Teaming Up

Hi All.

This might not be a super inspirational post,

but my hope is that it might at least be helpful.

And it might help build friendships and community

which by now, you've probably figured out, I'm all for.

Hucklebunny & Ness

I think you're all smart enough to acknowledge that

some things have been a little difficult to come by lately.

Or if you can find said thing, it might be quite expensive.

Something that dawned on me today

that we've been doing is what I call "teaming up."

A couple friends and my mom and I look out for items

we are each looking for.

An example, I couldn't find the 1/2 gallon canning jars

in our town.

My mom (& dad) have to go to another town about 45 min. away

for doctors appointments so she said she would look.

She called me from the store and asked how many I wanted.

They evidently had a stack of them.

I only needed one box - heehee

She hasn't been able to find coconut oil in the larger tub.

When I was at the store yesterday, I saw some.

The price was 80% higher than last time they had it.

(Yes, 80% - almost double.  I did the math.)

I'm going to look one more place for her before purchasing any.

A friend of mine found a large borax for me

rather than those little boxes.

I have found paprika for her.

I realize it sounds a little silly to share your shopping list,

but it seems to be working well for us.

It's pretty easy also.

I usually have a shopping list so write on it

to look for paprika when at a certain place.

I know it's often easier to order online, 

but even when we place orders online,

we call each other or mention if we see each other

I'm placing an order from Xsite.  Do you need anything?

Often times, with a certain amount shipping is free

or at least less if combined.

The other thing that has come about from doing this

is that we let each other know if we find good deals on an item.

I just found a new shipment of whole pork loins for $2.49/lb.

That's a pretty good price for here and for now

so I shared that information.

We can't control everything that is going on around us,

but we can make the best of what we can do

and be kind and helpful to friends and family.

It has also been a bit of a "stress reliever."

I'm not really sure that is the correct term for what I mean,

but it's very healthy interaction and feels good to help someone

as well as having someone smiling while helping me.

The blessing is in the giving so to speak.

And we've each benefited from doing it.

*Note: When it's really hot, we bring Hucklebunny in the house to cool off a little.  She has her laundry basket and is comfy unless Ness sees her.  She will join her in the basket.  It's adorable, but I think Hucklebunny is less than impressed by it.

A Different Kind of Shopping

For the record, I don't like shopping.
Searching for ways to give my money to others
is not my idea of a good time.

There are however, a few things I am always shopping for.
I keep a short list of items I need or would like.
This isn't like the milk and eggs list, but it is similar.
There's just no store that carries the items I'd like to purchase.
Before I get to the items on my list, 
I have to take you down a different path for just a moment.
As far as the milk and eggs above, I've sourced them locally
along with most other items one would usually purchase from the grocer.
I'm not saying I never need a grocer, 
but my dependency is lessening all the time.
I still like coffee, olives, Worcestershire sauce and a few other items 
which are not local or if we want a produce item that is not in season.
If something happened to the supply chain,
we would live (okay, maybe not so happily without coffee, but...).

Honestly, of all the things, raw organic/non-gmo milk was one of the most difficult to source simply due to state laws rather than supply.

It's unfortunate that wholesome foods can be so difficult to find.

I know others who think I'm a bit silly for this, but so be it.
We are healthy, and I accredit it in a large part to this effort.

Now on to the fun list.

There are a few things which probably seem odd to some folks,

but one of the things that I've been on the hunt for for at least a few years now

is a cobbler machine (pictured above).

This machine can stitch leather and has a narrow foot base

so it can reach in shoes.

My regular sewing Singers are all "ladies," but this one is a fellow.

I named him Sidney Singer.

My sewing machines have names because I can't just say "the Singer."

I'm pretty specific in my wants, but I have my reasons.

I wanted an old machine and a Singer.

Old machines have all metal parts.

Even in the best newer machines, there are plastic parts.

Sidney was born in 1906.

The other thing particular to Singer is that there are parts schematics available.

They were made to work and be repairable.

The schematics identify each part down to the size of spring.

And, because Singer is still in business, some of the parts are still available.

All of his mechanical parts are in working order though there are a few issues.

As is, he has neither the knob to be hand-crank, a motor to be electric, 

or the original treadle to be foot powered.

There was a single bobbin that came with him.

His bobbin winder is missing.

He was absolutely filthy!

This was in addition to a bucket of soapy water!

The first thing I did was take the soap and water to him on the outside.

I also had a scraper to get some of the crud off.

Then I worked on "his joints."

Someone had gobbed a bunch of 5 in 1 grease in it.

On the positive side, I guess it helped prevent rust,

but there was so much dirt and grit in there, I didn't want to turn the wheel.

I got him all cleaned up.

I ordered a set of bobbins which have already arrived.

I found the proper bobbin winder and am waiting for that.

I have a knob to add to his wheel so he can have hand-crank.

And now that I have him cleaned up,

I will call the local sewing machine repair shop that has taken care

of my other machines and ask about a motor for him.

I don't mind that he doesn't have the treadle at the moment.

He is on a smaller stand that came with him.

It does have the cast iron legs that are part of a regular treadle.

I've been working on a slipper pattern and am excited to work on that.

Once I have him in a solid functional state, I will order leather.

I want to be sure of what leather I am getting

and get the correct weight for what I will be doing.

Leather's not the cheapest of materials so it has to be right.

I am pretty excited (an understatement)

but have been patient in my search 

so need to be patient in readying him for work as well.

As I said above, I looked for a few years before finding him.

There have been other things that have taken a while,

and those things are among my most cherished items.

(That sounds weird.  I don't worship them, but am content with them.)

I think part of it is that if you're willing to wait,

you don't end up settling for something lesser than what you want.

A few examples:

Our travel trailer is a 1968 Aristocrat Land Commander.

My cauldron.

Concrete double sink.

A butter churn.

I know these things aren't exactly on par with diamonds,

but they make me far happier than jewels.

So with this oddball list, what could possibly be left on my list?

Well, a few more oddities of course.

Yet to find:

A cider press (like this one)

An old (not new repro) cast iron single sink with double drain board.

And yep, there's a reason for the old part - the shape of the basin is different.

A stove-top, corning, avocado green, percolator coffee pot.

McCall apron pattern 1105

and a few other smaller things.

We live in an age of instant gratification.

That avocado green coffee pot has been on my list for almost a decade.

You can bet whenever I do find one, I will relish every cup of coffee

I drink from that pot.

It's the same with Sidney.

Hubby has laughed at me (kindly) when my bobbins arrived, and

when I got him cleaned up & tension adjusted, 

then stitched a little scrap of leather.

I'm sure he will get to laugh again when my bobbin winder arrives.

He laughs but is coming up with projects for me to make for him - Ha!

I told him my slippers are first.

I'd be curious if anyone else keeps a list like this.

I guess it's my form of shopping.

I don't mind waiting - none of these items are life threatening.

They are just items that make life either easier or more enjoyable.

As long as I don't find them, I just figure I'm saving money by not buying them.

It's okay if you think I'm a bit silly~ so be it.