That's what we get for cancelling a planned camping/peaches trip to Palisade: we get more work done. It doesn't make it fun, though. Instead of buying our peaches at the source, I got them from Safeway. But the price can't be beat: 97 cents a pound. Some will go in the freezer, some to the girlies...and we'll just have to eat the rest. (Oh, the burden of responsibility -- grin.) Slightly cooler weather helps. So does a little more rain. The Brick has been busy working on the trailer ($500-600 in repairs...whoopee), and cleaning out/repairing a couple of sewing machines for a friend. What a guy. Meanwhile:
British frugal food -- from the Skint Foodie. We Americans have to figure out some of the words, like 'pulses' (peas, beans and the like) or 'pouting' ("a cheaper fish"). Interesting, nonetheless.
Fired for farting -- a lot! And keeping up with the "Department of Weird:"
From the Department of "I'll Never Look At Them The Same Again" comes this odd tale: after employees notice a bad smell, a man's body is found inside a supermarket's 'stone-faced' entry column. (The link will explain.) Wacky... from California, naturally. (California readers, please don't hurt me.)
It's hard to believe, but I've been writing this feature more than two years! The first Hits & Misses report was for July 2016. August and September have some unsettling anniversaries for us. We still deal with feelings and memories from events that happened three years ago. Those took a long time to heal. Every time certain dates come up, I have a shiver of apprehension that I must shove back in the closet. After all, it's over -- and has been, for years. Thankfully those events are now scars, instead of scabs. The Brick was still dealing with health issues when August began. Thankfully, those are just scars, as well! He is much better, thank God -- and I mean that literally. I just heard from a friend, though, who is going through a similar situation at her job -- and enduring much right now. I can do nothing on her behalf.. I try to encourage her -- "This too will pass" -- but remember the pain and frustration all too well. I wish I could do more. On the plus side: some work jobs have helped pay the bills, and even put a little back into savings. (September should be even better.) The Book is actively in production, and more speaking offers are coming in. The temperatures jump between cooler and warmer, and my favorite season is on its way. Welcome, Fall.
FRUGAL HITS
A little early, but there you go.
*Caught up on Detectorists -- this is still one of my favorite series -- quiet, low-key, but extremely memorable. Ordered a copy (marked WAY down) on Amazon for us.
*Finished watching Longmire (again). We both love this Western 'cowboys and Indians' series... only wish it hadn't stopped. Also caught up on Shetland; waiting for some other shows to finish up their latest season, so we can start watching them again. It's no fun waiting, but watching these in a chunk, rather than piecemeal, makes a lot more sense.
*Twenty cents discount/gallon on a diesel fillup for the truck. It was practically on empty. *Ordered flowers (in a vase) and chocolates delivered for our aunt's 90th birthday -- for $16, thanks to a Groupon purchased some time ago! The Mama also got a dozen roses for her birthday, at a much-reduced price. Love those Groupons. If you haven't tried them, go here. (It doesn't cost a cent to sign up. Disclosure: I do get a small discount if you do.)
*Food savings: Bacon for less than $3.00/lb -- and it was the custom stuff.
Red peppers: 3 for a buck. Five pounds of baby carrots for $5. Mild onions: 3 lb/$1.
Still working away on a large bag of zucchini given to us by a friend.
Chose not to buy some items on sale -- like BOGO lobster tails. (Bought 99-cent/lb country ribs with the money, instead.)
Stretched out the period between necessary purchases -- like milk. (We currently have a few tablespoons in the fridge -- enough for coffee. Time to head to the grocery store.) *Didn't make a trip to Palisade to buy peaches, after all.(I'm sorry we had to forego our previously-annual jaunt -- but it couldn't be helped.) Saved on gas, meals -- and bought peaches at home for as much (or less) than what we would have spent: 97 cents/lb.
*Free tickets to Operation Finale -- saw it, along with friends. (The theater had gratis popcorn and soda -- an extra bonus!) A terrific, nerve-wracking show about the capture of Adolph Eichmann...you should see it.
*Two sample boxes (yay, items for Christmas stockings!), including a coupon for a free bottle of mayo. *Cleared out the refrigerator. Got rid of smelly stuff (much of it left over when the Brick was in hospital -- or couldn't eat that food), and found what we had that was edible. That way, I won't waste what's left...and get an easier to use fridge.
Cleaning out the house shelves is having the same effect -- I'm finding various presents, books, etc. that I put away 'in a safe place' ages ago. No money yet, though, darn it. *Sold a Crazy Quilts book, plus two on Amazon. *Made dinner (and supper) at home several times, when I didn't feel like it. We really haven't gone out to eat much, except for work.
*Worked the Cheyenne gig. We were careful on food purchases; the main splurge was two trips to Goodwill. *The Brick made several repairs, including some electrical work and water systems on the trailer. *Fifteen for $15 -- Goodwill. Three pairs of shorts, and a bunch of tank tops for myself and the girlies. Plus some shirts*, a toy pirate ship ($3) -- for Blayde, one of my piano students -- and a teakettle shaped like a cat! (That one cost $6.) *The Brick tells me that one of those shirts was specially designed for 'carrying.' It has inside pockets and lined sections that make it comfortable, yet easy to transport. (And unobtrusive).Shirt value: $50-60. We paid $3. *Some really nice kids books and videos: 50 cents and $2 each from the library's used book room. These will be Christmas presents and prizes for piano students and young relatives. *A last-minute catsitting job. (A neighbor mowed our lawn, after I took care of their dogs and fish. Thanks so much, Betty.)
*Began teaching piano again - a new adult student. My kiddoes won't start up until October...which, with my work schedule for fall, actually works better.
FRUGAL MISSES These have been minimal, considering. *Multiple trips to the airport for friends and family: we are thinking of naming ourselves the Brick Taxi Service! The tab currently stands at 7 for a three-week period...with another for yours truly scheduled in a week or so.
*A TON of medical bills to pay. We'll chip away at these, a little at a time. *Bought a TV we didn't really need...but it's a smaller size, with updated features, that will work better in the trailer. (Our current TV will go to Daughter #1.) Got a similar TV for The Mama, whose elderly model bit the dust a few weeks ago.
The Brick found them on deep discount...which is really a frugal hit, as well.
*Repairs for the trailer. These are necessary; my teaching and judging gigs will help pay for them.
*The Outback's still up for sale. Daughter #1 will be refurbishing her Jeep, instead...but needed to borrow the Subaru while her car was in the shop. Anyone interested in a good car? *Missed out on a few small opportunities -- by not returning a book on time (a few days overdue) and having King Soopers/Safeway freebies expire before I got to the grocery store next. (See above.) Nothing big, though, for this dedicated Hollander.
Check out last month's reportby clicking here. You can compare this year with last, as well, clicking here. These reports have kept me honest -- because I know I'll have to admit them to you!
These didn't make enough for a full post, until I stitched them together.
The Brick: He's doing much better, thank you. I can tell because he's back to some of his favorite activities: tinkering, lists, vitamins (in various combinations), spending hours on the computer reading/listening to political opinions, trends and agendas. And talking to me -- whoo hoo!
Before, he was in pain, taking heavy meds, doing a lot of sleeping and staring listlessly at the tv...but not really seeing it. I'll take his normal behavior anytime.
The party's over: Cousin Joy sent me photos of the balloon aftermath from The Mama's birthday surprise. What goes up must come down...
Trailer house: It's not happening anytime soon. The trailer's support legs aren't lowering properly, which means we won't be going anywhere until the Brick figures out how to fix them. That may mean that our annual trip to Palisade for peaches is out... not sure yet.
Complicating matters are the facts that the peach crop was early, not that bountiful, anyways -- and I have to start traveling for work again in about a week.
Maybe we'll make a quick trip, but stay at a hotel. Which means Charley and Ruby have to stay home. At least we don't have to worry about the chickens anymore.
P.S. We decided to stay home, after all. Maybe not the fun thing to do -- but the right one.
Or a handful of Tostitos...
House party: I've done some toward packing the trailer and un-packing the house...but need to do more. A number of appraisals need to be finished up first, though... before I'm back on the road.
And the Brick feels completely well.
And we have the time to put toward it.
And some other important developments don't take precedence. Sometimes this feels like a vicious circle.
On the plus side, some of our piles are gone -- put away. The dishes are done, clothes washed and clean sheets are on the bed. All good things.
Hooray! (Part II): Christian Dior not only has one Crazy-patched skirt, but an entire group of patchwork clothing pieces. Some look modern-pieced from recent fabrics...which I don't mind so much. Clothing from pieced yardage has been happening for decades... sadly, clothing from finished quilts has been done regularly, too.
A Facebook reader suggested that the skirt in question was printed fabric, rather than the real thing. I wrote Christian Dior's customer service to ask, but after a week, haven't heard a word back. That says -- at least to me -- that most probably, an antique quilt gave up its life to parade around on a model's backside. Sigh.
Charley Bear and the limp: Somehow, while we were gone for the day, Sir Charles managed to twist his hind leg. Although he doesn't yipe when I rub it (a good sign nothing's broken), he definitely favors it when moving around. The daily competition for the back door means that Ruby not only wins -- she deliberately crashes into him, just to show who's boss.
I still have trouble with one knee. That happened because Charley decided to leap onto it, lap puppy-style. So now he limps, too... ironic, huh?
He does seem to be getting slowly better, but it's difficult. After all, he has to use that leg to go out and do his business. I am hoping it doesn't develop into the hip problems large breeds are prone to. Thank God allergies seem to be easing up around here. Charley, the Brick and yours truly have been just miserable, dealing with them. P.S. Woke up to misery -- the allergies, combined with smoke in the air from wildfires, are extra-bad. Oh goody. I just need to wait it out.
Charley and Rubes (she hates photos)
These coming weeks will be busy ones... just not yet. Not too bad, anyways. Coming soon, I'll be at the: Heartland Quilters Guild North Platte, NE Sept. 6 Lecture: "Good, Better, Best" (a lecture on how to recognize quality -- and make your good quilt even better!) Silver Threads 8th Quilt Guild Show Creede, CO Sept. 14-16 -- The only show on the continent held in a real underground mine! (I'll be judging on the 13th, but my colleague Donna Skvarla will be offering appraisals during that period. E-mail her at bearspaw@cox.net for info.) Higher Ground Fair and Quilt ShowLaramie, WY Sept. 22-23 -- I'll be judging on the 21st, but teaching 'Crazy Painting' and available for appraisals, as well -- info is on the show site, or contact me at the Brickworks website. Life goes on...God is good. All the time.
And a bunch of quilt shops and pitstops in between.
Delma, analyzing Amish transportation options
What this gave me was a 24/7 period to observe what 'my' Aussies were like. In many ways, they were very much like Americans -- particularly American quilters. Both have an undiluted enthusiasm for fabric, patterns and SALES that are difficult to slow down. (I finally saw less interest the last day at the very last fabric shop. Yes, it took that long for ennui to happen.)
They have a great deal of knowledge, and interest in learning more -- particularly about us oddball Americans, who talk too fast, know little about our country, and, in their opinion, do some strange stuff. Here's what I noticed about our Aussie friends: *They are remarkably friendly. Within minutes of visiting any store, the shopkeeper was chatting away with these openhearted, smiling ladies. They made it easy by telling anyone within earshot who they were, and why they were there. Contrast this to Americans' habits of quietly sneaking in, grabbing what's needed, and sneaking out... or holding your tongue at programs and presentations, scared you were going to make a fool out of yourself. The Aussies honestly didn't care. And they came across as who they are: warm, friendly and interested. I was amazed at the many strangers who stopped to talk to them -- in the shops, on tours, in the restaurants, wherever. ("I love your accent" was a frequent comment.) At show intermissions, celebrities were more than happy to chat a while and have their photos taken with 'my' ladies -- who loved it, too. Amazing.
