Brand Names vs. Generic

I’m not sure if this topic refers to food type items or to clothing names, but I’ll talk about both (because why not?).

When it comes to clothing I grew up wearing whatever was on sale and clearance. I remember that my mom would only buy me a dress at Mervyns (RIP) when they had them on sale for $7. We did (and do) all our clothing shopping at big box department stores (Kohl’s being our absolute favorite at the moment, JC Penney sometimes comes through with good prices).  If a “brand” name happened to be on sale then maybe we would buy it, but we definitely didn’t go after it. My shoes had always been Pay-Less shoes, that is – until recently.

I had wanted TOMs for a long time but couldn’t justify the price. Finally I splurged and bought some. Which failed and I had to get a 2^nd pair (did you know that TOMS guarantees their shoes for a year? They tear or anything they’ll give you your money back!). I love TOMs shoes. On Halloween I used a different Payless bought pair and I was in a lot of pain. The TOMS are great for long walks (I took them on my honeymoon where I did a lot of walking).

Okay, this isn’t an advertisement for TOMs (but really, go buy some!).

Other than that there isn’t a clothing type brand that I will buy.

I am not a big “brand” person. My husband, on the other hand, definitely is (when it comes to food at least). This is definitely something I’ve learned since we got married.

While I do buy brand names and I agree that some things are made better by the brand names than the store brand (or other), there are many things that you can buy generic without a problem.

(This is a LIST post so I should start listing!).

Things that HAVE to be purchased brand name:

• Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate. I have to have Swiss Miss. No Nestle, no NesQuik. It must be Swiss Miss.  This is my breakfast daily, so it’s important. Also, it should be made with milk, not water (eww). 

• Worcestershire Sauce – I did not know this was a must be a brand name item until I bought the store brand and my husband bit my head off. We are brand name all the way here.
• Oreos – There is no substitute. Except maybe Jo-Jo’s (from Trader Joe’s).
• Yoplait Yogurt – I don’t know why but I love the low-fat version and no other yogurt will do.
• Bread – This is specifically Thomas. I bought store brand and he said it was “cheap” and he needed brand named bread.
• Arrowhead – I agree with this one – this is the only water that I can drink. All the other ones taste gross. Okay, I have started drinking my fridge water (filtered) and I can deal with that – but other bottled water? No way.

• Cereals – I generally buy brand name cereals, mostly because they tend to be cheaper when on sale and using a coupon to buy them. I don’t really eat cereal so this is more so for Thomas. I’m sure he would scoff at general cereal as well.
• Frozen Vegetables – I used to buy generic when it came to this, but I’ve discovered that you get less of that good part of the vegetable (in broccoli for example) so it doesn’t make it worth it. Also, you can get the brand names for the same price as generic.
• Garlic Bread – I don’t know the brand name, but I bought store brand once and it was not good. So I’ll stick to the brand here.
• Lean Cuisine – This is my daily lunch during the week. I’ve tried store brands (and other brands) and this is the only one I can eat consistently without getting tired of it.
• Charmin – Must have toilet paper. The blue kind, not the red.

Things that CAN be generic:

• Soy Sauce – I buy Trader Joe’s brand, Thomas vetoed that but I don’t care.
• Cranberry Sauce – I am more than willing to buy store brand cranberry sauce.
• Sugar/Flour – This definitely doesn’t have to be brand name. Sugar is sugar.
• Spices  - I’m good with store brand spices, they do the same thing.
• Pasta – It can be whatever brand. I am looking for a low-calorie option. We had been buying one from Argentina, but they stopped making it. 

What do you have to buy with a brand name? What can be generic? 

Why I Went Out Shopping on Thanksgiving

I’ve read a lot of articles and blog posts about why people shouldn’t shop on Thanksgiving. Mostly they talk about how Thanksgiving is a family holiday and not a shopping holiday. People should be sitting around the dining room table enjoying turkey and watching football. Enjoying quality time together.

Which is perfectly ok.  I love that people do that. I love the togetherness.

But not everyone does and I think it isn’t right for me to impose what I think the holiday should be like on those people.

The argument continues that the workers are not at home but instead they are forced to work. Except, do we know that they are all forced to work? Maybe some, even many, of them want to work because it means extra money for Christmas shopping. Maybe that same employee will be out the next day partaking in Black Friday.

One of the things that comes to mind when I hear the argument about people having to work on Thanksgiving instead of being home with their families is all the people who we depend on working that day and any and all other holidays all year long.

