Not Exactly No Spend January

 I'm averaging right at $60 a week for groceries for January which is on track for what I want to spend.  Reining in my grocery spending will give me leeway in other places in my budget.  But "no spend" January did not go exactly as planned.  Life goes on, and so does spending apparently...

Here's what I bought, other than food and utilities:

$$ to Firstborn along with some thermals and beef jerky

2 scrub tops

2 printer cartridges

hair elastics

hearing aid supplies (but these were reimbursed by my HSA)

facial hair removal tool

2 Ring batteries

some supplies for painting, incl. paint 

2 saw blades and a scraper tool

2 new shower heads and a toilet valve

floor mop covers

3 spools of thread

new kitchen faucet

a T wrench (water meter valve key)

Plumbing/fence/car repairs, fridge diagnostics, and a haircut

thrifted books and two tops 

spray fungicide for the front door bricks

I also took myself to a get a beer one day, and had a meal out once a week, as per the plan.  I'm headed in the right direction, getting things done and making mindful purchases so I give myself a pat on the back for January, overall.

Gina

Monday menus #55

I think I'm going to raise my self-imposed grocery budget to $60, just to give me more space in there.  If I were someone on a very limited income, I know that might be impossible. I compared prices for what I buy at Wal-Mart and they were really no better. So HEB it is.

I know some people shop at Dollar Tree or Dollar General for food.  I don't see how people feed their families with healthy affordable food nowadays - prices are frankly outrageous and the quality is poorer.

I know I sound like an old lady who uses curbside, but still... 

Monday - kitchen closed [we are eating freezer ham dinners from Christmas}

Tuesday - Salmon Patty with stir fry veggies {9 a.m. bank meeting, set out trash and recycling}

Wednesday - Chicken thighs, collards, sweet potato {Mark's birthday, finish up the trim in the boys bathroom}

Thursday - Tilapia, yellow squash, mini potatoes {review ham radios with Bubbie*, pay the house note}

Friday - (freezer) Navy beans with ham, corn muffins {thrifting and lunch out in Burnet**}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

*I'm getting the boys to help me liquidate some things - Bubbie has volunteered to research ham radios, Scout will handle photographic equipment and both of them can help me with other miscellany.

**It will be nice for me to hang out in Burnet for a couple of hours with no obligation to do anything at Highlands.

I think that setting myself a limit and sticking to it forces me to really think about what I eat and how I spend my hard earned dollars.  Plus, it helps me flex my creativity!

Gina

5 thing Friday - Subie, plumbing, smoke detector, decluttering, V-Day

I wish that I did not have to take Subie into the shop every January. 

Her little spa day is actually a 3 day trip that will set me back $$$.  So now, I feel like I am being forced to make a decision about all three vehicles once and for all.  I've been dragging my heels for many reasons.  I just need to get 'er done. I have never bought a car by myself.

Same with the plumbing sagas.  Turns out that the low pressure in the kitchen faucet was just an indication that it needed replacing due to hard water build-up in a part of the tubing that could not be repaired.  I'm not sorry I got the property shut off valve, pressure reducing valve, and irrigation valve replaced, though.  A lot of work.  Showers are amazing now.  The washer and toilet tank fill up faster, too.  And I feel good about both plumbers that came to my house.

Which is no small thing.

And how this house passed inspection (twice) without a P trap under the kitchen sink?  No idea.  It was built 30 years ago - why had Mark not noticed this either? Now its up to code the plumber told me.  Ha!

The intermittent chirping from the smoke alarm was making me batty.  So gathering up my courage, I hauled the ladder out of the garage. climbed as high as I could and removed the battery, intending to change it.  Then I realized that I could just take the battery OUT and leave it at that.

So I did.

Because the alarm company had installed a wired smoke detector.  Praise!  The detector is on a 12 ft. ceiling, and I am so afraid of heights.  Yet I gathered all of my courage and I stood on that ladder.  Proud of myself.

