Life Archives - Page 82 of 96

Confession: I’m a blanket hoarder

March 18, 2014 by Jana 6 Comments

For the most part, I live in a clean, clutter free environment. Too much clutter makes me anxious and my anxiety attacks trigger depressive episodes and honestly, it gets ugly. Plus I don’t like to clean and when there’s clutter, that means cleaning.

It’s just smart housekeeping, really.

But I have a secret. ~~Lurking~~ Hiding inside most of the closets in my house are blankets. Dozens of blankets.

That’s right, friends. I. Hoard. Blankets.

I call this "Dogs with Blankets (and one cat lurking in the background)" — I call this “Dogs with Blankets (and one cat lurking in the background)”

I’m not really sure why I do it. It’s not as if I have some sort of blanket fetish or I’m a purposeful, avid collector of blankets. And most of the ones that I have, I haven’t even bought. They just keep winding up in my house. And I don’t get rid of them because…well, I’m not sure why. I know they’ve come in handy on several occasions and I think I’m afraid that as soon as we unload the blankets, our house it going to be infiltrated by 46 people who all need a place to sleep and therefore need blankets.

So I keep them.

I fear I may have some issues to work through.

In my defense, though, my hoard is mostly organized and no dead animals are buried inside any blankets. I’m not in need of an intervention, although a purge is probably imminent. And my collection is categorized, meaning no blanket is without purpose. In case you’re wondering, and I know you are, my categories include:

Our beds
Guests
The dogs (old ones that serve no other purpose)
Naps (these are my favorite. Soft, fuzzy fleece)
My daughter’s toys (converted from her baby blankets)
Handmade blankets that are too itchy for general use but I feel like a terrible person throwing away or getting rid of
Outside use (separate from beach towels. Think impromptu backyard picnics or lining an outdoor cat house)
Sentimental (handmade ones that are not too itchy but serve no real purpose)

Looking at that list, I realize I might be excessive. However. In my defense (again), my blanket reserves have: helped when our heat has gone out, saved me from having to remake my bed when I take a nap, enabled me to cover my daughter when she puked all over her comforter prompting a 3AM laundry session, created a mock soft foam pit for living room tumbling sessions, become fort making materials, and so much more. We’ve had hours of sleep, fun, and saved money as a result.

So, really, my hoarding is completely practical and not at all crazy.

Friday Five: Pioneer essentials

March 14, 2014 by Jana 8 Comments

The theme of this blog is “helping you be more self-sufficient no matter where you live”. Because I do believe that, even in you’re living in a tiny studio apartment, there are tasks you can do, projects you can complete, and skills you can learn that can bring you up a rung or two on the self-sufficiency ladders.

To do that, though, you’re going to need supplies. The supplies don’t have to cost a lot and you can even buy many of them at the dollar store. Which is nice and means you’re not going to be out a lot of cash if your project or attempt at self-sufficiency doesn’t turn out the way you hoped. And since I don’t want you to waste money or time (or be annoyed with me that I even recommended this in the first place), I’ve identified 5 supplies you need to get you started and that you can use no matter what you’re living situation:

