Over the weekend we...

Went on a mission to find some new shoes for Jimmy's ever growing feet. Our brief: to find the cheapest, best fitting, daycare appropriate shoes. Hopefully Jimmy would like them too.

We trecked out to Goodwill opshop thrift shop and found no shoes for Jimmy there. We stopped at Dillons East and bought supplies for lunch. Jimmy was being his cheeky self and was scaring us with his scary face (he's making it in all these photos, if you couldn't tell).

Scary right?

We checked out the Salvation Army opshop thrift shop and found one pair that would have done the job. For 2 seconds. Before they fell apart. Hmmm...

We ended up buying new shoes. They went on easily, Jimmy said they were good, so they came home with us. I'm sure we spent more on transport and refreshments than the shoes themselves, so perhaps next time I should just order shoes for Jimmy online - only this time I would have bought shoes that would have been too small. Actually, it was good to have Jimmy involved and trying on the shoes, because we had an idea of what size to get and having Jimmy try them on confirmed our guess. And I'm not sure how his feet seem to go up two sizes at a time... but they do.

Another thing that has been happening: Jimmy has started helping with the washing up. Not every time, but some times. It's early days yet, but he's good at rising the inside of cups, and scrubbing the frying pan. Mostly, I think, Jimmy just likes to feel like he's part of what Daddy and Mummy do, which is very sweet, because...

Our little boy started daycare on Monday, so I spent sometime on the weekend making this little pillow for nap times. The pillow is made from an old shirt that was due for repurposing, and the button closure on the pillowcase is also from the same shirt, mostly because there wasn't enough of the bunting fabric for the cover. I'm really happy how it turned out (and there are two pockets on the button side), and I made a bit of a fuss about making it, telling Jimmy that it was for him, for naptime at daycare, that I was making it just for him. And the best part? The bunting fabric I used was leftover from a bigger pillowcase I made for him, so Jimmy has a little bit of home while he naps.

And then on Monday Jimmy had his first day at daycare...

Last week...

We had Michael at home! He had to go into work a few times, but still, he was mostly home and it was a bit of a holiday.

We spent time hanging out, Geocaching, drinking coffee, baking and eating cookies and cake, watching DVDs, and staying home out of the rain. It was nice. Plus, with Michael home, I hardly had to change a nappy or take Jimmy to the toilet (we started potty training Jimmy many months ago, it's been a slow process, and whenever Michael is home Jimmy requests "Daddy take toilet!").

There was also the borrowing of a sewing machine... Oh I've missed sewing! I'm looking forward to having a sewing machine of our own (again), especially as I think about the two big boxes of fabric and patterns that are in storage in Australia.

And while the sewing machine and other sewing bits and pieces are getting a workout, the camera was feeling a little sidelined. The same went for writing, although there was no lack of inspiration.

More soon.

Happy Earth Day!

Or our year without a car...

So, yesterday it was Earth Day, April 22, 2015. For something that's been around for 45 years, I do feel a little silly that this is really the first time I've really taken notice of it. The earth-child in me is hanging her head in shame... but only a little, because I do try to tread lightly on the planet of ours. Michael does too, and we're teaching Jimmy to do so, as much as we can.

We do the 3 R's: reduce; reuse; recycle. We do our best to minimise waste, both food and packaging (although some days I feel like I fail at this, especially when I forget our greensacks and only notice when we get to Dillons). We keep our consumption of animal protein to a minimum, eating a little most days, unless you include dairy... we like our milk and cheese... We managed to go through the whole winter with minimal heating, running the heating at 19.4 C (or 67 F) but next winter we might aim for something closer to 18 C (or 64 F). And our limited funds, and short-term situation, keep us from consuming a lot of 'stuff', which really helps with the feeling of treading lightly on the Earth, even if we don't feel light-hearted.

But the biggest thing that we do, the biggest thing we decided to do when we arrived here?

We decided not to buy a car. That's right. It seems crazy not to own a car, especially in the USA, but we are mostly happy with our decision.

