A lovely visit and back home...

 

I was gone last week to visit my friend Debbie.  We laughed, and made cards, and laughed, and ate, and laughed.  I was able to attend a book group with her, and also tour the inside of their beautiful Orthodox Church.  

The photo above is of me and her cat...talk about a balancing act!  I bent over to get some stamp supplies out of my case, and he jumped up on my shoulders.  :)  I would have shown a photo of Debbie and I together, but since I didn't ask permission, I figured I'd stick with the cat.

We worked on Christmas cards.  I made five or so prototypes, but haven't settled on one that I will mass produce to send out.  Debbie is aiming to make one hundred cards to mail out!  I will be making well less than that (if I get them done at all).  I've got to decide and get busy, as I want to mail them the end of November.

I made my menu for the week, and ordered and picked up my groceries.  The tab was high, but there are planned overs included into the menu plan, so will restock the freezer with homecooked meals.   My order included a turkey since they were on sale; it is in the freezer to use later.  I also bought a large package of beef boneless shoulder ribs, which I cubed for stew meat.  I put half into the crock pot with vegetables, and at six o'clock tonight I will be thanking myself for the supper already being done.  The other half of the cubed meat I vacuum sealed and put in the freezer for another future meal.

The girls will be home this weekend, and we will be making pizza together.  They are both good cooks, but haven't tried their hand at pizza dough yet, so I thought I'd share the quick and easy method I've been using for awhile now.

I put up the Christmas tree on Tuesday.  I don't like to do it before Thanksgiving, but with Thanksgiving late this year, and me having to work all of Thanksgiving week, I wanted to get it done.  I haven't added the ornaments yet, but hoping to later today.  I have presents to wrap and get under it too.

So that's what I've been doing.  How 'bout you?

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt

This one is an ebook checked out from the library.  I've been reading it for awhile, I'm maybe a little less than halfway through.  Been busy.  Good thing it's on my super old Kindle Keyboard on which I can turn off the Wifi...my library books get returned from my Amazon account, but they stay on the Kindle Keyboard till I turn Wifi back on.

2024 Frugal Friday File, November 8...

 

1.  Back when I was cleaning out the garage, I loosened my purse strings to pay for a month of Audible, so I could listen to a book while working in the heat.  I immediately cancelled the subscription when its purpose had been completed.  Since then they have been sending me "special" offers, which were not special enough to get me to subscribe again.  But the night before I left for retreat, my email inbox had an offer of 99¢ a month for three months along with 1 free book credit per each of those months.  So $3 for 3 months and 3 free books.  Yeah, I can spring for that!

2.  I paid right at $300 for 3 1/2 days and 4 nights at the quilt retreat.  It was very reasonable for what we received.  Each full day that we were there, we received a continental breakfast, and lunch, dinner, and desserts cooked on site.  The rooms were shared; I was in a room for 3, but only 2 of us were in there.  My roommate is one of my favorite people, and it was like a long slumber party with lots of laughs, and someone to share the nervous energy during the election returns.  The meals were very good, and all we had to do was come to the table when we were called.  That meant we had as much uninterrupted sewing time as we wanted.

The retreat also arranged for a car detailer and a massage therapist to come in for those who booked and paid separately.  And there was a wine tasting by an independent winery who came to the retreat.  I did not book any of the extras while I was there, but thought it was awesome that they were available for those who chose to.

We've already reserved dates for next November.

3.  I worked on UFOs (UnFinished Objects), so no new fabric was purchased.  I thought I might have to buy fabric to add binding to the table runner I took (it was finished ages ago, except for the binding).  I had picked up a small scrap as I was packing of what I hoped to use, but wasn't sure it would be enough.  It was enough, barely, so crisis averted.  

4.  Carey was able to feed himself from the homecooked freezer meals in the freezer while I was away.  He had two smallish servings of Dublin Coddle thawing in the fridge when I got home.  Thursday I made a fresh batch of cornbread to stretch the meal for two.

5.  I finished (and thoroughly enjoyed) my library book shortly after getting home.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie:

A Flavia de Luce Novel

by Alan Bradley

This is one I picked up from the library a couple of days ago.  It's the first in this mystery series, and I put it on reserve after seeing the series in Juhli's post about her book store wish list recently.  It is a hoot.  A mystery whose main character and sleuth is a precocious eleven years old who is a chemistry whiz.

