Category Archives: The Everyday

A Zero To 100 Percent Chance

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The weatherman says that there’s a zero to 100 percent chance that some/most of the country will get zero to 20 inches of snow beginning and ending sometime between tomorrow and Monday.

And where I live, people are losing their minds.

Milk, bread and toilet paper are flying off the shelves and weekend plans are already cancelled in anticipation of this weather event. My parents waited in a tremendous line at Walmart Thursday night and had the war weary faces of people who had seen too much in their quest to pick up my hamburger buns and lettuce.

The forecast models aren’t especially helpful either. One meteorologist that serves southern Ohio has three models going and each one shows something drastically different. Winter storms are hard to predict and last year’s gutting of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) didn’t do us any favors in this department.

So, I am preparing as though we will get several inches and be placed under a Level Three Snow Emergency where driving is restricted. I’m also planning for ice and heavy snow that will snap trees and power lines. And I’m prepared to just be happy staying home with a stack of books this weekend.

I was already prepared for that last one. Heh!

Here’s what I’m doing to get ready for Snowpocalypse 2026:

Charging– Yesterday I rounded up all the flashlights and battery backups. I checked batteries and started charging everything so it’s ready to go.

Food Preparation – I plan to boil some eggs and make a small pot of soup and some corn muffins today. I have some things that could easily be made on the grill or eaten cold so I’ll gather up that stuff and keep it front and center. That way I don’t have to dig through the freezer in the dark.

Water – Now that I’m no longer reliant on a well that’s electric powered, I worry less about water. However, a water line break is always a threat so I still have on hand a few containers of water for flushing as well as some bottled water for drinking. If water were still more of an issue, I would have every pot and pan in the house filled with water by now.

Warmth – I do not have an alternate heating source but I do have a tent! I wrote about this before (here’s the link) but it is worth mentioning again. A tent you use for camping outside will keep you warm inside your home if you lose heat. My tent is the perfect size to fit on a queen sized bed and it keeps me nice and cozy. I pulled the tent, sleeping bag and nice Eddie Bauer insulated blanket out of the closet yesterday.

As an aside, If you have small kids and are worried about keeping them warm, consider building them a blanket fort with your kitchen table. I used to do that when I was a kid and it’s loads of fun. Their body heat will help to warm that small space and make it more comfy!

Gathering Other Supplies – I tried to think about what else I might need if the power goes out. Today I will empty a plastic tote for outside food storage in case I want it. The nice thing about a power outage in the snow is that you can pack food stuff in snow in coolers or totes. Store them in the trunk of your car to keep them cold and safe from animals. I also have a bag of ice in each of my freezers. If I don’t open the freezer doors, everything should stay frozen for a long time.

My snow shovel is handy as are my boots and cold weather gear. Today I’ll run outside at lunch time to feed the birds. I’ll repeat that process again tomorrow morning if the snow hasn’t set in yet. That way their little bird bellies will be nice and full until the snow moves through and I can feed again.

Entertainment – I have a puzzle at the ready as well a stack of books to keep me entertained regardless of what the weather does this weekend.

What’s missing? I think I have covered my own priorities but would love to hear about yours!

No Spend Update: January 20

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It’s January 20 so I’m about a third of the way through my January No Spend Challenge. After doing this for nine years, I’m surprised to still learn things about myself and still enjoy the creativity that the rules foster.

If you don’t know what my No Spend Challenge is all about, you can get the details here.

In case you’re following along, here are a few notes since my last post.

