Robin Brande, Author, Dog Lover, Coffee and Chocolate Addict. Living an Interesting Life.

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The (early) Friday list (nice things you did for yourself this week)

Hey, everyone, I know we all like consistency and everything, but I’ve decided I need some emergency remedial camping this weekend, and I don’t want to bring the laptop with me, so I thought I’d start this list now.

My nice thing for myself this week is what I just said. It is hot, hot, HOT here in my hometown, and I’m sick of it. We were supposed to fly east today to attend one of our nephew’s graduation this weekend, but had to cancel a month ago because my husband’s work load was out of control. But now he’s got a two-day window, and he’s astute enough to notice that the wife is getting a little heat-crabby (”Stop saying ‘um’ all the time! Finish your sentences!” Yow), and so we’re packing up the dog and the niece and nephew (different nephew) and heading for the mountains to restore balance to the personality and the internal thermostat.

Perhaps more than you needed to know.

Anyway, that’s my deal. I know the rest of you are all being ulta-sweet to yourselves right now in this season of kids-out-of-school, heat-blasting-your-brains, so let’s hear about it. What nice things have you done for yourself this week?

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25 Responses to “The (early) Friday list (nice things you did for yourself this week)”

  1. readerdiane Says:

    Oldest daughter just bought a house and we are doing the sweat equity with her. I am so getting a pedicure this weekend.

    The best thing I did though was to read Janet Evanovich’s Lean Mean 13. I laughed all night while reading it-my husband thought I was obnoxious. It is ridiculous and slapstick but I so needed a laugh. Put it in mind if you need a laugh.

  2. Beth Says:

    I walked away from the dishes this morning when my son pulled my hand and brought me back to the bedroom. He wanted to cuddle while drinking his milk before we started our day. Nothing could be sweeter than a cuddle with him.

  3. robin Says:

    Beth, that sounds so peaceful and lovely. And definitely a case of putting first things first–cuddles always beat out dishes.

    Readerdiane, your emphatic “I am so getting a pedicure” made me laugh. And speaking of laugh, I’ve never yet read a Janet Evanovich. I think I’ve seriously been missing out.

  4. Christen Says:

    First, I’m leaving the job from hell tomorrow (::happy dance::) and I begin the new job on Monday!

    In order to celebrate, I plan to go to Ulta, Target, and maybe Kohls tonight to do some much needed shopping! Oh, and I’m with Diane! I’m totally getting a pedicure sometime soon!

  5. readerdiane Says:

    No all of her books are as funny as this one, but they sure take you away from your troubles/problems/daily life.

    She is just as funny in person.

  6. Miri Says:

    Well, in preparation for my trip, I went shopping for small toiletry items today. You know, shampoo and conditioner and stuff? For some reason, that really relaxes me. I love small stuff. It’s just so daggum cute.

    And, of course, bought myself Holly Black’s Tithe. And a 20-oz. Mocha Frappe from Joe Mugg’s. Heaven.

    And bought a friend a reasonably expensive (for me) birthday present. At least, it balances out what she gave me, which was the special edition of New Moon. My love language is gifts - giving people gifts really makes me happy. For her (she’s going with me to Australia, but we’re all going to have WAY too much to keep track of in the airport, so she gets it this afternoon*) I got the Wicked soundtrack and a twelve-pack of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

    * Funny thing - due to weird travel times and crossing the International Date Line, my delegation has two July 11ths this year and no June 23rd. My friend’s birthday? June 23rd.

  7. robin Says:

    Miri, I’m trying to process the two July 11ths and no June 23rd. What a rip for your friend! I love this line of yours: “My love language is gifts.” Very, very nice.

    Christen, triple yay for you! Congrats on the new job.

    Readerdiane, thanks for the tip.

  8. Christen Says:

    Robin… just a Janet Evanovich PSA. In my opinion the first book is just okay. I remember reading it and thinking it was good, but I didn’t understand all of the hype. Keep reading!!!!! The books get funnier and funnier! I even have my mom and dad listening to them on audio now and they love them!! =) I might run out and buy Plum Lovin and Lean Mean 13 tonight!!!

  9. Lizzie Says:

    I got a crappy job and then quit after one day. That was nice.

  10. MotherReader Says:

    Ah, going to the beach at the beginning of the week was definitely a nice thing to do for myself. I also went to an art show and bought myself a few gifties with my birthday money (from mom and mother in law). Then getting back in town, I’ve kept my pace low-key, throwing in a book to read instead of a load of laundry to fold.

  11. robin Says:

    “throwing in a book to read instead of a load of laundry to fold.” Now if that doesn’t sound right, I don’t know what does.

    And belated Happy Birthday, Mother Reader! I meant to say it when you mentioned it on your site. Glad you’ve extended the birthday month by buying yourself gifts and taking it easy.

  12. Jen Robinson Says:

    I’ve gotten up early every morning and gone for increasingly long walks this week. That’s felt good. I also, to carry on the theme from above, downloaded the new Janet Evanovich from Audible.com. I’m not quite done with my current book, but I look forward to that one for a laugh.

  13. robin Says:

    Jen, I love that you’re out enjoying fresh air every day. It’s amazing how that clears the mind and also makes the body feel SO much better.

  14. Christen Says:

    Yay! I just went to Kohl’s and bought new clothes and shoes!! =) I also went to Ulta and bought some wonderful make-up and Borders to buy Plum Lovin’ and Lean Mean 13!!

  15. Vivian Says:

    I posted a previous post. Thanks for the tag.

    I bought some great books. Went to bed early two nights in a row. But I’m back to my night owl act again.

    Watched As Good As it Gets and Shanghai Noon. Laughed out loud with Shanghai Noon.

    Creamy eclairs. Yum.

    Have a great weekend Robin!

  16. Sara Says:

    I played Ping Pong with my son. Ate apple cider sorbet. Admired a cuckoo bird with my daughter. Floated on a raft. Didn’t ride roller coasters because I felt way too mellow to be screaming. Played golf with my husband. And I am so going back to buy those cool sunglasses I saw! Can you tell we’re all on vacation? Yeah!

  17. robin Says:

    Christen, good for you!

    Vivian, great list! Especially the eclairs.

    Sara, can’t believe you’re checking in on your vacation (although I totally check blogs when I’m away–or here). Hope you continue to have a great time!

  18. bj Says:

    I’ve been fiddling my fingers off. I must be getting better, the cat no longer runs out of the room, he now just gives me Looks That Could Kill.

    I had lunch with an old friend this week and we giggled a lot. There is nothing in this world as empowering as a good lunch gigglefest with a best girlfriend.

    I gave up on trying to get work done yesterday during wonderfully violent and scary thunderstorms that caused the power to keep flickering to the point where my battery backup was close to worn out. I fiddled while the Angels Bowled Strikes.

    And I’m getting my hair chopped today so it’s OFF my neck for the summer!

  19. robin Says:

    Nice list, BJ! I know that feeling about your hair–get it off me! (Ponytails are good, too.)

  20. Deborah Says:

    Had a full physical and a mammogram. Had a Chinese food lunch with my daughter. Bought myself a more-expensive-than-I-usually-spend absolutely fabulous top and skirt.

  21. Nancy Says:

    Hi Robin and all others, and Happy Friday and welcome to Summer! Boy am I glad I made it through the past week.

    I didn’t clean (much) after my brother and his two children (tornados 1 and 2) left my house a complete disaster. Instead I resolved to call in professional help, which I’m doing today.

    I took a bath and a nap last night, before snuggling in for a real honest to goodness long night’s sleep.

    I ate ice cream twice (my brother was kind enough to leave good stuff behind).

    I indulged in a melt-down when I needed to, then went calmly about my life again as normal.

    I ate supper over the kitchen sink, straight out of the pan, and didn’t feel guilty about it one bit. Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

    Enjoy your weekends and coming week!

  22. Jason of "Kim & Jason" Says:

    My wife and I took the afternoon off on Tuesday. It was so beautiful, it seemed like a sin to let it go by cooped up in the house all day. We walked downtown Madison and spent some time chilling out by the lake!

  23. Alkelda the Gleeful Says:

    It’s hard to think of things that I’ve done for just me. For example, last night, I took some quiet time to trim the dead wood off of the honey-suckle while my husband watched my daughter. That, plus weeding and other landscaping duties are beneficial for the whole family, but I definitely get a charge out of having the time to myself to work.

    My St. Fiacre (patron saint of gardening) statue arrived today. I bought the statue with money earned from a storytelling gig. Since the storytelling $$ is my own to do with as I choose (just as my husband’s map-making $$ is his to do with as he chooses), it really was something just for me.

  24. Little Willow Says:

    I auditioned for two different plays in the past two days and have been offered one role already. WOO!

  25. robin Says:

    Deborah, nice job taking care of the basic equipment. You deserved the pretty clothes after that (actually, I’m sure you always deserve pretty clothes).

    Nancy, you know we all applaud that nap. Between that, the melt-down, and eating over the kitchen sink, sounds like you lived pretty naturally this week. Excellent.

    Jason, how lovely! And how nice you got to make a date out of it.

    Alkelda, I understand what you mean about enjoying the time to do things like that for yourself. If you get a charge out of it, then I’m glad you give yourself time to do it. I like that spending program you and your husband have. It’s like getting Christmas or birthday money that’s only yours.

    Little Willow, that’s fabulous! Congratulations!!!!