January fun money report + other miscellany
My fun-money report is a little brief this month, so we're just rolling it into a miscellany post this time.
I bought a lamp with my fun money
Objectively, I do not need another lamp.
Please see here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
and here.
And here.
However, this does not stop me from wanting more lamps, OKAYYYYYY?
So, when someone on the internet posted about a globe-shaped lamp from Ikea, I was immediately influenced.
I found a day off in my schedule and decided to make a little Ikea pilgrimage. I was going to splurge on coffee on the way, but as I told you guys before, I accidentally happened to go on a day when lattes were only $3, and I had a gift card, so this was not a use of my fun money at all.
Anyway.
I took a leisurely stroll through the entire store, which was a fun way to spend part of my day.
I did eventually find my intended purchase:
I brought it home and plugged it in right away. Ooh! Shiny!
Chiquita shared my excitement, clearly:
I put it in one of my built-in bookshelves, next to the fireplace.
I turn it on every night once the sun goes down.
I also bought a little set of three glass jars, largely because I wanted one for chipotle chili storage.
My current container has a rather narrow opening, so it's a little hard to get a spoon inside. This one has a nice wide mouth, though, so I think it'll work great.
I also bought them because hello, they are very cute. I am a sucker for little storage containers, especially if they are glass.
I don't know what I will store in the other two, but I'm sure something will occur to me.
I spent $29.99 on the lamp and $5.99 on the glass jars. So, $36, which means I have a lot leftover to roll into February's fun money budget. 🙂
Dye and bleach stains
When I mentioned that I use a black Sharpie to cover my bleach stains on my black scrubs, one of you asked if I'd considered just dying them.
Well....I tried that a while ago on a dress of Zoe's and it didn't work. You can see my whole process in this post.
So, if you have a bleached item, don't bother wasting time and money trying to dye it!
Free-bleeding
If you hate period talk, scroll on down.
Ok, so there is a...trend? out there right now called "free-bleeding" which involves not using period products other than, say, sitting on a towel, or using period underwear.
Proponents say it reduces costs, lessens cramps, and...shortens periods.
And I'm not sorry to say that I am giving that last claim a bombastic side-eye.
There is literally ZERO scientific reason that your body would have a shorter period because you bled onto a towel instead of onto a pad.
Or because you bled into period underwear instead of a pad.
That is not at allllll what determines the length of your periods! Your body does not know the difference between a towel or a pad. Are we out here thinking the uterus senses a cotton towel and then says, "Oh! I suddenly have less material to shed."?
I am so confused at the logic here.
Also, I would like to say that this is not remotely tenable for people who work outside the home, and it is also not realistic for those of us whose periods cause anemia. Ahem.
Obviously, free-bleeding is not a risky practice, and I don't think it's causing anyone harm, but I am annoyed by the utter lack of critical thinking when it comes to the period-length claim.
Me personally? I will continue using my menstrual cup and my period underwear because they are reusable and sustainable, and I will refuse to believe these products have anything at all to do with the length of my periods.
I think that's all the miscellany my brain holds today.
Discuss! Any topic here is fair game.
P.S. My original post about period underwear has helpful info, but the links are probably all wrong. And I no longer recommend Thinx. I'd go with Knix instead.
Frugal as I am, I will always encourage you to buy the lamp! They create an ambiance that it's hard to get with big lights. Plus it's such a nice transition to bedtime to read a (physical) book by lamp light and a bonus if it's bedside so I don't have to cross the room to turn it off!
As for free bleeding- that just sounds like a lot of laundry. No thanks. Not currently, but in the past I lived where neighbors would frequently stop by and I can't imagine hudling inside, pantsless and free bleeding, wishing they'd go away.
Huddling inside, pantsless…I laughed so hard at this that I snorted my coffee through my nose. Thanks for the laugh!
Oh Shelly,
You’re the first comment today and I so enjoyed your humour!!
Haha, if you're not feeling social you can always use this as an excuse to lay up in bed and not see people, like women back in the Victorian days!
Me too!
What do they do in the winter? It's currently 66 degrees in my house (with heating turned on), and I'm bundled up in multiple layers. That all just sounds messy.
It always amazes me that whenever I go to IKEA, I end up needing products they sell - I need a strict shooping list to counter the Product Craving!
Have a great week everyone!
I'm glad you're enjoying having "fun money". I like reading about your mad cap spending.