  • I’m working through some odds and ends from the refrigerator freezer. It’s a mishmash of leftovers, remnants, and good intentions. My goal is to whittle it down to less than half full by month’s end. So far, I’ve used up leftover Beyond meatballs, frozen veggies, pasta and cheese for a creative dish that turned out great. Half a bag of tater tots and some stray steak fries were the base for a delicious breakfast casserole. Several leftovers that were frozen in the last month or two have been used up. Things are going well and I enjoy getting creative.
  • Grocery shopping remains my hardest area. My pantry and freezer are stocked but it’s hard for me to not grab deals when possible. I rotate my stock but tend to keep the shelves overflowing. This is what happens when you grow up in the country, influenced by people who remembered the Great Depression. You never know when a winter storm, illness, or some other life event will prevent you from getting to the store. In my defense, I understand my own habits. A stop at the store to pick up one need typically leads to buying a bunch of extras I don’t need. Ultimately, staying stocked up within my own boundaries will save money, This is still an area I need to focus on. To that end, I hope to make it until the end of the month before my next grocery shop.
  • All of my meals except for four this month have been prepared by my own hands. Two were fast food after work when packing food wasn’t possible and when I couldn’t wait till I got home. The the third was with my folks, and the fourth was in a restaurant with my fella. Once upon a time, I was strict about not letting someone else buy because they thought the challenge was brought on by hardship or because they were trying to give me a way to skirt the rules. It’s not brought on by hardship and I don’t want a break but I do allow my fella to treat me when we are out because it makes him happy.
  • I got an alert from Ebay that something I really wanted was available and on sale. Southern writer Rick Bragg narrated the audiobook for his near masterpiece “The Best Cook In The World.” It was published on CD but is no longer being made and has been nearly impossible to find used. This is something I really want and I can hardly wait to listen to it. The $19.21 spent was a good investment as far as I’m concerned and waiting a few weeks wouldn’t serve me well at all because it may not be available by then.
  • I got a haircut. This was a planned and budgeted expense. Since my beautician is thirty minutes from home, I always batch the haircut trip with other things. This time it was a grocery trip and a stop for gasoline. And yes, I did tip her. Remember, a No Spend Challenge is no excuse to be a cheapskate.
  • I haven’t made any kind of lists for future purchases. This is a good tactic if there’s an itch you want to scratch but don’t want to actually buy. Sometimes shopping for the thing or writing a list is enough but I haven’t needed this coping mechanism. People seem to assume that a challenge like this is followed by binge shopping but that isn’t how I roll. Instead, I like to hold onto my newly improved mindset as long as possible.
  • I’ve been doing some decluttering and am gradually organizing my craft room. Some years I gamify decluttering but don’t feel the need to do that right now. I’m just trying to keep it front of mind. The craft room is on track to be mostly organized by January 31. Nothing makes you want to not shop quite like decluttering all the stuff you once thought you couldn’t live without. On a related note, I found the painting that’s pictured above while doing some organizing. It’s a winter scene on slate that my aunt Florene painted long ago. I have always admired her skill and was excited to find a good place to display this.
  • I’ve been reading a lot more than normal and am several books ahead of pace in my 2026 goal. I’ve been cooking more than normal and focusing my attention inward which is a wonderful side effect of my version of a No Spend Challenge. Another behavioral change is that I make sure my water bottle is always full when I get in the car. There’s no reason to stop for a drink when I can stay hydrated with what I have. This is a small but important thing because this small purchase often leads to more.

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the second half of January. At this time, I plan to keep the challenge rolling into February with a budget modification that includes a Valentine’s Day excursion with my fella and a birthday gift for my mother.

I’ll keep you posted!

Do What Is Right

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In an age when immorality and all around bad behavior is being modeled by everyone from politicians and celebrities to our own neighbors, I want to remind us all of this quote by Dr. Martin Lutheran King Jr.

The time is always right to do what is right.

As everyday Americans, we may not have control over the big things or over what those around us do but we can control our own choices.

Be kind to someone who can offer nothing in return. Share the good stories. Compliment a stranger. Support the businesses and organizations that uphold values you can live with. Let others know they aren’t alone. Model the behavior you want to see in others.

Do the right thing even when no one is looking and even when there’s nothing in it for you.

If enough of us choose this path, maybe we can balance out the cruelty and apathy this world has become so accepting of lately.

Do what is right.

