Non-Consumer Photo Essay -- Please Enjoy The Randomness
It's not often that you find currently in a thrift store, but when you do it's likely to be a disappointment.
Exhibit B:
Always counterfeit, never the bride.
This basket breaks so freaking easily, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop repairing it. We use it for paper recycling, so it doesn't need to be a decor showpiece.
I took out the it's been painted a million times heat register cover and replaced it with an eBay upgrade.
Most of our other heat registers are in inconspicuous spots, so this is likely the only one to earn a glow up.
I pulled my bag of 50¢ cranberries from the basement freezer and am defrosting enough to bake a loaf of cranberry bread with orange glaze.
Someone please remind me to pick up a couple extra bags when they go on sale after Thanksgiving.
The prayer plants that I started propagating back in July grew enough roots to transfer into soil. I already owned the flowerpot, so there was zero expense to this project. I put all four into a single pot, as they fill the space much better this way.
Click HERE to read my blog post from when I pruned my prayer plant.
My daughter's childhood bedroom is laughably filled with potted plants, but it does help to the keep the air fresh in this otherwise unused space. We keep the door open, so it likely helps with the indoor air quality for the entire second floor.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Oh,my,gosh, I must be a glutton for punishment because I’m throwing together a yard sale this weekend. It’s only going to be a bizzilion degrees. We’ll see how it goes. Just thought I’d share since it’s also randomness.
1. I parked by Aldi and went to the park a block away to get in some free exercise on this beautiful day. I did a few laps when I realized that there is a little free library a block away from the other side of the park. I walked over and found a book: The Secret Language of Girls. Walking back I found a Titleist golf ball that will be added to Hubby's golf bag. Next time I will bring a plastic bag and gloves because I saw at least 10 beer cans.
2. When I got back to my car there were 2 carts connected to each other so I returned them...25 cents in my pocket. I went in and got a bag of onions, 2 dozen eggs, hamburger buns and 2 pumpkins. The pumpkins were marked for $1.79 each. I took a picture because I was going to send it to my frugal friends. When the pumpkins rang up they were $3.99. I showed the cashier the picture. A manager was called over and he price adjusted them. He then went and changed the sign. They will be decorations and then food.
3. One of the pork shoulders I got marked down has been in the crock pot all day. We are having BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and homemade fries with a garden side salad. I took the skin off the pork before I put it in the crock pot. It will be cooked as treats for the dog the next time I use my oven.
4. I signed up for a new mystery shopping company and already got a shop. I will do it tomorrow.
5. Hubby printed a label for the books we are selling at work. He brought home a box and the label at lunch. I dropped it off at FedEx. I will be getting a check for $27 and change.
Just a reminder: today is voter registeration Day in the U.S. today so if you know anyone who has moved since the last election, turned 18, or become a U.S. citizen remind them to register to vote so they can vote November 3 (or earlier if your state allows early in person voting.
Or will be 18 by the Nov 3 election. I love that high school students can register when they'll be 18 by general election day.
The plan-on-being-a-permanent-state-minority pukes in my county have an "advisory" question the Nov ballot - should those registering to vote show a picture ID. What a f-ing waste - it is already state law to show a picture ID to register to vote. It won't be too long before the pukes on the county board either die off or get replaced by someone 30 or 40 years younger. Took a while for the large city in the county to have a city council that is in tune with the times.
I'm a poll worker and this "photo ID" law was recently passed as well; not sure if it will be in effect by November general election BUT this is also already a law here! I surmise that the state legislators will decide that voters need a very specific type of photo ID that will be expensive to obtain and probably only available from a company that a legislator(s) own! Or their brother in law or whatever. Cynical much, me? Yes
The brass register cover looks very nice. I also like the dark green leaves of the Prayer Plant.
1. I went to the discount grocery on the way home from a work errand. The had polyester scrub tops for 2/$5. I got 4 to spruce up my work clothing.
2. I also bought a case of 12 Bai flavored water for $1.00. These will be good to take in my work lunches.
3. My cat was evidently wearing a collar that was too tight or he could have been allergic to his flea color. He developed some small sores on his neck. Of course, I removed the collars. I wrapped his neck in an Ace wrap to keep him from scratching his neck. The irritated areas are looking better. Cat has been cooperative w/ wearing the Ace wrap.
4. The discount grocery had green seedless grapes for 79 cents a lb & cob corn for 10 cents an ear. I bought some of both.
5. I need to get my annual flu shot. Insurance will cover the cost. Husband's insurance plan awards $10 a month for 10 days of exercise. He swims or plays golf most days. I put in his activity so he can earn the 10 dollars each month.
My randomness today:
The package of toe protectors reappeared in the vestibule, so I don't have to contact Amazon. I have placed them in my new shoes. I've also cut off the edge of the insoles to accommodate a callus that otherwise makes my life a misery.
I cleaned my fish tank for the first time since I got sick (and it needed it then.) It looks a whole lot better, and my fish seems to be enjoying it. Okay, I know that's anthropomorphic.
I'm watching Little Dorrit on Amazon Prime.
I started my last book last night, and I'm still not feeling energetic enough to go to the library, so I crossed the street this morning and found another book in my nearest LFL. We Would Never, by Tova Mirvis, a "riveting literary page-turner."
