-
I cut a new batch of rosemary for the bathroom, which reminded me that it had been awhile since I offered any up to my Buy Nothing group. (I replace my bathroom rosemary every month or so when it starts to resemble a February Christmas tree!) I have just one taker so far, but that’s okay as I’m not exactly on commission.
As you can see, she’s a grower!
-
I picked up my daughter’s repaired boots, (this time with a check in hand) and will deliver them tomorrow. I’m happy to pay this bill, as $45 is a much bigger percentage of her income than it is for me.
-
I walked around the corner to see if a specific apple tree had dropped any more free fruit. I’m happy to take the bruised or otherwise hinky windfall apples, as they’d otherwise go to waste. There were only three apples on the sidewalk, but I’m not too picky to cut off the unpalatable bits.
I noticed there was a sign asking people to not “pick the apples,” which makes me wonder what prompted this unexpected plot twist. I’m friendly with the owners, so I’ll get them to spill the tea!
-
I stopped at Fred Meyer for milk and scored two $1.50 clearance bags, each holding two pounds of strawberries. (I’m never going to turn down 75¢/pound strawberries!) I paid using my gift card from The Frugal Girl. I made myself a humongous bowl of yogurt with strawberries and then froze the rest.
-
I ran a couple loads of laundry, mostly sheets as Portland has been both sunny and windy the past couple of days. There really is nothing more luxurious than sun dried cotton sheets — solar energy at its finest!
Five Frugal Things — Rosemary for My Neighbors!
Previous post: My Non-Consumer Elevator Pitch!
Next post: The Least/Most Frugal Thing — A Paid Off Mortgage
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
1. I used Granny Smith apples, purchased from a clearance rack, to make apple crisp. I shared some with neighbors.
2. I am reading No New Things. I believe it was recommended by one of your readers. The history of marketing and advertising is interesting. I borrowed the book from the library.
3. I bought a pair of shoes on eBay for a non-tech savvy friend. They are a retired version that work well for him. I used the Make an Offer feature to get them for a reasonable price.
4. A friend and I are planning to go to the National Archives to see the Constitution. I ordered tickets (free but for the $1 fee) to ensure we will be able to get in.
5. A friend is undergoing chemo and has a low white blood count and is feeling punk. I am going to run some errands for her since she shouldn’t be out and about. It will involve just a bit of extra driving on my part.
K D, re your #2, that was me. I also enjoyed the historical perspective.
I just got the book No New Things from the library as well! Very much looking forward to reading this one.
I’m going to put No New Things on my reading list.
In the meantime, there is an excellent write-up in one of the Tightwad Gazette books about the history of holiday gift-giving. Those of you who have a TWG copy might want to look it up. IIRC, the jist of it is that the shopping extravaganza tradition was prompted by merchants and department stores. They brilliantly started advertising campaigns, making you think that if you didn’t buy (new) gifts (from their stores) for all your loved ones, it would show that you didn’t love them. Over the years, it’s grown and grown until it has really gotten out of hand!
I will keep an eye out for No New Things. My local library doesn’t have it but it may turn up somewhere. Meanwhile, does anyone have other recommendations for nonconsumer reading? I feel like I could use a boost of motivation, different perspectives and experiences, inspiration. This blog is amazing, I could just use a little more right now. I have the Tightwad Gazette, have read Your Money or Your Life, and probably most of the basic curriculum. What has anybody found lately that they’d recommend? I’m a low spender already but more belt-tightening is at hand. I also want to free up some cash to increase my donations, as so many are hurting these days.
Today a man asked me for money to get something to eat. I never question this, just give what I can but today I felt reluctant. I had a one and a ten in my wallet and I gave him the one. Ordinarily I would have given all. So I think I need a tune-up. When I spend less I feel freer about money, no surprise.
Cynthia, the book Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson was very influential in my life. Even if zero waste is not your goal, there is still plenty of other inspiration within the pages of this book.
To find more books beyond your local library, see if your library has an interlibrary loan arrangement with other libraries in your state.
@Cynthia — I can recommend “your playbook for tough times” by Donna Freedman, another frugal blogger. And “Meet the Frugalwoods” By Elizabeth Thames (another frugal blogger — though she stopped now to raise her children)
I found Lindsey G’s suggestion of “”Walden on Wheels” by Ken Ilgunas at my library and am looking forward to reading it, thank you. I don’t know that I will find specific things to do differently, but I like things that reinforce attitudes of frugality.