This is the most recent pile of  stuff that needs to go to Goodwill.  Its like an I Spy game - a plastic bull head, old chargers and cords, paperbacks, a bootjack, fake flowers, Christmas garland that is shedding, BBQ tools, a fridge filter I cannot use {because, oh yeah, the ice maker and water dispenser are kaput}, keychains, fondue pot, color-changing coffee mug, and a promotional lunch bag, among other odds and ends.  That got loaded up yesterday and I will drop it off today.

Ted's pool is going, too.

Was Christmas only a month ago?  This is ALL of my Christmas storage in one neat spot!  The more I purge what I don't want, the more room I have.

I like that.

Still haven't switched anything up in here, but I did hang a Valentine-y garland.  Both boys will be home with me this year - maybe I will make us some treats.  The 3 of us make a lonely hearts club of our own...

Gina

Reflux woes

Lately I have struggled with what I believe is silent reflux. 

I have an irritated throat which I clear often, as well as hoarseness, a feeling of fullness in my throat, and an acid aftertaste.  One night I woke up with that terrible taste in the back of my mouth and a burning.  YUCK. I notice it in times of stress, but also after a big meal, citrus, tomato, and morning coffee.  And I feel like its adding stress, which pushes my BP up...time to make changes: 

this might be my last Hot and Sour soup for awhile...

*Omeprazole for 14 days

*chew (fruity) gum after meals

*honey cough drops to relieve throat pain

*no alcohol, chocolate, mints

*continue walking

*wear comfortable loose pants

*sit up after eating and eat dinner no sooner than two hours before bedtime

*add more veggies, fiber, and eat less processed food

*eat smaller meals

All of this in addition to trying to follow better eating for my blood pressure, so now I am coming up with a plan that will work for me. Wish me luck!

Gina

Monday menus #54

 I'm literally responsible only for my own laundry, so how does this appear every Tuesday?  To be fair, its only towels and such.

It seems odd to say that I was more on top of my laundry, dishes, and cleaning when the house was full of 6 humans of varying ages, but its true.  Being physically and mentally busy is supposed to keep you at the top of your game - at least that was the case for me.  I don't know the science behind that, but 100% it applies to housework as well.  Last weekend, the sink and counter and dishwasher were overflowing.  (though the boys did take care of it all while I was at work)  So what does this say about my current state?

Monday - I am off today, but I don't promise I will cook!

Tuesday - Scalloped potatoes with ham, peas and carrots {take Subie in for diagnostics, visit the CPA}

Wednesday - Homemade Cava bowl with romaine, garbanzos, bell peppers, roasted carrots {dentist appointment, Better Health virtual Zoom class}

Thursday - Crispy Oven Chicken Thighs with mini potatoes and carrots

Friday - Tilapia with seasoned rice, green veggie to be determined {payday, lunch out}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

Gina

5 thing Friday - water works, sewing cabinet, warm cookies, home thoughts, travel

 Plumbing issues: low water pressure all around and especially so at the kitchen sink.

So I got a plumber to replace the property and irrigation shut off valves, and replace the pressure reducing valve, all out at the curb. (now to see if City of Austin will cover any of that)

Increased water pressure is a very good thing, and now I'm going to have the plumber check the water heater and replace the entire kitchen faucet. Meanwhile, Moen is sending me an aerator installation kit with a new aerator - for free.

I moved that big worktable out of the craft room/office and moved the small sewing cabinet back in.  Since I could trim down the backs of the screws with my new handy metal saw, I also swapped out the hardware.  

These are from a bag of pulls The Girl bought at Hob Lob.

Now I think I want to paint allll of the furniture in here.

Is there anything better than warm from the oven cookies and a cup of tea while you read?  These are from a Betty Crocker mix with extra added cinnamon, sugar, and ground walnuts - 10/10.  I added another couple bags to my grocery order.

I am mostly OK with paring down some of my decor and distractions around the house, but I don't want it to look sterile.  I am gradually thinking more and more about what I want to keep/use/display.  Less about minimalism, more about aesthetic.  Case in point is this bookcase, and by extension the mantel next to it.  Right off the bat I think the black speaker can go, more books can be added, the DVDs can go away, and some family portraits added. 

