Shopping as Recreation

I've noticed amongst my friends, peers and colleagues that shopping has become a recreation. People shop for something to do. For an emotional lift. For fun. Sometimes because they want something, even more occasionally because they need something. Don't get me wrong, I do it to. I'll get it into my head that i 'need' something. Frankly, I live a pretty blessed life, there isn't a lot i really need. The whole advertising culture imbues us with the idea that we have "needs". Well, to deal with the fact that I am the target market for every marketer in the world and the way they make me feel I need to shop... I go yard saleing. I take my pocket money jingling around in a pocket, hop onto my bike and cruise the neighbourhood yard sales.

Today I found an Italian made espresso maker/milk steamer for all of $2. Less than 1/2 the price of a Starbucks latte. It makes excellent cappuccinos.

Then I found the perfect spinning chair. An old school chair with a drawer. I'm short, so the size is perfect. I figure I can put all my spinning wheel's accessories in the drawer. It was $20. 

My final purchase was probably the most entertaining. Our wonderful neighbours have been borrowing lawn mowers for 4 years. They have lawn and no lawn mower. So, I bought them an electric lawn mower. They really enjoy it already!

The dog approves of our Persian rug

After the dog's broken leg cost an obscene amount of money to fix we didn't have any cash left in the renovation budget to purchase the furniture we'd planned to finish off the lovely reno. We hit the yard sales and scored enough furniture to sit on. Well, the yard sale couch has given up the ghost, so we put the cushions on the floor on top of the Persian rug. It is surprisingly comfy. The dog very much approves. We hope soon to have adult furniture - it is being reupholstered in Chilliwack by Harvey as I write.

8 years later...

When we first started renovating this house we - actually I - painted all the trim before we put it up around the windows and doors. It was horrible; time consuming, mind numbing, the essence of everything evil. Needless to say, there were bits and pieces of trim that remained unpainted after that epic summer of painting. That was more than 8 years ago now I think. Well, after being home sick for a week and really spending far too much time staring at the railings around our deck I had a bit of a psychotic break and demanded a paint brush and a yogurt pot of paint and started plugging away at it. After dragooning the husband into doing the hard parts we've got a coat of red paint on one side of the railings. And, it looks good enough to continue doing it.

The whole thing exhausted the cat, Jack, who quite enjoyed telling us how much he enjoyed our company outside all day.

 

That Cat is a bit of a headonist if I do say so...

Yes, that cat. He managed to consume a half cup of very excellent Caeser salad (made with homemade dressing including a lovelying laid Yukon egg and $12 worth of Parmesan cheese), a pork meatball, and a 1cm cube of brownie for dessert.Then, he went for a cat walk on the newly painted fence to settle his meal.

New Canadians

Yesterday Chris and I trekked down to the citizenship ceremony held in a local park as part of the Whitehorse Canada day celebrations. Two friends are new Canadians. I have to admit I teared up a little. It must be my American side. Happy Canada Day!

The Gardens

After weeks of rain, the sun is bringing the whole garden to life. The little crab apple tree has lovely scented blooms. The garlic is up and some little girls helped me to plant annuals along the dog fence last weekend. Chris has top dressed the back lawn rather generously as well.

Spring's really HERE!

I was afraid we'd got no spring. Finally there are blooms on the Mayday tree and little pink buds of apple blossom. Now I'm afraid we'll get no summer, just a long rainy spring that slides into winter. I am glad I planted spinach, beets and garlic which all like cooler temperatures.