I'm scheduling this post on Friday night (for posting on Wednesday) and I'm only about 1/4 of the way into it.  I'm not sure if I will have much time to read while I'm away at the quilt retreat, so finishing it is up in the air at this point.

Since I cancelled my Audible subscription after the first month (and my garage clean out), the company has been emailing me 'special' deals.  Today (Friday 11/1) they sent one I was totally on board with.  

In case there is election talk at the retreat that I want to tune out, I have charged my ear buds and downloaded this Audible book:  

Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth

I believe it is about a megastar author who is behind getting her next book finished, and is hiding the fact that she is starting to suffer the onset of dementia.  She enlists the help of a superfan of her previous work to keep her on point with past story details.

Quilting by hand is something that doesn't take a lot of concentration for the most part, so there is nothing I love more than being read to while I do it!

Those are my books for this week.  I'm not sure how much time I will have to spend with either of them until I get home, but surely some, even if it's only in the car.  The Audible way...I don't read while I'm driving!  :)

2024 Fall Quilt Retreat, part 1...

This is a photo of the quilt I worked on at our 2021 Fall Quilt Retreat.  I haven't attended since then due to the retreat logistics, work, etc.

But, it is that time of year again, and I'm retired now (for the most part), so off I go!  Our fearless quilt-group leader has scouted out a new retreat that is all on one level, so no pesky stairs to maneuver.  Yay!

What am I taking to work on this year?  You're lookin' at it!  I will take this again, and may work on it only.  Someday I will get it finished.  I only promised it to someone 24 years ago!  

This quilt top was made by the grandmother of my bestest childhood friend, and when we attended her 25th anniversary and vow renewal in November of 2000, she took me into a spare bedroom and handed me the top, saying I was the only person she knew who would know anything about finishing it.  

Oh, how I LOOONNNGGGGG for the day I can hand it back to her done, and not have it on my conscience any longer!  On the other hand, I absolutely adore the bow-tie pattern and working on it.  It's very difficult to hand quilt at home, because I don't want Rudy under my feet and laying on the corners, etc.

I'll be back in a few days...hopefully with some progress to show! 

2024 Frugal Friday File, Nov 1...

1.  I worked a full day.  It was my last day working at my old full-time branch, as I have given notice that I am not accepting any more days this year, and not working at all after the first of the year.  I still have two weeks worth of work at another branch before the end of the year, but no more at my much-loved home branch.

2.  We live on a street that has no trick-or-treaters, so I skipped buying candy.  I got a ton of chocolate for my birthday, so we are about candied out here.

3.  Cue the lone bugler playing taps.  My magic ice maker died this week.  It gave me 8 wonderful years.  ;)  Some may call it nugget ice, or Sonic ice, or chewable ice, but I call it magic ice, and my husband told me to get another one.  (He doesn't even use ice, but he spoils me.)  Even our refrigerator's ice maker has stopped working, so we had to do something.  I was shopping online for another one, and couldn't decide whether to get the same brand or risk a cheaper version.  

Then I got a Costco add in my email, and the exact brand and model was $150 off this week.  I tried to log online, but my membership had lapsed so I couldn't see member prices.  I called Kasey, and she logged on, and ordered it for me.  Yes, it is expensive.  But hey, it was priced less than Amazon, and I didn't have to renew my membership.  I also asked her to pick up some gallon-sized Ziplock bags for me next time she goes to do an actual shop there.

Since we bank at the same bank, I was able to immediately (and with ease) transfer money for the icemaker from my bank account to hers for free.

4.  I made thank you cards and mailed to granddaughters to express my great joy at being able to share their first voting experience.  Then today I received a very sweet text from my oldest grandson thanking me for the Halloween card I mailed to him and his partner last week.  He received it today, and said it was a nice pick-me-up after a long work day to find happy mail in the mailbox.  His text made my day.

5.  I've been reloading the freezer with homecooked single-serving meals from leftovers.  Since I'll be away from home for about ten days total this month, it's nice to have meals ready for Carey.  He doesn't cook, and he doesn't much like eating out.  

He has long told me that if I die before he does, he will be one of those spouses that dies soon after.  I tell him, of course he will, because he will starve to death!