Maybe including this lady, among others - Muriel Ellen, my paternal grandmother.

We seem to have a lot Cannary history represented around this house.  But I have a family history of my own that I would like to acknowledge.

 Whatcha think?

Google reminded me of my path last year.  It was mainly central Texas.  Taking care of repairs and sale of Highlands, visiting Mom in Brenham/Bryan/Caldwell/Georgetown/Pflugerville, then more travel to Brenham to take care of Mom's home and finances, packing and moving Bubbie back home from San Marcos, and finally to Leona and Madisonville for funeral arrangements, etc.  I put an extra 10K of mileage on Subie. I would love for this timeline to represent something different in 2024.  Maybe some travel to places for relaxation, fun, learning, adventure.  Far less of that other stuff.

Gina

Monday menus #53

 We're supposed to get super cold weather here that will strain the grid and ERCOT issued a weather watch. Below was the scene from last Tuesday's foray onto the grocery store at 9 a.m., a full week in advance! I guess I'm glad I went early in the week, because Scout reports it was a zoo this weekend at HEB.

I wish people in Central Texas wouldn't panic every time it gets cold.  People in other parts of the country don't seem to. But yes, I made necessary precautions.

Monday - either leftovers, or thawing out the chili from last week {I work until 8:30 p.m., weather permitting}

Tuesday - Jalapeno Sausage links with South Texas Rice, Caesar Salad {pay the fence guy}

Wednesday - Beef Stroganoff Noodles, steamed carrots, cinnamon cookies {morning hearing appointment with audiologist}

Thursday - Pork Tenderloin, green beans with new potatoes, rolls {Happy 34th Birthday, Firstborn!, virtual meeting for hospital Town Hall}

He doesn't like it when I point the camera at him, but I think he's a handsome guy!

Friday - Cheese Tortellini with pork sausage crumbles, broccoli {tire rotation for my car, boy bathroom touch up paint, tub and toilet gaskets, and doorstops}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed (probably eating leftovers!)

Gina

5 thing Friday - draft dodgers, shower refresh, headlamp bulbs, chili, recycled metal

I wanted to make some "draft dodgers" for a couple of places around my house which feel as though they might have an air leak.  Draft dodgers are nothing more than a tube of fabric with a filler like beans, rice, or cat litter.  I made my first one with cat litter because its economical. 

As luck would have it, the bit I trimmed off my bedroom curtains was perfect to use for my bedroom window as it was already a tube of fabric.  I think it blends in beautifully!

I reinforced the seam, used a funnel to load the tube up with cat litter, then placed it in the window sill.  Time will tell if its effective, but I already have another one planned for the front door out of an old blanket and I will make it much bigger.

Small project - doing a deep clean spruce up on my shower.

Will you just look at that caulking job!  (:  I let it dry for a full 24 hours.

I pulled down those Command bins and cleaned them really well.  Put a new bar of soap in here - I'm on a mission to use up all of the soap before I buy any more bodywash.  Scrubbed the bottom with Comet cleanser.  Bought myself a new body sponge.  Replaced the big command hook and added a  ring to hang the squeegee. Replaced a splash guard on the door.  Cleaned the glass walls.

Lastly, installed a new shower head.  I know these small projects don't look like much, but I am using them as reminders that I am capable and can get things done for my home on my own - its such a good feeling.

And for my car!  On Sunday I changed the headlamp bulbs on my car.  The plugs were a little stuck, so I did call Firstborn to get a pointer about removing them easier.  But once I figured that out, it was a very quick job.  Its a wonder I hadn't gotten a ticket because I had noticed I wasn't seeing enough of the road at night for at least a month.  Oops.  I bought a brighter version of the ones I had - I have gotten to where night driving is more challenging.

My crockpot chili this week was good and I think we will have the leftovers for dinner on Monday when we will be down in the teens at night.  Leftover chili always tastes better!  I usually include a can of green chilies in my chili and this time I also added a chopped bell pepper and all of that onion.

