Running Errands.

I love errands. Absolutely love them. Specifically, I love running errands by myself. I take my time, most times bring my tumbler of tea, leisurely browse, read food labels, read clothing labels, ponder items, dig through coupons, listen to the end of a radio program before going inside (AM stations are what my good ole Dodge gets these days), take the extra five seconds to check in on Four Square, and all in all, I love being alone, independent, and on a mission with a list.

Tonight was no exception. I didn't leave the house until after 5pm. Much like anywhere you live, you develop a circuit for where you go based on what stores are near you. My Cottage Grove humble-abode, involved Target, Dollar Tree, Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet, BP Gas Station, Rainbow, and Kohl's.

This may seem like a mundane post to many, perhaps all who read this, but to me, this post recognizes common tasks. When I read this post in 50 years, I will enjoy knowing what I did on a weekly-ish basis. I have found that I remember big, exciting things in life, such as sipping wine under a lit up Eiffel Tour, or kayaking the Caribbean Sea, but the little things, the day-to-day things that happen are what I often forget. As I have said before, and will say again, life is really about the little things. So, this post, about running errands, I'm going to embrace it. Now, to continue.

Target's necessity item is always nylons. I swear, I need to own stock in nylons. I go through so many pairs for work. Tonight was no exception, nylons were on my list. As well as a pair of sweater tights to keep me warmer for winter. I love wearing a skirt to work, there is something so feminine about a skirt, but the days when I have goosebumps and shivers from the cold air whipping through the Lindbergh Light Rail Station are the days I ponder wearing warmer uniform pieces. In addition to nylons, I stocked up on tea for myself and my mom. What may I be drinking right now? Organic Hibiscus. Strong and hot. Not bad qualities. I had a coupon for fluoride + a coupon for a $5 gift card with the purchase of fluoride = win/win situation. Five bucks to spend on a future purchase. Awesome. Tortilla wraps for my tuna and Target brand ziplocs made my Target run complete.

The Dollar Tree. This store should be called the 10 dollar store, or even 20 dollar store, because I rarely, if ever, spend just one dollar. I went there to buy matches. Did I remember to buy matches? Nope. But I did find 20 other things to buy. The highlights: a lighthouse calendar which our home desperately needed (December 2012 does none of us any good), THE #perfect gift bag for a friends' birthday coming up (I love a great gift bag, especially to reuse and have on display), a new headband wrap with a blue flower to match not only my jeans but my Vera Bradley bag as well (#happysnails), and Valentines day goodies for friends and family. Despite the look the cashier gave me when I insisted on using my own bag at the check-out, I still love the dollar store.

Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet. This was my first time venturing into this store. I typically run into Petsmart or Petco when in Woodbury and stock up on supplies, but my birdie needs her large cuttle bones which aren't always carried elsewhere. My dad has gotten them in bulk here before, however, tonight, I learned they no longer receive them. They have bulk millet, but not bulk cuttle bones. This was my first, and probably last, venture into this store. Sorry, birdie, the small cuticle bone will have to suffice for now!

Onto Double Daze! Wednesdays and Saturdays at Rainbow are Double Daze. For those couponers out there, you know what this is. For those who don't, you need to. Up to five manufacturer coupons are doubled with a qualifying purchase of $25. A few weeks back was unlimited double daze, my brother and I used some 25ish coupons total. With many being $1 a piece, that's an extra $25 savings. I've gotten most cereal in our household for 99 cents and pudding mix for 25 cents, just to name a couple. Today, I ventured a bit out of budget and splurged on feel-good, eat-good foods for myself. Future posts to come when I bake and cook with these ingredients, but a few of my favorites are: rye flour, quinoa, lentils, and almond butter. Tonight's highlights: a huge bottle of dish spap for just $1, the big tubs of cottage cheese for just $2.24, and Yoplait Yogurt cups for just 38 cents a piece. Seriously, everyone needs to be a coupon clipper AND participate in Double Daze. The savings will amaze you, and food tastes so much better when you know you saved money!

Last stop: Kohl's. I have a love/hate relationship with clothes these days. I buy things, then feel guilty about buying them (see Resolutions post which includes being frugal and saving money) and/or don't like what I bought, and end up returning them. Meaning, I've wasted fuel most times having to drive back to the store, and wasted time twice for something I didn't keep. Meh. I will be out of this rut someday. Perhaps, starting tonight. I returned $80 worth of stuff. Which humors me quite a lot. All had the tags on, never worn. And re-bought $28 of clothing. The best part, the shirts were CHEAP. And I mean, cheap. Found on clearance with an additional 25% off, the cheapest shirt I bought was $2.70 and most expensive was $6.60, those prices are cheaper than Goodwill or Savers. I tried them on at home, and THEY ARE CUTE. Even I am surprised, I have no intentions of returning any of them. Just as food tastes better when it's almost free, clothing feels so great, when it's cheap. I'll throw outfits together and post photos soon.

So. Here ends my mundane task of running errands, and the post that came with it. In 50 years, I will have enjoyed knowing a random Wednesday night went fulfilled. Goodnight, all. 01 02 18

Resolutions.

res·o·lu·tion [rez-uh-loo-shuh n] noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.

2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

5. the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

Resolutions. Each year I mentally make them. (Or so I think, I can't completely recall.) And each year I mentally forget them as the days go by. Not because I didn't want to have that firm resolution to do something, more so because I forgot, meaning my resolutions weren't SMART goals. (Side note: SMART goals come from my sorority when I presented a Chapter Development on goals, ever since I have remembered; specific, meaningful, attainable, relevant, timely.) But last year, January 1st 2012, I opted to write down my resolutions. Which helped. And by writing down, I mean typed them on my iPhone. Where, on any given day, I can instantly read what I would like to improve upon, change, alter, or continue doing. Some days (many days) I do love technology.

Last year, I included items to continue doing as well as add, quite like a to-do list. (At one time I tried to give up lists, thinking they weren't necessary, I have since retracted that statement.) Resolutions I did accomplish included giving my prom dresses to Ever After Gowns - as I didn't want to simply give them to Goodwill because I couldn't dare think of someone buying them simply to 'trash' via zombie crawls, Halloween costumes, or specific photo shoots. I had such a feel-good-feeling after this donation, and as a bonus, I completed a resolution. (See, I really do like checking things off a list, I shouldn't ever deny that.) Other successful resolutions included eating healthy, exercising more, breathing deeply, drinking more tea, taking vitamins, and volunteering more. My resolutions aren't anything like, "win the lottery" or "own an island," but more so habits, daily life changes, and a betterment to life. Because we all can change for the better, there will always be something that can be done to improve oneself.

After reviewing 2012's resolutions, I started drafting 2013's resolutions oh, back in October, I would say. Slowly adding to the list of what to continue and what to add. Drum roll, please.

Continue taking vitamins.

Continue running. At least twice a week!

Continue eating healthy.

Add yoga more often. Once per week!

Read classic books. And more in general.

Travel one place every month.

Be very frugal.

Pick up one trip per month.

Always appreciate family.

Volunteer.

Make gifts. Only create.

Save money.  

Waa-lah! My resolutions. Not too small, nor too large. These resolutions are #perfect. Not only are they presently perfect, they define me. They shape me, and I love reading over and over again what I had on my mind for the new year. With nine days into this new year, may you too have happy resolutions that are kept, improve yourself, and define you. Happy New Year!

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