Friday, January 12, 2018

9 Friday Things!

For Fridays in January I'll be doing lists that are mainly other than frugal things.  As part of my slow January (and slower year), I've joined the "Uber Frugal Month" over at the Frugalwoods blog. While many of her missives don't apply to me as such (I've never had an unfrugal spouse, nor am I an excuse maker as such) I figure January is a good time to reset. And since I'm again looking into some long term travel-and want to have my rent and share of bills paid in advance before I go in May-this is just some fun re-enforcement for me. I've already committed to mainly staying at home this month for a variety of reasons. When the month is done, I'll let you know what I think. And yes, there is at least on unfrugal thing in my list below:

1.  After exploring, asking opinions, trying other options and so on and so forth, I have returned to my trusty Lancome face cream. Yep, this is unfrugal and it's making me happy. I spent quite some time on a search for something in between the Pond's and the Lancome level. Nothing worked, or else nothing had sunscreen (which I need daily, all day). My skin is so dry that without the right cream, I can end up moisturizing it multiple times (voiding any opportunity for make-up, even blusher).  A couple days ago I purchased the Beinfat day cream at Ulta (on sale and with rewards) and as soon as the cream I am using now is used up, I'll get the blessed night cream. I do want to explore making my own creams along with healing salves in the new year. But meanwhile, I and my skin are happy, happy, happy. And before anyone asks, yes, I know about Olay, and Aveeno, and Cerave, and Cetaphil and.......this is what works for me.  


2.  Quilting is so much more fun when it's leisurely. I've pretty well decided that any future gifted quilts will be either chosen a year ahead, or else gifted from a finished product. Presenting my brother with this unfinished product has allowed me to finish when I feel like it. Since I love to quilt, it's moving along. But what a blessing to be able to create when and where I choose. While I'm again embracing the idea of selling my art, I've realized that whatever it is will be a completed item, done at my own pace for enjoyment, rather than requests on a time line. Cause  that's the way I roll, if you will.

3. I'm loving the fact that I've now allowed myself to stay in bed while I write and meditate in the morning. I've been grabbing a teeny lunch cooler with my morning coke (I need my caffeine, people!). Once I wake up (except for the obvious middle aged side trip), I'm staying in bed for an extra forty minutes or so. I have my morning pills and vitamins, I do my meditation and prayer, I do yoga stretches and bed, and yes, I write. And THEN I get out of bed, dress, and face my day. It's amazing how much this extra hour prepares me for the rest of the day, even though I'm still in bed. Really, I'm doing most of a "miracle morning" in bed-without the exercise. Because I exercise mid day.  

Morning beverage, prayer beads, candle, Echo dot for music, and notebook and doodling pens


An app for everything, including five minute meditations!

4.  I am thrilled that I live in Colorado. There's been snow and freezing temperatures in Florida, Minnesota, Chicago, and California, Texas and more. Never mind rain, mud, landslides and flooding. While our days have not been quite as sunny as normal, our fifty degree no snow Colorado weather is making me thankful. Admittedly, I we could use some more rain, and I'm sure some of my Colorado friends who ski would like some more snow.

5. My slower routine (which  think I'm keeping until the spring), has allowed for more knitting and drawing-which of course is always and excuse to watch more TV. If it wasn't for football (and basketball, and European Soccer, and baseball), I'd mainly be happy with my Fire stick and Netflix and Amazon Prime. Since Christmas, I've plowed through the second season of Travelers (don't let the "time travel" description turn you off, it's fantastic), and a Netflix French thriller series La Manta (I can honestly say that it was like the subtitles weren't even there). Next on my list? Another subtitled series, The Frozen Dead.  I'm taking a break from British cop shows for how, and for whatever reason, The Crown simply isn't calling me.   





7. I'm again embracing my slow cooker, as well as the stick blender I got for Christmas. My little suggestion list for my family secret Santa person included both a portable mixer and a stick blender. I was presented with both (he must have sensed that much as I love my Kitchen Aid, there are times when it's just too big). Yesterday, I spent a few hours looking for new recipes (casserole and slow cooker) and will be sharing both a goulash soup and really easy broccoli and cheese soup recipe in the next "Frugal Slow Cooker" post. Both of which allow me to use said immersion blender.

8.  I'm concentrating on strength when it comes to fitness, and I'm loving it, although some Tylenol at bedtime has been on the menu. Weights, stretchy bands and exercises using walls and chairs are helping to make me strong, and I am noticing it. I'm not avoiding aerobics, don't get me wrong (It's amazing how many steps you can use going up and down ever single aisle of a Kroger Marketplace at a decent clip), but strength and meditation are my goals for this year.

