Five Things Friday Vol. 98

August 9, 2024

Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.

First of all, thanks so much for all your excitement and encouraging words on my last post. Your support means the world to me. I didn’t know what I expected but there was obviously no harm in posting about my marathon goal. I also shouldn’t have been surprised that some of you assumed I had already run a marathon. I guess I can’t post my weekly posts about all the exercise that I do and NOT have people think that I have already run a marathon. Touché.

* * *

I am very excited about Harris’ VP running mate, Tim Walz. To be honest, I didn’t know his name until maybe three weeks ago when he popped up on the News with some commentary and I remember thinking “damn, he sounds like a genuine, reasonable guy”. With all the other names floating around for VP pick (like Kelly, Shapiro, Beshir, etc.), I didn’t really have Tim Walz on the radar, but I am actually quite pleased with Harris’ selection. We need some down-to-earth people with common sense in politics. I am sure Lisa is sad to lose him as governor of her state, but I am excited to see what he can do for the country!

* * *

I went back to Costco today. I am trying to make it an every 5-6 weeks thing. I don’t like how much money I left there, but I do like all the deals I am apparently getting (it doesn’t feel like it in the moment, but I do hope my budget will reflect it when I crunch the numbers! Does spending large amounts of money also stress you out?).

I found some great products though, e.g. smashed avocado cups, chicken breakfast sausages (for more protein), Peet’s Coffee, and some good deals on the regular stuff (like chicken, shrimp, tuna, and cheese).

* * *

I received a lovely note from Engie in the mail today (snail mail is truly the best!) and I was so touched by her kind words. Thank you, Engie, for letting me take over your blog. I am so glad that our paths crossed and I appreciate you and this community so much and the connections we’ve all built over the last few years.

* * *

And speaking of happy mail, Tanja surprised me with an unexpected gift earlier this week. When I told her about my marathon goal last weekend, she ordered me a hydration vest. We had previously talked about hydration vests because she has one and I have been asking her questions about it and probably mentioned a gazillion times that I’ll have to look into buying one soon. But Tanja knows me well and she knows that I can be a tad indecisive at times and that I am NOT an impulse buyer when it comes to things like this. So, she just decided for me and bought me one. You have to have the right gear for a marathon and hydration is key! HER WORDS. I love that she’s looking out for me. (Thank you, friend, from the bottom of my heart.)

How was your week? Share one good thing with me!

coco
August 10, 2024 at 12:38 am

How nice to receive a surprise gift to support your new running goal! I love it!
Costco, maybe my third favorite store in the US. I always spend so much there but it’s okay as long as nothing Is wasted.
1. San
  August 10, 2024 at 10:05 pm
  
  You’re right, Costco is worth it especially as long as nothing is wasted!
Nicole MacPherson
August 10, 2024 at 6:09 am

How kind of your friend Tanja!!! And congratulations on the marathon news. I know you’re going to crush it! You are fabulous, that is so exciting.
I love snail mail too and Engie has inspired me to have my own collection of cards for certain occasions!
I go to Costco frequently – every two to three weeks. I wonder if that will change when the nest is totally empty. I spend huge amounts of money there but everything gets used, so I guess it all works out. I love Kirkland products, particularly their coffee and almond butter. Another thing about Costco is that they are one of the best employers around, or, at least they are in Canada. Great benefits and wages, so that makes me feel good about dropping $$$ there.
Congrats again on your marathon news!
1. San
  August 10, 2024 at 10:06 pm
  
  Thank you, Nicole. I appreciate your excitement and support :)
  
  And I always love your Costco run posts (and I’ve taken inspiration from you on what to buy!). I also feel good about shopping at Costco because they’re such a good employer with good benefits (my friend used to work there). I am happy to support them.
Birchie
August 10, 2024 at 3:23 pm

I’m with you – I had never heard of Tim Walz until recently but I like everything I’m heard. I’ve gone from being “fine as long as it’s not Trump” to excited about the election. It’s so nice of Lisa to share her governor with us;-)

Overall Costco is a positive for us. If I had to guess, I’d say I go every 3 weeks or so. I remember back when I got the Target credit card that I was horrified to see how much I was spending at Target but I’ve never felt that way about Costco. I think it’s because most of what we buy are household critical items and I can (usually) see the cost savings compared to getting them elsewhere.
1. San
  August 10, 2024 at 10:11 pm
  
  Yes, I love all the excitement around the Harris-Walz tickets. The dreaded election has turned into something exciting… who thought this would be possible?
  
