FALLing in Love Friday: Powell's

This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things with which I'm falling in love. You can read more about what I'm falling in love with here.

It's time to clean house. I mean really clean house. I want it all gone! OK, well not all of it, but most of it. Though we've cleaned house several times over the last few years with our numerous moves, it's always an overwhelming task. To minimize that "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?!" feeling, I'm attacking the house one (very) small area at a time. The other night, I got a hankering to reduce the pile of to-be-read (that I will never read) books on my bookshelf nightstand. Half an hour later, two-thirds of the books were boxed up and ready to be ousted from the house.

As I looked at all the money that was once spent on said books, I began wondering if I could get a few bucks for them. I went to Amazon's marketplace and realized that too many people had the same idea, and I'd be lucky to sell the books at all, let alone for more than a penny. So on a whim, I Googled "selling books online." The first hit was Powell's Books, a Portland-based bookstore that I had actually heard of and from which Hubby had purchased books a few years ago. "Why not?" I thought and gave it a go. Minutes later, I was selling books and falling in love.

All you have to do is type the ISBN numbers into a search box, and within seconds, Powell's tells you how much they will pay for the titles they want.

Now, don't get me wrong: Out of a box of 40ish books (yes, just from my bookshelf nightstand - don't judge), Powell's only wanted to buy four titles for $1.50 each. BUT it costs me ZERO to send them those four books, and, in return, I will get $6 in my PayPal account that I otherwise wouldn't have had. And before you tell me not to go spending the money all in one place, I use PayPal enough to make purchases that it will be like getting a $6 discount the next time I buy scrapbooking supplies or something from Etsy. And knowing that I have at least another 40 books to cull, there may be a few more dollars in my account before the month's end.

Update: Since first drafting this post, I went through another bookshelf and fared much better: Out of 20-25 books, Powell's accepted eight and deposited $11 in my PayPal account. Now I'm officially addicted, and Hubby is nailing down books in the house.

FALLing in Love Friday: Couponing

This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things with which I'm falling in love. You can read more about what I'm falling in love with here.

I get the "don't buy it unless it's on sale" gene from my mother... when it comes to clothing. When it comes to grocery shopping, though, I've never been good at saving; my eyes and taste buds rule my purse. The strings on said purse need to be tightened a bit over the next few months, and so, after setting a monthly budget, I started researching the frightening world of couponing (said in a Kramerian "moviefone" voice).

image source

Thanks to TLC, the word struck fear in Hubby's heart. I promised that I had no desire to "go extreme," that I wouldn't start hoarding shampoo, and that I wouldn't fill the guest bathtub with cans of cat food. I wanted to save money, but I didn't want that savings to come at the expense of my already limited time. The one thing I did understand about couponing was that I had to match coupons with sales to get the most savings, but I didn't really understand how to figure that out efficiently. After a quick Google search for couponing basics, I stumbled upon Southern Savers, a site that gave me a much better understanding of how to get the maximum savings out of coupons and also takes most of the guesswork out of that weekly process.

Armed with some knowledge, I decided to start out with only one store, the one I normally shop at: Publix. I signed up for their digital coupons, which I love because all I have to do once I get to the store is enter my phone number in the credit/debit card payment machine, and the cash register automatically deducts my coupons when the cashier hits the "total" button. It takes no time at all for me to click the little boxes of the coupons I want and then email my list of coupons to my phone, which I can then reference while shopping.

Deciding to start small made the idea of couponing less overwhelming; still, I wanted to make sure these extra few minutes were worth it. I downloaded the Southern Savers savings tracker and was surprised not only by how much money I was saving, but also how much better I was getting at saving money as I gained more practice. After just a few shopping trips, I learned when to use coupons and when to save them for a better deal. Thanks to a very helpful cashier, I also learned this week about the hidden treasure at the front of every Publix: store coupons which can be combined with my digital manufacturer coupons for extra savings!

I've used coupons for three consecutive grocery trips and, with only a little knowledge and even less time, have saved anywhere from 10%-16% off my bill, for a cumulative savings of almost $50 for the month. The benefit of shopping like this, as opposed to dropping hundreds of dollars at the bulk warehouse - especially when there are only two of us to feed, is now visible to me.

I will never be one of those people who drives around to five different grocery stores to get the lowest price; however, I can see adding a drug store to my shopping day in the future. It's become fun - not a chore - to see how much I can save. And I intend to keep it that way.

What are you in love with this week?

FALLing in Love Friday: Knitting

This fall, I've decided to dedicate Friday blog posts to things I'm falling in love with, aka my current obsessions.

I started knitting back in 2009, thanks to my friend Heather, who was patient enough to teach me enough to get myself in trouble with yarn. Over the course of the next year, I knitted several scarves of various basic patterns. Upon moving to South Carolina, I put my knitting needles away. More complicated patterns and projects were too daunting, but the basic scarf, no matter how different the pattern, left me feeling uninspired.

