I fain would gain the coastal plain...

...where the rain falls oft with the heat of a summer afternoon, and cares drift away on the gulf breeze.

Earlier this week I made a trip from our home in the Texas hill country to the gulf coast near my hometown.  I found my heart lift as the land leveled, and I could see for miles in every direction clear to where the bright azure sky meets the earth.  The highway is wide and flat and flanked by the last of this year's cotton crop.  No curves.  No hills.  And the legal speed limit is enjoyably increased.  

When I was young, I made a trip to the mountains, and I discovered that I suffer from geographical claustrophobia.  I enjoyed the beauty, but as snow moved in, an anxiety settled around my heart that I would be stranded, unable to leave.  On the return trip home, I felt such a sweet relief of homecoming.  I experienced a palpable sensation of anxiety shedding off of me like water poured out on the flat ground; instantly its residue too thin to even be observed soaking into the landscape.  I felt that again this week.  

And then in my inbox today, I received an email from Etsy with this photo of an artisan's work that I found very beautiful.

shop this artist on Etsy at OnceAgainSam

But I realized that my own amulet would have to look more like this:

Frugal Friday File 2018, week 30...

Successes:
1.  Refilled prescriptions.  I am SO thankful for prescription coverage!

2.  I had a sleep study last night.  I am SO thankful for medical insurance!  (But my share was still expensive.)  

3.  Last night as I was trying to fall asleep in a strange, uncomfortable bed in the city with electrodes stuck to my face, scalp, neck, chest, and leg (and starting to get hungry from skipping dinner), I was promising myself that I could pick up breakfast on the way home.  However, when checkout time came before sunrise, all I wanted to do was get home and get some real sleep in my own bed.

4.  My sister has a great-grandchild now, so she stopped by to pick up a family heirloom rocking horse that I've had possession of since our grands were toddlers.  Since sis lives 500 miles away, I was glad that she was able to work it into a trip, and nobody (me) had to make a special trip or try to ship it.  :)

5.  A co-worker called Carey about an electrical problem at the house they use while working.  Carey fixed it at zero expense by having the correct supplies on hand (and a lifetime of practical know-how).  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, he is a frugal guy to have around.

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:
Saturday:  Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Sunday:  Sunday family dinner at Kasey & Beau's
Monday:  *Tex-Mex
Tuesday:  *hamburgers
Wednesday:  meatloaf, baked potatoes, corn on the cob
Thursday:  late lunch, skipped dinner
Friday:  breakfast for dinner

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)

Sunday dessert...

My mother was a great baker.  Kasey fondly mentions my mom's cinnamon rolls occasionally, and how they were the best.  I've been meaning to make a batch for a long while.  

They were a big hit at Sunday family supper.  And Kasey looked as happy, and messy, as she always did when mom made them.  :)

Frugal Friday File 2018, week 29...

Successes:
1.  My gas tank was severely depleted when I arrived to work a few minutes early this morning.  I filled my tank full-to-the-fullest-full at the lowest-priced store in the area (just one block from the branch I was working), and I got that little chore out of the way before work.  I wanted to eliminate any chance that I would forget and run out halfway home.  :)

2.  Thirteen days of consecutive 8 hour days.  DONE!  I have no work days scheduled on the calendar.  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  And I am SO looking forward to it...for awhile at least.  That doesn't mean that I wasn't really pleased with the paycheck that went into the bank account today.

3.  I've pretty much decided not to schedule future work at non-local branches.  Those may prove to be famous last words, but the extra hour or two of my time commuting (unpaid) and eating out when I am SO tired at the end of the day really cut into the take-home pay.  Then there is poor Rudy having to stay outside all day every day in 100 degree weather (or in the cold on winter days).  How is it frugal to turn down work?  Well...fewer meals out...less gasoline...less wear and miles on the car...less wear on its tires...less wear on my work clothes and shoes, and avoiding replacing them...fewer makeup days means a lower expenditure there...less opportunity for impulse spending (oh the vendors that hit up office staff and the seekers of charitable donations...more days at home in the second half of the year means more time for handmade gifts rather than expensive store-bought ones as the holidays draw ever nearer.

Now all those savings may not balance out the fewer pay checks, but maybe I'll figure out a side gig that will make up some of it too.

4.  I did pretty well packing a lunch for work.  On the mornings I didn't bring one from home, I stopped for breakfast tacos; one for breakfast and one to put in the fridge and warm up for lunch.  Not free, but $2.50 total for breakfast AND lunch isn't too bad.  

5.  Are you seeing a theme with the frugal list?  From home to work and back again has been the extent of my month so far.  I've read library ebooks.  I did some cross-stitch.  I haven't gone to the movies.  I didn't buy anything on Prime Day.  Oh, and not to ignore Carey's work contribution, his check that went into the account today was a nice one, what with the double-time-and-a-half holiday pay for the 4th and all.

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:
Saturday:  chicken fried steak, steak fries, cream gravy
Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey and Beau's
Monday:  *burger
Tuesday:  *takeout
Wednesday:  *Schlotzky sandwiches
Thursday:  *Chinese
Friday:  *pizza

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)

Frugal Friday File 2018, week 28...

Successes:
1.  I worked five brain-challenging days this week.

2.  I might not have cooked often this week, but when I did I made large quantities, so there are quite a number of individual servings prepared and stored in the freezer for Carey to take to work.

3.  I saved Sonic receipts that had survey codes on them, went online to fill out the surveys, and now have several codes that will net me free drinks.  In fact, I cashed one in on my way home from work today.