Emergency room doctors and nurses. Police can’t take days off (even if it makes a good movie). And if firefighters and paramedics took the day off what would we do when people make fried turkeys and burn themselves? Or someone breaks their leg during some flag football? I’m sure many doctors, nurses, fire fighters, police officers, etc etc would love to have the holidays off, too. But they can’t.

What about the UPS/FedEx drivers that work on holidays to make sure that we all get those presents that we bought the day before Thanksgiving? They work on Christmas Eve to get you those presents on time. Should we give them the day off?

Not to mention grocery stores. They are typically open for at least a few hours on Thanksgiving.

My parents were going to be alone this Thanksgiving and didn't want to cook. So we went to dinner last night. My family is grateful they were open to feed us some dinner.

Sometimes people have to work on days they don’t want to work. It happens. But if they are working they are making money, they aren’t doing it for free.

Cliche Thankful Post

First off I want to wish everyone a fabulous Thanksgiving! 

I will be spending the morning making a fabulous leek tart (google it, it's amazing!) to take over to my in-law's. 

Their get together will be in the early afternoon and afterward Thomas and I will head over to dinner with my parents at Black Angus. They serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well as the whole menu. 

Which means soooo much food. Which started yesterday at work with honey baked ham, turkey, side dishes and the rest. 

I have a lot to be thankful this year. After all I got married and started the rest of my life with Thomas. I am healthy. I have my parents nearby and I get to see them often. I am thankful that they are around and healthy. I'm thankful to have 3 amazing nieces and an incredible nephew who are also healthy. 

I am also sad this Thanksgiving. My sister is not here with us and she will never be again. My parents are without their daughter and I know that their hearts ache with her loss. My heart aches for them. 

But even with our loss we have to be thankful for being here and together. 

Blogger Men Tell All

I missed the first 2 of these so I needed to make sure I didn't miss anymore. Then interviewed my husband and he was totally boring, but I figured I'd post it anyway. 

What food do you look forward to most at Thanksgiving dinner?

• ME: Beware, anything you say I will type.
• HIM: Honeybaked ham. 
• ME: Anything else? 
• HIM: (shakes head no)

Do you ever go shopping on Black Friday?

• HIM: NO! 

What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

• HIM: Spending time with my wonderful tradition. 
• ME: Would you like to expand on that?
• HIM: Yes, being thankful for everything that I have. 

Do you travel for the Thanksgiving holiday or stay close to home?

• HIM: I go where the family is. Thanksgiving is nothing without my wonderful family. I cherish every moment I have with them.

What are you most thankful for this year?

• HIM: My beautiful wife who married me. 
• ME: Is that it?
• HIM: And that I'm not dead. 

Splitting The Holidays

With Thanksgiving in a couple of days and Christmas getting here before we know it I’m starting to stress out about where we will be spending these days and how long we’ll be there.

Thomas’ family is very close and they spend a lot of time together, including the holidays of course. For Thanksgiving there is a big gathering at his parents’ house. People bring in food and everyone watches football while eating some delicious meals. There is always a big family picture.

This has worked out the past few years. My family was never big into having Thanksgiving – it was mostly me organizing a dinner with my family. We’d have some honey ham and assorted sides. For a while we did that and looked at the Black Friday ad’s and made a list of what we wanted to get. Then I started dating Thomas and I started spending the day with his family.

But this year I feel different. We’re married now, of course. But my sister is also not here this year. Even though she might not have participated in the holidays in the past years, I feel strange leaving my parents’ home alone that day. My brother will be doing a road trip through the week and into the following week, so it will be just them. While they are invited and welcome to come to Thomas’ parents’ house (and my dad did last year), they don’t really want to. My mom is not a social person and does not like being in social situations at all.

So I’m not sure what to do. I tried talking to Thomas about it the other night and he gets offended that I don’t want to spend time with his family. But it’s not about me not wanting to be with them, it’s about me wanting to be with my family. Most likely what will happen is that I will spend the afternoon with him and his family, and then go home and spend the evening with mine (possibly enjoying Thanksgiving dinner out at a restaurant).

Then there will Christmas. Typically I have spent Christmas with my sister and her family up in the bay area. But last year and this year I cannot go because I can’t get the time off from work. Last year I went to his parents’ house for Christmas Eve for food as well as a gift exchange with the whole crowd. Then on Christmas Day we went to his aunt’s house for a Christmas dinner.

As you can see they do a lot of celebrating and there isn’t much time left for my family. My feelings of not wanting to leave my parents alone for Christmas is the same as they are for Thanksgiving. Maybe even more so since my sister did celebrate the day with them. In our family we do Christmas Eve dinner, and really Christmas is just a day to hang out.

