Thursday, August 3, 2017

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #109

Welcome to another 
Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage!

Each week I share ways I've saved money, my thrifty and frugal projects, and my blessings from God. 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Please say hello! I'm always looking for new blog friends!
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Hello!

  I'm just finishing the first half of the chemo cycle. It was better than last time, but I just didn't do a whole lot of thrifty things. You all have been so good to stay with me even though it's not been a very thrifty summer. Thank you! I am looking forward to fall. I should be done with this by mid-September. I'm going to celebrate! Even though surgery will take some time to recover from, I should be able to do some things.

  I hope you'll stay with me. I'll be back to my thrifty self one of these days!

God bless!
Laura
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A Few Verses for You


Do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  
I will strengthen you, I will help you, 
yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  
Isaiah 41:10 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me.  Psalm 30:2

These were shared with me by 
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Here's my thrifty week times two!
  • My friend bought me a slush during chemo. She got it during half price Sonic Happy hour. Thanks Rebecca!
  • Ate from the freezer and fridge
  • I didn't buy yarn at full price at Michael's.
  • We ate at home when we wanted to go out a couple times.
  • I made some of my big meals at lunchtime, because we had more people home for that meal a couple of days this week.
  • Homemade biscuits rounded out a rather skimpy meal one evening.
  • I made a from scratch chicken soup using a bag of odd chicken pieces that were given to us. I added potatoes, carrots, onions, and rosemary. Here's how to for Rosemary Chicken Soup.
  • I decluttered many of my Pinterest boards. I deleted things I didn't think I would actually make. Virtual real estate.
  • I took a bunch of bags of real estate to the crisis center.
  • I reviewed Mary Engelbreit's new book for free.
  • I bought a piano book on Ebay for Amy for a fraction of the cost of new. Check out this awesome package! The stamps were mostly 13 cents each!  

That's my thrifty week.

What are you doing in your home this week?

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ღLauraღ
...doing what I can with what I've got
where I am on a short shoestring budget!

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Have you started making and collecting for Christmas yet?


I love Christmas books all year round. 
Do you?
Try this one. 
It's fun.

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44 comments:

  1. I love you 'thrifty week' posts, Laura! They're always encouraging me to pay closer attention to what I do (and don't do) to equal dollars saved. Good job!

    You're welcome for the slushy! It was my pleasure! :)

    I love the idea of virtual real estate! I think I need to invest in some of that myself! Am going to go over and reread your regular real estate article. It's time to invest in some of that, too!

    Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! I love you! <3

    ~Rebecca

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    1. I'm glad you're encouraged Rebecca. I've found your posts encouraging, too. I went through a few files today and got rid of a few papers. I think we accumulate a lot of papers and books when we homeschool. I always dreamed of a library, but now I realize by the time that happens, I won't have anyone around to read the books. So, I need to go through books and give and sell.

      My bloodwork was good this morning. Thank you Jesus and little firefly. ~smile~
      Hugs to you,
      Laura

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    2. Praise the Lord! Am so thankful for another good report! And, yes, LOL! It took me a minute, but, yes! Jesus and a little firefly. ;) Love you friend! (((HUGS))) to you! G'night! <3

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    3. Tee hee!
      I'm thinking a little celebration may be in order when this chemo is over.
      Hugs to you!
      Laura

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  2. Hello!
    Don't you worry one little bit about what you post or don't post.
    Take care of you!!!
    Prayers and hugs!!!

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    1. Thank you for being gracious and kind to me Billie Jo!
      I'll take all the prayers and virtual hugs I can get!

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  3. You are moving right along with your chemo and seem to be doing amazingly well. I"m sure you've had your bad days too. About Christmas, I plan to get serious after this week. My grandkids are here for one last 'hurrah' before going back to school. Once I get my house back to 'normal', I hope to start thinking about Christmas!

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    1. Yes, I have bad days. I'm in so-so days right now. I hope to feel much better next week. I'm glad you're going to start Christmas prep early. When I do, I relax more during December. I have no idea what Christmas will look like this year. I'll just have to see how I recover from surgery and radiation.
      Be blessed!
      Laura

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  4. So thankful the first half is nearly done! Praise God! Praying for you and will respond to your email soon! :)

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    1. Only two more treatments, praise God. There's plenty more to come, but at least the mean chemo drugs will be done. Healing power from Jesus flow through your family in Jesus' Name!

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  5. Glad you are on the downhill side of treatment! Thoughts and prayers continue.

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  6. Laura, your thrifty week posts are such an encouragement!
    Our thrifty week was 1/2 price shakes at Sonic after 8 last night.
    1/2 price tea from Annie's Tea Time dot com.
    Use hot dogs we got free from a friend to make crescent dogs.
    Bought Ajax cleanser for 88 cents at Walmart instead of a dollar at Dollar Tree
    I think that's about it. Have a blessed weekend.

