Maniac Mondays and Turbulent Tuesdays
My work schedule makes me insane. It really does.
Saturday I worked my usual 16 hour shift. Sunday I worked a 12 hour shift.
Yesterday I did another 12 hour shift- hours 6am to 6pm…no biggie and much easier than the 16 hours…
I got home at 7pm, relaxed for a little while and headed out for an overnight shift at my second job, 10pm to 6am. I got home this morning and one would think I’m wiped out and exhausted.
But noo. I’m WIRED and READY to go. Not at all tired. I’m going to the gym for my 3 hour workout.
I’ve been awake for 28 hours now with no sleep. It’ll catch up with me- later. I’ll suddenly get overwhelmingly tired and will just pass out wherever I happen to be. And I’ll sleep for a few hours, wake up and be refreshed and ready for another work marathon that begins tonight.
Ms. Frugal here is going to be working roughly 80 to 100 hours each week for the next month…in order to stay frugal and to meet my goals I have to work pretty hard.
(no yawns yet)
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You are amazing! Simply amazing!
d
April 1st, 2008 | #
I second that! I simply marvel at your energy, stamina, and enthusiasm, Raven… Geeze, just ONE of those days would’ve wiped me out for a week!
Hmmm… However, I have spent a fair portion of the last 4 days working hard to set up the garden and get the surrounding area looking pleasant and attractive. It’s going to be right outside our master bedroom window, and on the way to the pool. We cleared out the little area under the grove of trees there and placed a cement table and benches where they’ll be in the shade. I’ll have some VERY shaded spots for more tender plants, as well as a nice place for me to play on the laptop while watching the Munchkin & Co. enjoy the pool.
Of course, idiot that I am, I forgot to take “before” pictures so I could astound everyone with the change, LOL
Nevertheless, that’s NOTHING compared to all you do, my friend! Just remember to try to get proper rest when you need it, ’cause I don’t want my favorite Raven to get sick
April 1st, 2008 | #
Kat, I wish I had “designed” the gardens that came with my house. While they are all okay, I would have done it all differently. I do want to see what you do- because I need IDEAS. Badly. Everyone seems to LOVE my yard and the gardens except me. It’s too dark and gloomy even on a bright sunny day. Out further from the house is my real yard- where the grass grows and trees live. Right up around the house is all this ugly stuff- landscaping type CRAP- and if I have my way, this spring, I am ripping this all up and planting simple grass seedlings. And some rose bushes and lilac bushes and maybe a couple apple trees.
These photos are from last September except the last one.
Step down into my garden from the kitchen…which I didn’t DO. I haven’t even really looked around at it ALL yet- it’s so big and basically is my entire YARD. I don’t even know all the flowers that are scattered about. I have tons of mature fruit trees and bushes.
This is nice but not really ME. I don’t know why but I just don’t get into this. Again it came with the house.
Okay this is MY FAVORITE part of the garden. My Maine chair and grille…which I burn real patchouli leaves to keep the damn bugs away. And there are millions of bugs. No. Make that BILLIONS. LOL It’s very peaceful and quiet here…which I do like a lot.
This is what’s outside my bedroom- a porch. It’s really nice- and I often sleep out here in the warmer months. I do a lot of my computer time out here too!! (lol) I don’t mind THIS area at all- trees and grass and a few flower plants and what not.
THIS photo came with the real estate people. This is my veggie garden, but what you see was there about 4 yrs ago and the actual garden was maintained by the previous owner. It’s big and perfect for what I need. I cannot wait to get it started again. Of course it snowed the other day and we got 10 inches so it’s not time. Yet. I do have a country ton of compost I’m going to lay out when I till.
April 1st, 2008 | #
d-
I’m not any of those things. LOL I’m just cash broke and need to beef up my bank account.
And a little crazy. I’ve worked this many hours many times in my life. As I’ve said here- hard work keeps me honest and humble. The two traits most worthy in people.
April 1st, 2008 | #
LOL, well Raven I do confess that YOUR back yard really *IS* to my taste - but remember, I’m sort of a jungle Kat, preferring the cooler shadows of the forest
However, if you want to brighten things up a bit - and if you can get the help - would be to take out a carefully chosen tree or two, and, as you said, replace a lot of those plantings with grass. That would keep the woodsy flavor, yet open it up a bit. If you don’t want to cut down trees, maybe you could prune them up a little.
As for my garden, it’s really just veggies - no flowers. I put up some pictures yesterday. But then, it’s been SO LONG (like “never”) that I’ve really had a successful garden, that I’m trying not to go too crazy. I really love LOVE! your porch and your grill area.
We cleared out a place under some trees right behind the garden and next to the pool, and put a concrete table and benches there. I think I’ll move some lounge chairs there, too, but I want to get that ground cleaned up and figure out if I want to try a tender grass for a ground cover, or if I just want a soft mulch. It will keep me in the shade while the Munchkin & Co. enjoy the pool, and there’s even electricity, so I can play on the computer all day LOL
The garden you have looks beautiful, and how wonderful that it’s all ready to go. Had the former owners used it last year? What kind of veggies are you going to grow? Me, I’ve got some herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, cilantro), onions, peppers (green, red, jalepeno), spinach (gotta plant more of the lettuces today), radishes (should plant carrots today, too), beets… Planning to try corn (again), Fordhook limas, watermelon, cantelope, jack-o-lantern pumpkins, s’ketti squash… And I’m seriously considering tracking down beans that I can dry at the end of the season.
It’s really terrible - I’m thinking of all the things I want to do in the garden - asparagus, artichokes, a proper herb garden, a strawberry patch, maybe some fruit trees and blueberry bushes, plus some shade plants for container growing in the little clearing - I just need to remember to go slowly, one step at a time, LOL!
April 2nd, 2008 | #
Oh, and PEAS! I also planted peas! (How could I have forgotten?!)
April 2nd, 2008 | #
The thing I love most about my house it the yard. In spite of this awful garden. I think that’s the problem: The house has 8 acres of land surrounding it- a river runs through the property…it’s wild, untamed, natural. Too build one of these landscaped gardens just doesn’t fit in with the look and feel. It’s not natural. It’s phoney and doesn’t fit in with the big picture. Thankfully it’s only around a small portion of the yard. I like English garden looks, but this is too fake and the other thing I really hate it these concrete statues of…bunnies and deer- eeeck, to me this is trailer trashy. LOL
April 2nd, 2008 | #
Yeah, but you can SELL those concrete statues - or simply toss ‘em…
I could accept one or two, discretely places in a corner and peeking out from some overgrown ivy, but just as something you need to LOOK for.
I just now came in from adding lettuce and carrot seeds into one of my garden beds, filling some pots with soil, and then adding cucumber, pumpkin (lantern and jack-be-little), zucchini, cantelope, watermelon, chives and… hm… something else… Oh, I transplanted some tomato (Better Boy - I *HOPE* it’s a bush vs. indeterminate!) seedlings into bigger pots, too. I don’t think it’s quite warm enough to put them out yet, and they were getting cramped.
And - like I said, this is MY taste - the first two pics you put up looked very nice to me. Garden-like, yes, but in keeping with the backwoods idea, and not too fussy. But you ARE right: if those cutsey little statues abound, you need to get rid of ‘em… Except maybe one little bunny who is hiding under a fern…?
April 2nd, 2008 | #
Here yah go. You can have them. LOL
April 2nd, 2008 | #
I’ve never tried to grow melons up here…I’d have to research but I don’t think anyone does…it’s too cold I think, or something. Zuchinni?? YUMS- I KNOW that’s possible.
I DO have pumpkins (of course..how could I forget them but I don’t eat them so that’s why)– and cukes. They grow very well up here…I make pickles out of them.
I’ve never tried grapes but I know they be grown in NE- Concord MA is where they make tons of grape jelly. Also, raisins.
April 2nd, 2008 | #
Keep the pics coming Raven! You are blessed to have such a wonderful homestead. Our 16 hour shifts are tough too but I hydrate myself quickly (gatorade drinks) after consuming coffee or tea to stay awake! An aspirin (Bayer) helps also my headaches… But it’s all good and look at the results! Amen !! What… no SUB-PRIME FREEBIES or co-signers up there in the land of ‘Live Free Or Die’ …?
