What I'm reading Wednesday...

A Wild and Heavenly Place by Robin Oliveira

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, February 23...

 

1.  In my grocery order this weekend, I purchased a chicken to stew, forgetting that we were going to be gone for a few days of the week.  I didn't want to leave it in uncooked in the fridge till we got back, so Sunday night I put it in the slow cooker at midnight, and Monday morning I boned it all, put half in a Ziplock bag and placed in the freezer for later.  With the other half I made a batch of Chicken Salad to take when we visited mom-in-law.  She doesn't always like to eat in the dining room at the assisted living facility, so I'm packing a picnic that we can all share if she would like it.  I'm so glad that hotel rooms have refrigerators.  :) 

2.  I remembered to pay bills on the due date before heading out of town.  I would have been kicking myself during the entire trip if I hadn't thought of it till after we were on the road.

3.  I took library books on the trip.  Only got about 1/3 read of one.  That was about the only frugal part of the trip.

4.  Mom-in-law loves photographs and wanted more hung on the back of her assisted-living apartment door.  She has each of her five children's graduation photos hung near the door, and she wanted 8x10 photos of them as young children hung on the door.  The photos have been in an old photo album for ages...the kind with sticky pages.  It was quite the job to remove the delicate 60 to 70 year old photos from those sticky pages (more on that below).  Once I determined exactly what she wanted and what was needed, I made a trip to Office Max to purchase flat acrylic 8.5"x11" frames for the photos, and they came with strong adhesive-backed magnets.  I also purchased dental floss.  

With supplies in hand, I placed the open photo album on a table top and set to work on the first photo.  I removed the plastic page cover, and I used a long length of dental floss and worked it under one edge of photo, then with Carey holding the page firmly in place, I pulled the floss side to side and down under each photo until I was able to get them released from the sticky page.  Deep breaths of relief were taken when all of the photos were able to be freed without damage to the images.  Two of the photos did suffer very small tears at their margins when trying to work the first edge loose to get the floss under.

This was not my favorite wish to grant...I'm not a big fan of photos lining every blank bit of wall (and definitely not door) space...but she does, so I was happy to make her happy.  The welts on hands from pulling that dental floss faded quickly.  And we tested banging door closed and open repeatedly to make sure that the frames wouldn't be going anywhere.  None of this project was very frugal (other than saving photos from damage with the floss trick), but it was priceless to m-i-l, so worth it.

5.  On this visit to see Mom, Carey and his sister discussed taking a road trip of their own in late summer as they are both baseball fans and would enjoy travelling to see some together.  I'm cool with that, but not sure we can accomplish it financially considering he and I have a trip planned in May which will mean outfitting car with new tires (estimated $1,000) before the trip, and lots of hotel and meal expenses.  On the six-hour trip home, I suggested cancelling our trip in May, and flying alone to visit a friend for a few days instead.  (Visit with that friend was intended to be included in the vacation.)  Also suggested the possibility of he and sis renting a car to make their road trip, so we can forestall the need for tires for awhile, as they aren't really necessary when we are only driving locally and not on long out-of-state trips.  We will have to discuss further, and do more research on costs, but it's on the table.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Sunday supper at Kasey's (on Saturday)

**Sunday:  Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Vegetable Sauce

Monday:  Subscription meal from freezer that needed using

Tuesday:  road trip meal out

Wednesday:  road trip meal out

Thursday:  road trip meal out

Friday:  Chili and Tamales

**designates meatless meal

What I was reading Wednesday...

 

Fourteen Days: A Collaborative Novel by The Authors Guild, Margaret Atwood, et al

I'm late getting this posted.  I took this on the road trip with me.  Plot has to do with the residents of an apartment building in NYC during the first days of Pandemic Lockdown.  The residents take to spending dusk on the building's rooftop, socially distance, telling stories from their pasts.  Chapters are written by many and varied authors.

Frugal Friday File 2024, February 16...

 

1.  I have a container on my desk to contain paper scraps large enough to be used in other projects.  I routinely use pieces from there before reaching for a fresh, un-cut piece.  I'm kind of down to less-usable pieces, and am about ready to recycle the contents.  But before I do that, I decided to pull out larger pieces of mostly solid colors and cut them into strips.  I then picked strips and glued them onto cardstock, trimmed, and used them to make Valentines for the grandkids, thinking-of-you cards for friends, and a birthday card for my cousin.  Two of samples are below.

