Where’s My Holiday Spirit and Other Ramblings

My holiday spirit and enthusiasm has been lacking these last few years. Obviously my brother’s illness at Thanksgiving, his cancer diagnosis the week of Christmas and his unexpected death on the 18th of January is always with us. Pain and loss has become a part of our family traditions. While this loss is with me everyday, I don’t think it’s the sole reason for my lack of holiday spirit.

This is also a challenging time of the year for another reason. Weather.

Weather has undoubtedly played a part in my lower enthusiasm. The last several weeks have been a rollercoaster ride, weather-wise, which has a significant impact on my daily function. So much so, I’ve spent quite a bit of time curled up in the dark with YouTube on. Which was a good distraction for me.

Speaking of YouTube, during this several week period I was seeing videos on subjects I had little or no interest in. Most of the time I switched to another one. Unfortunately, one of these “uninteresting” topics has now sucked me in. These videos are observations about the show Sister Wives.

This is a show I have occasionally seen, early on in the series, as Erin would watch them while on bed rest. I was aware of the four wives and the husband, Kody. I was not aware the family now have 18 kids. Several of the kids are adults. Some are married, some in college, some working and supporting themselves while single. Very few seem to participate on the show at this point.

Now, I do not watch the show. I have, however, learned some interesting things from Katie Joy on Without a Crystal Ball. My opinion of the lifestyle of this family is irrelevant, but I have been curious about their money concerns. The few episodes I saw from the very beginning of the series, it was apparent this family would need a tremendous amount of money to survive. I think they had 13 kids at that time, and they were all young. Babies to middle schoolers (I can’t tell you if there were any kids in high school at that time). I thought they probably agreed to do the show because it would provide them with a substantial income.

Apparently, reality T.V. doesn’t pay very well.

At all.

If I understood it correctly, and there’s a chance I did not-I wasn’t feeling well at all-the yearly income is 200,000. The Brown family-divided into four individual sub-families-with each wife earning about 50,000 per year. In the beginning of the show Janelle and Christine each have six children at home. $50,000 would be tight for a family of seven. Doable, but you wouldn’t be living in huge brand-new houses or driving new cars. You’d be clipping coupons, shopping at Dollar Tree, garage sales and second hand stores.

You know, like the rest of us.

This is why the family always seems so worried about money. But, looking at it from my outsiders point of view, they don’t seem to understand they can’t afford to live the way they’ve been living. Or where they choose to live. This is why all the wives have other jobs, all of which seem to be in some form of sales; Meri sells clothing and has a bed and breakfast, Janelle has a company Strive with Janelle and is also a realtor, jewelry (Kendra Scott jewelry) sold by Christine and the failed Sister’s Wives Closet, which was run by Robyn. Kody suggests, vaguely, he has a job in sales too. I’m not clear if this is part of a business he owns or if he’s an employee somewhere…

We’re a family which has always had to be extremely careful with our money, so I know it can be done. We’ve done it. And while our home is greatly improved with our remodeling projects, although not yet finished, it will never compare to the homes these people live in. The clothes we wear are purchased second hand or at phenomenal sales. We drive old, but perfectly functional and well maintained, vehicles. Our furniture, until very recently, was given to us or were second hand purchases. Never junky, but certainly used.

Unless I’m missing something, or the Brown family can stretch a dollar even further than I can, I simply don’t see how they can live the way they do and be able to pay for it. And I’m horrified by the amount of money this family receives for their work. Even if each wife were to receive 100 thousand per year, with a large family and no medical insurance, that wouldn’t move them up into the “wealthy” category. But it would certainly give them a bit more breathing room…

It seems the show hasn’t been good for their family. Since the money isn’t great, I wonder if they regret the decision to do the show?

The Tree is Up!

And listing to the right.

Fairly significantly.

This is my favorite type of artificial tree. It comes in three pieces, the stand is sturdy and the tree is a breeze to put up. This one is 6 feet tall and thin. It fits well in any corner, often without needing to move anything out of the way.

