get to see my fiance after almost 2 months of being apart. THANK. THE. STARS. I am ready to burst with excitement! We will be taking our engagement pictures!!!!!! But seriously, I'm just happy to see Mark again. 

Holy Pictures Batman

This is going to be one of those posts with a lot of pictures complete with Gabe-ified commentary. 

First. I have yet to completely finish a book. I have checked out probably 20 books from library in the past 6 months and can say I haven't finished, or even make it through half of them. Isn't that the pits??? I'm in a slump. I requested a book I saw in a bookstore while I was home, The Postmistress, and started it yesterday. It seems interesting so let's hope this one turns out to be a winner. However, tonight I found myself reading one of my favorite things: 

cookbooks

Yes I read cookbooks, from cover to cover. It's fun! 

Anyway. I went home last week (here's where I blow up your screen with pictures)!

I brought Scotty back to New England and into the loving arms of my brother and sis-in-law. He's back to stay. Lucky pooch!

 So. To make this brief, I was going to give Scotty some happy meds to make the flying experience a little better for him (because last time it most definitely was NOT enjoyable). Well, we were sitting a few gates away so Scotty wouldn't freak out being around a lot of people and all of the sudden they made a final boarding call over the PA system and that the doors were closing. FREAKOUT!!!!! So I ripped open my bag and tried to get Scotty to eat his happy meds. Well. He didn't, but he did eat his treats. Punk. I shoved the stuff back in my bag and ran to the gate, boarded the plane, got situated, and then realized the pills were in my backpack. In the overhead compartment. And I was sitting in the window seat. Great. Once again we were flying with Scotty un-medicated. I was so nervous that my leg was shaking and shaking so hard that the nice elderly gentleman next to me kept looking at me. Oh boy. Well, by some miracle, Scotty was actually very good on the plane and even managed to sleep for 45 minutes. He was none to happy with me as we tried to get off the plane but I can't blame him. I hate his stupid carry-on bag too. But we made it and that's all that matters. WAHOOO!!!!

Cuddling safely in my bed at home. Cutie. 

To say I was happy would be a vast understatement. 

 

 

 I got to have Squamscott Soda! 

The raspberry lemonade is delish!

 

 On one of our adventures, we went to Newburyport, MA. I love this quaint little place, especially their antique shops!

And whattayaknow I found this while I was thumbing through some golf cards-Prestwick is in Myrtle Beach! Whaaaaaat?

I bought some new sandals. Don't mind the outfit but daaaaang I love those flats!

We went into the Best of British shop where Emma and I coveted Hunter rain boots and then we overwhelmed our noses with the delicious scents of Crabtree and Evelyn. I want this new one! OHMYLATNUS it smells sooooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!

 And I also had to get my pound of chocolate covered raisins from the general store. I opted out of getting 2 pounds because I'll be back next month (bad sadly they are already gone...maybe I shoulda gotten more...?) 

I found this in my favorite antique shop, Flukes & Friends & Finds, and fed my anchor obsession. My mom also found an anchor skirt at a consignment shop...$12 later it was mine. Oh happiness! And thank you Mom for letting me get it!

Miss this furball. 

I was delighted to be a part of the surprise retirement party for my high school English teacher Mrs. Miles. 

She taught at my high school for 40 years. I doubt I will see that kind of commitment with my generation. The lives she has touched! She's a dynamic lady, if I've ever met one. A rare gem and a woman who has influenced me in more ways that I could ever say. It's a very special thing being part of a small community that becomes your family and I just can't describe how happy I was to be a part of this special landmark and to celebrate this amazing woman with the rest of our Sanborn family. 

Now. Tangent time. This is my grandmother Barbara.

She's a babe and also one of my absolute favorite people in the whole world. She's the best cook and baker I have ever known. She's also sassy and funny and I hope to be as witty and awesome as she is when I grow up. Whenever I go visit we like to go through her closets and play dress up in some of her old fur coats and things. She has the coolest clothes. I LOVE HER. I actually found that picture on my mom's phone (thanks Mom) and then as I was going through some of my old things from college, found some old pictures she had given me during a visit while I was in college. So, it's throwback Thursday time.  

Eh hem. Back to New England.

