1) My boss maintains a candy bowl in our office. We say that the candy bowl is to entice students to come into our office, but really it is so we, the hard-working office plebes, can get a treat. I did not realize how much I liked Paydays until this candy bowl came into my life. My boss recently took a brief trip to California and she was gone on a Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Before she left on Thursday, she walked into my office and gave me three Paydays to make it through the time she would be gone. I made a collage of my Payday usage.
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| I spent ten minutes at work on this collage. A good use of time, right? |
2) There has been a recent change and you can no longer return library books that you have borrowed through Amazon for your Kindle on the Libby app. You have to return them in Amazon. Unfortunately, there's no real easy way to to this and I'm annoyed. Here are the steps.
a) Once you've logged in to Amazon, select "Content Library" under Accounts & Lists.
b) Select "Books" in your Digital Content.
c) At this point, a list of the books you have in your library will appear. You might have to change your sorting options, but my library books are the last three I've acquired, so they appeared right away. If you want to return a book early to benefit your fellow library patrons, select "Return This Book."
Whew! That's a lot more steps than just opening Libby and just clicking return this book.
3) I'm having a complicated traveling schedule. I told my sister I'd go to Michigan this weekend, but it's also the weekend of a funeral for a friend's sibling that I'd like to go to. I could go to the funeral and then go to Michigan the following weekend, which is a long weekend, but I'm not sure if my sister has plans for going away this weekend or what. Anyway, basically, I rarely leave the house and now I have these competing issues and I'm getting quite exhausted doing the planning.
(Ohio this weekend. Michigan next weekend. Possibly Iowa in between because we just learned my husband's 100-year-old grandmother has pneumonia.)
4) My husband's birthday is later this month. He requested a valet stand for his work office because he's annoyed that the hat rack he has is doing terrible things to his very expensive jackets. Truth be told, I'd never heard of such a piece of furniture, but now I'm down a rabbit hole. Do I buy him one that's all metal and modern?
Do I buy him one that looks like it should be in a Victorian businessman's dressing room?
Making these adult decisions is so hard. (I went with the Victorian dressing room option.)
5) The last time we were at the grocery store, we noticed some 24-packs of Sprite Cherry Lime Chill. I joked that I would like to try it, but not buy a whole 24-pack. My husband went off in search of Pepsi for himself while I meandered around the bubbly waters, wondering if my entire life right now could defend me buying some Grapefruit Perrier (answer: no, this is a treat reserved exclusively for fun road trips) and he came back with a six-pack of Sprite Cherry Lime Chill minis. Perfect!
Review: Eh. They're fine. I probably won't buy them again.
6) My hair stylist is back from maternity leave!! I left work yesterday at 1:30 and went to get a hair cut. And then I went home and my husband was unexpectedly there and we entertained ourselves in the way that a married couple playing hooky are legally allowed to and then he went back to work and I walked the dog and then got a pedicure and then went to get groceries. I mean, it wasn't really a "shouldless" afternoon, but it was sort of gloriously relaxed.
It reminded me that I what I really want in life is a part-time job. With benefits. But here I am working a full-time job like the plebe I am. But at least I will have glorious hair for the next 48 hours.
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| From my stylist's Instagram. That's my hair! The curls fell out after the walk with the dog, but never let anyone tell you grey hair can't be beautiful. |
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Have you tried a new pop/soda recently? Do you need to buy a birthday gift and you're dillydallying about it?
OOOOH I love your hair so much!! I definitely always ask for straight hair because I cannot recreate the curls, and this makes me so sad. Def the Victorian dressing room option!
ReplyDeleteI always let my stylist do whatever she wants because it looks so great when I leave the salon. But literally within three hours, there was nary a curl left! LOL.
DeleteAlso! LIBBY! I am just going to wait for every loan to expire instead of returning early for other readers because THAT'S TOO MANY STEEEEEEPS.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll do the steps because the wait times are SO LONG and if everyone holds on to their loans for the full length of the loan, they are just going to be looooonger.
DeleteI didn't realize they had changed the Libby return option, so I had to investigate this. It's actually not AS many steps if you return the e-book right from your Kindle. You can just hold down on the book cover when you're on your home screen and there's an option to "Return to Public Library." So at least that's easier! But like Sarah said, this is just going to make people hold on to their Libby e-books after they've finished them because they've made it so difficult. Gah!
ReplyDeleteI approve of the Victorian dressing room valet stand. And your hair looks great!
"we entertained ourselves in the way that a married couple playing hooky are legally allowed to" - LOLOLOL. Goodness, what could this MEAN?! ;)
I am someone who ALWAYS dillydallies about gifts. And then I dillydally so much that suddenly, I have, like, three days to find the perfect gift. UGH.
