Free and Frugalish Friday

Today was haircut day, and a day it was. First  I had to find a good picture (like my wedding photo) to show the poor hairdresser what my hair looked like pre Covid since I was in a new place with new stylist. Then I had to sit there while she basically chopped off all of said hair because I had done such a lousy self cut job the past few times that it was a mess. Now I wait for it go grow out long enough on top that she can actually razor cut said hair, while keeping the sides summery short. 

That aside, here are a few of the things that happened to help keep expenses down around the old retirement abode this week.

 1. I am now the owner of a large bag of matching hair care products that with my short cut will probably last me indefinitely. My daughter has been experimenting with hair care products and been dissatisfied. A friend finally told her that if she was going to spend almost a hundred dollars every few months for a trim and style and lightening, that she should just spend the money for the good hair care stuff (I agree, although I don't know what they decided that is). She's done that, so I now  have multiples of various suave shampoos and conditioners and the like, all partially used but that will last forever with my cropped top.

2. Tonight is free dinner night. The community has opened some amenities (the library and the community room, with a limited number of users allowed), They aren't having group sit down meals yet, but they've returned to opening the kitchen/restaurant area. So instead we have a takeaway dinner this afternoon evening. As always it' a chance to chat (masked) with others even if there is no sitting down together. Not sure what it is but I will wander down to say hi and have a bit of a social (masks are still required everywhere)

3. I went through freezer and pantry to see what can be done about making meals for as much of the rest of the month as possible. In between my front porch  meals I'll be making a smoked sausage and pasta and vegetable alfredo bake, Tuna casserole (upscaled with pecans, wine and buttered crackers) and these  turkey and cheese sliders for starts (add Worcestershire and a touch of brown sugar). As an aside, I am here to tell you that those ready packages of pasta that you just heat up rather than boil are actually very good. And save me from having to get out my colander for a single serving amount of ziti or rigatoni.

4. I'm fairly sure I have mentioned my intent to do this before, or even talked about having started it. But I now have a FULL list of every partially finished creative item as well as what is needed to finish it, as well as all the supplies and fabric and yarn I have on hand. As well as the things I want to make soon and what is needed for that.

5. Harking back to that patio decor Pinterest search mentioned last time, I also realized that I left ALL my Easter stuff behind. Egg tree with hand painted eggs, baskets, signs, the works. I broke down and got some door decor, and I may wander to the dollar store and see what's available there. But my goal for both patio and seasonal, is to try and make things myself both to use them up and save money until I can get the rest of the stuff. Fabric and quilted flags to go both on the door and on the patio railing are high on the list, and a couple farm house like signs to go on my walls. Also, some wind chime like patio decor projects like this one which is made with air dry clay and yarn. All on hand. We'll see. 

I don't speak the language, but I have contacted Catholic Charities in Dallas and will fill out an application and background check to see if there is some way I can physically volunteer at the convention center here where all the teen refugees are temporarily being housed.