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  7. So happy you are half way through, and you still have your great spirit. Don't let it get you down if you get a little crabby toward the end. God will understand. Prayers and thoughts your way my friend. May he hold you in the palm of his hand.

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    1. Thank you! I feel like God's taking special care of me. My trouble is more with getting weepy and emotional. Another side effect, but it is a pretty emotional time, too.

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  8. Always good to hear from you. Continuing to pray . . .

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  9. Laura, If you didn't post weekly about frugality at this season of your life, it wouldn't be so much questioned as to "why no frugal tips?"..it would be, "Haven't heard from Laura, sure hoping and praying she is feeling Okay and doing as well as can be expected."..it's you as the person we care about and love. I think it's safe to say this is probably the consensus of all your followers. Take care dear lady, sending gentle hugs across the miles. Karla

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    1. Oh Karla, that is so very freeing. I don't want to disappoint anyone.

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    2. Karla is a smart lady! You should listen to her. :)

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  11. So proud these chemo treatments are slowly getting done.. Can't wait to hear the "all clear".. God is awesome and I am praying for His loving grace for you and your family.
    Don't worry about the amount or content of what you post.. Love to just hear from you..We will look for the "thrifty" post, when you get all well..hugs and prayers... Have a blessed weekend.

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    1. It's going to be a long road Judy, but I'll be glad to say good-bye to these meanie chemo drugs.

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  12. I have just recently found your blog and I love it. I love to read the scriptures and your prayers are a blessing. I will pray for healing for you and wisdom for your doctors. My daughter attended college in Joplin so I am familiar with the area, she started the August after the tornado, what a tragedy. She got to be a part of some rebuilding and that was an experience for her. A good one.

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    1. What a time to come to Joplin! It was an amazing time. God sent His people to help in miraculous ways, and they blessed the community in a major way. Thank your daughter for me please. My husband ran the Joplin Family Worship Center relief organization.
      Hug,
      Laura

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  13. I have Not been very frugal lately, too much eating out on the go back and forth.

    I did find some things at dollar tree for less. I got two bottles of sweet baby rays half off, my son loves that, at dollar general. I got some books five for a dollar st the library resell table. I gifted off six after bringing home those five to my friend, so I actually gained a little ground with one book.
    I used a bogo one chicken sandwich coupon. We got frostys at Wendy's for fifty cents. I finally got to go to the Amish store and got some pantry supplies, I did restrain myself in there, it was Not easy. Hoping to go back again in a month or two, maybe at least once before Christmas.
    I got four cartons of eggs, marked down to fifty cents each, two went to my son's house. I gathered some more beans, not a lot, and a little squash in the garden.
    I got a pair of good jeans for $5.97 instead of the thrift stores usual $7.99 a pair price. I hung out laundry. Guess that's about it.

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    1. Oh Annie girl, you are just naturally thrifty!

      My husband took me out tonight. We went to a quilt shop he wanted me to see. He offered to buy me something, but I declined knowing I won't be quilting any time soon. That saved at least ten dollars. Then he took me for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered only rice and beans since I knew I wouldn't eat much. That saved us at least five dollars. I ate a couple little pieces of my husband's fajita chicken and was unable to finish my rice. The beans tasted so good, I ate them even though I was stuffed. Not too many things taste right to me.

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  14. I love your thrifty posts! I try to cut costs anywhere I can. I rarely ever share them though.

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  15. I am do glad to hear that chemo wad easier this time. The power of all those praying has really shown up!

    In many ways we have not been as thrifty since Hubby came home from the hospital in January but I think there are seasons in our lives when it is okay as long as we stay within our means. The neurologists say there is nothing they can do to make his brain function return so we chose to go outside of traditional medicine and go to an alternative brain rehab practitioner at the cost of $250 a month and God has provided even though our income is down by half. It is working! He is healing!

    We ate out way too much this week but we used the cash budget allotted for that so it is okay. The brain rehab
    appt weeks are exhausting so we cope. Part of the healing is diet and egas are his best protein source so I have been so thankful that Aldi has them for 25 cents a dozen right now. We stocked up!

    We had reached the point of having to replace our very old vehicles and God blessed us with exactly what we wanted for 50% of retail through a car dealer friend. So blessed!

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    1. Dear Lana, I wish you'd send me your email so that I can reply directly to you.
      We do what we can with what we've got where we are. Sometimes that means eating out. We've had some of that since I've been sick, since I cannot always take care of the family well. Do not feel down if you cannot be thrifty. Even though I've continued my thrifty posts, we're doing some not so thrifty things, too, for convenience. The posts are just my way of keeping in touch and trying to do something.