When I take it back, I will have more time to look around the shelves than I did today, and perhaps will find some other books shelved near it that have similar philosophies. So go to your library and find Tightwad or Your Money/Life on the shelves, and see what is next to them!
I liked No New Things in some ways, but cringed at the over-the-top yet normal-for-her consumption habits she wrote about.
Re-reading this, I forgot to mention “America’s Cheapest Family” stuff by a couple called the Economides….as in economy….how ironic is that? I think they also have a website. “America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money” by Steve and Annette Economides is their first book and I think they’ve restyled themselves as the “Money Smart Family.” They have a lot of kids, who have contributed to the books as well.
Meanwhile, I went to see my friend who doesn’t have a car. As we were riding to the grocery store, she commented as to how many people are having garage sales. (There were a lot!) We were going through a not-very-upper-class area of town, and my friend believes people are losing benefits and losing jobs and are in $ trouble, and that’s why they’re selling everything but the kitchen sink. She’s not the first person I’ve heard commenting (or read online) that we may be in for a recession very soon. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride IMO.
Check out Not Buying It by Judith Levine. It’s an older book, but has a lot that’s still very relevant. It was one of the first books someone wrote about trying to not spend money for a year on non-essentials. Really eye-opening. Also, books by Cait Flanders. If you like blogs, don’t forget The Frugal Girl (Katy’s friend).
I was pretty disgusted this week when the local “news” informed me that 100 days till Xmas. Seriously – all the turmoil and uncertainty in the world and Xmas is on the radar? Even our gag gifts at Xmas are of a practical nature (aka can be used/consumed).
My cousin gave his son in law an elaborately wrapped bottle…not a bottle of fine wine…but a big jug of mouthwash he got at Sam’s Club. SIL thanked him sincerely, for real…saying it was the brand of mouthwash he used and he really liked the practical gift.
Me three!! I just got it yesterday. I think a lot of the book will feel comfortable for readers of this blog, but curious if anyone has takeaways.
Heidi Louise – since you’re checking out Walden on Wheels, I thought you might like Katy’s interview with him on this very blog, though you may want to wait until after you’ve read it to avoid any spoilers. 🙂
https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/interview-with-walden-on-wheels-ken-ilgunas/
Thank you again!
That is so nice of you to run the errands for your friend. I care for my husband but think a lot about people who don’t have care providers. He’s also undergoing chemo.
MB in MN: Zero Waste Home sounds good–I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Yes, I can do interlibrary loan and will do so!
Please, anyone, if you know someone who is a caregiver, whether it be for their relative with cancer, dementia, recovering from surgery, brand new baby in the house, or whatever else, please regularly contact them and ask if you can run errands, or just sit with the patient while they get a nap. Unless you’ve done this yourself, you have no idea how exhausting caregiving is. And most hospice/home health care companies charge families an arm and a leg and don’t really do that much for them, if my experience is any indication.
Anon, thank you for the reminder. Caregivers get so involved in giving care they don’t realize the importance of taking care of themselves.
Sugar Cat Farm,
I can’t speak for anyone else who has been or is currently a caregiver, but, respectfully, I fully recognized the need to take care of myself when I was helping to care for my mother in law in the last year of her life; unfortunately, no one stepped up or offered to help, other than some lovely co-workers of mine who brought us meals once or twice. My job treated me terribly during this time, which only added to my stress (told me incorrectly that I couldn’t get FMLA, then told me that because I’d had 4 unexcused absences (to help caregive) that I came within a hair’s breadth of getting “verbal counseling”. This after 32 years of working there at the time, with absolutely no issues). There was no time for self care.
So. Exhausting. I’ve been fortunate that several friends and family members have taken the time to periodically check in on me to see how I’m doing. They’re not able to alleviate any of the work or exhaustion I’m dealing with, but their care and concern means so much.
KD,
The National Archoves is on my “go to” list the next time I go to DC. I went there with my family about 3 years ago, and we barely scratched the surface of things to see. We loved seeing Dorothy’s red shoes from the Wizard of Oz, a Statue of Liberty made from Legos, and of course all of the monuments.
Liz B., Do you mean the Natural Museum of American History? Because that’s different than the National Archives where you’d mainly go to do research into documents, though they do have a museum.
NATIONAL Museum of American History. Typos. Oy.