You can see my problem. Suggestions are welcome. I want to be fair to Thomas, but I want to spend time with my family too. My parents are older (my mom is 70 and my dad is 80) and not in the best of health. I want to take advantage of every Christmas I can with them. I’m also not requesting or requiring him to come spend it at my parents’ place. I can do it on my own and he can spend time with his family.

Next year will be another story all together. Christmas will be on a Friday and I want to go to my sisters’ house to spend it with her and my nieces again. Maybe even my parents and brothers’ family will make the trip. I know Thomas will not like the idea.

Once we have kids I know that I will want to have a nice Christmas Eve at home to exchange pajama presents and then watch a movie by the fire (did I mention we have a wood burning fire place?) before setting out some cookies and carrots.

What Fads Did You Partake In?

What a fun topic!!! I am guilty of participating in a ton of different fans while growing up in the 1990’s. Here are the ones I remember.

• POGs. I still have mine! Thomas thinks his are still in his moms’ garage somewhere. They are fun!

• Beanie Babies – I still have several of mine. My sister had a huge collection and I’m sure many of them still roam my moms’ house.

• Trolls – I had trolls growing up, but not too many.

• Tamagotchi/Nano pet – Yup. I had more than one. I even remember buying it at Mervyn’s. Those were the good times!
• Pokemon – I didn’t participate in this, but my husband was (is) an expert!
• Mini backpacks – I know I had one, but I’m sure there were more.
• Snap bracelets – who doesn’t love these??
• Scrunchies – I had many of these, although my hair is so thin that they didn’t stay in well.

• Drunkaroo’s – These are awesome. I actually found some at Wal*Mart a couple of years ago and bought a bunch.  Cinnamon Sugar cookies with frosting. Delicious!

I’m sure some people would add boy bands to the list, but  since Backstreet Boys are still around 21+ years later I think they can be kept off of the fad list.

As I added the pictures to this post I started feeling vey nostalgic. Partly this is due to me sharing a lot of those fads with my sister. Those were the good old days I guess. 

November Musings: Being Thankful

I’m happy to be participating in this link up. I’m not sure why I haven’t participated in the past other than being an air head. But I think this is the perfect month to get started.

The topic for this month is what we’re grateful for.

I was actually just reading a post from Allie about the things that she should be grateful about but ends up complaining about and was thinking what a great post and wanted to do something like it. Well here we go, two posts in one.

Allie is right – I have a lot of to be grateful for but I sure do complain a lot. And most, if not all, of the things I complain about are 1^st World Problems.

/ / I hate it when my cell service is slow or nonexistent. It drives me mad. But I am so thankful that I have a cell phone that I can pay and that helps me stay in touch with my family here in the states but also in Argentina.

/ / Like many people I complain about getting up early to go to work. But as Allie said in her post, I’m blessed to have a job to get up to go to. Not to mention that it is a job that I like. I used to work in places that I dreaded to go to in the morning. Places where I was tempted to call out sick every day. The job I have now, I am so thankful to be at and to have amazing co-workers (even if not all of them).

/ / I have complained in the past about the high prices of gas. But I am thankful  that I have a new car that is safe and comfortable and that I can afford those prices. I am also thankful that those prices are coming down. They are under $3 in Los Angeles for the first time in a VERY long time.

/ / I am so so so grateful this month to have a great husband who loves and supports me (even if he teases me endlessly). I complain a lot of about that teasing, and it’s a work in progress to not feel offended by his teasing – which he does in his own good natured way. At the end of the day (or may in the morning) I do realize that I am lucky and blessed  to have him in my life and to call him mine.

/ / When Thomas and I were looking for a place to buy early this year there was the possibility that we would move somewhere that was far enough away from my family that I could go days without seeing them. I am so lucky to have them a block or two away. I get to see my mom daily, and my dad every couple of days. I am so blessed to be near my family and to have their love and support always.

/ / I do a lot of complaining about my rib pain. A lot. But I am so incredibly grateful that I am otherwise healthy. I don’t have any life threatening illnesses. I can walk, I can see, I can hear, I can breathe on my own.  I may be in a lot of pain, but it’s not the end of the world. I am healthy.

A Historic Hike

For anyone new around here - I live in Los Angeles, but specifically in an area of the city which is pretty historic. We can trace our history back a long way and we still have a lot of history all around us. 

Down the block from where we live (and right next to where my sister is buried) there is the Santa Susana Pass. While I have known it has existed I actually thought it was farther north where the current road that connects Simi Valley to the San Fernando Valley currently is. 

