More Deals at the DT!

Cocktail/appetizer olives for a buck... what a deal!  This is an example of the type of thing I look for when I am surfing the aisles at the Dollar Tree.  I like to have these kinds of things on hand for guests or if we are asked to bring an appetizer platter to a gathering.

Clothesline!

It's always nice to be able to hang clothes out to dry.  That's when I know summer is really on the way.  After being away for the Memorial Day weekend, I decided my first summer chore would be a load of laundry.  Having been to a flea market/church sale, I had some finds to wash.

The Back Side

I had to take pictures of all four sides of the house in order for the architects/designers at work to help with our face-lift project.  Most of our effort is taking place in the front, but it's the back and the West side that look the worst.  These are the sides that get the most abuse from the weather.  The shingles won't hold any more paint, so all of it will need to be stripped and the entire exterior re-sided.

Avoiding Plastic

I have resolved to stop buying anything in a plastic container, unless I can't avoid it.  After seeing news articles about the growing masses of plastic in large bodies of water, reading how the bottom has dropped out of the recycling market, resulting in a shortage of entities to take and re-use the material, I have decided the most responsible thing I can do as a citizen of our planet, is to avoid contributing to the waste cycle.

Mix Mistress - The Camp Edition

I am always looking for economical ways to fight odor in the trailer's black tank (that tank holds sewage).  One camp wife's method was to flush a cup of Borax a week.  Another camper suggested powder dish wash detergent instead.  Then there are the pricey tank deodorants made specifically for RVs.  I have used all methods but decided to mix up my own this weekend, because Dollar Tree didn't have any of the cheap powder I like to buy.

Summer Quilt

I have been looking for a vintage/thrifted quilt or bedspread for the summer but have had no luck.  As a result, I had to suck it up and shop retail.  A lightweight plush blanket has been on my bed all winter, but because it is all synthetic, it is too hot in the summer.  My goal was to find something 100% cotton with a flamboyant pattern.   While I had been looking for something more tie-dye or psychedelic, nothing along those lines was to be found.  I settled on a paisley pattern that I can live with, but I choked on the price!

$12 Summer Wardrobe Pick-me-Up

I wanted to add a little color to my summer wardrobe, so I decided to stop in to Amvets.  Yellow tags were 50% off and Red was 25%.   Most of what I found were yellow tags.  My goal was to find sleeveless tanks for work.  I was lucky to find a lightweight shirt I can wear over tanks as well.

My Camp Weekend

 

I went to our camp on my own this weekend so I could do some early season clean-up.  One place I really needed to address was our tiny bathroom.  Even if you clean up when you close, there is still work to do in the spring.  Dust and dampness, spiders and other debris make things dirty again.  So I cleaned every surface and organized our supplies.  In the past I had rolled the towels but decided folding made more sense.

Loose Ends

We donated the old cabinet that used to be in this corner this evening.  It was a bit of a chore getting it downstairs and into the truck, but it finally freed up the space for the chest that I have used to consolidate the towels and  bedding.  The space is still not very "styled" but at least now we can open the window and appreciate a breeze and also have something to sit on in the hallway.  The challenge will be to not let it turn into a dumping station.

Consolidating

I have consolidated all of our linens into a cedar chest.  This contains a couple of sets of sheets, spare pillow cases, towels and bath mats.  Quite a lot of stuff needed to go in order to make this single source of storage work.  We decided we don't really like king sized pillows and no longer have any.  So those pillow cases went.  A number of top sheets went too.  Anything that was ripped was cut into rags. I don't like to donate damaged goods -- I think it sends a negative message.  I think people who  buy second hand deserve to buy good stuff.

Soap!

I thought we were almost out of Rainbath shower gel, so I ordered more.  Turns out we have one more bottle left.  This is TBGs favorite soap, so that's what I buy.  It can be pricey in the store, so I order it on-line.  Three forty ounce bottles are just around sixty bucks, including tax, with free shipping.  The shipment will last us at least a half a year, of not longer.

My Kind of Day

I wanted to work part time so I could enjoy days like today.  It was warm and sunny after work, so the pup and I walked along the river.  Of course, I had to keep her on a short leash so she couldn't scarf up goose poop.  She is annoying like that; always looking for something on the ground to eat.  She will grab and chew anything just so I can't get it from her.   We didn't go to the end of the park where she normally swims, so there wasn't too much pulling.  If I take her in lower down in the park, she goes crazy to get into the water.  Here she is, mostly looking like a good girl.

Glasses

I misplaced my glasses over a week ago.  They were my last new pair when I had vision coverage.  Although I had coverage, I still spent a pretty penny on them because they were "designer" frames.  I vowed to never do that again.  When I thought they were lost, I dug up my most recent prescription and ordered a new set on eyebuydirect.com.  That is where I order all of my glasses on-line.

We Are Back!

We are back at camp.  Teddy is certainly happy about it!  I didn't post on Thursday because I took an adult education class for a skill I need for work, and on Friday night we saw a Talking Heads tribute band and that meant we couldn't leave town until Saturday morning.  We were told the weather was horrible on Friday night, so nothing was missed.

Baking Soda Obsession

I use baking soda multiple times per day.  It is probably my most used household item.  The best thing about this product, is that it is cheap.  It is also gentle and an effective cleaner.

More Light!

A third lamp has been eliminated in the master bedroom.  I decided not to be matchy-matchy and purchased a different style.  This was very economical.  The mason jar shade and black corded light set me back about 13 bucks since they were on a 40% off sale at Michael's like the other lamps.  We don't have any "traditional" bulbs in the house so a modern "pig tail" style will have to do for now.  I am thinking I may now use a few mason jars on the vanity to store make-up tools and other things like barretts, scrunchies, etc.