December 7, 2010

• Cheap and Simple

  
  Our home has little touches, here and there, indicating it’s December.

                                            
                                                  Things are stashed in hiding places,
                                                 waiting for boxes and wrapping paper.

  I hit a gold mine, this year, at a thrift store.  It isn’t in an exclusive or wealthy part of town, but I have found mall brand clothing in like-new condition, some of them still have the store tags attached.  Old Navy, Lands End, Limited Too, Gap, Aeropostale, Apostrophe, Macy’s, etc.  Beautiful things for cheap!  Cheap!  CHEAP!!!!!!!!

  Can you say C.H.E.A.P.??????????????? 

  I spent a little over $50 on tops for the three girls, PLUS two nightgowns for Rissy and Annamarie.  The nightgowns were the most expensive thing I purchased, $3.99 each!!!!  They are so plush and soft.  I’d betcha, MAYBE, they’ve been washed once. 

  For Rissy, I found a ton of basic little, short sleeve t-shirts (to wear under long sleeve shirts) in every color you can imagine.  They were $1.00 each.  I would guess I bought a dozen of them. 

  And the sweaters!!!!! Oh my! 

  Again, only $2.00 average for a pull over or cardigan!  

  They are excellent quality and a small fraction of what they’d be priced, if brand new.  I think people must receive gifts, wear them once (or not at all), and the things end up in thrift stores. 

                             

  Fortunately, I have a lot of clothing-size boxes in the garage storage.

  Speaking of boxes and wrapping paper, none of that will take place, if I don’t clear off the dining room table.  It’s covered with the decorating things I may (or may not) choose to use around the house. 

  I believe I’ve OVER simplified!!! 

  When I think about the clean up AFTERWARDS, all the pretty stuff no longer sounds appealing! 

                       

  I decided against climbing on a step stool to put the usual green garlands with lights up across the doorways.

  I found four green wreaths in the attic.  I’ve hung them OVER two different doorways, the fireplace, and one on the den’s wall.  The two in the den have white decorations (flowers or white berries).  The ones in the front of the house are just plain green with a red bow.  Good enough for me!

  I’ll try to get pictures, when I’m finished.

  Can you say S.I.M.P.L.E.???????????    

  In my formal living room, I’ve covered a silk ficus tree with a strand of 100 lights and it looks great.  I’ll do the other trees in the front of the house, as soon as I buy some extension cords.  The lights will stay on the trees year round.  I’ve wanted to do that for years.  At night, it’s just enough light for us to see, and it’s cheaper than a lamp’s bulb.

                                        
                                                                      Rissy’s trees.

  I also found some mini trees in the attic.  I gave Luci & Annamarie the two larger trees (30″ ???) for their bedrooms, and Rissy has two itty-bitty, dinky trees for her room (about 18″ & 10″).  She has the smallest dresser.  The girls were thrilled and had fun making each of their trees look exactly the way they wanted it.

  While digging through the attic, I found miniature ornaments, like: snowmen, nutcrackers, berries, birds, some tiny red silk bows & glass bulbs.  Perfect for the little trees.  

  I also found battery operated lights and some 35 bulb strands of electric lights.  Again, just perfect for the dresser top trees!  

               
                          Luci’s tree.                                                               Annamarie’s tree.

  Starting on Wednesday, my plan is to start baking. 

  The usual, familiar cookies & fudge, and a couple new types of cookies. 

  This year, I’m trying my hand at Russian tea cakes.  They look easy; the ingredients aren’t expensive, and, that’s what everything is about this year

  E.A.S.Y., SIMPLE, and *cheap* !!!!!!!!!!  

                                     

  For some reason, school has been extremely difficult.  I don’t know if the curriculum has increased its load, or if NONE OF US want to be doing school. 

  Today, it took until 4pm to finish the basic subjects of spelling, language, & arithmetic.  Oh!  I sure don’t want to have the rest of  the week be like today!  Such a struggle.  Luci, who normally cries all the time, is the only one that didn’t cry.  Well, Luci AND me!   But, I don’t count, because I really *wanted* to cry!!!!!!!!!!!

  Jesse had a nice birthday with just us, on Saturday.  On Sunday, we met his brother , sister-in-law, and a friend at Red Lobster Restaurant.  The food was good, as was the service.  We went into Dillard’s (like Macy’s) afterward, and Jesse bought his favorite cologne.  He had a scratchy throat, yesterday, but when he came home from work tonight, he sounded like he had a full blown cold.  I gave him Thera-Flu and rubbed Vicks on his chest and throat.  He’s out like a light, snoring in bed. 

      

  With all the “putting up” of decorations, I also got the kitchen cleaned up (the counter tops, floor, and microwave).  I cleaned and organized my desk.  I washed down the outside of the washing machine (the girls tend to spill things).  AND, I wrote a winter letter to send to friends & family, since we no longer send  cards.

  The lady who was helping me clean had to quit.  She’s having surgery.

                           

  Maybe that’s why I’m pooped, right now. 

  I should get up from here and run the dishwasher, and then I need to go to bed.

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 12:19 am
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