Christmas 2011, in Summary

Today is the day to take down our Christmas Tree. This isn’t really up for negotiation. The tree needs to spend a few days in the garage in order to re-acclimate to outside life, before we return it to the Adopt-a-Stream Foundation. The tree was decorated in our living room for a whooping 10 days. That is the shortest time we’ve ever had a tree. But, its just about the max a live tree can handle without officially coming out of hibernation, and not being able to survive outdoors without damage.

I have to say my admittedly ugly $25 rent-a-tree, pretty much the highlight of Christmas 2011. The joy of anticipation and Conscientious Consumerism at its finest. Yesterday, I spent one last lovely evening intermittently reading my new book, and basking in the LED glow from its uneven branches.

Until, I went to get a cup of tea, and promptly had my seat stolen.

After which, I had to share in my basking.

And so the tree leaves us. I hope we have the opportunity to do this again next year.

Christmas presents a tricksy proposition for the Conscientious Consumer. It’s a great opportunity for spending quality time and memory making, for socializing, opening up your house and sharing meals. If you can avoid the inherent pitfalls of mindlessly purchasing a bunch of crap no one needs, for non-genuine reasons, from questionable sources. Those pitfalls are big, with slippery edges. Very easy to fall into.

The things I loved about our Christmas.

Yay, Chocolate.

This is at least the 4th holiday, where The Husband has toted my Theo box off to the factory for a refill. Most of the time this box lives on my desk amongst my other lovable crap. Some time in the week or so before my Birthday or Valentines Day or Christmas, the box disappears. Sometimes I notice, some times I don’t. It always comes home filled with a seasonal selection of goodness. I am so proud of The Husband for continuing this tradition.

Kitchen Aid.

Big thanks to my in-laws for contributing to the improvement of our bread making, and eventually sausage and pasta too. Decidedly not local, but we have high hopes for the value it will add to home food production. Much thought was put into the addition of a new kitchen appliance prior to putting it on our wish list. Here’s hoping the functionality of this sucker, makes up for its valuable counter real estate.

Gift Giving.
Most of our own gifting was of things made by our own hands. I’ve mentioned this a time or two. For good reason, as its mostly a new concept for us. Its a huge time effort, but only serves to enhance the Holiday. I love how popular our jam was, and the comments about my crocheted cloths. My head is already a swirl with ideas for next year.

Other items in no particular order.
Handmade ornaments, regifted calendars, mysterious second hand dogs, etched zombie glass, Christmas babies, cards, cards and more cards, Origami garlands, Schmancy, and more. More of all of this.

There is always room for improvement. We need to continue to steer away from items which needlessly travel a long distance, and communicate that to our gift givers and receivers. This was our first year of actively avoiding the Big Box. We need to continue to spread that gospel. Because what ever am I going to do with a Barnes and Noble gift card?

At some point, I may go over our Christmas spending. Today is not that day. Today is still all about the basking.

Weekly Goals: And Then Some…

I love the week between Christmas and New Years. Much of the festivities are done, although not all of them. The world is in limbo, between two Holidays where most everything shuts down. It’s hardly worth going to work, only to turn around and take yet another long weekend. Which is why I don’t. If at all possible, I take this week off.

A fringe benefit of not working at the Pet Store is being able to do such things without an act of Congress. That’s right, I’m home all week.

Where I will be spending a whole lot of time here:

This picture serves multiple purposes. It should sufficiently murder any rumor of me being a minimalist. Yes, there is a bunch of crap on and surrounding my desk. I love this crap. All of it. Very occasionally I purge some small percentage of it, but not usually. My desk, and to some degree my office as a whole, are my space for crap. Random, often inappropriate odds and ends, this is where they go to live. Its Gargamel to Sendak to bachelorette party “keepsakes” to handmade Valentines from The Husband. Throw in Domokun and old MTA passes, and welcome to my base of operations.

Bringing us to point two, if The Financial Empire has a Mother Ship, this is it. From this monstrosity of a desk ($15, Craigslist), all things are accomplished. Receipts, pictures, bills, this blog, even mushroom growing, all of it spends a high percentage of it’s time in process here. So, if I’m home for a week, throw in a few cups of coffee, and this is where you are likely to find me. Especially, when there is so much to be done, like now.