Now I can only read the "married couple" passage in a salacious way! LOL
DeleteOh, I'll have to try the holding down the cover on my home screen trick. I hadn't seen that one!
DeleteI was actually running out of time for that gift because I'm going to be gone all weekend and if I wanted it delivered before I left, I had to make a decision! We'll see if I regret rushing the decision. At a different point in my life, I would have scoured estate sales and antique stores for this, but I did just order one.
I think grey hair is always beautiful. That photo of yours is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBuying gifts is becoming increasingly tedious for me. I try so hard to come up with thoughtful and personal gifts, but the people in my life are so quick to buy things for themselves whenever they want/need stuff. Makes it tough when gift-giving occasions come along.
Ugh. People who always buy themselves all the things are the WORST. Buying presents is a real challenge in this day and age.
DeleteI use the Kindle app on my Apple tablet and still have to hunt around for how to return books when I am finished with them.
ReplyDeleteOh, boy, I couldn't figure out how to return these books on my phone app. *sigh* Why is it so complicated?
DeleteENGIE YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS OMGGGGGGGGGGG
ReplyDeleteI love grey hair, I think it is beautiful, but I also keep colouring my own hair because I think my complexion isn't great with grey, or at least, that's what it looks like when my roots come in. One of my dearest friends is perfectly silver/ white and she always wears a bold red lip, and boy oh boy, she's gorgeous. YOUR hair is gorgeous, I also love the length.
In Canada you can't use a Kindle with a library app, you have to have a Kobo, which I have. It's pretty easy because I just link up with Libby.
Well, the Kindle does link up with Libby so you borrow a book from Libby and if you want to download it to a Kindle, it takes you to Amazon and you just have to click a link to get it to go to your Kindle. But returning it used to be just clicking a button in Libby and now we have to do this nonsense!! I want it to be easy again.
DeleteYour hair looks great! That valet stand is so cool! (I would have gone for the Victorian one, too.) (I kind of want one for my office for my cardigan that I take on and off all day.) Gift buying is so oof for me. The Mr. has a milestone birthday coming up this summer and I am trying to get him to pick out a new desk as his present, but I still need to find something smaller and meaningful for my daughter to get him, too (or, I can just take her to Target, give her $50 and no restraints, and he'll get what he'll get). I've recently tried some new Bubly flavors and liked a Strawberry Sunset more than a takeoff on a peach Bellini. Finally, that's a lot of travel (and brain space) (and people-ing). Sending you good thoughts and hopes for some deep breaths in it all!
ReplyDeleteI've given up trying to surprise my husband with presents. I just ask him what he wants. LOL. It's so much easier that way!
DeleteI have always been disappointed in Bubly, but maybe I need to be more experimental in the flavors I try. I wish I could find them for sale as single cans so I can try them before I buy a whole box!
Gorgeous hair, Engie! Nice profile peek too :)!
ReplyDeleteI have given each of my kids and the hubs valet stands. I found them at antique stores and each one is different. At's and Nu's have a seat with a lifting lid for socks/gloves and all of them have a little tray (for cufflinks, I imagine--but there's no law against using it for earrings, hair ties, contacts, or whatever). I'm on the lookout for one for me now. I too like the Victorian model you selected--that mirror is a nice feature!
I enjoy this angle of my face - you can't really see my giant nose! LOL.
DeleteAt a different time in my life I would have scoured antique shops and estate sales for a valet stand, but I just don't have the time/energy to commit to that right now. *sigh* My sustainability concerns crumble at the slightest problem in my personal life, don't they?
I think your collage was an excellent use of time.
ReplyDeleteYour hair is gorgeous. Like, truly, utterly gorgeous.
I'm sorry the logistics of your travel schedule are so tough, and the travel is for such emotionally weighty things. I'm glad you were able to have a relaxed day and that the extra boost of rest and joy help propel you through next steps. Sending hugs <3
I wasn't really aware of how much I just needed that one afternoon to do a bit of self-care, but I'm feeling pretty refreshed today. Fingers crossed it holds me through the next few weeks.
DeleteI think that the "new" Libby return is the same as the way that Overdrive used to make you do it. I did notice this and actually now am less likely to return books early, as sad as that is.
ReplyDeleteYour travel schedule sounds daunting. However, silver lining, somehow Birchie was there when you had time, so YAY! Good luck with all the things though.
Valet: get the metal one
Hair: absolutely beautiful! However, I can NEVER replicate my stylists' hairdo. Never. Also PS the grey looks good wavy or straight! It is you!
YES! If all this had come up last weekend, I would not have been able to meet up with Birchie and that would have been SO SAD.
