That was fun!

 I had to run out the other day to vote - while out I ran a couple errands.  One thing I did was to run into a sort of new store I had not been in.  Now I have been in each store separately, but this is a new combo!  This store has been open for a couple months - so went in and checked it out.

It was the new combo of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree!  This store was huge!!!!!!  It used to be a grocery store back in the day - and it was a big store.   Later this same place had been a huge consignment thrift store.

Not sure about you, but it seems any time I go into either of these stores, they are messy and not the cleanest and the lighting is dark.  ICK

Well, this store was lovely.  Maybe because it is newer, maybe just the management, who knows - I just know it was a pleasure to go through it.  The staff was very friendly.

Half of the store was all Dollar Store items (1.25 now).  The other half is Family Dollar items.  The shelves were stocked full.  You name it, they had it.  It actually seemed each side had more variety than any stand-alone store that I have been in (of these 2).

Now there are things I won't buy - but many I would.  I got some treats and goodies for my teens I make up goody bags for at Christmas.  They are teens, and like GC's and money - but they just love getting fun treats as well!  Always a kid!

I even got myself a couple pair of new reader's (glasses) that are just too cute and cost 1.25 each!!!  They work perfectly and will be great until I get to the eye doctor for prescription readers.

You do need to pay attention to pricing though!  My favorite throat lozenges were on Dollar Tree side for $1.25 - same thing on the Family Dollar side was $1!!!!!!!!  There weren't many things that I saw that way - but some were cheaper on the Family side.  Crazy!

So if you have one of these places popping up around you - check it out.  Bags, cards, ribbons, throws, candies and treats, arts & crafts, holiday things, household pretties, and they even had some clothes (sweats, etc.).

It was a fun experience, and so much to choose from.

Have a great day!

Blessings - A little can be a LOT!

 Never underestimate a blessing.  They come in all sizes from teeny tiny to large.  A blessing can be anything.  I am blessed in sooooo many ways each and every day!  I am sure many of you are as well.  

I like to think we can spread blessings around for no cost to us or for very little.

A kind word or a smile

A kind gesture

A gentle understanding - that maybe someone is just having a rough day

Giving to a food pantry or shelter

Donating goods to a thrift store

Being a thoughtful and kind neighbor

Just portraying a good humor and good attitude can change other's day

Here is something I am doing - it is a little thing - but so many are grateful.

My neighbor asked if I would like to help - sure!  It is helping his church - good!  It is so benefiting a family needing help - WONDERFUL!  

It makes my heart sing - to be able to help just a little.  It is something we can all do.  We can pull from our pantries, or we can purchase.  

The church is donating turkeys - so others are donating the balance of a 'meal' to help someone else.

Such a simple thing.  It doesn't cost much - really.  Gosh I got a turkey pan for $1 and the cooking bags for 1.25 at the dollar stores.  I got the potatoes and stuffing mix on sale at Kroger for $1 plus a little change.  Can goods - some from home - others less than a $1 each for store brand.

This is something we can all do - not just at Thanksgiving - but around Christmas and during the winter months.  People aren't just hungry at holidays.  I give to the local food pantry from time to time.

Maybe you can do something like this through your church, or work organization, or sorority or whatever groups you belong to.  OR maybe you can just do a bag of whatever types of food you have to share - for someone in the community that needs help.

I hope each person can open their hearts a little and help.  Yes, a little can be a LOT to someone else.

Blessings to each of you!

The Weather is a Changing....

 Well, it does appear that weather is really starting to change up some in many areas.  It is getting chilly or downright cold.  Yep, winter is close at hand.  The winter equinox is still over a month away - but that doesn't mean the chill isn't coming soon to a neighborhood near you!!

Don't laugh!   Some have already seen this scene.  It can stay away as far as I am concerned - but i know it is bound to happen. (not my pic)

Are you ready?

Have you got your pantry and freezer stocked?  Just in case you can't or don't want to get out.  Generally, no one is stranded at home for more than a day or so - as streets are cleared pretty regularly.  I, for one, just prefer staying home when the weather gets nasty.

Other things to think about.

Your vehicle - make sure all is A-OK.  Battery, tires, heater, oil, antifreeze. etc.  Make sure if you travel much, that you have a blanket and maybe some extra socks, a hat, gloves, and scarf in the car.  Maybe a few snacks.  I do keep socks in the Blazer - but I do not go very far in the vehicle.  I could walk to get help anywhere I go.