9. Last but not least, I am embracing the "little things" that bring comfort to me, especially at home. Hot chocolate and tea, candles, throws and pillows, personalized music and dark chocolate are all little things that make my day just a tiny bit better.  And puppies, always the pupplies.  
Canine love, nuff said?


And now I need to leave my comfort zone and head to that grocery store where I can combine fitness and shopping. This weekend? Football and a trip to the movies are on the menu-along with some slow cooking!

15 comments:

  1. This makes me feel so lazy. :-)
    I do love me some pictures of puppies. Nothing better

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    1. Arent they adorable? Sometiems its just like they have to be touching each other!

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  2. Sounds like your slow January suits you to a T.

    God bless.

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  3. I agree with you on not taking orders on deadline for selling crafts. I've toyed with the idea off and on of selling crafts too but I think it is better to have a "stash" then try to sell. I never get quite there because I end up gifting a lot of things, lol.

    I enjoyed reading about your morning ritual. If I followed it it would mean I don't get out of bed for another 3 hours, lol. It takes me long to feel "awake". Better I get out of bed and do things while I slowly wake up.

    It's lovely that your secret Santa got you just what you need and want like the immersion blender. I think you will enjoy it a lot. I almost bought one over Christmas but restrained myself. I think I should do some research and figure out which one I'd like best first.

    Enjoy the weekend.

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    1. I didnt really do any research but the one I received was a kitchen aid with two speeds and I think It will serve any need i have.

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  4. Oh I forgot to ask if you've tried using oils on your face rather than cream. I too have very sensitive and at times very dry skin. I finally resorted to using avocado oil and I quite like it. I sometimes add a bit of tea tree oil to my daily application because I also have a few skin issues.

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    1. Oils dont work for me, although they do for some. I need an actual cream as opposed to an oil or lotion, and in the long run I'll look at making my own (which may or may not be cheaper, who knows).

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    2. Sometimes you just have to go with what works not what is cheaper.

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  5. Thanks for info on avocado oil,Joyful..I need a very rich yet inexpensive mositure cream also-- have not found one. Barb-- can I ask how you designe dyour strength program?It is on my list but wowza, I can hurt myself easily with too much weight.Is there a book or website or pgram you used to come up with a progressive strength program for us,well, older folks..?? I am also having a much slower January, and looking forward to a slow year, in general, full of candles,music, card games,writing,drawing, and cooking... and movies!!

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    1. Yep, Im gonna shre how I got to my strength thing on Monday-boy does my typing stink this morning. Ah yes, movies

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  6. Like you, those early morning hours spent in reflection & anticipation over a cup of coffee & some reading make for a good start to my day - a meeting with myself. Each geographical area seems to have its advantages & disadvantages. The frigid temperatures we've been experiencing (minus 30-40C) don't seem so bad compared to wild fires & mudslides. You seem to be practicing hygge, a Danish word that epitomizes coziness, with your little things. I use an immersion or stick blender & prefer it to transferring hot soups into a blender; much more efficient. I finally had the handle on the crock pot lid replaced. I'd been messing with the handle-less lid for far too long & was too frugal to order a replacement lid/pot. The kind staff at a glass/window repair shop helped me out for free. The staff will be paid in my currency of choice - cookies for their coffee break!

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    1. Yes, me and hot things and the blender-learned my lesson, I need handles for everything-and hot pads.

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  7. After having hot stuff sometimes explode in the blender and reading good things about the stick blender, I think one may be in my future. Going to Costco isn't an enjoyable experience for me (and I usually let my DH go alone), but walking those aisles sure makes the steps add up.

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    1. Its amazing how many of those "steps" happen by doing normal errands and such. I have even been known to be deliberately inefficient at home. you know, taking one thing from the bedroom to the kitchen and then going back for a second item? Just to get some steps in.

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  8. I am blessed with incredibly unfussy skin now (battled acne while younger) so I use really cheap face cream. But, I splurge in other areas and am a firm believer in general frugality so I have the $ to splurge on what's important to me. So good for you on the Lancôme! And -- I also got an immersion blender for Christmas and I LOVE it! Such an easier way to make that most frugal of foods, soup. I've whipped up a batch of potato soup today, using up some milk and potatoes that needed to be used. So easy!

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Thanks for stopping by! I love to hear from others, and I also love to hear all points of view.. Just leave the profanity and insults at home, OK? Thanks!!