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  pot pies

Sunday:  Jambalaya

Monday:  Chicken Pot Pie Soup (new recipe I won't make again)

Tuesday:  Carey had leftovers, I skipped supper 

Wednesday:  Dublin Coddle

Thursday:  pot pies (I know, we've been eating these a lot lately)

Friday:  went out for Chinese

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

I'm about 3/4 done with this one.  Cannot put it down.  I should be thinking about what to pack (if not packing!) what I'm going to take to the quilt retreat, but I can't.  

If you read and liked The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, or its sequel by the same author, The Book Woman's Daughter, I guarantee you will like this one too!

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 25...

 

1.  I put the brakes on starting my What I'm Reading Wednesday book when two library books became available.  I'll read them first, and then get to the other when I can...or else it will be one of my 14 selections for my 2025 reading challenge to read 14 books from my Kindle within 2025.

2.  Made birthday card for one grandson, and Halloween cards for all grandkids.

3.  November will be busy, busy month for me with a quilt retreat and a short trip.  These are my equivalent of Carey's baseball trip this past summer.  We won't get a joint vacation this year, but this way we will at least both get to do something we love within budget.  And taking separate vacations leaves one of us at home at a time to care of Rudy.

4.  Yesterday was my birthday, and tomorrow is Diego's birthday, so we are having a combined celebration dinner tonight at Kasey & Beau's

5.  Girls are picking me up in a few to go vote!

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  takeout

Sunday:  family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Chicken Burrito Bowls

Tuesday:  Lentil Soup w/ Cornbread

Wednesday:  Meatloaf/Baked Potatoes/Broccoli

Thursday:  takeout for my birthday

Friday:  family supper at Kasey & Beau's

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Village Healer's Book of Cures 

by Jennifer Sherman Roberts

Went through my backlog of Kindle book and picked this one.  I'll start it later tonight.

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 18...

 

1.  On Saturday I made my Easy Enchiladas Casserole using up the chili left over from Thursday.  I love planned overs, and it is frugal of budget and the cook's energy to make something 'new' from work you put in previously.  Basically I layer corn tortillas, chili, and grated cheese until I run out of tortillas and chili.  I have never had success rolling up enchiladas, so I finally gave myself permission to just layer the darn things.  It used up the leftover chili, and made a couple of individual meals to put in the freezer.  

2.  Free vaccines...one of the benefits of being this old?  

3.  Monday I paid the electric bill.  It was about $90 less than last month's bill since we've been having some lower temperatures (finally!)  Tuesday we had an area-wide power outage at 4:30 pm, with a repair estimate of over 2 hours.  Carey didn't want to wait the two hours, and then wait for me to cook IF it even came back on as estimated.  So we drove 6 miles to see if anything 'in town'  had power, but no, so we drove to the city for a meal.  There went a big chunk of the savings on last month's bill.  :(

4.  Anybody else play the New York Times games?  Granddaughter introduced me to Wordle two or three years ago (maybe four?).  Then Carey and I started playing Weaver as well.  Then granddaughter said I had to try Connections.  And the other granddaughter wanted me to play Strands.  Carey sticks to just the first two.  Me?  I stay up until midnight to do all four of the new day's puzzles.  Just the free versions.

5.  I'm on my fourth library book in as many weeks.  Still wanting to read down my Kindle books...soooo many.  I have a blog friend from way back that now is a YouTube vlogger ( youtube.com/@CarolineMrsM ) who said recently that she wasn't going to buy any new books for the rest of the year, just read what she already owns.  I'm not sure I can do that, though as I was thinking about it, I realized that I may not be able to get through the ones I already own in my lifetime.  

So for my 2025 reading challenge, I think I will pick out 14 books on my Kindle to read in the coming year.  I did this quite a few years ago with physical books from my shelves, in fact, the photo at the top of my Reading List page (link found under the photo at top of the blog home page) is of the 14 books I selected to read that year.  It was very helpful, and I was able to accomplish the goal, and then I donated all the books to our library.  You may ask why 14...because it allows a book-per-month goal, so 12, plus allows 2 alternatives in case you find yourself really disliking and not finishing any of the monthly reads.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Easy Enchilada Casserole, sliced avocado

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Mexican Cornbread casserole

Tuesday:  meal out due to power outage

Wednesday:  Homemade Pizza

Thursday:  pot pies

Friday:  Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes w/ Brisket 

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

This one was a new acquisition by our library.  It is not a new book; it says that it is back in print for the first time since 1997...it could be that the English translation is new, I'm not sure.

