Books, Books Everywhere!

I started by just moving a few things at first. I didn't realize that I had started something bigger. The next thing I knew I had re-organized all my books and DVDs in my house. I also straightened up our storage room, again. 

My bookcase was full. I had to come up with another place to store my precious books. I had stacks of books and movies; some were free others I purchased mainly from thrift stores that I had gathered over the last six months or so plus the books that I want to keep close at hand. From cookbooks to Bibles, I had quite a lot to go through. 

I decided to put all of my books (that I hope to read soon) close to my desk/study corner, but first I had to put up and store our extra winter blankets and pillows that I had brought in from storage last fall when we had guests so I could use that space.

I had previously, in the fall also, organized our storage room, but due to injury and illness we were unable to finish the job. We still needed to store our summer equipment in our storage building. I had a conundrum though. Is winter over? Should I put up our winter gear instead of our summer gear? Just look at our temperatures.

Crazy temperatures!

I stored the rest of the books that I hope to read soon
behind our TV for easy access.

Hidden, but not out of reach.

All the rest of my books are in the bookcase or in storage. I have well over 1700 books and eBooks. Mostly books that take up quite a bit of space. I hope to get into storage this year and get them all organized. Our home is slowly getting organized. 

Mrs. Smith

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! - Flash Sale

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Corned Beef Brisket is $2 a Pound at Walmart!

We made a trip into the nearest town with a Walmart to do some shopping. We found the best deal on corned beef brisket. $2 a pound! I bought as many as my freezer would hold. They also have the more expensive point cut for $3 a pound. 

My guess is that Walmart thought consumers would pay $7 a pound for one of the toughest cuts of beef on a cow and over bought. As you can see, $20.60 verses $6.56 is big. Greed is not good for anyone. If you like corned beef, look for markdowns. Not all stores have followed suit yet. We stopped by Safeway and their corned beef was still marked up even more than Walmart's original price per pound.

Happy Hunting,

Mrs. Smith

  

Another Day of Dust - Extreme Weather

We should have four-foot snow drifts, not dust storms...

Mrs. Smith

Combatting Super Inflation - Thrift Stores

I spotted a new thrift store in the city a few weeks back. I have no idea how long it's been there since we do not go into the city very often. It is very nice store and inexpensive compared to Goodwill and other corporate thrift stores in the city. 

I picked up a couple pairs of brand-new sandals at the new to me thrift store for pennies on the dollar. The Clarks would have been $49.99 at Goodwill. Some used brand name shoes sell for $29.99 and up depending on their retail price at Goodwill. 

On top of doubling their prices, Goodwill has the audacity to ask for donations. I have stopped giving extra to Goodwill stores in particular because their prices have more than doubled in most cases at these so-called thrift store; however, we are still able to find items reasonably priced items on occasion. 

To be fair, I still buy books in like new or new condition even though they have also doubled in price. We also still search for resale items and sometimes we score. I scored a king size set of heavy weight flannel Cuddl Duds sheets still in their original packaging for $80 less than retail. While I do not love the pattern, they are fabulous sheets. I knew that I needed to replace a set of sheets that I had retired, so I kept an eye out and ended up with a higher quality set of sheets for a lot less than retail. There are still good deals to be had at Goodwill, but they are elusive these days. 

Number One Husband says that paying retail is for suckers. There are other ways to avoid paying retail prices like purchasing sale items online, waiting for items to go on sale at the store or checking thrift stores. These options require due diligence and patience, but the savings can really add up over time.  

Unfortunately, some purchases have to be made right away due to situations like a refrigerator or a freezer going out. A simple search online can direct us to the lowest prices or sale prices in the area. There really is no reason to pay retail unless there is an emergency situation and there is no other option available.    

Happy hunting,

Mrs. Smith

 

The Winter That Never Was - Extreme Weather

Our first blue bird appeared on February 28th. 17 days earlier than last year. Our winter has been non-existent. We have had more dust than snow. This is crazy! I'm pretty sure that our average daytime temperatures ranged from the 50's to the 60's. 

Sammy Chronicles: Trying to change the sheets with Sammy helping.

Mrs. Smith

Sabbath

 

The Apologetics Study Bible review coming soon!

Shabbat Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

Herniated Disks - Pushing Through the Pain

Flour, salt yeast and water.

Tuna melts

I tried my hand at baking bread for the first time since I injured my neck and back. I chose an easy artisan bread recipe. It was a tough task for me, but I didn't realize it until after I was well into the process. 

I also had some potatoes that needed to be used up, so I made a large batch of potato wedges. I put a meal together when the bread and the wedges were finished baking. I made a simple meal out of tuna melts, potato wedges and I threw a salad on the side. It was really good. Number One Husband was happy and full when all was said and done. 

I froze the excess potato wedges.

Once frozen, I bagged up the wedges and put them back into the freezer.

I started some lentil sprouts. 

I was past my limit when I finished. I will have to pace myself better. I have been resting for weeks just doing the bare minimum. I'm tired and have welcomed in the Sabbath with Number One Husband. I will use this time to rest and recover from over doing it. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

Mrs. Smith