Needle and thread. I know I mention sewing a lot but it really is an essential pioneer skill. It’s how they had clothes, blankets, curtains, napkins, and basically everything that kept them clothed, clean, and warm. Plus, knowing how to mend those items saves money over time. I recommend getting one of those little travel sewing kits and just practice stitching on random scraps of fabric or taking some of those extra buttons you have around and work on sewing those onto the scraps of fabric.
Clothespins. Air drying your clothes is a little more time consuming than a dryer but if the power goes out, at least you can still have clean clothes. If you live in a neighborhood like I do, you probably can’t hang a clothesline in your backyard. But you can do it in your bathroom or some other space that doesn’t get used that often (tip: if you’re hanging clothes over carpet, put a tarp down. No one needs funky wet carpet smell). Clothespins are necessary to make this work. Also, you can use them for fun kids crafts.
Canning jars. Or some other mechanism for reusable food storage. This is particularly helpful if you buy foods like dry beans, pasta, sugar, and flour in bulk. Having storage containers allows you to buy large bags/boxes and split them with a friend or neighbor (which helps prevent food waste) and let’s face it, sometimes spending a few extra dollars on storage jars saves a lot of space. If you have limited living or storage space, this is a way to maximize what you have.
Food storage essentials.
Curtains. Windows. Love to have them, hate to clean them. Almost as much as I hate to clean their terrible friend, blinds. The pioneers didn’t have blinds but they did have curtains. Curtains serve a number of functions–the provide privacy, they can insulate your house with hot and cold, they’re decorative, and they’re easy to clean. Take them down, give ’em a quick wash, and they’re good as new. Plus, they’re way easier to install. Hanging curtains will make your place look pretty and provide a certain functional pioneer element.
Seeds. Pioneers mostly ate what they grew, hunted, caught, and baked. That means, if you’re going to try to be more self-sufficient, you’re going to need to grow some of your own food. You can do this even if you live in an apartment or somewhere that doesn’t allow you to plant (container gardening FTW!). To do that, you’re going to need seeds. Seeds are inexpensive and can be bought pretty much anywhere. My husband even took some close to rotting potatoes and planted those.
From a set of 12 heirloom seeds packages, found on Amazon.

If you don’t have access to a dollar store or big box store like Walmart or Target, everything on this list can be purchased through Amazon instead. I believe that if you’re going to live a more pioneer lifestyle, you should easily be able to find what you need. No walking 28 miles in the snow on this prairie!

What items would you add to this list? Any you’d take off?

Linking up (for my very first time!) with Northeast Bloggers

Bucket list: Pioneer style

March 13, 2014 by Jana 11 Comments

Bucket lists have never been my thing. I don’t like to think about death and dying and creating a bucket list makes me confront that. I don’t want to dwell on all the shit I’d like to do before I die and also, if I don’t accomplish them, how will that make me feel? Probably pretty crappy and if I’m on my deathbed, is that really something I need hanging over me? No. So I opt to leave bucket lists alone.

However, when it comes to this project, it has a shelf life. While the skills acquired and lessons learned will stick with me, and I don’t intend on leetting them go once I’m done with the project, the project itself will end. Die, if you will. And there are some items I’d like to accomplish before that happens. A pioneer project bucket list.

This is what it looks like:

Sew a complete set of cloth napkins along with a matching tablecloth. I love the idea of having a tablecloth on my dining table for so many reasons, the least of which is that my table has tile and grout that are a pain the ass to clean. It’ll also make the room like so much nicer and cleaner. Plus, the cloth napkins are less wasteful.
Found this on Amazon. If sewing one doesn’t work, this is my backup plan.
Open an Etsy store. Pioneer women tended to the home but at times, they also had to help contribute financially to the family. I’m no different. I have a few ways in mind to do this and one of them is to open an Etsy store. I have the idea, the name, and the list of products to sell. Now I just have to get to work.
Fill my freezer and shelves in my garage with food I canned. Not going to lie. Canning intimidates the hell out of me. I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m terrified that I’m going to ruin the food. This is even more daunting because I plan on canning what we grow (following in true pioneer fashion) and if I mess up, it’s gone. I can’t just instantly regrow more. Scary stuff.
For more than just crafts.
Quilt a lap blanket. I have no problem taking a shortcut and making no sew blankets (in fact, I think I prefer this. Quicker, and I can actually do it). But the pioneers used quilts. Which means I need to try to sew one. I am almost as awful with a sewing machine as I am with knitting needles which is why I’m opting for a lap quilt instead of a bed-sized one. I figure it’ll be decidedly less stressful (and more doable) if I’m focused on a smaller quilt.

Items you will not see on my list: shoot a gun. Ride a horse. Milk a cow. Raise chickens. Use an outhouse.

