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  1. I did miss you yesterday, Brenda! But I’m still glad you are taking some time off and resting your hands.

    The fur babies look like very pampered pets lying on their pillows in today’s photos. And I guess they are, which is only right! Right? They say, “Yes! We keep Brenda’s spirits up and her mind alert! We’re really quite indispensable!”

    I think Frugal Fridays once a month would be fine if we run out of ideas on frugality. It would give us more time to collect frugal ideas.

    The coffee table arrangement with the nest is pretty. I like it for underscoring the idea that Spring will come in good time. Even though I, too, am chomping at the bit, impatient for those daffodils to bloom along my driveway.

    I’ve always read and heard that dark colors on the walls of a small room make it look bigger but I’ve always been very skeptical about it. I thrive so much on light that I’ve never tho’t I would like it. I like some bright or dark colors in my rooms but when I think of something dark on my walls I think it would feel like they were too much “in my face” or closing in on me. Guess I’ll never know unless I try it! Never say never!

    ‘Til Friday! Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow!

  2. Brenda, I am in need of a coffee table, but I don’t want one which will take up visual space. I think that I need one with a glass top similar to yours. Do you mind revealing your source?

  3. Please continue to rest, Brenda. It might take a while for the good effects to come about. And two eggs for Charlie? A good appetite has to be a good thing! When my daughter was small, I cut her hair to save money, thinking a little kid wouldn’t mind. Well, I’m not trained at this sort of thing, and her hair was very asymmetrical! We look at her pictures now and we can laugh about it. But she goes to someone that knows what they are doing now!

    The daffodils are out in my yard; but I do live way down south. I’ve got a nice bumper crop this year but can’t bring them inside as I’m very allergic to them. The camelias are also starting to bloom, along with the forsythia. That happens around here in mid-February. Spring is coming everyone!

    Yes, please keep going with the Frugal Fridays. And if you run out of topics, your homemaking idea. We all have homes to run.

  4. So good to get your post.
    The touches of green are inspiring but I must admit I am not ready for all the work springs brings. Some of the surprise lilies are already up about four inches. What? It is too early.
    The photo of Charlie and Ivy together is so sweet.

  5. Sure hope you start feeling better soon – pain is no fun. I deal with it daily and have for years. Life goes on – yeah. I will definitely read the book when it comes out. My sister in law says I should write one , told her it would be too boring. Love your coffee table vignette – would you mind sharing more pictures? I flipped over your cabinet doors !!! Fur babies are so loving, forgiving and funny. Take care.

  6. I love those green bottles in your LR! Are they antique ones? I like the design on the bottles. So happy to hear your success with Social Security and that you taxes can be paid. I know that helps cut down the stress for you. Sorry to hear you are in so much pain – I hope you can find something to alleviate this type of pain and soon. I can’t image taking care of yourself and your fur babies and writing your blog too in this much discomfort. Thanks for the tip about the upcoming book. Take care of yourself. Sending you (((((hugs))))

  7. Love your touches of green on the coffee table. I am SO sick of winter but there is absolutely no sign of spring in sight here in IL. We keep having snow, then ice, then rain and hail, then more ice, then 50 mph winds. Oh – and we had sub-zero temps in-between all that, too.

  8. Has Ivy discovered the new decor yet? If I had a nest out, I’d have to put it in a cloche around here 😉
    I sure hope you get some pain relief soon. Chronic pain is draining.
    At least there is only 78 calories in a large boiled egg. And it’s not like you’re handing out treats to them, which would surpass that fast. You are such a wonderful mom to Charlie and Ivy.

  9. Beautiful green decor! Love the picturesque Charlie and Ivy! How about a frugal Friday topic on decluttering? Like how best to let go of things. Would like to hear others suggestions.

  10. Here’s a Frugal Friday suggestion: Brenda, you post all the Frugal things (or the top three, or whatever amount you choose) you have done the week prior. We comment in kind. Everybody shares! That way we see what someone else did — something we wouldn’t have ever thought to ask or have considered! There are things that we all do that are so habitual that we don’t consider them worthy of sharing. Plus it makes it kind of a game between all of us and the “oh I have to tell Brenda this” factor makes it fun!