DeleteI am going to disappoint you, Kyria, because I got the wooden valet stand. My husband was worried that the metal would do the same thing to his jackets that his coat stand is doing. He wanted the sturdiest hanger part he could get.
Your hair is gorgeous! Curls never last very long for me, but I still like to do them. Your color is fabulous, both in the picture and IRL.
ReplyDeleteI love Paydays! I don't have them very often which is part of why I like them so much. And definitely the Victorian dressing room was the right choice!
Ugh on the Libby thing. I always like to return books as soon as I've finished them, but with this extra step now I don't bother. I check out books from two libraries and one library still has the "old" return system and the other library has the "go to Amazon" system. The "go to Amazon" library only has a 14 day check out period so I don't feel too bad about not returning the books early.
Paydays are so good. I honestly did not know that, but now I'm sort of borderline obsessed.
DeleteWe had it so good with Libby. Why did it have to go and change on us?
Your collage is awesome and now I'm craving a Payday bar! Your hair is so gorgeous!! No wonder your stylist posted it on her Instagram - great for advertising! I'm always excited to try a new kind of pop, and then I'm usually disappointed. The classics are always reliably good.
ReplyDeleteMy stylist is so great at what she does - I am happy to be advertising for her!! She really should have done a before and after because I came in with stringy unwashed hair. LOL.
DeleteA valet stand? Huh. I like the modern one. Your hair is beautiful, I'm thrilled that you made it to IG with it. I rarely drink soda but when I do it's usually good ole Coke.
ReplyDeleteMan, I love a good Diet Coke. I haven't had caffeine in so long, but man I would do a lot of illegal things for a Diet Coke. *sigh*
DeleteOk, now I need to know, what is a Payday? We don't have them here.
ReplyDeleteI love your grey hair, so beautiful. Curls would drop out of my hair too, but look so glamorous when the haridresser does do them.
OOOOH!! I didn't even think that Payday wouldn't be a universally beloved candy bar, but why would it be? That was very American-centric of me and I apologize. It's a caramel center with peanuts surrounding it. It's the perfect combo of salty and sweet for me.
DeletePay Day. Hands down, the best. I live for Coke Zero and Caffeine Free Diet Coke. (One CZ for breakfast, no caffeine after!). The hair just rocks! Safe travels on your trips. I hope your time in Michigan will be good. Will you drive in? That feels like a hike, especially if headed to the east side of the state.
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer the valet stand you chose! My dad had one kind of like that, when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of things I like about using the Kindle, like how many books I can "take with me" everywhere, but I do wish the management of library books was easier. I have so many books that show up in my library so I think I own them, but they turn out to have been borrows, and it's not like I can remember what's borrowed and what's bought.
I totally read Sprite Cherry Lime Chill as Sprite Cherry Lime *Chili* and was thinking, what on EARTH with those flavors combined. It was such a relief when I realized.
Your hair looks amazing, love the curls, but also the color is so nice.
Ha ha ha. It's not like I can remember what's borrowed and what's bought. That's so funny because I buy so very little for my Kindle that I DO remember if I have bought it. I manage all those loans on Libby, too, so I know which ones I only have a limited time to read.
DeleteYour hair looks gorgeous, Engie. I love that you're embracing the grey!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that the libby app and Kindle/Amazon has gotten a little tricky.
I love that you went with the Victorian Dressing Room option... somehow I imagine it to "suit" Dr. B so much better than the modern option. (But yeah, buying gifts is hard, esp. for men.)
And this made me chuckle... " my husband was unexpectedly there and we entertained ourselves in the way that a married couple playing hooky are legally allowed to" :)
Ugh. That valet stand came in a huge box and now I have to figure out if I'm going to wrap it or just stick a bow on it and say happy birthday - now you have to put together this piece of furniture. LOL.
DeleteWow, your hair really is beautiful!!! I wouldn't have said it was gray- it looks like blond highlights. My gray hairs, on the other hand, are dry, wiry, and stick up from my head like little antennas. Maybe I need to go to your hairdresser.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you're glad you didn't get the 24-pack of the Sprite. I've been trying different summer-y flavors of sparkling water lately, (I just got watermelon) and they're good! But I only like it if they're ice cold- I put them in the freezer for a while before I drink them.
You have a lot going on this month- good luck with it all!
My grey hairs also are wiry and stick up at odd angles and don't seem to grow at the same rate as my darker hair so they're also shorter, but my stylist can tame them! She's a wizard as far as I can tell. A lot of people do ask me (okay, fine, the number has been four) if I dye my hair this color and I'm all...? why would I dye it this color?!
DeleteYour hair is amazing. I like to pretend that my gray is blond highlights. I do realize that I am the only one who thinks this. I am fooling no one. I have never colored my hair.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am one of the few readers who reads actual books.
