Easy & Sturdy Mending

We always have items that need mended (at least I do).  I have lots of jeans, but they are all older.  Can't remember the last time I bought a pair of new jeans at a 'real' store!  Any jeans I have purchased in recent years were from thrift stores - and that hasn't happened in years.
I wear jeans almost exclusively!!!

I have always had a time of wearing out knees and the bum area of jeans - too much crawling around on the ground!  OK - I know people actually pay huge money for the look I end up with - shredded knees and such.  Not this gal - I can't stand my knees poking through.

I don't like iron patches, as I have never had good luck with them sticking well.  I just can't sew patches in place on knees with my sewing machine.  I can't get them in the right position without bunching up and sewing something extra into the mended area!!!

Here is what I use.

This stuff is great and lasts and lasts.  It can be purchased at most craft and fabric stores.  Not only do I use this on jeans - but I have used it on crafts as well.  We all have that project that is just an odd size or area to sew.   This stuff is great and holds up very well wash after wash.

As you can see in this picture, patches can be small or large.  The one on the left is the inside of a pair of jeans - knee patch.  The one on the right is patching I did right in the zipper/crotch area.  It was difficult working around the zipper and thick seams with sewing machine - sew I fused it!

I can always add a pretty patch to the outside of the knee or bum area with the same product.

I have used this product mending fabric purses, jeans, and craft projects.  I have 'fixed' small rips in the seam of pillows, without removing all the stuffing.  I have applied appliques to items easily.  This works wonderfully on any oddball area and on all kinds of fabric.

My neighbor called a month or so ago, asking for suggestions on attaching fabric to a chair she was recovering.  She used this to get everything attached and set - them she added brads for a finishing touch.  She called and said it worked so well, and that she would never be without it from now on (she doesn't sew).

I keep this on hand all the time.  If kept properly capped a bottle will last for ages.  I have a larger bottle (in stock) that I got several years ago when Hancock Fabric went out of business.  I don't ever want to be without it.

If you have never tried it (or any product that is similar), think about giving it a try.  Some areas sell a product called Liquid Stitch which is the same thing.

Hopefully this tip will help with your odd mending and craft projects.

Weekly Wrap-Up 5/12

Good morning and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Moms of humans and fur babies!  I hope everyone has a special day.

It is rainy and chilly here today.  I sure wish the weather would get and STAY warmer!  They are calling for frost the next 2 mornings!!  Last year on Mother's Day it was almost 90*!
I did buy a few plants this week - but not putting out veggies for a few days - not taking a chance with frost.  Nights should maintain 50* for good planting here.  Looks more like end of the week will be better.

Many flowers are starting to bloom.  I have columbine blooming, and the poppies are starting to pop open.  My clematis has lots of big buds.  The peonies are covered with buds as well.  Leaves are coming on the grape arbor.

I put my hummingbird feeder on the 3rd and finally saw my FIRST baby of the season on the 10th.  Just one - but it is a start.  Still awful chilly at night around here.

• I did some yard work the first part of the week.  Got the pampas grass all cut back, and did mowing and some trimming.  So much to do  (just not a lot of gumption to do it).
• No heat all week - until yesterday morning.  The house was downright chilly, so I turned it on for one cycle.  Same this morning.  House holds heat well.  Rest of the week the windows were open and the house got lots of fresh air.
• I had to order more checks from the bank - no charge for seniors!  Can't remember the last time we ordered checks.  Glen did everything online - not me!
• Gave my neighbor a couple cans of coffee - I don't drink it, so someone should get use.
• Donated to "feed the hungry" Post Office food drive yesterday
• Went through a LOT more paperwork
• I received a pretty wreath from a friend in Colorado.  It is on my front door in honor of Glen

• I patched 4 pairs of old jeans - which will be great for just bumming around in
• I did more cleaning - some regular that has been neglected last couple weeks and more deep cleaning
• I cooked up a pound of ground beef into taco seasoned - used in a few meals
• I ran to Big Lots one rainy day - just to get out of the gloomy house.  I got a couple deals.  I found 2 - 3 1/2 pound bags of cat food marked at .50 each and 2 - bottles of shampoo for .50.  Super deal for sure.

Simple meals this week:

Homemade bean/cheese/ salsa burrito

Mac n cheese topped with a little taco meat

Soft tacos

Cheesy baked potato topped with last of the taco meat

Tuna patty and leftover mac

Homemade small pizza

This and that - finished all leftovers

How was your week?

Taking things one day at a time and trying to move forward.  I finally got all the paperwork I need to move forward on some financial things.  Things sure are different.  I guess the only thing that is consistent in life - is change!  

