We will get to the title of this post later, but for now, let's give November 2024 a whirl!
On November 5th, I went over to the hospital where I used to work to visit with one of my friends. I wore very old jeans from Fever Jeans that were too tight until I lost a few due to the colonoscopy. They're still very form fitting, but I look good as opposed to stuffed in a sausage casing. My sweater has a knit body and a denim collar, and is from Joseph A.
These advertisements on TikTok reminded me of the wonderful Christmas treat we had last year, thanks to Luke. He got us a cabin at Crystal Cove for the holiday.
On November 6th, I wore a khaki sweater from J Jill that I found while cleaning out my closet and getting together some things to donate. My knit joggers are from Rachel Zoe and my suede booties are from Dr. Scholls. I liked this outfit. I felt like Indiana Jones.
On November 8th, I learned that my long-term tenant, Mary, was in the hospital. I have a rental condo in Garden Grove, about 15 minutes north of Huntington Beach. She is 86, and I have rented to her for around 15 years. She had pneumonia and ended up in Orange Coast Memorial, the hospital I mentioned at the start of this post. She was admitted twice. I wore Seven jeans, a lurex turtleneck, and a Thierry Mugler jacket. I also wore my new Blondo booties, and my Eric Bloodaxe silver coin. She was discharged after nine days the second time.
On November 9th, I wore printed slacks from Cynthia Rowley and a long sleeve T-shirt from A New Day. My ivory sneakers are from Zelle, and I have my Shein jewelry on yet again.
Speaking of inexpensive Chinese clothing, I ordered two outfits from Temu. Each one cost $10. The first is this two-piece shirt and pants set in a pink equestrian/paisley print. There is a mermaid on the back.
The second set is a lounge outfit in a black and white print. The top has bracelet sleeves and a front and back print. The pants have a border print down the sides.
On November 10th, I wore a burnt orange turtleneck from a previous Temu haul. It is draped all over and is very flattering. It also washes surprisingly well. My joggers are from Old Navy, and my booties are from Blondo.
Vinni and Jacki kicking it in the yard. Jacki is protecting her toy. It's a new one from Dollar Tree. She gets new toys for her bucket every trip, and she is allowed to come inside and pick one out. She loves to do that, and she knows exactly where to go and what to do when I tell her, "Come get a new toy!"
Now to the title of this post. I rent to Mary through HUD. They inspect the unit every two years and require repairs. I feel that the inspection is good - it catches little problems before they become bigger ones. The first item was replacement of the border strip between the carpet and the laminate flooring. This is the before. I will show you the after in a bit.
The second item was reglazing of the double sink in the kitchen. This is the before, and I will show you the after later as well.
On November 11th, we went over to see Mimi, but I don't remember why. Maybe we just wanted to go over there to visit? I wore the pants from the Temu lounge set with a black satin blouse from Jaclyn Smith. My belt is Ann Taylor, and my necklaces are costume - the long one was purchased in Washington DC, and the shorter one is from a neighborhood garage sale.
On November 12th, I wore the top of the same set. I wore it with black slacks from Mervyn's (an old department store that went out of business) and some white booties from Naked Feet. I loved this outfit - I felt that the pants outfit that I wore the day before looked too baggy. Next time, I will wear a more form fitting top, or a tank top in warmer weather.
That afternoon, we went to Savers for Senior Day. I got these Shein rib knit slacks - I have been wanting a pair for a long time. They were $3.49 with 30% off.
Then I scored this Tommy Hilfiger argyle sweater for $3.99 with 30% off. It is a size medium, and as you will see later, it fits me even though I am quite small. I think it must be a boy's or girls' sweater. Great find, however!
I found this Tek Gear fleece sweatshirt. It's off white and has thumb holes. It will match everything.
My big splurge was this cream sweater from Sweet Romeo. It was $6.99 with 30% off. I was happy to see that it is a true medium, because I plan to wear it as an oversized top with a satin skirt that I have and have not found the perfect top for. I will try this one, belted with boots. Maybe black boots and belt. we shall see.
The last item was a pair of black Tommy Hilfiger slacks. They were $5.49 with 30% off. Another very good deal for this brand.
I got my November Ipsy bag that day. I forgot to get a picture, but here is what I got:
1) Commodity perfume in Juice - a fruity scent that I like.
2) Formula Z - Z Flash Depuff and Brighten Hyaluronic, Niacinamide and Caffeine Eye Masks.
3) Eleman Ballerine Eyeshadow Palette
4) Billion Dollar Beauty Lip Oil Blushing Effect Clear to Dark gloss
5) First Aid Beauty Bounce Boosting Face Serum with Collagen and Peptides.
Here are the colors in the Ballerine palette. These are shades that I will use.
On November 14th, we walked over to the vet to pick up Jacki's flea meds. I wore the new TH argyle with TH slacks that I already had, in navy with a red and white stripe down the sides. A perfect match! My shoes are from Gucci.
