Grouch about Spending

“Why do you need to keep your food bill under $100.00? There is no harm in spending a little more when the budget will bear it “. So said a friend to another friend today. I feel a need to respond!

Your food budget is one of the few areas that is crunchible if you are not a spendthrift in other areas, Heather. I have always treated grocery shopping like a game. It is Margot against the system LOL. I aim for the feeding of my family in the healthiest way with the least expenditure. I have aimed to shake off the “name brand”, everybody buys it, but it’s easier to buy it already made, “I deserve it” syndromes.

I like the fact that I have control over the grocery budget and
consumption. It gives me a feeling of empowerment and I have managed to pass it on to both my DH and DD. Those two are “wicked” shoppers. We read every label. If there are ingredients that we don’t recognise or can’t pronounce or if there is more than one that ends in “ose” (sugar) or sodium (salt), we try to avoid buying it.

We do our best to avoid the centre aisles of the store so as to stick to “real” food. We do go through the aisles but try not to make many purchases there. I try to buy as little as possible out of season and as much as I can locally. One exception is organic bananas, though I am thinking of giving them up because of the petrol used to get them here. The big problem is that one cat has a banana addiction but that is another story.

We are not poor but budgeting does not make us deprived. Why do I want to keep my grocery budget as low as possible when I don’t “have” to? I preach living a small footprint life and respect for the planet and the ecosystem. I try (and I am not perfect) to practise what I preach and to prove I can do it with no sense of deprival.

Many of the things we feel are justified are things that did not exist when I was a kid (at 58, I am older than most of you by a good bit) and, while my Mom worked and “protested” when she wasn’t working (VOW) and my Dad worked as well, we still managed without paper towels, papayas, packaged snacks, pop, luncheon meats, hamburger helper, and many other items.

Sometimes is not about “Why do you need to keep your food
bill under $100.00? There is no harm in spending a little more when the budget will bear it “. Sometimes it is about being proud and happy that you can do it!

Margot now getting off the soap box and taking her migraine
prophylactic ’cause she is talking tooooo much

A Stitch in Time Saves 2009

This is my own, personal motto for  this year to remind me to make-do 
with what I have first (see Cindy’s Porch for more or “making do”).  
If I keep things in good repair I can make things last longer allowing 
me to use money for more frivolous things like next Christmas!  My 
second motto is, “I shall make wine in 2009!”.  I have been trying to 
get back into wine making since my Dad died in 2001 (Feb. 24th, a 
month and a bit after I joined FLYlady).  We used to make some fierce 
wine together and I haven’t had the heart to get back into it full 
swing until now.  DH and my Mom made sure that at Christmas I got the 
equipment to give me incentive.  I can’t let them down.  I think a 
nice, rich red would be lovely to start.

Margot. who might just have some eggnog!

Snow…Headaches and Technology

No work for Margot today.  I awoke at 0700h with a wicked migraine.  As today was forecast to be snowy I figure it was the weather trigger that got me this time.

It could have been worse.  To quote an old Canadian comedy routine, “When I regained consciousness…” and my head-ache was gone it was snowing heavily and my family was just as glad they did not need to retrieve me from work at 1800h.

As I began to feel human and take an interest in the goings on around me I found myself nicely adrift in a tide of Christmas.  The tree lights were on and Bronwyn was baking the orange fruitcake that delight my husband.  I began some more wrapping and sipped some coffee and nibbled a cinnamon scone.  If it weren’t for Reg’s cold, it would have been an ideal day.  It was still pretty darned close!

Help! I am being held prisoner in a library!

This book subject is a tough one as I am a confirmed addict/collector.  I do re-read anything I keep but, as that includes certain Sci-Fi, Murder mystery stuff and a lot of Can Lit in paperback, that is not saying much.  I guess I get two to five books inside me a week between the library, trading with friends, buying (a lot at the used book store, the Owl’s Nest) and re-reading.

On the bedroom level each room has a bookcase.  My daughter’s is a big Ikea one that reaches within a foot of the ceiling.  She also has two smaller ones.  Our room has a couple of small ones of the bedside table height and the spare bedroom has one of those five shelf jobbies available everywhere (as well as rows of books on the desk and dresser).  There are two units in the hallway;  another of the five shelf units and one of the old Lawyer’s bookcases that has been in Reg’  family for years.

We have a huge old wooden case in the basement that is probably 10 feet long by 4+1/5-5 feet high.  We actually inherited it from my parents to whom it was given by Louise Manny (sp?).
Also in the basement is one wall that my DH removed the gyproc from and into which he inserted shelves of a height to accomodate many, many paperbacks.

I do sort at great regularity and get rid of duplicates or books I have outgrown but I long ago realised I will never live in a book free environment…LOL  I try to keep them organised so that, when the time comes it will be easy for friends and family to pick out those they wish to keep.  I also tell my DD with regularity to take this or that volume if she covets it (and she does!).

I have accepted my passion and I am at peace with it.  Marrying another book lover has helped immeasurably!

Margot in a location full of words and power

Sunday thoughts…

I am sitting here, recovering quite nicely from a longish week on my feet at the Co-op.  It would not have been quite so long if my back weren’t bugging me a bit.  It is my own fault I think.  I have put on five pounds and I am fairly sure that is what tipped the scales from happy back to angry back.  At least it is good to know I can “cure” it with a little self control and some extra crunches!

I drove down to Saint John yesterday morning, with my DH, to see my Mom-in-Law in the Regional.  She is finally on the “Waiting” ward.  She is on the Nursing Home list and is unable to return home so she is in a sort of Limbo.  It is hard on her as she is a moderately private person but it is the only safe thing.  At least they are making her dress up each day.  She had sort of given up and was lying about in her night gown.  The nurses (Bless ‘em for their dedication despite low pay, long hours and being understaffed) are getting her moving a bit (with supervision), getting her nicely dressed and trying to get her involved with the activities on the floor.