I pray that each of you have a great, healthy and safe week.  I do love all my friends here.   I saw a prayer in the paper the other day I'd like to share.

"Show us, O God, how to simplify our lives.  Focus us on what is essential to live a life of love.  Help us to let go of the rest.  Amen."

Blessings from my humble little home and world to yours.

God bless you all.

Couple More Kitchen 101 Ideas

Today will be a couple more K101 ideas.  Just basics - but helpful.
Summer is coming upon us, and we can all use new ideas for food and drink. I hope this inspires someone!

I love this!!!  I make myself a lot of sparkling water with the soda stream.  This is a great way to add some flavor.  I like just a hint of flavor.  This would also be great for iced tea - I am thinking lemon or orange flavored Kool-Aid.  Just add a cube or two to a glass of your favorite cool drink!

Fresh fruits and veggies are a go to in the summer.  This is a refrigerate vs. don't refrigerate list.

I am OK with the refrigerate side - BUT I DO refrigerate apples, oranges, cucumbers and peppers.  I have a problem with those items going bad too quickly if not refrigerated.

I NEVER put a tomato in the frig.  I remember Mom would sometimes put a plate of leftover sliced tomatoes in the frig and I wouldn't touch them (and I LOVE tomatoes).  It sure did change the flavor in my opinion.

Do you agree with the lists?

  

Oh my, this is surely one of my favorite things.  Lettuce is a great spring/early summer garden food and this is just one more way to use it.  Everything is better with bacon!!!!!

I don't usually add egg or radish, but may try that.  YUM!

Hopefully this gives you an idea or two.
ENJOY!

Kitchen 101

Just a couple of tips to help us all out.  Canning season is fast approaching and it always good to have a quick reference to measures.
I like how the measurements have conversions as well.

Hope these help someone.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well, there isn't a lot of frugal news to share.  I will try.

The weather has been wet, with a side of more wet!!  Until today - 10 of the last 11 days have had rain.  The only one that didn't was Tuesday - the day of the funeral.  For that I am thankful.
It has rained at least one day of every weekend since the first of February.
The weed are growing like crazy, as well as the grass.

Hopefully if the dew dries, I can mow today.  It needs it again for sure.  So many weeds to pull out of the flower beds.  Today and tomorrow are supposed to be dry, then more rain comes in for most of the week.  Garden will wait as well.  Today is truly beautiful outside.  Sun is shining and the sky doesn't have a single cloud.  It has been ages since we have had such a day.

The kitties are still not completely understanding where daddy is.  Lilly lays in his spot on the bed all day - every day.  At night I lay there, and she comes in and lays in his power chair.  Coogy just loves on me constantly, and lays with me at night.  He sits and stare at me, as if he is thinking.

• I did put the hummingbird feeders up on 5/3 just in case.  Not much blooming, so I want them to have food if they show up.
• I have not purchased groceries in almost 3 weeks, except 1/2 gallon milk a 2 liter bottle of pop and 2 vine tomatoes
• Have done laundry in cold water
• I have been eating once a day - nothing to brag about.  I did cook a couple eggs, and some pasta w/chili beans once.  Other than that it has been a sandwich, salad, or bowl of soup.
• I have not turned on the heat in many days
• I returned the library books this week, so I wouldn't forget.  Never finished reading - will get them again later.  I have tried to read, and just can not concentrate
• I did go to  the feed store for the bird/squirrel feed.
• I have been enjoying some beautiful roses and a lovely battery angel candle I received.  The roses smell so lovely,  I keep changing the water and babying them, so as to make them last.  I also have some houseplant planters, adding lots of green to the house.

• I did figure out the bill situation - utilities and insurances are basically all we have.  Paid what was due.  Did some banking, till things are settled.
• I had to go back to the cemetery in Thursday, so make all final decisions on the grave marker.  We had paid for it, years ago when buying our plots - but had to decide on style and granite backer.    I went by Glen's grave and was totally surprised at how neat it was.  I figured I would see a lot of mud two days out and rain - but it already had sod.  This all seems so surreal.

So there you have it.  I am just getting through a moment at a time.  EVERYTHING has changed.  The quiet is deafening!!!!  When attempting to watch TV, I have chosen all different things - I just can't watch our 'regular' programs.

I know I have to move forward and live the best life possible to  honor Glen.  He would want me experience life as well as I can.  I spent years staying by his side, and not venturing more than a few minutes away (in case something happened).  Well, I was right here, and it happened anyway.  

He would want me to hook back up with friends and family and do stuff.  Many have reached out for "when I am ready".  I have family and friends checking on me daily.  I have felt so much love.

I truly want to thank YOU ALL again for all the love and prayers that have been shared.  You just have no idea what it means to me.  You are all my friends and just gems in God's world.

