I get my frugal ways from my parents. It's how I was raised. There may have been times when I thought I was deprived. I think every young person feels that way at some time, doesn't matter how much they are given. But the older I got, the more I appreciated the waste not attitude I was raised with. Now that I'm really old...
The less that we can survive on the better. Clarice at Storybook Woods describes this attitude toward frugality so well that I'll just direct you there. I'm curious about one thing. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Does frugality lead to creativity, or are the creative drawn to frugality... I'm sure it's a bit of both.
So, dad and mom hit a yard sale last weekend and found a prize for me. While I was putting it in the backyard today my dad called. I thanked him (mom brought it over so I hadn't had a chance to let him know how much I loved it) and he proceeded to tell me that he had 'just' taken it home and made it stable. He wasn't out any money. "If it falls apart just throw it on the junk heap"... yea right!!
I got to thinking about how much I love old things that were used for a purpose. I'm not big on fussy adornment. I like things that are useful now or were useful and have been 'put out to pasture'. Some of my favorites are pieces that show where they were mended with bailing wire or solder, extending their work life. So, thanks mom and dad. This old workhorse has found its final resting place. I'm not letting anyone sit on it and if it does start to fall apart, I'll mend it with baling wire and move it further out to pasture...
Blessings, Debbie
My husband was also brought up frugally...me, not so much. But I have learned so much from him over the years. I still have a ways to go, but it brings an admiring smile to my face when I see my children following in his footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI do love old things..and am glad that your this gem that your father brought you has found a good home! :-D
(Aren't you proud of me for remembering you? Tee hee... :-D )
I think your parents like mine were very smart. I love the present from your Dad it reminds me of the things my Dad used to bring me. Awesome stool. B
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, Debbie! I like the flower pot on top, too. As I get older, I see things kind of like "that's just one more thing to get rid of later!" Yesterday when I was at the mall returning my too tight shoes, I noticed many women my age browsing around. I had a gift card for Crate and Barrel so I popped in there. I saw very polished women looking around at all the shiny stuff and remembered why I like the thrift store and the antique mall! I'm not always thrifty though. I do like certain things that cost a lot of money and I'm a bit hasty with my purchases at the grocery store! I wonder if there will be another thrifty generation. The current generation = not so thrifty!
ReplyDeleteBeing frugal is a way of life that I have always lived, from my old button jar from worn out clothes [that become rags] to soap slivers that become liquid soap. I like to think it makes me creative and expands my imagination in a good way. We have never had a lot of 'money, but we have a full life and are blessed! xx
ReplyDeleteThere's an old saying, "once mended, twice loved". I collect old linens that I purchase at tag sales for less than a dollar. The ones that I love best are the ones that have been darned or patched. My parents weren't frugal in the least, but I had to be out of necessity, but I have loved it. You have to be creative in every area. It's like solving a giant puzzle when you figure out how to feed a family of six on $50 a week.
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents grew up during the Depression. But they had a reverse reaction to that, especially my mother. I learned a frugality lesson the hard way, really hard way, I might add, still paying dues for not being careful in my youth. I admire your qualities, Deb, I really do. That table looks just perfect next to that bench, with the flowers on top. xo,
ReplyDeleteOh I was raised with very frugal parents...and they didn't need to be. We had a Porsche out in the drive way, but the first outfit I owned from a retail store was when I was in Jr High and I had bought it myself from my own babysitting money. I don't remember my parents ever buying us clothes from a retail store, outlet or hand sewed only, and I sewed most of my clothes. My mother and dad did everything themselves and taught me to do the same. This skill has really come in handy as we are the results of the falling economy and lost what we had possessed...so I try to hand it down to my own.
ReplyDeleteI think it goes both ways...need brings about creativeness, but also creativeness allows you to see the world through different eyes...what can I make instead of what can I buy
What and awesome stool-turned-table! I love old stuff that has a story too. And frugality is fun! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite things are old and well used!
ReplyDeleteA little deprivation does everyone good, it makes you appreciate things a lot more. I see that in my children. We don't have a lot of money and they are thrilled with the smallest of things.
Much love to you and that beautiful old stool...now a table.
This is a great find! I've had my eye out for one of these to re-purpose the screw mechanism to make an apple press. :)
ReplyDeleteWe always want to save a penny around here. Some saving habits are hard to break. I love that chair!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love it. I'm all in favor of living frugally. It's a great way of life.
ReplyDeleteLOL How sweet of them..and it does look so sturdy, they just don't make things like this any more! :D
ReplyDeleteI used the think that Petal was 'tight' when I first met him. He grew up on a farm and lost his father when he was only 11. The family of seven children were reared by their mum, who by the way never remarried. Frugal was the norm in those days as there was no widows pension. She took in washing,ironing and mending to make ends meet and put food on the table. Over the years I have seen him in a different light and I have become more like him....frugal. Maa
ReplyDeleteWhat a great stool! I loved your thoughts on frugality and creativity. I agree!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Deborah
I was raised with frugal parents but didn't adopt the lifestyle until I was much older. Can't really remember what triggered the change I like old used things. We tend repurpose things we find as well, that stool would be just the kind of thing I would put in my garden.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find! It looks so pretty with the planter on it, and if you can keep people from perching on it, it should last for years to come! Nice to know it did not end up on a junk heap somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI am a frugal gal too, and YES I get it from my mom and dad, and a long line before them!
ReplyDeleteYour chair with that sweet mosaic planter on it looks so very cute!! :)
I hope you are having a happy day!
xoxo...Gloria
What a neat gift from your Dad! I like your ornamental use of it-really rustic!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm really frugal now, but I was the baby of a family of seven and was consideres spoiled by my siblings. I am the most conservative of all of them now. My DH was a PK and was taught to live on little!
Me, too - to everything you said about "frugality"!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Debbie. And, how lucky you were to have such wonderful teachers in your parents. blessings ~ Tanna
ReplyDeleteWell you already know what I have to say on the subject ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do have to say, rockin stool!! Clarice
That is a pretty cool stool! Lucky duck. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool, old piece. Is it an old piano chair? I like your new old side table. "Out to pasture" is a term we use here when things have gone past their usefulness, but you're right -- sometimes those old things can still find a spot a little further out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find and what a great lesson learned - and shared!
ReplyDelete