Thank you for informing me about the free-bleeding theory. I agree it makes no sense at all. Is it a ploy to keep women at home or to sell period underwear? Who knows, but your logic agrees with mine. I am so glad to be beyond the period stage of life.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
I think it's because in the attention economy, we need ever-growing lists to demonstrate value. It's not enough to say that you find method A more comfy and convenient. In order to get eyes on your content, you need to add all sorts of claims, like health benefits, and make it the best choice for anyone.
Aha, Halle, you’ve nailed it I think!
I remember reading on another blog where a woman insisted that fabric softener made her menstrual cramps worse. That one was a real head scratcher for me, although the placebo effect is real. Shrug?
All I can think is that there is some evidence showing that artificial fragrances disrupt hormones, so maybe that's the connection?
"Free bleeding" sounds like an answer to the question "How to make periods more uncomfortable and inconvenient? *snaps fingers* I know!"
Yay for your new lamp! When sunlight isn't an option, I prefer lamp light to overhead, so you definitely get my vote.
First, Kristen, I'm glad to see that you're increasingly "letting there be light" in your home as well as in your life.
And, second, count me in not only with those who find the concept of "free bleeding" disgusting, but with those of us older ladies who are delighted to be, as K D put it, "beyond the period stage." In my case, I was so happy when I officially hit menopause almost two decades ago, I thought about handing out cigars! 😀
I love your comment! At 42 I’m eagerly counting down to when my last one will be. More women should have parties to celebrate! lol
The lack of estrogen just bites the big one - there is no such thing as a free lunch so to speak. So I encourage all who are of the same mindset as I is to investigate HRT. I wish my doctor was in the area at the time I hit menopause. But better late than never.
I am 100% sold on doing HRT when the time comes. No question!
I had a complete hysterectomy years ago due to a suddenly diagnosed health issue, and I will never forget lying in the emergency room and the doctor coming in to tell me I needed a complete hysterectomy, and my VERY FIRST THOUGHT was, "I will never have to suffer through another period for the rest of my life."
So yeah, that's how I felt about periods.
I also am firmly Past That. And I cannot resist enquiring , looking at the dim and distant future, if there are health benefits to Free Peeing.
Apologies if I am causing offense.
Not offended. Just laughing.
Laughing so hard my lap cat hissed. I think that is what they do in assisted living ....and free number twos....eeew.
Oh, A. Marie as always I tremendously enjoyed your post/remarks. A big Amen to each of the two paragraphs of yours today 🙂
A. Marie, I've always said there's not many good things about getting old but not having a period is definitely one of them.
I love the Snoopy lamp! When we were kids my sister had a globe which lit up, which I always thought was really cool, but then it broke. I guess it wasn't a simple bulb switch or something!
I am currently in Florence, where all my fun money has gone. I went up the Duomo yesterday and the Leaning Tower of Pisa today!
I also love the menstrual cup. No thanks to free bleeding!
I have 10 lamps at my house - I'm all about sufficient lighting. I used to love to stroll through IKEA. I would get there early enough for their coffee, which I add half and half and sugar to and spend a whole dollar. Also, their breakfast is cheap and very good! I think I will pop by there this week to get some perusing and extra walking in. (:
I fall squarely on the crunchy side of most things, but I rolled my eyes so hard at "free bleeding." I will continue to imprison my bodily fluids as naturally and sustainably as possible, thanks.
Free bleeding? You mean some people pay for this?! I'm afraid that I'm at the stage of life where free bleeding sounds like an invitation for crime scene investigation. No.
My miscellany for today-- My daughter informed me that today is Ernest Tubb's birthday. I decided to listen to E. T. this morning while I did my face therapy. He's still playing. THEN I looked at facebook and found out that Travis Tritt shares his birthday. It's a good day for music. Interestingly enough, I did a quick search and couldn't find Travis Tritt singing an Ernest Tubb song.
As for fun money, I'm trying to convince my husband we need to spend some this evening to take our kids out to dinner if the boy solos like he's supposed to. Why is it scarier for me to send my daughter off in a car with a strange man (driver's ed. instructor) than it is to have my son fly in an airplane by himself? Incidentally, these two are scheduled to have their adventures at the same time today.
Because you have a healthy respect for statistics?
Perhaps that's it. But we're also the parents who do not let our children stay overnight with friends. Ever.
my 14 year old son never wants to stay over with friends. but he has reluctantly done it twice. my daughter zozo has never done it because she is very introverted.
