Thrifty Thursday: I'm Going to Finish Strong!

 

Friday:  One of the perks of having Amazon Prime is the ability to watch movies here and there that strike our fancy.  We've watched three in the past 24 hours.  One I can't tell you the name of and don't really want to look up because it was just odd.  It was meant to be a 'western' but modern day.  It was about a lonely spinster woman somewhere in the prairie west of Iowa (which was a five-week trip from where they were)  and a stranger she literally picked up from hanging who took three women who had gone insane back to Iowa where they would be shipped back to their families.  

I'm not saying it was a bad film.  It was just odd with lots of scenes shoved randomly in about each of the deranged women.  I think it was meant to be artful with lots of odd still scene shots that were supposed to be memories of the women's pasts.  The spinster woman, who had been 'bossy' and strong mentally broke during this trip.  The man, who was a scoundrel, knew a brief moment of redemption.  It was one of those that you couldn't stop watching but really didn't want to keep on with.

Following that we watched "Emperor" about the post-nuclear blast of Japan and the attempt to begin to rebuild that country.  That was quite good.

And then tonight we watched "Return to Me" a romantic comedy with Minnie Driver and David Duchovny.  That was quite good as well.

My big 'savings' today was to swap around what I had instead of buying something new.  My initial plan was to remove the galvanized farmhouse-style bench at the back door and put in a nicer wooden bench, one more in keeping with my English Country Cottage plans.  

One evening, as I was looking at benches online, I got disgusted.  I wanted something that was real wood.  And something with storage to hold all the shoes and boots that John keeps at the back door.  I walked into my room and bumped my knee on the cedar chest...Real wood.  Storage. Bingo!  

The trouble was it held all of my bed and new unused kitchen linens (I stockpile when I see the color I like and have a bit extra money).  Then I realized I have a trunk in the guest room that I've been concerned the grandchildren will chop off their fingers with, as they insist on trying to peek inside.  It's an antique and not at all child-friendly.  But it was full of fabric.  

Earlier this week I decluttered the fabric and put what I wanted to keep in the Chifforobe.  Then I had John push the tin trunk into our room, offloaded all the linens into that, and had him push the wooden trunk to the back entry.  Ta Da.  Not quite an English country bench but far more keeping in style than the previous cute farmhouse bench and still suitable to sit upon to put on one's shoes with the benefit of storage and being real wood.  

Meals:  Donuts, Sausage

Nachos

Birria Beef Roast, Yellow Rice, Black Beans, Pineapple Salad, Tortillas

Saturday:  It turned into a rather busy sort of day for us.  John wanted to head to Lowe's today to look at lighting.  He's determined we'll replace the 1950s-style lighting fixtures that were placed in our home when we purchased it.  I'm all for this plan!  I've loathed the lights that weren't replaced by ceiling fans but over the years I've simply accustomed myself to them.  

Since we were headed to Lowe's, I loaded up the donations for Goodwill to drop off. Goodwill is right next door in our area.   I only had two bags to drop off this time, so not a trunk load but I was pleased to get things out of the house that I no longer want.  

At Lowe's, we found lighting for above the kitchen sink and for our bathroom.  Somewhere we have two lights in storage that are new in the box and one of those will go into the guest bath.  That just leaves getting a light for the little hallway between the bedrooms and bath.  John has got a pretty one picked out for that space.  He also plans to get a new fluorescent light for the kitchen, but I'm not quite sure what he's planning for that.  The lighting is all coming from the funds he got from our retirement savings.  Those funds were meant for various home improvement projects.

We stopped at Walmart, too, today.  I wanted to pick up flour.  I was only able to get one bag.  I typically do not shop at the Walmart in Perry, and I doubt I'll do so again.  I had hoped to get four 10-pound bags. They had very little flour in stock and only one of the store-brand bags.  I don't know why flour was scarce there.  I haven't really been down the baking aisles elsewhere so don't know if this is a trend or just poor stocking.

I didn't have a hard list with me today, but I didn't get too far off my mental list.  I bought a 5-pound bag of grits, bananas, lettuce, a bottle of juice, and a bag of chips.  I also picked up a bunch of flowers, since the ones I bought on Sunday are done.  I've had a difficult time getting really fresh flowers that will last longer.  

We brought home leftovers from our lunch.  On the way home, John stopped and got us a doughnut and coffee.  It was quite by accident that we ended up with chocolate frosted doughnuts but no accident at all that mine had sprinkles.  He ordered that one special just for me. 

We'll have a light supper tonight.  

Meals: Bagles/Croissants

out

Eggs and Toast

Sunday:  We didn't make stops at any stores today while we were out, except the gas station.  John asked me to get him an orange juice and told me to get what I wanted.  I bought one of the coffee drinks I like occasionally and brought half of that home to save for Monday.

The children came over this afternoon and occupied themselves outdoors.  It was nice enough there for a few hours to really enjoy being outside.  The boys went back home and brought their bikes over.  Josh especially spent a long time riding his bike at the bottom driveway which is packed nice and hard.

I made popcorn for snacks this afternoon.  Millie had an unpopped kernel and decided to plant it in the circle around the Faith tree.  

I baked bread this afternoon.  I knew we were out and thought perhaps the children would stay for supper.  The boys asked to go home before supper time so they were sent on their way.   John and I ate leftovers.

meals:  Oatmeal

Pizza with Katie and Cody

Leftovers of yesterday's lunch

Monday:  John did a load of laundry this morning and hung the majority of it to dry.

