Is Black Friday 'so last season'?...

I used to TOTALLY do the Black Friday thing. I'd wake up early, go to Best Buy, and wait in line. I'd brave the potential trampling, and I'd get some goodies that after rebate were practically free, and I'd be home by 10am. But Black Friday, in recent years, has gotten out of control! Now they have vouchers for the 1st people in line. People CAMP OUT during Thanksgiving! And the deals are fewer and not as amazing.

With the failing economy, I'm wondering if Black Friday will even be relevant this year. AND, now that you can do a lot of your Black Friday shopping online, maybe this "tradition" will fall by the wayside...at least as we've known it. Still, I'll be checking out Target's sectional on Thanksgiving day...and Best Buy's...and now even Apple has a 1-day sale.

But really, I'm just not in the mood to buy anything these days. I get more excited putting money away and watching my emergency fund grow than shopping for anything in particular.

Though, some things that have been pulling at my "need/want" heartstrings:

The Apple mighty mouse

This gorgeous Zac Posen dress

A membership to this new gym/workout in my 'hood (has anyone tried suspension training?)

And, this adorable thing...my new crush

GQ and I are off to the SF Auto Show this afternoon! I'm so excited! There's a whole Smart Car exhibit! :)

AND LASTLY...

...to all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! May it be FULL both in your heart and in your belly!

• I am thankful for my new life in my new city and the fullness and joy its brought to me.
• I am thankful for my family and my friends and my cute-as-can-possibly-be nephew.
• I am thankful for having a job and feeling secure in these insecure times.
• I am thankful for this blog and all the insanity its allowed me to release as well as the connections I've made through it.
• I'm thankful for my health and the promise of a new start to a new body as of 12/1!!! Ha!

Gift ideas for him?...

I've started that extremely stressful thought process of trying to decide what to get your new boyfriend who you've only been dating for a couple months but really really like.  I have some ideas.  But me, being the overly generous (sometimes uncomfortably so) person that I am, am realizing that my thoughts of grandeur and excessive dollar signs need to be scaled back in order to not scare my "starving student" away.  

So, I went to my beloved Etsy for some ideas.  And they just so happen to have a "Gifts for Him" page setup. Ummmm...let's see.  I'm not quite sure words do justice to what I found here.  So, let me post some pictures and let's all ask ourselves:  are you serious?  

Every man's home should be decorated with cross-stitch...

Hand-knit koozie, anyone?

I'm excited about Obama...but really?

I'm without words...every man needs an "I'd rather be..." keychain

Bingo!  I found the perfect gift.  A lingerie lamp.  He'll love it!

"Vacation's all I ever wanted..."

Ahhh...nothing like vacationing to an old school Go-go's song!

GQ and I just got back from a weekend in Northern Sonoma. For those of you unfamiliar with this area, I really, really, strongly, profusely suggest, in fact insist, you come and visit. We stayed at the Old Crocker Inn in Cloverdale (thanks Amber for the suggestion!) and spent time at vineyards and breweries and hiking trails and restaurants and small towns between Cloverdale, Geyserville, and Healdsburg. This area is much more "untouched" than the brighter, shinier, bling-ier Napa. All in all, just lovely.

We started the weekend with a plan...but promised each other we wouldn't stick to it! That made it all the more enjoyable. Let's just say that between a hammock, a road side country market, and an all organic wineary, we pretty much had the time of our lives. We went where the wind, and our bed and breakfast owners, led us. And it ended up being the perfect cost-effective weekend for troubled economic times as well!!! If you want suggestions, let me know! I'm now a huge fan of the area! :)

Go! Get away! Enjoy!

Where to?...

I love this vintage luggage set on etsy! It's so great. Of course since I'm mandated by God to not spend any more money, I can't get it! ha! But, I like how it makes me feel...like I can pack up and leave at any moment's notice. Which reminds me:

I'm off to Healdsburg this weekend! I'm so excited! My first time in Sonoma. My first time wine tasting. My first time at a bed & breakfast. I know, I know! What kind of "chon-nom" (Korean word for simpleton, hick, village folk) am I? But, I like that I'm in my 30's and still learning, still experiencing new things, still exploring.

And again, back to the luggage set and why I love it. Completely impractical...I'd never travel w/o wheels on my bags!...but makes me excited about all the possibilities...

The 11th Commandment...

I had a dream last night in which God spoke to me.

He asked "Susan, how well do you know my commandments?".

I replied, "God, I try to keep as many of the 10 commandments as I possibly can!"

"Susan, aren't you overlooking the 11th commandment?"

"Huh?"

And as clear as the morning sky, I heard him say "Thou Shall Not Spend Any More Money"

Daggers. Pain. NO! I can keep the sabbath, God. I can avoid murder and adultery, God. But, not spend any more money? NO!

The problem with finishing Christmas shopping early is that you want to keep on buying...more and more presents. And then you come across stuff you want for yourself! Ugh. I must control my spending! I must!

With that being said, here are some things I want from etsy...but will NOT be buying:

*le sigh*...I want, I want, I want...

R.I.P...

I'm certain that my life expectancy has got to be less than the average Betty. The more I think about it, the more I feel there's no way, but by the grace of God, that I'll live to see my retirement. ha! Here's why:

• I sometimes drink sugar-free Red Bull in the morning for breakfast
• I sometimes forget to wear sunscreen
• I sometimes fall asleep w/o washing off my makeup
• I sometimes eat pizza and burgers 3-4 times a week
• I sometimes brush but don't floss
• I sometimes (oftentimes) drink too much beer
• I sometimes wear shoes that are too high, too tight, and too bad for my back
• I sometimes slouch
• I sometimes tip the scale at 10-15 lbs overweight
• I sometimes (oftentimes) spend way to much money
• I sometimes neglect to call my parents
• I sometimes don't get enough sleep
• I sometimes (allthetimes) watch too much tv
• I sometimes stress too much about fantasy football & dancing with the stars
• I sometimes shun exercising
• I sometimes think badly about other people
• I sometimes don't eat enough vegetables
• I sometimes (toomanytimes) feel grouchy and take it out on others

I should probably start scouting out locations for my burial. But who's got the time? I'm too busy enjoying life! :)

Uninspired...

...can't blog...

blah, blah, blah...

something, anything, come my way...

maybe tomorrow...