 I finished it over the weekend, and I rate it 9/10.  I loved the voice of the narrator, which I suppose is really the style of the writing.  For me it was reminiscent of The Diary of Anne Frank...not the subject (though the guarded groups were somewhat camp-like), but the voice of a young girl presenting day-to-day life of an unthinkable situation in a straight-forward voice. Science fiction, but not excessively so.  Apocalyptic, but not alarmingly so. So very glad this one caught my attention.  

The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy

This is a library ebook, and the loan was about to run out.  I put it on my ancient Kindle Keyboard so I could turn off the wi-fi and keep reading, but I really wanted to get it read as I have another one on which the loan is also about to run out.  

I picked this one up on Monday so I could read while waiting for my vaccines.  After which I came home and went to bed (proactively resting and reading for the rest of the day).  I could not sleep a wink, and at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday I was still reading.  Then I fell asleep for a few hours, and woke up and read some more.  It's not that I found it so riveting, but just that I couldn't sleep.  

The characters kept me reading, but I didn't care for the structure of the book.  I am so, so tired of dual timelines switching from chapter to chapter.  I did like it, but I didn't love it.  I rate it about 7.5/10.  

After Annie by Anna Quindlen

Starting this one.  Not sure how I will get along with it.  I understand that there are different narrators' points of view, and a non-chronological memory timeline.  But on the other hand, it is a topic that pulls at me, so we will see.  I've had a kind of hit-or-miss experience with this author's work, so we shall see.

Is it just me?...

 This has been scratching at my brain for awhile, and today, I just had to ask the question.  Is it just me?  I am really over the style graphic (or should it be graffic since it screams graffiti to me?)

I am seeing this cover style everywhere!  These six were in my inbox just today!  

I don't know, but titles screaming at me don't make me want to read the book.  I have a feeling the publishing industry is letting AI design covers these days.  

Has anyone else noticed this trend?  Am I the only one it is bothering?

Homemade Moist Dog Food Recipe...

Disclaimer:  I am not a scientist or specialist of any kind.  I did online research to determine what is and isn't healthy for dogs, and I ran the ingredients and preparation method past our vet at our last visit to make sure it sounded okay to her.  Doing your own research and using your own best judgement in regard to feeding your pet are advised.

As per my research, I try for a variety of meats, brown rice, and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber that support the health of the entire dog...joints and bones, skin, eyes, digestion, immune system, etc.  

Today I did the math.  I actually thought that store-bought canned food might come out less expensive than the homecooked version.  BUT it turned out that one can of the brand we used before is about 50¢ more expensive than an equivalent amount of my homemade; even considering that I buy ingredients like boneless/skinless chicken thighs and frozen chopped vegetables for convenience.  It may not seem worth the trouble to everybody, but for me it is.  Especially since I just put it in the slow cooker and add different ingredients during the cooking time, and I only have to make a batch about once per month to six weeks.  (And especially since the first benefit we observed was no more stinky flatulence!  I can't make any promises that your dog would have the same benefit.) 

If interested in the containers I use, they were purchased through Amazon and are linked here.  This is neither a sponsored link nor an affiliate link.  I just like the size (they thaw in the fridge overnight) and straight sides of these containers (makes them easy to fill and easy to wash).  I also like the screw on lids.

Homemade Moist Dog Food...do not add any seasonings in the making!

Step 1:

Beef Shank bones (our meat department sells these, I use one or two per batch, or use any bones you may have.)

3 or 4 carrots, washed and sliced

6 cups of water (approximately; bones need to be submerged)

Place above ingredients in slow cooker.  Cook on low overnight to make bone broth.  In the morning remove the bones placing any marrow back in the broth in pot.

Step 2:

2 to 3 pounds Chicken Thighs (Boneless/skinless cost more but are much more convenient.  If you use bone in, remove skin before cooking, and remove all bones before shredding meat.)