  11. The nest certainly does remind one that spring is not too far away and those little speckled eggs are just beautiful. Hopefully your daffodils will make it to springtime. They have a way of making the landscape look cheerful; since they tend to be the first flowers to bloom, they give that hint of good things to come.

    The photos of Charlie and Ivy are great; they look like best buddies (at least in those photos).

    This summer, I will for sure be looking for this book to read. I do not know how it could get a better review than the one you gave it. Thank you for the review.

    Give yourself a little more time to heal — you have just started this new schedule and it probably much too early to tell if the reduced blogging is helpful. We are a patient bunch and will be eagerly waiting on Friday’s post.

  12. Brenda, I love your spring touches! I’m ready to start adding a few here and there myself. I’ve always heard that about dark colors, but have never tried it. I’ve always leaned towards an accent wall with a dark color or keeping the whole room lighter. Hope you are having a great day! Love and hugs!

  13. I love the green! And you are right about the small room and darker paint. When my boys were teenagers I allowed them to choose their own paint colors for their bedrooms. One chose navy and the other choose a beautiful teal color that had some black in it. It didn’t make the rooms seem smaller like I expected, it was just the opposite.
    I missed you yesterday!

  14. How about tips on home-made cleaners for around the home? Vinegar/baking soda is about all I use now!

  15. traveling on chemo treatments
    They suggested I take antihistamine (loratadine tabs)
    one 10 mg a.m. and one 10 mg at
    bedtime. To help prevent bone/joint
    Pain & soreness.
    So for it has worked for. We must try to remember all of us react differently to any drug.
    I had never heard of this.
    I buy antihistamine wal-mart
    less expensive.
    The struggle is real
    BUT SO IS GOD.

  16. We are weather bound for the second day in a row, but I am not complaining. Spending my days organizing and crafting. I look forward to your posts whenever you are able to do them….truly a blessing! Those furbabies are just so cute! It truly doesn’t matter what you write about …your blog is always fun, informative, and enlightening! Your health is of the most importance, so post when you are able!

  17. I just took my two Pomeranians to Petsmart for grooming yesterday: $150.00 with the Furminator treatment because of their shedding (I have COPD/asthma pretty bad). Yes I do this every other month. It really is a financial hardship but they love their groomer and she does a great job with them.

    Maybe you could do Frugal First Friday once a month rather than weekly? I do enjoy it a lot and hearing from other readers is nice.

  18. Here in central MN we are having the #10 snow amount on record, but I am also tiring of the weather. This weekend the snowpeople and assorted related decorations will be put away for another season. A bit too early here for actual spring but changes are in motion!

  19. Charlie and Ivy look cute together and what little piglets they are! Molly would eat 24/7 if she could; I just don’t know where she puts all the food. I love daffodils and picked a bunch this past weekend in a yard where the house is abandoned. I’d love to go back and pull the plants up and replant in my yard. I agree with you, I think we have had some warm days that is just confusing Mother Nature.

    I’m glad you see your doctor in a couple of weeks and glad you can go ahead and pay those pesty taxes.

    Rest up and look forward to talking again on Friday.

    Carol and Molly
    xoxoxo

  20. We have not had dogs who would have chosen to lay so close as Ivy and Charlie do…that is amazing. Maybe Ivy is not really aware she is supposed to be leery of dogs. Ha! Very cute photos of them.
    Love all your decor ideas…you could so easily be paid for all those ideas!!
    Hope you feel better soon…for sure, we feel more aches and pains during these snowy days…winter cold seems to bring on the pain!!
    HUGS, Elizabeth

  21. Monday I decided to make some changes in my living room. It is very small and not much light. It takes me a lot of thinking to make a change. I live in a single wide mobile, so can’t do a lot. There is a built-in book shelf which I am going to paint on off white. That will brighten up a dark corner. With some of the ideas I have gotten on your blog I will decorate with small plants and some rustic items I have collected.
    I am so ready for spring and the sun. We have not had the bad weather the East has had but we did have some snow and heavy rain the last 2 weeks.
    Love the pictures of Charlie and Ivy. Charlie looks so cute and Ivy looks like she is always looking for something to get into??
    Praying you will find some help for your pain soon.