Oh,is that a thing in the US?
I am German and loooved sleepovers with my best friend between the ages of 6 until 10. We had so much fun, just giggling like maniacs and making up wild stories until we fell asleep.
I don't know anybody in my group of friends that did not have sleepovers. Always thought they were universal (provided family is stable enough for a good bedroom and enough food etc). And very frugal!
WilliamB, funny! everyone is so witty this morning!
WilliamB So funny! Everyone is so witty this morning, I am cracking up!
Ernest Tubb? Wow, now there's a blast from the past! I remember the name because my mom was a country music fan, but how is it that your daughter, a child of the digital world would know about him? I looked him up and see he died in 1984 and that he once shot at a news director. An interesting Monday tidbit to be sure.
I read all these connected wee facts to my husband and his response was: "I imagine he deserved it." lol.
My daughter is into old country music. She knows a lot of trivia. And she's dragging most of us along for the ride, quite willingly. One of my favorite memories is when we went to the Grand Ole Opry many years ago; my husband had seen that Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gayle would be playing at the Ryman. We went, but we didn't realize that it was Crystal Gayle's induction until we got there. It was so very cool to hear my then 7yo daughter singing along with Loretta to "Fist City." We didn't realize until this year that it was the last time Loretta played the Opry.
I have that same lamp from Ikea. I love to have this glowing globe on in the early morning or at dusk. A totally worthwhile purchase. I hope yours brings you as much joy as mine has brought me!
Very impressed that you went all the way to IKEA and only bought two things. Thankfully for me IKEA is three hours away!
Your comment about uteri sensing towels was a great way to start my week.
As a resident of part of the country under snow and ice, I've been keeping an eye on my roof and gutters. And icicles. So many icicles. There seems to be no reason to think my roof or wells are damaged but at least one section of gutter is partly flattened out and might need replacement.
My roommate and hired teenager have spent many, many hours fixing the lights on the pre-lit Xmas tree. At this rate that may cost as much as a new tree(1) and you know what? I'd rather pay the hardworking college kid than the tree company, and keep the tree out of the trash while I'm at it.
One reason tree-fixing is so arduous is that if enough lights burn out, the whole string goes dark. Then you have to check Every Single Light instead of just replacing the burnt-out ones. Learn from our mistake folks: don't defer maintenance!
A public library asked me to lend my knitting expertise to support their stitch-and-bitch. Oh teaching, how I missed you.
(1) not literally
Our Goodwill is usually chock full of pre lit Christmas trees for sale, with a note on them that the lights don't work. This year I didn't see any and I wonder if they stopped accepting them. I once bought such a tree and it's lights quit after the 2nd year. (Planned obsolence, perhaps?)So I went back to using the old tree we brought in the 70s.
One possibility is that lots of bulbs blew, so that the whole string stopped working. Then you have to check each one. Texious!
A friend took all of pre-lit lights off when they would no longer light, and now he just puts regular lights on the tree.
WilliamB,
Thanks for the advice about checking tree lights. Our Christmas tree is still up - yes, I know, it's almost Valentines Day - long story - so we should check for any burned out lights.
Also, I wish you could teach me how to knit. I've taken classes, and tried to teach myself, all to no avail. In one class, it finally clicked....until I got home (maybe 30 minutes later), and tried to follow my written instructions. I couldnt even remember how to cast on. Maybe I should just give up on learning to knit.
I feel like I got my life back when I went through what I called my "mini pause" and no longer have periods! But I recall griping about sanitary napkins only to have my grandma, born in 1896, tell me that she had to use a rag pinned to her underwear and wash it out in the school restroom sink,wring it out and put it back on when she was a teenager . Guess that's where the expression "on the rag" came from! I suppose that she and her cohorts were ahead of their time, they were free bleeding.
.
BTW, World War One is when the sanitary napkin was developed. The war hospital nurses started using the gauze and bandages for that purpose and somehow word got back to Kimberly Clark and they started manufacturing Kotex, I think it was.
Oh my goodness. That’s what my mother (born in 1913) told me. She had no sympathy for my complaints about having to wear pads. Free bleeding? I’m way past all of that, but NO thanks.
My mom lived on a farm and had no money for such frivolities, nor did she know at the time that pads had been developed.
