Hello to all and welcome to the 'corner'. Hoping this is finding all well and safe. I sure do worry about you all, when I don't hear something from you now and then. Check in if you can! We have some missing regulars - it worries me.
It is 34*F this morning and frosty - well, it finally happened here! This is the coldest we have had in months! The sun is out now and it looks pretty!
The sunrise was absolutely beautiful this morning. The pinks were really something. I always feel kind of sorry for folks who are still in bed, when the sunrise happens - it is just the most wonderful way to start a day. God saying good morning.
- Picked 14 more smaller green tomatoes hiding under the plants - that's it now
- Cleaned up my paperwork area - so needed
- Made whipped Jello
- Cleaned out the storm drain again, as we were expecting rain - it was packed with leaves and gunk. It always amazes me that no one else will bother to clear it
- Did more basement cleaning and decluttering - keep finding things I forgot about!
- I went out on Tuesday to vote, then to the bank, then to the feed store, and then to WM - as I needed a few items I can't get any other place close by (new undies and bra). I keep wondering why undies come in packs of 6 - are we supposed to go commando 1 day?? LOL
- Laundry cold, and hung to dry
- I have turned on the furnace the past 2 mornings to take the chill off :(
- One of the back bushes has gotten mal-formed over the past couple years - and to adjust in summer, makes the plant look ugly - so I fixed it and trimmed that side up. Figure it can look bad over the winter. Of course more leaves raked
- Used leftover broc./rice to add to other ingredients to make a small chowder (ate & froze some)
- Last evening I went out to feed the cats, and I found and nice handful of little banana peppers that I picked before frost - they are little but are still edible
- Using what I have and eating or freezing all leftovers
Meals this past week:
Chicken strips and tom, cuke, onion salad
Omelet, toast and sliced tomatoes
Grilled ham and cheese sandwich, fresh veggies w/ranch
Broccoli/cheese rice, smoked sausage, tomatoes
Veggie chowder
Tenderloin sandwich and salad
Chicken/mashed potato bowl
SNACKS - Jello, fruit in some form
I did chill a bit again this week. I really need to get busy and get my list together for Christmas, and need to make my jelly for baskets. Need to do some sewing as well. It will be here before you know it.
I am still adjusting to the time change things. I hate it. I get up earlier, because my clock and those of the cats didn't change - and it gets dark now at 6PM - goodness, the days just seem to drag by. I guess I need to find more things to occupy my time! (I have plenty to do)
How was your week? Any deals this week? Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet? Decorated? I know many have.
Check in and let us know you are ok!!!! I wish you all a great week ahead.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
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I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High.
Psalms 9:1-2
Lord, thank You for all the many blessings we each receive every day. Thank You for health and safety. Please continue to hold those close, that need Your comforting and love. Many may be suffering with illness, grief, sorrow, financial woes or job loss, so please help each one to see the light that will come, through trusting in You. Your healing and love can change life. May we all go forward this week with a grateful heart. AMEN
My daily thankful: I am so very thankful for the beauty of nature that God gives us each day.
Oh I love those little bits of veggies you harvested. So cool. All I got to do is pull up the tomato cages. I think since it rained they will come up easy now. We've had the furnace on at night a lot-but the day we can turn it off. I hope the natural gas rates don't go up but they probably will.
ReplyDeleteThose little odds and ends will add to my dishes and meals - so no since letting them go to waste. Sometimes places charge a fortune for 'baby' veggies!
DeleteI actually had my monthly budget go down - that really surprised me - based on last years use!
Have a great week.
Yesterday was an all day hymn singing. The lunch food was wonderful - and I ate way too much of it and am paying for that now with a bit of indigestion. My own home food is so simple that when I get a chance to eat other folks' foods which are fancy I kinda go hog wild. :D There were 2 types of pumpkn pie, a lovely beans with beef dish, and a cauliflower casserole which was wonderful, not to mention a bunch of other sides dishes.