Because, while this week may be a wierd uncertainty for the working world, its prime time for my Empire, financial and otherwise. Assessing previous goals, making new golas, cleaning closets, writing Grandmas, making phone calls and appointments. Here’s what I plan to do with my bounty of free time.

Run Outside. We are hip deep in the portion of the year, where it is dark when I leave for work, and dark when I get home. I don’t generally run outside in the dark. Consequently this leaves me feeling like I haven’t run in fresh air in months. Rain, drizzle and wet be damned. I’m running outside, probably in the company of a dog. Obviously, this won’t be happening at the desk.

Finalize Chicken and Seed Orders. After the first of the year, my urban homestead dreams must start in earnest. Those dreams require both chickens and seeds. I need to go over garden diagrams and spend some time with catalogs, figure out the when of orders, and make a list of necessary equipment.

Clean Closets. I have two in mind. The gift closet in my office has gotten a little out of hand this season, and as Christmas retreats back from wist it came, that closet could also use a little love. Thats where my cold storage apples are living. I think it might be time to give them a look see.

Goodwill Purge. This will go along nicely with the clean closets, and post-Christmas clean up. Stuff Purgatory is a little full, and with an influx of new Stuff, there are definitely some candidates for the exodus.

Yearly Goal Review/Renewal. Expect a whole post (or two) on this. Amazingly, last years goals are documented, so I can hold my feet to the fire, so to speak.

Pinboard Re-do. You may notice in the above picture a large pinboard to the left of my desk. It’s over flowing, even by my standards. There needs to be a culling of the herd of pictures and stickers and ticket stubs. There’s also a waiting list of new items that would like to join the masses. That can’t happen unless we free up some real estate. This is one of those occasional removals of Crap surrounding my desk.

For all this, and a million things in between, I have 1 week. When I think about it, this seems like both a ton of time, and not enough. There will also be plenty of reading, crocheting, (hopefully) napping and general enjoyment of the last few days of the year. The key will be finding the fine balance between hell-bent productivity and delectable laziness.

Car Payment #2

In the Holiday hustle bustle, I neglected to mention a monthly milestone. I am not quite ready to return to my regular blog schedule yet. Tomorrow, maybe? But, wanted to take a quick moment to mention making payment 2 of 8 on the shiny new car. That’s 25% paid for in two short months of ownership. Woot!

With parties and gift giving, making giant payment was slightly more painful this month than last. Still, it was done. If I can make it through this month, its gonna be smooth sailing to June. Right?

Still crunching numbers on the gas budget. It looks like my gas expenses are down, but I wonder how much of that is due to my awesome carpool buddy. Need to go back through the budget to find a “standard” month to compare current expenses to.

Quick update concluded. I am off to commence Boxing Day Festivities. Regular blogging to resume shortly.

The Universe Provides

As a final thought before I embark on my own consumption driven Holiday weekend, I’m pondering all the things I don’t pay for. Sure, I’m an avid library user. But, thats not what I’m talking about. I don’t do freecycle, too competitive for my blood. These are not things I search for. These are things that find me.

Maybe it’s because there is just so much Stuff in the world, that somehow or another it finds it’s way into my life, often just when I need it most. Sometimes it’s borrowed and sometimes its mine for good, either way its free and there’s no explanation other than kismet.

For example, The Husband recently began mocking the sorry state of my hairbrush. You know all those little cap things on the end of the bristles? Mine had exactly one left. Yet, I was loathe to throw it away, let alone buy a new one. At a friends house recently, the subject of, of all things, hairbrushes came up. My friend has permed her hair for years, which doesn’t take too kindly to brushing. Consequently, she had two lovely, real wood hairbrushes very lightly, if ever, used. Well, thank you very much.

A few of my workouts every week are spent in spin class, where I use both a heart rate monitor and bike shoes, given to me by other spin class attendees. The shoes were brand new, and didn’t fit their intended recipient. The heart rate monitor needed a new battery. I’ve been using these items for going on two years. They enhance my workouts, and cost me nothing.

