A phone call woke me up at 9:00 a.m., today; a number I didn't recognize, so I let it go to the answering machine and whoever it was, didn't bother to leave a message. However, I couldn't go back to sleep, so, I got up and made myself a cup of coffee (after feeding the cats, etc.) I had just sat down to drink the coffee when the phone rang, again. But, this time, it was cousin P. She had just picked some guavas from her tree, she said, and wanted to bring some over for me. She came over right away and brought me several freshly picked guavas and we chatted for a bit. Just before she left, she asked me if I was going anywhere, today; I told her I planned to go to the Auto Club to pay my bill and she asked if she could tag along. So, of course, I said yes. I told her I planned to go later in the afternoon, around 3:00 p.m. and she was fine with that.
Cousin also mentioned that she was having a charity come by to pick up some bags of donations she had, tomorrow. I asked her for the name of the charity and, when she went back home, she called me with their phone number. So, I called them, myself, and asked if they could pick up my donations, too, at the same time (cousin P lives a couple of houses down, across the street from me). They were happy to do so, and I was able to cross off one item from my Mile Long To Do List! Yay!
Shortly after that, the phone rang again, and it was the Auto Club, calling me to ask if I received the insurance billing renewal, if I had any questions about it, and to give me a "friendly reminder" that it was due on October 3rd! I told the person that I was planning to pay it, today.
I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon doing some paperwork and budgeting, doing a load of laundry, and removing the cobwebs from the living room, dining area, family room, and hallway. My goodness, but those spiders take their job of decorating my house for Halloween very seriously! Well, they'll just have to make some new webs for Halloween, because I took these ones down! I "swept" the cobwebs with a broom I covered with an old kitchen towel I keep for cleaning jobs like this. I couldn't reach behind the statues on the altar in the living room, with the towel-covered broom, so I climbed up on the step stool to clean that area and I was able to dust the top of the bookcase, as well. But, walking around with my arms raised over my head and looking up causes my neck and shoulders to hurt. So, I am going to consider the removing cobwebs item crossed off my long to do list, as well. At least for now. I might do the bedrooms a bit later (my bedroom has already been done). Then, I dusted the living room, dining area, and family room.
At 3:00 p.m., cousin P and I went to the Auto Club and I paid my auto insurance. I also went over to the DMV counter and made the appointment to get my driver's license renewed. The earliest appointment they could give me was October 25, but that should be OK.
Afterwards, cousin and I went to do a bit of grocery shopping. I wanted to pick up bread ($1.00) and more of the roast beef cold cuts at $1.99 each, before the sale ends on Tuesday; I also picked up another half gallon of milk ($1.99), some green beans (@ $.99/lb), and, I gave into temptation and bought a packet of almond croissants - a splurge item at $4.99!
The green beans came to $.54. I still have some of the beans I cooked, earlier, but I wanted to buy them before the sale ended.
My bill came to $12.50.
September grocery budget = $75
Spent to date:
8/29 = $3.20 (came from September grocery budget)
9/5 = $12.11 (September grocery shopping week 1)
9/11 = $1.99 (for milk)
9/14 = $3.00 (for bread)
9/18 = $10.61
9/19 = $11.47
9/20 = $15.48
9/24 = $12.50
Total spent to date = $70.36
Balance remaining = $75 - $70.36 = $4.64
I honestly don't anticipate going grocery shopping again before the end of the month! No matter how good the sales are! But, if I do, then, I still have almost $5 to spend.
I dropped cousin off at her house and came back. Ate a sandwich and had a cup of tea. Then, I emptied the waste baskets and took the trash cans out. But, I didn't water the front garden, as I wanted to watch the evening news on TV and by the time the news ended, it was already getting dark outside.
Instead, I decided to wash the bedroom curtains and wash the window (inside, only). I put the curtains to wash and washed the window. Then, I took the curtains out of the wash and the valance part of it was fine but the four curtain panels, themselves were so worn out that they were in shreds!
As you can see, each one was worse than the other:
Several years ago, too, I had washed them and discovered a small tear which I repaired, but this time, they are beyond repairing! It was only to be expected. I've had these curtains for a long time - I bought them when my mother was still alive and she died in 2006! I remember paying $50 for the four curtain panels and valance and thought it was quite an extravagance, but the roses matched the wallpaper border I had put up on my wall.
But now, I didn't have any curtains for my window! And I didn't want to go to sleep without a window covering. I knew I had a piece of eyelet fabric that had been part of an outfit my daughter used to wear to temple when she was a little girl. We call it "lama sari" or half-sari. I cut another piece of fabric from a leftover piece of white fabric and sewed it to the piece of eyelet to make a casing for the curtain rod. As you can see, the eyelet fabric was just barely enough:
It looks a little better with the valance in place:
It will do for right now. There's not enough of the eyelet fabric to make a curtain with some fullness and it is also a bit too thin. But, it makes an adequate curtain for now.
You can catch a glimpse of the wallpaper border which matched the roses on the old curtain. Yes, I am aware that wallpaper borders are way outdated; I've been told so by at least one friend. But, it's OK. I like my roses wallpaper border.
Now, I am wondering if I should even bother washing the family room window valance. It is lace and I have had it for 20 years! I'm afraid, it, too, will disintegrate when I wash it!
Later in the evening, I gathered the bags of donations to be set outside in the morning - 8 bags of clothes, 2 bags of shoes/boots, and 2 bags of books. A lot of it is what my daughter put aside to give away.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin P bringing over guavas from her tree
- Having her company while I ran my errands
- Being able to schedule the donations pick up so quickly
- Getting my car insurance paid and driver's license appointment set up
- The good old fabric stash!
Monday's To Do List
 |
| Fresh Guavas |
Shortly after that, the phone rang again, and it was the Auto Club, calling me to ask if I received the insurance billing renewal, if I had any questions about it, and to give me a "friendly reminder" that it was due on October 3rd! I told the person that I was planning to pay it, today.
I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon doing some paperwork and budgeting, doing a load of laundry, and removing the cobwebs from the living room, dining area, family room, and hallway. My goodness, but those spiders take their job of decorating my house for Halloween very seriously! Well, they'll just have to make some new webs for Halloween, because I took these ones down! I "swept" the cobwebs with a broom I covered with an old kitchen towel I keep for cleaning jobs like this. I couldn't reach behind the statues on the altar in the living room, with the towel-covered broom, so I climbed up on the step stool to clean that area and I was able to dust the top of the bookcase, as well. But, walking around with my arms raised over my head and looking up causes my neck and shoulders to hurt. So, I am going to consider the removing cobwebs item crossed off my long to do list, as well. At least for now. I might do the bedrooms a bit later (my bedroom has already been done). Then, I dusted the living room, dining area, and family room.
At 3:00 p.m., cousin P and I went to the Auto Club and I paid my auto insurance. I also went over to the DMV counter and made the appointment to get my driver's license renewed. The earliest appointment they could give me was October 25, but that should be OK.
Afterwards, cousin and I went to do a bit of grocery shopping. I wanted to pick up bread ($1.00) and more of the roast beef cold cuts at $1.99 each, before the sale ends on Tuesday; I also picked up another half gallon of milk ($1.99), some green beans (@ $.99/lb), and, I gave into temptation and bought a packet of almond croissants - a splurge item at $4.99!
 |
| 9/24 Groceries |
 |
| 9/24 Grocery Receipt |
September grocery budget = $75
Spent to date:
8/29 = $3.20 (came from September grocery budget)
9/5 = $12.11 (September grocery shopping week 1)
9/11 = $1.99 (for milk)
9/14 = $3.00 (for bread)
9/18 = $10.61
9/19 = $11.47
9/20 = $15.48
9/24 = $12.50
Total spent to date = $70.36
Balance remaining = $75 - $70.36 = $4.64
I honestly don't anticipate going grocery shopping again before the end of the month! No matter how good the sales are! But, if I do, then, I still have almost $5 to spend.
Instead, I decided to wash the bedroom curtains and wash the window (inside, only). I put the curtains to wash and washed the window. Then, I took the curtains out of the wash and the valance part of it was fine but the four curtain panels, themselves were so worn out that they were in shreds!
 |
| Torn Curtain Panels |
 |
| This was the worst one, I think |
But now, I didn't have any curtains for my window! And I didn't want to go to sleep without a window covering. I knew I had a piece of eyelet fabric that had been part of an outfit my daughter used to wear to temple when she was a little girl. We call it "lama sari" or half-sari. I cut another piece of fabric from a leftover piece of white fabric and sewed it to the piece of eyelet to make a casing for the curtain rod. As you can see, the eyelet fabric was just barely enough:
 |
| Just enough to cover the window |
It looks a little better with the valance in place:
 |
| With the valance |
It will do for right now. There's not enough of the eyelet fabric to make a curtain with some fullness and it is also a bit too thin. But, it makes an adequate curtain for now.
