Out & About... doing this, doing that

No post for 2 days in a row.  Tisk, tisk..... better smarten up or I will run the risk of losing my (few) followers.  I unexpectedly worked Fri. night, all day Saturday and then on Sunday.  My scheduled day was Sun and I was a fill-in the other days and I was so tired late Sun, my mind was vacant!  No blog thoughts ventured through, so thought best not to even attempt.

This morning I did finish up the tidy up/clean up that I didn't quite get to last evening.  After a lunch of a fried egg sandwich, I headed out to take care of business and pleasure.  First off to the bank to withdraw cash for two weeks of living, then next door to have a needed haircut.  It was a bit cold out there today.   I think about -8 C when I headed out the door. 

After those two items were stroked off my to do list, I drove to one of my favourite places to hang out for a couple of hours.

It is a book/novelty store where I love to grab a few magazines and books, find a seat by the window and flip through the pages while enjoying a Tall Blonde from....

located in the same building as Chapters.   I can easily spend two/three hours reading but only spent a couple hours today because it was so cold and I didn't want the car to cool off too much while I was enjoying myself. 

After my leisurely read, I was off to Michael's for embroidery floss, then to Freshco for a couple of items.  Oh my, the prices are atrocious!  Iceburg head lettuce was $1.97 a head, romaine was $2.98 a head, grapes, all kinds, $2.97 a pound and pink grapefruit which was smaller than a navel orange was $0.50 each.  I could go on about the cost of meat, chicken, etc.  but I won't.  Freshco sometimes has meat near it's sell date at 50% off  but none today.   Protein will have to come from other sources.  There will be no food waste, for sure, in this household!!!!!! 

Then home, put away today's purchases and then to check the blog to discover that I am the winner of a fellow blogger's giveaway.  When I receive it I will post a picture of her beautiful work and a link to her other beautiful creations. 

Oh and I almost forgot.  My grandson is a coin collector and for his birthday later this week I was able to find this set for him.  It includes a Canadian 2013 penny, nickel, dime, quarter, loonie, and toonie.  The quarter has a birthday cake with candle on it and it is so appropriate as he will be 13 this year.   

And that's the end of another wonderful day in my life.  Afterall, life is sometimes how you view it to be! 

SAD???

No, I'm not sad, are you sad?  More to the point, do you or have you experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder?  I was thinking about this earlier today when I looked out the workplace window at 5:00 p.m. and saw that the sun was still shining.  About a month ago at 5 p.m., the darkness was firmly entrenched in what was left of our day.

I have in past years experienced the symptoms that are associated with SAD; feeling generally miserable, lacking in energy, being tired, low spirit, depressed, craving for sweets, weight gain.  I don't know if those cover all the symptoms but those are what I can relate to in the past.  But this winter is different.  I can't point to any of these and say that I've felt them or experienced them and I was questioning myself today why this year is different.  And the answer I have come up with is my change in the work situation which has given me more time to spend outdoors.  I have spent time outdoors on the very coldest days even when the sun wasn't shining and just being outside for part of each day has made a big difference on how I view the day.  Some days I didn't really want to go out, but forced myself and was glad for having done so, 'cause my spirit was so much better for it afterward.

Tomorrow is the mid-point of winter.   Each day will grow a little longer, maybe just by a little bit but every minute counts, right?  In another month, we'll be pushing our clocks ahead by one hour, if that is mandated where you live.  It's just another step along the year, maybe not one everyone looks forward to but one that brings about rewards in itself. 

So I'm wondering how everyone is feeling and if you have experienced SAD, how have you coped with it or continuing to deal. 

 

 

First Month of the Year Gone - Challenges Wrap Up

Bye, bye January..... Did this seem like a really, really, really long month to you?  Okay, I'm exaggerating, it wasn't that long!  It's been nice having you around, but time to go!

This was the challenge for January which I participated in. 

Wk 1 Financial was to make do instead of running out to buy something.  My result was probably about 90% adherence, making a couple of unplanned small purchases.  Wk 1 Declutter was to get rid of "things" that clutter up my residence.  I don't have a specific thing so I chose to declutter 2 items a day.  I kept on decluttering when I reached 62, but probably reached 100. 

Wk 2 Financial was to bring in additional income.  Success here as I work a few hours a week at a p/t job and  I save all the wage earned.  Wk 2 Declutter was a cleanup of a junk drawer and it was successfully completed and with pics posted. 

Wk 3 Financial was to give, to donate financially and I chose to give to a drop-in center as well as to one individual at the center.  Wk 3 Declutter was a closet cleanout.  Job well done and patting myself on the back as it's a closet with  sliding doors, hard to access and a job I don't enjoy. 

