We didn’t have any real plans last weekend, so we took a laid back, slow couple of days. All three of us usually prefer to be off doing things every weekend day, but occasionally it’s nice to just stay close to home and quiet. We say we mean to have more weekends like that, but something almost always pulls us in another direction.

Since we had no real plans on Sunday, we headed over to my parents’ house for lunch after church. We also wanted to head into town to check out possible carry on luggage sizes for our trip to Iceland this upcoming winter, so we’d planned to do that right after lunch and before the kiddo went down for his nap. My mom offered to take care of nap time instead, so my husband and I walked down to the luggage shop by ourselves.

We checked out the luggage sizes (Icelandair’s sizing is SO restrictive!) and realized we may be paying for at least one checked bag. We’re going to have to pack winter clothing, so fitting them in two day pack sized bags seems a bit unlikely. If we do go that route though, I will be sure to pack a bunch of snacks and some ground coffee to reduce our grocery spending while we’re there (though likely not the $85 – $100 extra the bag check costs). After leaving the store, we went and got a few drinks from the brewery and then walked back. We don’t get too many date nights, so we are always very appreciative of the date time we do get. Thanks again, mom.

Friday’s Frugal Five

1. I was up late on Thursday night after my commission meeting, so I was dragging a bit on Friday due to lack of sleep. The husband noticed, so he snuck the kiddo out of bed Saturday morning when he woke up at his normal 6:30AM. They walked to the grocery store for doughnuts and then off to the park, and I got to sleep in until 7:30AM. They were still gone, so I lazied in bed until 8:30AM.

For a mom of a young child who gets up early seven days a week, waking up slowly and lounging in bed felt like the height of luxury. My husband may not ever buy me flowers or jewelry (because I adamantly don’t want them), but he knows what will really matter to me. And some of those best gifts don’t cost a thing.

2. This was another week where we could have easily ordered take out or delivery for dinner a couple of times. Instead, we had some really low key dinners: one of grilled sausages and corn, and then the next night the leftover sausages and some corn in a soup, plus mac and cheese for the kiddo and husband to pad it out. Perhaps this doesn’t seem like a big deal to some people, but for us, reining in our food spending is always something to be celebrated.

3. We carpooled to the kiddo’s preschool again one day this week and then I walked the three miles to work from there. Since my husband goes in so early, this allows the kiddo and I to have a simple coffee shop breakfast together before my work day starts. Perhaps not the most frugal option, as I’m – gasp – buying myself a latte, but the time together is something we both really love. We’re mindful about our food costs these days, but we still spend a good amount of money there.

4. I listened to the Tiny Bites Podcast episode with Cait Flanders this week, and part of  the discussion reflected on long shopping bans and minimalism. Both Britt and Cait talked about eventually feeling the desire for new clothes after pursing minimalism and not shopping for so long. I realized while listening to them that I still haven’t had that reaction, even after almost two and a half years without buying clothes.

However, I’ve gotten hand me down clothes and shoes from at least five different people now. Because of those wonderful gifts, I feel like I have actually gotten quite a few *new* things. Like the talk about in the episode, a wardrobe refresh works just as well from secondhand and thrifted clothing, which I’ve definitely experienced with the clothes I’ve had handed down to me. So thanks, friends, your gifts have made all the difference.

5. We had another dinner with my family this week like we usually do. My mom and grandmother watch the kiddo once a week, and I usually end up staying for dinner when I pick him up in the afternoon. This partially started as a way to avoid traffic because it gets pretty horrendous later in the day, but its morphed into a really great family time.

Sometimes we do go out or get meals picked up, but we also often just make meals at their house. This one is an extra frugal “win” for me as they usually pick up the tab, but I do try and pay occasionally. While they don’t need my money, I want to show my appreciation for them and be sure not to take advantage of the situation. Still, I sure do love a free dinner.

Exercise Update

Sunday we went for our long walk lunch date, so I got in quite a few steps that day. Monday’s weather was beautify, so I decided to go for a walk instead of hop on the elliptical at the end of my work day since I didn’t bring workout clothes with me.

Tuesday was my walk into work and then a run and lifting session in the afternoon. Thanks to that combination, I ended the day with another 22,000+ steps. Wednesday was a long walk with my dad instead of going for a run because I didn’t feel like changing into workout gear.

Thursday we walked in the Kirkland Fourth of July parade, so we bused downtown beforehand. I checked the bus schedule ahead of time, but apparently it hadn’t adjusted for the holiday schedule, so we ended up having to job for the bus there. It took us nine minutes to go 0.7 mile (so a 12:51 min/mile pace). Not bad for a four year old.

We also then walked the whole parade, which is a loop through a good part of downtown, then walked to the bus and then home. Another 20,000 step day in the books. It’s been a while since I’ve had two in a week, and it feels good. I posted more about our 4th on Instagram, if you want the lowdown of our whole day.

How did you spend your 4th?