TWTW - the one by the numbers

120 minutes of relaxation, including massage, hand treatment, and cold stone face massage. It was like levitating in a state of nirvana for two hours. 

Two books - one finished, one started and finished

One trip to Panera, where I very rarely go; followed by one trip to Target, where I always go

Five dollars for an abundance of flowers from Produce Junction

Eleventy hours spent outside

489 photos taken of dogs - average amount on a weekend

One easy way out taken - I jumped the gun putting the spring/summer quilt on because I didn't want to face changing the duvet cover

39 minutes recording The Armchair Librarians with Jana

45 minutes setting up blog shit for the week

One crazy feminist lounge wear sighting

10 fingers painted...sometimes I choose the polish based on what is quick dry

Four dishes prepared for weekly food prep - a Tasty meatball hoagie casserole for weekend eats; egg muffins with leftover taco meat, gouda cheese, and green onions for breakfasts; power breakfast muffins for the freezer; spaghetti squash buffalo chicken for lunches...that was my first time making avocado mayo and it was a breeze. 

Three things on the grill on Sunday: chicken thighs in my preferred marinade, potato packets, grilled veggies; dinner eaten outside followed by reading outside. 

One million things still in disarray in the basement...four large pieces of furniture removed by 1-800-GOT-JUNK, over 100 books put in the giveaway pile, two bookcases moved into the back basement room...to see how the two rooms used to look, click here. That post is completely out of date, but the before photos from the basement stand. I'll do proper before and afters when I'm finished, which at this rate will be in the year 2089.

Nine hours of sleep both Friday and Saturday nights

Four loads of laundry, each load run through the dryer at least twice because that's on the fritz

Two runnings of the dishwasher

Four events I did not attend in order to get my shit together, center myself, and restore my balance this weekend

Sometimes I feel the need to slow it way down and mostly block out the noise. This was one of those weekends. It's good for the soul.

Taxes are due today. In case anyone possibly forgot.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending &

TWTW - the last one in April

Friday night I was worn out. Totally. So I came home, I did my weights, vacuumed, did some laundry, then started doing a bunch of other shit. I meant to be in bed at 8 and got 100 second winds. I hate that. Other than that it was a low key night. Oh, and I sent MFD to the store for five things. This is what came back. Life lessons, my friends. Life lessons.

Saturday was a slow start. After I got my exercise in, I tried on every dress and pair of shoes I own and began the twice yearly complete wardrobe purge and reorganization I go through. This is still in progress as of today (Monday). It's a pain in the ass.

When I got tired of that, I went to get a manicure (Zoya Odette) and pedicure (OPI Senorita Rosalita - I can never wear this polish without thinking of my wedding, it's what was on my toes that weekend), then came home and read some mags in the sun.

We had a delicious dinner at my parents' house including a strawberry trifle dessert I wanted to eat 50 helpings of and which MFD did eat 50 helpings of.

You do not know what your patience level is until you go sneaker shopping with MFD. While he browsed interminably I left You Are Beautiful stickers around Dick's Sporting Goods like a dork. I also laughed uncontrollably at this picture on Instagram. MFD was all that's not that funny. Come on! Yes it is.

Sunday was the March of Dimes March For Babies. Team Eva the Diva rocked it. It was awesome to see a thriving, happy Eva next to her storyboard and it was a really nice day for a long walk for a good cause.

The umbrella is up, the new spring mats are out at both doors (both from Target), and the flowers are from Wegman's.

Weekly food prep: zucchini pie and berries for breakfast, orange peppers, carrots, and almonds for snacks; orzo salad with EVOO, caesar chicken thawed from the freezer, spinach, grape tomatoes, red onion, capers for lunches; and dinners are salmon, roasted potatoes, baked chicken, rice, and steamed veggies. Still working on that freezer and pantry cleanout.

This weekend in mail: Penzey's spices and this awesome Darth Vader tank top. Darth Vader is my alter ego. Are we calling that spirit animal these days?

This weekend in pugs...I can't even with Geege's tongue. The cutest. And Gus and Mae are now co-sleepers.

Sunday evening consisted of changing sheets and sitting on my ass. I didn't even make dinner. I ate Wegman's wings and animal crackers. Whoops. I was in bed before 8 and asleep before 10. It takes me a while to get used to so much fresh air again after a long winter. It tires me out.

I totally screwed myself for tonight, I have too much to do now. On a Monday. Barf.

Did you enter to win a $50 Target gift card Friday?

