SRKindredSpirits

The new Ikea catalog came in the mail today.... and I found a few items that I'd love to have.... I visited my first Ikea store in 2015. Hubby took me there on a date. It was three hours away from where we live. I fell in love! So, I was ecstatic when I learned that an Ikea store was going in one hour away from our house, which I happen to drive right by every couple months. I get it.... sometimes Ikea is over rated. Sometimes, I get tired of seeing bloggers homes that just scream Ikea.... like seriously - in my opinion, a house needs some old worn bits of history thrown in to make it look good. The last couple times I went, I was actually disappointed in the quality of service and the cost of the items, and I told hubby that I need a break from ikea for awhile.... But, with that said.... here is a few IKEA items that I absolutely love! First up... the BESTA storage cabinet. We went from having a filing cabinet, 2 dressers, a large desk, and a table in

"Whenever you want to add to your life.... take away something instead.  You'll find that the more you take away, the more you have. And even better, you'll find yourself buried down there at the bottom somewhere." - Rhoda A Kindred

Today, we are talking about closets.... Never underestimate the difference that a little change can make . I have always used plastic coated wire hangers in my closet, but over the years, I had just about every color and style and flimsy ones they make. Hubby on the other hand always used plain old wire hangers with some wood ones and yarn wrapped ones, that his great grandma made. They just looked bad. I hated hanging up clothes and I hated looking at them even more.  So, I purchased brand new plastic wire coated heavy duty hangers in white for our closets and it's amazing how much of a difference it makes!  Left - after white hangers and hung by type and color Right - before uniform hangers (hung by type, but NOT color) Another way to brighten the closet is to change out incandescent light bulbs for some bright white LEDs and to throw a fresh coat of paint on it. We just painted our shelves white (they were just an ugly stained wood) and that made a big di

I have cancer. Its non curable  It's slow growing. But its cancer . Hubby and I finally finished finalizing our will. Complete with funeral arrangements. If that doesn't sober you up, I'm not sure what will. It's been something we've been trying to finalize for years, but never got it done until now.  (No, your not getting anything, and don't bother contesting it, cause we put in a no contest clause.) To make a long story short, I don't want a viewing with an open casket with people filing by to look at my dead cold body, or a traditional funeral. And I want something odd on my tombstone. Something quirky, but out there, just like me. Something that make people stop and laugh and say I can't believe they put 'that' on a headstone! But anyway, back to this post.... Most of the people I know who have died, have died from cancer. Not all, but a very high percentage. Today, Beth Chapman died. I've been reading all the g

A Former Monk’s Financial Guide to Becoming a Little Bit Wealthy .... and Why That’s Okay Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not good with words... especially big words. I have trouble saying them, reading them and understanding them. I enjoy reading (and writing) as much as the next person, but when a book is written using big words, is hard to comprehend, or goes too deep, I zone out. Most financial books have me never finishing them. But not this one, - this one I got!  This book is good. I love the way the author provides easy to comprehend words, sound practical advice, and a down to earth, relate able, and compelling story.  The author makes a strong ethical case for striving to be "a little bit wealthy" by stepping off the treadmill of mindless consumerism (excessive unnecessary spending) and managing money more effectively to accumulate wealth over time. After all, it's up to us to take care of our financial health, which ultimately is a p

Our oldest daughter turned 18 this month!!! First off, I still can't believe that I'm old enough to have an 18 yr old kid.... but anyway, ever since she was twelve, we planned on taking a trip together, just me and her, to a place of her choosing when she turned eighteen - out of school, but before college and a full time job!  She chose New York, NY and w e had a great time! Back before she was born, my ex and I used to drive truck through New York every couple weeks, so I've been there, but up until now I had only experienced it by driving through, which is completely different than being right among the people, walking the sidewalks and taking the subways! There were some things I learned about New York, that was different than I expected. So here we go, in no particular order.... (it's gonna be random!)   You will spend a lot of time riding the subway.  It's not scary. It's fun and relaxing, especially if you like to people watch! It ende