Bring in anything that could freeze from unheated garages or sheds.  Paint, fertilizers and chemicals.  Make sure to bring in rechargeable batteries and chargers for small garden tools.  Freezing can shorten the life of batteries and chargers!!!!  Ask me how I know!

Change that furnace filter and have your furnace checked out.

Turn off water faucet outside and unhook those hoses.

Get all your winter tools ready.  Shovel, snow blowers, have ice melt, scraper (and extras) for vehicle.   Make sure you have those blankies, scarves, hats, socks, etc. in the vehicle.  

Change out the batteries in the smoke detectors.

If you use a fireplace - make sure it is clean and in good working order.  

Have a plan for covering windows with plastic if need be, and for those drafts that come in around doors. It is better to have a plan than not!!!!!

Make a plan for the chance your power is out, and you have no heat for a while.  Plenty of blankets and heavy clothing for layering.  Wrapped pipes.

Make sure you have a plan for your chickens, any livestock or pets or animals that live outside.  Shelter, food and heated water bowls.  Of course, if the weather is too bad - bring in pets!

Cold weather is a great time to catch up on reading, snuggling, and doing indoor projects.  I find I hibernate a lot during the winter - with the exception of clearing paths and drive.

Be prepared - it is coming!!!!!!!

Weekly Wrap Up 11/6

 Happy Sunday to all!  Hope this finds you well and safe.

Did those of you that had to - change your clocks?  UGH.  

I got up at the very same time I always do, Fluffy was on the handrail peeking in the kitchen door yelling at me for food at the same time - just the clock was different.  It was earlier by an hour! So begins the rest of my winter!

What a day we had yesterday.  The wind was just crazy.  There were 60 mph wind gusts off and on all day.  It was sustained winds of 35-40 mph.  Many of the leaves are down - and most are now towards the back half of the yard.  YAY - I don't have as far to rake them to the garden!!  Pluses with all things!!!

It was still warm, so I had the back window open.  I was standing there looking out and I heard a loud crack, and watched a tree, 4 houses down (across alley) fall in what seemed to be slow motion!  The tree was a HUGE old, very dead (for years) tree.  It was one of those trees that could never be climbed to take it down.  Well, it is down now - and it hit nothing except the ground. Thank goodness.

I have tons of limbs down - and many leaves, so I am lucky.  All is good here.

                                                                 (not my picture)

I realized yesterday just what great contractors and engineers, squirrels are.  All that wind, many times this year, and their nests are still there!  They sure know what they are doing.

I have had tons of squirrels and blue jays again all week.

It has been above seasonally warm all week.  We got a little rain, lots of wind and warm temps.  This coming week looks to be mild as well - then next weekend, the prediction is much cooler.

My week:

• Went for what I thought was last check-up on eyes.  Yeah, one more this coming week!  Just to be sure!  That is OK
• Changed out the furnace filter
• Chunked up the end of a candle into bits for use in my melt pot
• Thawed and cooked (in various ways) a pound of ground sausage - for present and future meals
• Ran to library
• Put new stair treads on back steps for safety
• Water barrels are both empty and now stored away for the winter
• Fixed the weather strip around the greenhouse door
• Raked the back yard and put all leaves on the garden - and cleaned the deck again
• Got rid of 2 boxes of junk from garage (it is a tiny start)
• Cleaned the outer parts of kitchen cabinets
• Cut back all the peony plants
• Made a gallon a sweet tea
• All the normal stuff we all do
• Ran to Kroger for the egg special - 18 count for 1.99.  I got a .99 bag of plums - oh my are they good - got a few things for stock, just not a lot.  Make sure you check ADS this coming week - many places are having GREAT prices on turkey!!!!!  Kroger - .49/lb. w/digital coupon and $25 purchase (starts 11/9) and Meijer is .55/lb. (limit 2) (starts today).  Aldi has Butterball for 1.07.  I am sure other stores are following suit.  KEEP YOU EYES OPEN

                               Golden plums - so sweet and juicy - .99 for the bag on clearance!

Meals this past week:

Egg roll in a bowl

Ham & beans over rice

Peppery & cheesy goulash

Leftover goulash and salad

Chicken hoagie & chips

Loaded baked potato

Faux KFC chicken bowl - corn topped w/mashed pots, gravy and chicken all in a bowl

SNACKS - nuts, fruit, cheese & crackers

How was your week? Are you getting ready for the holidays?  I still have much to do for Christmas - it will all get done in time!  How is your weather?  