      Regarding your vehicles, a similar situation happened for us last year. I had been pleading the blood of Jesus over my old very high mileage van for months and speaking the scripture about all things being held together in Jesus over it in faith. A lady at church gave my husband her 1989 Grand Marquis that he liked when she got a new one. Someone gave his old truck to my son. Then my van finally died. There were so many things wrong with it, it was just a matter of time. My husband met a Mennonite car salesman, and he sold us a black van for way below book value. We have a payment now, but it's dependable. Later in the year, we were given an old car for my daughter. All this to say, God was preparing the way so that I would not be the only driver for everyone going to three different towns almost daily like I had been for the past two years. God knew I was going to need time to recover from cancer.

      I am very very encouraged about what's going on with your husband. I am so glad you sought an alternative healing method for him. Doctors do not know all. We must trust God to lead us to the right path for us.

      God, in you mercy, I ask for complete healing for Lana's husband. I call every brain cell to come alive to Your purposes God and to function in the way you created them. Tissues regenerate, nerves regenerate, abilities regenerate, memory regenerate, cognition regenerate, brain function in perfect harmony with the body. Father I pray for all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, in faith, by the power of the blood of Jesus. Amen.

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    2. Praise God for providing all those vehicles for your family! Thanks you for praying for my husband. I knew that prayer was powerful before but not like I do now. I am sure that you are experiencing the same. Hugs! lanavdixon@yahoo.com

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    3. You are very welcome for the prayers Lana. Let's be friends!

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  16. :::ears perk up::: Mary Eng...has a new book? Her magazine was my very favorite and I was so sad when it stopped. I thought she might have retired.

    I loved all the stamps on that package. I was a stamp collector from about 8-15 yrs. old. As I've been cleaning out some of the old stuff, I've hoped to run into my stuff because I'm thinking that I can use all the unused stamps in it!!!! They're not worth anything, I looked, just face value. But I'm thinking they might mail quite a few birthday cards for the next two years. Plus, I think people will get a kick out of them. I know I have Apollo moon stamps, clowns, a Girl Scout anniversary of some sort, & so many more. My cousin and I did this together and our moms always bought us a couple sheets of the new ones whenever they went in.

    I'm so happy to read that your chemo is nearing the end. I've heard from several people that it's the extra double stuff pits!!! One of my friends is nearing the end of a successful cancer treatment (colon) and is near having the final surgery to put things back together. Such good news.

    I had a nice thrifty week so I'm proud of that. We have several things that need saving for so I cracked the tightwad whip!! ;)

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    1. You make me happy with all your chatty comments. This is a time when I really need friends, and my on-line friends have really been coming through for me. Thank you for being my friend Debby!

      I think you're right about the stamps. If they're not worth much, just enjoy them.

      Chemo Tuesday, then I'll have it again the week of Labor Day. Then it's just a matter of recovering before they do surgery.

      Glad you're cracking the whip! I had a friend come and help me this week. It was nice to enjoy her company and also not to have to cook!

      Be blessed Debby! Which area of Kansas do you live in? I used to live in Pittsburg in SE Ks. I grew up in Topeka. When we moved to Kansas from Michigan, I was in 2nd grade. I had watched Gunsmoke and thought there would be cowboys and Indians everywhere!

      ~smiles~

      Laura

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  17. I'm so glad this week was better, the power of prayer! I'm thrilled that the side effects of the treatmens are easing off. I hope they continue to be tolerable.
    My prayers are with you & your family. Find some peace in your heart & soul, Laurie

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    1. Thank you. I cannot tell you how much your prayers mean.

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  18. Laura, I missed something. When is your surgery? Please know I still pray for you.
    I'm doing better with the thrifty thing, out of necessity really.
    It is just the wise thing to do as well. We too have been eating out of the freezer and garden. Had to feed a little freezer burned to a mother raccoon and three babies. Until she had her babies her and a ugly possum ate out of the same bowl. If the babies are with her the poor possum gets chased off. Deer here are really moving, just coming down our lane last evening I counted 13 does and fawns all still had their spots.
    Back to thrift. I went back to old post and found the Christmas book you mentioned. I just spent what I saved, but have three Christmas books coming. So I guess I broke even? But I do have Prime so I saved shipping. Does that count? Ok, I not going to ask you to lie to me, so I'm just going to say yes.
    Have a great day.
    Love, hugs and prayers coming your way.

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    1. Hi Carol,
      I have to wait four weeks after chemo. So I think it will be sometime in October. I don't have a date yet. I appreciate your prayers so much!

      Yes, I count every type of savings! Prime counts. I wonder if you can get the book from the library? I forget about library loans, but my daughter orders in books from other libraries and gets to borrow them for free through inter-library loan

      I love Christmas books! I have more than I could read in a year. ~smile~ I just keep reading them. They make me happy.

      Be blessed,
      Laura

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God bless you! This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor