My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

daisy_1571

Morning animaltribe

I've enjoyed reading your diary, what a different life you lead compared to most of us, very interesting to read along.

If you see books by Sue Grafton, the alphabet murders I call them, a is for alibi, b for burglar, c for corpse etc.  Hopefully you'll love Kinsey and miss her like I did when I got to the end (y, author died before z but story is fine).  Best reading them in order but not imperative.  

Another good set is the dales detectives by Julia Chapman, Date with Death is the first one, best reading them in order.  All set in the same wee village area and the books generally follow right on after each other.   Shes written what she says will be the last of them just this year. 

I also enjoy the Richard Osman set, similar to the Dales ones with a group of people you enjoy reading about.  These are all on a par 'feel-wise' with Hamish or Agatha i think (but better written - sorry mc beaton😆 🤣) . 

Daisy xx

AnimalTribe

In-need-of-direction DH and I did enjoy a lovely lazy day yesterday. I managed a lazy day again today, but DH can’t bear to do nothing so he fixed an electrical problem in an out building. I did manage a lovely long dog walk though as the weather is cold but beautifully still and the air is so fresh.

Daisy-1571 thank you I’m glad you enjoy my diary. I do indeed lead a very different life. I sometimes get walkers come past the house every now and then. If I’m out in the garden or out with the dogs they often stop for a chat. They either think I’m very lucky or stark raving mad living so far out.  Sometimes I agree with both points of view. The books sound good I will keep an eye out for them. At the moment I’m still reading the ‘Dresden Files’ series by Jim Butcher. I’ve read them all before but he has a new one coming out next year so I thought I’d get through the old ones before then.

I am really looking forward to the New Year as DH has agreed that the house needs a major de-clutter and has agreed to start on 1st January.  

AnimalTribe

The generator was on this morning as the last few days have been calm with no sun. This afternoon though there was a bit of wind and it was coming from the right direction so plenty of electricity is being generated.

DH has been re-arranging the shed that he keeps all his DIY stuff in and I’ve been doing a bit more sewing.

It’s just been sandwiches for lunch and dinner as we are both feeling a bit full from Christmas Day and Boxing Day feasting.

AnimalTribe

I made some soup from the Christmas lunch left over veg and froze it, but DH and I wanted something light again to eat so it was defrosted for lunch. We had stir-fry veg for dinner from some of the 5p veg that I hadn't cooked. I still have plenty of uncooked veg to use up so I suspect we will be eating fairly healthily for the next couple of days.

I’ve done some financial stuff in preparation for the New Year. I’ve been going through what we spent last year so I can adjust our budget and I’ve been checking the interest rates on various accounts that we hold.

AnimalTribe

Another foggy day with no wind and no sun and therefore no electricity generated, so the generator has been on. 

I’m still using up veg so it was savoury rice for dinner – mushrooms, sweetcorn, carrot, onion and herbs.

Other than that, the day has been taken up by dog walking, threading beads and reading my book. Not long until the New Year now.

AnimalTribe

DH had to post something he sold on eBay. I asked him to pick up some milk while he was out. He came back with the milk and 6 packets of reduced-price cookies - getting a bargain and a sweet one at that made him happy.

I’ve bought another job lot of broken jewellery but that will be my last spending for the year. DH and I will be seeing how much we can save next year so that we can do some house repairs and renovations. Let’s hope we do better at saving this year than we did this year.

AnimalTribe

It's the last day of the year. I hope next year is kind to everyone.

daisy_1571

And same wished for your tribe

Dxx

beckstar1975

peace and joy to you and yours

PS are you under snow and ice warning?

AnimalTribe

Daisy_1571 and Beckstar1975 thank you and hopefully it's the start of a good year for you too. Beckstar1975 suprisingly no warnings. Although the temperature is -2 but windchill is -6.

So, it’s a new year and DH and I have made matching resolutions. We have resolved to get some DIY projects finished this year.  In order to do that comfortably we need to declutter, save money and hopefully earn a little extra.

This morning I’ve started off with an easy task, decluttering my stuff from the living room. It was mainly half-done projects cluttering a couple of surfaces. The things are now neatly put away. I tidied the chest of drawers in the living room too and found some tablecloths I’d forgotten about. I’m not sure whether to keep them or not, as they are rarely used. I think I will make a list of things I’m not sure about and revisit them later to make a decision. DH is building some more shelves to help in our organisation. He will clear his minimal clutter from the living room tomorrow. I’ve dusted, hoovered and cleaned so the first room is nearly done. DH has a handheld air compressor I use it to blast air behind radiators. It’s incredible the amount of stuff that comes out. Not only does it keep the place cleaner but I think it also makes the radiators more efficient.

It's very windy here today so there is plenty of extra electricity so 2 loads of laundry are finished. It will have to be hung indoors as it’s far too windy to put it on the line.