Revisiting the Priority List

Gosh I miss my own computer. Hopefully everything important backed up okay on the flash drive. I have to take it over to the computer repair shop and have it de-virused. Who knew when you back up a computer after it has a virus that you transfer the virus to the jump drive? Well, I expect my kids and my son-in-law knew but not us older people. Thankfully, they told us when we took our computer in so we didn't transfer the virus to this laptop.

Our income tax return arrived last week so out came the Priority List. The most important "To Do" on it was also the most expensive... get the sceptic tank pumped. Hubby spent an hour on the phone with the previous owner of our house (a young engineer talking to an old former engineer... let's just say they went into great detail) about the septic system. Sheesh....

Anyway, it hasn't been pumped in many years so it had to go to the top of the list. I can think of prettier ways to spend money but nothing more necessary. We baby the septic, most "food" goes into the compost bucket and (oil, grease, etc.) is poured into recycled large yogurt or sour cream containers and tossed in the trash. Even then, it was way past due for a pump and the last thing we need is to have it back up someday.

As with last year's deck maintenance project, we brought the professionals in (the former owner recommended them) and now another house maintenance project is behind us for two or three years. Since I believe we will someday see inflation much worse than today (not counting home prices), the maintenance is much cheaper now then it will be and frankly, I don't want to even think of what a backed up septic tank would be like.

There is something about writing down the Priority List that makes the expenditures real... as in reminding me that pumping the septic tank is more important than the painting projects on the "To Do" list. We also purchased the converter box for the old TV (with the $40.00 off "coupon"), ink for the printer, and an allergy type filter for the furnace. All Priority List items.

I also picked up a small gift from the Kitchen Gourmet shop that I'd ordered for Stephanie. It's something I had bought for myself awhile back and knew she'd love... small, inexpensive, but a time saver in the kitchen.

These types of items are on my own little Priority List... birthday and Christmas gifts for the family... purchased and put back to have on hand when needed. Both my kids have birthdays near Christmas and E.'s birthday is not far after the Holidays. Planning needed all year long. :)

I wasn't able to really stock up the pantry as I would like but I did a lot of replacing items I had run out of recently (vanilla, Mrs. Dash, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, a couple of spices, etc.). Also, I bought a few small things like a couple bags of chocolate chips, an extra family size box of Triscuits, another large package of Colby cheese, a few cans of green beans and Cream of Mushroom soup, one package of noodles... those items that are the backbone of my pantry.

Taking advantage of a sale, I bought one package of Pepperidge Farm lemon cookies and one box of Le Petit E'colier Milk Chocolate "biscuits"... both cookies I love for my Hospitality Pantry. They are nice to have when someone stops by unexpectedly and the cookie jar is empty of homemade cookies or I want to have a tea party with the menfolk (think tea in mugs for them and cookies snarfed rather than nibbled).

Store bought "fancy" cookies are not purchased on my regular grocery list, they are strictly a "little Priority List" item and saved for a special time... which means they are hidden from the menfolk. I also put back lemonade mix (dry or frozen), decaf coffee beans, and several types of tea.

I'm not sure I'll purchase new shoes this year. I think my sandals can go one more summer. Instead we'll "put back" cash for those months when there is no money left over from the Social Security check. In today's economy, every expenditure needs to be thought through for those watching their pennies.

Now, I must brew some tea, prop my feet up, and read for awhile. We're having homemade soup for dinner that I made Sunday afternoon (with leftover beef, baked potatoes, baby carrots, canned green beans, and a box of beef broth I needed to use soon). How wonderful to arrive home from my "Proverbs 31 shopping" and have tonight's dinner ready. :)