Condensing and simplifying

So...most people who read this blog are also aware of and read my other blog. I've decided there is no need for seperating my life into two differnet blogs: one for homeschooling, and one for "life", because the two very often interrupt and affect each other. Therefore, I'd like y'all to hop on over to my "other blog" which will be where I do my posting from now on. See you there!

The Chicken Lady is Real

How could I have forgotten to tell my fine friends in Blogland about my inheritance of chickens? I'm now going to be a lovely chicken lady, as my parents are setting me up with gorgeous clucking hens which will provide me with more eggs than I could ever consume myself. They have yet to arrive...the coop is still in the works. But let it be known to all that I have secured myself some chicky bawk bawks and will soon be out enjoying their company. And eggs.

I also, on Christmas morning, became the proud owner of a REAL clothesline. Up until now, regardless of where I have lived, I have strung cording from one tree to another, lucky if I can hang a load and a half of clothing before there is no room left. Not any longer, dear friends. Now I have SIX lines of cording between two poles. That's far more than one and a half loads of laundry. Of course I will have to wait until the ground thaws to put this to use, but I'm nonetheless tickled pink at the thought of all those clothes whipping around in the wind.

Actually, the greatest things about these Christmas gifts aren't the items themselves...although those are lovely. What's really grand about these gifts is that they move us closer to self sufficiency and are just part of something where the fact that people give you these things as gifts means they understand where you are. They get it. Its not just some stupid thing you talk about. Its something you really believe in. And when people get that, it makes even that much more real.

2009 - Edge of a Cliff

Christmas is over, New Year's is gone. Sigh. Back to life.

Actually I had something I wanted to post awhile back, but I figured it was really grinchy and un-holiday like of me to say so in the midst of the Christmas/New Years celebration. But now that all that is past...

After all the Christmas Eve duties had been taken care of and I was collapsing into bed, I had one very real thought that wouldn't leave my brain.

"What next?"

As in, after Christmas is said and done, after the cocktail shrimp is devoured, the shredded gift wrap stuffed into contractor sized garbage bags, and the childhood hyperactivity is cut off by long overdue sleep...what next?

See, in my opinion, the Christmas hustle and bustle temporariliy distracted most everyone from the impending economic doom that most every sane adult knows is coming. After the warm holiday fuzzies are gone, what's left? Christmas to me was much like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing that most people I know will plunge face first down the side of it, and that its just a matter of time before I lose my footing and join them in the economic tumble. The trick is how to fall with the least amount of pain.

Now, I'm sure its not all doom and gloom. I don't want to depress anyone! After all, there are financial gurus out there who have the answers. Like Suze Orman who recently published an article telling folks great ways to save money; number one being switch to regular gas instead of always choosing premium. Or that we should get our haircut every eight weeks instead of six...and occasionally skip the massage. Thank you, Suze! Now I can afford to eat!

It's hard to get excited about the economic future when the yahoos in control have no idea what's really going on. Can you say punt? Anyhow, I've been thoroughly enjoying the information over at Backwoods Home. They have a great forum with intelligent useful discussion. Unless of course you thought Suze's information was earth shatteringly useful...then, stick with her.

Christmas Unplugged #9: But, Mom!!!

There are a lot of commercials on Cartoon Network. My five year old's favorite is for Nintendo DS. He told me about a month ago that he wanted one.

"Well, you probably won't get one of those," I said. "That's out of our price range."

He frowned and said "So you're telling me Santa doesn't exist."

"What?" fumbles Mama.

He said, "Well, just because you and Dad can't afford it doesn't mean Santa can't make it and bring it to me."

Ah, childhood innocence. We've now explained that times are rough for everyone, including Santa. We've also explained that having a DS isn't that exciting if you don't have the money to buy games for it. I tried to give him a dose of "reality"...all the while still playing up the Santa thing. (Which seems kind of hypocritical and backwards when you think about it...)

The DS question recently came up again, and my lovely child was quick to point out..."But Mom, you got a new computer for Christmas."

Yep. I did.

Nothing gets past him. Then I had to explain to him that Mom's laptop is for working, not playing. And that Dad found it "used" (returned from a company that leased it but never touched it) and got an incredibly good deal on it. I invited him to do the same with any video game system he'd like.

Being patient is tough, I know. But its an essential thing to learn if you want to live frugally. It saves a ridiculous amount of money if you're willing to hunt...and wait...and hunt. Which is how I got my laptop. And how the frugal girl got her 97 cent dress. Isn't patience great?

Now explain that to my kids, who are so excited with the anticipation of Christmas morning, that they could power a small country with their energy.

Its a puppy!

