you and your oil thing

Low cost beauty tips . . .

2009-08-14T15:09:00.000-04:00

I was walking around the mall one day
when one of those exotic chicks lulled
me and a girlfriend into trying some
beauty products. One of them I really
liked was a scrub made from sea salt
and loive oil. Now I couldn't afford
the $90 so we moseyed on our way.

A light went off in my head sometime
later, "Well hell, Michelle. You could
actually make some of that stuff for
next to nothing!" Thank God for moments
of clarity.

I've tried a home-mixture a few times
now with great results. It just feels
good, my skin soaks up the oil and
feels great after.

Warning, your tub might be hazzardously
slippery. Use caution, blah blah blah.

I have some organic lotion that I bought
at vitacost. I occasionally use it on
my hair (it's very light) for a deep
conditioner, prior to showering. I'm
trying to grow my hair out a bit before
re-blonding my tresses.

I had one pedicure last month, (the 1st
all year) at a beauty school for $16.
The poor guy couldn't even see my toes,
he'd forgotten his glasses that day.
But, he gave a great leg message. I
try and keep the look up with daily
lotioning and by not going barefoot.

I do my own eyebrows with a waxing
about once every 3-4 months or so.

~M

Country music . . .

2009-08-12T12:05:00.002-04:00

I couldn't help but notice how country music
has a certain . . .doomish quality about it
these days.

I'm thinking about a song where a guy falls
off the wagon and his buddy finds him in a
bar. The fallee laments how stressfull life
is and his buddy orders a round and tells
him to "suck it up".

Songs celebrating the simple life, even though
"just barely getting by" seem to be a frequent
theme these days. Music is either reflecting
our culture or cheering it to settle down and
appreciate the small things, because that's all
there is to celebrate.

Just sayin' . . .

~M

I've fallen off the fiscal wagon . . .

2009-08-10T15:58:00.002-04:00

I know, I know. I should be doing better.
"Hello Michelle, we're freakin' collapsing
already!"

Yeah, I know. So I charged a wee bit, I've
been eye-balling the koolaide. Such a pretty,
refreshing glass on a hot, humid day looks
so refreshing. *SIGH*

So I put the credit card away, again. I
balanced the checkbook and consulted my
budget. BREATHE. I can do this.

Pause to run a bit of water through some
already been used coffee grounds.

Pause to find the thoroughbred at the scene
of the crime. She ate 2 days worth of corn.

Pause to take a phone call, 2, 3.

I called my cellphone service provider and
had internet access blocked. They were kind
enough to drop a charge.

Then I called my landline/satellite service
provider and got them to reduce service and
save me $12 per month.

Baby steps to being more thrifty,

~M

Vacationing on a shoestring . . .

2009-07-23T19:02:00.002-04:00

Step One: Call up relatives/friends/fellow doomers/etc. and
tell them you're coming to visit.

Step two: Make a budget, try and include $ to take the your
hosts to dinner, or at least bring a token of appreciation.

Step three: Drive to your destination, or try and get as cheap
a flight as possible. HINT: Air Tran has a program to let you
see web specials before they get offerred to the public.

Step four: Eat in or bring a sandwhich. Snacks on the road are
terribly expensive. Pack the cooler.

Step five: Do free stuff. Tour the brewery, take pics of foliage,
play in the sand and see how stuff gets made. And visit with your
hosts, like it's the last time.

~M

General update . . .

2009-07-13T19:07:00.000-04:00

I'm drinking way to much coffee. I've
gotten over a nasty case of bronchitis.
Did you know that you can buy antibiotics
for your fishtank on line? Enough said.

I have some nice folks here, friends of my
former father in law, beggining the process
of taking down the pool. It's nice to see
it appreciated and put to good use again.
My younger daughter breezed in and out for
a visit. She'll be off to summer camp, and
then school and driving on her own in just
a matter of months. While we have a set
schedule for her to be here, playing it
by ear works better for her. I sneak in
extra visits on Fridays and try and take
her to lunch.

My older daughter will be up for a visit
this week. She's down to her last pizza,
so a trip to the grocery store is in order.

Pause to entice a wandering horse back to
the fold with a coffee can full of sweet
feed.