I like my traditions. And for the love of ice cream I have only be thinking/talking/dreaming about my favorite ice cream place since Christmas: Lago's. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Have you lost your marbles???? 

                          

 I got cookie monster and oatmeal cream pie with chocolate jimmies!

 It's all homemade ice cream and the flavors are sinfully wonderful. I can't wait to go back!

Home was great. Wonderful. Amazing. Exactly what this girl needed. I honestly can't be without New England for greater than 6 months and even that is stretching it. Someday New England, someday we'll be together again.

Can we talk about surprises for a moment? I love surprises (good ones...obviously). I have been and am being tortured by upcoming surprises. My mom has a surprise which she is very elusive about and usually I can crack her for information. Not this time. I'm going nuts. Then, Mark has some surprises and won't tell me, though I have been given some useless hints. My curiosity-meter is OFF.THE.CHARTS. I'm going to go mad!!!! THEN a few weeks ago, Amy said she had a surprise for me too but I would have to wait. Let me tell you friends, I cannot crack her. Nope. She is tight-lipped. She doesn't even humor me. Well. I got home Sunday morning and she came over with my surprise because she finally got it and couldn't stand waiting any longer!!!! 

She got me a Garmin. 

OH.

MY.

LANTUS.

I teared up after she left. 

A) That's extremely generous. EXTREMELY. B) Ohmygosh it's a GARMIN. That's for legit runners. And Amy, who I respect, admire, and deem a legit, hardcore, and amazing runner, called me a runner and said it was time for me to have one. That's a high compliment friends. Whoa buddy. C) She even got it in the color I had been eyeing. I've already used it a few times this week and it's SO COOL!!!!!

 I get to see Mark in 3 weeks.

FINALLY. 

By the time we see each other it will have been 3 months. Three. That's practically an eternity. I am not a fan. If I could even tell you how excited I am, if I could even somehow allow you to feel the excitement and anticipation that are bubbling inside of me, I would. But I cannot. 

Plus. We'll be in New England. Together. HAPPINESS!!!!!

AND! He's never been to New England before. 

He doesn't even know what's about to hit him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And. I went to the doctor's today. I don't think my experience is blog appropriate so I won't share (sorry), but I will just say, Brian Regan was right. When they say, "you're going to feel a little pressure," IT'S A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy catscans. Lies. But it was hilarious, albeit someone embarrassing. Jeepers.

Oh! And I  have a Dr. W story from today. I had a patient who was ordered to start TPN today (total parenteral nutrition aka feeding someone through a vein where they just absorb the nutrients because it's already "digested" for them). TPN is more of a last resort option and really only for patients with a gut that don't work because of surgery, obstructions, fistulas, etc. This patient does not fall into the TPN-appropriate category but some doctors love to order TPN willy nilly, which drives me NUTS. It's expensive and really not that great for the body in the long run. Well. I get really riled up when some of the docs order TPN because 80% of the time it's not appropriate. I was riled today because it was absolutely not appropriate. So. I fumed with the pharmacist about the TPN and had my case ready to argue. My argument was rock solid. I was ready to fight this one. So, I patiently waited for Dr. W to finish chatting with a patient and then said hello to him and asked about the patient and started to argue my case (calmly, despite the fact that I was totally ready to bust out the facts, especially since this patient is rather complicated), when 3 seconds into my prepared argument Dr. W said, "You had me at Hi Dr. W. That's fine. Cancel it."

That's it? That's all?

Why can't all doctors be that awesome?!?!? I'll admit I was speechless for a second and then skipped (yes, yes I did skip) merrily down the hall to the charting room to inform the pharmacist that there would be no TPN.

Gabe-1 TPN-0. SUCCESS! 

Visitee and a Visitor

Last week I took a long weekend to visit Texas to visit....

 ....this handsome man!

It was a blast. I've never been to Texas before! 

We spent a day in Fort Worth at the Stockyards (mostly). Basically I felt like I was back in the old west. Cowboy gear and legit cowboys EVERYwhere!!!! And here I was walking around in Toms. What a "city" girl.

(Chuck Norris was here   +100,000 cool points for Texas)

We watched the Texas Longhorn cattle drive and for real those horns are awesome!!! 

And slightly intimidating.

I don't know how they walk around without poking each other but they do it.