This is an old photo, but see the ridiculously long car pipe innards snaking their way around the wooden table on the bottom left?

very heavy

It was heavy, too long for the truck bed, and I have tripped over it several times.  I asked Firstborn to deal with it, but he not only did not, but also did not come up with a plan, other than "you could sell it for scrap".  I have wanted it out of my garage for years, but did not need another task, thanks.

And how was I going to get it to the recycling place?

Bubbie suggested I purchase a saw blade designed for metal for one of the old saws in the garage, so I stopped by Lowes and got two manual replacement blades for $4.  (the boys are pretty good at making suggestions...) Fifteen minutes of steady work and I had separated the one long piece of pipe into two pieces.  I loaded all of the pipe pieces along with a couple other very heavy auto parts, and after a fun trip* to the recycling place was $13 richer. So, $8 profit.

But now its out of my garage!

*it was unfun, but was only slightly terrible, so yay?

Happy Weekend!

Gina

Things to declutter now

We're going to have our work cut out for us when we are finally allowed back to Mom's house to empty it.  She wasn't one to organize or purge, and she took a lot of pleasure in having her things around her to look at and admire and recall how she came to have them. 

Minimalism was not her thing.

And not that its mine, but I have done some reading lately and made a list of things to declutter in my own home.  This has been an on-going process and will evolve as I come across things with new eyes.

but I'm starting with:

*too short pencils, dry pens, dry Sharpies, incomplete sets of command hooks

*table linens I don't use

*books I won't read or re-read

*holiday decor of any type that I don't like, and home decor that has no meaning for me

*stretched out hair ties, clips that pull my hair, uncomfortable head bands

*essential oils I don't like

*kitchen gadgets I don't use

*emails and newsletters I don't care about or read - clean up my gmail in-box

*A complete set of china

*Expired or un-used spices, foods, and condiments

*chargers and cords that go to electronics I don't use anymore, and cell phones I don't use

*any storage containers that are stained, without lids, or smell faintly like food or the dishwasher

*multiples of mugs, glasses, barware, and all empty vases

*specialty craft scissors, and items for any particular craft project I'm not going to do

*the Empi stim unit 

*clothes that I find uncomfortable - same with shoes, purses, socks, coats, scarves

*jewelry I don't like or won't wear

*tax records that are over 7 years old, and go through the filing cabinet in the garage

*manuals for things I don't own anymore

*cards and letters from people who are no longer in my life (exception: people who have passed on as the letters may contain personal or family history)

*clean out both vehicles and shred old insurance cards

*keys that don't fit anything in my possession, and extra key chains

*random leftover hardware to furniture assembly or curtain rods or other things I might not even own anymore, extra hardware or tools that are rusted or have unknown use 

*camping items that are multiples, dry-rotting, or taking up space in my garage

*anything left in the attic

*clean out the kitchen junk drawer and be ruthless

*VHS/DVD/CD items that I won't listen to or watch

For all of this I am going to use the mindset of "If I were packing to move across country would I take this with me?"  I love January and the feeling of a clean slate and organized home!

Gina

Monday menus #52

 Last week's crockpot of beans with ham was very good, if a tad on the salty side.  It made enough to feed an army, but we will enjoy it heated through on a weekend night when its "kitchen closed".

To the soaked and drained beans I added a ham bone that had plenty of ham still on it, a can of tomatoes, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, some powdered bouillon, and water.  It cooked on the high setting most of the day and made the house smell very cozy!

Monday - kitchen closed {but we have so many pre-made individual meals in there}

Tuesday - Roast Turkey, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts {on call, debone and store turkey}

Wednesday - Spinach and Ham Quiche {visit the library and get my account updated and squared away, on call}

Thursday - Cajun Turkey Pot Pie* {paint my bathroom doors}

Friday - Crockpot Chili with corn muffins {kitchen cabinet clean-out and organization, pick up grocery fillers}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

*this is nothing more than cooked and cut up turkey, a bag of frozen veggies, half a jar of Cajun pasta sauce from the freezer, and a pie crust.