You can catch a glimpse of the wallpaper border which matched the roses on the old curtain. Yes, I am aware that wallpaper borders are way outdated; I've been told so by at least one friend. But, it's OK. I like my roses wallpaper border.
Now, I am wondering if I should even bother washing the family room window valance. It is lace and I have had it for 20 years! I'm afraid, it, too, will disintegrate when I wash it!
Later in the evening, I gathered the bags of donations to be set outside in the morning - 8 bags of clothes, 2 bags of shoes/boots, and 2 bags of books. A lot of it is what my daughter put aside to give away.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Cousin P bringing over guavas from her tree
- Having her company while I ran my errands
- Being able to schedule the donations pick up so quickly
- Getting my car insurance paid and driver's license appointment set up
- The good old fabric stash!
Monday's To Do List
- Set up an appointment to renew my driver's license - need to go in person, this time, as I need to do a vision test - DONE; appointment set for 10/25 (earliest they had)
- Pay my auto insurance renewal in person at the Auto Club (can do later in the week, too; not due yet) - DONE
- Give Dancer his flea medication (oh, he's not going to like it!) - DONE
- Do another load of laundry - DONE
- Clean the fridge
- Package and freeze some of the curries I made
- Empty the waste baskets - DONE
- Take the trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Water the front and back gardens
- Dust & vacuum - DUSTED - living room, dining area, family room; removed cobwebs from the main rooms
- Mop kitchen
- Clean my bedroom window - DONE
- Wash my bedroom curtains - DONE
- Sew a new/temporary curtain! - DONE
- Call for donations pick up - DONE - scheduled for tomorrow!
Obviously, I wasn't able to finish everything that was on my list for Monday. But, I am happy with what I was able to get done.
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Leave the donations outside the door by 8:00 a.m., with a sign with the charity's name
- Vacuum
- Clean the fridge
- Bring the trash cans in
- Package and freeze some of the curries I made
- Water the garden
- Mop the kitchen
- Pay bills
- Knitting group?
How was your Monday? What are your plans for Tuesday?
- Sew a new/temporary curtain! - DONE
- Call for donations pick up - DONE - scheduled for tomorrow!
Obviously, I wasn't able to finish everything that was on my list for Monday. But, I am happy with what I was able to get done.
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Leave the donations outside the door by 8:00 a.m., with a sign with the charity's name
- Vacuum
- Clean the fridge
- Bring the trash cans in
- Package and freeze some of the curries I made
- Water the garden
- Mop the kitchen
- Pay bills
- Knitting group?
How was your Monday? What are your plans for Tuesday?
Hurrah! for getting something crossed off your list. It's very useful that your charity will collect and saves you a job too.
ReplyDeleteIts such a shame about the curtains but you've come up with a great solution, and the valance fabric is so pretty. X
Thank you, Jules. Yes, I generally wait until I have several bags of stuff and schedule a pick up. They will also leave a receipt for tax deduction purposes.
DeleteWell, I've had the curtains for at least 14 years, if not more. I guess it's their way of saying it's time for a change!
You have been busy! Well done for crossing so much off your list.
ReplyDeleteI’ve started to write down everything, and I mean absolutely everything, that needs to be done. I can take my time about it as I can’t really do much while all the workmen are in the house. I am a ‘lists’ sort of person and always have to-do lists but I’ve never done a master ‘absolutely everything’ list before. It is quite therapeutic!
Well done, Eileen, for starting a Master List! I'm glad you are finding it therapeutic! Some people say they find it overwhelming. But, I think it is helpful to see it all written down. When I was on an organizing forum, that was the first thing we would do - go from room to room and write down everything we want done. Tasks can be added or deleted as you go, but have everything on paper (or in your computer and you can pull it up as needed). Take your time; I've had things on my lists for years!
DeleteWallpaper borders may not be in vogue now, but who cares if it makes you happy. Your bedrooms should be a sanctuary, so if you like roses, go for it.
