Small Time Sustainability edition of Six on Saturday - August 3rd

Small time sustainability is a topic recently covered over at Living Richly in Retirement and I really like thinking about my current life habits and spending that way versus frugality. We don't need to be frugal at this point in our lives but do many things that are both out of habit and a desire not to waste resources - both ours and the planets. We can up our game though. So here are a few SMALL TIME SUSTAINABILITY items from our first week back from vacation.

1. Repairing: We repaired our refrigerator. The water filter has not been removable for some time and we have since learned it is a design defect in this brand/model. The frig came with the house though and it would not be sustainable or reasonable to replace it. Although not my favorite design overall it does work. Now all of it works. I also found out I had been trying to replace the filter more often than needed so less waste there. I still need to replace a broken door shelf as the repairman received the wrong one in his order, but he told me a close by location where I can go get one next time I drive that way. And on my to do list is to mend a down comforter. It is getting worn, I need to replace a blanket too so I am looking for a duvet cover that will work.

2. Reusing: I'm trying to be very mindful about reusing what we can. Plastic packaging seems to be unavoidable to a large extent. Case in point - bread wrappers. So they get at least one reuse as dog poop bags. A quirky reuse for us is egg cartons that are donated to a local food bank that uses them to package bulk eggs in sizes that can be given out. Which leads to thinking about all the packaging that is in the production and delivery stream before I buy my probably over packaged items in the first place.

3. Sourcing: Still on the packaging idea, I have put going to the Farmer's Market on my weekly schedule. At least there is less of a packaging and shipping stream there. I take my own tote bag of course and will be taking plastic produce bags to reuse until I get non-plastic ones.

4. Using Up: Although I am still using plastic containers for leftovers (because we have them already) we are very good at making sure those leftovers get eaten! I also add a bit of water to get the last of shampoo, laundry soap, etc out of the invariably plastic container.

5. Borrowing/Sharing: I was thinking about the whole concept of Plastic Free July and wondering what steps we could take next so I requested from the library 3 books on the topic of reducing plastic use. Then for extra motivation (or will it be sadness?) I will request one about plastic in the ocean.

I also love my reading group that meets monthly. We all read different books and then talk about the best and worst. The ones ready to share are passed around and I get a lot of different books that way. Once we are done with them they go in the clubhouse Little Library or are donated to the Friends of the Library for resale.

6. Buying Less: I finished my second month of no clothing purchases. My summer wardrobe is working out great so any additions would be unnecessary. I will be shopping, but carefully, for fall and winter clothing as that part of my wardrobe is too sparse.

Six on Saturday - July 13th

Started off our weekend well!

1. Went to an "Art in the Park" event put on by the town parks and rec dept. Wore one of my new dresses but added linen capris for warmth.

Actually ran into some friends which is fun. And the event was fun if low key:
- cute little kid dancers
- public participation painting and sidewalk chalk drawing
- a young rock band
- teen singers doing part of the Aladdin sound track
- tacos from the food truck

Then we drove over to Mr. Frosty for cones and took a walk around Old Town. Finished with a stop in the artist run gallery. Fun Saturday date outing.

2. Sunday after sleeping 10 hours both the dog and I are still tired so I declared it an at home day but of course still dog walks! #chore day #hanging out #old jeans new styling

3. Not feeling well has its advantages. I finished this book in just a bit more than one day as I couldn't put it down but eventually did have to sleep! 

Books currently holding my attention are A Paris All Your Own and The Power of Habit.

4. Tuesday I gifted myself a lovely massage and later we had another date night going to happy hour at an upscale restaurant to have a light dinner.

5. We seem to remodel bathrooms right before we sell the house so are starting the process of design and bids for the guest bathroom here. It is the only room that wasn't finished when we bought this house although it does have new tile flooring, low flow toilet and same paint as the other rooms. So that of course leaves the shower and the vanity as well as replacing the heat lamp with a fan. We will leave the old window for the next owner but why is it the only window that wasn't replace!

Six on Saturday - July 6th

A new month and this is my first week's highlights.

1. We got my FIL's painting back and I think the frame is perfect. Now to get it hung!

2. Put my money where my mouth is by donating to two non-profits that directly support immigrants, the ACLU, and 4 of the Democratic primary candidates that I truly want to see continue on.

3. Hubby suggested we get back into our regular dinner at the beach outings so we headed out to the Ventura pier on Monday for tacos while watching the ocean waves.

4. A friend invited me to go to a movie with her so we saw The Biggest Little Farm on Wednesday. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie although I had no expectations about it going in.

5. Go us! More windows and screens washed. We are so close to being done with only 2 left. And as far as I can tell, we have avoided using the AC all week by opening doors and windows in the morning and evening along with using all the ceiling fans.

6. We finally are having some warmer weather although not really warm (right on schedule for coastal S. Cal!) and I'm liking my summer wardrobe so sticking with my 3 Months No New Clothes is no challenge so far.

Six on Saturday - June 29th

Almost July already!

1. Yeah - just one room to go in our screen and window washing project. It happens to have the most windows though.

2. We took our local son and DIL to a Sunday matinee performance of Peter and the Starcatcher at our local volunteer run live theater. Then out for Vietnamese food. Lovely to see them just a week after their last visit on Father's Day.

3. The dog got groomed on Tuesday and I found out the groomer is moving away. Yikes, now I have to find a new one who doesn't stress the dog too much.

4. I kept up with my stretching, upper body weights exercises and dog walking per my summer bucket list! Yeah me.

5. This week I didn't feel like going to my summer lecture but did watch both nights of the Democratic primary debates.

6. And finished first month of no clothes shopping. Not browsing online or going in stores has reduced my interest. Haven't felt any gaps in my wardrobe either.

Six on Saturday - June 22nd

We had a lovely Father's Day with a lunch at our house with our older son and DIL then a Facetime with our younger son, DIL and granddaughter. Wonderful start to the week.

1. Our son and DIL made donuts for the first time as a gift for Hubby. He does love donuts.

2. We decided not to try to make a frame for my FIL's oil painting and found the perfect custom frame material at Michael's during a 70% off sale. It is going to look great in about 2 weeks and I'll share a photo then. I'm glad my husband is so happy with what we picked and that I can check that off of my Spring Bucket List.

3. Appliance repair man came and same conclusion I had come to. We need to replace entire frig water filter part. Ordered it and a replacement door shelf for cracked one. $382 for everything including labor. Much less than a new frig LOL. It is important to have working appliances when you sell one of these homes.

4. I've had 2 great OLLI summer lectures so far. This week's was on Palmyra's history and the additional, deliberate destruction by ISIS.

5. Is it really summer? We are still stuck in June Gloom. Chilly, damp, overcast much of the day. Ready for it to end.

6. And I'm so glad I looked up if coffee counts in your daily "water" intake. Mayo Clinic says it does along with tea and juice!

Hope your week was perfect for you!

Six on Saturday - June 15, 2019

A pickleball tournament, Rocketman, Facetime, AC cost control efforts, lentil stew and rereading 1984. There is quite a bit of variety this week.

1. Hubby played in his first pickleball tournament and had a great time. He and his partner came in second in the 60 and over category missing first place by just 1 point! He sounded so happy when he called me.

2. We went to see Rocketman. Wow!!! I really enjoyed this movie and it was so emotionally engaging.

3. We Facetimed with our granddaughter, DIL and son. We could really see how a 2 1/2 year old has trouble talking for a long while and resorts to showing off physically as a way to keep engaging. We did get her to draw us a picture while we watched which worked pretty well. So grateful for this medium to keep connected in real time and that she wants to stay on with us even if she can't figure out what to say!

4. Our city decided to contract for electricity from a more renewable source provider and rates went up. I'm all for the decision but we are just now getting how weather and don't want through the roof electricity bills due to running the AC. We are experimenting with opening the house as long as possible in the morning and at night if it cools down. Also running all 5 ceiling fans on low to try to keep the AC off as much as possible. Not willing to be miserable though so AC is at the same temp as usual.

5. I made lentil stew early in the morning on Wednesday so all we have to do for dinner is reheat part of it with torn spinach thrown in for a one pot meal. It used up some leftover chicken too as a bonus.

6. It is proving to be very unnerving to reread 1984 in light of the current world and political situation. Much to discuss at next month's book group.

Six on Saturday - June 8th

My week was busy with Pet Club and Somis Thursday Club board meetings plus my book club meeting. Typical first week of a month. Other "excitement" included:

1. I slept badly Sunday night for unknown reasons, but the dog slept well. Then she picked up something that caused her not to eat or drink, have great intestinal distress and we both slept badly Monday night as she tossed and turned and her insides gurgled loudly. Easy for her to catch up during the day but not for me! Turns out we had to go to the vet who re-hydrated her and drew blood to try to find out why this keeps happening. What we do for our fur babies.

Headed out to the patio for the sun and instantly fell asleep!

We were talking about our dog turning 10 years old in July which means she has lived with us almost 8 1/2 years. Hubby mentioned that he thought we have given her about the best life she could have had unless she had ended up in a home that had a cat that likes dogs. She does love cats and is very gentle with them, but doesn't get why most of them don't like her!

2. I finished the first week of my 3 months of No New Clothes Shopping personal challenge. 12 weeks to go. I'm trying to do this because I think I have all the clothing I need to get happily dressed for these 3 months. I'll make an exception if something wears out or there is a true gap. I know that I will need some new clothing in the Fall so I'm making a list as I think of those items.

3. Looked at my "maybe donate" pile of clothes and it dawned on me that I might like to wear an older pair of cropped spring pants if I just changed the length to be more trendy. Fifteen minutes and they are no a pair of capris that look like they will work at least for this summer.

4. My husband's cousin's widower's sister and brother in law moved into the third house up the street from us. Try explaining to others how we are connected LOL. I don't know them really, but they seem nice. Lots of sibling groups seem to move into this community which I suppose is very nice when they need support or help. My brother and SIL are firmly entrenched in New Hampshire and most of my cousins are in NH and MA. I guess we are a bi-coastal family.