4.  I stayed home and did laundry and some organizing.  Carey went with his brother to view a new hunting lease...a hunting lease for his brother...Carey has decided not to be on the lease any longer (since he doesn't hunt, it was silly to go to the expense).  We didn't go out or to the movies.

5.  I purchased an item from Amazon that gave the option of "expert assembly."  It didn't look like it would over tax our own expertise, so i saved the exorbitant fee that they wanted for something we were perfectly able to do ourselves.

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:
Saturday:  leftovers
Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey and Beau's
Monday:  pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw
Tuesday:  *Schlotzky sandwiches
Wednesday:  shrimp boil
Thursday:  *barbecue
Friday:  leftovers

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Any Man by Amber Tamblyn

I heard the author interviewed on the radio, and it really piqued my interest.  A female serial rapist is attacking men.  It's not just a feminist turn about.  It examines the feelings of the men who are attacked and the publicity surrounding them.  No one protects their anonymity.  Where a woman might be asked or ask herself, 'What did you/I do to deserve this?'  these men are asked and/or asking themselves, 'How did I let this happen?'  

The chapters are as different as the survivors.  The IT specialist is written in instant messages.  The stand-up comic is written as a long routine.  Very interesting.  

I wish I could stay home and read!

Today is Tuesday...

I made this after work.  I think I'm addicted to these things!  Now that it's done, I don't really like how it's oriented on the tag.  Maybe it will look different in the morning.  Or I will just find a different way to use it.

This morning was crazy, and I couldn't even tell you what made it so stressful, just complex tasks with the phone ringing and me there alone.  And the building is in the process of being rebuilt, so out of the entire large office building, our branch and one other are occupying it.  And it is filled with work crews, so I keep the door locked, and every time there is a delivery or a client at the door, I have to stop what I'm doing and lose my train of thought to go to the door.  This afternoon was much better, but loud with the construction sounds.  Last time I worked here they were having asbestos remediation...now I'm reluctant to take a deep breath...though they said it was perfectly safe...suuuuure it is.

I'm rambling.  I'm tired.  I'm going to bed.

Frugal Friday 2018, week 27...

Successes:
1.  Happened across a station, off of my normal route, where gasoline prices were 10¢ less per gallon than the regular place I stop.

2.  Worked/working two days this week.

3.  I took a smoothie to work both mornings for breakfast.  

4.  I've been wanting some magnetic sheets to cut to size to organize and store some metal craft dies.  Did lots of web surfing and pricing.  Came across a tip that Home Depot has magnetic vent covers...8" x 15" and three to a package...for $4.98.  When Carey said he was going to HD, I pulled up the photo of the package online and asked him to bring me one package.  Works perfectly for my needs.  Easy to cut to the size I want.  Holds well.  Lower price than most alternatives I found, and no shipping costs.

5.  I cooked a large pork shoulder roast in the slow cooker this week:  street tacos one night, burrito bowls tonight, and some for the freezer that will make pulled pork sandwiches later.  I also saved the liquid from the pot.  I will remove and discard the fat from the top, and then use the liquid to make a pot of beans this weekend.

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:
Saturday:  leftovers
Sunday:  Sunday supper at Kasey's
Monday:  grazed the fridge
Tuesday:  street tacos, guacamole, pico de gallo
Wednesday:  leftovers
Thursday:  *barbecue stuffed baked potato
Friday:  Burrito Bowls

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)

What I'm reading Wednesday...

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Since last week I started and finished At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen.  It's sort of WWII meets the Loch Ness monster.  Sounds crazy, but it works.  A Philadelphia high society couple make a faux pas one New Year's Eve, and are kicked out by the husband's parents with whom they live.  They make their way to Scotland to become monster hunters.  The people of the small village, and the up-close look at the war, affect them in very different ways.  I loved this one.

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

Remind me why I read Anne Tyler?  They always seem like the same quirky characters, but the delivery is familiar and cozy...and I just love the cover on this one.  :)

Halfway...

Can you believe we are halfway through the year?!  Which means I am halfway through The One Year Bible; I like to work my way through, cover to cover, every few years or so.

What else are we halfway through on?  Here's a mini review of my 2018 goals.

• I've worked a lot more than usual this year.  I've already met my annual minimums and completed all required annual training (except for one that the company doesn't have ready yet).
• So much work means I haven't had the time to do a lot of quilting...or pretty much any.  While at work recently, I met a client who was also a quilter.  She asked what my specialty was...I thought for a minute and said my specialty was letting dust accumulate on my machine and procrastinating.
• I counted up my 52-letters-in-52-weeks stats recently, and I'm already at 44!
• I've been doing pretty well at making smoothies for breakfast when I'm home, and occasionally have even managed to take one with me to work.  Not perfect, but progress.
• I am still a night owl.  I haven't reset my habit on that point, with the exception of the times I have to be up early for work or other appointments.
• I'm staying on top of finances, and have moved some accounts around that we have been talking about doing forever.
• I've been keeping up my Weekly Goals & To-Dos.  I love coloring in those little boxes when I finish something.
• (photo from beginning of last week)
• I haven't cleared any pieces of furniture out of the house, but I have taken several boxes of small things to Goodwill.
• The house is a major disaster at the moment, but the floors get Swiffered more often than they used to.

Since my word this year is 'Produce,' I feel pretty successful, as I have been somewhat more productive, and have been consuming more produce (fruits and vegetables).  :)

And that's about it for me.  How are you doing with your plans for the year?