  

2.  I have started washing and cutting up celery stalks as soon as I bring them home from the market.  I cut the root end just enough to discard any dirt, then I cut the ribs off making sure that the bottom of all ribs stay connected to the root end.  I cut the tops/leaves off, then cut the rest of the ribs into about six inch lengths.  I wrap all of the ribs, tops/leaves, and root end in a damp paper towel, and put it all in a gallon zip log bag.  I have sticks for snacking or chopping for recipes, I have tops and leaves for soups, and I have the root to stew with a chicken.  All the parts stay crisp and fresh much longer this way then when I just put it away in the bag it came home in from the store.  And all the clean up is done.  Thanks, me!

3.  Just last week, I mentioned here that I had invited friends to stay this summer so that I would have an incentive to declutter.  And yet did I take immediate action.  No.  My brother-in-law (out of the blue) mentioned this Wednesday that he may come visit TODAY!  Now THAT got me moving, and there has been some progress in the guest room.  I am not guaranteeing he won't stub a toe, and it's not clutter free, but the bed is cleaned off and changed, and the guest bath is ready for company.  

This is the room that used to be dedicated to kids' play, so there is quite a bit to evaluate for future usefulness.  Yesterday I went through a large bin full of dress-up clothes.  Most of them were evening dresses and shoes that had belonged to my mother.  Oh, my; the grandgirls had so much fun playing in those for years!  Looking them over today, they had been worn to tatters.  I enjoyed touching each item and remembering the girls wearing them and the funny things they did and said.  And then I filled a big black yard bag full, and it is now in the outside garbage bin.   They are all synthetic fabrics, so I won't bother trying to recycle them further.

4.  I found a recipe for a homemade cake mix yesterday; so simple and handy to keep in the pantry. It also limits the processing and additives.

5.  I was able to reserve two brand-new books at the library.  I've been waiting to pick them up until I'm out this afternoon for a doctor appointment and can combine trips.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's (a day early)

Sunday:  Virginia's Taco Soup

Monday:  Goulash

Tuesday:  takeout Baked Potatoes w/ BBQ brisket

Wednesday:  Bow Tie Pasta w/ homemade sauce

Thursday:  Leftovers

Friday:  houseguest, dinner out I think

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly

The last couple of books have taxed my brain power.  I need an easy read, and hope this is it.

 

Better Than Yesterday, week 1...

 Above are week 1's cards.  I didn't complete them all perfectly, but fun overall.

1.  NO SWEARING FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS

• I did better than I thought I would.  I said "Damn" or "Dammit" a total of four times I believe.

2.  TITLE A PIECE OF PAPER "WHATEVER IS WRITTEN HERE WILL COME TRUE."  THEN WRITE SOMETHING ON IT.

• I did not complete this one.  I should have just written "the bed linens will be changed today," and been done with it.  That didn't seem like what the card was asking for though.  It felt like it was calling for sending out a wish to the universe. I'm really not into the law of manifestation or attraction or whatever it is called.  I have a foreboding that whatever I try to bring about will turn out badly or have an unintended negative effect.  So I'll just leave it up to the One who can be trusted...and go change the bed linens.

3.  SPEND FIVE MINUTES AND WRITE DOWN HOW YOU'RE REALLY FEELING RIGHT NOW -- LEAVE NOTHING OUT.

• This was a rather unsettling week.  My eldest sister passed away after years of living in an increasingly shrinking world of dementia.  We had a difficult relationship at times, so it was good to pour out the mixture of feelings I was experiencing.  This is my second sister to pass from dementia; the losses it brings are a misery for everyone.

4.  SPEND A COUPLE MINUTES TALKING AND LISTENING TO A CHILD.

• I didn't think I would be able to complete this one, as I generally do not come across small children these days.  But then I had a phone call from Caitlyn (who usually texts). She is away at college,  but she will always be a precious little girl to me, so I'm counting it.  She was ranting about something she knew I would commiserate with.  Most pleasant conversation.  :)

5.  LEAVE A NICE NOTE FOR YOUR MAIL CARRIER.  

• This is yet to be completed, but it will be.

6.  GIVE A COMPLIMENT TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW.

• While shopping I kept finding myself running across a mother with a toddler and an infant in her cart.  The toddler was repeatedly calling out for his father who was elsewhere in the store with a preschool sibling.  I always try to chat to young moms a bit complimenting their childrens' appearance or intellect or speech.  Those days can be  exhausting, but a compliment can give at least a moment of affirmation.

7.  BUY A RUBIK'S CUBE AND TRY TO SOLVE IT.

• I have not done this one yet.  I think I will see if one of my kids or grandkids has one I can borrow.

Till next week!