(We do own a car, but it's in Australia, and from what I can gather it is probably only used a few times a week - I could be wrong.)

But when we were taking in all the costs of moving to Manhattan, KS, and our living costs vs income, Michael and I decided that we would try to go without a car.

And for the most part, we have managed without one, even though this town (and most of the USA) is not pedestrian friendly. We get funny looks sometimes, especially from people who have never seen anyone babywearing. We've walked to and from Dillons on really hot days, and really cold days too. Jimmy and I have stayed at home because the weather was not pedestrian friendly. We've come home drenched, sweaty, sore, or very cold. We've waited for the bus when the weather was not pleasant and we've walked to our intended destination in unfavourable conditions because we missed the bus, sometimes by a minute or two. We're still here.

But we haven't avoided cars completely. We have hired cars, four all up over the course of the last year. We have traveled in friends' cars, and we would be incredibly antisocial if we didn't. And there have even been moments when I wished we had one, usually when we've just missed the bus or have no milk and it's raining/snowing/freezing outside.

From an environmental viewpoint, not buying a car here has hopefully gone some way in offsetting our flights to get here. And when we do go anywhere by car, it's usually in someone elses' car, increasing the number of people in that car.

From a personal viewpoint, not buying car has saved us a few car-ownership headaches and given me lots of time really, really close to Jimmy. I have also lost weight I had been wanting to lose for a while, since before falling pregnant with Jimmy.

Not owning a car has limited how often we have been able to travel, but we have been able to explore Manhattan, KS, on foot and have seen a good amount of the town. Not owning a car has helped us come in contact with some of the local characters and connect with locals who are happy to share their local knowledge. Not owning a car gets us outside, having little adventures, and looking at animals and plants that might otherwise be overlooked.

We are unlikely to buy a car for the coming year, because we still have limited funds and we would have to deal with the whole getting rid of the car process, which we found stressful (and costly) in Samoa. Having one less thing to get rid of when we leave is actually a good thing, and really it was probably the main motivator in not buying a car this time last year. But we were also thinking about our environmental footprint...

Happy Earth Day!

More Earth Day stuff:

Celebrate Earth Day Everyday
Why more stuff does not equal more happiness
Earth Day Top 5

(Edit: I realized the irony of putting up a link to a shop as I was going to sleep (Earth Day Top 5 links to post on Kaufmann Mercantile), but they sell beautiful, well made things that I would buy if we could afford them or if we were staying for longer or if we had some certainty about where we are going after our time in Manhattan, KS, and I knew that the investment was worth it. They do not sponsor this blog, although that would be nice and welcome, but they stand for quality, and I prefer to spend a little more on something that will last a long time, instead of buying something cheap that will need to be replaced on a regular basis.)

Bittersweet...

We're cancelling our tickets and staying in Manhattan, KS, for another year and a little.

It's great for Michael's project. If Michael gets a few publications, it'll be great for him.

It's nice not to have to leave, to pack up and get on that aeroplane - even if we're only putting it off.

But...

But we miss family and friends back home.

We miss Australia.

We want to start setting up a stable home for Jimmy because in a year and a bit we have to start thinking about schools.

And while I would prefer money not to be an issue, it is: we would love to be back in Australia but there is no work lined up.

So, we [are trying really, really hard to] accept that we should stay here because we will be able to save up more money than we might if we returned to Australia, and the current job market.

Fingers crossed it works out for the best, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow and it's still a bittersweet development.

Avoiding the silliness of the season...

Christmas 2012

The silly season is upon us, here in the USA*, and it starts with Thanksgiving and the Black Friday sales.

The Black Friday sales are akin to Australia's Boxing Day sales. On steroids. According to locals (and by locals, I mean people who were either born in the USA or have lived in Manhattan for more than 2 years), Black Friday sales used to start at silly o'clock in the morning, with people camping out aiming to be the first in the doors to gain maximum savings. These days? Well... the sales have already started online and will start in store Thursday afternoon.

Yes, Thursday afternoon. That's before the turkey is even out of the oven for Thanksgiving dinner. Heavily discounted goods before dinner? Yes, please!

Well, that is, unless you're us, and more than halfway through a one year stay, and only need very specific stuff, like wool thermals, or size 2 childrens clothes, or woollen socks for little feet (toddlers size 6). Did I just write a wish list? Hmmmm...

I will admit to taking advantage of the online sales, but I tried to keep it to the things we actually need. More base layers? Yes. Undies for Jimmy? They weren't on sale. That gray jumper with insects embroidered on it? Hmmm, well... If you're me, then yes. It has insects on it - nufsaid.

I'll be keeping an eye on the prices for some woollen socks for me, but other than that (and the above wishlist), there's really not much that we need. Most of what we actually need won't be on sale, or if it is, it'll be sold out in our size or not to our liking (we're pretty picky about what we buy for Jimmy).

But, guess what? We're still going to the sales! That's right. One of Michael's co-workers is taking us along to some of the bigger shops in Manhattan, before we all go to a Thanksgiving dinner at their boss' house. It should be interesting.

Well...

We don't need much, as I mentioned. If we were buying gifts for family and friends, the Black Friday sales would be the time to do it, if we had a gift list already or at least some idea of what to get, but we're not, so we won't.

It's not just about our tight budget, it's about mindful choices and not being overwhelmed by stuff. We packed up a lot of stuff when we moved here, and I'm enjoying the current minimalism. Sure, I miss some things, but this state is temporary. And we don't need to add to the list of things we'll have to part with or ship (and add to our stuff).

So, when we head out to the sales tomorrow, we'll be keeping an eye out for bargains, while remembering that we don't need, don't need, don't need a lot of stuff.

And then we'll be enjoying Thanksgiving.

And if you think I'm overthinking things... well... here's some food for thought:
The guys over at The Minimalists put it well
Here's a semi-local take, and discount guide
On keeping the sales to Friday
The official Black Friday site - because a sense of scale is important.

*It's here for those of us not in Ferguson, St Louis, and those of us who aren't affected by the ruling yesterday. I'm going to put something up about it tomorrow, because it's part of our experience here, even if we are living a few states to the west.

Bicycle! Bicycle!

On the weekend after my parents returned to Australia, we were walking home from somewhere with James, enjoying the warmer weather after a chilly few days, when we stumbled on a yard sale. The guy selling the stuff was reducing what he and his soon-to-be-wife had, because they didn't need two of this or four of that and hadn't used some things in a long time. We picked up an interchangeable waffle/sandwich press, because we've wanted a waffle iron since we arrived here and the price was pretty good, but the thing that caught Michael's eye next was going to be a game changer...

Bicycle! Bicycle!

It was for sale.

We bought it.

Bicycle! Bicycle!

Jimmy is pretty taken with it and he's almost more excited that the bike is back than that Dadee is home in the afternoons... ah well... he'll get over his fascination soon enough, right? Ok, probably not, given how much Michael and I like bicycles... Runs in the family?

Michael is pretty happy to have a bicycle again, even if it isn't as good as the ones we have in Australia, but it's a bicycle. He recently added a rear rack and collapsible baskets, which is making our weekly shop much more manageable and has almost eliminated the need for any top-up shops.

The bicycle also reduces Michael's commute, meaning he doesn't have to leave home as early in the mornings, and he can come home quicker in the evenings. And he can come home (or near enough) for lunch, as he did on this day that he took these photos of Jimmy with the bicycle.

Bicycle! Bicycle!

And all photos were taken by Michael.

Missing/Enjoying...

As a means to deal with the differences between Brisbane and Manhattan, KS, once a week I'm going to make a note of one thing that we're missing, i.e. our little herb garden, and counter that with one thing that we're enjoying, i.e. squirrels! and how we can just enjoy them and not have to think about having to protect a small garden from squirrels, rabbits, or raccoons (if that even is an issue...).

