Here we go again...

Gas is up again to $3.45 and food prices are on the rise. No one had to tell me that and I didn't have to read it in the newspaper. Just have to look at my checking account to see the money doesn't go as far these days.

Found a blog today of a young couple building a small house on a trailer. Building it as they can afford to. I really think that's going to be our future...living small and getting back to basics, for some anyway. The rich will always be rich. The rest of us just need to find our niche.

Live within our means and enjoy what we have. I'm on it!

Couponing

Try as I might, I am still missing deals.

Just last week I let(or should I say "we") a $10 free coupon from Riteaid expire. $10 off any purchase. So basically I could have scored $10 worth of anything...shampoo, conditioner, TP or anything and walked away with it free. But no we just plain forgot it. Sad.

The same thing happened with a $4 off any purchase from CVS.

Then there was the $7 coupon off Prilosec that we forgot we had.

So tomorrow when I do the Sunday coupons, I'm going to put them in the car, so maybe if they are staring right at me I will actually look at them.

Economizing

Been kinda of silent around here. Busy working and coming up with new ideas for 2011.

But let's back up...Fall blew in and before I knew it, the 1st of December was here. I had to quickly come up with an idea for my annual Christmas craft.

I decided number one it would have to be economical. Secondly I wanted to recycle or reuse my left over scrapbooking supplies, ribbon remmants and buttons.

Hence my little gift baskets were born! I included nifty hot chocolate pockets sewn from white paper bags using ribbon remmants. I used left over Christmas recipe cards tucked inside each one to write a quick Holiday greeting. I used Glassine bags filled with peppermint candies or tea, using again left over ribbon and scrapbook paper for the toppers. I made belly bands to wrap the Ghiardelli candy. I covered clothespins with paper that could also be used to hold close the tops of the glassine bags. I used recycled jars and spray painted the lids silver filling them with peppermints. I used left over rhinetones to add sparkle. Throw in some baker's twine and buttons used here and there, a few extas of everything so in turn the recipents could regift the ideas and the baskets were filled to the brim!


Cost breakdown:
Jars= free
Spray paint to paint lids = $1.99
6 cardboad printed baskets = $5.94
Scrapbook paper = $4.00
Ribbon = $2.00
Paper bags = $.1.50 (I also recylced the ones Chinese takeout come in)
Peppermint Candy = $3.94
Glassine bags = $3.00
Ghiardelli candy = $3.99

Total = $27.50

Cost per basket = $4.39 BUT I have left over paint and candy so the true cost is probably closer to $3.50 a basket. Pretty good! Not to mention a huge reduction in scrap paper, ribbon, etc.

I totally loved how they turned out and everyone thought it was great way to recyle!

A little rain.... and a rare find

When's the last time I saw one of these guys? Well, I can tell you it's been a while. Ever since the last turtle in the compound escaped I haven't seen one. Trevor has on the occasion seen one going downhill in the backyard toward the ditch. You'd think living in the country that we would cross paths more often than we do.

But today, seeing this girl, makes me remember the days of:

Walking in the rain, jumping in mudpuddles, carrying umbrellas and keeping an eye out for a hidden turtle in the leaves.

Rescuing forlorn turtles from sure road death.

Finding turtles at auctions.

Naming turtles after the ever so famous Ninja turtles.

Naming turtles girl names like Madeline or Samantha.

Being brought turtles by concerned neigbhors who knew of our turtle compound.

Watching newly hatched turtles, with their shells so soft, head toward the small pool.

Yep, today it's not surprising to see her out an about, after all we were always more sucessful of finding them after a rain.

Enjoy the memory!

Stranger in Town

Today I saw this butterfly or maybe it's a moth? for the first time. The orange dots lining the wings have me stumped and even after googling to help identify it, I am no closer to finding out what kind it is. Probably something common, but who knows?

The Dream

You know, dreaming doesn't cost a thing. It is one of those things most of us do quite frequently. Dreaming we could do this or maybe do that. Heck, some people are already living their dream.

My dream of course is to live quite simply and I am amazed at how many people think they could never downsize or do without. Although alot people have been forced to rethink their goals and face their debt, there's whole another group of people who wouldn't even consider changing the way they live.

I, for one, am not the least bit interested in working until I die. You know the ole saying of "Wake up and smell the roses?", well I'm there. I do not want to work for the "man" any longer. I'm ready to downsize, cut back at work and build my "little house".

My dream is to have a little house, a garden spot with a tree lined small yard. Let's not forget the bird houses, bird feeders, flowering shrubs and of course a big front porch with rocking chairs . A fun and comfortable place.

That's my dream, what's yours?

Who am I?

One nice thing about simplfying your life is you learn to appreciate everything.

Today I was greeted by a butterfly convention on my lantana. There were probably 10 or more going from bloom to bloom. However, by the time I ran for the camera most had already fluttered away. I was able to catch a few, but with the wind blowing it was quite a challenge to get one to hold still. And let's not forget the dragonflies. I have been seen several varieties this summer flitting in and out.

So if you know the names of these lovely little specimums feel free to enlighten me!