ReplyDeleteI might remove them, one day, but not yet! Yes, I do like roses. I had almost 100 rose bushes in my garden, at one time! It was so pretty when they were all in bloom! Now, I have fewer than 10!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to start your day and a great start to your mile-long list. Wow! I am duly impressed. But why did you splurge on those croissants? You have CAKE.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I was amused by the photos of the curtains. I'm sure you don't see the humour in it. It has happened to me before so I no longer buy my curtains brand new. I buy them at the Thrift Store. There are so many choices as it seems people are constantly getting rid of their window coverings. I just carry the measurements and a small tape measure in my purse when I go to check out the offerings. I really like the white curtain panels with the valance that matches your rose border. I would just look for longer and fuller draperies in plain white.
I woke up to rain this morning, so my day will involve "indoor" activities. The rain will be good for my transplants, and it will be good to give my muscles a break. Ha.
I know I shouldn't have bought those croissants, but, I like them better than the cake! I have 3/4 of the cake left, but I will take some to my neighbor and the rest to the knitting group, if I go today. If not, it will be sliced up and frozen.
DeleteI was dismayed by the curtains, at first, but later, I figured it was the universe telling me it was time for a change! I've had this set of curtains for at least 14 years, maybe 15. They gave me good value for my money. I am thinking that eyelet curtains might look nice. I could do heavier draperies, but I'd need a different curtain rod, then. And I don't want anything that might fall down on my head while I am sleeping, especially if there is an earthquake! Also, this window is the only window in my north-facing bedroom, so I don't want to block all the light, either. I think, plain white curtains, or a set of white eyelet curtains will be nice. Sounds like I need to take a look around the thrift stores in my neighborhood!
I hope you have a good day, doing your indoor activities. Maybe some Christmas gifts making?
I have decided my to do list is merely a suggestion of things I might or might not get done on any given day.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the curtain panels but I guess everything out there has a shelf life. The eyelet looks cute in the window.
I am counting your almond rolls splurge as a retirement thing, not groceries!
That's a very good way to look at a To Do list, Anne. Especially since your days can be turned completely around by a single phone call. Flexibility is the key!
DeleteThe curtains served me well for a long time. It is time for a change and I've been given that push with their disintegrating. You see, the frugal part of me would never even think of replacing the curtains when the old ones were still serviceable. The temporary ones will do for now, until I look into today's window treatment styles to see what appeals to me. When I first bought the house, there used to be vertical blinds, but I didn't like them, that much. Drapes might not be bad, but I don't want any heavy rods to fall on my head, especially during an earthquake! (The window is above my bed; it's bad enough I worry about the glass breaking and falling on me during an earthquake!) I might go with fuller eyelet curtains.
Oh, thank you! I, too, shall count the almond croissants as a retirement thing! :D
You had a very productive day.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me that I saw a couple of cobwebs in the living room while I was doing yoga. Apparently I was not really concentrating on yoga, because the cobwebs started to bother me and then I had to turn the yoga mat in the opposite direction so that I couldn't see it. heheee. Then I completely forgot it, until now.
Thank you, Nil; yes, it was a productive day, but I fear I might have done a little too much, because I was tired and not the least productive, today.
DeleteWell, you dealt with that cobweb, in a way! It's how I've been known to deal with things, too, at times! :D
Hope your week is going well.
I've been catching up as I was away and returned with a cold, then we had a massive storm which put the power out all over and the internet was out for nearly 3 days! DH is still away so I was taking the laptop out to places with internet to contact him. But now all is getting back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI see your window is north facing so it wasn't a case of the sun rotting your drapes. I had a window topper with a crochet lace edging over my kitchen window, in full sun, and when I washed it, the lace was shredding in places, and the white fabric also ripped, so I couldn't reuse that. I crocheted another long length of lace in the end, and then bought a large white pillowcase and cut a topper out of that. I now have a topper again but I was sorry not to have the same fabric as it was a better quality.
I also have a rose wallpaper border in the bedroom! Sometimes when I come across these similarities I think maybe I need a Dancer, too! 😻
Bushlady, lovely to hear from you! I remembered you saying you were going away, so I wasn't worried that I hadn't heard from you, but I was hoping that you were having a good time and enjoyed your trip. But, I'm sorry to hear you caught a cold and were without power, etc.! Hope you are feeling better now and glad to hear that things are back to normal.
DeleteThe, the window is north facing; the curtains were just too old (they were cotton, and probably not meant to be used for as long as I did!) I remember you mentioning the topper with the lace edging! Yay, someone else with a rose wallpaper border! Yes, maybe you need a Dancer, too! :D