April 2018 – The Grey Divorcee

Sweet Temptation

Published on April 28, 2018April 23, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog6 Comments

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I’m feeling a little chunky these days, so I decided to do something about it: I’m cutting out all sugar…except the naturally occurring healthy sugar in wine.

I did this once before and the weight melted off me. I don’t think it’s because sugar on its own is crazy fattening, but because everything I love that contains sugar (ice cream, cookies, brownies, chocolate…) is.

It’s not as hard as it sounds. I find I really don’t miss the treats once I cut them out.

My resolve was strong…until I saw the big box of delicious marzipan chocolate bars ON SALE.

Why must the Universe tempt me so?

What do you think? Did I cave on my first day on the sugar wagon?

Chihuahua School

Published on April 26, 2018April 22, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog2 Comments

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Whenever I’m worried, anxious, stressed, or otherwise out of sorts, I can’t sleep.

Penny, on the other hand, never struggles with insomnia. She falls asleep as soon as she finds a cozy spot. And she wakes up unfailingly cheerful and ready for her next adventure…no coffee required to turn on her engine.

I could learn a lot from my dog.

It Must be True

Published on April 24, 2018April 21, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog10 Comments

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I picked up this nifty little sign up at the thrift store.

It must be true because it’s painted on a block of wood.

(Sorry, cat people.)

Gibsons Girls

Published on April 21, 2018April 19, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog7 Comments

It was a sunny day, so Penny and I took a road trip.

We didn’t go far, just to Gibsons.

A tiny seaside village, Gibsons is most famous as the setting of “The Beachcombers.”

In addition to Molly’s Reach and some pretty doors, we discovered what is possibly the last remaining phone booth in the world.

We also learned there isn’t bad view in town–even a grotty alley way leads to a stunning ocean vista.

I’m Old School :(

Published on April 19, 2018April 18, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog14 Comments

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I was at a high school the other day.

I checked out the grad photos on the wall as I walked past.

One grad montage stood out as particularly old.

The colour was faded and washed out. The people all looked retro. (Their hair, clothing, glasses, even their expressions–all had a look of long long ago.)

Peering a little closer, I noticed it was the class of 1983–the same year I graduated!

I guess it’s official–I’m old school.

The Straw That Broke the Budget

Published on April 17, 2018April 13, 2018 by thegreydivorceeblog16 Comments

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I’m reading lots of frugal living blogs these days.

Many of these creative bloggers have lists…

“5 Tips to Save Money on Groceries”; “8 Things You Should Always Buy Second Hand”; “3 Ways to Use Left-Overs”…

My favorite is “10 Things I Stopped Buying.”

Every frugal living expert has a list of ten things they no longer buy.

There’s some variation among the bloggers’ lists, but one item is on every list I’ve seen.

It’s disposable straws!

Since I’ve never bought disposable straws, (who knew I was so frugal?!?) I went to the dollar store to see just how expensive they are. At $2 for a package of 75, I have to wonder just how many disposable straws the average person purchases if no longer buying them is one of the keys to frugality.

What’s your monthly disposable straw budget?