So, what does it mean to be frugal/thrifty. To some, I suppose, it would mean not updating their car for that year or putting off their new bathroom. To me it means putting the lettuce leaves that I have not used, into the soup that I'm making so as not to waste them. I'm giggling as I type this because it's possibly being over-frugal but I do it. I hate wasting anything. I'm a planner and a list maker and perhaps a bit O.C. but it's become a way of life for me now and I really enjoy it. If I've planned my day, it's out of my head. If I've written down my list of groceries I can't forget anything and have to go back. I have my little notepad in the kitchen and when I'm getting low on something I write it down. I have a master list of things to pack when going on holiday. I have a budget. And so on. Gosh I don't sound like much fun at all but actually I am. For me, being organized is part of my life and I would find it hard to be otherwise. I also don't mean that I never ever splurge because I do (when I need something, I buy it) and it also doesn't mean that I'm not generous because I am. But somewhere in between being careful and splurgy (word doesn't exist) I find my comfort. It makes me feel at peace with the world.

The family are away for four nights and we're in charge of Luna kitty and the main house. Luna is not impressed and waits at their door. It's very quiet (a bit too quiet) and funnily enough, a bit lonely too. When we first moved into the cottage our aim was to live there until we could sell our flat (as it was noisy and we were not happy there), and buy something else. I was absolutely sure that the cottage would be much too small for us and for our furniture and belongings and that we would end up getting on each others nerves. But, even though I thought I knew myself and what I wanted, it turned out that I had no clue. Interesting! So, extra furniture was sold, extra stuff was turfed out, donated, sold and we are happy with much less in every way, space included. It's quiet and peaceful. And we don't get on each others nerves, well, not all the time! And the bonus is that we see our family more often.

At the moment I am looking at places for our annual holiday and every year we have booked somewhere extremely quiet and away from people. But we are thinking we would like to book somewhere closer to the town where the coffee places and the restaurants are. Somewhere with a bit more 'life'! Total change of ideal. This is why I try to stay as open-minded and flexible as possible because I know that anything can change at any time. I might even get to a point where I spend and accumulate recklessly. Spend a whole lot on clothes and book a flight to Hawaii!