Even with my extensive Fiestaware collection, I was worried about running short on small plates for our party last weekend. The Best Friend and I pilfered her extensive Fiestaware collection. We simply marked hers with a little duck tape on the bottom, so they could be identified later. No money spent, and no paper plates in the trash.

And so it goes on and on and on. Ugly Garden is fenced with free fencing from the neighbor. I’m currently enjoying borrowed DVDS. Come spring, hopefully my bartered Raspberry starts will look robust and healthy. Prior to my recent shoe purchase, my last pair were discarded early on (also by Best Fried) because they were an ill fit. I wore those shoes nearly every day for two years.

Stuff, it finds its way to you. Even without thrifting and searching. These are solutions which presented themselves to me mostly via people I know or interact with regularly. Things I knew I needed/wanted, without actually searching for them, which came my way through a friend or a friend of a friend. That seems to be the key. If there’s anything that’s benefits these kinds of finds it’s the people you associate with. That and patience. I don’t know about you, but as an impatient person, I probably do better if I don’t even acknowledge I’m looking for xyz. It’s better to just let it stumble my way. Its a heck of an argument for maintaining quality relationships with your social circle.

The point here is, if you don’t get what you want this Christmas, never fear. The Universe will probably provide it. Eventually.

This Week

The weeks before and after Christmas are always rather odd. Work becomes a ghost town. Traffic is lighter in the morning, but heavier mid-day. The blogosphere all but grinds to a halt. People are focused on their families and celebrations. Things start to slow down.

Awesome.

I will probably be in an out myself over the next week or so. But, here’s what’s going on at our house..

Starting mushroom kit #2, which was FREE from Cascadia Mushrooms because I let them use my quote on their website, and ordered other sets as gifts. This round is Shitake, so I’m excited.

Negotiating with The Husband on what movie we will be seeing, courtesy of the gift cards we received as an early Christmas Gift. My vote is The Descendants.

Posting a completely random picture of my dogs, because I like them.

Relishing this week’s meal plan, derived solely from party leftovers, freezer contents, and items malingering in my fridge.

Sharing those meals with friends before we all retreat to our respective Holiday Plans.

Wondering what to do with the crab dip and mushroom stuffings still left in my freezer.

Doing just a little more Christmas shopping locally, using coupons and online using reward points.

Collecting the beeswax from my spent candles, with plans to try my hand at my own candle making.

Enjoying borrowed copies of

, and

Asking the age old question, “Hulu or Netflix?”, while I catch up on Glee Season 3 during my week long trial.

Really not watching that much TV. Really.

Eagerly anticipating the arrival of yet more Christmas Cards with every day’s mail, and then basking in their presence on my mantle.

Happy to be increasing my charitable donations this year. Researching to figure out all the places they are going to go.

Loving this time of year, despite myself.

Christmas Party Redux

And it’s over. Just like that. Another Christmas Party wrapped up. Always so much build up, for 5 or 6 hours of good times.

Our house is mostly put back together. We are surviving off leftovers and gifts. The beer seems to be reproducing in our fridge. Seriously, how did we end up with so much beer? As we coast through the last week of work towards Christmas, I have time to revisit the party details.

As stated before, I know this party costs me a lot. I just haven’t been real clear on how much in times past. I decided to track it as a specific category this year, only for my own edification. It’s our big event of the Season, we should know this, right?

Even if it cost $210? Do I still want to know then? Too late, cause thats the skinny.
Actually, I can’t say I’m surprised. Somehow that number feels about right to me. To clarify, all of that was spent on food. Our decorations were simple and cheap. In years past, I’d guess we’ve done worse.

Actual attendance came in at 24 people, and while there was plenty of food, we are not swimming in leftovers, other than the beer. There was also significant contributions from attendees. The booze was covered by a very generous friend who played bar tender all night. Crab dip, spice cake, green chile wraps, all were donated to the cause and yummy. From the looks of things, I could have skipped a fancy cheese or two. That was more about our last minute presentation than anything else, and I will happily consume cheese with my scrambled eggs all week long.