Oops, I meant my family and I went to *Washington DC* about three years ago, and yes, we went to the Museum of American History, which is where we saw Dorothy’s shoes and the Lego Statue of Liberty.
Sorry, re-reading my comment, I didn’t make that very clear (eye roll at self, ha ha). I still want to go to the National Archives next time we visit DC.
I’ve lived in dc but just went to the library of congress for the first time on a visit back. The most amazing experience I’ve had there ( with second being the Smithsonian’s African American history museum). As a dedicated library user and volunteer, I was brought to tears immediately. Don’t skip the cafeteria at the department of agriculture for a reasonably priced – and excellent – lunch.
Good job re #5!
1. Listening to free podcasts while speech is still free. Currently enjoying Maintenance Phase, News Agents, Politics Now (Australian political podcast), and What We Spend, a really interesting new podcast in which different people share audio diaries of what they spend in a given week. They talk about their jobs, income, family history with money. Really recommend it. Also enjoy Money for Couples, which replaced Dave Ramsey in my feed when I couldn’t take him any longer.
2. Reading a couple of interesting library books: ‘This is Vegan Propaganda’ and ‘How Not To Die’ – free of course from my local library.
3. Following free workout videos on YouTube – strength training, in my home gym, using weights I’ve had forever. No cost except my time and sweat (ew).
4. Have lost 6kg (12 lb?) following a whole foods mostly plant based diet and tracking on an app. My grocery budget is basically the same as I’ve just replaced the junk & processed foods with heaps of fruit & veggies. Which explains why I had put on weight…I was blaming menopause. Whoops. I did pay for the app but I got a 40% off deal for 3 months and it’s been worth it.
5. I don’t have to replace anything in my wardrobe – which was about to happen and bugged me enough to make me shift the weight. I like my clothes and did not want to go shopping.
Mand01 – I have this very same reason for wanting to drop some pounds! My clothes have gotten uncomfortably tight. Almost everything has been thrifted over the years, with the exception of some high-quality basics. I realllly dislike shopping and do not want to spend the money on a new wardrobe. So I’m working on a plan to get back to a comfortable weight.
Mando1,
I quit Dave Ramsey when he started bellowing how we should not wear masks during the Covid epidemic. What is wrong with him? And, as Donna Freedman wrote, in today’s world, sometimes you need credit cards; that’s just the way the world works. Freedman and I have both used credit cards for medical care in the days before Obamacare, when we didn’t have insurance. I’d be up a creek without mine. Also, it’s better than using cash and getting hit in the head by a mugger who follows you out of the store. (Happened to an elderly friend of mine.) As long as you pay all your balance at month’s end, you’re fine. (Although big dental bills may take a few months to pay off if your dentist doesn’t do Care Credit 0% cards.) Freedman wrote the book Your Playbook for Tough Times, which is chock full of good info. I think she’s quit her blog.
I think losing weight like you did makes the investment for that app totally worthwhile. Would you mind sharing the name of the app?
@Fru-gal Lisa, Donna Freedman still blogs – but it’s rare now as she approaches retirement.
It’s an Aussie meal planning and tracking app called ‘equ’ – it sends weekly plans that can be customised for your dietary preferences. Because it is Australian it might not translate to American groceries- it’s all Aussie products and weight measurements.
I had quit Dave Ramsey prior to the pandemic so I didn’t hear that nonsense. I stopped when I heard him speak rudely to a lesbian couple that called for help. Then I read he doesn’t allow same sex couples to do his courses. That’s disgraceful. I’m not religious but I’m not bothered by the religious beliefs of others, so I’d still listen to his show. But discrimination is unacceptable to me.
I could have written this almost exactly! I also switched to a whole food plant based diet (after reading how not to die among other books, I’m adding that vegan propaganda one to my list!) and started doing YouTube workout videos in my garage using weights we had already. I also have a tracking app. I have lost about 40 lbs so far though so I did eventually have to buy new clothes as mine became too loose, I was able to get them all from a thrift store though so not too costly. Congrats on all those positive changes!
Hi, Who is the author of the how not to die book? The library has two titles for it, each by a different author, thanks!
The author is Michael Greger.
Thank you!
1. After several back and forth messages with my credit card company, I will receive $21 cash back. I booked a Postcard Cabin stay, which is a Marriot property and the offer was 5% back. They said it wasn’t a Marriot property. I argued that I booked it on the Marriot app and on my credit card charge it’s listed as Marriot as the charge type. Huh? They agreed finally and I will receive the cash back offer.