Place the chicken thighs into the beef broth, and cook on high for about 4 hours or till cooked through.  Remove the chicken and shred it with forks, or pulse in food processor to get a rough chop.  Place the chicken back into the broth.

Step 3:

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Chopped Broccoli

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Peas & Carrots

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Cut Green Beans

1/2 of a 16 oz bag of frozen Whole Cranberries

15 oz can of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 1/2 to 2 cups brown rice

Make sure there is at least 4 cups of liquid in the slow cooker with the chicken.  Place the brown rice and canned pumpkin into the slow cooker and stir to distribute.  Then add about half of each bag of vegetables, and if they are above the level of the liquid, use a spoon to push them into the liquid (they can be a little above the liquid level).  Continue cooking on low for about 4 hours, or at least until rice is tender.  (Reserve unused portions of frozen vegetables and return to freezer for next batch of homemade dog food.)

• When the rice and vegetables are tender, let cool for an hour or so.
• I separate into 12 oz containers, and attach lids.
• I use painter's tape to label lid with dog's name and the date the batch was made, and store in the freezer.
• We remove a container from the freezer a day or so before it will be needed to give it time to thaw in the refrigerator.  Can be placed in microwave for a minute or so if needed to thaw/warm
• We feed a combination of purchased dry food with the homemade food stirred into it.
• Adjust amount used according to dog's size and/or if you use dry kibble with the homemade,  Rudy is a 19 pound Jack Russel terrier, and very active.  We feed him about 1 cup of purchased dry food and about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the homemade moist food daily.  Using in this way and amounts, one batch of homemade food lasts us about 5 weeks.
• I would suggest monitoring your dog for weight increases or decreases and adjust food accordingly.

2024 Frugal Friday File, October 11...

 

1.  Laying low.  Not leaving house much.  Working on a batch of cards for a group I swap with, and they took SO long, and were past their due date.  I just couldn't get them to meet the image I had in my head.  I was going for a kind of mod white tree, with sparkly, pastel-ly decorations.

Needless to say, this card will not be one I will send out to a large group at Christmas, as there is just not that much time before the holiday.  LOL

2.  I cancelled the Audible membership I used while cleaning out the garage.  I can still use it through 10/17, but it will cut off then, and I won't have to worry about it auto-paying for the next month.

3.  Enjoyed library book.  I finished and returned it early so the next person didn't have to wait.  Picked up the next one while I was there.  (Time got aways from me this week, so didn't get a What Are You Reading Wednesday post up.)

4.  Made a menu plan for the week and a grocery order.  I know I put this here almost every week, but it is SUCH an important part of staying within budget, and avoiding hungry trips for takeout.  

Somehow we ended up with an abundance (like a LOT) of eggs in the fridge last week.  We ate a lot of egg-rich meals, and even this week used them for supper one night and in tuna salad another.  I tried to make deviled eggs, but got the filling too runny, so I just added the chopped up egg whites and the overly-moist filling into tuna salad.  Doesn't sound great, but it wasn't half bad.

5.  Playing with an idea plan for a low-budget mini makeover in the guest room.

6(ish).  Not really mine, but worth a mention.  My sister just adopted a shelter dog today.  She made the decision a day or two ago, but they couldn't release him until he had been neutered.  So when she picked him up today, they told her he had been licking his incision, and would need a cone.  She stopped on the way home at PetSmart and got one.  Once they were home, sis realized that she had not see him licking at all, so she doubted he would need the cone.  I asked her if it cost enough to make it worth the trip to return it.  She couldn't remember what it cost, but while we were talking, she looked for and found the receipt.  $21!  She will definitely be returning.

On the menu this week:

**Saturday:  Potato/Broccoli/Cheese soup

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Scrambled eggs w/ smoked sausage

Tuesday:  Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Wednesday:  Chicken a la King

Thursday:  Chili

Friday:  Twice baked stuffed sweet potatoes

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

I was so happy to see my reserve for this one at the library come up.  And I was ready for a change from the seventh century I've been reading for, seemingly, ever!  

This one was a delight.  Humorous without being too silly; sweet without being too saccharine.  I picked it up Saturday, and finished it Tuesday morning before work.  

Marilla of Green of Gables by Sarah McCoy

I started this one last night.  I have loved the time I've spent in Green Gables, and always wanted more back story on the Cuthberts.  Looking forward to this imagining and hope it is one I can get into.