Just thought I would share some pictures of the little snuggle bug that my mom brought home today. She's so far nameless...almost 8 weeks old.


Me and the puppy.










My mom and the puppy.






My dad taking a little rest with the tired out puppy.

The boys adore her...Iggy thinks he's died and gone to heaven having a new puppy in the house. I tried to explain it's Grandma's dog, not his...but what can you do? You live with your grandparents and they get a new dog? I mean, really. Does it get any better at five years old ? :)

Christmas Unplugged #8: The year of early presents

We've never been a open your presents early type family. And we still aren't. But oddly enough, most of the adults in this family already have the gifts they are getting for Christmas.

Here's the catch up from the past few days:

A) My husband met the kids and I for lunch (after a homeschooling adventure with our new group) and he flopped a laptop on the table in front of me. "Merry Christmas," said he, with a big smile. Now, I did not ask for a laptop. I never would have put something that expensive on my list. It does not, however, mean I didn't giggle and get all giddy and do a happy dance at the sight of my very own laptop. Because I most certainly did. :) I am a writer. Laptop equals convenience. Laptop also means when the kids are doing their schoolwork (on the computer), I can do "my work". And that, my friends, makes for a very happy mama. It means, in my fantasy world, that I can work on my book more often and eventually make millions and buy the Little Farm in the Big Woods. (For those who are wondering, my husband got a screaming deal on aforementioned piece of technology. Its about a $1500 laptop...he spent a little over $400.)Wicked awesome. I mean, truly wicked.

B) My husband also purchased two other computers that day from the same little local shop. One for his father (Christmas gift that three siblings were going in on together) and one for his sister (which she paid for). Because he walked in and bought three computers, the shop owner (who we know) gave him an MP4 player for free. My husband said " Well, gee. I'm good for Christmas then!" and is so proud of his little toy. (I'm so lame, he showed it to me and I didn't even know what it was. And then when he told me what it was, I said "Yeah? Well what is that supposed to do?" Technology. Not one of my strong points.)

C) My mother is on her way north to pick up her new dog. For those who don't remember, she recently lost her 11 year old Golden Retriever to cancer. She happened to mention to my father "All I really want for Christmas is a dog." And through this really weird twist of fate, all the cards fell together and they are going to 99% sure pick up the new dog today.

D) My dad...well, I guess I can't really write about his gift specifically...since there is a half chance he might read this blog...but he already has his gift. He just doesn't realize its his. I'll explain more...well, after Christmas when he puts the pieces all together.

So there you have it. Early Christmas presents all around. Oh...and I should add about the Christmas gift that showed up yesterday, completely unexpected. The inside cat who accidentally got out on Thanksgiving and has been missing for two weeks was found ALIVE yesterday...right before the really nasty storm hit. He's really skinny and looks like he's been in a couple fights...but I think he will survive. Cats who come back...that's a pretty cool Christmas gift, too.

Christmas Unplugged #7: Be Silly

So every year we have a cookie exchange on my mom's mother's side of the family. This year, the hostess decided to toss things up a bit and gave us the challenge to come to the cookie exchange in the most ridiculous formal or cheesy Christmas attire we could muster.



At first, I frowned. Me being a major tightwad in most areas of life thought "Seriously, you want me to SPEND MONEY on a costume that afterwards I'm going to not have any reason to keep? For a two hour party?" But I thought and thought, and wanting to participate in the holiday fun, was determined to find something that would work for me at the party...and then afterwards.

What I found was a ballerina costume that fit me. For $1.50 at the Salvation Army. Seriously? Who has this great luck?!? Now, I've always wanted to be a ballerina...but seeing as how I occasionally like to eat, I never saw that dream becoming a reality. And how we found a ballerina costume (or maybe ice skater?) that would fit a size 8-10 gal (as opposed to a size 1-2 darling)is beyond me, but once again, I smile at my good fortune.




And so I went to the party as the Minnesota Ice Fairy. Underneath the ballerina costume, I wore my grandma's white long underwear, a white top of mine, my mom's poofy purple winter hat, scarf and gloves, and a purple shirt/jacket type thing. Or and my white Sorel boots I got from an auction last summer for about 37 cents (it was a box of boots for $3). I drove myself and three other ladies an hour north in a snowstorm to get the exchange. It was wild. All I could think was "If we go in the ditch, what will the cop say when he comes upon all our lovely costumed selves?"

So all in all, it was great fun. Silly, cheap fun. With cookies.

Oh yes, and in case you're wondering...the ballerina outfit will be donated to my grandmother's dress up closet. That way if I ever feel like playing dressup with all the little girls...I'll have something that actually fits me. :)