Speaking of last minute, a couple lessons learned…

Be prepared. We spent all day Saturday running, running, running to get everything done before the appointed hour. Usually, we have done more in advance. This year, with a busy schedule the week before, we were behind the 8 ball. Not fun. If there were sacrifices to be made, that should have been done on our dance card last week.

No one cares. This is an on-going lesson for me. No one gives two poops about whether my downstair shower is scrubbed clean. Even if they do, they likely aren’t going to see it over the course of the evening. So close the shower curtain and move on. Yet, every year I somehow get caught up in a bunch of details that don’t matter. It’s a great opportunity to clean my house, and I will enjoy that shiny clean shower, but it’s not worth contributing to my pre-party stress.

Worth every penny. If I could be a little overly analytical for a moment, with 22 attendees (24, minus The Husband and I) at $210, that comes in at under $10 per person. Even with the addition of handmade gifts, still a bargain for gifts that maximizes time spent and minimizes consumer goods. In a much more squishy sense, yes there are ways I could cut costs, making this a cheaper event over all. In fact, I probably will. That’s fun. I enjoy that. As long as it doesn’t impact the more enjoyable time spent with my favorite people. We get so few opportunities to see everyone at once, to invite them all into your home, and hear the din of combined laughter and conversation. That’s the important bit. That’s the part you can’t put a price on.

Several of my friends are loyal blog subscribers. If that’s you, then hey thanks. Thanks for coming. Thanks for being someone I would like to invite. Thanks for your contribution to the evening, because I’m sure you made one, one way or another. Thanks for allowing me to indiscreetly break down the details of said event for the benefit of the blogosphere, without being offended. *hint*hint*. And, see you next year.

Its A Rental

I enjoyed a very busy weekend of party attending and hosting, marathon house cleaning, and rental tree collecting…

Ok, perhaps it’s not a ‘traditional’ looking Christmas Tree. Not exactly the shape or fullness one would look for when choosing a typical tree. And while it is tall, it’s housing only about 1/3 of our ornament collection.

What my little Sitka Spruce lacks in branches, it makes up for in eco-friendliness, goodwill, and character!

We showed up at the proper time on Saturday morning with nearly 100 other people to choose our tree from amongst the imperfect options destined for future stream restoration projects. Not a one of them was traditional, actually. Yet, here were all these people who had put off their tree purchase, in favor of a better, less attractive option. That warmed my heart more than the complimentary cider.

And so we carted off our Charlie Brown tree. I brought it home, wrapped it in new LED lights (purchased on sale) and chose only the ornaments with some sort of sentimental value, the greatest hits, if you will.

I gotta say, I like it. I’m pretty smitten with this awkward tree. Not only is it the cheapest Christmas Tree we’ve ever purchased, but we didn’t actually purchase it. It will grace our living room for the next 10 days, hopefully without coming out of hibernation. Then make the transition back outdoors and out of our lives, moving on to bigger and better purposes.

Somehow it seems completely appropriate that making a different decision on how to spend your money and experience the Holiday, looks a little different when it’s sitting in your house.

Weekly Goals: Empowered.

I love this image so much, I should probably save it for a more worthwhile post. Nonetheless…

Rosie can do it. So, can we, erm me …I. Anyway, why am I so empowered? Because I both spent money and I didn’t. Under my own terms.

Last week’s goals were.

Shopping Saturday. Shoes purchased. Gifts procured. Good times had. Not a lot of money spent.

Do not purchase Big Love Season 5. Further money not spent. Will power intact. Victory!

Package up and ship gift for In-Laws. Still waiting on a final arrival, so this is not done. I have some wiggle room in the schedule. All is not lost.

Finalize Menu for Party. Menu decisions have been made. Most food has been purchased. The assembling starts this evening.

Choose and wrap white elephant gifts. This is still up for debate. My closet of gifts contains too many options.

Finish crocheting. Not only done, but tied up with a bow, literally.

Hence, my empowerment. I am right on track for a good annual party. Work festivities tomorrow night, and then we are on the home stretch to Christmas and vacation.

This week’s goals will not be as ambitious.

Have Fun. Like I said, multiple parties. ‘Tis the season. I tend to get lost in the details and preparations. Not this time. I will go with the flow, roll with the punches, and enjoy.

