You probably knew this, but I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes. Not owning a television adds to my general ignorance about what’s going on in the world around me. Read more »

We have a gravel driveway in front of our flat. The other day I looked out at it and noticed that the weeds in it were getting quite tall. Read more »

Not too long ago I opened the cabinet under the kitchen sink to find a terrible surprise. Ants! They were everywhere. By the evening, they’d made their way to the kitchen counter and were all over the baguette I’d just bought. Angry and frustrated (my husband would also add hysterical), I sent my husband out to find some ant bait while I cooked dinner. About an hour later he returned empty handed. “I couldn’t find anything,” he said and returned to practicing the harmonica. Read more »

Those of you who read my personal blog know that we’ve been having a bit of a spider problem in our new place. Spiders can be our friends. They kill other annoying insects. In normal situations a few stray spiders around the house wouldn’t bother me. When you start finding large spiders in your bed and your catching an average of four a day wondering around your house, something needs to be done. Read more »

We’re still trying to find our way around the local supermarket. Most of the time I end up asking where things are. When I ask I have to make sure I pronounce things so that I can be understood. Yesterday, I was looking for fresh basil. Apparently, I don’t pronounce that correctly. Read more »

I’ve been trying to use more environmentally friendly cleaning products. The problem with that is most environmentally friendly cleaning products seem to cost twice as much as what I’ve been paying for regular cleaning products. Convinced that their must be a cheaper solution, I did some research and guess what? I found one. I thought I’d share what I found with you. Read more »

Most people who know me know that I love to save money on gas. I get great joy in knowing that I just purchased the cheapest gas in town. My husband has a message saved on his voice mail of me sounding ecstatic about driving by gas stations with incredibly low prices. I have to admit that I was thrilled. I’d called him just to share the exciting gas prices I’d seen. Who wouldn’t be excited about great gas prices? Read more »

I’ve seen plenty of pictures of stunning environmentally friendly homes. It’s nice to fantasize, but right now I don’t the money to buy or build one of those homes. It’s easy to think of environmentalism as something for the rich. I can’t afford an electric car or even a hybrid for that matter. The property manager at my apartment complex wouldn’t be happy to see me crawling out onto the roof to install solar panels. I’m sure that would somehow violate the lease. Read more »

My shower has been draining too slowly for the past couple weeks. I’ve taken the ignore it and it will go away attitude about it. I was actually hoping my husband would notice and do something about it before I had to, but no luck. Read more »