Thrift and Observations- Dec 9 - 15

 

Dec. 9:  I slept in rather late this morning, almost to 9:30.  It was lovely to have a lie in and to wake feeling rested enough.  Last week was not a harsh one but it was draining.   I really felt I needed that extra sleep. I say 'extra' but it was gone 2am before I finally started to doze off.  It was the fact of getting to lie in bed beyond 7am that was the luxury.

The contractor left last night after 6pm.  He'd promised me a functioning kitchen before he left for the week, and he was a man of his word.  He'd let his help go earlier in the afternoon, first one then the other but he stayed, and he worked steadily until every last task was done.  I have a temporary sink; the dishwasher and the stove are both hooked up and working.  They laid scrap pieces of plywood over the cabinets to act as counters until the new countertops arrive.

Thrift and Observations: Dec 2 - 8

 

Dec. 1  I had to go pick up dog food and something else (What?  Can't remember) at the grocery.  John opted for the local store.  We checked the clearance racks and grabbed more marked down candy to stash at home, then we wandered down the meat aisle to look for clearance meats.  We got a nice package of 2 center cut pork chops and John chose a package of Boneless country style ribs.  We bought two packages of hamburger on sale.  I spent more than I went in to spend, partly due to the added stuff that Caleb and John decided we needed as well as the meat we'd picked up and the pricey tiny bag of dog food.  Pet foods are always very expensive in my town, even if you are getting lower end products.

Coffee Chat: Time Out

 

I've written another post entirely prior to this one but I am deleting it, unpublished.  What it has to say I'm not comfortable with in the least and I'm going to try to do better with this one.  

We've got stuff going on. People are hurting and angry and apparently have been holding on to resentments long term that might have been resolved if talked over.  They weren't.  There are other very painful things that have occurred recently that must undoubtedly add to the complexity of the personal relationships and so there was a big to do, one of the kinds that does a lot of harm and leaves no survivors.  I've done my share of grieving over these things, offered my apology, but it has been rejected because there is much else that concerns them more, as well they might.  

Diary of a Homemaker's Week: Spectacular Crash

 

Saturday:  We've had a lovely day out.  It was short but so pleasant.  John took me to choose my Christmas gift.  I'd wanted a pair of earrings as a change from what I typically wear.  I love my hoop earrings and wear them nearly every day, but I thought I would get something a little different, just to change things up now and then.

In the meantime, I found one earring of my current pair had a slight wonkiness and in gently trying to correct it, I felt the metal bend and break.  Not all the way through but enough to warn me that this pair was well worn indeed.  

Thrifty Thursday: Not Quite Done

 

Saturday:  We went to our favorite restaurant today.  As usual we skipped the appetizers, we ordered water to drink and then we brought home half our meal each, which we had for dinner.

Sunday:  John went into the grocery to pick up the chicken for today's dinner.  He also bought me an iced tea and himself a bottle of water and then he got a small fruit cup and a lemon.  Why the lemon?  Because he's on a gig of drinking lemon in his water which will do him no harm at all.

I entered the receipts into both Ibotta (earned 20c) and Fetch rewards.  It all adds up.

Savoring December 2023

 

This is one month that can be very busy and hectic.  It's also a month just full of things that we can enjoy, many of which cost next to nothing.  It's not hard to right a 'Savoring' list for a month like December. 

I'm not going to say I'm doing every one of these things, but I am listing a load of things that I find pleasurable in this month and perhaps some of them might go on your bucket list as well.

#1.  Obviously the putting up of a tree is a moment to enjoy.  I encourage you, even if you live alone or generally don't put up a tree, get a small tree and just put lights on it.  The soft glow is the best sort of ambient lighting, and you'll find it oddly consoling in the dark of the evening and early morning, to see those lights glowing softly.  

December Goals: I'm Not Early...

I was sitting down going over various lists and such and realized that December is a busy-ish month.  It happens that our small groups have all decided to table all meetings for the month and I think that is just as it ought to be.  We've already got one firm commitment for a special program for our church.  There will be other things we wish to do.  It's going to be a busy month.

And for that reason, I'm declaring the last week of November as prime planning time for December and for getting started on all the extra tasks that December can bring.

 #1.  All of my end of year work has been done save making New Year's resolutions.  I'd like to work on these all throughout the month.  I want to be thoughtful and prayerful as I make these resolutions this year.  Taking my time and letting things become clear is always the best way to proceed.

#2. Cut back rosebushes.  It's always best to do this after a freeze here in my area because the moment it warms ever so slightly, the rosebushes bud out all over again with new leaf buds.  The bush at the bedroom window is scratching on the screen and siding.  The one at the back porch has clambered into the porch and out towards the yard.  The rest just need light trims.

#3.   Plan a family Christmas gathering.  I don't know what this might look like.  It might be a meal out, it might be takeout brought home, it might be grilling...I don't know how the reno work will go. Initial plan was that it would take a month.  I'm giving it basically six weeks.  Does this mean six days a week or five days a week?  I've no clue.  But I can lay a few plans and then go from there.

#4.  Locate and place Jd's Christmas gift from last year in the box with other gifts. I think I have an idea where it is.  If it's placed with all the rest of the gifts then I'll know exactly where it is come gifting time.

#5.  Purchase money orders for those loved ones who live far away and get it sent to them early.

#6.  Address and sign Christmas cards and get those mailed out.

#7.  Make a couple of cakes for Christmas and put them, unfrosted, into the freezer.  Then I can simply thaw and frost later.  It will be far easier to do than to think I'm going to be able to bake cookies.  

#8.  Get the Christmas trees up and determine the theme for my own tree.  Caleb's will be cars as it was last year, I'm sure.

#9.  Lunch with Mama at least once.

#10.  Get gifts wrapped and tagged ahead of time and not wait until the last minute.