2024 Frugal Friday File, Sept 27...

1.  Made a menu for the week and grocery order.

2.  Made another batch of homemade dog food for Rudy, and I had all the ingredients in the pantry and freezer, so no outlay this time.

3.  Reserved two library books from the list of their recent acquisitions.  I've had my eye on both of these, so was happy to get on the list early.

4.  Carey got home from a baseball road trip with his sister and brother-in-law.  (You may have wondered why I was cleaning out the garage without his help.  I like to do these clean-out projects on my own when he's not around, so was happy he had this trip coming up.  And it was a surprise for him when he got home.)  They had a great time, and attended games in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago.  They split the gasoline, game tickets, meals, etc. three ways.  Sis and b-i-l have a new hybrid car that they wanted to take on the road, so mileage was not horrible.

5.  Worked two days.  Money in.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Takeout 

Sunday:  Takeout

Monday:  Fried Rice

Tuesday:  Chicken Burrito Bowls

Wednesday: Pork Chop, Scalloped Potatoes, Squash

Thursday:  leftovers

Friday:  pot pies

**designates meatless meal

What I'm STILL reading Wednesday...

 

Hild by Nicola Griffith

OMG this is taking forever!  I listen to the Audible version, then move back to my Kindle, and trust it to sync.  I read for a looooooong while, then realize that I've already heard what I'm reading.  Which I guess it's okay that I'm re-reading, because obviously listening to Audible version while I'm working meant I was too distracted by the job being done to pay attention.  So I'm plugging along.

Honestly, I'm not loving it, but I'm almost 3/4 through it and hate to stop now.  It has been keeping me company while I'm recovering from the garage clean out.  THAT was incredibly hard on my body.  Sore muscles and joints are slowing me down, and I'm still doing things like laundering found items (some to keep and some to donate) and finding homes for things that I want to use in the house.   Working also for a paycheck on Th/Fr and then Mo/Tu/Wed.  I will get back to a follow up on the garage results, but, you know, I also have a book to finish.

And did I mention this book is 700+ pages?  Oh, I did?  Well, okay.

2024 Frugal Friday File, September 20...

 

1.  It hasn't been a particularly thrifty week.  I've picked up takeout rather than cooking after days spent sweating in the garage.  I haven't weighed lately, but there should be about a stone of water weight lost due to the sweat of my brow (and neck, shoulders, back, and legs) over the past week.

2.  Free shredding:  I went through thirty years of my parents' financial paperwork (that has filled a 30 gallon storage bin for twenty-five years without being opened).  It was so heavy it could not be moved by me.  I had to sit down beside it where it was and just go through it.  It took two full afternoons.  I don't know that it needed to be shredded...all of the bank accounts have been closed for years, and the owners of the Social Security numbers have been deceased for decades...but I just couldn't put it in the trash.  For one thing, we would not have had room for our household trash if it went into our weekly pick up; also I think there is a weight limit for our pick up which would have been gone over.  I removed things like documents from things like envelopes, and put everything I knew was harmless into the trash.  Anything with personal info, etc. went into bags.  I took those to my old office, and was allowed to put them in their locked bins which a shredding service picks up and shreds on site.  The office never comes close to filling their bins, and we've accepted documents for shredding from clients over the years.  That felt SO good to get that done and gone!  

I did keep maybe a half dozen documents, some of which will be shredded at home at a later time.  I just couldn't do it at present.  My parents rarely put things in writing unless work related.  Seeing their signatures exactly as I remember them just makes me feel a little emotional.

3.  Free drop-off unloading:  So far I have taken two FULL carloads (SUV) to Goodwill, and the third load is ready to be  Ioaded.  I could have had a garage sale, but in past experience, they are a lot of work for very little reward.  I have a busy couple of months coming up, and I just want this stuff GONE!  I suppose I could ask Kasey to list a few things on FB Marketplace or Nextdoor, but I haven't come across anything yet that even made me think about doing that.

4.  Not so free entertainment:  I've been listening to the Audible book I wrote about previously.  I listened all Wednesday afternoon...all Thursday afternoon...in the bathtub at night...and some Friday morning.    I still have twelve hours of listening to go (even though the speed setting has been set to an accelerated speed).  SO glad to have taken this method of keeping myself working and 'reading' at the same time.