I remember reading Are You There God, It's Me Margaret when I was nine or ten, and in my edition she had to use a pad on a belt! It did not sound fun.
I used a pad with a belt until my daughter was born in 1978. The nurses sent me home with samples of a new product: sticky-back pads! What a revelation!
The "sanitary belt" had a garter belt type flat hook on both ends that you threaded the tails of the napkins through. No matter how I did it, the back fastener ALWAYS ended up pressing on my tailbone - much discomfort.
Thankfully, those days are so far behind me now.
Kathleen-ugh, I’d forgotten about the belt and the threading! Such a process! And in a school bathroom. And I was in 6th grade and we still had to wear dresses and do P. E. and I have a particular memory of my skirt flying up during high jump and it going around the whole class my “aunt” was visiting! I’m 68 now but I still remember the embarrassment! 😀
In newer versions of the book, and in the 2023 film, Margaret uses sticky-back pads. I understand why; the book is to help girls feel more comfortable with having periods and know what to do (although it way oversold the excitement, IMO!) but I think it's important that we remember what women had to do at the time it was written, which was not that long ago, relatively speaking!
My mom gave me that book and told me it was about periods instead of giving me “the talk.”
Not only did we have the fun of wearing a sanitary belt, but if wearing a dress we wore a garter belt for stockings too! Ah, such glamorous lives were to be had when the dinosaurs roamed!
Oh I remember those old things. Terrible!
I'm talking sanitary napkin belts, not garter belts. I came of age in the pantyhose era!
You are right - it was most certainly not!
There are 12 lamps in our mid-century house because the ceiling lights are either blinding or inadequate. Your globe light is lovely.
My fun money has been pretty slim so far this year due to home repair and veterinary visits, but I did spend $3.97 on a nice pair of jeans at a thrift shop and bought a couple of e-books on sale. Staying home hunkered down out of the weather is remarkably frugal.
Free bleeding? Thank you for keeping us up on the latest weird trends. I would've needed a beach towel. 😉
If there had been a Tampax size above jumbo, I would gladly have bought it. 😛
I'm not sure what I have to add here. I don't have any fun money. I have two trips coming up (neither one really fun) and family members needing help, so anything extra will go there. Just the way it is right now. But I love the fun money concept and I will get back to it!
I, too, am past the period days. Those were ended by a hysterectomy, which gave me cause for great celebration! Free bleeding, what? Anyone who can actually do that is not bleeding very much. Of course, excessive bleeding was the reason for my hysterectomy, so I just can't relate.
I have a lot of lamps, too. I like lamp light, hate overhead light. One is cheerful, the other depressing! IMHO.
That lamp is adorable! I instantly started thinking of places it would look cute in my house. I’m not planning a trip to IKEA but if I find myself there, I just may pick one up.
Years ago, Wyler’s bouillon cubes came in glass jars. I have a stash of about 10 of those jars and they are the perfect size for a pureed can of chipotle peppers in adobo. I was wildly disappointed when they stopped selling the cubes in glass jars and have since moved on to BTB to reduce waste.
Free Bleeding – makes me want to pick up the book The Red Tent again.
Ooh, I actually got Wyler's beef bouillon in a glass jar just a few weeks ago! Check again. 🙂
The Red Tent was such a good book!!!
I love the first half, that's all about the women and their society. There was less daily life in the second half so sometimes I skip it.
My fun money rule is that my stipends for being on call MUST be spent by me on something frivolous. Currently I'm saving them to possibly paint our new place (we signed a lease, yay!) The landlords said they'd touch it up, though, and from what I saw, the existing paint colour isn't terrible. If it's a reasonable off-white, I'll be spending that money on something else. Currently I'm thinking to buy some really, really pretty cleaning supplies. The new place (like our current place) has minimal storage, so the ugly plastic broom, brush, dustpan, and Swiffer-style mop will continue to be out and visible from every angle in the main living space. I want to buy ones that will look nice! Any suggestions for a prettier Swiffer-style mop are welcome.
Also, a frugal lesson in being penny-wise and pound-foolish (or perhaps penny-wise and hours-foolish) I'm going to stop making my daughter clothes out of my old shirts. I generally keep my clothes until they fall apart; the clothes I make for her then disintegrate in the wash within half a season. So in the end, it takes a lot of time and doesn't save much relative to just buying quality things second-hand. Worn-out jeans are different, since they wear out only between the thighs for me while the rest of the leg is fine. Since we like her clothes to last multiple seasons and still be in good condition for our next child, I'm throwing in the (mended) towel.