Over the past few weeks I saw a flyer on Facebook about a guided hike that was taking place this past Saturday and I was excited to check it out. I even got my husband to go! (He is NOT a hiking type of guy) My brother, sister-in-law and the kids came along as well. 

The hike started in a place that I didn't know existed right next door to the cemetery. It was dog friendly, which Jonathan was thrilled about. 

It was about 2.1 miles around trip and the steepest part was at the beginning, but it was nothing. Actually, it's something I wouldn't mind doing often to get some exercise. 

That's me in the green tank top. We're in mid-November and it's been warm enough to go around like that. 

Right after the first bend we were able to see this truck which has been there for over 50 years and has started to melt into the ground. Since it's been there so long and it's on the land of a State Park it is protected and therefore cannot be removed. You can see my sisters' niche from there as well (it's the second one in on the top row).

This hike mimics one that 3rd graders from 2 local schools get to do. Nikki did it when she was in 3rd grade two years ago and Jonathan will get to do it in another couple of years. There were 3 or 4 different stations with park volunteers and others telling us about the history of the pass. 

The first one was at this Stagecoach. The volunteer explained to us about the trails that were used when California joined the union and how they used the Santa Susana Pass to get over the Simi Hills and then on up to San Francisco during the Gold Rush. 

Jonathan is so sweet, he loves to be close to us. He was leaning on me here as we listened to the explanations.

We also learned about Oak trees (which are protected by law) and how the acorns will fall from the tree and eventually form a ring around the original tree. They also taught us about the Chumash Indians that lived in the area and showed us the type of food they ate and the things they made. 

One of the last stations were about the quarrying that was done in the pass. We stopped right next to an area where rocks were removed to take down to San Pedro and Long Beach. They also explained the methods that were used to break rocks and then Jonathan got the chance to break one. 

He was pretty excited about that.

Even though it wasn't too long of a trek, I was tired in the end. It didn't help that we went to Costco right afterward. Like I said, though, I'd like to do it again and more often (although the guided tour is only done once or twice a year) so that I can get some exercise and also so I can reach a bit further down the trail. 

There is a very steep part of the trail that we didn't get to see. It's cool (at least to me) because it's the actual part of the pass that settlers used to come to the area we live in now. The trail we walked on is also part of that pass. It totally amazes me to know that people were walking there hundreds and hundreds of years ago. 

The Best Gifts Ever!

I went back and forth on doing a post for this subject. I couldn’t think of what the best gifts were. I was thinking in terms of “things” and not the feelings that the things brought.  Then I remembered.

-          Winnie the Pooh

For Christmas in 1997 my sister and brother-in-law bought me several Winnie the Pooh themed items. A backpack, a stuffed bear, and 3-ring organizer among other things. I was SO excited. My sister still says she has never had anyone react with so much happiness over a present she has given and she has been trying to top my reaction that Christmas.

I loved WTP. My sister (who can lawfully marry people) even “married” the stuffed version of the bear and me that year. I still have that bear (and an Eeyore). I can’t bear (haha!) to give them away (no pun intended).

-          Honeymoon

My parents paid for our honeymoon. Thomas and I paid for our flights to and from Argentina and then they gave us the money they have in the country from my dads’ pension to pay for all of our travel and fun costs inside the country (since you can’t buy dollars in Argentina). It was very thoughtful of them to do and I was immensely grateful to be able to visit a country I love and discover more of its beauty.

-          Turtle Necklace

Thomas and I started dating in late September/early October. By Thanksgiving I had met his whole family and for Christmas he gave me a necklace that cost close to $100. To me that was a good indication that he was either loving me or close to it. I wasn’t used to being given such nice/expensive gifts from men. It wasn’t so much the gift itself but the idea behind it. It was within a week or 2 that he told me he loved me.

The Blogland Tour

A few months ago I was nominated to complete this little Blogland Tour post, but like Amanda said on hers last week – lots of things can change, even in a short period of time.

This time I was nominated by Melissa at The Rambling Llama!

What are you working on now?

I have been a very bad blogger the past few months. I’ve posted all about my excuses in the past about how busy I have been the past few months – and it has been true. Things seem to finally be settling now, but with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner (or really next door!) I know it will be busy soon all over again. Unfortunately the blog had to be placed on the back burner. I love to blog, but other “IRL” things have to come first. HOWEVER Amanda came up with this awesome November Link Up to post in lists.

Lists are easy. I can put out a listed post pretty quickly, so it works out nicely. I’m hoping to get some other posts in between the listed posts, but we’ll take it one day at a time.

How does your work differ from others in its genre?