How was your weekend? Inquiring minds want to know.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

TWTW-Last one of the birthday month

Last week was a busy one and I slacked off on my hausfrauing. I typically do a few tasks each weeknight so I don't have to clean on weekends, but this was a special case. Friday night I set the house to rights - two loads of laundry put away, two more done, fridge emptied and cleaned, dishwasher run and put away, kitchen cleaned and mopped, two bathrooms cleaned, house picked up, scarves/winter gear/pajamas purged, and car loaded up with crap to be donated. I didn't sit down all night and I was okay with that. I hate going into a weekend with the house in disarray.

Gus says, "We'll keep these scarves, mother. The rest of the shit can go."

Saturday morning I was out like a shout - filled the car up with gas, dropped books at the library, hit the gym for my 40, back home to shower and then back out to drop stuff off at Goodwill and get a treat yo'self pedicure (OPI Cha-Ching Cherry). I picked up veggies while my toes were drying. I know there are others of you out there who parade around with your feet like that after a pedicure. Raise your hands and show yourselves.

The afternoon found me at All Fired Up in Collingswood, NJ, to meet up with my friends Marla of Luck Fupus and Brie of A Breezy Life for some ceramics painting and dinner. I painted a coffee mug (are you surprised?) and required assistance from Brie after I fucked it up. Marla also needed her artsy influence so out of the three of us Brie is the painting queen. They treated me to Tortilla Press and got me a cute bag of gifts to boot. I'm lucky to call The Sisters Wexler friends. See you next month ladies!

Comcast got Das Boot Saturday night. More on that tomorrow.

Sunday morning I figured out how to stream YouTube and did my weights workout through the TV...behind the times, I know. After that french press coffee was on the agenda, as was lounging with the dogs.

Weekly food prep: scrambled eggs with sautéed mushrooms and spinach, green onions, and Havarti dill cheese for breakfasts; baby carrots and Granny Smith apples for snacks; and salads for lunch - I make them the night before so only one made Sunday. Dinners: baked burgers with spinach and goat cheese over a bed of lettuce, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed cauliflower, steamed veggies, and oven baked ribs (this pic is pre-baking, click here to see them out of the oven). 

Other weekend things:

-I finished the second season of The Fall. Jamie Dornan and Gillian Flynn are excellent. If you haven't watched this show, check it out!
-MFD is super busy work-wise, which is awesome for many reasons. I don't see him much, and when I do he's on the phone. LOL. No complaints though because I love my alone time. If you're looking to buy or sell in PA or NJ, get in touch with him!

Today is going to be a good day - when I left work on Friday everything got filed and I dealt with everything in my email inbox so I'm starting fresh this morning, Comcast cable boxes are being returned (more on that tomorrow), and tonight I have a 50 minute massage and a peppermint scalp massage. Monday, you'll do. You'll do.

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Friday Five: Post-Spending Freeze Planned Purchases

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Tomorrow my February spending freeze will be over. Just in time for birthday month treat yo self.

I did well on my personal spending - I bought a Wawa Coffee on February 7 when my Keurig broke and a donut on Fat Tuesday not using my Dunkin Donuts gift card. We did have some household expenses this month - new Keurig, TV antenna - that were unplanned but still covered within the pre-set household budget. We also went out to dinner with friends on February 13 but MFD picked that tab up because I am his personal chef the rest of the time. I rarely pick up dinners out.

Since we didn't do much otherwise, I put all of my extra money towards my car payment, knocking a month and a half off the end date. Boom. On a high from that achievement, I treated yesterday like fuck this shit o'clock concerning the freeze. I suspended it two days before it was to end anyway and ordered the following from Amazon:

• Reef Women's Star Cushion flip flop in black/gold - $23.80 
• Clear plastic organizers one and two - $17.65 total

Sunday, my birthday month begins. I've been perusing Loft, Gap, and Old Navy for spring attire but nothing is lighting the world on fire. Pick it up, stores. I have some holes in my spring wardrobe and you're boring me. These are some of my planned purchases:

1. Rimmel Provacalips in Make Your Move

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2. Anastasia Liquid Lips in Lovely or Pure Hollywood

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3. Spring/summer quilt for our bed - Nothing in mind for this, I prefer to hunt in Marshalls, HomeGoods, & TJMaxx. Also more of a household purchase than a personal purchase, but one I'll enjoy making nonetheless.

4. Earthies Bindi flat in Biscuit. I'm strategically replacing some of my shoes with some that will provide support for my effed up feet. Hashtag old lady hashtag podiatrist told me to. Turns out not-ugly supportive shoes cost eleventy billion dollars (seriously, not on sale these are $150, I simply don't typically spend that on any shoe, let alone freaking flats), which is why the replacement is strategic.

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5. A french press. Coffee coffee coffee.

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And you? What do you have your eye on?