THANK YOU!

May you all be blessed and have a good week.  Stay healthy, happy and frugal.  Hug, love and enjoy!

Blessings from this girl's humble little world to yours.

God bless.

Moving Forward

Well, moving forward is most difficult.  May I just say THIS SUCKS SO BAD!
I know we are never ready to lose anyone - but I sure wasn't ready for my sweet Glen to move on so soon.  This is just awful.

I am trying to make heads or tails of things.  I have to wait on several things until I get the actual death certificates in my hands.  I understand that, they have to have proof.
Luckily I can survive until that is all taken care of.

I sat down yesterday and went through bills - trying to figure what had been paid and what needed to be.  I paid our property taxes.  I think I have figured it all out.  I will be doing things 'the old fashioned way' - writing checks!  No online stuff for me.
Oh my word, Glen was sure a packrat when it came to paper work.  Why oh why, were there folders of things that weren't important at all from 5-6 years ago?
I have started to just go through things slowly.  I did go to the bank and transfer some money to take care of things for the next couple months - at least until everything is settled.

Lists and more lists are being made.  So many things to think about and do.  I have always been a list person - but now especially.

I had this saying put on his memorial card.  I love it and thought it may resonate with others as well.

THANK YOU to each and every person who has sent love and prayers and virtual hugs. I am so overwhelmed by the love from every corner of the globe.  My cup is full of love!

Thank you for the words of advice.

I will not be making any big decisions for ages.  I am now just moving forward one day at a time.  That is the most I can do at this time.  This is just so difficult and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Starting next week, until I get my head back on straight, I will be posting  little informative memes just to help folks out.  I will get myself together soon.

Again, THANK YOU for all the love.  Family, friends, and faith has held me up.  God is my comforter.

God bless you all.

Gratitude and Change

I have to say that I am total overwhelmed by all the comments.  The love, prayers, sadness and tears shared with me from every corner of the globe is just astounding.  I know I am totally surrounded with love.  I cannot begin to express what it has meant to me.
Every single service person I have had to deal with this week has been absolutely lovely.  All were so kind, compassionate and caring.  I have been hugged and I have been cried with by professionals.  It has been astounding.
My family and friends have surrounded me with love and support.

I have had a lot of loss in my life, but Tuesday was by far the absolute worst day I have ever experienced.  The shock and suddenness and tremendous loss is beyond words.
I am comforted by all the support shown and by knowing that my sweet husband is in the Lord's presence.
Everything about my life changed Tuesday morning.  It will never be the same.  I don't know why or what direction life will take, but I give it to God to direct me and hold me up.

I will have a second worst day this Tuesday when I see my sweet Glen's actual face for the last time.  I then have to figure out things about going forward.
I will need to check his retirement and social security accounts and insurance eventually.  He set his retirement up so that I would also receive full benefits for the rest of my life.  I have to work on paying bills - he paid everything online -  and I don't have a clue how to do that.  Needless to say I will be visiting with the bank a bit.  He did make sure that I would be OK financially, for that I am grateful.
I have to get used to new routines.  My life was very structured with him and now nothing.  I do have my sweet kitties to take care of and my nature - so I have some things to do each day that are important.

My kitties are so confused.  Lilly eats her breakfast in the morning, then goes in and lays in "daddies" spot on the bed all day.  Both have gotten sick a couple times this week.  Their world turned upside down as well.  They sleep with me at night, and Coogy loves on me constantly.

I do believe my blog posts will be changing some as well. 

I will not be doing bargain hunting and shopping for a long time.  Goodness knows I have enough food here to feed an army, let alone just me.  I well imagine my only food purchases will maybe be milk and something fresh.

I probably won't have weekly menus to share for quite a while.  How interesting and varied can it be when it's only me?  Soup, sandwiches, a salad or cheese isn't much to write about.

That big garden I had planned for this year - will be much smaller.  There will be no need.  I will grow enough for myself and maybe my neighbor and maybe a few things to make 'canned' gifts from.

So please be with me as things evolve - as I am sure they will.

I look around and wonder why do I have all this stuff?  My sweet man was an absolute pack-rat on his own!  WHY oh why did he keep so much paperwork and stuff?  Eventually I will get through things and figure it all out.

So for now, I will go forward one day at a time.  I will see the joy again I am sure - but it will take time.  Glen would want me to be happy and continue on a positive path of life.  That I know for sure.

He is in every nook and cranny of this house and I do feel surrounded by his presence and love.

Again, thank you all for all the beautiful thoughts and words.  It means so much.

Hang in there with me - as I will get back on track soon.

Love harder, hug tighter, and speak kinder every day.

God bless you all my sweet, sweet friends.  I love you all.