No Spend Challenge 2026

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Here we go again. It’s January and that means I’m in the midst of a No Spend Challenge. This tradition began back in 2018 and it has gradually transformed from something that was endured to something I enjoy.

The last couple of years have also reminded me of how privileged I am that this is something I do for a a month or two a year rather than a forced and permanent lifestyle.

So many people are truly struggling. I don’t know how people are feeding and keeping shoes on their kids. Many elderly folks are choosing between food and medicine for themselves and care for beloved pets. So I know that my rules, lessons and reminders sound downright tone deaf in a society where so many struggle.

Don’t think that’s lost on me.

Here are the basic rules I set for myself.

  1. Pay bills.
  2. Buy gas and pay for vehicle maintenance. This is how I get to work and a non-negotiable.
  3. Buy groceries when needed. This means I use what I have first and buy what may be needed to complete a recipe or pull together a meal.
  4. Buy what is needed and pay for necessary repairs. If my hot water heater dies, I replace it. If I realize my snow boots are worn out, that could pose harm to my body. They need replaced but I don’t get to go shopping for other shoes for fun.
  5. There are sometimes pre-approved non-essential expenses. One of those is coming up this week when I interview a small business for work. I never like to leave one of these interviews empty handed and will give myself a budget to buy something.
  6. Eat out when there’s really no choice. This means packing lunch and carrying a water bottle and snacks when I leave home. Sometimes I find myself in work situations that require eating lunch out but I can’t pick up pizza just because I’m too lazy to cook.

What’s the point of all this?

Well, it’s nice to save some money. It also teaches me something about myself and helps me reset habits, ultimately leading to some long term benefits.

When I can’t stop for a Diet Coke, I drink the water that’s in the cup holder next to me. That saves a couple of bucks but, more importantly, it’s better for my health. I’m not stopping at the Dollar General down the road just to see what they have or to get one $5 thing that quickly adds up to $30 worth of impulse buys.

These things sound small but 24 ounces of water instead of a fake sweetened drink is a lot. Thirty dollars here and there add up.

We are, after all, a sum of our habits.

When I’m not spending, that means I’m not running around so much. I’m staying home more. I’m using what I have to prepare delicious meals and experimenting with baked goods. This weekend I discovered a woman in Kentucky named Mamaw Gail who gifted the world her biscuit recipe via a Facebook video. They are delicious, simple and easy.

I’m taking care of what I have, cleaning my home, decluttering what I no longer need, and getting more rest.

This time I have some more refined goals.

One is health related. Water, sleep, relaxation, nutrition and movement are all part of this attempt to calm my nervous system. Less stress and more relaxation. Less sitting and more doing. More play. More of what makes me happy.

Another is to focus on using up the odds and ends in the refrigerator freezer. I have a chest freezer for longer term storage but the refrigerator is where I keep things that need used up. Half a bag of frozen broccoli, two veggie burgers, and tomato soup I froze last month languish next to a bag of cauliflower rice I’ve been meaning to use. I accidentally bought frozen spinach which I do not like. I need to find a recipe that uses it up. My goal is for that freezer to be half full instead of stuffed to the gills by the end of this month.

I also intend to read a lot. Plus, there’s a writing project gnawing at my brain and a craft room with so much potential. I’m getting closer to making it nice enough use!

What won’t I be doing?

I won’t be shopping for entertainment. I won’t be seeking out new products to try just because they exist. I won’t be clicking on ads. I won’t be accumulating lists of things to run out and buy at the end of the challenge. I won’t be counting down the days until it’s over. I won’t be looking for loopholes or pouting because I can’t buy something.

If there’s an impulse to buy something, I can look through what I own and see if there’s a good alternative already in my possession. What can I use or do instead of running out and buying something?

You know, it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t go to the store or eat out all the time. They couldn’t order from Amazon the random things they think they need the minute they think of them. The Great Depression forced people to live with the mantra “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” I’m not advocating that anyone do without but there’s something to be said for using fully the thing you already own.

A No Spend Challenge is meant to be personalized to your own lifestyle but it isn’t for everyone. I know people with spouses or children who would simply refuse to participate. Others among us just aren’t interested or have an incompatible lifestyle.

For me, it’s a lifestyle reset and a chance to gain insight into my own habits and preferences. I always learn something about myself and one of those things is that I often curate bad habits during the holidays. There’s way too much shopping, eating out, and overall abundance that can easily become longterm habits.

I’m not saying that anyone should do this. I’m saying this is what I do and it has served me well. That first year or two were hard but it now almost feels like a game. After the gluttony and overconsumption of the holidays, this is a timely reminder that my value in this world is more than just a consumer.

I have written on this topic in the past if you want to search for previous challenges. I’ll write more this month too!

First Saturday

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It’s the first Saturday of a new year. How will you spend it? We get just 52 of them in 2026 so it’s best to spend the time wisely.

It’s also the first weekend of my No Spend Challenge so I’ll be home, doing home things and hopefully reading. I’m in the middle of a page turner. In fact, I fell asleep reading last night, waking up to the book hitting my face.

How lovely it is to fight sleep in favor of just one more page!

It’s also lovely to have a furry little friend to check on you and curl up close. Scout will be glad to keep me company while we relax today.

This is how I want to spend this day. It’s a choice and I’m glad for it. Wherever you are, I hope you are choosing to do something that brings you joy and peace as well.

Around Here

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Around here, my long awaited Christmas vacation is winding down. It’s back to work on Friday even though it feels like I’ve hardly had a break. I’m cherishing these last few days.

Around here, Mother Nature is doing her Ohio thing where the mercury rises to 65 degrees one day and then plummets overnight to a daytime high of 20. Factor in a wind so strong it will knock you down and suddenly winter has arrived.

Around here, I have several projects underway. One is to remove most of the Christmas decorations but I’m leaving up the tree for a while. It has white lights, pretty ribbons and woodland themed ornaments. This tree is pretty in the winter without being Christmasey. Some snowmen and other non Christmas specific things will stay out. Meanwhile, the place is bare in spots and piled up with totes ready to store.

Another project involves finally getting my craft room in order. This is where I store hobby supplies, holidays decorations and extra decor. I have a weakness for vintage and antique items and like to freshen up my home by rotating in and out small pieces of interest. That room is a habitual mess but I swear this is the year I get it done. To that end, I bought a shelving unit which I assembled over the weekend. Progress can be seen but, golly, there’s much to do.

Around here, I am working on my reading goal for the year and considering what my goal should be in 2026. I’m finishing up my 101st book – one over the 2025 goal. While that list includes some good fiction, there was very little nonfiction and several kids books. This is a sign of how tired my mind was and how badly I needed some quiet, fun distraction rather than learning and enrichment.

I’m thinking about knocking the goal down to 75 or 80 to make it easier. My goal means absolutely nothing but it does keep me reading and it keeps me always ready to start the next good book. There’s some wisdom in making it high just to keep me engaged with my TBR.

Scout is enjoying having me home and especially appreciates how much time I have spent relaxing with a book lately. He finds reading time a wonderful opportunity for naps!

Around here, I’m gearing up for my January No Spend Challenge. This is an annual tradition and one I look forward to every year. I’m currently compiling my annual list of things to do that don’t involve spending money. I’m up to about sixty activities ranging from fun things like dabbling with watercolors and putting together a puzzle to going for a hike and doing chores like cleaning closets and decluttering.

Around here, as nature turns cold and less habitable, I am turning inward. My mind is quieter. I’m using this time to calm my nervous system. Two doctors have informed me recently that I’ll never be better until I work on this. Soft lights, quiet, and the softness of home are just what I need and exactly what I aim to embrace during my No Spend Challenge.

Around here, there are stories waiting to be told and others waiting to be read. Some are waiting to be lived. A new year is just around the corner.

I’ll be around here if you need me.