5. We decided we should try to make sure that a small earthquake doesn't bring heavy items falling on our car from the garage shelves. Hubby had the idea of using bungee cords to help hold them in place. Brilliant!

6. I'm up to 5 ideas for my 70th Birthday Adventures Plan for the beginning of September (literally as my birthday is Sept. 1st). The latest are a:
- Gondola Paridiso tour of Channel Islands Harbor
- Food Truck Thursday at Camarillo Ranch
- Dinner at what is a highly rated restaurant nearby that we COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT so never tried. A friend mentioned eating there recently and how good it was. And we are always saying there is no where to eat!

So I am adding those to a trip to the Santa Barbara to art museum with a nice lunch (or the Santa Paula art museum depending upon exhibits at the time) and going miniature golfing (which we find great fun and haven't done in a long time).

Hope you had a lovely week!

Six on Saturday - June 1st 2019

1. Started off the new week with a trip to the Farmer's Market and boy are the strawberries I got there amazingly delicious. It is lovely to make your own salad green mix too plus buying the bumpy carrots that the stores won't sell. Lovely sunshiny morning to be out.

2. Continuing our slow motion Spring cleaning soon to be renamed Summer cleaning. Another room's window screen and window washed. 4 to go. Also cleaned the frig coils and washed the kitchen floor. Such an exciting life I lead.

3. Brunch Tuesday at my service & social club as we plan the meals and programs for the next 9 monthly meetings of the entire group. I may have said Yes too many times! I even got a bit dressed up but got to love the casual S. Cal retirement lifestyle.

4. Then since Monday was a holiday and a perfect beach day, we did Monday at the Pier on Tuesday to avoid the crowds. Dinner was lovely as was the walk along the shore and looking out the window at the ocean from the restaurant. How do you like that carved swordfish sitting on the table?

5. Decided to keep 2 summer dresses I ordered. One is poppy red, very loose, sleeveless & linen. The other a soft peach, loose with dipped hem, short sleeved and cotton/polyester. Happy to have my summer clothes sorted out already given what else I have in my closet. And I'm thinking it is time for a clothes (and books and pastries when out LOL) shopping break.

6. I'm trying to decide what will make me really happy as a celebration of turning 70 at the beginning of September. One thing we have decided is a series of experiences that are a Staycation birthday variation. Don't know if it will be 4 done one a week for the month or 7 to celebrate each decade. Depends on how many I can come up with! So far I have 2:
- Day trip to Santa Barbara to art museum with a nice lunch
- Going miniature golfing (which we find great fun and haven't done in a long time)
And I'm thinking a boat ride needs to be in there somehow.

Six on Saturday - May 25th

An up and down week but overall good.

1. Sunday our older son came out for lunch an a visit. It was lovely to have a relaxing time to talk with him in depth.

2. On Monday we went to Ventura to walk beside the ocean and on the pier followed by a drink at the restaurant on the pier. This will become a part of our routine - Mondays at the pier.

3. Tuesday I was supposed to have lunch with some friends but didn't read the email carefully and went to the wrong restaurant! Went home for lunch and then took myself to the library cafe for coffee and a cookie for dessert while sitting there and reading on a glorious day.

4. I emailed a contact to get more info to plan our initial visit to Sacramento to see if it is a potential spot for relocation (thanks Sherri!). Her answers were similar to what we had identified ourselves but added some specifics that are very helpful.

5. The plus side of living here - a sprinkler broke and was flooding an area right next to our house but all we had to do was turn in a request to have it fixed and it was. Are we sure we want to own a single family home again and be responsible for dealing with everything?

6. Found a receipt that provides the name of the carpet cleaner we used when we first moved in. It is time to hire him again so now I can.

BONUS - I think the dentist has finally fixed the problem I have been having with my bite on one side ever since I got a crown there!

Six on Saturday

Capturing the highs of my week in a different way.

1. Today there are monarch butterflies flitting around all over Camarillo! As we drove along they were swooping and flying past the car from the south. Must be migration time.

2. All home maintenance doesn't go away just because you live in a 55+ HOA community so we started washing screens and the outside of our windows. We are just doing a couple at a time as they are really dirty from the dust that blows off the fields nearby. There are services that will come do it for a fee but we still can so why not!

3. In the not buying it category - I thought we needed a new doormat outside our front door but when I picked it up it was in good shape but certainly full of dust/dirt (see above). I got out a scrub brush and the hose and it will be good for a while longer. I'm going to wash the front walk too as it is covered and doesn't get washed by the rain and the tiles collect dirt.

4. In the buying it category - We picked up a Spanish Lavender bush to replace a flowering bush that had gotten too large for the pot it is in on the patio. A monarch landed on one while we were selecting ours.

5. I made a point of going to the Farmer's Market this morning and was glad I did. A beautiful day to be outside, live music and some good Spring mix, arugula, chard, tomatoes, strawberries and, for something I haven't bought there before, a loaf of fresh rye bread.

6. I had a lovely time Thursday at the last lunch meeting of my service club before summer break. We gave three $1500 scholarships to three accomplished young women graduating from local high schools. So enjoyable to see how happy they were and how proud their parents' were of their achievement.