  22. Brenda, I have attempted to trim Kaia and she looked like she had been in a shreader! My brother pays the groomer what you pay. We pay $70.00 with tip at petsmart. In the past a young girl would groom Kaia out of her home. She is too busy with her little ones to continue that side hussle. As with all good things that have gone away, I am just glad that I had them to begin with. I am blessed. I get dogs begging for people food but read somewhere people and I’m sure animals also need more calories in the colder months. Just hung my bedsheets and towels outside. Love the smell of fresh laundry! We are just south of the ice and snow in Maryland! Have a great day!!!

      1. I get my haircut at the Hair Cuttery about 3 times a year! We are off to the vet now for a rabies shot. $$$

        1. Vet bill was $208.00 for 3 shots,exam and bloodwork. Kaia is 10 and has no health problems. Every time we take her to the vet they quote me a price of close too $1,000 for teeth cleaning. That is bloodwork, putting her to sleep and depending on what is found, extractions. I have been putting this off but the reality is she could have problems. Right now my husband is on the phone with another vet.The price is only a few hundred so she will be getting a teeth cleaning in two weeks. You really can’t tell how much it will cost depending on what they find and I know cheaper is not always better. I wonder if dog grooming costs more for fancy dogs. She is a coton. We laugh because she was a free dog given to us as a puppy from a litter across the street!

  23. Housekeeping tips sounds good. I’d hate to see Frugal Friday’s go, I’ve learned so much, Possible subjects: Frugal Bartering/Trading skills – you hem my pants, I’ll bake you a banana cream pie, etc. –Frugal do it yourself repairs, or diy (not crafting) ie fixing a too hot(or too cold) water heater, repairing a tear in a screen, a dripping faucet or hanging hooks in your closet –Frugal Up-cycling: coffee can into kitchen twine holder, pickle jar into holders for almost anything – even leftovers are kept better in a glass jar. I’m looking forward to gardening tips, especially container gardening. Love seeing Ivy & Charlie. Barb

  24. Your spring vignette made me smile. I am so ready for warmer weather. I love it when you sprinkle home decor throughout your posts. It inspires me to make the most of my small space.

    I miss you each day, Brenda, but I know you need to take care of yourself. See you Friday!!

  25. Love your touches of green in your living room. I am waiting on my sectional to arrive and then will begin to bring out some spring decor to the spaces. Even though it is still cold and snowing outside I feel I need a little warmth and spring like setting inside.
    Little Charlie and Ivy are adorable together.
    Hugs,
    Kris
    PS: That sounds like a great book.

  26. Charlie and Ivy resting together! So sweet. They warm my heart.

    Good luck at the accountants, so happy that a load has been lifted off of your shoulders. With all of the other stuff in your life you do not need any more stress.

    I can think of several frugal topics, “frugal reading”, frugal entertainment, frugal parties, frugal style, frugal health and wellness, frugal education, etc.

    Have a great week.

  27. Dear Wife book is not available at my library, so I put in a request. It’s sounds good. I try not to buy books and use kindle or audiobooks from my library. I have a library and have donated around 200 books to the local library and the Ruritans, a volunteer charity around here. My downsizing makes me more cautious about what comes in the house. The ipod and iphone with its ability to store books has been one of the best things to happen to me in the last few years. Technology has its good points.

    Charlie looks like an extra egg wouldn’t hurt him and he is sooo cute. And Ivy is a growing girl. It has to be hard to deny them. That photo of them is so too precious. Such little beings.

    Do you take Vitamin D? My iron levels are low so I have to be careful about that. Could that be affecting your joints, etc?

  28. Green just reminds me of spring! Love your touches of green throughout your home.

  29. I have some pots of bulbs in the downstairs fridge and they are about 3″ tall poking out of the soil….I’m holding off bringing them upstairs until the Amaryllis blooms – I’m stretching out the flowers to keep me going until spring! Meanwhile we’re buried in snow and ice once more, which makes spring feel like an eternity away. Love the green vignette, beautiful! Do you have twinkly lights in there for evenings?

  30. Such a sweet picture of the fur babies together……. I busted out laughing when I read about your attempts at grooming !!! lololol…. that green vignette on the coffee table is gorgeous !!! Love that …. Have a blessed day .. and thanks so much for sharing !!

    1. I have pics on here somewhere where I “groomed” both of them. Looks like I took a buzz saw to them.

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