Auntie B's Wax

Because I Can Doesn’t Mean I Should

March 17, 2016 by Sara

Things are kind of weird at the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters these days. Luckily I know someone who’s going through the same weirdness I am. The someone is my long-time friend Mary Ann, and the weirdness is commonly known as retirement.

Don’t roll your eyes, you nine-to-fivers. I used to react the same way when anyone spoke of anything but utter joy when it came to retirement, but in reality it’s weird.

Mary Ann and I had lunch and discussed something we’d never imagine discussing six months ago – how weird retirement is. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely different. Neither of us wants to go back to work, but both of us are finding the abundance of time both heavenly and hellish. In a word, weird.

We’re adjusting to a new way a life, not unlike when a young adult moves out on her own for the first time. I remember the time soon after I moved into my first apartment how I mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough and ate it with a spoon. On the couch in front of the TV! Why? Because I could. Even though it felt glorious, it was kind of weird.

Mary Ann and I concluded that procrastination equals cookie dough during the early stages of retirement. Why would I wait to clean the bathroom? Because I can. Why would I put off folding laundry when it’s done drying? Because I can. As luxurious as that may sound (despite wrinkled clothes and a scummy bathtub), what we do during the time we’re not doing those other things seems…weird. And the guilt ensues.

We made a pact with each other to develop some kind of routine that fits our respective lifestyles. Even though eating raw cookie dough gave me a sense of freedom when I was embarking on my new adult life, it didn’t become a regular practice. While embarking on my new retired life I’m have a new sense of freedom, but procrastination shouldn’t become a regular practice.

To procrastination I say, as I said to my former employer, “I QUIT.” Hopefully that will put an end to the weirdness.

PS – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Interestingly, today would have marked my 36th year working for the government. I don’t miss it at all, even though things are kind of weird.

PPS – The first person to tell me how many times the word “weird” is used in this post will receive an invisible gift.

Posted in Everyday | Tagged procrastination, retirement | 7 Comments »

Wordless Wednesday

March 16, 2016 by Sara

Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tagged flowers, pink | Leave a Comment »

Jumping Into Springtime

March 14, 2016 by Sara

Did you “spring ahead” yesterday? I guess the advent of daylight savings time marks the beginning of spring; although I seem to remember that springing forward happened in May when I was young. Is time moving faster or slower as I get older?

Doesn’t matter. Spring has pretty much arrived in Minnesota, even though the grass is still a little brown and the flowers aren’t yet blooming. To get completely in the mood for spring Husby and I had a midweek date at the Como Park Conservatory where we could breathe in the scents of flora and soil and take in the splendors that warm weather can offer.

There was a tropical room, filled with the plants, trees, and even creatures of that clime.

Anaconda, so cozy.

Tarantula in need of a shave.

Amazon River fish. The reason I don’t swim in rivers, anywhere.

Turtles. The one thing that will cause my mother to run on water, not unlike Jesus.

Then an area containing the lovely art of bonsai. Those little trees are so cute!

Mini fig

One thing I really liked was how the leaves of plants can be filled with such beautiful patterns.

I want a pair of leggings with this pattern.

These leaves look like they came straight off some barkcloth curtains from the 1940s.

And the colors and fragrances of the flowers were a pleasure for the senses.

Close your eyes and imagine what this smells like.

Curly top

Of course the conservatory also houses the requisite nude fountains.

It was a fun afternoon that inspired me to pour some floral-scented candles to welcome spring. Nature is awesome.

Posted in Everyday | Tagged animals, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, flowers, plants | 5 Comments »

Tripper And The Girl With Shopping Anxiety

February 26, 2016 by Sara

I spent a good part of the day buying supplies for my little crafting business. To be specific, I had to buy boxes, bags, and wax. Boxes and bags and wax, oh my! Here’s the thing though – I hate shopping.

I might have mentioned this before, but if not I’ll tell you right now that I’m not completely “girl” because I don’t like to shop. I get anxiety, especially when I have to shop AND save money. I’m a defunct excuse for a female and was thrown into a tizzy.

There were two contender suppliers for boxes and bags, and two contenders for wax. I fretted and toiled over which suppliers I should use. This one saves me a bunch on product but charges a boatload for shipping. This one is a universally trusted supplier and the other one is a new one for me. The differences added to as little as $6 and as much as $15.

In the big picture, $15 (much less $6) doesn’t amount to much, even in a tiny business like mine. Yet I couldn’t make a choice, for fear I’d be wrong. For fear I’d lose.

Then it occurred to me…it just doesn’t matter.

I clicked “submit” for the boxes and bags supplier and got a purchase confirmation. Then I did the same for my choice of wax suppliers and it was done. Except I made a mistake with the wax. I accidentally went with the 2nd choice supplier. But you know what? It just doesn’t matter. It’s the same wax, just a cost difference. I’ll still make a profit. Not as big of a profit, but a profit nonetheless. That that’s what matters. I wasn’t wrong in my choice, just not completely right. We’ll get ’em next time, Tripper. Even though it just doesn’t matter.