The Vortex is Back!

Yes, that means that we're experiencing colder than usual temps, even for Chicago.  It was 5 degrees (with the wind chill) yesterday and the day before, and the wind was blowing hard pretty much all day.  I braved it and did my errands run on Monday, hitting two post offices, the bank, the grocery store, the library and the gas station.  It was grueling, but I made sure to get it done.  Back at home with a full fridge, it felt good to get so much accomplished.  It was a much better feeling than what I started out with that morning.  For the first time EVER, I ran out of gas.  This happened to my son a few days before and I was sure that he just didn't pay attention to the gauge, but no, my gas gauge, like so many other things on my 10 year old car, has gone AWOL.  I have nearly 180,000 miles on this car, so it's served me well.  Even with the vandalism (think sugar in the gas tank) it's held up amazingly and has taken me and my kids on tons of road trips, both short and long.  If you're still stuck on the sugar in the gas tank thing, my insurance company took care of everything since it was an act of vandalism.  I never knew I had vandalism coverage until I was stalked by a vandal.  But more about that later.  No, never mind that.  No weapon formed against me is worth talking about...it's all good.  

Back to the cold.  We got a reprieve today, in the form of a 32 degree heatwave.  It felt so much better!  We're expecting 50 degrees by Saturday, which means that the yard work I procrastinated on will get done.  Cue the teenage son.  When he gets up at noon, he has plans, whether he knows it or not.  

I'm in the shop three days a week, with at least another one just working on merchandise and displays.  This is so much fun and I know that it's something I want to pursue on a more permanent basis.  I also know that I want to choose my "roommates" because there's some interesting personalities working in there that I really don't have time for.  Some people seem to thrive on discontent, which is probably the by-product of discontentment.  Me?  What Sweet said:


Determined not to let this crappy weather get the best of me (or my kids) I started in with the home remedies.  My kids have been drinking warm tea since they were toddlers so there's always plenty of it in the house, but I decided to make my own.  The tea bag "blanks" have been so handy!  I've been using dried sage, but at the grocery store I picked up some fresh mint (my favorite) and rosemary.  I recently read that sniffing rosemary helps your memory.  'Nuff said.  I put a few sprigs into a teabag and tied it up for a pillow sachet.  I'm used to rosemary having that evergreen-y scent, so while I don't find it unpleasant, it's not anything I'm attached to.  While lying down and relaxing for the first time all day, I breathed it in as I fell asleep.  Warm notes?  I never noticed that before.  Almost vanilla-y.  Yes, if you add a "y" to any word it becomes an adjective.  My rule.  Anyhoo, the tea was great and I'm brewing more as I write.  

Mint, rosemary, sage, lemon and honey.  Mmmm, Mmmmm, good!  I love this lucite cup.  Great for steeping, then the lid becomes a coaster.  Thrift find...but you probably knew that.  

I also found this sequinned dress which I've had for awhile, but couldn't find.  Moving and all that jazz.  A friend asked me to keep an eye out for one, and I told her about this dress.  It took me nearly six months to find. it.  Luckily, she still wants it with holiday parties on the horizon. 'Tis the season!

And who doesn't need a great set of matching glasses?  This vintage set is in mint condition and I'm tempted to get rid of all my mix and match stuff and just go with this gorgeous cobalt, green and gold set.  But first, let's try selling it.  I have gifts to buy.  'Tis the season for that too.

Man, I love these!  

Here's hoping that the selling picks up.  Waiting for better weather is a waste of time.  Just get out there and buy stuff!  That 50 degree thing is still looking good though.  Feels like selling weather to me.