I pray that each of you are safe and healthy.  I hope no one had any damage from the big weather front that came across the country on Saturday - there was so much wind, and even tornadoes in places.

I hope all of you in the U.S. gets out and VOTES this week.  It is so very important!

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

*******************************

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

Dear Lord, we pray that you will guide us each one through all our many trials in life.  We all have times when we falter and wonder where to turn - help us to turn to You.  Your spirit will always lead us in the correct direction.  Thank You for lifting us up and filling our lives with courage to go forward.

Amen

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Just a Throwback Stroll

 Nothing special today - just a stroll back in time.  Sometimes we just need to remember life as it was.  Many were good old days - other things were not good.  The days in my life back then were pretty good.  I have mainly good memories.

This would have been about my 5th grade year.  (1965).  We didn't go out to eat when I was a kid.  I remember walking to Burger Chef (it was the closest to us) when I got to be in junior high and getting a treat (to me).  I think a burger was about a .25 by then.  I just loved the orange drink they had.

I remember getting milk in grade school at recess time - it was .04 a carton!!!!!!

Yep.  High school and early married years.  I pretty much did all of this except Disco!  Wasn't crazy about it.  There were a couple of songs that were fun - and I still get happy when I hear them!  I find it so funny, that today many of these things are all the rage again - youngsters think it is so cool!  Been there and done that!  Funny for them to imagine grandma did bell bottoms, hot pants, midriff tops, platforms, and no bras!!!!!!  I just have to laugh out loud sometimes!  I DID enjoy those days!

It is so great that there was no one going around taking photos or filming our every move back then!!!!  Oh, some of the silly things I did - we all did - glad there is no evidence except memories - and many are at the age that those are going away!!!!!  LOL

YES I DO!!!!!!  This is a normal for me.  Once in a while I turn on the oldies in the house (cable stations have so much to listen too).  If I turn on music in the house - I will be dancing around like a fool.  Nice that no one can see me - and well, heck if they did.  Usually, I hear the radio in the car - and yes, I crank it and sing like I know how!!!  I always listen to the oldies - so I am in my element.

I love music - all kinds - but mostly I like to listen to my oldies.  It makes me smile, it makes me happy, and it takes me back to a fun time in life.  We all need that now and then.

Now I do not remember gas being this cheap - some probably do.  I love the little sign under the price "gas war".  Seems that has been the way forever.  I do however, remember gas being about .29 - .35/gal.  I got my first car in 1972 - and I could put a couple dollars of gas in it and drive all week!  $5 in gas would get me a nice drive to Brown County (a popular spot south of here) - and spend the day in the country with friends. That happened a lot on the weekends.  Cruising - was another thing we did in high school.  We had 2 - 3 spots that we drove to and around a lot of Friday or Saturday nights if not dating.  It was just a way of seeing friends and having harmless fun.

See the S&H stamp sign?  Remember those?  Mom used those to get many a household item or gift.  I remember licking those and putting them in books - I thought that was fun when I was little.  The store that offered goods was such a neat place to go.

Yep, life back in the day was sure different from today.  Somedays I like to go back and think of those times.  It was a much simpler time.  We made our own fun.

Have a great day and LAUGH a little!  It is infectious!!!!!!

Donning the Public Service Hat Today!

 Just a couple reminders today.  My PSA for the week!

Well, it is that stinking time of the year that many of us have to change our clocks!!!!  Grrr - UGH! Yes, I hate changing the clocks.  To those in charge - LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!!!!!

Make sure you fall back on the clocks this weekend.  Best to take care of the clocks before heading to bed on Saturday night.

I hate when the changes happen.  It not only takes me time to get used to the change - but animals don't look at clocks and they are all on the same old schedule.  Their inner clocks don't change (neither does mine).  This goes for farm animals to pets.  I realize back in the day they had a reason for this - today it truly serves no GOOD purpose.

Yeah thinking that adding an hour of daylight on to the beginning of day and taking one from the end makes a difference is just illogical!  IMO

                                                                        (not my picture)

Item #2

Heads up in case you aren't aware.  The price of stamps increases again on January 22, 2023. They will go up to .63 each.  Now is the time to stock up on Forever stamps at the lower price.  You can get holiday stamps, flag and different designs.

I know we all moan and groan about the increase - but it is still a bargain to be able to send a letter or card across the country, in a few days for the price!

Item#3

Just a reminder that open healthcare enrollment is now upon us.  You can sign up or makes changes for the 2023 year - now through December 15, in the U.S.  Make sure you make changes or sign up now to avoid any penalties and save dollars (hopefully).

