March 30th, 2017

My sister and I went shopping together yesterday.  There were a few things she needed and it's just more fun to shop with someone like minded.  I love shopping with someone else. Someone who will be kind, but honest, when you try on something unflattering, someone who will suggest that you try something you never would think of on your own but not demand that you consider it, someone to talk and giggle with the entire time and make an errand more fun.  Maybe it's just a "girl-thing".

Regardless of whether or not that is true.  One of the errands on her check list involved picking up a few things at the Clinique counter in Macy's.   Apparently they were having a give-away because with her purchase came this cute little zippy bag chock full of freebies.  And because she is probably the best sister ever, she gave the bag-o-goodies to me!  Cool beans!

I don't happen to use Clinique products.  Not because it's not a good product, understand, but mostly because I'm cheap. And also because I cannot drive all the hell the way to Sarasota to buy anew with needed.  But I'm still tickled to bits over all my stuff.  I have no idea what most of it even is, and I'm still happyhappy.   I hope they have instructions!

There is just something about free stuff. Ever been to a Home and Garden Show?  Nearly every both has free giveaways: those big plastic tote bags, yard sticks, lollipops, bottles of water, keychains, pens, do-dads and thingamajigs of every sort branded with a company name.  That's why they give it out. Everyone walks away with a totebags full of free stuff.  The intent is to garner new business, new customers for those companies.  It must work, otherwise they wouldn't keep doing it, right?  I don't think I have ever hired an electrician based on the information I got as a give-away magnet.

I was just checking the pencil-cup on my desk here.  In it are two pens.  One is for a Guarantee Company back in Colorado where we signed all the paperwork for the house we built. I don't know if they gave us the pen as we walked out the door or I accidentally walked off with it. (I hope it's the former - but it was nearly 11 years ago, I honestly do not recall) and the other is for a dentist here in Florida.  I know that was a give-away at a Home Show we attended over the summer.  In the end we selected a different dentist. I had forgotten about the pen until just now.

At the grocery store, I do take advantage of the buy one-get one offers if it's a product we use regularly.  That always seems to be a good idea.  Buy one jar of mustard and get another jar free. One for the pantry and one for the fridge. Yeah, I can do that one.  Recently Tim and I were at an office supply store and one of the things we bought we mailing envelopes.  I was going to buy one package, but it was buy two, get one.  So we now have a life-time supply of mailing envelopes in the utility room taking up space. Not positive that was the best choice.

Anytime we shop at one of the warehouse stores, we debate.  I'm good with toilet paper, papertowels and garbage bags.  First of all, they aren't going to "go bad" before they are used and we kind of ear-marked room in the utility room for that stuff. Yup that shelf there would be perfect for paper products.  We did the math, it is cheaper to buy that stuff in bulk.  But jars of peaches by the case? Probably not. And given how much less space we have here, we almost never buy bulk anything. And it was a hard habit to quit.  Back in Colorado we had not only an entire nearly empty basement, but also an extra freezer in the garage.  Oh and a garage.

Of course that stuff isn't really free, just a smart buy. Whenever there is a new store opening, they have give-aways, parade marchers often throw free stuff into the crowds, and I understand that if you are a celebrity attending an awards show, there is quite the fancyschmancy swagbag handed out.

Well, I'm not a celebrity, but I have a generous sister. And once I figure out what Moisture Surge is or how to use "chubby stick sculpting contour", I will put it all to work.  I hope there are you tube instructional videos!

Thanks Joy!  I love my new toys :)