Sunday, October 21, 2018

Frugal Happenings 10/21

My oh my - where has the time gone?  This month is flying by.
It sure has turned into fall.  We woke this morning to 28* - highs will be in the 50's all week.
Yesterday was really something.  The sun was shining most of the day - but the wind started and got worse and worse and worse.
We had 40 mph sustained winds and 50 - 63 mph gusts.  The leaves were flying all over and they are shredded!  Limbs down all over.  Luckily our area did not lose power, but many did and still don't have power (and it's cold out).
It is beautiful and sunny this morning, just down right chilly.



Amongst all the weather happening yesterday, a neighbor's (2 doors down) dog got in the yard (jumped the fence) and my kitties were again 20'-30' up a tree.  This dog has gotten in the yard many times over the past 2 weeks and each time I take it home and have a talk with the owners.  Obviously I have been talking on deaf ears.  Yesterday I had had it.
I was beating on their door at 9AM (all were in bed) - and told them this was it.  I was done being nice.  It better stop.  Came home and called our neighbor and friend (their landlord) and told him.  Supposedly this will stop.  We have known him for almost 33 years (G longer) and he knows I don't complain about his renters (and he has had some real winners!).  We'll see.
I am so worried about the babies.  They finally figured how to get down with the wind screeching all around them after 4 1/2 hours.  They are really resting today!

It is amazing to me how irresponsible people are.  Even if I didn't have pets that are scared - it shouldn't matter.  I have a fenced yard - no big dog - and don't care to have someone else's dog pooping in my yard.  She gives me an attitude each time I take the dog home.  REALLY?  You give me an attitude, when you aren't watching your animal and it's in my yard?  Just shaking my head.
OK enough venting!!!

My frugal week:
  • G had a script ready and it was FREE
  • Laundry in cold - and mostly line dried
  • Filled 3 - 2 liter pop bottles I received with water for storage
  • I got all 4 of the pork loins I bought last week cut up.  Ended up with 50 chops and 3 packages of pieces
  • Made batch #1 of grape jelly - got 4 1/2 pints (for gifts)
  • Fixed the kitchen faucet.  The trim plate under the faucet was loose and I got everything tightened back up
  • Made grape water with all the scraps left from making jelly
  • Worked in the yard several times this week.  My biggest day was yesterday - in the cold wind - hoping the kitties would feel more comfortable with me being outside.  I got the entire garden cleaned out, and many of the pots.  The big flower bed got a good cleaning as well.  Trash bin is full - and I have stuff to trash for the next many weeks!  I sure felt aches and pains all over last night from being in the cold and wind.
 
Batch one  of jelly.  Several more to make.   I forgot to add vinegar to canner water and really need to wash those jars up. - hard water.

Meals this past week:
Deconstructed cabbage rolls with smoked sausage
Chipped beef gravy over toast and scrambled eggs
Chili
Chili mac with cheese & sour cream topping
Breaded pork chops, green beans, sautéed mushrooms & tomatoes
Loaded baked potatoes
Sandwiches and chips/dip/salsa (I was tired)

All leftovers were made into different meals, frozen, or used for lunch

This next week I plan on making more jellies and process the kraut.  I have to go and get my driver license renewed - UGH - so I will run errands while in that area (an area I rarely go).  Need to do more de-cluttering as well.

How was your week?  Did you get any deals?  Doing any canning?
Give us a shout out!

Prayers for your safely and health in this coming week.  May the Lord help us to live more simply and appreciate what we have and to be more generous with others.
Blessings from our humble home to yours.

18 comments:

  1. Hi! I don't blame you for being angry about the dog. We had a fence jumper once, a cute little guy, but couldn't keep him out of the yard for anything and he left my dog with twelve puppies! People really should be more responsible!

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    1. I am a huge animal lover - but if I wanted a dog I would have one. Their landlord called me today and said he laid the law down with them. Hopefully no more problems.
      I'd hate to see it get in the street and hit or hurt by another dog.
      Have a good one.

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  2. Oh you had a great week but your poor kitties! I'm so glad they got down, poor babies. I see your comment above and I hope that all goes well with these people.
    This cold is hard to get used to and that wind was here too. Crazy. Try and stay warm and have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes, poor babies. The people are quiet - so no complaints there - they just need to control their dog.

      That wind was just crazy. Some people in the area are still without power.
      You have a good week as well.

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  3. I hope the Landlord takes care of the problem. We had problems with our neighbor's 5 dogs getting into our yard too. She is not a nice person. We ended up spending $7000 on a fence and had them put wire under the ground so her dogs would stop digging into our yard. It was worth it because they haven't gotten in our yard since we put up the fence. We have to keep the gates locked because she will walk into anyone's yard when ever she wants(she watches people leave). She moved in after we did. People are crazy!