5.  Free help:  Friday Jared helped me by sweeping cobwebs off of everything before I loaded it into the car.  He is kind and patient and does whatever I ask.  Today (Saturday) his sister {Kasey) came over and she is a MEAN OVERLORD!  She has worked me non-stop.  She has given me a short break presently, then she is coming back and assures me we WILL be getting done tonight!  Help!  (But seriously, we have made amazing progress that would not have been accomplished without her.  Now I will post this before she comes back and chains me up again to finish sorting donations from keeps.  

I have brought a few things in the house to find a place for...some old towels and bedspreads that will be washed before taking them to the animal shelter....and also some framed artwork and photos.  I have been pretty ruthless about donations and discards.  I may make my goal of not over filling the shelf I purchased for the garage.

On the menu this past week:

Saturday:  Omelette

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Late takeout lunch, skipped supper

Tuesday:  Late takeout lunch, skipped supper

Wednesday:  Late takeout lunch, skipped supper

Thursday:  Late takeout lunch, skipped supper

Friday:  Late takeout lunch, skipped supper

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Hild by Nicola Griffith

The setting is 7th century Britain.  I bought the ebook for $1.99 awhile back.  I read for a couple of days, and only racked up 8% according to my Kindle reading progress.  The names and other words in Old English are a stumbling block for me.  Oh, and did I mention that it is over 700 pages long?

Since I'm working in the garage this week, I sprung for a month of Audible.  (I previously used the free 30-day subscription years ago, and apparently that is a one-time offer.)  I also bought the audible version of the book since it wasn't on their free-credit list.  Those two things are a chunk of my entertainment budget for the month, but I cut myself some slack since it will keep me working in the garage more than if I was wanting to come inside to the A/C and read.  Plus having it narrated should do away with my struggle with the Old English.

Garage...found some surprises...

So far I have found...

My original Ken and Barbie!  I gave all of their wardrobes to a niece along with Midge and Skipper, etc.  I thought these went along with the rest, but I guess not.  

Barbie is wearing a classic little vintage handmade number, but Ken appears to have become a nudist in his dotage.

Three hanging bags of jewelry.  Lots of my mom's. Lots from the 80s (buh-bye!)  Most will go, but I'm waiting to go through later.

But I was happy to find these special ones.  The pendant of the one on the left was my high-school-graduation gift from my first grade teacher.💝  I added the cord and beads.  I'll be taking the pendant off, shine it up, and put it on a chain.

The two on the right are hand carvings by the father of a dear friend.  He was a sweet and talented man.

These are crocheted bead necklaces.  My mother made the one on the right.  The left and middle ones were given to me by a former brother-in-law.  I believe he said his grandmother made them.  My impression of them from the beads themselves used in the strands is that they could be from the 1920s or 30s.  I have texted my niece a photo and stated my intent to give them to her.  I also asked her to talk to her father about who exactly made them and when (if he knows) so she has that information.

This little pin measures about one inch square.  I'm pretty sure it was a birthday gift to my mother since she was born on St. Patrick's Day.  I've always loved it...even though it is a four-leaf clover and not a shamrock.

Garage clean out...

 

This is my parking spot in our garage.  I have been parking outside for years because of this mess.  Carey parks in his spot, and in bad weather he moves my car into his workshop, but my clutter remains where I should be parking my car.

A lot of these things are from my mother's house.  When we lived in the country, we had storage buildings it could stay out of sight and out of mind.  When we moved here, we rented storage for awhile...too long.  Carey finally put it where he thought I would have to deal with it.    Over the years I have let go of some things, but as you can see there's a lot I haven't.  This week I am making another go of it...GO being the operative word here.

I bought a metal shelving unit.  I am determined to ONLY keep what will fit on the shelves.  I spent today assembling them and putting them into place (though the unit rolls, and Carey can move it later if he wants to).  I moved some chairs and some other large-ish things from the edges of the stash;  I am ready to let them go, so I dusted them off and they will be taken to Goodwill.

It was in the high 90s again today, and will be in the mid 90s for the rest of the week (forecast to go down by about 1 degree each day).  I know, I know, my mojo shows up at very unexpected times.  I am taking breaks often, and staying hydrated.