2. I called my waste management company about an increase in billing. I have to do this every year. They lowered my bill $36 every 3 months.
3. I soaked an Athleta crossbody belt bag that I found in the Goodwill bins. It still sells online for $35. I’ve been wanting a small belt bag but didn’t want to spend a lot.
4. I emptied the plants out of two of my planters and shook all the potting soil out to reuse for next year. I have to store all my planters for the winter otherwise they will crack.
5. I cancelled Paramount + once my subscription runs out. I refuse to support companies that don’t believe in free speech.
I hope your postcard cabin stay is wonderful. We used to enjoy getting away to the Getaway Houses all through the Midwest over the past several years. Purchased by Marriott and rebranded as Postcard Cabins, I’m less than impressed with how guests are being handled. I have a reservation for the end of the month to celebrate my sister’s birthday there and we were hoping to make it a tradition after a great visit last year each with our own cabin. Now the prices have doubled, you MUST pay for snacks and firewood at a rate of $35 a day at this site, and she has asthma so no fire at all – and you pay for it whether there is a burn ban or not they said…and neither of us will eat the snacks because we’re vegan and don’t really want them. I inquired about it but it’s mandatory. I said to my husband I’m bringing home all the wood, and taking the snacks and coffee for the little free pantry down the street. I let my annoyance over that really color how I’m looking forward to this trip. But an extra $70 just really, really bothers me. Before we were able to ask for cabins next to each other so that we could come and go easily at night as we played board games for hours and hours. Now they say they can’t promise anything.
We’ll see. Fingers are crossed it is up to par.
I hope it goes well for you. I think Marriot must have just taken over because I was surprised at the cost over when I checked into it a while ago. I really enjoyed the quiet and the privacy but I didn’t think it was a great deal. I debated whether to take all the firewood home with me. I took the fire starters and the leftover snacks.
Mention of cabins brought back fond memories. My parents were frugal before frugal was cool. Every summer (late July and early to mid August), they would turn of the AC to save on electricity, load up the car, and we’d head to the mountains in Colorado for vacation. Back then, what they saved on the electric bill would pay for the gas, if not the rented log cabin. (At Rustic Resort in Poudre Canyon. Not part of any chain. But I’ve read that it has since burned down.) The scenery was spectacular and the weather was nice and cool — at night, we’d have to wear jackets and build a fire in the fireplace. The resort supplied free logs. They also had wood-burning cookstoves. Often, Mom would cook the trout she and Dad had caught that day. If she didn’t want to use the woodstove, they also had a Coleman propane camping stove.
Back home, the neighbor would feed the dog and water the lawn for us. He’d turn the air on to 80 degrees the night before we were scheduled to arrive home. He’d often tell us that the thermostat read 100 degrees or more inside the house after 2 weeks of no AC.
Thanks for the memories!
1. Bought good-sized squash at Trader’s Joe’s for $2.99 each. I searched for the largest ones as they are priced per item rather than by pound.
2. Attended a free lunch at our financial advisor’s office in conjunction with a featured speaker on the economy. Brought leftover sandwiches home at the encouragement of our advisor. Jimmy John’s, it’s what’s for breakfast today.
3. Attended a free panel discussion at the library on civic engagement and democracy.
4. Insurance covered my flu and pneumonia shots. With my doctor’s blessing, I didn’t get the COVID vaccine because of my violent reaction to it.
5. Before picking up my husband at the airport, I drove to the nearby IKEA to wait while it was still light out so I didn’t have to drive in the dark. Because Katy inspired me to get a membership, I was able to fill my canteen with free coffee and had a kids meal for $2.71. I had time to kill so I walked around (and around and around) the store (6,200 steps according to my free pedometer from Buy Nothing).
Fail: My husband was gone for five days and I descended into some bad habits. Didn’t eat as healthy as usual, didn’t accomplish as much as usual, didn’t exercise as much, stayed up way too late, spent too much time on the internet – you get the idea. So, I had two items of food waste, which is so extremely rare in our household that I could say that it never happens. Lost a container of mushrooms and half a container of raspberries. Now that he’s home I’m back to my better self. He has another trip in a few weeks, so I know what I need to do to make sure I don’t descend into those bad habits again.
