Friday, February 27, 2009

Frugal Friday....

I saw or read that term somewhere this morning, just can't remember where...LOL The comcept works for me every bit as well as a Work In Progress Wednesday. So I began the day by piecing some string blocks, using some worn-thin pajama parts as my foundation. Seems to work very well. A little bit lighter weight than reg. fabric squares and pale enough that nothing shows through. Remember my yard from yesterday when I talked about the thaw? That was at about 1:30.
 Here's the same shot 3 hours later, at 4:30. We really got dumped on!! Maybe not as much as predicted, but enough to have cars stuck all over the place. And I'm absolutely POSITIVE this is recycled snow from the earlier thaw! *VBS*
 I received this wonderful mailing envelope from a new friend in Canada, Nannergirl. She was part of our New Years Eve Challenge, and generously offered to send her orphan blocks and bits of leftovers. A couple of orphan blocks, and lots of sewn HST that I can put to work in an Orphan Train quilt. Thank you so very much Nannergirl! You made my day! I will recycle on this Frugal Friday *S*
 This poor baby is still a WIP...I had hoped to have the quilting done by now and have it bound, but it got set aside during my illness. I'll be posting my February Project finishes later today, as I will gone tomorrow(I hope!!!) for Baby L's first birthday party....IF the snow stays away.
Thank all of you for the lovely, thought provoking comments regarding my soapbox post of yesterday afternoon. What had pushed me over the edge, to where I needed to speak up was watching an interview with a grandmother in Elkhart, IN. She told the reporter she wasn't standing in the food pantry line just for herself, but for her children and her grandchildren who had moved into her home. Their jobs and home had been lost in the downturned economy and the closing of the DHL faciity.
The reason it stuck so close to home,is that I've been needing to help a couple of my 5 kids and their families. I'm sure some of you have needed to do the same. I've not liked being in this position. As a retiree on a fixed income, it's very sad to be able to deal with the economy than a some of my children. They have jobs, but have become the under-employed, due to hours cut and mandatory 3 day layoffs. They haven't been out in the working world long enough to have achieved a firm foundation on which to stand. They are young and their families are young, as I shared with you yesterday.
And then the reported asked about what will happen when the schools close for the summer? Many of the kids get their breakfast and lunch AT SCHOOL. Clearly that will put additional strain on our food banks, pantries and parents. Donations are down, the need is up. I've decided for each day of Lent, I will take an item that would be in my daily/or weekly menu and put it into a bag for our local food pantry. It's not alot, but another 40 items will help fill the gaps for someone. If I don't happen to have an appropiate item, I'll either buy it with my regular groceries or donate that amount in cash.
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13 comments:

Scrappy quilter said...

What a great way to help the food pantry Finn. I think I'll do the same thing. We are on a fixed income has well and have had to help out a couple of our older children. I think if everyone tries to help each other, we will all get through this economic crisis. If we don't it's going to be a whole lot worse.

nannergirl said...

Anytime Finn! I'm sure I'll have lots more to send :)
I completely understand how you and your family members feel. We haven't been hit as hard here in Canada, but things are still tight for young families. We've started adding donations to our grocery bill, but being a young mom myself, it's hard. I'm sure your family appreciates all the help you've given :)

Stephanie D said...

One of the things I do to help save us money is to use coupons, of course. But there are always coupons in the paper of brands I don't use or things I just don't buy, like kid's cereals. I clip them anyway, and use them at the grocery store to buy items to donate. I can provide more items that way, and it's a planned purchase, not one I have to dig into my pantry to see if there is something I can "spare". Our food bank can't use the coupons, or I'd donate those.

And when the coupons on items I do use are getting close to the expiration date and I already have plenty of exta of that item, I leave the coupon by the products on the shelves at the grocery store, hoping someone else will be able to use them.

Norma said...

Since my sister lost her job, I have had this re-occuring dream/nightmare that there are people with little kids on the street that are hungry and I can't feed them all. Bless you Finn, for thinking of those who will be doing without the simple basics of life.

Hope you get to that birthday party! Can't believe a whole year has passed!

KC Quilter said...

Wonderful post--as usual--Finn! I have been meaning to comment on your title banner and keep forgetting to. I just love that pose of Ebby. It is so--so--so CAT! I just want to pick her up and hug her. But knowing cats as I do, that probably would be unacceptable LOL! Anyway, thinking of you, Vera.

em's scrapbag said...

How very kind of you. If everyone does a little it makes a lot and helps everyone. Thanks for your wonderful posts. Have a great day!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Very thought provoking post. I try to donate to an organization that helps out food pantries and soup kitchens, called Mazon.org. Instead of a birthday present, my family members get a certificate that a donation was made in their honor.

Quilting Memories said...

We have certainly had to help one of our children, but feel so fortunate to have gotten a job at our age and been able to do so.The one we are helping finally has a good job, but can't seem to come out from not working for so long ( 6 months)..They are doing very well, but so far haven't turned down anything we can do. The one sure does help us while we are away so much, keeps the yard mowed and takes care of the house and the mail, so we just feel very fortunate that we can help each other. But, isn't that what families are for?
As our presidents say, God bless the United States of America....We need His help in this time of crises.

Libby said...

You've come up with a wonderful Lent observance. Just think how many could be helped if each of us did the same for 40 days . . . . and remember, it only takes 3 weeks to develop a habit *s*
Also help in feeding pets is needed. Shelters are becoming crowded with beloved members of a family as budgets become tighter and tighter.
Thanks reminding me to open my eyes for opportunities to be of help to my neighbors.

Browndirtcottage said...

I find you blog very inspiring!!

Greenmare said...

you are number ONE, you are frugal, a wonderful mom and grandma! keep inspiring us bloggers! I'm going to donate more this lent too.

sewprimitive karen said...

Just look at that fresh snowfall. I just love it. Also like the idea of Frugal Friday in this day and age. Also dearly love the banner of darling Ebby.

Kim said...

Oh Finn 40 days of an item for a food bank! Awesome!Good thing church is tomorrow I'm going to talk to Pastor :)
As for helping your childen - bravo for you! Seriously- we're at the other end of the problem- the fixed incomes and the loss of 401K's with the market. We're helping my parents. It's getting hard and my siblings are going to have step up and help now that hubby went to Buffalo today for his new job. I can't afford to run 2 houses and help as much .
They worked so hard for us I hate to have to cut back :(