Officially done with "Detox"

Okay, so maybe I didn't do the best job of not having ice cream, and I did get a couple of things for myself - but I didn't have any pretzel buns! I don't feel too badly because I finished all of my finals with A's - not perfect scores, but good ones - and I'm looking forward to having a break before second term begins. I worked really hard studying for those exams. We're headed for Maine and we are all in desperate need of a vacation.
We'll be staying with my father-in-law and his wife for the first week, then my mother-in-law and her husband for the second week. It'll be nice to see them again, since it's been three years since our last visit.
The day after we get home, school starts for all of us. Well, my kids and me. My husband will go back to work, of course. It's going to be a hectic morning, but at least we each start school at different times. My older son is starting middle school this year, so that'll be a big change. So the route is Little Guy to school across town then back toward our house for Big Guy then I drive to another town for my school. Luckily on Tuesdays, I start later than Big Guy. On Wednesday, he'll have to join forces with the neighbor kid and go with him because we have to be to school at the same time. It's going to be a neat trick.
I got some more school clothes for the boys at Saver's Thrift Store and I had found a few things for myself when I came across a gorgeous gown. Now, I'm not doing a lot of cabaret these days, so I'm not sure when I'd ever wear it, but it was $35 and I tried it on and it's like it was made for me. I'm thinking I may use it for a very elegant vampire Hallowe'en costume. After I tried it on, I put back everything else I had picked out for myself. I'd chosen a few cute things, but about four months ago, I gave away all of my fancy dress clothes to a local theatre in a purge and I wanted that gown to restart a collection. Oh, and I had taken three bags of mine and the boys' clothes to donate and got a 30% off coupon, so I spent about 7 dollars more on everything than was the original (thrift) price of the gown. I'd probably given the theatre about $5000 worth of vintage and evening wear. I figure, if I ever feel like I want to borrow some of it, I know where to go, but if I want something now, I have it. Today I went through my dresser drawers and took 5 bags of clothes to the thrift store up the street. I still need to go through the boys' stuff for more things they've outgrown, but there will be time for that while they're in school. I only have classes on three days, so I'll have time to do some clearing out.
Also today, I decided that my size 8 jeans just weren't going to cut it any more - well, actually, they were cutting into me, so... I went to Saver's to find some jeans. I found two pair of nice ones that fit really well. One is even a pair of "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" and I have to say, if I ever have the extra dinero to buy them new, I may just do that. They're extremely comfortable and the fit is sublime (my butt looks great!). Plus I picked up a couple of larger sweaters to go over my giant, massage therapist arms. I had to get rid of a few sweaters because I've outgrown them in the arms.
Since Hallowe'en is coming up, I'll be looking for more Indian clothes (saris, kurtis, etc.) since they often put them out with the costume stuff. I could seriously live in that style. However, I need specific clothes for school (yoga pants and t-shirts that don't gap open at the chest - no cleavage, front or back). Luckily on Tuesdays, my two classes won't have any practical component to them (no massaging), so I can wear whatever I want. I'm really looking forward to those days. I don't dress up on my days off and I do like to peacock it up every once in a while.
Well, my little flowerpots, I've made my confession, mea culpa <whip, whip> and I don't feel badly about it at all. I worked hard and I deserve a bit of fun. Everything I got for myself and the boys was either on sale, thrifted and/or couponed and I'm feeling quite proud of myself for that. I spent less this year on school clothes than any other year and my boys are happy with what they've got. Of course it helps that they couldn't care less about labels - they figure everyone shops like I do.
Speaking of which, have you been to a thrift store lately? You never know what you might find. I also picked up a Calvin Klein blazer for just a few dollars. Should look great with my NYDJ's!

Good ol' JC Penney

Remember the days of the giant JC Penney catalog? Each season a thousand-page book would arrive and I was in heaven. I'd go through the pages putting together the wardrobe of my dreams. I'd often get one outfit for my birthday or Christmas. I'll never forget the green striped swim suit I got the summer after sixth grade. It was strapless, but with a halter strap. It made me feel so grown up.
I haven't been to JCP in years except for a couple of things here and there. Pillows, mostly. However, as I was searching online for deals on kids' clothes, I found some of the best deals at jcpenney.com, and shipping was free. That was a special deal running for a few days, but when you find those free shipping deals, it's a nice thing to take advantage of. So I did. I didn't necessarily get a lot of things, but the boys don't need an awful lot. I got some new jeans for each of them and a few new shirts. They are growing out of so much. I can only "make do" with so much for them while they still fit into things.
Everything arrived on time (if not early) and it all fits. I'm actually rather proud of myself for taking the time to search for deals.
Then I screwed up the shopping detox. I went through some of my things and discovered that most of the sweaters I have don't fit me quite right any more. My arms have bulked up some since I've started massaging (I actually have visible biceps brachii now!) and my buff arms are too big for some of the things I have for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. My arms and shoulder have always gotten big when I exercise and I just accept it. I'm kind of boxy. So I went to the local Goodwill to find some layering pieces. I found two cardigans that'll work with what I have to wear at school. I also found a book that'll be a nice gift for a friend's birthday.
I also got onto Zulily.com and found a sweater that'll go with a skirt I've been dying to wear but had nothing to go with it. Hopefully the large will fit over my big ol' arms.
Then I really screwed up the detox by going to Target for groceries and I bought a new purse. To be fair, the one I've been using was really too small. I'd been putting up with it since Christmas, and I just couldn't take it any more. Also, it's from Target, so I didn't spend that much on it and I've had good luck with longevity with Target purses. Can you tell I'm trying really hard to not beat myself up for this? My mom even got in on the justification by reminding me that we'll be going to Maine soon, and you "really need to have a nice big purse for traveling." Thanks, mom!
Here's another thing I found today that's going to be a problem: Sockdreams.com. With Socktober coming up, I'm in real trouble. They have a pair of tabi socks with foot and leg bones on them. Those would be a great addition to my collection. I have quite a few socks that I've held on to for years (we're talking over a decade, people) so I should clear out that sock drawer and get some without holes in them.
School is going quite well, though I fainted whilst watching a video on kidney dialysis. My head fell forward and blocked my airway, so they thought I was having a seizure and called 911. That was exciting. I've never actually lost consciousness before and it was really strange. I've felt faint and had the tunnel vision, but I usually get myself into a position to where I can pull myself out of it. How embarrassing! My classmates thought I was going to throw up, but it was just me not being able to breathe. Very attractive. I was out for 20-30 seconds. If you've never fainted before, it's very surreal opening your eyes and suddenly being surrounded by people who weren't there just a "moment" before. I was released from the hospital fairly quickly and was able to go back to school and not miss the test I had in my afternoon class. I did alright on it, too, considering my morning.
I do have a bit of test anxiety on written exams, but when it comes to the practical application exams, I feel right at home. It's spectacular to feel like I'm doing the right thing, to feel so comfortable doing what I'm learning to do. The hard part is finding new clients. Also, once I'm done being a student who can't charge and become a trained and licensed massage therapist who can charge, will my clients stay with me? I hope so. I'm getting a lot of great feedback from those I've been working on, so I really shouldn't worry about it.
Well, flowerpots, I don't know if you got anything from this except that I'm totally guilty of not restraining myself when it comes to spending money - though I am a great bargain hunter - and I faint during medical videos, but if you've made it this far, that's saying something. Also, if you're local to me, you should really partake of my massage therapy skills. Just a little plug, there...