Life happens, things happen, and we have to adjust.  We wake up each morning and go on.......that is what we need to do.  You can adjust and restart as many times as needed.

Some days are harder than others - but all days God gives are gifts.

I hope you all stay well and make the best of each day. 

(Clarye hope you are doing well).

Have a good one!!!!!

It CAN Pay - to Pay Attention

 Morning all!  New month - new beginnings - new blessings!!!

It can pay to pay attention folks.  Deals and bargains CAN still be found.  You have to watch the sales and the clearance sections.   Look in new places, new locations, and stores that may not seem the places where deals would be found.  We have to widen our horizons!!!!!!  

Last week I told you I got some deals at the grocery (Kroger).  I went for a couple digital deals - but always check the clearance.  They had clearance in more than one place last week - which is kind of unusual anymore.  I happened upon all of them - thankfully.

I got 2 great smelling candles in jars for 2.39 ea. - these will be for gifts at holidays.   Uno card games at 2.49.  I got 4 for gift bag stuffers.  AAA and AA batteries marked down to 4.99 a multi-pack.  Sharpie pens .89/2

Mouth wash (I love this kind) for 2.99.  Sur-Gel for .99 - for my brother's gift bag (dated 2025).  Taco shells were .79 for a 12 count box.  I got 2 to go with what I already have.  They will do multiple meals.  Movie box candies - .25 box!!!!!!  I also got 2 huge cube steaks in a package marked down to 3.11 (not pictured).  That is 2 meals for me - 1.55 a meal for meat is cheap.  I often get ground beef for 2.79/lb. at Kroger on their digital deals.    I ALWAYS buy ground beef when it is on sale!!!!  ALWAYS - even if I have plenty.  Sometimes they still do 1.99/lb.  I will use it at some point.  I break it down into 1/2 pound packages - and freeze.  Ground meat is so stinking versatile.

The taco shells can be used for tacos, split and even used as a tostada if I desire, broken and used as chips or crushed and used as toppings for casseroles.  Think outside the box!!!!!

Couple weeks ago - potatoes were 1.99 for 5 lbs. at Kroger - great deal.  Cheese has been on sale a lot lately for 1.79 or less for half pound.

If you have Meijers in your area - watch for their weekend sales.  They often have 2 day events with really great deals.  Last week they had 3lb. bags of apples for .99 a bag (all week - different types). I mean .33/lb. for fruit is almost unheard of.  You can go to their site and ask for emails or get on their app or do FB.

This week - Kroger has some great deals starting tomorrow!  Digital coupons - 18 count eggs for 1.99!!!!!!  WOOHOO for sure!!!!!  Toll House chips - 1.99/bag!  Much more.

Check out clearance at drug stores and grocery stores.  Check yard sales if they are still happening in your area - some people get rid of really good supplies for some dumb reason!  Check ethnic stores, place like Big Lot's, Ollies, different dollar stores, etc.  If you are lucky enough to have salvage stores - you have a goldmine at your fingertips.

Lana mentioned the other day that Lindl had turkeys advertised for .49/lb. this week.  We don't have a Lindl - but have an Aldi.  I will keep watch.  Hopefully that means that other stores will be following suit in the next couple weeks.  Just remember - most Thanksgiving deals aren't really advertised anymore until the week before or of the holiday.  Don't panic!!!!

IF you don't get a turkey or ham (usually Christmas deal) - it is OK!!!!!  Fix something else.  It isn't the food - it is the gathering of people.  You know - the Pilgrims used what they had available - and I guarantee it wasn't Butterball turkey!!!!!!!!  LOL

I have been noticing nice big displays at area stores with baking needs.  Everything - various types of sugar, flour, chips, nuts, canned milks.  Get it while the getting is good!!!!!!  I think I am basically set with baking goods and really all items for the holiday cooking and baking and DON'T have to buy a thing.

That is what happens when you keep a fully stocked pantry.

It takes a little time and good observation.  Walk the aisles - not all deals are easy to spot.  Watch for the Manager Specials throughout the store as well.  IF you find a deal - get more than one!!!!! (seriously)!!!!    Get enough for a few months if you can.  When you see a great mark-down - odds are you won't see that price again (or at least for a long while).

Pay attention, shop different spots and locations, and always be aware.  Have a team of friends and family that watch for the deals as well.  Communicate with one another - this can be a team effort.

Good luck and be vigilant.  You CAN still find deals out there!!!!!