I emptied the bin on the back porch that held all my planting tools and supplies.  It is a blue opaque bin and has a latching lid.  It will allow me to store some of the stuff that is in the bottom of the bathroom storage area and not let us see the mess.  Soap and water are all it took to clean it up.  

I recalled a second bin, also blue but not the same shade, in the shed.  I emptied that out this afternoon and used an empty bin to store what was in the blue one.  I can now see what is stored in that bin, which is what I want.  If I can see it, I don't have to open multiple of bins to find things!  

I also pulled a few decor items I've been thinking I might like to use in the kitchen.  I'm not sure yet, but I'll play with things and see how they end up looking.

I straightened up the back porch a little while I was outdoors with Millie this morning.  There's plenty of work to be done on these porches.  Thankfully the weather is nice this week.

I did NOT stop at the grocery, tempting as it was, when I was on my way home after my chiropractic appointment.  I am determined to get through this last week of February with no further grocery shopping.

We ate leftovers I revamped into a new meal for lunch. 

John and I cooked on the gas grill this evening.  We're finally getting the hang of this and we agreed we're both looking forward to using the grill more now that the weather has warmed up.  

Meals:  Cheese Toast

Burritos, using leftover rice and roast beef

Hamburgers with all the Fixings, Potatoes and Onions

Tuesday:  Am I going to finish strong?  I don't know.  The weather today looked miserable but was heavy and humid though the air was cold blowing on the back of my neck.  I had no real desire to work with water outdoors and since Millie was playing around, I decided to concentrate instead on sitting with her or working on the freezer and pantry inventory in between her need for my company.    This afternoon after lunch we basically just waited until it was time to go keep Millie again this afternoon.

I may not finish strong where work is concerned but I'm going to make my financial goals fairly well.  I've managed to add a small amount to savings which is a triumph in this wonky financial month and I've kept close enough to my grocery budget that I'll call that a win and do all I can to avoid the store until March 1.

Glasses came in this afternoon and the sunglasses weren't sunglasses, sigh.  This order has been such a mess.  John finally said, "It's only money... Just forget it and let's move on."  Well, gracious goodness who is this?! 

Meals: Sausage and Biscuits.  I made extra biscuits and put half in the freezer.

Pizza.

Chili Mac, Pineapple

Wednesday:  At John's urging, I looked up the return policy on the Zenni website and then called this morning.  I am being issued a refund once my return of the two pairs of glasses is received.  I explained that we'd struggled with the website changing the prescriptions repeatedly.  I received an apology and an immediate option to get store credit or a full refund.  Since I've already re-ordered John's glasses I opted for the refund.  When the refund is received I will re-order his sunglasses.

Today has been an odd day in which little has been done but not due to lack of effort. We knew we'd have Millie later today but had planned to get out to run a few errands.  That didn't happen.  It's just every time I turned around I've literally had a child and grandchild pop in.  

I managed only to make two meals and get the patio and front porch cleaned off.  I went out to the shed with Katie who got the bulk of her things out of the shed.  Now we're down to Granny's china, her sewing machine, and the mixer that is indoors.  Nearer to having her moved out I think.  I don't know if she has anything stored in either of John's sheds but I'm thinking she doesn't.

Caleb contributed to the moving pile by grabbing his Curious George Monkey and his Teddy Bear from the box of stuffed animals left in the bedroom.  Eventually, he'll move his own toys one or three at a time since he's not too keen on the idea that his toys sometimes have been moved by the other children.

Meals:  Toasted Biscuits with Cheese

Hamburgers and Chips (leftover burgers)

Chicken Pot Pie with Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes, Pear Salad

Thursday:  Sam and I had a swap out this morning.  He had extra oatmeal that the children were refusing to eat.  I had extra coffee filters which he needed and we'd overstocked on a vacation.  I can now strike oatmeal off my shopping list.

I have been thinking a good bit about my pantry and stocking up.  What's in the freezer is getting rotated fairly well but pantry goods, despite taking care to load them with the newer ones in the back of the older items is not right.  I have an overstock of items that we use far more seldom than I'd thought we would.  There are things I think I might perhaps stock in greater supply but wonder if I'm not really nearer the right mark with the smaller supply.  At any rate, I think I want to rethink my current pantry supplies before I do a stock-up.

We left home far later than we'd meant to do today.   First I was terribly late getting up after not sleeping well last night and then Sam and Millie stopped in and visited.  We left home and did a few errands.  We went by the bank, by the post office then to get the oil changed.  

We hadn't eaten all morning so after the oil change we went out to eat. As usual, we brought home leftovers.  There were other things John meant to do but he said he was done.  This is not at all unusual.  He does plan to do more but seldom will he actually do it all in one go.

He did ask if I'd like to go by the grocery but I declined.  I told him, "I may well come back and shop tomorrow on my own, but for right now, no.  I don't want to spend any more money in February on groceries and if I stay out of the store then I can honestly say I didn't shop anymore."  

Of the expenses we had today, I paid for stamps at the post office, the bulk of the oil change was covered by our maintenance amount in the account, and the bulk of our meal was covered by a gift card I'd earned through Ibotta.

My order from Cato arrived.  The pants just barely don't fit, but they don't fit.  The shirt is fine.  I'll take the pants to the store to return which doesn't require any postage.

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