While I miss having chickens, I'm not
sure what the future holds as far as my
living here goes. Time will tell, though
I must admit to being a bit impatient.
I want to get settled and start prepping
in earnest. Yet, I'm also enjoying the
last days of this bright age. I'm even
thinking of *gasp* traveling a bit.

More later.

~M

Don't throw that out!

2009-07-08T11:34:00.001-04:00

I've actually had a few leftovers in
the house, much to my critters' delight.
The pigs loved the old strawberries.
The dogs gobbled up week old pizza.
The geese adored the wilted salad and
catnteloupe rinds.

Just a thought.

~M

The Pigs

2009-07-07T10:01:00.000-04:00

Miss Piggy showed up last year. We
investigated and found that her owner
was dying and the remaining family
didn't really want her. Since then,
she's gained too much weight, she
can barely see, and she comes and
goes as she pleases.

Last week a new pig showed up. He's
friendly and doesn't mind being
petted. Yesterday, they showed up
together.

I fed and watered them and they've
decided to chill at my place for
a while.

Cheers.

~M

Ahhhh I love Mondays . . . .

2009-07-06T12:09:00.002-04:00

I've avoided use of the word farmlette
of late. The weeds are growing nicely
and I only managed to plant 3 sad rows
of potatoes this past spring. Even mom-
goose lost her clutch of eggs in a freak
flash flood. The roof and the pool leak,
one of my mares is too skinny, and I'm
almost out of hay.

And yet, life goes on. Mondays are like
my Sundays, days of rest and quiet. I
slept 12 hours last night. As I write
this, the skinny mare is getting in some
serious grazing time on my front lawn,
unfenced. She won't wander off as long
as long as her buddy is in the fence.

Miss Piggy showed up this morning, with
her boyfriend. I fed and watered them.
When I checked on the mare, I saw the
pigs napping under a shade tree in the
front yard, they look happy and content.
I can't help but feel the same.

I have a fella coming to get the pool.

I'll manage a new roof this winter.

I just pulled lemon-poppy seed muffins
out of the oven.

The kitten is finally letting me type
abit without help.

~M

Signs of the times . . .

2009-07-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

For the last three weeks in a row,
we've had dogs and puppies dumped at
my work. Today's dawg was a friendly,
tail-wagging, relaxed hound/lab mix
who smiled. He was lucky. One of the
security guards decided to take him
home and try and find him a new
situation. The pup even had a rabies
tag. I wonder if his former people
had lost their home as well, you
just kind of get that sense.

A few months ago, some lads and their
dad stood outside the local big box
and tried to give away some hot
puppies.

"We're getting kicked out!" The kids
exclaimed.

I know so many people struggling
right now. I'm so damned grateful
to be able to pay my bills.
(Note to self, I owe dad 1/2 tank
of gas.)

~M

"Hey! Don't throw anything out until . . ."

2009-07-01T11:42:00.000-04:00

. . .checking with me."

I recently bought a covered cat
box for my younger daughter's
kitten. Her cat likes to sling
poo and litter like he's in
training for the Atlanta Braves.
This causes her much consternation.

A few days later, my folks tell me
that they have 2 such boxes to get
rid of because their geriatric
cat needs better accomodation.
Since I need another cat box as
well, this was good news.

It later led me to a conversation
with my folks about furniture and
other household items. We agreed
not to discard anything without
checking with each other first.
Every little bit helps.

I've said the same thing to my
best friends' teens as well as my
own daughters. "I'll take your
hand-me-downs!" Which usually turn
out to be my favorite clothes and
accessories.

~M

Having fun without money . . .

2009-06-28T21:14:00.002-04:00

I'm sure this post is going to sound
corney, and it is just a rehash of stuff
that's been stated before. But I'm
going to wax poetic about the simple
life anyways.

Playing with a kitten is free (except for
the vet visit) and wickedly entertaining.

Listening to some country music playing
softly in the background is soothing and
restful after a long day at work. (I'd
cancel the satellite tv in a second if it
weren't for my kids.)

Taking walks at the end of the day (it's
been really hot here) and watching the fire
flies (or lightning bugs) dance is priceless.
So is catching them and putting them in a
jar.

Occasionally we drive into the city and walk
along the riverfront for fun and people
watching. I always pack water so we don't
even stop to buy drinks.

Cuddling up to watch a movie or tactical DVD,
(I'm still a doomer!)is always a nice way to
pass the time.

Visiting my folks and sharing a cup of coffee,
and catching up is just really, really nice.

And then there's ice cream. Yummmm.

~M

Saving a wee bit here and there . . .

2009-06-25T16:41:00.002-04:00

Things are getting bad out there. I think
everyone is starting to feel the *pinch*.

(Pause to ask my kitten for the 50th time
in 2 minutes to please leave my keyboard
and coffee alone, please.)

I did a buzz cut for the first time on my
guy, and I have to say the results are quite
good. The cost . . . free. He got the
clippers back from his ex. Hey, it doesn't
hurt to ask.

(Pause to ask Reecey, again. And, again to
please quit bothering my keyboard.)

My guy needed new appliances for one of
his properties, "If you see anything on
craigslist?" I had introduced him to
the website a while ago. One quick search
revealed a fridge and stove for $50.
Appliances are posted under housewares, I've
been cruising the free section for dog
houses.

(Down, kitty. Leave Mommy's coffee alone.)

Reecey-kitty broke a lamp. Before throwing
out the base, I salvaged the lightbulb
and lampshade.

Instead of paying to get my carpets cleaned,
I going to do it myself with a borrowed cleaner
from my dad. (As soon as I get a nice caffiene
buzz going.)

(Sleep kitty . . ..)

(Petting her ears, mrow.)

I'm planning on getting reciepts from Goodwill
for stuff I donate. Every little bit helps
when paying taxes.

I'm down to just a few bales of hay to last all
summer. It will be August before I can afford
more (if I keep my horses). When I'm home, I
graze them one at a time in the front yard.
This gives them much needed forage. I also
have them cleaning out my fenced back yard
and pens. It saves me having to mow and money
on gas.

We eat in, a lot. Heck, I encourage it even on
date nights. I (and we) do a lot of walking for
exercise and entertainment. I logged 7 miles
yesterday. (Note to self, ask Lua about remedies
for hip pain.)

(Reecey kitty is napping with her head against
the laptop.)

I'm about to enter a month-long period of
cash short flow. I took some time off to
rest and avoid burn out at work.

(Ok, I take longer cat-naps than the kitten does.)

I shopped Aldi's and stocked up on several week's
worth of food. All I should have to buy for a
while if I'm really careful is dogfood, milk
and fruit. This cost me about $105.

Kitty!

m

More Money Musings . . .

2009-06-24T15:35:00.002-04:00

I tallied my debts. The good news is that
it isn't as bad as I thought. My main focus
for the next 2 months is not making it any
worse. (And I dream of a fun and frugal
doom-cation.) I've been spending a lot of
time with my . . . budget.

Annual expenses like car tags, band camp,
school trips/tuition and semi-annual ones
like filling up the propane tank and
buying hay demand to be accounted for.
And let's not forget Christmas. Needless
to say, I have a blue print for the rest
of the year laid out on paper.

My budget doesn't cover everything. I've
left off things like vet visits, car
repairs and clothing. I have a modest
savings account to cover that. I'm
mucking along on a shoestring.

I don't mean to be irreverent of the
collapse, and I do think we're in the
midst of one. But I'm trying to approach
it with a sense of humor. We can't change
what's coming, only our response to it.
The flexible survive and flourish,
didn't Dmitri Orlov say as much?

~M

Tried and True Recipes . . .Peach Cobbler

2009-06-23T15:34:00.002-04:00

I forget where I originally found this,
but it's easy and delicious.
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 (i prefer 2) teaspoons vanilla extract

1 can of peaches drained
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon (i prefer 1 teaspoon) cinnamon

Put the stick of melted butter in a baking dish.
Combine the next set of ingredients and pour over
butter.

Then put the last ingredients on top.

Bake @ 375 for 25-30 minutes. (It tastes even
better, when slightly over done.)

~M

Cutting corners . . .

2009-06-22T14:12:00.002-04:00

I wish I had tons of wisdom to convey, but
alas it's just odds and ends.

My hot water heater and stovetop use propane.
I also have backup heat hooked into the same
system. The mists of my foggy, caffiene reduced
brain cleared long enough for me to think "Aha!"
I turned up (use less) the thermostat dial
and waited a day and then took a shower, repeat
and again. Now I'm sure that I can't stretch
my propane until October (when I get that
much regarded 3rd paycheck), but I might get
a few extra weeks out of it anyways.

I baked a cobbler for dessert tonight, turned
off the stove about 3/4 of the way through
baking and let the heat from the oven finnish
the job. I'm skipping ice cream to go with it,
heck I don't need the calories anyways.

I only wash completely full loads of laundry
and dishwasher. I recycle water bottles (just
a few). I hang up most stuff to dry, clothes
last longer that way.

I swap critter sitting chores with my folks.
I hauled their cat to the vet for them today,
darned fleas are wicked this year.

I keep the AC on 80F for the kitten and me,
a bit cooler when my kid is home. (105F heat
index).

Leaving the credit card at home seems to be
working so far. Grin.

~M
trying Capstar and keeping the kitties in.

Adapting . . .

2009-06-20T20:22:00.002-04:00

My rain catchment system (above ground pool)
got a hole in it. I'm was fine with keeping
it closed up for the season to save money on
chemicals and electricity while I considered
my options. I didn't mind sharing it with
tadpoles and such. But a leaking pool is a
hazzard, epsecially in the fall when leaves
will clutter the stagnant water.

I don't have the $500-$800 to get it up and
running. I called the ex to see if he wanted
it. No. I called a GF to see if they wanted
it for the spare pump and scrap metal. (Her
hub is frequently out of work due to slumps
in manufacturing.)

Bingo.

My potential hazzard will be removed next
weekend. And I might even get a free beer.

Cheers,

M

Ode to Aldi, ideas for Father's Day . . .

2009-06-16T10:22:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was one of those delicious
days filled with fun. It was just an
ordinary day made lovely by those I
shared it with.

My daughter drove (pretty well, just
needs to slow down and think before
proceeding to a destination) to the
big box and and we bought a card and
dvd for her dad. I think a $5 dvd is
a nice gift when times are tight. It
provides entertainment when cash is
low. We bought the same for my new
guy.

We picked up my kid's life long pal
and ran a few errands before we had
an early dinner at Steak and Shake.
(They have a lot of $4 meals.)
We proceeded to the movies and watched
"The Hangover". It was great fun.
(Matinee pricing, I checked on line.)
The kids sat alone, my guy and me several
rows back. My adopted sister also joined
us with her date.

After dinner, the kids and I went to
Aldi to do a quick shop. I really need
to make the store a part of my bi-weekly
shopping habit. My money goes so much
further there. Reaching for the receipt:

bleach $1.29

one gallon whole milk $2.29

white bread .79 (I bought 2 and put one
loaf in the freezer.)

coffee (thier nice stuff) $3.99 (I'm down
to 3 cups per day.)

one pound 85% ground beef $2.49

pretzels $1.29

gravy mix 3/$1

frozen strawberries $3.49

instant decaf $2.29

some nice sliced cheese $1.49

blueberries .99 per pint

This morning I turned the 2 boxes I
brought my groceries in, into a kitten
play ground.

I'm baking my guy a cake $2 and having
his young ones help me decorate it $4,
as a fun activity.

Cheers,
M

Money musings . . .

2009-06-14T21:27:00.002-04:00

I used to be the financial nerd of the family.
I researched, plotted, planned, invested and
then discovered Peak Oil while reading the
Rainwater Prophecy in Money Magazine. My life
changed, and we got ready for Peak Oil.

More changes occured, some brain spots and some
personal soul searching made me realize
that life was too short to be unhappy, doom
or no doom. And, I started over. I find
myself alone now, in a quiet rambling
house with a damp kitten in my lap. My gardens
are forgotten, my chickens in heaven, my lawns
quiet tall, and the stockpiles of food and ammo
divided in half between former spouses.

In January, I had lasik surgery on my eyes, my
biggest prep of the year, and adopted a horse.
In February, March, April and May, I began
putting my life back together emotionally. I
worked a lot to keep busy, took walks, talked
endlesly with friends and healed.

I kept the farmlette and animals, assumed half
the debt, budgeted like crazy and charged a bit.
I took a staycation in May and chilled and rested.
I paid my share of the taxes, kept current on
my bills and even upped my tax withholdings.

I have yet to buy a couch on craigslist, but I
did purchase a coal burning grill for $25 and
hauled it to the boyfriend's house and asked
him to cook for me.

So now the dust has settled and it's time to be
a geek again. Times have changed so much since
2005, our economy is a mess and the "official"
unemployment rate in my county is 15%. I had
a friend text me and ask how to apply for food
stamps over the weekend.

My main focus for the rest of the year is my
health, my happiness and my financial stability.
My musings will run to the mundane, I don't have
the desire to ponder the mess we're in, in global
terms.

1. I have seen the (financial) enemy while looking
in the mirror. While still healing, I'm prone to
moments of weakness and fiscal silliness. That
was me and the girls buying ice cream and movies
at Walmart at 11pm. (Grin). I've started leaving
the credit card at home.

2. Tomorrow, I *LIST* the credit cards and tally
my debt. The first step is to acknowledge what
I owe.

3. Some of our best dates are free. I've casually
mentioned budgeting and living modestly with
my boyfriend. Tomorrow, we're going to a matinee.
I found a half price deal online for a dinner/comedy
show. I'm just as pleased to walk or hang out
and cook in as to eat out.

4. Instead of therapy or prozac, get a kitten.
Seriously, kittens are awesome. My little pile
of fluff is so happy to see me and purr for me.
She's more comforting after a long work day than
going out.

5. My kitten has fleas and the expensive flea stuff
doesn't seem to be working. I'm trying my old standby,
dishwashing liquid. I'm also going to keep her in
for the summer. This will save me some $$ on the cost
of flea meds that the fleas seem to have developed
some resistance to.

6. My kid introduced my to the kitty litter scoop.
Yeah, yeah, I'd heard about 'em in theory, but she
said it saves money, so I spent a buck on one.
Thus far, I'd have to agree with her.

More next week . . .

~M

Still dooming . . .

2009-05-05T15:11:00.000-04:00

Just not as loudly. :)
I'm still finding the right
balance between work/home/all my
other obligations. I'll get the mix
right. Soon.

~M

Spring and blogging . . .

2009-04-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

I have a long to do list and yet I sit here
plucking away on the keyboard, watching my
daughter's kitten attack inanimate objects.
Life's dust has settled and it's time to
get back to the practicle matters at hand:
dooming and disaster prep.

With the swine flu thing on the horizon, it's
time to restock the larder and freezer, plant
in ernest, and work the farmlette.

I moved the geese (3 of them) to my garden
to weed it a few weeks ago. I thought I was
being clever. Mom-goose immediately started
laying eggs. She made a nice cozy nest and
proceeded to sit on her eggs. All of this
is great, except I've had to move my garden
to the near-virgin chert/clay pen next door.
I chopped up this are with a pickaxe last
year . . .there were no worms at all.

This year, there are a few worms but the clay
is like concrete. I'm not going to get a lot
of gardening done. Still I chopped what I
could and planted 3 rows of spuds. I covered
then with a thin layer of clay and then a
thick layer of coffee grounds (it was all
I had available). We'll see what happens.

~M

I'm dooming . . . I swear.

2009-03-01T05:33:00.000-05:00

The forecast calls for snow tonight,
so I will engage in the fine Southern
tradition of running off to the store
for bread. (Yeah, yeah I should have
baked my own . . . whatever.)

Thank goodness my dad lives close by
to let my pack in and out during bad
weather. I need to buy some dog houses,
and more hay, and more tools and more
seeds, etc.

I'm getting all my medical stuff out
of the way early this year; the dentist,
doc and screenings. I'm walking, doing
stretchy yoga and lifting some weights.

I've yet to find a gun buddy, tho my
poor dad may get lassoed into that as
well. He's game to help me fence off
my gardens from the chickens. I saw
them tilling my strawberry patch
for me yesterday and added that chore
to the list.

The new mare has worked out well. I
need to have the farrier out at the
end of the week to get her shoes off.
I'll post a pic soon.

~M

The not-so-funny funnies

2009-02-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks to yahoo comics.

~M

Spring. Where for art thou?

2009-02-23T11:50:00.000-05:00

I sitteth here, ready to plant.
Yeah, tho the ground ist nigh
frozen.

~M

Eating for $15 per week . . .

2009-02-09T11:43:00.002-05:00

Rosemoon had this linked on her blog. I
thought it was so good, that's I'd cross
post it here as well.

link

Rosemoon's blog:

link

Enjoy.

~M

This vid sums it up pretty well

2009-02-09T10:10:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a poster on LATOC . . .

link