I get in this mode, too. I’m learning to just stick things in the freezer as is when I don’t want to think about them. Not ideal, but they won’t freezer burn in a week and can be washed and prepped from frozen.
On the other hand, one of the “bad habits” is not paying attention, lol.
I washed up the summer weight down comforters and hung them to dry in our onshore breezes. They smell devine! I would not, could not do this chore last week as h there were several neighbors plowing and planting and our air was brown for several days.
I am splitting and stacking wood getting ready for the first fire in the hearth.. Crisp see your breath morning, a fire to take the chill off, sitting with a ps coffee…aaaahhhh.
A landscape friend gave me over a thousand tulip bulbs that a new client wanted no tulips. My labor to dig up bulbs and bulbs tres and they were mine. Every neighbor’s driveway is going to be colorful.
When my folks had 2 acres out in the country, they planted a lot of apple trees. When they died, I inherited their place and lived there for a while. (Didn’t like it.) Anyway, the neighbor lady across the road asked if she could pick “a few” apples. I said yes. Got home and there was not an apple one left on the trees. I know I could not have eaten all the apples myself, but I wanted to take a bucket full to church and share with my friends (we always had snacks or lunch in the fellowship hall after services. We were not a wealthy congregation, but we shared what we had.) But our neighbor, in her greed, left me with none. Maybe that’s the reason for your friend’s sign.
Also, did you know that Shakespeare had Ophelia in Hamlet talk about “rosemary for rememberance” or something to that effect. Today, herbal experts say that rosemary does, indeed, trigger the brain to remember better.
My frugals:
1. Finally got around to returning the two school spirit T-shirts I won’t be wearing to substitute teach in. I couldn’t find the cash register receipt and was afraid I’d be stuck with them. Luckily, I hadn’t yet worn either shirt and both shirts still had their tags attached. Walgreen’s gave me a refund in the form of a store gift card. I’ll take it! The total was $38 and change. If I don’t shop there, I can always give it away. Maybe pay a worker with the card, if they agree to accept it in lieu of cash.
2. Got a free Covid shot. (Did I already list this?)
3. Saw a home improvement vlog where they said you can frost a window using buttermilk instead of paint. Per the video, it lets in light but is opaque so no one can see in And is supposed to work in all but moist environments, so don’t try it in a bathroom. My roommate left behind a big container of instant buttermilk. The painters left behind a small roller and tray. Today I’m going to mix up some of that buttermilk and see if it will work on the bedroom’s west window. Which right now has a lot of paper trying to block the neighbors’ view of the insulation stuff I put in there, and the paper is sagging in places. (Insulation necessary because the window heats up the room really bad with the afternoon sun. I also have insulating curtains over the window, but need extra layers.)
4. Doing my own yardwork: cutting back shrubs that have grown too big around outdoor AC unit.
5. Emailing ABC network to complain about them yanking Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air.
1. Went to the gym this morning, stopping on the way at the little free pantry. I brought home rye bread and a bag frozen apple slices. I made a late breakfast of eggs, rye toast and stewed apples. What I didn’t use went into the freezer.
2. I got my free flu shot and pneumonia shot yesterday at Walgreens. That gave me two coupons for 20% off. I used one to purchase deeply discounted hair conditioner. I was glad that sale merchandise was acceptable with the coupon.
3. I dropped off a dry-clean-only dress jacket at the new cleaners in my neighborhood. No deals, but this jacket was getting ripe and it’s a very useful item in my wardrobe. It was a Goodwill buy in the first place. I prepaid, which is their policy. Makes sense to me. People are less likely to just leave their clothes if they’ve already paid for the cleaning.
4. I found several coupons to scan to Fetch.
5. I found three parking tickets in my glove box yesterday. Yikes! Turns out my grandson had been meaning to pay, but not getting around to it. Meanwhile I went to City Hall and paid them off. Later that day I got reimbursed via Venmo. I suspect if the city took Venmo he would have paid them immediately.
Yesterday was a good day for drying things in the sun. My curb-picked rug dried beautifully. And fast! I also steam cleaned an upholstered chair and put it in the sun to dry.
A friend was clearing out her cabinet and gave me a very nice Starbucks insolated cup with straw. It looks new and the sticker says $24! It works well and I feel very posh!
Checked back in with the coworker who gave me the chainsaw. He definitely does not want it. I offered it to lend it back to him in the future, should he have a need.
Packed my dinner for work. Lunch was catered, yippee!