Part time job with benefits. Well that does sound ideal.
I think you bought the better valet. It looks sturdier and classic.
Good luck with your travel plans.
I read actual books, but only because my library has a more robust physical book selection with less wait time than ebooks. I don't understand the love for physical books, to be honest. They're heavy and you need a light. LOL. I love my ereader and would move exclusively to it if the library's ebook selection were better.
DeleteI LOVE a payday. I LOVE your hair! And I had no idea a Valet Stand was a thing, but I love the victorian looking one too.
ReplyDeleteRight?! I didn't know the valet stand was a thing, either. You learn new things every day.
DeleteI could have sworn I commented about your amazing hair and the glories of Payday bars! Maybe spam, maybe I forgot to hit publish. But a grand post!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear I'm not the only one who loves Payday bars. I thought it was sort of an old-fashioned candy to like, but I'm happy to hear my friends also like them.
DeleteYour hair is GORGEOUS! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI try to return ebooks on my kindle since the process is so easy (if I hold down the title, a pop-up menu pops up and "return to public library" is one of the options). I don't like the new requirement to return books through the amazon website - there are WAY TOO MANY CLICKS REQURIED.
I love that your colleague knows you well enough to leave extra candy bars for you when she will be gone.
I have not heard of a valet stand but I do like the more traditional one! I hope it's a hit!
I don't think I can do this thing where I hold down the title and it allows me to return it to the library. I have to go through all the Amazon steps. I want the trick everyone else has!!!
DeleteMy colleague usually gets to work about 5-10 minutes before me and fills the candy bowl. There's a Payday for me every day and I really appreciate it.
I would say if you can buy the sprite, you can buy the perrier! Treat yourself Engie!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you and your husband did the legal hookie stuff, you were looking pretty hot with that sexy hair.
I love a payday. I call them a 'I'm hungry' candy. Because they're satisfying if you're hungry. Also Baby Ruth, which I think might be easier on my teeth. But I don't eat anything chewy anymore, I'm too afraid of cracking a tooth.
The Sprite was literally a quarter the price of the Perrier - it's so expensive!!
DeletePaydays really do hit the spot when you're hungry. I like them for a mid-morning snack. LOL.
I've never had a Payday, but I think it's kind of like a Snickers? Which I always kind of think I don't like, but actually it's kind of like a peanut granola bar with chocolate, which is good!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the hair. Clearly your husband did too, bow chick-a wow? Leaving work early always feels like such a scandalous treat. I want you to have a part-time job with benefits too - I don't have benefits, but I have a husband who does, so it works.
I can't borrow library books on Kindle, just Libby on my ipad, but WOW that sounds like an annoying return process, even if it is just pushing more buttons. Why did they feel the need to complicate that?
Payday does not have chocolate on it. But caramel and peanuts. It's perfect. I like it better than a Snickers because I don't love chocolate.
DeleteI am not sure why they changed the process of returning library books. There has to be a reason they inconvenienced everyone, right?!
I love that your boss did that! She sounds fun and thoughtful :)
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks beautiful!
I would have picked the Victorian one too.
Gah, the book return thing is so annoying. I have been able to return them from my Kindle, but I should look on Amazon and make sure it's actually working! I wonder what they changed.
I don't know why we can't still return it from Libby. That was the easiest way. Why would they remove functionality that way?
DeleteI can't remember the last time I ate a Payday! What a blast from the past and it's so sweet that your coworker shares with you.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you hair looks amazing!
My Grandpa had one of those fancy smancy Valet stands; but I suppose they were necessary so you don't wrinkle up your suit which has to be dry-cleaned.
I honestly didn't know how much I loved Paydays until they were available to me regularly. SO GOOD.
DeleteYes, my husband's valet stand is mostly because he doesn't want a coatrack to put a divot in his jackets. He is a fancy man.
As others have said, wow, your hair is gorgeous. My mom has been grey - then silver - now almost white - for years. I used to get highlights but haven't for, gosh, *years*. Um. I can't even remember the last time? I'm lucky in that I've gone through several awful cycles of losing a *lot* of hair, which seems to have limited my greys. I use "lucky", of course, in an ironic way. I hate losing my (already thin) hair. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteMy hair looked like that for a few hours and then was back to its normal boring white lady hair. And that's fine!
DeleteI hear you on hair loss. I have a cousin with very thinning hair and she's always so down on herself because of it. It has a huge impact on your self-image!
Your hair looks amazing. I may even be a tiny bit envious. I do need to buy a present for the husband. I very much love him bit I hate buying him presents. He always has a list and I could pick any random item and he would like it but I always feel like I need to put more effort hin. Sigh. Gift buying is the worst.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too envious. It looked like that for approximately thirty seconds. LOL.
Delete