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Flourish v Flounder

October 20th, 2011 at 01:36 pm

My "desk" used to be an impractical computer armoir and it has since been replaced by an oak library table so my monitor and printer and out and there is some work space for kids' papers, etc. My reference section is comprised of a Catholic Bible with a green cover and blue writing and a tattered Handy Standard Dictionary and Atlas that was my great grandmother's from the 1920s.

I'm getting my definitions from the dictionary:

FLOUNDER (v) To stumble or struggle awkwardly or helplessly.

FLOURISH (v) To thrive, prosper, live; to swing or wave about.

I've decided that I must combat the "funk" that I find myself in. (Just to note, FUNK isn't found in my vintage dictionary). The weather certainly doesn't help, nor does the recent recoveries from dental issues, but the weather isn't going to change and I don't face any pressing dental issues, so I've got to shake myself out of it.

The new dryer arrived on Tuesday and for the first time, every single item of clothing is clean and dried and put away. I no longer have to worry about if my clothes need to hang outside to dry or go into the basement to hang. There is a certain degree of liberation in that I don't need to predict the clothing needs so closely.

I noted in my previous post that my kids seem to all need clothes at the same time, which is a real bummer because there are quite a few of them. The littlest guy got some hand-me-downs but still needed jeans and sweats (I am surprised that the knees NEVER hold out). I took myself shopping yesterday - and I hit the two local resale shops, one where the proceeds benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter and Outreach in my county and the other was Salvation Army.

I spent $21 between the two places and ended up with: two pairs of uniform pants for the oldest plus two shirts and a pair of pjs for the same child, a pair of jeans for the youngest, and a shirt for DH. I've embraced the "Flourish" (even if a frugal mode) rather than "Flounder" and bemoan. The wardrobes won't appear overnight, but I can build them up $15 bucks here and $15 bucks there.

My frugal move for the day: Taking DH's pair of shoes to be resoled - they're expensive hand-me-downs from my brother and to replace them with cheapos from Payless probably would cost about the same.

OK, I'm gonna force myself out of the funk - even though the weather looks cold and miserable and I WANT to go back to bed.

Obviously not a lot of money stuff going on here, more about my mental state - but it does all fit together I suppose.

Smile

7 Responses to “Flourish v Flounder”

  1. patientsaver Says:
    1319118512

    I'm a big fan of the shoe cobbler.

  2. laura Says:
    1319119148


    My great-grandfather from the Old Country (some small village north of Budapest) was the village cobbler and my family tells the story that he bartered with the gypsies, and the best fish he ever ate was traded for new soles on a pair of boots. Smile

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1319123276

    I think shoe cobblers are likely getting more business with the economy.

  4. North Georgia Gal Says:
    1319128548

    My mom loves to tell the story of the expensive shoes she made my dad buy 30 years ago. They have had them resoled several times and they are still in good shape. I guess you just can't buy shoes like that anymore(not for a decent price anyway)

  5. My English Castle Says:
    1319129681

    Milwaukee has lots of Russians immigrants and many of them seem to be either tailors or cobblers. It's like living in a strange Eastern European village some days.

  6. Buckeye Says:
    1319133210

    When my guys were little I used to use iron on tape on the inside of the fabric, which held the knees very well.
    I don't know if iron-on tape is still being sold. Little boys and knees are a fighting combination. Yea for uniforms.

  7. baselle Says:
    1319176458

    Fresh air and deep breathing might help a little with the funk. Three cheers for the thrift store - after all, you wash a piece of clothing and it turns used.

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