We have volunteer butternut squash coming on in the garden. That will be a tasty addition.
Got back on the treadmill after a week’s break. If I skip too long, the new habit will evaporate. The treadmill was a hand me down from our in-laws.
Hung out the laundry and turned off the ac.
Getting ready to start a new book I ordered from ebay. It’s on mindset and was recommended by a very successful friend. I love to read and it’s a luxury I don’t often indulge in. I read a daily devotional but that’s more homework!
Saying whatever I want and telling the truth. Allowing others to do the same.
Looking forward to our new couch and hoping it will fit through our front door! It said, “some assembly required”. I hope that means it’s packed flat in a box.
Hoping it will rain.
Would you tell us the title of the book on mindset?
@Cheryl, Mrs. Frugalwoods stopped blogging because she got in trouble with the state of VT for giving financial advice without a license.
@Bobi – I had no idea of the reason Liz “Frugalwoods” stopped blogging, but a quick internet search confirmed your vote about being sued by the state of VT. Wow! Thanks for the info.
I was an avid reader of the Frugalwoods blog for years and implemented some of their ways. I credit that blog, this one, and David Ramsey (which I’m loathe to admit based on his unsavory beliefs and actions), along with Vicki Robbins of Your Money or Your Life, with getting out of debt (aside from our mortgage) 9-10 years ago. That said, Liz’s blog seemed to lack self-reflection and authenticity and had a vague “holier than thou” tinge. The book was similar to the blog and I enjoyed it but didn’t get much new inspiration from it.
I looked it up, too. I didn’t realize she was basically selling financial advice to individuals as a side gig without registering as a financial advisor.
@Bobi..oh, thats interesting. I know her website is still up and she deos financial “consulting”.
She does not do financial “consulting” anymore. Her website says she isn’t taking new clients. Now you know why!
1. Took a large box of metal hangers to the drycleaners so they can be used again.
2. Cleaned out more drawers to fills boxes for the animal rescue charity.
3. Gave one of my friends some extra plastic hangers for her closet & a gifted (to me) bottle of white wine. I am not a wine drinker.
4. Wore my old scrubs to my teaching gig this month. No new clothes or shoes needed. Packed a lunch & iced tea.
5. I continue to use my Panera Sip Club daily. Yes, I have to pay for the subscription, but I get a cold or hot drink several times a day. It is one of my few luxuries. If I don’t get a drink, then the husband gets one.
Katy,
The rosemary in the peach-colored planter in the wooden sconce (I guess that is what you call it) is attractive & eclectic. Like your geometric bedframe in one of your bedrooms. Interesting decor.
@Cheryl – “Elizabeth Thames (another frugal blogger — though she stopped now to raise her children)”.
Not quite – she fancies herself a financial consultant for women (who may have bit off more than she could chew) making sure you know she’s not a licensed financial advisor. Even when she did blog, most of her meet a reader participants had white collar jobs.
I miss Suze Orman’s CNBC show.
@Selena…see? You learn a lot on Katy’s blog! LOL. I never knew about any of that Frugalwoods info!
I recall that Elizabeth Thames got in some kind of legal trouble and paid a large fine for advertising her financial services without making it clear she has no license. So she’s cleaned that up.
Hubby and I used to watch Suze Orman’s show every Saturday night.
1. For my birthday my Daughter Outlaw gave me a used book about sewing, wrapped in a linen dress and a linen weird pair of pants that have the strangest overall fronts.
She had remembered I was commenting about wanting to make more linen napkins, and that using clothing was an inexpensive way to get linen. I was DELIGHTED that she searched in her closet for the clothing – we both decided that the pants HAD to be deconstructed, however I might keep the dress (might dye it but the kids all thought the blue worked for me, so maybe aging and going grey has changed my colour palette).
Anyway, so pleased they didn’t buy me something I didn’t need – the book was a regift that she had received from a friend but knew she wouldn’t be using
2. I think I am almost finished with process of getting the new-to-me dog! Niña is her name, and this means I have to learn how to make an N with an accent. Oh, the things we do for our animals! Anyway, I just need to sign and have witnessed a rather imposing legal document (essentially saying I won’t chain or beat the dog and I will give her back rather than dispose of her elsewhere, if I need to no longer keep her). Then presto, a bit of company. I saved my old dog’s beds and bowls and leashes, so won’t have much more to prepare than getting some kibble in tomorrow. The dog is currently near where my DD lives; I am visiting her down there in order to help her move a couch she has found on Marketplace, as I have a convenient truck.
