Back to the Grind

Back to the routine at the computer - looking for acting work and doing minor PR and my thrifty blogging and my freebie hunting and such.  I use the computer during the day, as hubby has it at night to do work.  Luckily it's in the living room, so I watch the tube and we chat on and off.  when I went to bed early last night he said that he missed me and didn't know what to watch on TV (seems I pick the shows mostly) and then he admitted that he used to be a network guy - But there is so little good stuff on the networks - and they seem to be going down. 

All production is off here in L.A. - fewer commercials - fewer sitcoms - fewer residuals.  Some folks I know who have depended on that $ coming in are hurting.  Luckily I am well fixed - and don't have to worry about just paying the rent right now.

As you know, frugality has been my byword for years.  Everyone thought I was nuts to hold onto my little apartment (I have lived here for 30 years!) - but there was never really a good alternative - and I kept it when I lived with hubby up at the beach - Thank heaven.

I am the oldest tenant in the building now - and as this place is rent-controlled, we have a good deal - and even protected by the city if the landlord defaults or something.  There is also some city oversight - I can call the Housing Commision and get action - especially being a 30-yr. tenant - so the landlord can't play games with me to get us out.  I learned the value of rent-controlled apartments in NYC long ago. 

But I have earned my rent. I have put a lot into this building over the years (Sometimes I thought I was the unpaid manager) - getting trash picked up - calling the cops if there were problems - talking the old landlord not to pave over the front garden - planting the sidebeds when they were just hay - all sorts of things - so this place is better than ever.  Although I mourn the blooms on the roses which the clumsy gardeners have inexplicably cut down to the twig - just when they were blooming so beautifully, too.  Go figure.  They will grow back, but it will take a while - poor plants.

But then I don't like the gardeners - because things in the garden plots appear after they have come - A friend told me about someone in the hills who had huge urns disappear!  The best way is to have things somewhat damaged out there that can't be recycled so easily!

But on the other hand, if you want to dispose of something large - leave it on the curb marked FREE. 

But back to the tale of a friend who has retreated to the boonies somehow - It's amazing that the tables are somewhat turned on him and others whom I know - Again, everyone thought I was nuts - but see how it's all turned out.  I have a nice little life - and still in the city, too.  And my husband just got a raise!

And we are used to our used cars and shopping for goodies in thrift shops - and all the thrifty measures I blog about -  Someone else we know works for the State of California and his work week has been cut to 4 days - & he loses that pay - Don't think he is prepared for that -

Sure our lives may be small - but snug and "bug in a rug" as we say to each other - and that's not half bad - no?  How do you make yourselves comfy?

(And I really impressed hubby by getting the fax machine via - no, not FC, I was mistaken - but ReuseIt - a local Yahoo group.)

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Keepin on with Thrift!

January and the routine finally settles in.

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