It’s not that I’m opposed to the concept of those things. (Well, that’s a lie. I’m opposed to outhouses and their modern brethern, the port-a-potty. Because ew. And majorly unsanitary.) It’s that I have aversions to all of them and this is honestly why I realize I’d most likely be a terrible pioneer. Then again, if I were a real pioneer, I’d have no choice but to do all of them and I’d probably get over myself. I also wouldn’t know any different. So, really, I’m thankful that I’m not living 150 years ago.

As for my bucket list, I wanted to make it projects that are achievable yet complicated enough that I’ll feel like I did something truly pioneer-esque. Because those guys did not have it easy. I want to pay homage to them as best I can without making myself uncomfortable.

Do you have a bucket list? What items are on it?

About that time I tried to knit

March 11, 2014 by Jana 25 Comments

One of my most vivid childhood memories is watching my mom knit and crochet. She was forever in the middle of some yarn-based project and would weave and spin (or whatever it is you do) those needles in a way I found fascinating. Her fingers flew and in what seemed like 47 seconds, she would make a scarf or hat or blanket. It was pretty freaking impressive.

I honestly don’t know where most of them went because I don’t remember ever wearing or using any of what she crafted. I do have 2 blankets and my husband, daughter, and I all have a scarf now but as a kid? Nothing. Maybe I remember a sweater but I could be making that up. (Except the itching part. I know I’m not making that up. Whoever made that sweater used the itchiest material known to man.)

She never taught me how to do it because I never asked. I’m not exactly what you call crafty. In fact, I’m whatever the opposite of crafty is. Always have been. So I would watch in awe, be completely mesmerized/impressed and then I would move on, probably to a book. Then, about 5 years ago, I found out that my sisters and my cousins were learning to knit and crochet. I was pissed because I could not be left out. I needed to join the yarn party.

Except there was a problem. Remember how I said I’m not crafty? I neglected to mention that I am also completely lacking in the hand-eye coordination department. It’s quite sad, actually. And to knit, you need hand-eye coordination. So when I asked my mom to teach me, she looked at me skeptically, knowing my deficiency, but being the great mom she is, said yes.

Hooray for me! I was so excited for all the scarves I was going to make. And blankets (I am a blanket hoarder. We’ll talk about this another day). And I’d be so busy knitting and crocheting while I watched TV, I wouldn’t even think about snacking! I’d lose so much weight! How could I not win in this scenario?

The next time we visited, my mom brought me some yarn, a crochet hook, and some knitting needles. We won’t discuss the crocheting because that was a horrendous experiment that ended with my mother telling me that she didn’t understand how my left-handed sisters (both of my sisters are left-handed) could follow her right-handed directions and I couldn’t (I’m a righty). That conversation ended with me throwing down the crochet hook in disgust and swearing I would never try again. Maybe I almost cried, too.

After I calmed down, she said we would try knitting. I said okay. I picked up the needles. Then this happened:

Mom gives some directions about getting the yarn on the needles

Me: Look! I did it! (yarn promptly unravels) I guess not.

Mom instructs me to try again. Talks to me slower, like I’m a kindergartner.

Me: I did it again! (yarn comes off the needles again) Wait, no I didn’t.

This happens approximately 3 more times. My mom takes yarn and needles from me and does the first few stitches because even my preschool teacher mother has limits on her patience.

Me: Can you show me how you did that? I really want to learn.

Mom obliges, using second set of needles.

Me: I still don’t understand.

My mother is now visibly frustrated. Mutters something along the lines of “what is the matter with you?” and tells me to just practice doing stitches with what she started.

Me: Um…what do I do again? I don’t remember.

Mom gives side eye look to my father and my husband, both of whom are looking on with amusement and just a hint of fear given the proximity of needles to my face. She tries for what proves to be the final time to explain how to do a stitch.

I do what I think is right. I am very proud and it only took 5 minutes to do the one stitch. I say: I think I got it! I did a stitch! And I didn’t poke myself in the eye!

Mom inspects the fruits of my labor. I, in fact, did not do anything resembling a correct knitting stitch. My mother can’t take it anymore, I’m pissed at my lack of ability to do something I’ve seen 6 year olds do, and swear off knitting for the rest of my life. My mother (and husband and father) agree this is best for everyone.