  Yes, you’re right about Costco… most of what I buy there are household critical items and the prices are cheaper than elsewhere (because you buy in bulk), so I will happily spend my money there but it’s always hard to drop multiple hundred dollars in one trip. LOL
Tobia | craftaliciousme
August 11, 2024 at 12:34 am

Friends are the best. So glad Tanja managed to surprise you and support your marathon goal from afar. And I agree snail mail is the best. I need to write some… because I also love to get it…

I forgone shopping at Metro (I assume something like Costco) as I always bought stuff on sale but things I would usually not buy. Or I bought so much that I wasn’t able to use it up all. But it’s been ages since I shopped there. Maybe with prices now I should give it another try.
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:49 pm
  
  Yeah, I agree, you gotta be strategic about what you buy at Costco/Metro… but I do hope it makes a difference in our budget (I try not to impulse buy , haha).
Suzanne
August 11, 2024 at 10:49 am

Awww, what a lovely week! What a great gift for your marathon!
Costco – ugh. I try to go as seldom as possible, because I feel like I cannot get out of there for under $300. Although perhaps if I went more often, it would be smaller amounts each time.
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:50 pm
  
  Yeah, I also spend a couple of hundred dollars when I go to Costco – but I do hope it will offset our regular grocery bills.
Allison
August 11, 2024 at 6:38 pm

I cancelled my Costco membership a few years back because I always spent so much money there and I didn’t feel organized enough to feel like I was saving money by shopping there. I might try again after I get more organized. We are presently needing to buy another vehicle a year before we planned, and it is definitely throwing me for a loop – we were a bit panicky but now we’re calming down and doing our research because once the kids are gone again it’s not a huge deal to be down to one vehicle for a month or so.
People who just get you something you need are the best people. Good luck on the marathon plan!
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:51 pm
  
  You definitely have to still be strategic buying at Costco… but I think they do have great deals on certain things (that I’d otherwise buy for more money at the regular store). Good luck with the vehicle purchase – that is always a stressful thing.
Jenny
August 12, 2024 at 5:31 am

Yep, I’m excited about Tim Walz! Until Biden dropped out I was pretty depressed about the upcoming election, but now I’m excited. I hope other people are feeling the same way!
I missed your post about running a marathon- going back to read it right now!
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:52 pm
  
  It’s been so exciting to see the election get infused with so much enthusiasm.
Lisa's Yarns
August 12, 2024 at 7:45 am

It has been fun to watch Walz’s rise in the democratic party. I will be sad to lose him as a governor but am happy to share him with the country. The Ezra Klein interview of him is really good – I don’t think you listen to podcasts but that is one worth listening to. Then on another podcast after that interview, Klein said he was in the top 5 of best politicians he had interviewed because he said he could see Tim Walz thinking out loud/thinking through things versus giving canned answers. He is the most likeable guy and I love the humble background he came from. Of all the programs he’s passed, I am most excited about the free breakfast/lunch program offered at public schools. Selfishly we benefit from this but it’s a program that makes a lot of sense.

One good thing from last week was the cooler morning temps. It made running much more pleasant!!
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:53 pm
  
  I actually listen to Ezra Klein sometimes (he has good insights) and I’ll look for the interview with Tim Walz. I am happy that you’re happy to share him with the country ;)
Stephany
August 13, 2024 at 9:10 am

I have been reinvigorated with the presidential election with Kamala running and her selecting Walz as her VP. He seems like SUCH a great guy – the sort of Midwestern dad energy that this country sorely needs!

That is so sweet of your friend to buy you the hydration vest you were thinking about! That’s a good friend right there. <3
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:53 pm
  
  I know, right? Who would have thought that this dreadful election cycle could be infused with so much enthusiasm. I am thrilled.
NGS
August 14, 2024 at 6:35 am

Okay, I’m behind in blog reading, so this is outdated, but I got to meet my sister’s pomsky puppy and he is adorable. And that was a good thing for the week.
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:44 pm
  
  Aww, how exciting. I hope you share pics!
Ally Bean
August 14, 2024 at 11:30 am

I’ve never seen Peet’s coffee at Costco and now I’m psyched to look for it. I’m with you about Harris and Walz. They are such a good duo in all the ways. I know the assignment.
1. San
  August 14, 2024 at 8:43 pm
  
  Oh really? They actually have different kinds at ours! Go check it out!
Anne
August 22, 2024 at 4:14 pm

You know I love everything about this, San. And! It’s convention week! Walz rocked it! the Obamas! Oprah! Here’s hoping Kamala hits it out of the park tonight. I mean, how could she not? (Fingers crossed…) I am seriously contemplating a t-shirt. I did an Obama mug but t-shirts are more my thing now. And of COURSE we all support your marathon training and ultimate success! You got this – and we are all behind you. I hope you feel us out there on the course. <3
And finally…Costco. Sigh. I don't buy a lot of food there – even shelf-stable – because I do not have enough space, and they don't always have what I want. I also don't want things to go bad, so I don't use it as much as I should. I should try again…
1. San
  August 23, 2024 at 5:38 pm
  
  Ha, I love that you said that you area contemplating a t-shirt. Me too!
  And thank you, your support and encouragement for the marathon training means a lot to me.

Comments are closed.

Five Things Friday Vol. 98

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