Over the last couple of months, an overactive mind left me unable to enjoy my rare, beloved TV time. I needed a way to unwind, so I tried unwinding a ball of yarn. It was not at all "like riding a bike." It had been so long since I picked up a pair of knitting needles that my muscle memory was non-existent. I'm embarrassed to admit (so I won't) how many times I had to watch YouTube videos to get my hands to do a simple knit again, but after a while (a long while) I was knitting and purling as though I had been doing so all along. Despite some issues with newly developed carpal tunnel syndrome (BOO), I have once again fallen in love with this relaxing pastime...so much so that I am working on TWO completely different projects simultaneously!

Doesn't this fun yarn make you wonder?
I'll give you a sneak peek soon.

What have you fallen in love with this week?

A day late and a dollar short (Friday Fragments)

Somehow Friday came and went without my realizing it. Thus the late edition of Friday Fragments.

• It took almost two weeks, but the hole in the ceiling is finally no more. It's far from perfect (ok, that's putting it mildly; you'd have to be Stevie Wonder to not see the patch), but it's DONE.

• I realized this week that I used to be a good speller. And then I became a teacher. Seriously, I was real competition in the school-wide spelling bee, but now, thanks to years of reading misspelled words, I excitedly submit words in Words with Friends only to find out that they're spelled incorrectly. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

• Joan Rivers was HY.STER.I.CAL! At 78 years old, she has more energy than I have at more than half her age. She was in constant motion, pacing the stage, climbing on chairs, and rolling on the floor. She was wonderfully raunchy and managed to offend every cultural/ethnic/social group in the room (I have mad respect for equal-opportunity offenders). It was an absolute treat to see such a legend in person.

Because Joan was so sparkly, we couldn't capture her presence on camera,
but we did document our pre-show dinner date.

• Continuing my cooking streak, I made my favorite Pinterest recipe to date: oven toasted ravioli. Yum-O!

Don't judge my lack of plating skills.
Or my mismatched dishes.

• Hubby has been enjoying his new window creation and got to show it off to his mom during her visit this week (she, of course, was a fan; she has great taste).

• Also this week, I fell in love with a new-to-me YA hero, Daemon of the Lux series. Thanks for enabling my fangirl obsessions, Margie!

image source

• Speaking of obsession, I leave you now (before I'm two days late) with some (more) beautiful eye - and ear (love his voice) - candy (six days and counting!).

I hope your weekend is off to a great start and that it continues to be fabulous!

This post is part of Friday Fragments
@ Half-Past Kissin' Time

Time Stealers (Friday Fragments)

Before I begin my Friday rambling, which I'm so grateful to Mrs4444 for legitimizing each week, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who have encouraged me in the last few weeks with your visits and comments. I am finally finding my blogging stride again and am loving every minute of it.

• I dont' know how many times a week I whine, "I wish I had more time for fun stuff, like reading or writing or scrapbooking." Then when my week actually presents itself with an unusual amount of free time, I don't know what to do with myself. And instead of doing all those things I dream about, I usually wind up wasting time on Pinterest, watching Eclipse for the 100th time because it just *happens* to be on Showtime again, or gluing myself to Words with Friends.

• Yes, Words with Friends is my latest addiction. I'm not sure how I avoided it for so long, but I'm avoiding it no more. In fact, I literally *can't* avoid it. The house could be on fire, and I'd drop the extinguisher as soon as I heard my phone chime notifying me that someone made a move. If you aren't above enabling my addiction, hit me up; my username is SecondGlantz (shock!).

• Another small addiction (which thankfully can't get too big because I haven't been able to find it on TV beyond Saturday's marathon of it) is HGTV's Million Dollar Rooms. After two episodes, I quickly developed a love-hate relationship with this show, oscillating between, "OMG, I want to live in that wine cellar!" and "SRSLY? Who needs 3,500 bottles of wine?" Aside from wondering who I call to put a resort-sized swimming pool in my living room when I win the lottery, what I really want to know is what all these people do for a living. I mean, they can't ALL be drug dealers, right?

Maybe the owners would let me live in the wine cellar?
"This is Cheryl, our live-in wine critic." I like the sound of that.

• I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time this weekend with my most recent "literary" crush, Jace Lightwood of the latest Mortal Instruments book. I'm already counting down to August 23, 2013 when this awesome series is finally brought to the big screen.

• Monday marks my 300th post in my 33rd month of blogging. Stop by if you're so inclined and have some fun with me. *whisper* There might even be a giveaway.

• I leave you with my favorite video of the week from my Olympic eye candy.

This post is part of Friday Fragments
@ Half-Past Kissin' Time

Have a great weekend!

Take-the-Cake Tuesday

Welcome to a new weekly feature at Take a Second Glantz!

Every Tuesday, I'll celebrate a few(ish) things that really take the cake.

For my inaugural TTC Tuesday post, I have two words: RYAN. LOCHTE. 

Did you guys see that trail of smoke he left in the water during last night's 400 IM Olympic trial? Perhaps even more impressive (as if that weren't enough) is the fact that in the midst of Lochte's greatness, in the midst of the media's (and nation's) love affair with him, he somehow manages to stay humble (good job, Mama Lochte) and focused. When the interviewer asked how being the "hunted" instead of the "hunter" in the Olympics would change things for him, he said that those were the media's thoughts, that he still considers himself the hunter.

