Lists of things I don't buy cheap

Everyone wants to save money. I get it. Sometimes you even pick up pennies in the parking lot just to make sure you have at least a cent more than what you did have before. You go to the dollar store, you find the most practical, inexpensive item you can to save money. You use it. Sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you get more than a good deal on what you bought.

I'm all about saving some money. Ask anyone- I hate spending money. The more I spend, the less I have. However, that doesn't mean that I won't spend money, either. Over the years I've learned that sometimes, just sometimes....you get less than what you paid for, and end up spending money on the same item over and over again. You'll just break down and buy the name brand item and cry that  you'e wasted so much when you should've bought the real deal in the first place.

As my Daddy says, "I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things."

I started to think of all the things that I actually do buy name brand, just because they work better...or pay more for better quality. It's a tentative list, and by no means a complete one, but just off the top of my head, here's a list of things I'd rather spend good money on and keep around for a while than the cheap knockoff crap:


1. Premium Gas.
No, my car doesn't get better gas mileage when I use premium. However, my car seems to run better and smoother when I do use premium vs. the cheaper stuff. My car is 21 years old. I think it helps.

2. Bras
My tits will destroy a cheap bra. Also, considering the fact that my bra size is a helluva lot harder to find, they're usually more expensive when I do find them. I shop at Victoria's Secret for bras and underwear exclusively now. Not only do I find a comfortable, well-made, long-lasting bra in my size, but I also get deals and offers that I'd be stupid not to refuse. It actually saves me money in the long run.

3. Dish Detergent
I just found this out, actually. If you have a fancy dish detergent container like I do, don't use that Great Value bullshit. It will clog it up and make it look gross. Shell out the extra cash for something better.

4. Electronics
This should go without saying. Do you really want to call tech support for that off-brand tablet? Would they even speak your language? Do they have regular updates and patches? Stick with the name, baby.

5. Cheese
For me, the off-brand cheese taste like I'm licking cardboard or dried cat food. Ugh.

6. Pots and Pans
Years ago, I bought my very first pot and pan set. I destroyed it. I bought another one from Family Dollar. They don't hold up very well. I've replaced them so often now, I'd rather spend $300 for a good set...or if you're like me, spend $3k for the really awesome Bella Bridal stuff. I can stack the pots and pans on top of each other and cook everything at once without burning it.

7. Makeup
My face used to break out sometimes, and even when it didn't, it was either super greasy or dry as hell. I thought I had super sensitive skin....nope. It was my cheap makeup. I discovered Sephora and never looked back. My skin feels and looks a helluva lot better than what it used to. I just had to get the good stuff. This stuff goes on your face, so why wouldn't you want to take care of your money maker? You won't regret it. A few small palettes goes a very long way.

8. Running shoes
If you are a gym rat, don't buy cheap running shoes. They don't cushion very well, and they will mess your knees up and give you shin splints. I've had shin splints before....it was hell. Invest in some good running shoes that are only used for your running/gym routine. Buy two pairs if you are going to use them casually. And for fuck's sake, get the right size- that includes width and arch, too.

9. Batteries
They last longer. They also don't explode in your beloved, last of its kind cassette player, either.

10. Toilet paper
What would you rather use: cheap tissue that's super thin, and you have to buy a ton of it because it's cheap, and use a ton of it because you'll get poo hands if you don't? Or...a mega roll of Charmin and have a happy butt and clean hands?

11. Aluminum Foil
The cheaper stuff rips too easily. I have to have something that will hold up to my horrible cooking experiments

12. Mattresses
Better quality is better sleep. Sleep is important to you. So is your back and joints. Invest in a good mattress.

13. Paint
Generic paint could have lead in it. Get premium quality paint, get premium quality results. Lasts longer, too. This also goes for art paint as well.

14. Garbage Bags
The good stuff holds more and won't break. I've found I have to use a lot more of the cheap stuff...and the garbage seems to smell worse, too.

"Ain't Shit People"

When I was a teenager, my mom and stepdad would always warn me to stay away from "ain't shit people". The people in question were some of my friends. "But...but they're my friends! They may make bad decisions, but they're good people." They would always get mad when I hung out with some of them, saying that they were horrible people because of their decisions and that they were going to influence me and drag me down with them. I refused to believe them.