Up until the beginning of this project, not knowing how to knit sat just fine with me. The danger, frustration, and mockery involved isn’t worth it. But pioneers knew how to do that stuff so I’m going to force myself to learn (because authenticity). My mom did buy me some sort of knitting loom thing and I’m actually getting the hang of that so all is not lost. I’m hoping by next winter I’ll be able to make scarves, hats, and maybe pot holders using the loom (I still agree that maybe needles aren’t for me. Too large and pointy).

This is said knitting loom. Just as effective but without the danger.

I won’t push my luck on the hats and pot holders. Or even multiple scarves. One is success enough.

5 tips for better bartering

March 7, 2014 by Jana 5 Comments

Bartering has long been a part of good personal finance practices. If you’re low on funds, why not trade for goods and services? You’re getting what you need and, in return, you’re providing someone else with what they need. I think it makes perfect sense to trade haircuts for babysitting or trade music lessons for laundry services. It’s practical, saves money, and is relatively convenient (particularly if you’re trading with a neighbor). Bartering worked out well for pioneers, too, and you can see it in the way they helped each other build houses, raise barns, and plow fields. This system benefitted everyone involved, particularly as the pioneers were not often flush with cash.

Personal finance experts still recommend bartering. I completely agree with their advice and in fact, it’s something I do with a couple of friends. Having been doing it for a few months now, there are definitely some rules that, if I could go back and implement, I would. It would make the whole arrangement much smoother. And if you’re contemplating bartering, I don’t want you to make the same mistakes. To avoid them, here’s what I suggest:

Be clear. Make sure that both parties understand what you’re doing–bartering or trading one service for another good or service. It does not mean one person works for another. If the arrangement starts to favor one side, one party is putting in more work than the other or one party is not adhering to her side of the agreement, then it’s time to revisit the terms and reclarify them.
Be specific. Detail exactly what you are trading for. Detail hours, dollar value, amount or volume of services or goods, and length of bartering agreement. Both sides need to know, and agree upon, the working arrangement. The terms of the bartering should not go outside those specific terms without consent from both sides. By doing this, you avoid confusion or one side taking advantage of the other.
Be fair. This should go without saying. While fair is a subjective term, you know if an agreement is good for you or if you’re going to get screwed. When it comes to bartering, both sides should be willing to compromise to make sure that the arrangement benefits both sides equally and fairly. If you know the cost of what you’re offering and what you’re receiving, it should be easy to make the arrangement fair, so take time to do some research, too.
Get it in writing. If this is going to be a long-term bartering arrangment, put it in writing. Spell everything out in clear and specific terms and have both parties sign off on the terms. This way, there’s a document to rely on if the arrangement starts to go awry. However, if it’s just you helping a friend move in exchange for beer and pizza, there’s no need to write that down. That’s just something that (really good) friends do.
Know when it’s time to walk away. Sometimes a bartering arrangement doesn’t work out. If you’re trading for housecleaning services and the person fails to show up or does poor work or consistently breaks your belongings, then maybe it’s time to break off the agreements. Bartering might adversely affect a friendship and, depending on how important the friendship is to you, it might be better to stop the bartering to salvage the personal relationship. The arrangement just might not be convenient for you anymore. It’s fine to walk away.

Bonus tip: Never feel pressured to say yes to a bartering agreement, even if it seems like a good deal on the surface. If it makes you uncomfortable or feels wrong, say no. Bartering should be helpful and positive, not awkward and sketchy.

Bartering is a great way to build a resume or portfolio, get services or goods in exchange for a skill, other service or good, and to save money. And if it’s done carefully and with some planning, everyone wins.

Do you, or have you ever, bartered for services? How did it work out for you? What suggestions do you have?

Confession: I’m a blanket hoarder

Friday Five: Pioneer essentials

Bucket list: Pioneer style

About that time I tried to knit

5 tips for better bartering

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