HennyPenny's random thoughts. New set of goals!

[hennypenny9]

And who knows what will happen when I move? (If this house ever SELLS) Maybe local companies will have better offers, or I'll have a roommate -the horror!- or my landlord will pay for some of it. Yes, I've seen landlords that pay for their tenant's cable. If nothing else, it'll be a great time to reevaluate all this stuff. I'm doing what I can now, but sitting in a house full of boxes trying to decide on what utility to call first puts things in perspective. Maybe my first call is to the feed store to order chicks...

 

[hennypenny9]

Am kinda upset right now because I just found out that my parents neighbor has her house for sale! We have long lots, so that's a lot of potential for problems. Now it's ideal because it's empty horse pasture. I hate change. For one thing, it has a beautiful view, and has a mother in law/ apartment downstairs, and a separate garage converted into an apartment. And also a two stall horse barn. I'm just hoping that the person who buys it, does so to get into nature, and maybe has horses. I really don't want people tearing up the long driveway like maniacs. Also, we've never had to worry about dogs coming from her property. She has an old fashioned fence with three rungs that any dog or small child could go through. What if the new neighbors have dogs?? I see so many ways this could be bad for us.

To add insult, she was married to my cousin, and another cousin is the listing Realtor! I wish we could afford to buy it SO MUCH. But at $749,000 it's too expensive. It would be so perfect, though. I'm so irritated and sad. Now there'll be people looking at our house, too, since you see us before you see her house. And let me tell you, our humble cabin might just put off some of the more superficial people. She has already planted some trees to block the view to our no-pretty chicken house and run.

 

[Farmfresh]

I hate most modern changes to large lots... they seem to include apartment complexes and such around here. I hope that your neighbor's property escapes that fate.

 

[hennypenny9]

It's really hard, since once upon a time my family owned much of the area. My uncle lives on one side, the cousin that's selling, on the other. Then a bird reserve and swampland on the other sides. My grandparents live down the hill from us. Not a lot has changed in the time that I can remember. Yes, development around us, but not right next door.

I hope someone nice buys it. (Anyone looking for a place in Gig Harbor? It has horse pastures!)

 

[hennypenny9]

Why I love muslin:

-good for copying well-used patterns onto

-comes very wide, up to 120"

-easy to dye

-cheap curtains

-test fitting before sewing a more expensive fabric

-make lavender satchels.

-easy to paint on, such as for a theater backdrop, or children project

-can be used instead of a tea bag (and many other food uses such as cheese making, always pre-wash)

-makes good homemade dolls

-painting drop cloths.

 

[Farmfresh]

Great ideas!

 

[hennypenny9]

I did some calculating while at the grocery store today. (basically looked crazy with a notepad and calculator standing randomly) I think including chicken, chicken livers, and small amounts of veggies, I can make about a months worth of cat food for less than $10. That's not including the multi-vitamin, but that costs $25. I kinda want to see if he even will eat it, THEN buy that.

I went to the store hungry, again. I must have some sort of glitch. I know it will make me spend more money, so why do I do this?? I suppose the only unnecessary things I got were bacon and potato chips. I can't even remember the last time I bought chips! Maybe it's been six months? Maybe more. And I had the $20 off total purchase, so it didn't turn out that bad.

This month I have a bit more money as a cushion, and it's not that good of a thing. I just want to spend it! It could be gone in just one click on amazon.com. I'm going to resist, though. Checked Goodwill for stick mixers, they had none, but did have a lot of kitchen utensils like regular blenders. So if I check back maybe they'll get one in. And since I can walk there, it's no big deal.

One of the only tv shows that I like finally got renewed! Since I'm downgrading to local channels, I'll still get this show. Chuck is the best! Yay for renewal. I have to remember to bring the silly cable box back tomorrow. It's a mean trick to play. They don't officially change your subscription until you bring it back. I forgot to load it in my car last night, and I didn't want to drive all the way home, and all the way across town just to turn it in.

 

[Aidenbaby]

Has your cat food recipe been checked over by the vet? How long will it last? I ask because I have 4 cats that currently get IAMS no-hairball formula dry cat food. It runs around $35 and lasts just over a month. If there is anything that is comparable in nutrition but costs less, I'm game.

 

[hennypenny9]

Aidenbaby- I'm modifying the recipe posted by Freemotion. http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1936 I believe the addition of the multi-vitamin makes it nutritionally complete. (maybe Freemotion will confirm) I usually feed a 5.5 ounce can of wet food, and 1/4 cup of dry food per day. I most likely would continue with the dry, which is why it would last a month. I also halved the recipe since I only have one cat. And will freeze it, not can it. And I don't have a meat grinder, so I'll be putting it through the blender. *phew!*

As a footnote, I feed the cheapest wet food possible, and it still costs me about $15 per month. I feed mostly wet because Charlie wouldn't get enough water if he was just on dry. I'm training him to use the human toilet, and can observe the... color of his urine. It was really dark before I switched over. My vet has approved the toilet training, but I haven't mentioned the homemade food yet.

 

[hennypenny9]

Switched to limited cable today! Actually, the lady said I would start to be billed for it today. As of now, I still get basic channels, and will until they install the filter.

Other than that, I've been fairly lazy today. I cut out more homemade pads. And did some fun math on the cost. I had many of these things at home, but for the sake of calculating, I added them anyway.

This is the final count: 6 light, 10 regular, 4 heavy. I will save about $9.65 each year. Doesn't sound like much, huh? Oh well, it's probably better for me, so it's worth it. I wonder how long these will last? Some say they can last years.

(Here's my long drawn out math)

1.25 yards of a pattern for the top and envelope casing, 1.25 yards of a solid for the wings, .75 (+/-) solid for the inserts. That's all 100% cotton flannel. I got the patterned one on sale at my work for $2.99. The solid was on sale for $2.00. Total is about $7.75. I got .333 yard of cotton terrycloth for the insert of the heavy pads. That cost $1.20 with a coupon. Finally, I got the PUL, which was a 20x40 cut. That was $6.60. Total is $14.35. I figure I use about $2.00 worth of disposable pads each month. (What can I say, I buy in bulk) So that equals $24 per year. 24-14.35=9.65