Five Frugal Things -- London Flea Markets & Eleanor Oliphant
1) I accepted a $25 offer for the alpaca sweater that I picked up at the Goodwill bins a couple weeks ago. That's another $19.33 for the Oregon Food Bank through my $100 Goodwill Gift Card Challenge.
Click HERE to see the listing.
I also listed two pair of shorts on eBay that I picked up at the bins a few days ago.
2) I found two more ponytail elastics at my kid's soccer game, plus a Powerade bottle to return for 10¢.
3) I spent an hour or so sweeping the back patio, weeding, rearranging the outdoor furniture and fiddling with the potted plants. Everything looks great and it's extra satisfying as almost everything was curb picked. We had a really mild winter, which meant that my annuals wintered over.
Specifically my barrel of fuchsia plants that I got for free at last year's neighborhood cleanup event.
4) I've passed the halfway mark for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which is not the book I expected it to be. The protagonist is a difficult character to slip into, but once I got an hour or so into the story I knew I'd be finishing it. Of course I'm listening to it through the library's free Libby app.
5) I watched a few YouTube videos from a high end interior decorator, explaining what he looks for when shopping at flea markets. Seeing things through his perspective helps me expand my knowledge for unrecognized treasure when I thrift.
There's always more to learn in life.
Now your turn, what frugal things have you been up to?
I apologize to Katy for hijacking the thread at the outset with this news, but I thought that her many fans here would want to know: Our dear, dear Lindsey in Alaska has left us. I knew her real name because she was kind enough to send a few Alaskan goodies to me via USPS "mystery shops" back when I was caring for DH at home. Here is an Alaskan blog post on her passing, which includes a link to her inimitably self-written obituary. Farewell to one of the bravest and kindest people I've ever known, online or IRL. And much love to Ted, "the husband, always the husband."
https://www.dermotcole.com/reportingfromalaska/2026/4/17/q4jmucdky2avmbtilefxdshsaom5ss
Thank you for sharing this, A-Marie.
A life well-lived!
Oh no. I'm so sad. Thank you for sharing A Marie.
Lindsey will be missed. An amazing life and an amazing woman, and she wrote an amazing self-obituary.
Thank you so much for sharing about Lindsey, my mother and I were just talking about her the other day. Her numerous stories about "Clobber Paws" kept us all entertained for many years. (I checked and there are 70 references to "Clobber Paws" in the comments section!) I loved her obituary and wish I'd had the pleasure of meeting her in person.
She left 1604 comments through the years and was an important member of The Non-Consumer Advocate community. Dearly missed from those who knew her personally and virtually.
A. Marie, many thanks for sharing this albeit sad news. Lindsey was a force of nature and one of the many commenters here and on The Frugal Girl who made me want to be a part of these blog communities. It's nice to have the curtain peeled back to learn more about her amazing life. If you'll be in contact with her husband (always the husband), please let him know how much she is missed and that I mourn her dying and rejoice her being. Rest in peace, Lindsey, wherever you are.
Thank you, A.Marie! She was a dear commentariat. Thank you so much for the links.
Thank you A. Marie. I've been thinking about Lindsey, as we knew her. I'd always hoped she would write a book about her life in Alaska but I can see now she actually did by what she wrote on the NCA blog. Thanks again.
I finished Eleanor Oliphant last week and thought it was excellent!
I too loved this book. Thanks A. Marie for sharing the news of Lindsey’s passing. The obituary was awesome. My condolences to Ted.
I love your outdoor living room! It looks like a wonderful spot to enjoy a relaxing lunch in nature!
Your patio looks great. What a cozy, hospitable backyard you have.
Agreed. Love the pop of spring-green moss!
I knew that alpaca sweater would sell quickly. It's lovely. I'm home today mostly. I've been listing items on Ebay. I haven't sold anything for a while but I'm sure it will pick up. I've been getting inspiration and motivation by watching videos of other sellers.
I did my most dreaded jobs first-Costco, Trader Joe's (same complex) and a return.
1. Wine barrel rings are in abundance for free here in the wine country of N. California. I bend them into hearts and sell them for $25 for 3. I have a buyer coming today. Also have a buyer for a curb picked basket. None of it will make me rich, but it all sure helps
2. We have enough kale in the garden to have kale in some form every day for the near future. Easy and the price is right .
3. Walked while I chatted with a friend on the phone. Exercise, early morning light and good company are a great combo.
That's all I've got. I'm still taking care of our daughter as she recovers. Time and energy are in short supply.
Love your back yard! Your fuchsia wintered beautifully. My BFF is on the lookout for one for my front garden (a frugal one, of course.)
The birdies have finally found the feeder attached to my bedroom window and offer me free entertainment.
Reading Second Honeymoon by James Patterson 49cents at Salvation Army. Returned box of books for someone else to enjoy.
Used planters on hand for cocrosmia (yellow) and Texas hibiscus.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy week.
Katy, you have such a welcoming and beautiful backyard.
1. Friend brought over a lightweight transport wheelchair that I use to help me get up and down, push in front of me for balance, and schlep things around (using a wooden tray on the seat). She also brought a pasta dish that we'll enjoy for many meals. I'm disappointed that I'm not able to help her clear out her recently deceased mom's home in person, so she consults me on what to do with various items, which helps me feel useful.
2. Neighbor gave me a beautiful bouquet of orange tulips that I put into two mason jars for the bedroom and living room.
3. Another friend made comfort food: gouda bread, vanilla espresso scones (OMG), asparagus quiche and gourmet mac 'n cheese. Along with several books and magazines as I'm doing A LOT of reading.
4. This same friend also brought over several pairs of billowy bottoms that fit over my full-leg splint and are easy to pull down for going to the bathroom. I can't wear regular underwear, so I'm going commando - sorry for that image! She also brought a cute top to go with one of the bottoms for when I have my next x-ray in a month. This appointment will likely be the only time I'll leave the house, since I don't want to risk getting down our scary stairs and steep driveway, and I'm not relishing car rides either as I can only sit sideways in a vehicle's backseat.
5. As long as I'm yammering away ... Considering the alternative (surgery), things are pretty good here even though my leg splint weighs me down literally and figuratively. It's a knee mobilizer contraption that surrounds my whole leg, contains several metal rods, and is held in place by six Velcro belts cinched to make sure I don't bend my fractured knee one iota. It's both a comfort and a burden. I can feel it's weight even when laying down, and the rest of me is getting free weight-bearing activity as I get up, down and around. I'm sleeping well, too, with the magic of drugs. I even take naps now (taking a page out of the playbook of Cindy in the South).
I love your patio! Sitting outside is the best!
My son's MIL has some vintage baking dishes with lids and she can't find any family to take them. I told her all about you and how you make money on things like that. I may have convinced her to sell them on Ebay.
Your backyard is so welcoming. I haven't set up my sit spot under the big apple tree as it is still blooming and dropping petals. Can't wait!
Took the guest bath lace valance down to clean as the Spring spiders like to make a condo out of it. Used the new-to-me soft broom to sweep the ceilings and light fixtures.
Bought a motorcycle helmet at a garage sale with tags on it, listed it and someone is meeting me at the sheriff's office to pick up.
Mixed up hummingbird nectar, scrubbed their feeders.
Enjoyed a bright sunrise yoga stretch with the neighbor, by the time I brewed a pot of tea, it was perfectly high cloudy day. We enjoyed our tea and jam toast next to the woodstove.
Have a happy Monday!