This tree was the one we used in our dining room. The one used in the living room is much larger. When Erin moved out, she took the large one with her and left me her thin one-which I prefer anyway.

I found the lights, but I can’t find the ornaments. They are likely in the storage unit. Maybe we can get those tomorrow.

Turkey, Tooth-loss, Tinkle and Tinsel

Thanksgiving was last month, but I hope you and your loved ones had a great one.

Ours went well, all things considered. We had turkey, of course. As it turns out, we had three in the chest freezer. We used the oldest of the three and it was delicious.

My mom was unable to come, as she had the “creeping crud”. Part intestinal, part upper respiratory. And it has dragged on for quite a while. Last week the chest congestion began to break free, so now she’s coughing constantly.

Thanksgiving was the first large gathering we’ve had since we got the puppy(s). Pickles went to live with my son and daughter-in-law and is doing great! He’s tall and lanky. Diesel, the puppy we kept, is shorter and has a heavier build. His bones are large and sturdy, his chest is wide and his feet are huge. He has limited control over them, as he is forever sliding into walls, tipping over his water and food bowls and misses a step or two when coming in and out of the house. Let’s just say it; Diesel is a klutz. But an adorable and lovable one! He’s on my lap right now which is making typing a challenge.

Both boys are five months old and are delights. Neither has any lasting effects from their Parvo experience, which I was worried about. Particularly Pickles, as he was sicker longer. They are both fully vaccinated, so can now visit with other dogs safely. Jenna takes Pickles (renamed Rowdy) to the dog park near their house and he just loves that. Evan took him with him to a dog-friendly store to see how he’d behave and he was perfect! Rowdy Pickles still sleeps with my nightshirt I sent along with him, which makes me feel like he remembers sleeping on me when he was so sick…Doubtful, I know, but I love that puppy with all my heart. Which is why we gave him to Evan and Jenna. They are perfect for Rowdy Pickles, as he’s a very busy puppy.

Diesel is not as busy, is choosing not to obey commands he knows very well, and has a tinkle thing. According to our vet, it’s a submissive behavior. So Diesel tinkled on my dear Jenna, twice, at our family Thanksgiving. He also chewed on our door trim around the slider the morning of Thanksgiving. It’s the first thing he’s chewed on that wasn’t a toy. I was surprised he did that, as he’s never shown any inclination toward that behavior before.

After the family left and Diesel was on my lap, I heard something fall onto the floor. I looked and there was a baby molar from Diesel’s mouth. Shortly after, he was chewing on his toy and another one flew out…Poor baby! I think that’s why he chomped our trim-he wanted to get those teeth out and help new ones in…

The family will be here for Christmas as well. Given Diesel’s puppy enthusiasm and curiosity, I’ve been holding off on decorating. But we can’t have Christmas here without a tree, so it’s going up tonight. And my decorations are in the storage unit…So sparkling ornaments and glittery tinsel will have to wait. I’ll surround the tree with the puppy play pen so Diesel will at least have to work a bit harder to reach the tree. I should be able to hear that, should I be out of the room.

Speaking of Christmas, Scott asked me what I wanted. Well…I want him to return the flooring which cannot be laid, use the in-store credit from that to buy lumber and put the cupboards, cabinets and closets in my new workroom! I have the paint needed for the walls and cabinetry. I have a plan for the office and the workspace. I would like a rolling work table made from my cube storage units. I have enough for two of these work tables, but I may just move my current table (technically a sewing/quilting combo type thing) into the large workspace as the second work area. My hope is I can find a plain gray countertop, as gray shows true colors the best, for my work table(s).

We have an online auction site which buys Amazon and Wayfair returns. On it, I found a chandelier. The wrong metal color, but otherwise perfect for my needs. I bid and won it! So for less than 3 bucks I have a brand new chandelier for my new office. All I need to do is spray paint it rose gold, which is my metal choice for my workspace and office.