Now that I'm older, I finally understand what "ain't shit people" are, and what my parents were trying so hard to tell me. It just took so-called "friends", an ex, and a few acquaintances to open my eyes. "Ain't shit people" are people who ride along the coattails of other people's successes, and don't do anything themselves. Those people who sat around and did nothing in high school who are now in their 30's and doing the same old shit, and still in the same situation they were in back then...those are "aint shit people". The people who have no aspirations to do anything with their lives...much like moochers. They are small-minded, and talk about people instead of furthering themselves. You strive to succeed, and they are yapping at your heels, putting doubt into your mind and talking bad about you because you got out of your rut. They try to drag you down with them- and that's the dangerous part. They become very annoying because you are trying to better yourself, and you can't do it when someone else is in your way....my ex is a prime example of that. Every time I tried to climb the ladder, he pulled me back down into the hole with him. That's why I left him. Now I'm no longer homeless, actually have a car, a career, and even money!

I remember in my younger years, hanging out with people, not really caring about their situations and how it could affect me. Now that I'm older and more educated, I look at these same people doing the same thing, and think: "You are complaining about not having any money, but you refuse to get a job,"...or "If you are so upset about your situation, do something about it." They love to talk about other people...but refused to point the finger in the other direction.

One scenario in particular stands out in my mind when I think about "ain't shit people". I used to hang out with someone whom we shall call "R". R was friendly enough, and a generally good person. R barely worked, and when she did find a job, she didn't try to do anything to climb up the ladder or get a better one. She sat around all night getting high as a kite, and spent her money on a lot of crap. She always asked for favors or for money. As the years got on, I matured and she didn't. I saw her in a store one day, high as a kite, smelling like she hadn't washed her clothes or bathed in a while. She and I talked for a while, and I just remember how awkward it was to talk to her because I'd grown out of hanging out with people like her. She invited me over to her place, and I decided that I would.

Nothing had changed. Dirty dishes piled up everywhere, trash all over the place, the house smelled like weed, and there was a random dude in the corner..and I realized, I don't like this type of thing anymore. Now, granted, I'd never done drugs, but I hung out with people who did, and that in itself could drag me down with them. She then asked me if I could buy her some food, because she didn't have any money for food....she admitted that she bought a new pair of shoes, a tattoo, and weed with her paycheck. I didn't feel remorse for her, so I told her no. Apparently that wasn't the right thing to say to someone who makes bad decisions, and she god mad. I left. I haven't seen her since.

So yes, stay away from "ain't shit people". When you are older and they're still in the same old rut, refusing to get out unless someone does it for them, you will understand what I mean....especially if they want you to take them with you...and won't do anything for themselves. When you're 40 with a house, they'll still be in the same old place, acting like a 16 year old and really doing nothing with their lives. They will drag you down with them- guilty by association, I suppose.

Finalizing Plans

The Castle called the other day to confirm the details of my wedding. Everything seems to be going according to plan. The new cake lady also contacted me, and we went over the details of my wedding cake. She was concerned about the red of the cake, and didn't want it to stain my white dress....joke's on her, I guess.

I need to head to the courthouse in the parish that the Castle is in to get our marriage license. We are going to stop by the Castle on the way there or back, to make sure everything is went over and to make sure the quality of the music is as expected. Then, all we have to do is show up on our wedding day!

I'm finally getting excited for our wedding. Everyone else seems more excited than I am. I'm like, "Meh."...but now that it's getting closer, I'm beginning to realize that it's my special day. Mine. In spite of others who have tried so hard to keep this wedding from fruition, or to try to tear my fiance and I apart, this is happening. I've discovered that the fake friends just fell out from my life the moment I got engaged.

Ever since I started dating Jason, I've slowly realized who my real friends were. And I gotta give a shoutout to the ones who live on S. 21st- if it weren't for your bullshit, Jason and I wouldn't be the solidified couple we are today. Keep on stirring your shitpot. We got this and it's real.

I have so much to do now that the last stretch is here. On top of the wedding, meeting Norman Reedus is also right around the corner. So much to do!

I've discovered that in spite of how far I've come, I can't quite female as well as I thought I could. I went to Sephora today and learned how to contour. I think I'll need it. I also don't have a clue how I want my hair and face to look like on my wedding day. I'm sure I'll figure something out. There's always a wig, right? I may just wear my normal makeup and call it a day. I just want the day to go on without a hitch. 