Gina

5 thing Friday - eating out, puzzle, gifts, repurposing, apple crumble

I have a plan to take myself to eat out once a week, and I'm doing it on one of my days off so I can get out and explore new places.  One day just before Christmas I treated myself to Pad Thai at a restaurant I haven't been to in years.  For some reason, I entered through the bar and was seated in there vs. the restaurant.  I was the only patron and the place smelled funky, but I was served the best Pad Thai I think I have ever had and the service was great.

Just goes to show that you can't always judge a restaurant by the bar area, I guess! Or your memories, really...

Because the next place I ate was another Chinese restaurant I also hadn't been to in years.  However, they offered take-out only and the food was very marginal, so now I can cross that one off my list of places to ever go back to...

All of Christmas got put up and I moved the puzzle back to the dining table to continue working on it.  Scout gave me another puzzle for Christmas so I need to finish this one!

I left a bunch of wintery decor up, like pinecones and greenery - I like the way they look in January, post-Christmas.  I also have been pulling out various things given to me by my mother over the years like this sweet lidded dish.  I think this was from Spain?  Not sure, but I love it and there's the knowledge that these things are the last of the gifts she'll ever give me.  Same with anything from Mark, like jewelry.  Its such a weird feeling - both of them were generous to me.

The Girl crocheted me a cactus and I LOVE IT.  She and Scout were the only ones to give me gifts this year.  Which is OK, because, A. I don't need more stuff to purge one day, and B. I might have purchased myself a few items I knew I would love and use.

New uses for old things: the bread bowl turned potpourri bowl is now a fruit bowl.

And this lid-less vintage glass candy jar is now my tissues holder.

Frugal me made mini apple crumble desserts using three sad apples and some butter added to pantry items like oats, brown sugar, and spices.  They were enjoyed with vanilla bean ice cream and were delightful.

Happy Weekend!

Gina

My reasonable resolutions 2024

 I look forward to New Year's every year!  It always gives me a sense of completion for the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season and the feeling of a fresh start.  I try to make resolutions that are manageable - I want to be successful at them, after all.  So without further ado, here's what I choose for 2024, and January in particular:

I really love the color combo of the tree in the hospital lobby this year!

*Lower alcohol consumption to one drink a week, or less.

*Add in walking as much as I can. 

*Adhere to my weekly planner and realistic plans - no need to make multiple lists.

*Accomplish one important thing per week - don't try to overdo.  Aim for a sense of accomplishment. 

*Spend less time on my phone in general {texting, social media, YouTube, Instagram}

*Spend time reading and journaling each day, but also a show now and then.  {Either start watching Netflix every so often or cancel it}

*Begin a "No Spend" January, except on home projects or services that I already have plans to do.

I'm thinking about the idea of making a bucket list for each season, or even month.  Things that I give myself time to accomplish, taking a lot of pressure off myself to get everything done.  While I was writing the post about the calamitous year I had in '23, I also saw all of the things I managed to accomplish for my home and myself.

Maybe another thing to add to the list should be to give myself a little more grace!

Gina

linking to:

Overflowing with Thankfulness

Monday menus #51

 Christmas involved lots of Teddy time.

Oh yeah - my kids were there, too, ha!

Monday - kitchen closed {Happy New Year! I work my regular hours, take my Secret Santa her gift}

Tuesday - Cafe Rio Beef Tacos, refried beans {schedule f/u with my doc, pick up grocery order, fence guy comes to look at a repair}

Wednesday - Pot of white beans with Christmas ham bone {mow grass, put ficus and olive trees in garage, do laundry}

Thursday - Crispy Chicken Thighs, baked sweet potato {find a scrap metal dealer for the metal car parts in the garage}

Friday - Dr. Martin's Mix {find a tax CPA, go pay the truck tags, weekend food prep}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed (but we have containers to heat up for meals)

Gina