Weekly Ramble 9/14/24

Whew. That week was full! Let’s chat involuntary pantry challenges, guitar-playing husbands, new refrigerators, and more.

So, what to tell you, what to tell you? Our heat wave broke earlier in the week, and it’s been lovely here.

Most Easterners/Northerners would say that we don’t get true “sweater weather” here, but it was SO NICE to wear a jeans and a long sleeve shirt one day this week. Yay!

(Let’s forget the fact that I changed about ten times before I found a fit that I was remotely comfortable in. My 50-something body has some explaining to do.)

I know those pockets of cool will be elusive for the next six weeks, but I’m enjoying them when they come. And while solar sustained us and the AC during the heatwave, we’ve decided to use it sparingly because we really like not having much of an electric bill!

This week’s ramble will take the shape of Five Favorite Things, since I still have some Rest Day Prep to complete.

Five Favorite Things

The Save Money Fast 10-Day Challenge

Ever found yourself in a pickle when you need to cut spending fast?! We have had more than once of those “emergency moments” over the last 30 years.

I well remember the first one that triggered our debt-defying ways. Late spring of 2007. I stood in front of the our pantry in Kansas, pictured here:

I made the conscious decision not to buy more food until we’d used up what we had. I saved something like $600 that month alone, just eating what we had in the fridge, freezer, and cupboards.

And the rest, as they say, is history. That was our very first Pantry Challenge. I’ve spent the last week synthesizing what one can do when you need to cut expenses and find some money fast…

I’ve put it all in my Save Money Fast 10-Day Challenge. It will be free to folks in the Good Cheap Eats Club in October.

This is how I spent my work time this past week and I feel so proud of what I’ve put together!

My husband’s guitar playing

Bryan has always played guitar, but after we had a traumatic church experience, he didn’t play for a long time. Maybe some Zeppelin, but not much else.

This summer has been a gift to hear him practice and learn new songs. I randomly snapped this picture of him, despite the dirty dishes, because I don’t have many recent images.

The New Fridge

The previous fridge had lots of bells and whistles. This new one does not. But, I’m still incredibly thankful for it!

I was getting my steps every day just walking to the garage for food!

The new fridge was delivered on Thursday so we are back in business. It’s not a stock up kind of unit; it’s actually pretty small. But, it will hold what we need for day-to-day items.

Worship for Workers

I’ve told you about this album before, but it bears repeating. The songs in this collection have lifted my spirits more than once this week.

A mom’s work is hard, even if no one sees it. And it is work to manage your emotions and be kind when others are losing their ish.

Several songs on Worship for Workers speak directly to this. Such a blessing.

Oil Changes and Cars that Work

Last weekend I washed the van that was getting too dirty for me to stand, and this week Bryan changed the oil. I still haven’t heard from the insurance company for the damage from last month, but I’m thankful that my car works.

We bought it during lockdowns in June 2020 when apparently no one was in the market for a minivan. I love it. LOVE IT!

I’m very sad that the front bumper is damaged. I’ve cried more than once. Silly, I know, especially since it’s a 2012.

But, this is the first car in my life that I really picked out for myself. Psychologically it has great import for me. 😉

Alrighty, that’s it for me. I’ve prepped muffins for church, dinner for tonight, and breakfast for tomorrow. But, I still have tomorrow’s lunch and dinner to get squared away. Have a great night, friend!