Wk 4 Financial was to reduce my budget and I was able to do that by contacting my vehicle insurance provider and asking for the discount associated with not being a commuter any longer.  Reduction and credit received for this one.   Wk 4 Declutter was to organize the pantry/linen cupbaord.  Completed and looks much better. 

Was a good challenge for January, the month after the Dec. spend-a-thon.  In addition my personal challenge was to have a low/no spend month and I was very successful (in my eyes).  I spent 11 days so 20 no spends.  I spent zero dollars on groceries instead using gift cards only to buy and consuming from the fridge/pantry.  The hospital parking costs didn't amount to as much as I thought it might, as I shared a ride with my daughter for several visits. 

The gal who co-ordinated the January challenge is Here.  I'm happy to say that with her guidance this proved to be a very worthwhile challenge.  Decluttering "stuff" can be so satisfying and has me thinking about the things I am tempted to bring home.... need or want.  Mindful spending has kept me on track.  I've been able to deposit over $400 into savings.  

I will continue challenging myself through February.   :)

Carla's Challenge, week 4

Decluttering Challenge:  to clean up the messy pantry

Who is the slob that lives here?  What a mess!
My teeny closet serves as a pantry & linen houser.

Sort of dark in there, that's to disguise the mess!

That's as tidy as it's going to get!

Financial Challenge:  To cut the weekly budget

I made a phone call last week to the company that provides insurance coverage for my car and home, advising them that I am now retired, have reached the age of 65, and no longer use my car to commute, just for pleasure driving.  Starting in March I will receive a $43.33  credit for three months which will total $130.00.  I've been bursting to tell this on my blog but didn't want to spoil my news by posting early.  So that works out to just over $10.00 a week from my budget.  The credit goes back to October when I retired from commuting and reached that "magic age of discounts".  LOL!  I don't know yet what the monthly amount will be when the policy comes up for renewal June 1st because as we all know, even though costs go down, they do go up again.  So even though the cut doesn't come to this week's budget, I'm counting it as a major cut to my future budget. 

I'm planning to prepare a "wrap up to the January challenge" and post it in a couple of days. 

An FYI re Carla's Giveaway

Anyone interested in reading a blog about a fantastic lady who balances life as a mum, wife, entrepreneur, and does it with kindness and generosity.  Then please visit her recent  blog post at Carla's Giveaway where she asks you to do a few things, and you are entered into a draw for a cute little giveaway. 


Sneak Peek, but look further to see the beautiful lining. 




If you are a loooooonnnnnnnnng way away, she will send it anywhere.  She did mention down under and across the pond but didn't mention to the space station, so I guess you're out of luck Mr. Canadian Astronaut, Chris Hadfield from Sarnia, Ontario.  :)




GO, GO VISIT!!  Carla's blog, not Chris Hadfield.  LOL!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you to all my followers, new and old.  I really didn't think that anyone would be interested in what I posted here, but you are proving me wrong.  Leading a simple life, and a frugal life appears to be a very universal endeavour.  I have learned so much from many of the wonderful blogs I visit and everyday I find a new one that catches my attention and I add it to my list to read. 

Thank you again!  I really love that you visit and I love that you comment too!  

Just Because I Can Doesn't Mean I Have To!

My home is in a high rise condominium and NO, this isn't it.  This is a picture that I borrowed from a Wikipedia entry entitled "Tower Block".  I was reminded of my awe and wonder at the density of the population in Hong Kong during my trip there in the early 80's.  I can only imagine what it must look like in the early 2000's. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of living.  I'm not sure if I can cover them  in one post and please bear in mind, I speak just from my own point of view. 

I own my unit outright, and as a senior living on a decreased income it is very affordable.  I know each year in October how much my monthly common fee will be for the following year, and each year there is an increase.  The fee never goes down, although one year it remained the same.  The increase is based on the amount of the decrease in the condo's fund which covers repairs, major capital projects, cost of utilities, management fees, wages for the superintendent couple and a bunch of other smaller items. 



There are 112 units in my home building, and I can't control how the other 111 units consume utilities, but I can control how I use them.  So like many of my frugal readers and followers, I use only the water that I need to use, ie taking short showers, not letting the water run unnecessarily, only washing full loads and only washing on off hours.  There is no smart meter to record each individual unit's usage of power but I still use the washer/dryer only when it is most economical.  I know that not everyone here follows this method as during this cold weather I can look out the window and see the moisture escaping the vents during the daytime.  I'm turning off the lights that are unnecessary in each room, and as I leave a room. 