2024 Frugal Friday File, February 9...

 

1.  I had to be in a neighboring town today for some bloodwork.  Since the miles were already driven, I went by their Dollar Tree to get some spot remover that I had seen recommended on another blog.  I just finished up my last bottle of laundry pre-treat spray ($3 - $5) which didn't even work that great, so I felt like spending $1.25 on this was worth a shot.  I browsed, but managed to not let anything else fall in my cart.

2.  Reading a library book (again).

3.  It irritates me when my favorite wooden spoon is in the dishwasher.  (I know wooden utensils and cutting boards aren't supposed to go in the dishwasher, but all of mine have for years, and show no ill effects.)  I digress.

I can never remember how old my daughter is without doing the math, but I do remember that this favorite spoon came from IKEA about 10 years.  (Go figure!)  There is an IKEA about 30 miles away, so when I had other errands to run near there, I went on a weekday this week.  ( I would never, ever venture there on a weekend!)

They actually still had the exact shape of spoon that is my favorite!  I bought a lifetime supply of my favorite spoon (plus a few more for good measure), a 99¢ funnel, and three 99¢ measuring cups (one for myself and 2 for others).  Less than $25 total, and Christmas shopping has begun.  (The extra spoons I bought are for a planned craft project / gifts.)

4.  I have been foregoing a haircut for months, as I want a longer style, and if I go in too soon, they just cut off the growth progress I've made.  I think it's past the ugliest stage, and is starting to look more intentional than accidental again.  And I just realized that it has been ten years since I've stopped coloring my hair...that is a frugal milestone!

5.  I invited a friend of mine and a friend of hers to stay with me in July while the friend of hers is attending an educational workshop in the next town over.  Frugal for them, a visit with my friend, a chance to get to know her friend, but my main reason was because it's a darn good incentive to declutter the house between now and then!

On the menu this week:  

Saturday:  Leftovers

Sunday:  Sunday supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  Homecooked from freezer - Chicken Curry

Tuesday:  Spanish Rice

Wednesday:  Leftovers

Thursday:  takeout fried chicken

Friday:  Homecooked from freezer - Chicken Spaghetti

**designates meatless meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Still Life by Sarah Winman

 

Monday at the library...

Terrible washed-out photo because of bad lighting.

Went to quilting group at the library today.  I'm pretty hit or miss with it since retiring, as last month I was working on its scheduled day, and next month I'll be working as well.  Now that the  nine patch squares above are sewn together, I will be cutting them apart and adding other squares and sashing before I'm done.  Could be another five years or so.  😂  But seriously, I hope not, but...

Better Than Yesterday...

I saw this "Better Than Yesterday" card set a few days ago on Dicky Bird's Nest blog.  I immediately had to look into them, and mine arrived yesterday.  (I know, I know...another impulse purchase.)  It's not a game.  Each card has an action, and each day you choose a card and take the action on the card.  Wouldn't you know the very first card I pulled would be 'No swearing for the next 24 hours!'  I've already had a minor slip...it may have been as I was reading the card.  :)

I think I will leave the box on my kitchen table, with the card of the day turned up at the front as a reminder, and as I complete the action task I will move the card to the back of the box.  My plan is to show all the week's cards here on Saturdays.  The one's I've looked at are pretty interesting.  I've only looked at very few, as I want them to be fresh as I go through them.  

 

2024 Frugal Friday File, February 2...

1.  Was there anything frugal here this week?  I suppose...but not much to write home about.  I've been reading library book...I'm going to have to recheck the second one, as I didn't get to it.  

Even though we  wore layers, had a fire in the fireplace, etc to try to avoid a big electric bill due to the severe cold snap we had, it didn't quite work out. The electric bill arrived, and it was $531.60!  It hasn't been that high since the first winter we moved here, when the furnace had a problem that made it very inefficient.  

I made a crock-pot meal yesterday that smelled fabulous all afternoon, but tasted awful.  We discarded the leftovers.

Our more successful efforts:

2.  I remembered to return a purchase within the return period when it wasn't as I had hoped.  It was an impulse purchase, so you'd think I would learn.  :(

3.  I've been drinking more water, and decreasing sodas.

4.  We paid property taxes, and they were less than we had expected.

5.  Though I've been longing to go to a movie for the entertainment and popcorn, there hasn't been ANYTHING showing that I thought was worth shelling out for.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  leftovers

Sunday:  supper at Kasey & Beau's 

Monday:  Dinner out at our favorite Mexican restaurant

Tuesday:  Twice-baked sweet potatoes with chicken

Wednesday:  Chicken & Dressing casserole

Thursday:  Crock Pot Chicken and Vegetables

**Friday:  Vegetable Pizza

**designates meatless meal