May I suggest you look into buying a beautiful folding screen, the type that stands up. It can create a "closet" or decorate a wall or corner, and can last a long time. I made one years ago with fabric, art framing pieces, trim, and piano hinges, and we are still using it after four residences. It has been a decoration, created storage in a corner, improved privacy , and looks great. You can find them at estate sales, thrift shops, and retail stores made out of anything--carved wood, stone, fabrics, lacquer, glass, lucite, or combinations of wood and lace.
What a nice idea! Thank you.
That lamp has a very crystal ball look. You could take up fortune telling as a side business. And tell people only good things.
The picture of Kristen's hand on the lamp makes me think of Saruman in LOTR, with his hand on the palantir. Glad to know that I'm not the only one whose mind went to weird places (I do like the lamp, Kristen, but the photo cracked me up).
I found a table lamp at Michael's (craft store) last week on clearance for $10. My daughter is moving into an apartment in the fall, so I snagged one for her.
As for free bleeding, I won't say it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, but .... it certainly isn't the smartest. As someone who had heavy periods, requiring the largest tampon size, period underwear, AND period panties to make sure there were no nasty surprises, I don't think that technique would have worked for me. I was officially in menopause at age 59, and had many years of ick to deal with. No thank you.
Hehe, right? Cheerful fortunes only. 😉
Speaking of lamps - i recommend everyone have at least one rechargeable lamp. I love mine. I have one in a small guest room where otherwise the only light source is an overhead lamp. We have one in the kitchen that we use mostly as a nightlight. I use one for reading in bed - in bed because it is so portable and sometimes the nightstand lamp is not enough light for fine print. And the best is they are terrific if you lose power. Very portable and more convenient than a flashlight. There are all sorts of price points and styles too.
Sounds like an internet meme for people with nothing to do. In what universe would it make sense to sit on a towel for days on end???? I am so grateful to have come of age with disposable menstrual products, so I could go to school, play tennis, and live a normal active life. Also, the ick factor--let's all regress to the days of buckets of bloody rags to wash??? Makes no sense.
On a brighter note, your global light is beautiful. It is a classic warmth that will light up your evenings for years to come. I have a weakness for Ikea stuff, so it's a good thing I don't live very close to one!
I would love to see more photos from afar of the book shelf with the lamp when it is lit up! I'm sure it creates a lot of ambience. In that sense lamps are a frugal way to increase homeliness, as even the most modest interiors are improved by the right kind of lighting.
I would love to have more lamps myself, but feel lazy about turning them on and off separately. I need a central switch of some kind to turn them off at once.
And thanks on keeping us up to date on the more crazy health theories online! The trend has been to talk more openly about periods, but this seems to be a weird byproduct of the positive trend of reducing the stigma around them.
So, my issue when I tried to take a picture from further back is that the whole shelf appeared as nothing but a glow!
And yes to a central switch; that's how my living room lights are and I love it.
Kristen, who painted the watercolors you have displayed on the shelf above your new lamp ( which I love!)? The paintings are lovely!!
My friend Beth did! I will pass on the compliment!
So far there haven't been any comments from someone who has actually done free-bleeding, and I have, so although everyone seems extremely negative only (which I get!), I thought I might offer a different perspective!
I will very readily admit that in my heavy period times it would not have worked out, but it's been my method for the past several years.
I used to use pads even though I hated the feel, but then my body decided to suddenly have a severe allergic reaction to them and I ended up with a downstairs full of weeping blisters that stuck around for weeks. (This happened to my sister as well. The ways in which a human body can surprise you!) I tried a different brand with the same result, and that was the end of that.
I've used tampons and menstrual cups, but due to a degenerative spinal issue, my body stopped being able to make the shape I needed to insert them.
I then moved to reusable flannel pads, but they were bulky and uncomfortable, and would occasionally cause bad chafing.
Then I got an IUD, and now my period is light and short and totally inconsistent, so the small amount I get, I just let happen. It doesn't ever soak through my outer clothes. I pack an extra pair of unders in a ziplock if I need to go out and I'm concerned, but honestly it's rarely enough to even consider it.
Even if I had switched to period underwear (which wasn't available until more recently, and used to have very limited sizes), that by itself 'counts' as free bleeding. I do know several people who only use period underwear, so they are technically free bleeders as well.