April 3rd, 2008 | #
darth I’ve been getting into the vitamin waters lately. I like them- for some reason. I drink GALLONS of H20 every day- probably 3 or 4…the flavors add some perk to it. I don’t drink Gatoraid but probably should esp when I’m working out. Speaking of that, I haven’t been to the gym since whatever day it was.
My homestead is my haven. It’s what I work for and I really love the place in spite of my whining about the garden. I keep it simple. It makes life much easier. No my house is not a sub prime deal…or a freebie. I put 40% down and have a 15 yr mortgage. WHICH will be paid off in less than 5 yrs- it’s my goal with being so frugal. Did it before and I’ll do it again. I hate debt. It’s evil and so unnecessary, really.
My room, which is my sanctuary away from the world: (picture taken by a friend who “grained” the image, whatever that is…)
I like simple..clean…uncluttered. My room is about as white and bare as they come. I have little furniture- my bed and my dresser. And a couch. Tas’ it. Nothing hanging on walls. I have a high bed- one of those old fashioned things made in the 1940’s- but it was TOO big for this room. So I gave it to my oldest daughter when she got married a few months back and I took her bed which is low so I can just collapse into it. LOL!!
On the other side of this room is the fireplace, and the couch next to it. Behind that is my bathroom. My dawgs have their own little “bed” (courtesy of LLBean- in fact everything in my room is from LLBean even the curtains) next to the fireplace where they sleep. Like that keeps them off my bed…it does sometimes. The cats? NO. They own the bed.
April 3rd, 2008 | #
FYI? Frau Vader does well at yard sales every other weekend here. The military base personnel get orders and CHA-CHING. We love used furniture too. Also, the Salvation Army & Goodwill stores have GREAT deals on everything as well, and the $$$ goes to salvation and goodwill! Living frugally and credit card debt free is a secret that some of US can enjoy… We’ve been at the bottom and worked are way to the top and the view is wonderful… Why don’t you write a book about your accomplishments? Seriously, think about it? Back to eating SECONDS and drinking crystal light lemonade / gatorade (50:50)… My co-workers are into those vitamin flavored water drinks here too!
Anything is better than soda, except a Bacardi Rum ‘N Diet Coke once in awhile?
April 4th, 2008 | #
I love yard sales. I really do. One never knows what they will find- sometimes some really GOOD bargains. We got all of the kids’ playground equips this way- swing sets, gymborees, ect ect.
And bikes. And scooters. And roller blades. Ice skates. Furniture? Oh yes. I got many things at these sales. Mostly smaller pieces that are used here and there although one time we got a recliner, brand new but the owners didn’t like the color, for less than 20.00 a lazy boy to boot.
It is smart and penny wise. My kids do yard sales now for the small needs they have; and they also
shop the outlet shops for their clothes and similar things. No place like an LLBean Outlet store for savings.
April 4th, 2008 | #
We used to fly missions and crew rest in Maine and went to LL BEAN… Best jeans ever, and they last. Frau Vader wakes up in 6 hours and hits the road for advertised area yard sales! Sadly, with foreclosures now, some great buys and bargains and treasures are out there… Amish flea markets here are also wonderful… like treasure hunting. Frugal & Thrifty Up 2008! We budget $ for this deal and if nothing is available, c’est la vie until the next venture.
April 4th, 2008 | #
BWAHAH I budget for my flea market and yard sale bonanzas. Along with the Boston Markets.
April 6th, 2008 | #
The other thing we do, a lot of up my way, is bartering. I don’t see or hear of it elsewhere but I’m sure it’s popular in other sections of the country. It’s a New England thing though for sure. Trade skills and services for services and products. The exchange worth, or value, really depends upon many things. Time, effort, supplies, all must be considered. For the most part though I have always gotten a good deal and so has the person who bartered with me. Written contracts are needed when it’s a professional skill you’re seeking (like a new roof…or a new car engine) But for most things word of mouth and a handshake are all that’s required. Like the old fashioned days.
April 6th, 2008 | #