A Quick Hello

My least favorite month is August. It's always hot and sticky and I lost my mother, my oldest brother, and my son in August. Though my mother died in 1972, it still saddens me on the 22nd. My brother left in 2020, and I lost my son the following year. 

My accomplishments added up to zero for the month. I criticize people who retire and then sit around and watch TV, but that's exactly the way I've been acting. No more. Pity party is over.

My downsizing came to a halt, only managing to discard one set of dishes. I did a lazy lunch for my brother and nephew. Notice the bottles on the unironed tablecloth, and I didn't do any better with the food.

Make your own Caesar salad.

Pork steak and applesauce, baked potatoes (add your own toppings,) frozen mixed vegetables, Sister Shubert rolls (also from frozen), iced tea (purchased in jugs,) and Marie Callender's frozen chocolate something. 

I took the set of dishes, 4 placemats, 4 napkins, and 4 napkin rings to the thrift store, but then I bought all of this. I'm losing the downsizing challenge, but I only spent $13.60.

Of course, Pepper claimed it as his own.

The books were 25 cents each.

I thought Mim would like this.

I read Alexandra Stoddard's books in the past, so this was like running into an old friend. Her suggestions are inspiring, plus there are lots of fun pencil drawings.

Three gardening books; will I ever get my yard spruced up?

The one which says "House Plants" is actually a really thick loose-leaf binder, so I can remove pages if I wish. Lots of categories; not just house plants.

Plus a Southern Living outdated book on Quick Decorating.

The magazines were 10 cents each. A real find. Eleven Discover Britain.

Niece Sarah and Husband Josh are going to Yellowstone next year, and this magazine is perfect and also includes Grand Tetons. The two fishing mags are for Brother Bill.

There's also a Better Homes and Garden and an Ideals.

Eight new napkins for $3.00

A like-new tablecloth for $3.00, a kitchen towel and a guest towel for 75 cents each. I think I'm yearning for fall.

A notebook with more than 100 plastic sheet protectors for $2.00. At Walmart, sheet protectors are $2.97 for 25 and a 3" binder is $11.94. Woo hoo!

The four serving spoons were 25 cents each. I always run out of them when I'm cooking a lot.

My trip to the thrift store inspired me to do more shopping so I went to Michael's, looking for a sunflower wreath. They have one online, so I thought perhaps there would be one in the store. Nope, but I did buy all these tulips for $8. What am I going to do with them? Don't know yet, but at 80% off, I'll figure out something. I think I know how to use the white ones, but spring is a long way off, so no rush.

Then I headed to Home Goods, looking for a wreath and some crocks to hold kitchen utensils. I found this wreath for $16 - the one from Michaels was $40, but much nicer. However, I do have sunflowers in my garage stash, so I can add to this one.

I also found one crock. It's rather nice - hand painted. I think it's larger than the plain white ones at Walmart which cost the same - $10. I want to make my kitchen more practical, and getting those large spoons, ladles, and spatulas, etc. out of the drawer will help.

Then wonder of wonders, I found a chest to go in front of my desk. I've searched and searched the web, and it was waiting right here all the time. 

This is the first thing I see when I walk into my office, and without something to hide them, I see all the chair legs and whatever I've stored under the desk.

I was using this basket of fake plants, but it gets so dusty, and Stormy is always messing with it. Now I have something easier to maintain, plus extra storage.

Jill told me she saw Gorilla glue sticks at Hobby Lobby, so that was my next stop, thinking they might have some crocks as well. The wreaths I make keep falling apart, so I thought Gorilla might be the answer. 

But - I didn't know where to look and there was NO ONE working the floor to ask. I finally gave up. The fall decor is 40% off right now, so I picked up a few paper goods items and checked out. I asked the cashier why there was no help, and she said that the schedule is planned so that it's top heavy, with most people scheduled for the top of the day and tapering off in the late afternoon. I think I was there about 4:30 or 5:00. Don't go there after 4:00 if you need help finding something. I think that's when the shift changes.

My last stop was Gabe's. I walked out empty handed. They have very few items other than clothes now. Quick stop. Won't be going there again.

I never tire of this YouTube vlog on how Trump will never be president; too funny  Click Here 

Time to regroup. Tomorrow is Monday, the first of the month, and the first day of autumn on the Patsy calendar. A good time to reset.

No more whining. Time for me to remember how fortunate I am, looking for a blessing every single day.

HAPPY LABOR DAY

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME

WE'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN

TRY YOUTUBE UNIVERSITY

STILL TIME FOR A DAY TRIP

OR TREAT YOURSELF TO A NICE LUNCH OUT

I'VE MISSED BLABBING TO YOU

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE