Turning off the Water

Today is truing off the water day.  I mean that literally and figuratively.  DH was up and out the door early to meet his uncle a the family cabins to turn off the water for the season.  The cabins can still be used, but the outdoor privy and lugging your own water will be a requirement.  There are loads of lovely days ahead for hiking and getting the canoes out, mind you some waterproof and line boots necessary to hop out and pull theme back to shore. They could wait longer into fall, but here has already been frost just north of us and it wont be long for a hard overnight freeze.  With it spotty who will be up there, it is just safer to have the water off entirely than risking the freezing pipes. 

 Money has been pouring through our hands in the last week, and that my friends, leads me to the other faucet.  High School should;t be any ore expensive than previous grades, but the fees are higher, and the involvement DD#2 has is greater. Yearbooks were more than double the middle school years, and pre buying in the fall fall meant a 10% discount. She tried out for an made the school show choir so this comes with an activity fee, and payments for  dresses, "spirit wear", and competitions.  She also needs a $20 food fee for the full day rehearsal days. The first payment was due on her orchestra trip as well this past week. Added to these were our Renaissance Festival day yesterday (worth every penny), and pulling together our vacation spending money for mid month, and let's not forget Christmas is a mere three months away.  The faucet needs to be off today, and just a glass full at a time the rest of the month. 

There are bright spots though.  October is a three paycheck month.  For 25 years we have been living with twice monthly pay periods for both of us, not the every other week time frame that gives the twice year extra check.  We have been living the same as if twice a month is all we would see.  While not a "bonus" as my regular checks have had a significant dip from my previous job, the dollars are kicking into the checkbook at an opportune time. Additionally, I've been managing my food stocks, health and beauty needs, and clothing needs very well thanks to all the advice and guidance I've gleaned from the Internet, and going back to my own frugal and simplistic roots. 

I'm not sure what DH will do for meals. Perhaps they'll stop at a bar and catch the football game and have a beer and a burger.  He didn't join us yesterday, and it won't cost much as deals are plenty during game days, and he isn't a much of a drinker. Besides, guy bonding is good.  His uncle, being only a few years older and with us having kids that grew up together, is as much a friend as a relative. Me and DD#2 will have a quiet and productive day, though I'm still lounging under bed covers at 9:30 and she is still fast asleep. She has homework and some housework and I have housework, cooking and week planning to do.  Despite the fall temperatures being for real, the days have been so sunny and perfect for a good long hike later with pup. I've got supplies to do a big crock pot mock lasagna for supper, which will yield some leftovers for the week and lunches.  I've got beans and bacon to do up a hearty soup. Our own brunch will be simple like muffins and eggs. no money spent. 

While we won't be cold turkey on spending the rest of October, or the rest of the year for that matter, we will be pacing ourselves slowly and methodically. We have incurred more expenses than we are accustomed to with the additional activities for our daughter. She is helping to earn where she can towards these extras and some of the expense will take the place of gifts. These are experiences though that will last her a lifetime, not more stuff to clutter her bedroom, therefore fit our spending priorities. So for now, simple, frugal, minimalist living will continue to be the family motto.