Mimi disagrees. "Meow meow hunting you, Lochte, meow meow meow."

And who could blame her?!
image source

And so, Lochte, today I raise my fork to you. You take the cake. JEAH!

Friday the 13th Fragments

My brain is all over the place this morning, and while I have a ton of stuff I should be doing, I thought I'd take a minute to share my randomness with you instead. It's not procrastination if it's sharing, right?

• In less than 12 hours I am FINALLY going to see one of my favorite bands in concert. Can we say excited?!

• As the above photo would indicate, I'm a little obsessed with iPhone photo-editing apps. Almost all the editing I do these days is on my phone. Weird and cool all at the same time.

• I have been crying my eyes out this week watching the final episodes of One Life to Live. I know it's just a show, but it's one I've been consistently watching ever since I can remember, and it feels a little like saying goodbye to a friend.

• BUT I'm super excited that four of my favorite characters are living on as part of General Hospital. I'm seeing my long-awaited Michael Easton - Kelly Monaco reunion in my future!

• Because of an unfortunate incident with some really cheap black Halloween paint nail polish, I've been keeping my nails colored for the past few months while waiting for the stain to grow out. My latest color obsession is Cockatoo's Mystery by L'Oreal.

• I am the worst returner in the world. Two coats that unfortunately don't fit came in the mail last month, and they're still sitting in a box in my dining room. Similarly, a shrug I bought to wear over a dress is still hanging on my bedroom door after realizing that it doesn't look good with any of the clothes I own. I think the moral of the story is that I should no longer buy that which I'm not 100% sure will fit or look good.

• Our "Happy New Year!" cards are still sitting on my desk.

On that note, it's probably time I stop procrastinating and start checking things off my to-do list. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Breaking Dawn Mania! (a Twilight-inspired blog hop)

Anyone who knows me in the least, whether in real life or through this blog, knows that I'm slightly obsessed with this little thing called Twilight. Thankfully, I have friends who are just as obsessed and do fun things to celebrate their love of the saga, like have Twilight-inspired blog hops.

If you're coming from Margie's fabulous blog, you're in the right place! Welcome! (If you've gotten lost along the hop, go back to start at the Pixie Dust Studio Challenge Blog - don't collect $200 ;) - where you will find the Blog Hop List.)

And now the information you've been waiting for... Cheryl, what do I get for muddling through your corny jokes? I'm glad you asked! There are Pixie Prizes!

• Visit each blog in the hop and comment on each post along the way for the chance to win THREE Pixie Dust digital images of your choice. Two winners will be selected through random.org from the Pixie Dust Studio Blog. Winners will be announced during Thursday's next challenge on 11/24.
• One lucky grand prize winner will receive her/his choice of a Pixie Pack (if you're unfamiliar with Pixie Dust, this means a LOT of digital images)! Note: In order to be eligible for the grand prize, you have to complete the hop and play along with this Twilight Inspired Challenge, which closes on Wednesday, 11/23 at noon CST. See the Pixie Dust Studio Challenge Blog for more info.
• Comments close on Saturday, 11/19 at noon CST. Good luck!

Now for the challenge. We were asked to create a project using Pixie Dust Studio digital images, red, black, white/silver, and sparkles. As I was already looking for a way to scrapbook my craziness of re-watching all three movies on the big screen, thanks to Twilight Tuesdays, while impatiently counting down to the release of Breaking Dawn, this challenge was as perfect as Edward. Since I was using digital images, I decided to go 100% digital with this LO, pictured below... Yes, I wore a different movie-themed outfit each night. What of it? ;)

(click photo to enlarge)

Journaling Reads:

Twilight Tuesdays

"I was consumed by the mystery Edward presented. 

And more than a little obsessed with Edward himself."

It was a fateful Thursday afternoon in October when I first saw the trailer for

Twilight Tuesdays... For three Tuesdays in November, my local Twihard friend,

Amy, and I "relived the magic," laughed at the not-so-natural commentaries,

and fell in love with Edward all over again (as if we ever fell *out* of love with him.)

As I watched footage of fellow Twihards camping out together at the premieres,

I was reminded of how this "silly obsession" made friends out of strangers for me.

Twilight, I will always love you... until my heart stops beating.

I used Pixie Dust Studio digital images Ultimate Vamp Fan and Fire and Ice, which I had way too much fun coloring in Photoshop. Of course, I also HAD to manipulate them so that it looked as though I - I mean she - were in the middle of an Edward-Jacob sandwich.  :)

         

My use of red is hopefully obvious, and black was used for the "LD Twylight" font in the title and journaling. It's hard to see in the picture, but I used silver in the vamp fan's clothing, and the background paper is sparkly.

Thank you for stopping by and celebrating Twilight with me. If you plan to play along with the challenge, leave me your blog address in your comment so that I can stop by and see your artwork. Now it's time to continue your hop and visit the lovely April. I hope to see you all again soon!