We saw this Hanukah dog cookie at Pet Smart. We stopped in to get a new name tag for Jacki.
On Saturday November 16th, I wore this outfit during the day to go visit Mimi again. She was having some guests over when we got there. They were from the Boyle Heights Historical Society, and they wanted to meet her since she grew up in that city during WW2. We were picking oranges to make carne asada. The sailor style slacks are very old, from JC Penney. The rayon blend sweater is from Joseph A and has a cable detail down the front.
Later that night, we went to my brother's house for dinner with him, his partner Karin, my nephew Matt, and his girlfriend Sondra. We had delicious beef stew. We brought fancy cakes from 85 degrees.
I wore a black turtleneck from Hooked Up, a metallic skirt from Xhiliaration, and Sam Edleman boots.
I wore my Eric Bloodaxe coin again, but this time on a silver byzantine necklace.
On top, I wore a pleather jacket from New Look and a Louis Vuitton scarf.
We have a new tenant at our house - Mister Kitty! He is all black with green eyes like Jacki. He is the friendliest cat we have ever met. He came up to me while I was gardening and meowed.
On Monday, November 18th, we went back to Mimi's because our housekeeper was working at our home. I wore green slacks from INC with a brocade jacket from Clio.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kitty was back! we went to the Dollar Tree on Monday, and I got him a can of cat food.
Jacki can be either very ladylike and demure, or else like the Tasmanian Devil.
Now for the after photos of the condo repairs. One more item was to clean out and organize the garage. As I told you earlier, Mary is 86 and recovering from pneumonia. This is the garage after we spent five hours sorting out her possessions for her. We tossed many empty boxes and repackaged all of the things she had.
This wall has all of her food and paper products, her luggage, and her blankets and sheets in the corner.
The back wall has her knitting supplies, her great-grandson Frank's toys, some clothes, books, and a few papers.
The left wall has more papers, some ladders and dollies, and all of her recycling cans.
Her son David helped us a lot. He broke down all the empty boxes and took out all the garbage - there was a lot of trash that we found.
Here are the new carpet strips.
Here is the reglazed sink - it looks brand new!
Next week, the carpet cleaners will be out to sanitize the carpets. I will go by on Monday to help Mary organize and box up all her supplies inside - she has had trouble being neat lately because of her hospitalizations. She also can't do much without getting short of breath, so she needs my help, and I am happy to do this for her.
Today is November 22nd. I wore a repeat outfit. This is a pair of knit joggers from Shosho, a top from Doe and Rae that I got at Eco Town a couple of years ago, and my Temu platform sneakers.
Jacki has a few human boyfriends. One is the security guard in the mall that we walk her through almost every day. She loves him to pieces. He needed new work boots, so he saved his old Under Armour boots for her. She got one today and will get the other one next week. She was absolutely thrilled! But now she thinks they are engaged, and I don't have the heart to tell her that the boot isn't an engagement ring.
Mister Kitty came by again today to eat some more food.
I got yet another Temu shipment today. I limit myself to one order per month. This time I got some costume jewelry and some fashion sneakers. Here are the rings:
Here are the new rings with the old rings that I got a few months ago. This jewelry set had 68 pieces for $6, so less 9 cents per item.
Then I got 12 pair of earrings. These six are identical to some that I got last time. So now I have four of each style, so I can lose one or two and still be fine.
Then I got fifteen pair of studs. I have two holes in each ear, so I will start wearing the studs in the upper piercing.
I got five necklaces in this set.
Here they are- pearls, heart lariat, rhinestone butterfly, double strand with circles and a bar, and star.
Here are the new ones matched with old ones. There are five themes - pearl, hearts. butterflies, double strands and stars.
I also got a few pairs of athletic shoes. They were anywhere from five to nine dollars per pair. Now I have a color to match every outfit that I wear on our walks. Since they are from China, I order a size nine, and they fit perfectly. Usually, I get an 8.5 in American shoes.
First, navy-blue platforms.
Then grey crystals, just like my black ones that I wear all the time.
Then, a tribal print in denim blue.
Last, some orange-brown ones with faux shoestrings.
I got my Birchbox today as well! The theme was hydrate and heal.
From left to right:
1) Too Cool for school All In One Egg Mellow Creme Moisturizer
2) Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment
3) Wander Beauty Upgraded Lashes Treatment Mascara - has growth serum in it.
4) Realher Eye Am Outstanding Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - I will give this to Ashley.
5) Wander Beauty Gold Eye Masks
6) Fable and Mane SahaScalp Amla Soothing Serum - an East Indian treatment and full size!
HB has been doing a great job of relocating our homeless population. But sometimes they leave some stuff behind. Looks like this particular homie didn't read his book. He doesn't seem to be a badass at making money!
So that's all for now - as I said, next week I will be finishing up at Mary's, then having Thanksgiving with the Holtzman clan from Huntington Beach. Other than that, I am open to any and all adventures!