I called my health insurance company this morning about another matter, but also asked about the $75 gift card I was promised for accepting a house call last month. It will be a physical card that arrives in the mail, and not for 4 to 6 weeks.
I have always admired your prayer plants, so when I saw one offered at a garage sale, I forked over the $2. It lives in a dutch pottery from my great great Dutch Oma. It is now flowering. I didn't know it flowered?
Love that new register!
--I am very slowly learning to use the smart TV, and was able to add Scripps News to my free live TV lineup. Also added Pluto, also free, and got all but 2 local stations hooked up to it.
--Last night, I got to watch a free documentary on the London Underground (what Americans would call the subway system), aka the "Tube," which interested me bc I have traveled to London several times and the Tube is among my favorite parts. Fun fact: they were showing some of the original artwork that inspired their underground advertisements and I saw some Underground advertisement posters that I own. I bought them at the London Underground Museum and mailed them home to myself.
--This morning, I watched a tour of the Holy Land, filmed prior to the present "conflict," and The View.
-- Had a moment of merriment this morning when I saw that the Supreme Court nixed Trump's evil plot to make it almost impossible to vote by mail. It made me want to dance with happiness!
--Volunteering for the county Democrat party, I wrote 35 postcards to send to registered Democrats reminding them to vote. I'm one of many, many volunteers writing postcards. The party will mail out all of them at once-- right before absentee early voting starts.
--Took some blue cardboard and wrote "BLUE!" with a Sharpie and stapled it over the word "Harris" that was on a '24 yard sign. Said sign is now in my front yard. It now reads: "Choose democracy over dictatorship, vote BLUE!"
-- Senate candidate James Talarico is to speak at Baylor tomorrow. Tried to score a ticket, but it is reserved only for the snots --er, Baylor people, mostly high-ranking professors. Guess I it to some $ but I'm donating it to his campaign.
--Did not allow Putin's RichAF Russian BFF to give me a nice gift and pay for my wedding celebration. Nor did I close the Kennedy Center. (Poor Jackie Kennedy Onassis must be rolling over in her grave over that and the demolition of the
white House!)
Mind the gap Fru-gal Lisa!
@Fru-gal Lisa Other free channels you can add are PLEX, TUBI, and ROKU CHANNEL -- they have some good content on them also.
I love the replacement register. I remember them in some of the old houses in our neighborhood.
1. I shopped in my own home and found a metal star to add to the decorations on the side of my shed. I'm decorating it with suns, moons, stars, planets... but only with those I already own or can find secondhand.
2. DH and I took a walk on an old railroad bed the state has redone for hikers, bikers, runners and horseback riders. The cool thing is the state next door did the same thing so the two trails hook into each other. We live in Massachusetts but only a couple hundred feet from the Connecticut border. I love being in close proximity to this beautiful trail.
3. I washed a load of sheets, tablecloths and table runners and hung them outside to dry. I'll iron the tablecloths and switch them around for a different look to the house.
4. The predicted cost of heating oil at over $6 a gallon has me worried. Gas prices too which makes everything else go up too.
5. I'm very grateful to have this blog, some emails on financial issues I receive, The Tightwad Gazette which firsr steered me to frugality and the parents and grandmother who were great examples of how to live well on less. DH and myself may have to hunker down even more to get through the next 2+ years.
It seems like here lately my schedule is all "randomness".... I get side-tracked so easily and I think it is because of all the "news".
Every day I wake up with the hope that today will be the day I get to open the prosecco marked "when he is gone".
Using every coupon and offer I can find to stockpile but only things I can use.
Made a gallon of milk into greek yogurt.
Boiled 6 free to me eggs that DD brought home because they were slightly cracked.
I read somewhere if you lower them carefully into boiling water that has a bit of vinegar in it they will boil and not get those sticky out-ty things of protruding egg white and it worked perfectly.
JC
@ JC..."sticky out-ty" things made me LOL.....and I knew exactly what you were talking about ha ha!
Nice heat register cover! Which I've never said to anyone before and may not ever again. 😉
1. Ran out of vanilla extract and substituted bourbon.
2. Ordered a debit card associated with our credit union checking account. So many places are charging for the use of a credit card now and sometimes I don't carry cash, so a debit card is the perfect solution for me. It's also nice to have as backup in case something happens to my credit card.
3. Friend made me pita bread and hummus and took me out for breakfast. Brought home leftovers in my stainless containers. She rarely finishes her meal and never takes leftovers home, so she was happy to give me her remaining piece of bacon for our dog.
4. Registered for nine free fitness classes per week at the Community Center. They're not that grueling and most of them are back to back so two hours total on those days. All will help me regain strength and improve overall balance. I never ever want to fall and break a bone again never ever.
5. Received a clump of white phlox and moving boxes from Buy Nothing that no one else wanted. I transplanted the phlox and took the boxes to a local charity that provides household goods to those transitioning to housing stability.
Your first statement...I don't think I've ever complemented a heat register either! Lol.
I just figured that if there was a surcharge for using a credit card, it also applied to a debit card. I see it doesn't.
Big advantage of a credit card is in fraud protection. Top loss is $50 if someone gets your card info. Debit is $500, all amounts depending on how quickly you notice. Credit card companies work to get their money back; debit cards mean you have to work to get your own money back.
How do you keep your prayer plant looking so good? My calathea leaves all get crispy brown around the edges.