Part of the group, at trip's beginning. They look fresh and perky, don't they? (They had 'matching' polo shirts -- in different colors.)
*They don't mind standing in lines.("Queues," they call it.) This drives me absolutely nuts, after a few minutes -- particularly if I see someone cutting in line ahead of me. The Aussies were much more patient. From what I observed, particularly in lines at the cash register, this is time to: Talk to the next person (and check out her purchases - should you get some more?) Ask lots of questions (to the tour guide or shopkeeper) Double-check one's items, Analyze not only what just happened -- but start planning what's next (in the case of events)
Dogwood blooming in Paducah, KY
*Their approach to food is different. One example: biscuits and gravy. Our hotels, without exception, offered this in the mornings. And Americans took advantage of it. But Aussies steered clear every time, like it was the plague. Since "biscuits" to the Australians are actually cookies, they were suspicious, to begin with. (They referred to our biscuits as 'scones,' but really, they're not.) And pour GRAVY over them? Ewww...
Another abomination was tea. The Paducah eating spots around the show offered it iced and sweetened. (Northern-bred me was careful to skirt that horror: you only drink it straight!) If you wanted a hot drink, there was coffee. Maybe hot chocolate, as well, if you were lucky.
My buddies wanted tea, all right -- but hot and strong, with plenty of sugar and milk. (Iced? Ridiculous.) And they wanted it midmorning with a baked something, as a 'coffee break.' (Though they did form an attachment to funnel cakes and other American goodies.)
The hotels we stopped at generally had displays of coffee, teabags/hot water and often fresh-baked cookies. Every night, I watched the ladies make a rush for these. (I did, too -- I had a lot of work to do on The Book, which kept me up.)
So you drink coffee at night... and tea during the day? Or just tea, all the time? I saw both variations.
*Ditto for restaurants. For one, they don't have access to the fast food chains we know so well, with the exception of Subway... and a few others. (For the record, nearly all of 'my' ladies came from Adelaide; one was from Sydney. I'm not sure if location plays into this.) They viewed our entrees as huge, including buffets, in general. How in the world could you eat so much? (I see their point, particularly when doggie bags are a difficult option.) Sit-down restaurants weren't meant for gobbling down and rushing off; they were meant to be savored, particularly at meal's end. (I especially enjoyed this, talking while lingering over that last bite of dessert and cup of... you-know.)
"How can you be so specific?" Listening to Americans use phrases like 'no mustard - and hold the pickles' seemed odd to them. You take what you're given, and adapt it yourself. (Or, as The Mama would say, 'Shut up and eat.') Since going out to eat often meant sandwiches to them, perhaps accompanied by "crisps" (potato chips) or "chips" (fries), this was important.
'On the side' was a foreign concept -- and presumptuous, at that.
Tips -- how much do you give? Apparently in Australia, you don't tip the waiter. I'm guessing you don't tip anybody, quite frankly. From what I was told, waitstaff make a heck of a lot more money, to begin with.
Does this mean Americans have their hands out more often, for good service? I would guess yes. On the negative side, the Aussies, out of their zeal to be fair, often overtipped, as a result.
*They're Brits -- and yet they're not. Their accents often struck me as British Empire. (Although I'm certain they would argue with this.) Many of the words used (like "loo" for bathroom, for instance) were familiar, in this respect. I would occasionally have trouble understanding if they spoke quickly or used too many terms foreign to me. (I noticed they had the same problem if I went off on a tangent... except for quilting phrases. The one exception was "batting," which is "wadding" to them.)
They have a relationship with the Queen and her royal family that seems reverent, compared to ourrapscallion approach. Although the Queen doesn't visit often (her last visit was in 2011), her family members occasionally do -- including a planned upcoming trip by Prince Harry and his wife.
Probe deeper, however, and you find something fascinating. They enjoy having royalty visit, and don't mind listening to what they say. But at least to the girls I spent time with, they don't take them that seriously. ('After all,' one girl told me, 'we don't have to pay for them.')
The people were mostly British once. (Scots, the Welsh and the Irish would argue with me about that!) Many stepped onto the shores of 'the colonies' from convict ships sent by the British. It became a badge of honor -- listen at 1:30, then again at 7;30, to reinforce this:
They're not Brits now, though. (This makes me wonder how much Canadians have changed from their origins, as well. A lot, I'm guessing.) They have their own way of doing things, including government. Which brings us to: *They're used to a lot more political instability. When the head of government changes, so does the party in charge. And that can happen, based on a single vote. From one long afternoon of talking politics, I was told that the government had changed hands more than five times in the past seven-plus years. Totally normal!
My friends, on the other hand, were mystified by President Trump. Why in the world did he get elected, in the first place? More questioning on this subject made it clear that they were only hearing viewpoints from people and sources who didn't like Trump. They certainly hadn't thought about the implications of millions of people voting for him...or the reasons why voters would do that. (Besides sheer stupidity or sheepheaded-ness attributed to those voters by some sources, that is.)
This all made for fascinating talk on a long, hot afternoon, eating ice cream under a large umbrella. If someone tells you that you shouldn't discuss religion, sex or politics...do it, anyways! *They're puzzled by our patriotism. Branson was hip-deep in salutes to veterans, "I-love-America" music and red, white and blue bunting. (The Ducks ride even included a mini-tour of military equipment, war listings and accompanying music.) The Aussies listened to and viewed all of this politely, but showed little enthusiasm for it.
"Why are you celebrating war?" one person asked me. I honestly hadn't thought about it this way. Patriotic displays can be propaganda, sure -- they've certainly been used to promote and camouflage conflicts that Americans themselves have been conflicted about. I had always considered recognizing our military as showing respect for soldiers and their sacrifices to keep America free. (And, since that includes free speech, arguing, as well, I suppose.) The Australians didn't see it that way, at all.
They did commemorate their version of our Memorial Day while they were in the States. It was mentioned a few times...but at no time did they discuss this in great detail, except to say that any celebrations were low-key, with minimal fuss.
They didn't buy any Fourth of July fabrics, either. *They assume (or used to) that regions and populations in the U.S. were 'all alike.' Our bus driver was a native Kentuckian, who knew the swooping hills and greenery well. I, a native Michigander turned Coloradoan, on the other hand, love the Southwest's wide-open views, golden plains and snowy mountains. Plenty of water was available wherever we went on the tour -- but I hadn't seen rain for weeks at home. It was easy for the Australians to generalize that other parts of the country were similar to the areas we were heading through. (A few, like the lady who frequently traveled to New York City, knew differently.)
It was an education for our driver, too. "Must you stop at every quilt shop?" he often said. (Gary, you don't know quilters...)
Gary Faulkner, our driver, with his wife Pat
They'd forgotten that the United States is a massive, sprawling place, with such a mix of landscape, history and culture that you'd swear you were visiting countries, rather than counties. Stirring the Amish/Mennonite influence into the pot, so unlike many parts of the U.S., further expanded what they had to process. I hope we were good ambassadors for our country. We certainly tried to be.
The Aussie viewpoint to all this is bound to be different. (I've read at least one version, already. Feel free to chime in, Aussie friends and Gentle Readers!)
I had my own conclusions about Australia when I offered to lead this tour -- those were expanded and changed in just a short time, thanks to my new acquaintances. (Special thanks to my appraiser colleagues on the trip, who really opened my eyes to how other countries do this process.) They showed the same warm friendliness to me that they expressed to others. We shared breakdowns and problems, belly laughs and long discussions: sometimes trivial, sometimes important. They are talented, wise, thoughtful-- and best of all, multi-layered. I have so much more to learn and experience about them and their fascinating continent.
I had a great time, Dears. Let's do it again sometime.