ReplyDeleteI have one more Christmas order to make, but I'm waiting a little bit. I feel like I've spent a bunch of money all at once - 6 gifts in 3 days. Then there will be bits and pieces, trimmings, so to speak. Some pistachio nuts, some chocolate treats, and much closer to the Big Day I'll make cookies. Thank you, Cheryl, for the warnings that Christmas is coming sooner than we think. This year I feel ahead of the game instead of worried that I'll have nothing for people who matter. :)
These lovely sunny days are delightful, but they are getting cooler and cooler - almost chilly today. My heat came on because it was in the 30s last night. My bed was lovely warm though and the cat was all snuggled up with me.
MaryB
Glad you had a nice time of the singing and got lots of fancy foods! It always tastes better when someone else cooks!
DeleteGood for you on being in such good shape for Christmas. I have a few things for baskets and a game for one of the youngsters but that is it.
Yes, the days are getting cooler. Sunshine during the day is heating my home nicely, but the past 2 mornings have been pretty chilly.
Bitsy has a couple places he likes to lay - and he always snuggles under covers wherever he lands!
Have a lovely week.
Hello Cheryl. It certainly is odd that undies come in packs of 6! It is still warm here but a “bit” cooler at night, 63 F. I went outside this morning and it felt good.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the most frugal thing this week was that I returned two items not needed for the mailbox project, saving $46.48. The guy who cuts my grass removed the old mailbox post surrounded by the shrub. (I did not want to ask my neighbor for another favor.) The post is in the garage and I’m not sure trash will take it but I’ll worry about that later. The shrub will grow back where I hacked it to get access to the post.
Friday I had lunch with three friends. One had been away for my birthday and treated me to lunch. We have planned our Christmas get together.
Slowly I’m doing more decluttering. Cancelled a free print magazine subscription that I’m not reading. Odds and ends of dishes are my weak spot but I’m getting better at letting them go. I put 7 “dish” items in the donate box along with a garden flag and jigsaw puzzle. I’ll try to add more.
Cheryl, serious question. Do you ever feel that it is time to focus less on frugality and more on spending, even if that only means buying what you want even if it is not on sale? I struggle with this but more and more feel that I have sufficient savings/investments and no close heirs so why not. Even my very, very frugal mom got to this point towards the end of her life. I have to take my RMD (required minimum distribution) starting next year. I now think I’m going to spend it instead of saving it. Barbara M.
I think 6 packs are just weird - none came in 7 packs!
DeleteGood for you on sending stuff back. Nice to have had the friends time and something to look forward to as well.
I have so many things downstairs to get rid of. I just need it gone. It is an endless battle.
I do think about it. I have to start taking mine this next year as well - and I even asked my advisor - what if I don't need it - can I just re-invest? He said yes.
I don't travel like you, but you should do what you want and can afford. You enjoy it. I spend on other people a lot, and I am more open with that. I often have to buy things that aren't on sale or a deal (undies & bra!!). I just like to get the most for my money. I do have several projects I want to do come spring, and will look for a good value, but I want them done - so will do them. I totally understand your thinking - I think about it too.
Have a wonderful week.
Yes you can reinvest but still have to pay the taxes. The thing about putting it into taxable stock/bond mutual funds each year is you have to think about the cost basis calculations if you ever sell it. Just some additional paperwork. I think I’ll put mine in a money market or high-yield savings and use it as I need it.
DeleteYou have nieces and nephews and a lot of extended family. I have so little family. One cousin and his wife older than me who are doing well and I only give them a bit on special occasions. One cousin (other side of the family) I’m fairly close to and I do help her but she is a lost cause with finances. I will give a good-sized donation to my local library, however, now that they will suffer from the recent property tax amendment and I already have them in my Will.
Figuring out what to do with the RMD is a challenge. I've been taking mine now for 10 years. I've made some improvements/repairs to the house. I've done some college fund stuff for the grands. But mostly I've tried to save it because who knows what the next 10 years will bring me, healthwise. (That was on advice of both accountant and broker.)
DeleteNo matter what you decide to do, be sure you save out enough to pay the taxes on the RMD, unless you were clever and foresighted enough to do a Roth account. ;) Be sure you start the RMD on the correct year, it's not as clear as it looks, somehow. Tricky. Since that is tax related, the tricky part could be deliberate, no? ;)
MaryB
I believe this first year I could wait until first quarter of 2028 but I do not want to take two RMDs in the same year. Yes, I will be sure to save out for taxes. And I know it is very important to save for future healthcare. My friend’s husband has just entered memory care and whoa the cost is shocking.
DeleteBarbaraM
DeleteAll very good points - taxes and death - the 2 things we can't escape! Hopefully you have enough time to think a bit and make decisions that work for you.
DeleteBarbara, I understand the switch from frugality to ??? I have decided to look at what a spend will provide. I am 80 and I need help to get things done. This fall I have hired a gardener to clean up my yard. I'd love to have a cleaning lady but I have to clean my house first! Look at services that you can't do, or do well anymore, or stress you out, and find someone that can do them. I keep a running list and hire a handyman for things I can no longer do--and this includes changing lightbulbs and furnace filters, not to mention small repairs. Whoever thought 9 ft. vaulted ceilings (the vault starts at 9 ft. and the furnace filters are in the ceilings) was a good idea needs a good thumping! And who would buy such a house...especially a 5'0" woman! Oh, yeah, that was me............
DeleteMaxine, I totally agree! And I’m also just 5 feet tall! There are so many things that would be easier if I was taller.
DeleteYou've had a full week. Your list of meals is always a bit of an inspiration for me, as I like to eat simply but with variety. You manage that very well.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your cooler temps, we're heading into the 80F's this week. I'm grateful to have had the mini-split installed. It keeps it as cool as I like (about 76-77F) and I don't worry about leaving it on when I leave the unit as I did with the old ceiling a/c.
Thanks, I like food - but yes, like a little variety and it doesn't have to be a lot of work.
DeleteI would rather have your temps!!!! LOL
Glad you able to get some things done there last week.
Have a beautiful week.
Good morning! It rained here over night. A welcome change as it has been colder this past week. Just checking in since life has gotten away with me. Christmas always comes to quick, just when you think it's September and then boom it's the holiday season. Our son is coming to visit this week, we will do an early Thanksgiving dinner. And a late Birthday celebration, his b-day was on Halloween. There is a new Asian Buffet in town so maybe we'll go there! He likes sushi. We just pulled the last of the roma tomatoes. And I need to do some general yard clean up from when we had frost. Just curious, did you by chance get your birthday card?
ReplyDeleteGlad you got some needed rain. Seems life has a way of getting away from all of us. It has all gone by so fast this year. Glad he is coming home and that you can have T-day together - even if early. Seems like many stretched that garden season as long as possible!!!
DeleteI did get your card and I got one from Becky as well - and it just slipped away from me to let you both know. So lovely and so very appreciated to be remembered.
We need to catch up real soon!!! Maybe next week after your son goes home.
Have a splendid week with family!!! Luv ya!
High of 72 here today but 42 tonight. I bought green beans at Walmart for 50 cents a can, so I bought 12. Then I saw canned pumpkin for a dollar a piece so I bought 12. Cooked chicken breasts in chicken stock in crockpot and added a can of carrots at the end. Hope you have a great week!!! Cindy in the South
ReplyDelete72 sounds nice! It isn't supposed to get as cold tonight as last night - yay!
DeleteThose are great deals. $1 can of pumpkin is super! Good for you on stocking up!
Mmmmm chicken - I do love my chicken.
Have a super week.
I’ve turned my little ceramic heater on in the bathroom in the morning to take the chill off when I’m in there. It’s perfect for taking the chill off. We went out Tuesday to vote too, what an historical election! People will be talking about it for years to come. I’ve been raking leaves too, there are soooo many! lol
ReplyDeleteI’ve also picked up a few things for Christmas this week. It’s not too soon to get started.