We walked around the shops and may have stumbled upon a sweeeeet candy shop! Naturally we had to go in and buy some.

 Job security. Thank you Texas. I may or may not have purchased the bacon frosting to try out on a recipe to give to some bacon lovers. I was curious ok?!

THEN. For lunch Mark took me to the one...the only...In N Out becauseIlovetheirchocolateshakessomuchImightexplode! 

Get this. I ordered, obviously, a chocolate shake and indulged in ever drop of deliciousness. Mmmmm they are so tasty. My cheeks hurt from sucking so hard on the straw but they are just the thickness I love. As we were leaving Mark decided to get one for himself for the road and came back with a large so I could share. So, I had 1 1/2 chocolate shakes. 

He's spoils me so. 

Now before we returned to the Stockyards, we did some exploring of downtown Fort Worth. Mark is a good planner. He's good and is wicked fun to be with. We went to the Water Gardens, dubbed "an oasis in the concrete jungle on the south end of downtown." 

Very fitting.

SO. COOL. SOOOOO COOL!

 There are three pools: the active pool, the aerating pool, and the quiet pool. The active pool was our first stop. I believe I read somewhere that it's 38 feet deep. Anyway, it's quite a neat experience once you get to the bottom being surrounded by water. I loved it! We probably spent a good half hour playing in this pool.

This is the aerating pool. The artist was going for some sort of double effect but...I didn't quite see it. Maybe because of few of the fountains weren't spraying. But it was still neat!

This is the quiet pool. You really do feel like you're in the woods walking around this one because the walls are so high and they have water running down them. It's quite serene. 

I love water. 

Then we went back to the Stockyards and wandered in and out of the shops. Of course most of these shops have everything from license plates to cowboy key chains to pocketknives with names of them and for once I found one with MY name!!!!! (Granted it was probably made for a male. Oh well. Don't ruin my moment!)

Apparently even the jellybeans are bigger in Texas???

We found the longhorns!!!!! It was so fun to watch them maneuver around the poles and try to eat without stabbing each other. I'm impressed how well they get around.  

THEN. 
I saw these doors.
 I HAD to capture them. 
Mark looks legit and I just look like a tourist. Busted. 

We passed by a bakery and I had to pop in because I had to see if it was legit and if so, we had so get a few to try. We just had to! My mom would be proud :) We walked in and I was immediately overcome with the aroma of fresh baked cupcakes, buttercream frosting, and happiness. So. We got an Oreo cupcake, a red velvet cupcake and a chocolate with chocolate frosting cupcake. We were really impressed. We decided the Oreo was the best. The frosting was INCREDIBLE!!!! I still can taste it....mmmm mmm!

We also went through the Stockyards Museum and then the highlight of the evening: My first legit Texas rodeo COMPLETE with rodeo clowns. Oh my oh my was I delighted! IT WAS SOOOOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I contemplated changing my career to bull riding so that I can be the first female champion bull rider. I don't think Mark was too terribly thrilled with that idea.

I don't have many pictures from the other things we did, but all in all, it was another incredible and memorable weekend with a pretty fantastic guy. ;)

THEN a mere 4 days later I had a visitor! My dear, darling friend Jean. We went to college together and met living in the same (GHETTO) apartment complex while taking physiology together. We both ended up in the Carolinas and a visit was in order! She is SO cool, people, SO awesome. We are medical geeks and absolutely loved our physiology and anatomy classes. She is finishing up PA school and JUST got a job. I am THRILLED for her and so proud!!!
We did a lot of touristy things because, well, you have to experience some of that when you come to Myrtle Beach! It was really fun because some of the things we did I hadn't done yet!
We spent our Saturday with a 6 mile morning run next to the beach (I got some color!!!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!), breakfast, Broadway at the Beach (with a completely necessary stop at the ginormous candy story It's Sugar), and then down to Ocean Boulevard where we rode the Sky Wheel (my first time!)....

...with a sweet view of the Myrtle Beach strip

...and walked on the beach for a bit

...and went into some shops and talked and talked and talked and talked and ate and talked.

And we saw a magic show!!!!

And basically spent a lot of time eating good food and catching up. A lot happens in three years so we had much to talk and reminisce about! It was SO wonderful to see her. 

Jean you are wonderful!!!

It's been a good month thus far!