Monday, January 11, 2016

No Spend Month - Week One Recap

What a difference a day makes!!  Yesterday the rains poured out of the heavens all day long, leaving behind raging creeks and flooded areas in the low spots on my property. Temps were unseasonably warm (once again) and the snow was melting off the deck. 

This morning, we were back into the frigid temps expected in January and the snow squalls were fierce!


Can you see the snow out the window? 

Just a few minutes later the sun was beaming through the same windows - so bizarre!!


I'm not complaining - I love it all!

As you know I got off to a little bit of a late start on my no-spend-month so I'm keeping on track with my actual start day of Monday, January 4th. 

That means I've officially made it through the first week of my first ever no spend month - woo hoo!!

For the most part the first week wasn't too tough. I had taken the time to plan and prepare so I was in good shape to start the challenge. 

I think the part I did not take into account were the variables in my life. In my house. 

And by variables, I mean my daughters. 

For instance, I bought a giant package of baby spinach so I would have it to make a few salads or omelets. 

And when I went to use it? Gone. Into a smoothie. 

Also, I knew I had a well stocked wine stash downstairs. I collected it for about a year before I moved here and had a nice collection going. 

So I'll be all set on wine for the month for sure.....right? 

Nope. Apparently many of my white wines got up and walked away....now when I feel like a glass of white wine what happens? 

Mommy was NOT happy. 

Other than that, the no spend challenge is going well. 


The fresh fruit and veggie tower isn't empty yet. When it is, I will revert to frozen fruits and veggies. 

And my daughters can also replenish the tower which is only fair. After all, they are in their mid twenties and working full time. 

Ahem. 


I've been jotting down things as needed, just as I always do. The only difference being this time I'm trying to hold off as long as possible before going to the market. 


This little guy is sure happy I stocked up on seeds and nuts. They go through the seeds so quickly in these cold temps and I'm so glad I can help them out. Hopefully I'll make it through the month with the supply I have stored in a metal bin in the garage. 


I still managed to get a few projects done, without spending anything. 

My sister gave me a beautiful family portrait for Christmas and I've been trying it out here and there, trying to find the right spot. 

When tidying up my utility room this past weekend I came across these other two black frames I had bought last winter. 

Insert free online printables of Parisian scenes and I finally have something hanging in my hallway! And, of course, I can change out the printables on a whim, which I love. 

I've been looking for something for that wall for 9 months now so I'm very happy with the result. The hallway feels finished now.....finally!


Across from the black frames I hung this wreath I got ages ago from Thistlewood Farm's collection at Painted Fox - it's made from the bark from a birch tree and I just love it! It's been in the shipping box, in the Big Green Monster, for months now. Every now and again I would take it out, hold it up on different walls, and put it back in the box. 

Now it has a home.  And my hallway looks fresh and new and I didn't spend a dime!

Another project that was completed this week was swapping out the microwave. And let me tell you something, it's about time!

When I bought the house, the microwave had a crack in the frame of the door. My sweetie glued it and we touched it up with paint and it was ok for a while. 

But over Christmas it became this:


The crack became a full fledged break and the glass inside the door was falling down. Glue wasn't going to work this time! Duct tape to the rescue....temporarily. 

I ordered a new microwave online and my daughter picked it up the very next day. 

And then it sat in the guest room for a couple of weeks until we could get it installed. 

(Did you notice a pattern here? The guest room seems to be the dumping ground for everything that's temporarily displaced!)


Anyway, the new microwave is finally in and the old one went for a trip to the dump. A one way trip. 

So, despite not spending money this week things are getting done, which makes me happy. 


Almost as happy as the sunshine that was pouring into the dining room when I was packing my lunch for work. 


Isn't that just the sweetest sight on a Monday morning? 

What brought a smile to your face today?

















31 comments:

  1. I thought I was the only one who used a guest room as the "dumping and holding" room. ;) My joy and smile for today is having my son Josh home on leave. :)

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    1. Awww, Debbie - enjoy every single second with your son!! And please thank him on our behalf for his service - our military personnel should be treated like royalty when they get to come home on leave for all they do for our country!!

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  2. I love seeing the sunshine thru your windows. Once when I was young and laid off from work, I told my girls, we could make it on 65 dollars a week un-employment if they'd quit eating. LOL... We made it work for us. Thankful I had a bit of savings. Good luck with not spending with kids. :):) I like the new microwave...that's nice isn't it? Blessings to all of you, be safe in the snow, xoxo,Susie

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    1. My daughter is great, she went to the market today and replenished the veggie tower - and bought two bags of spinach! A little hint on the blog does wonders, eh? :)

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  3. I think we all have one of those "holding" rooms lurking in our homes...LOL Ours is the empty guest bedroom. It seems to be the catch all for everything. I'm so happy and proud for you that your first week of no spending has gone well. And yes, daughters can definitely replenish what they use! :-) Love the new microwave...it's those little things that make a huge difference! :-) Hugs to you sweet friend!!

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    1. The microwave is making me so happy every time I walk into the kitchen - all shiny and smiling at me!! :)

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  4. The pupsters always put a smile on my face, the little stinkers. I think daughters might be dipping into the wine storage. Unless it's the bear keeping warm during the day when no one is home. Might have to have a little heart-to-heart...
    Brenda

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    1. Ha ha I think my money is on the daughters, not the bear, Brenda!!

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  5. This home is very special. Good for you.

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    1. It truly is a very special place to me, Trish - thank you!

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  6. That is some crazy weather! We've had a lot of rain but now it's bitter cold and snowing. Love those leather chairs and beautiful blankets with the fur trim in front of the windows. I would love to sit there and read.
    Too funny about your daughters and the spinach and white wine. Though I know not so funny in reality!
    We need an above-the-stove microwave. We have one sitting on the counter and I hate it. Takes up so much room.
    The trio of black frames looks wonderful on the yellow wall...
    And your home is just SO pretty, cozy and home-y all at once with the sun streaming in. Makes me smile just to look at it. :-)

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    1. This is the first house I've owned with an above the stove microwave and I love it!! It's so great to get it up off the counter - heaven knows I have enough on the counters without a microwave taking up space! Thanks for your sweet comments, Melanie - I love my home and I'm so very happy I bought it. It's my haven, for sure. xo

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  7. You have such a pretty home! The wreath goes perfectly on that wall! It's a good job done, replacing the microwave...

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    1. Thanks, Linda - that microwave bugged me from the very first day with that awful crack in it!!

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  8. Love the way you did the hallway.. Looks great!

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    1. Thanks, Debbi - it makes me happy when I look at those frames all lined up in the hallway! I love the black against the yellow. The only thing missing is a skylight in the hallway! Maybe some day.....

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  9. Love, love, love that wreath. :)

    You are the best! Where did you get those furry pillows?

    Happy day!
    karianne

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    1. I love that wreath, also! I bought it the very first day your shop opened at Painted Fox and I've been trying to find the perfect spot for it ever since! Those pillows are from Pottery Barn - don't they make you just want to pet them? :)
      Thanks for visiting, KariAnne! xo

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  10. Despite cold winter weather outside, the sun always makes it feel cozy inside this time of year. Our temperatures are falling today and we expect sleety weather. Guess I will be canceling the drive into town. xo

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    1. It's been snowing here since early this morning - not really sticking to the roads, yet, just blowing around like crazy in the high winds. No sunshine today!! Stay home and be safe, my friend.

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  11. Oh, we are like peas in a pod. No joke! My guest room was always called the jungle. The closet in the guest room was the abyss. Seriously - that's what we named them. So when one of the kids asked where to put something and I would say "see if you can put it in the abyss", they knew exactly what I was talking about. Of course, then, they would whine, "but mom, there isn't any ROOM in the abyss". Yeah. So it obviously wasn't an abyss if it was full. ;) Let me tell you, when we sold the house and had to clean out the abyss (and the jungle), we ended up throwing most of it away or giving it to charity! Goes to show you that things you think are important, really arent! Lately, just being outside on a sunny day, makes me happy!

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    1. I try to keep it under control but it does tend to 'collect' things for a while! I am very fortunate, I have more than enough storage at my home (at least for now, ha ha!) so things don't stay in the guest room forever....just until I get around to putting them where they belong. The abyss, huh? Sounds scary!! :)

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  12. Your story about the guest room definitely made me chuckle! I was using the guest room for storage as well, but now, that I have a guest coming (my son, for a few months while he waits for his spousal visa), the guest room has to actually function! So it was a mad scramble to clean out the drawers, closet...and floors! Enjoy your day! ;)

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    1. How exciting, Donnamae!! It's worth it, isn't it, to have a place where your son can be with you for a while again! Enjoy every minute with him back at home!

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  13. Sounds like you are doing really well with your no-spend January! Having teenagers in the home, I do understand how things go "missing" that you were planning on using, lol... I guess it just helps us get more creative when we have to come up with an ingredient that we were counting on. Hope the snow doesn't cause too much trouble, I do love the snow myself! Getting all that rain would be awful. It was nice to see the sunshine lighting up your dining room - lovely! A great start to the week! :) Have a great day!

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    1. So far, so good with the no-spend!! The snow is blowing around like crazy out my window right now - it is truly a blustery day out there! No sunshine to be found in my dining room today....but you know what? Candlelight and a warm fire are equally lovely! :)

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  14. Your home looks so cozy with the sun shining in the windows. Oops on the spinach...at least one or both girls make healthy food. Our chickens are the spinach eaters around here. Love the pictures in the hall and the wreath. Had not seen one like that and it looks good in it's new "home".

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    1. Ha ha, that's funny - yes, when I had chickens in a previous home they used to destroy my gardens!! I was really considering getting some at my new home but for now it's on the back burner as my sweetie has a neighbor who keeps chickens for 'fun' and supplies me with eggs regularly!

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  15. Beautiful home! We've had several no-spend runs here as well. I actually find them kind of fun!

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  16. Beautiful home! We've had several no-spend runs here as well. I actually find them kind of fun!

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