So while I do absolutely agree the idea of running around soaking everything is not hygienic, that isn't the reality for everyone who uses it to manage their bodies.
And while I also get the idea of imagining people running around like Carrie at the prom is fun to make fun of for being disgusting, remember that for those in poverty they may not have any choice. (Side note, women's shelters ALWAYS need donations of period products!)
I hesitated to post because I get we are all having 'fun' being grossed out, but remember that not everyone's body reacts like your body or your idea of how a body should act. But it's not always so black and white, and there are many shades between. 🙂
Rachel, thank you for your alternative (and humbling) perspective. Among other things, you remind me that I can usually find pads in various thicknesses in unopened packages at my usual thrift stores, and I should make a point of doing this and donating to our local shelter.
Rachel, I enjoyed reading your comments and am glad you shared them.
My menstruation memories are all unpleasant. Started at age 11, stopped at age 52, and hated everything about it. I wish there had been a way to check a "don't plan to have kids" box so that I could have opted out.
On a positive note, does anyone remember the joke: "How can you tell when an elephant is having her period?" Pause. "Your mattress is missing!"
Oh yeah, if a person has super light periods, this is a feasible option. But like I said in my post, for those of us with periods heavy enough to cause anemia (and/or with clots), this is not a going-out-in-public-friendly option at all! This would be an unmitigated disaster for me. Ha.
You are right that those with limited financial means sometimes lack access to period products, so yep, a good reason to donate them. 🙂
Another angle: I thought it was a little bit tone deaf of the original author I saw when she said, "Well, just stay home when your period is heavy." because it's bold to assume that everyone has the privilege of making that choice.
Free bleeding is totally a thing among runners - tampons and pads chafe and a cup or disc puts extra load on your pelvic floor. I ended up accidentally trying free bleeding when my kid was in hospital and my period arrived; I have the kind of period that is messy and causes anemia and I was very surprised by how not-messy free bleeding was. Would I willingly do it the whole of my period? Heck no. Did it give me a lot more chill and confidence around having stuff with me at all times? Definitely.
This is making me think my periods must really be heavy because even with using products, I have had some very messy leaks!
Kristen,
I agree re: that author's tone deafness. I never had the option of "just staying home" when my period was heavy (which was every. month. horrendously heavy. I'm surprised I wasn't anemic). I suspect a LOT of women are/were in the same boat! I remember thinking as a teenager that I would have to deal with a monthly period EVERY MONTH for the next 40+ years, and finding that idea so dismaying. I am so happy not to have to deal with that anymore.
Oh, I love those little glass jars you bought, I picked some up every time I go to Ikea. They have Christmas ones, Fall ones, Spring ones and just CLEAR ones on occasions. I'm a real fan of lemon drops and put those in them. Cat treats fit really well. Sea salts. They are a real find plus, walking in Ikea will help you get 5,000 steps in fairly quickly when you're there.
I love the new lamp! It looks like you're holding the moon. I have exactly one lamp, but I love turning it on in the evening when it starts to get dark. So much nicer than the harsh overhead lighting.
And I have always been skeptical of claims that various methods make periods shorter. It doesn't make any sense to me. "Free bleeding" on a towel just sounds messy and inconvenient. I've never heard that using period underwear qualifies, and I don't really understand that. How is it "free"? It's not much different from wearing a pad.
Love the lamp! I did not spend my fun money in January (thank you, flu). I put it in my estate sale/tag sale fund.
My brother and his lovely gentle wife just sent me confirmation of my concert ticket for my all time favorite singer. The tickets are obnoxiously expensive, we will have so much fun. We barter, I make bed quilts for their vacation rentals and they share things like this concert.
The trends on social media via "influence-errs" are sometimes cringe-worthy and often disturbing. I do not have social anything, except for a brief foray into the Pinterest madness. Stultis est sicut stultus facit. Put that on a t-shirt!