Now, I'm not really missing the garden at our old place in Brisbane because I could never spend much time out there because of the midgies, they would also go for Jimmy in about 10 mins, so that spoilt the garden. Michael is missing it more than I am because he enjoyed working in it, after being in the office or lab all day, but we are both missing that place and our old neighbours, especially E and B.

So, we're missing our old lifestyle, our friends and family. It's been particularly difficult these past few weeks as we're missing my/our mothers group and all the first birthday celebrations. While we have managed to celebrate, and celebrate in good form, it's been bittersweet. It's been tough. Thank goodness for fast internet and things like Skype! They might not be as good as real hugs and real people, but it's better than nothing.

What are we enjoying?

Squirrels!

Yes, we are enjoying the different types of birds too, so we're enjoying the different wildlife that resides in Manhattan, KS. Squirrels, rabbits, red cardinals, doves, blue jays, and hopefully we'll see an alive raccoon one day...

Blue Jay at Cico Park, photo taken by Michael

But this week, I'm really enjoying that the Riley County Playgroup is back on! We've been two days in a row, and we would have made it today but Jimmy decided to passout at 9:20 am. Oh well, we'll probably end up going tomorrow. Jimmy loves it, and we've made a few friends there which is really great because it fills the social gap - mumma's need socialising too.

Just having the biggest nap. Ever.

The cost of living...

Metric measuring cups, $2.99 from Goodwill (imperial ones cost $0.49)

When was the last time you took a good long look at your finances? No, not just scanning your bank statement, but actually writing down what you spend on day-to-day living - when was the last time you did this?

Me? I've never really done it, until now. A few years ago Michael spent about 6 months entering every dollar he spent and where it went and came up with a very pretty and interesting Excel spreadsheet, with pretty graphs showing his savings going up. I might have the patience for knitting, but I wasn't really interested in doing something so... tedious?

As the "home maker" Michael has charged me with such a task, because we have been living off our savings for the past 4-5 months, and really don't want to dip into our savings now that Michael is being paid (yay!!). We're actually hoping to save money. Strangely enough, doing it fairly simply, it is actually interesting and reassuring to see where our money is going.

Now, I'm only using broad terms like: food; eating out; rent; utilities; hygiene (although this sort of comes under household items); alcohol; clothes/home (which includes crockery etc, linen, shoes, books, computer and camera bits, wool...); and touristy activities. Initially there was also a column for establishment costs, just to keep a record of how much it has cost to set up our apartment, even in the little we have done, because it'll give us some idea of how much we'll be spending on that sort of thing when we come back to Australia*. There are no columns for: living on a very low income and savings for 4-5 months; US Visa processes. Needless to say these two columns would be scary.

So, after about 1.5 months living in Manhattan, KS, I think we'll be ok... but we've been a little overwhelmed by the whole process and may not have always been thrifty as possible, i.e. we were buying 1/2 gallons (1.89 litres) of organic whole milk for $3.50, when 1 gallon (3.78 litres) of the home brand whole milk costs $3. That's all part of the learning curve, just like finding bread without sugar and learning that Acetaminophen is Paracetamol.

Once we've been here for a few more months I think we'll have a better idea of where we can save money on food and minimise food waste, buy in bulk for stockpiling, and minimise water and electricity usage. For now we're focusing on eating as simply and cheaply as possible without compromising our health, making do with what we have, buying second hand where possible and lower-mid range where it's not (in the hope that these items will last the year), cheap thrills, and, as Michael would say, not dying.

And if we can afford to pay $2.99 for measuring cups, when we already have imperial measuring cups ($0.49 from the Salvation Army shop), for my sanity (not just because they're pretty), I think we might even be able to travel a little outside Manhattan, KS. But we still have to watch the money.

*We have some homely things in storage, so the cost of re-establishment should be less, but there will still be costs involved.