Finish Shopping for The Husband. One more item to pick up for his stocking. That is all I have to say about that.

Pick up Rental Tree. Saturday is THE day. Finally. We are getting there early with coffee in hand to whisk our tree away for pre-party decorations. If excess diminishes value, then anticipation has increased enjoyment. I’m really looking forward to pick-up!

See, not ambitious. Just empowered for a pre-Christmas weekend of good times.

Saving Money on Pets: Random Tips

Last weeks post about saving money on dog Stuff, garnered a comment from Michelle C.’Most of the “save money on pets” info on the web is awful’. I agree Michelle! The advice I’ve read in the past, at the very least makes me cringe. In some cases its out and out irresponsible. I wonder, do these people actually own dogs? If so, do they like them? The PF blogosphere covers a lot of topics well. Frugal pet care is not one of them.

So, I’m inspired to write another follow-up on tips and tricks to save money while keeping your pets healthy and happy. This is the random edition. The points of interest that don’t fit exactly with the other topics, but are still part of our overall strategy. Read more

Excess Diminishes Value

A funny thing happened to me after the Urban Craft Uprising.

See, these kind of events are right in my wheel house. They are mecca for me. Some people love garage sales, or Goodwill. I’m sure there are some people that even love the Mall. I, however, love me a craft fair. I don’t go to many. Probably just a couple a year. When I do, I usually bust open the wallet and pay, pay, pay, with gleeful, glassy eyed abandon.

When I agreed to go to said craft extravaganza, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was the mother of all craft fairs. It was etsy in person. In fact, I saw many of my etsy favorites in the booths. This could have been very, very bad. Luckily, I was limited on time. I still managed to spend some money. But it was mostly for other people and well within reason, especially given my track record at such a venue.

And so I left, unrequited. See the craft fair was a two day event. I could go back. I could buy more!
After all, this could be my only chance! I’d only bought myself 1 lone mustached Yeti!

Handsome though he is, surely, there needed to be more!

My mind was a spin with plots and plans to get down there the next day and what I would go back and continue to buy, buy, buy. But, I didn’t. This is the funny thing.

I realized a return trip would diminish both my existing experience and purchases.

Why? There is in fact too much of a good thing. I knew it wouldn’t be the same.

My Yeti = awesome. I have a small ‘collection’ of curious toys; A two headed teddy bear, a sock monster,

. The Yeti fits right in. There were a whole lot of other such rare creatures available for purchase which also would have complimented my collection. Making my single Yeti just one of several purchases, and therefore less special. Moreover, a Yeti, as dashing as he is in his mustache, is a waste of money. Hard to believe, I know. Uno Yeti is a good thing. Several Yeti-like purchases, and you can guarantee I’d feel some buyers remorse. My relationship with the Yeti (and subsequent acquisitions) would suffer.

That would be sad.

A factor not to be overlooked, the first trip was spent with friends. People to get lost in the crowd with, to ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’ and talk you out of and into purchases. A second trip would have been all about strategy and buying. Less fun, and after fighting the crowds solo, probably would have left me with a different impression on the enjoyability of this particular event. As it stands, I had a great time, I am eagerly anticipating next year, and I’m telling everyone about my awesome Yeti. That’s more than enough.

My craft fair epiphany holds true for so many things. Any new thing is shinier if its not lost in the mix of other shiny and new.

One piece of chocolate a day tastes better than a whole box, with the added bonus of no guilt.

Buying 1 new album gives you the chance to get to know it. To relive a bit of my youth, and listen to it over and over and over again. I find if I buy more than 1, I listen to all of it less.

Too many groceries, no matter how fabulous the food, will still rot in your fridge.

You get the idea. I’m certainly no minimalist. Yet, I can’t deny the direct correlation between scarcity and enjoyment. Excess of anything diminishes value.

And yet, most of us (specifically me) are inexplicably drawn towards excess. More, more, more. If something is good, be it Yeti or chocolate, more must be better, right?

If I could fight this one propensity, it would simultaneously limit my spending, increase my enjoyment, and provide an ideal environment for Conscientious Consumerism. Less is more, folks. Hold on to that like a Yeti.

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