So as I said in my post title.....

Just because I can, due to it not impacting me directly, doesn't mean I have to!!!

I Guess It Was Inevitable

A...choo!

Considering I exchange money with sick people at my p/t workplace, it was inevitable that I would catch something and I have.  Despite handwashing,  hand sanitizing, sanitizing common surfaces around the cash handling area, someone has shared their cold with me.   It started on Wed. quite suddenly.  One half hour or so from feeling fine until my nose was bundled up with Kleenex to stop the non-stop sneezing and dripping. 

I have only been out a couple of times these past three days; on Wed. to buy Advil C& S and today to return the movies due back at the library.  I was cozy and warm indoors while the outside temperature hovered in the minus teens during the day.  I covered up, watched TV, watched the three British movies I had borrowed, ate soup, drank coffee and tea and o.j.  I'm feeling much better today and tomorrow will tackle cleaning up my world.  It's been badly overlooked the past couple days.  :)

We've had about four inches of snow starting at noon and ending about 6 p.m.  This pic is of a 80 vehicle pileup on highway 401, a major highway running through the southern part of the province.  There were numerous injuries, three serious.   Snowy weather means slow down while driving. 

A Day of No Spending, and Other Things

Today was my elderly friend, Ellen's day to visit the dentist for her initial consultation and I had promised her that I would accompany her for this visit.   Off we went in my little but very warm car for the one block drive to the dentist.  I am very grateful for underground parking.  While the car may be chilly it doesn't take long for the engine to warm and the interior to be toasty comfortable when it's sheltered inside. 

During her hour long visit/my wait, I took the time to familiarize myself with the settings on my camera.... oh the procrastination I have done over the years.  I learned a bit more how to operate it in different lights.  I feel just a little bit smarter today.  LOL! 

I had mentioned the needs to her at the drop-in shelter and she gathered up scarves, hats, gloves that she didn't use anymore, so we took the time to drive to the shelter for her to drop them off.  I took her inside so that she would be able to see the needs firsthand.  It is a real eye opener when viewed personally and she was troubled to see how many individuals were taking advantage of the opportunity to go indoors on this coldest day of the year so far.  Then on to our own simple soup and sandwich lunch which warmed us to the center of our being.  We both said a prayer of gratitude for it. 

Then followed a circuitous drive towards home along Lake Ontario, with a stop at Heydenshore Park to gaze over the frigid water.  I turned the car off for a bit so as to not waste gas but we didn't linger 'cause the car cooled off very quickly.  Off we headed toward home to snuggle into our cozy residences.  It was a simple, relaxed spend nothing day which I thoroughly enjoyed.  :)

Stay warm everyone, everywhere in the deep freeze!!

This and That From The Cat!!

Carla's Challenge check-in, Week 3

I'm liking this challenge.  I'm getting things done!!  This challenge eliminates something big that probably haunts us all during the winter...... PROCRASTINATION!!!

Carla's Challenge

As a part of this challenge, we were asked/required/ordered (LOL!) to clean out a closet, even two closets if we possessed overwhelming energy.

BEFORE!!  Blushing at this one!

THE AFTER.... That's better!

Sorry, the pictures are a little dark.  It's sliding doors so no light in it and hard to get a decent pic 'cause I'm not all that familiar with the workings of my camera.  Trust me, it looks a heck of lot better than it did in the before pics.  I live in a small space so that closet tends to become a catch-all place for stuff.  Mops, a bucket, potting soil live there along with shoes, hats, scarves, hoodies and jackets. 

For the financial aspect of the challenge, we were requested to "give", to find a way to donate financially.  This part of the challenge was not at all difficult and right from my heart as I know that everyone enjoys a Tim Horton's coffee/donut or something from this shop, so I purchased a gift card for $10 and gave it to the first individual I encountered outside the drop-in shelter when I stopped by to also drop off these items.  She was absolutely beyond delighted. 

The shampoos, conditioners were samples and the soaps are little hotel bars.  I can't use them any more due to dermititis which is aggravated by these scented type products.  The underwear was purchased at 50% off per package during Zeller's closing down sale way back in September.  During my closet cleanup I also found a couple of hats and scarves that I don't use any more, so included them and I'm sure they are appreciated with our extreme cold.  This shelter was created by several churches in the metropolitan area where I live and my church is a contributor to those who need help.  I am grateful for all that I have and grateful that  I can contribute. 

Decluttering challenge:  Mission accomplished
Financial challenge:  Mission accomplished

Spending has been low this past week.