Have a wonderful day! The sun is out and my tractor is calling me.
thank you for the period info. it is helpful for my 17 yr old zozo. she got into westchester college and rockland community college. she wants to go to school of
visual arts or pratt or fit. we haven't heard from those.
so glad you had some fun money leftover and that you enjoyed buying another lamp. the snoopy lamp is to dye for. (pun intended) i love snoopy so much. but i still don't know if the civic is a 25 or a 26. does any one in the commentariat know? thanks.
a funny/sad period story. mine started when i was ten. was home alone with my dad. i started bleeding down there. had no idea why. i thought i was dying. didn't tell my dad anything. when mom came home i told her and she had my dad explain things to me. uggh. i had a belt with a pad. another uggh. then my mom had my school show a movie about menstruation to the girls, another uggh. somehow everyone knew it was my mom who did this. double uggh. menopause came at 55
and i was very glad to say bye bye. one of the few decent things the stepmother did for me was show me how to use tampax.
I bought a nice lavalamp-a-like lamp with colorful jellyfish chasing each other. Fun, cheap, (10,- Euro), easy (batterie driven).
My downfall will be hairgear every time. I can easily go a year without wearing the same barette, slide, stick, fork, band, cage. So be it. It gives me the everyday fun, so why not.
I also have a note in my purse: do not by black skirts. In case of second hand shops and fleamarkest. Does it work? No.
So as a seasoned mostly black wearer: I know it sounded strange when I recommended it back then, but I still have some advice:
if the clothes are all cotton, try to dye the hole thing, using Simplicol(fabric dye) or so. Throw faded out black clothes in the washer for extra impact.
If you are dealing with a material mix more on the poly side, use haircolor. The 1 step like manic panic or directions work great. Just use gloves, work it in and let ist sit for 24 h+++
Hey, as I went through diverent sizes I had a bra* that fit perfectly but looked soo tacky with its bright orange red color. One treatment with dark purple haircolor that I still had on hand, 3 days later: perfect. You could not tell I did this myself.
*Good fit bras are expensive!
What a cool lamp! You deserve fun things.
I had horribly heavy periods with a lot of tissue as well as blood. No thank you on the free bleeding.
I'm so grateful for menopause! No more panty surprises (I had irregular periods my entire "fertile" life). No more monster cramps. No more spending tons of money for sanitary supplies, ibuprofen in Costco-sized bottles, and new underwear, mattress protectors and sheets. No more PMS (I think I had PMS for 40 years straight with no let up!!!). Added bonus, no more hair growing on my legs or underarms, so no more razors and razor burns (not to mention the scar on one shin when I got startled by a slammed door in the communal bathroom of my freshman dorm while shaving my legs). All this is worth every hot flash I ever suffered.
That sounds pretty fun and refreshing to just wander through an IKEA all alone, free to stop and look at whatever you want (or not)! When you go with someone who doesn't like shopping there, it is considerably less pleasant (ask me how I know lols). And I definitely approve of your fun money lamp purchase! Especially this time of year when the days are a bit shorter and evenings can be chilly and quite dark, the cheer of a cozy lighting setup at home is very welcome. Good for one's mental health! And so wonderfully "hygge", too.
Yes it was fun and relaxing!
I still love your posts!
I do have what I hope is a helpful suggestion on your bleach stained pants that's better than a sharpie. Use a black fabric marker! You know, like you use to write names in clothing for nursing homes and day cares? I think they're called laundry markers. I had one and used it to color in black jeans that I splashed with bleach. I had used a plain black Sharpie. I had the idea about the Black fabric marker and the black lasted so much longer!
There are chemicals in conventional menstrual pads such as VOCs, phthalates, toxic fragrances, dioxins, etc, that are endocrine disrupters, mess with your hormones and can cause severe cramping and heavier bleeding. There are peer reviewed studies on this. Not to mention that it's common knowledge that conventional tampons contain lead and other heavy metals. Just look it up
Re periods: I'm beyond them now but back in 2010 when I had my first go round with pulmonary embolism I was still having my cycle. That first month on blood thinners.....oh boy. I literally could not leave the house for longer than 1/2 an hour. I was not working at the time but still cannot imagine "free bleeding."
As for lamps there are hardly any overhead fixtures in my house so I collect lamps like other people collect antiques. 3 in the guest bedroom, 2 in the dining room, 4 in my bedroom (not counting the 2 that aren't plugged in yet) and SEVEN in the living room!!
Your post made me realize that I only have 2 lamps in my house. One is in the foyer and another on my child’s desk. Am I strange? Hmm, do I need to go lamp shopping now?
If you are happy with your current setup, then nope! Live a happy life with your two lamps. 🙂
Some of us dislike the vibe of overhead lighting, but some people are totally unbothered by it. You do you, I say!