We had printed out some pictures of her pussycat who is now living with us.  She had us put them up on her bulletin board and we spent much of the time discussing how she (the cat, that is) was adjusting to living with our original cat.  Let us just say that she is a very dominant animal and the one with adjustment issues is Dickens the original big, orange, male coward!

I made dinner after we came home and we finished our pizza and I spent the evening knitting while we watched the Saturday night comedies on PBS.  Nice cuddle time and more Christmas knitting achieved.

Today I slept in ’til 0900h and spent my morning lazing about with coffee and e-mail and multiple cat amusing.  It is good to have a talent even if it is only the ability to walk backwards dragging a cat nip mouse!

I suppose that to redeem myself I will have to do a few useful things this afternoon.  LOL  I have two loads of laundry on my list as well as a kitchen rescue.  I shall make time to go to the Christmas Arts & Crafts show (the juried one) this afternoon, however, just for fun.

The Best News!

Bronwyn finally checked with Concordia yesterday to find it is official.  She has her Master’s in English.  I am so PROUD.

The Class of ‘68 Rocks!

We made it through our 40th High School reunion and the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival!  That was what Reg and I have been doing for the past two days with time out for me to work a few hours in the middle.

We danced until nearly two on Friday night which is why it was good I didn’t have to go to work until 1400h on Saturday.  VBG  We had a decent turnout, with about a hundred of us plus assorted spouses (spice?) and companions. We had a “Meet & Greet”, buffet and DANCE.  Yeah!  Reg and I are from the same year which is nice.  ’68 Rules!!!!  

Yesterday we all gathered at the same hotel (the Delta) which is still known and always will be as the Lord Beaverbook Hotel.  Reg brought me down from work and I changed into my commemorative tee-shirt and jeans, we ate some more buffet goodies and headed out to the Harvest Jazz & Blues fest, passes to which were included when we got our reunion tickets.  We saw several really great acts/performers (not to mention all the free stuff going on on the streets!) but I must say…If you get a chance to see Eric Bibb in person, GO.  All I could think of when he sang was the hot butterscotch or hot caramel sauce I love on ice cream.  Wow.  I mean, the man’s Godfather was Paul Robson!!!

Thursday we drove to Cabano where Reg was transformed into a postal employee and we drove to the really pretty little local post office where they were letting the movie shoot once the post office closed for the day (1730h).Reg was amazing.  He doesn’t even do amateur theatre but he nailed the scene in one take.  They did two more for insurance but the director, Nicholas Kinsey was thrilled.  The cast and crew gave Reg a round of applause because he made their lives so easy by being so professional and quick.  

 

Everyone said it was the smoothest and most easy shoot of the film so far and, while we opted to drive back to New Maryland, NB, they were all for us staying to party with them.  They had a room booked for us and everything.  

 

 

 

Normally we would have stuck around but with the reunion the next day (Reg was picking up the big class pics. from the high school walls at 1300h) we figured a four hour drive starting at 0700h, Quebec time, was not a good idea, post party!  We left Cabano at around 1800h, Quebec time, and were home to a very demanding cat at 2245h our time (this time we didn’t stop and had great weather for the drive).  I also arrive without a head-ache when I do all the driving.  This is not a complaint about Reg’s driving but, rather, an example of my paranoia when not in control…at least that is how he would tell it.  LOL

What can top these great days?  Only the fact that my little gumdrop, Bronwyn, is through her Masters course at Concordia, Comp. exams and all and will be returning to her home town soon.  Reg and I will drive up around the end of the month to bring Bronwyn and my Some-day-in-Law, Stephen home.  While there I will be going to see the DALI exhibit at the Musee near their place.  OMG

March is Running past

Hard to believe that it is the 21st of March already when I look out the front door to seee over seven feet of snow still on the lawn with more predicted.  It’s all right.  Spring is here so soon enough this white stuff will give way to green. I miss seeing my DD more and more as the year moves on.  It is a good thing I will be able to visit next month.  Otherwise I might well explode. 

I am back knitting a pair of socks for Reg, working on them during break-time at the Co-op.  I am very pleased with the colour.  It is the Brigg’s and Little Anniversary wool.  It is only available with the purchase of two skeins at the usual price (about $3 at the Co-op).  It is sold for $1.50 and is a lovely dark heathery blue with hints of black.  I picked up some nice Toughy from Brigg’s and Little for the heels and toes.  They should be quite attractive and I am making them longer than usual.  Soon as I have enough to photograph I will stick the picture up.

Tail End of Winter

March is an odd month being neither winter nor spring.  I always feel hurled about by the rapid meteorological changes.  One moment I am grinning from ear to ear and basking in a Spring scented breeze and the next moment I am wondering how I will get to work during the howling blizzard.  The upshot is that I feel unsettled and vaguely confused.  Knitting helps to some extent but March makes me yearn for more. I miss seeing my daughter and my Some-day-in-law.  I feel unproductive around the house what with my shifts at the Co-op.  My husband is grumpy because of an on-coming cold, worry about his Mom and life in general.  I am looking forward to April as I have a really good feeling about it.  Life is too short to spend sniping about the month of March so, if I can’t learn to love it,. I shall wait for it to end.  The cat had an adventure today.  He was out on his walk with Reg and climbed a huge snow mountain.  From the lofty height of about ten feet he surveyed the neighbourhood and reaffirmed his supremacy!  Then he scrabbled back down the bank and they continued their walk.  Oh to be a cat and so certain of your spot at the head of the food chain.  LOL