3. I have two pear trees, one that was here when we moved in (that I have taken care of and that gives me a really good harvest every couple of years). The second one I planted in what now is a chicken run, and every year, as it establishes itself, it has given me a handful of pears.
This year it finally PRODUCED – and entire banana box worth.
I picked pear tree #1 last week (two banana boxes worth), gave away and ate a bunch, and have now canned up 16 quarts (would have been 18 but TWO jars broke, boo) plus 3 pints. The last of the pears probably will be dehydrated.
The second tree’s pears are ripening in their box and I am side-eying them, as I am out of widemouth quart jars. I have some standard jars and more pints, so I will make do. Canning pears is hard on my hands (lots of peeling) but so meditative, and now that I am back in the canning swing I can pull off 4 jars in an hour or so, which seems more realistic than doing an entire load (7 quarts).
4. The apples are also coming in – I have one tree that I should have thinned, poor thing it is overloaded. Those apples are delicious, however they tend to get sunburned (who knew?) so I have some processing of the less pretty ones in my very full agenda. Many will be cored/peeled/sliced and either frozen in crumble-sized packs, or dehydrated. I might try canning apple pie filling if I find the spoons.
5. I continue with my running clinic – I am discouraged that I have lost so much endurance, however I am liking the short-term discipline – the race is near the end of October, so I still have a bit of time to improve. And I am not aiming to break any records – just to get out there and have fun.
6. There is a large Canada-Wide event on Saturday (Draw the Line) that is bringing together many groups who are concerned about the state of the world. Everything – homelessness, housing crisis, greenhouse gas emissions, the oil and gas issues, other climate and environmental issues, drought and the state of our rivers, logging, indigenous rights, social justice, wage disparity and the billionaire class, proportional representation, groceries, land use decisions, you name it.
I am loosely connected to a couple of the groups who are organizing, so am trying to pick my battle (or choose the thread I want to pull). Big crowds bring out my social anxiety, however I have made a new young friend who has promised to lend me a bit of buffering support.
7. Frugal for my Son and Daughter Outlaw – she discovered a toy lending library! Apparently she got a big rubbermaid bin of themed toys, plus multiple baskets of things like blocks and magnet toys and musical toys. Their income has taken a hit while she awaits back surgery and they are both becoming even more frugal, so the transition from Marketplace toys to hand me downs to this lending library is really exciting to see. The toys are beautiful, appear new, they will be able to rotate through the bin she brought home (a few toys at a time) so there is variety, and they will be able to determine which kinds of toys really catch his attention. (gotta say the magnet toy is UBER fun.)
8. I haven’t done some income tax filing for a while (have been making payments, though ;-). I have hired a young friend to do some of the paperwork sorting to prep to send to my accountant. Looking at all the boxes we took to her house, I realize that my ‘mild’ depression really is greater than that. Oops.
9. I also am arranging for more time with my very thorough house cleaner to come in and help with baby proofing my house. It is almost ALL in my kitchen that I need to do the work. With someone else at my side, I find that I get much further with these projects than I do when on my own, and I can afford to pay someone to relieve some of this burden. I’ve proven that I WILL do a lot of things alone, and I also WON’T do a lot of things alone!
I hear you on things I won’t get to when working alone! Possibly related to the bad habits without an accountability partner/dh! Lol
My dh has gotten very excited about the discount shelf in the bakery department. Good that we are getting things half off, bad that we are now buying sweets more often along with our discount bread. However, it isn’t like we never used to before his health issues.
I mended a couple more grocery bags and some older bed linens. Trying to keep things in circulation longer. I was inspired by someone’s description of tailoring tshirts, to try the same on a few of mine. I’d also like to remake a couple of other shirts also. Looking for a good source for patterns. Most fabric stores are now really craft stores.
Continue to cook at home using a menu plan and a plan to use up leftovers.
Came across an extra coffee scoop that is the perfect size to measure powered laundry detergent. This will help me use the right amount rather than eyeballing the lowest level on the giant scoop.
Frugal fail (I think) is that the dishwasher isn’t working right after the expensive repair. I have the tech coming back out to check and am hoping for a free fix. Otherwise I might have done better to just buy new.
Thanks for all the book recommendations! Planning a trip to the local library very soon.