October is lurking around the corner, the creepy bastard.

I went straight from, "Hey! I'm getting married!" straight to, "OMG THERE IS STILL STUFF THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND MY OCTOBER WEDDING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER UUUGHGGH".

Sadly still, I'm patiently waiting for October 18th. On that day, I will stare awkwardly at Norman Reedus while he attempts to make small talk at me. But I will enjoy every second of it. I'm thinking of getting his autograph or a small doodle from him tatted on my arm. I'm very excited about this!

I get to sit in a panel with him and ask questions? Awesome.
I get his autograph? Fuck yeah.
I get a photo op with him? Score.
What's not to be excited about?

With October looming over my head, I still have to get a lot of my wedding stuff together...I'm still finalizing a lot of things. I have to decide on a hairstyle. I need to decide which of my headpieces I will be wearing. I have to make sure I have everything I need for my bridesmaid's bouquets. I need to get the marriage license. Gloom and doom.

I really hope everything goes well.

It's interesting, you know? I never really considered myself getting married. I especially didn't think I'd ever have a wedding like the one I'm having. The guest list is small, yes, but then again, I am getting married at a friggin' CASTLE!!!!!!! And I get to stay at it overnight for our honeymoon, all to ourselves!


I love fall, I really do. In Mississippi, it starts to get really nice in October. I think October is my favorite month anyways, and I've always been partial to Halloween. It has always been my favorite holiday, even when I was a kid...I can only shop for home decor when fall hits...and if you've ever been to my house, you'd know this to be true. With my wedding anniversary on the same date as my favorite holiday, this is going to get interesting. 

The beach isn't for swimming.

Years ago, it was safe-ish to swim in the waters along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I remember splashing around in the brown waters, enjoying my time on the beach. Of course, this was before I discovered the emerald green waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Nowadays, the "wonderful Gulf Coast" has a small problem, a problem that in my younger years, I thought nothing about.

The water is toxic. When you drive along the beach, you don't see many people in the water. In fact, when you do, you can be damn sure that everyone around them that notices them doing it has that "ewwww!" look on their face. We have flesh eating bacteria and sewage in our waters, making it very risky to take a dip. When someone says they're going swimming on the beach, they're usually met with, "Why the hell would you swim in that?" ....I am one of those people. Usually the people swimming in the muddy brown water either has been living under a rock for a few years, or just really doesn't get....anything. People have died from this. It even affected the Louisiana Coast.


When I go to the Gulf Coast, I lay out on the beach, but I don't go into the water. I'll find a swimming pool, because kid piss in chlorinated water is better than our crappy, nasty coastal ocean water. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful place to be, and I totally enjoy being on the coast. Just...don't touch the water.

I even remember someone saying to me once, "If I ever saw someone take a baby into that nasty water, I'd call DHS for child abuse!" Recently, a kid did swim in the water, and now she has a very nasty bacteria eating away at her ankles. Currently, the beaches are closed because they have discovered raw sewage that has been leaking for a few weeks into the water. Yep, Mississippi Gulf Coast is known as "The Toilet Bowl of the United States", and for good reason.

One half of the reason is pollution. Less educated people out there throw things out their car windows and litter our highways. They don't recycle because it's either too inconvenient to go to the recycling center or because they just don't care. In our town, you can request blue bins to put your plastics, paper, cardboard and metals in, and they come pick it up every Thursday. You don't realize how much stuff you throw away until you start to recycle them. I thought that I would only have a few bottles here and there....I was wrong. In just a week, I filled the bin up. Cereal boxes, food boxes, tin cans, shampoo bottles....I threw it all in there. I cook a lot of boxed food, so it added up quick, even when I broke the boxes down. But then again, lots of people from other states toss their trash and crap into the Mississippi River, since the river is pretty damn long and goes through a lot of states.

The other half of the problem is the barrier islands. If you take the ferry to Ship Island and head to the other side, the water is blue and beautiful. A few years ago, everyone debated blowing up the islands because they actually cause a barrier- keeping all the refuse in. However, there are forts and animal sanctuaries on the islands, so that was a moot point.

My advice? If you want to swim in the ocean, go to the other side of the barrier islands or take your ass to Orange Beach. Do yourself a favor and stay out of the water, unless you want to get a skin disease from swimming.