    Our weather has cooled down too. I put flannel sheets and blankets on all of the beds. It has been very busy with work which equals so extra money. My full week is here: https://mcoia.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-frugal-list-week-of-october-15-2018.html

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    1. Oh my goodness that is a lot of money!!!!! I thought about privacy fence on that side - but there is no reason I should have to spend that kind of money, when they simply need to watch the dog.

      That is crazy that she walks into your yards - why would someone do that?
      You had a great week again.
      Have a lovely day!

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  4. Frugal find of the week, a merino wool knee length sweater for $25 at the thrift store. It still had a price tag on it, stating someone got it on sale for $214.80 from $358. Eileen Fisher brand, must be a fancy doodle brand maybe! I had almost ordered a sweater not near as nice for $20 on sale with $8 shipping, glad I didn't! Still dealing with tomatoes. Last garden class was awesome, it was over gardening vegetables! Still got calves coming. Hope we get them all on the ground before the weather gets really cold. Ear tagging them is my most hated job. Dh tackles them and tries to hold them down, while I try to put the ear tag in. Its not fun, the calves are squirming and hollering, and I'm the shakiest gun in the west!! Their moms want to kill us!! Sorry to hear you have neighbor troubles, that can be so stressful. Maybe her landlord got the point across. I'd keep the landlords phone hot if the dogs get out again.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. What a wonderful find on the sweater! I used to have a knee length sweater and loved it. I wore that thing till it totally wore out.
      Glad you are still getting tomatoes. I can imagine that is not a fun job with the babies. I have seen that done often on TV and it looks like quite a job.

      Oh I have his phone number right by the phone. I hope this worked and I won't need to call.
      Have a good week.

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  5. Poor kitties! I hope the dog situation gets better. Sounds like a good week otherwise!

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  6. So sorry to hear about the dog. I have the same problem here in the apt. complex. They have a dog park but the woman next to me is somewhat disabled and I don't think she would make it to the dog park and back (although I do believe the exercise and dog-control on a lease would do her and the dog good). I bought a "pooper-scooper" kit (small rake and a horizontal dustpan) when I first moved in for 2 dogs at that same apt. I just use the set to pick it up, then put the poop over the curb. We have little ones who run through the area to get to the communal door by my apt. and I don't want them to step or slip in it. Sounds like you had a very productive week last week though. We finally have a break in our weather - maybe fall is really setting in. It was 59* yesterday morning, and just 73* in the afternoon. Today it was 56* when I got up and will be 75* today. And Saturday it was 89*. The difference was so refreshing to me. I had windows open, and the porch door open a little with the fan bringing in some of the cooler air. Made a big difference sleeping too. I have been making lists of what is in my pantry and how many of each I want to have in there - cans/jars, boxes, and ingredients. And I am keeping those lists in a little ziploc bag along with my grocery list to look at so that when I decide to add something for storage, I can and see what that should be - not on a list attached to the fridge, but with me. Anyway, have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I bet you are absolutely LOVING that cooler weather.
      People are so uncaring when it comes to cleaning up after their pets. makes me angry.

      Good idea of listing what you want and need. I have started a little list of things I need to stock back up on. Good idea keeping it with you - plus you can add to it when you think of it.
      have a good one.

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  7. Our puppy chews on our cat. The cat puts up with it so I figure he likes it. He can turn and scratch any time. But I would be irritated if a neighbor hood dog was in my yard causing trouble.

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    1. I think my kitties would be fine had they gown up with dogs. They love the squirrels and don't care about possums or a raccoons.

      I have a fenced yard for a reason! I guess they don't get it
      Have a good one.

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  8. Hello Cheryl, thank you so much for reminding me about my driver's license!! Mines expires this Saturday and I had totally forgotten about it. Must be age creeping up on me. Keep forgetting things and I have lists all over the house. The weather turned beautiful here after all the snow we had several weeks ago. How awful when neighbors do not show any responsibility for their pets.

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    1. Jannie you are welcome. My expires Saturday. It isn't something we do often, so it does slip our minds!

      I am a huge list maker too.
      SNOW - yikes! Not ready for that at all. Enjoy your break from cold.
      Have a good one.

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  9. I'm getting out my snow boots (cuz I love using them in my decorating) and hoping this year we will get snow. We didn't get any last year, which was unusual.

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    1. Haha. I find it so neat that some people WISH for snow - I am over it myself.
      It's a lot of work and so unsafe. People here act like they have never seen snow before EVERY first snowfall!!!! Crazy.
      I hope you get some to enjoy!!!!!!

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