I don’t know that it really differs very much from all the blogs, but definitely a lot from some. I am not a fashion blogger and generally don’t like reading fashion blogs. I’m not into fashion. I put on whatever I have at the top of my drawer that day. I am more of a “lifestyle” blogger (as they call it). Amanda (again!) did a really nice job at describing the genre of blog she has. I write about anything and everything in my life. You’ll find posts about my weekends, events I go to, and maybe sometimes the food I coo (depending on how good I am at taking pictures). While I’m not shy about sharing my feelings I haven’t done many posts about my opinions on things. I plan to do more on this. So maybe I’m a mixed-genre type of blogger.

Why do you write / create what you do?

I’m sure my answer this time will be similar to the one I had last time (I didn’t look back to see what I wrote last time).  I write because it de-stresses me. I started blogging many moons ago and started this blog a couple of months before my wedding because I was very stressed out. I was taking it out on my husband (to-be then) and I knew it was a bad way to start a marriage. Blogging is my outlet.

How does your writing / creative process work?

I am not as organized as other bloggers as I see out there. I was doing well for a while. I planned out my posts, I had post-it’s that reminded me of topics, etc. But as I mentioned before – that has not been the case. So my process is basically that I take breaks/lunches at work to write, and even short 2-3 minutes between phone calls to get things done. I am not good at doing graphics or editing pictures.  After I type up a post at work (like this one) I’ll e-mail it to myself so that I can open it up at home and put it on Blogger.  Although lately I’ve not opened my computer up much.

I did try to nominate some other people but I didn't hear back from them :(. That's okay! If you would like to participate I nominate YOU! 

Weight Loss... Again!

Here we go again. You’ve read this type of post a hundred times on a dozen or more different blogs.

I need to lose weight. Over the past year I’ve gained about 16-20lbs. I’m not happy.

I’m happy at about 145 to 150lbs.

But I can’t seem to stay on track when it comes to losing the weight. This isn’t my first time around the weight loss wagon. I weighed as much as 196lbs at one point, so I’m still down, but I’m not where I want to be.

I’ve been thinking about what made me successful 3 years ago when I lost the 30lbs. I was working as a receptionist and while we were ordering food all the time, I still somehow got the weight off. I had joined MyFitness Pal and was posting/reading regularly on Reddit’s –LoseIt section. I’ve attempted to get back into doing both these things but I somehow have been unable to stick to either.

Of course my life is different now than then. Back then I had just started dating Thomas. Now I’ve been married to him for half a year (wow!). I’m also at a different job where I sit in front of the computer all day which just makes me want to snack on things.

Something I’ve been doing lately is making excuses. A lot of them. Finding all the reasons why I can’t lose weight and not any of the ways that I can.

So today I remembered something else I did at my previous job that probably helped me with the weight loss. I drank tea. 2 or 3 cups a day. It made me feel full and it was tasty. It fulfilled the need to bring something to my face without adding unnecessary calories.  (I do add Splenda to some of the teas, but not much and at least it’s not sugar!).

I’m also going to start using the MFP app again. And I’m going to try to use the Reddit page as well to get inspired.

That being said, I would love to get suggestions as to other ways I can keep the weight-loss inspiration going when it comes to my blog. I don’t want to bog people down with my journey, but I would like some sort of way to keep myself accountable to get back to 145 to 150lbs.  Maybe a separate page? Maybe a reader that will text or e-mail me about it. Let me know!

Here are my stats as of now:

-          5’2”

-          165lbs

-          Goal of 150lbs

I have hypothyroidism but am on medication so it shouldn’t affect my weight gain/loss. Although I should be getting my most recent results soon.

List all the qualities in yourself you like the least - the best!

I’m glad that this is a list link-up because I know this topic could go on and on.

Dislikes:

• My inability to act correctly in a social situation.  I am not good at social cues and I end up making a fool out of myself.
• Part of the above is that I tend to make things about myself which I think isn’t the best thing to do.
• Although I have become more outgoing, I am typically shy or suffer from anxiety in any social situations in which I’m supposed to interact with people who aren’t my closest friends and family.

Likes:

• I like to consider myself a friendly person. I try to say hello to everyone and even start up conversations.
• I am giving and helpful. To the people around me and to those further out in any way I can. I’m not saying I’m a saint, but I like to be able to give to those less fortunate than myself.
• I’m happy. Something that has always been told to me is that I’m always smiling. In my yearbook my 11^th grade English teacher wrote that me that she would miss seeing my smiling face in the mornings.

I feel like I need to leave it at that. If I do any more soul searching I might find more things I do not like and I’m not in a place to do that right now.