If I find anything interesting, I'll share.  If I can park inside by the end of the week (fingers crossed), I'll share that too.

2024 Frugal Friday File, September 13...

 

1.  I worked one day this week.  I was supposed to work two, but the elevator was out on Monday, and I (and my knees) just didn't feel up to making several trips up and down the stairs through the day, and my boss took pity on me.  The second day the techs fixed it before lunch, so I just had to contend with one trip up the stairs.

2.  I rebooked flight reservations to take the trip that I had to cancel in May.  I had been able to cancel the first trip with no penalties, prices were about the same when I rebooked, and the flight schedule is much more to my liking than the first booking.  So excited to see my friend!

3.  I finished a book that was purchased at $1.99 for Kindle a year ago.  I'm terrible about forgetting about digital books.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I'm trying to remember to check my backlog before choosing something to read.

4.  I managed to convince Carey to try a flavor of store-brand ice cream.  He ONLY wants Blue Bell, but I saw a flavor of the store brand that I knew he couldn't resist trying.  I thought it was fine.  He said it was 'almost' fine, but has a different texture.  The store has drastically cut back on the number of flavors of Blue Bell they carry, and I am getting bored with the ones available.  The store brand offers some different flavors, a lower price per half gallon, AND earning 5% back on its price on the store's credit card.

5.  I checked subscriptions to make sure I'm not paying for something we are no longer using.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  ?

Sunday:  Sunday family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  subscription meal that has been in the freezer, and a salad

Tuesday:  A homecooked meal from the freezer

Wednesday:  ?

Thursday:  Dinner out with family

Friday:  Spanish Rice

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

Blood & Ink by Joe Pompeo

I've had this one on my Kindle for quite awhile.  I'm trying to read the ones that have been lingering.  I originally bought it because a friend thought it sounded like something I'd like.  I put it on my Amazon book wish list, and eventually it went on sale for a dollar or two.

It's not bad, but I don't love it.  It follows the case in the early 1920s, of an Episcopal priest and one of his church members who were shot dead on a lovers' lane.  The tabloid newspapers were brand new to the media, and they and the other newspapers kept reporters on the case continually.

2024 Frugal Friday File, September 6...

 

1.  I have worked four (4!) days this week.  It gets harder every time to get up early and get ready.  :)  But still, it's money in.

2.  This week exhausted me (insomnia played a big part in that), and no way did I feel able to cook at the end of the day.  Thankful for the forethought of homecooked meals in the freezer.

3.  No shopping happened this week (online or otherwise).

4.  Another week has gone by without needing to refill the car's gas tank.

5.  I realized that something I have been stressing the importance of to my grandchildren could be accomplished if I made it my birthday wish!  I texted my daughter and granddaughters, telling them that the only gift I wanted from them was that the girls come home from college at the end of their classes that week, and as it falls during early voting, that we go as a group and all vote together!  They all agreed, and so we have a plan!  

I clearly remember the first time I voted in a presidential election, and it will mean a lot to me to be part of the grandgirls' memories of the first time they vote.  The boys/men can come with us if they like, but frankly if they don't want to that would be fine with me, because I don't want my vote cancelled out as quick as I cast it.  We are a bipartisan family.  :)

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Sunday:  pot pies

Monday:  grazed the fridge

Tuesday:  takeout burgers

Wednesday:  homemade meal from the freezer

Thursday:  homemade meal from the freezer

Friday:  homemade meal from the freezer

**designates meatless meal

Fall decor...

A friend told me the other day that she was going to put out her fall decor and hope it would bring some cooler weather...or at least fool our minds into feeling cooler?

This weekend I put out this autumn leaves arrangement, and our framed pumpkin jigsaw puzzle  went on the mantle.

Today our high temperature was only 86°, and now after dark it's in the 70s!  That is the earliest little cool front we've had in my memory.  Usually it is around September 20.

I think I have a new Labor Day tradition!  :)

PS:  I just texted my friend to tell her it worked for me.  She admitted that she had not followed through on decorating, but they had cooler weather too.  Of course, she's in Colorado, and I'm in South Texas, so I think her cooler temps might have been location, but mine was definitely the decor!  LOL