Belinda
That is a good idea, I have another little heater that I could use in the bathroom. Thanks for the idea.
DeleteLeaves, every night!!!!!! You live in the woods - that would be an endless task.
Good to have a start on the holidays. I need to get a better one!
Have a pleasant week.
Yes, why 6 & not 7 prs of panties? That's like 12 packs of weiners & 8 hot dog buns!! The snow we had 2 wks ago is gone & today was an unseasonably warm day @ 16C. The fellow who hunts on my property brought a truckload of seasoned spruce. Firewood makes me smile. 2 batches of peanut brittle; 2 pans of eatmore bars & 3 doz cranberry/wht choc chip cookies were delivered to the assisted living lodge for the bake sale this w/e. My cousin's 65th BD was celebrated & I also got to attend my granddaughter's ringuette game today. There was the usual housecleaning, exercises & a 1-mi walk this week. In the kitchen: spanish rice; chocolate chip cookies; tortellini soup; packaged kale salad. I'm ready for a good night's sleep after 2 sleepless nights. And with that, the first week of Nov is in the books.
ReplyDeleteExactly - the manufacturers make no sense in packaging.
DeleteGlad the snow is melted - I sure hate to the thought of snow.
Nice on the wood! That will sure come in handy. Oh, I bet the bake sale was wonderful, if everyone made such goodies.
Sounds like you got to keep busy with family.
Hope you get a great sleep!!!! It is awful not to sleep well or at all. o darn tiring. Sleep tight!
Have another good week.
Msg to Mona--Amen on the wieners/bun things. I have always wondered why the manufacturers can't get their acts together!
DeleteMsg to Cheryl--when I was a kid (early 50s) a brand called Spanky pants did sell in packs of 7 with the day of the week printed on each pair. This was a children's brand but I wonder if it wouldn't help me keep track of the days! LOL
I hired a woman to clean up my yard and she is doing a fabulous job. My job is to back her up. Wednesday, I loaded the back of my SUV full of broken-down cardboard boxes to be recycled and Christmas decor to be donated. I did both. Then I went to Home Depot to get some repair parts for my garden edging and discovered NO ONE MAKES THE PART. But I got lucky! The store wasn't busy and I snagged a clerk who was a real MacGyver! We found items in the plumbing department that will easily substitute. I have to tell you, this guy totally made my day! Then I filled up my car with 7 big bags of mulch and hauled it home.
The next morning--Thursday--I unloaded the mulch and filled the back again with 5 big leaf bags of garden trimmings, plus another big bag of bedding, towels and some clothes to donate. I went to the dump and thrift store again. The gardener is working again Monday and I'm expeIcting another day or two of the same next week. It feels so good to actually accomplish something for a change.
When I know my RMDs for the year, I make a list of charities I support and have an annual donation made to each directly from the investment company. This makes the donations tax-deductible even if you don't itemize. You can do this at any time of the year, and more than once, but doing it in one fell swoop in January or February works for me.
Thank you for your weekly prayer. I am praying for health for a 58-y-o friend whose body seems to be falling apart.
Maxine - I had day of the week panties when I was a girl. Too bad they still don't have them for adults!!!
DeleteWow what a busy & productive week with all the yard work and the decluttering. You are on a roll. Nice to have the help too.
It truly does feel good when things get accomplished.
That is a good idea on the charities.
I hope your friend can find some relief and healing.
Have another successful week!
Cheryl, I always spend Christmas with my son who lives 550 miles away and always has to work the whole Christmas season (why they don't come here). In my comment to Barbara, I would like to add that we are flying this year! This falls into the category of saving time and not having to (potentially) drive through snow to get there. It's not even much more expensive than driving and having to spend the night along the way. That's another way to spend money LOL!
DeleteSometimes hiring help is the only way to get things done!