In the spirit of Postcards from Yo Mamma (hi Doree!), I’m introducing a mini-installment of Emails from My Actual Grandma. Warning: The cuteness of what you are about to read may cause permanent damage to your eyeballs. Okay, it may not be baby pic cute (and I do want to get a montage of our Workman baby bonanza eventually–two more imminently on the way!), but pretty darn adorable, especially from my perspective.
Backgro
und: My grandmother appears in the book Be Thrifty, in a small but very VIP way. She’s feeling modest or something and didn’t want me to use her name–so for the purposes of this blog she will remain “My Actual Grandma.” (How’s that for a tease? Buy the book and see if you can figure it out! Muhahahahahahha!)
Anyway, the point is, when her (yes, comp) copy of the book arrived, it started off a slow-building hurricane of thrifty activity. She’s already without a doubt the thriftiest person I know, but the book seems to have given her a newfound enthusiasm for the lifestyle. Basically, she’s pimpin’, thrifty style .
Right now the focus is decidedly on the cleaning section of the Home, Sweet Thrifty Home chapter.
Here she is on June 10th:
Hi, dear,
Am experimenting with soda and vinegar.
Even soda alone works wonders! Also, the microwaving of lemons.
Love you,
Grandmother
I mean, the poetry of “Also, the microwaving of lemons”? But that’s just the beginning. Witness July 1:
Savannah, dear, I’m cleaning silver, sinks, tub, outside of frig with soda. It’s so much more fun than using all those sprays. And I had no idea it would even work on my everyday silver since I have only polished it once in eight years!! Shame on me!
Love,
Grandmother
Yes, shame. Things are getting shocking. Plus, an addendum!
I want to get into some other chapters, but I really enjoy scrubbing the tub now. I just look at it and smile!
More breaking news and smiles to come, but FYI, Abby Stokes, my grandma uses WebTV, and it’s really a lovely no-frills way for her to communicate with family (and high-school beaus!). Are you down with that, or opposed? Should she escalate?
Love you Grandma!
P.S. To share your thrifty tips, go here.
4 Comments
mell
August 5, 2010 at 9:18 amI, like grandma, am head over heels for the cleaning tips in Be Thrifty. I have a daily love affair with my microfiber cloths, and the dream of buying white vinegar in bulk is the only thing that could persuade me to brave the new Manhattan Costco!
savannah
August 5, 2010 at 9:27 amWell thank you Barbara Flanagan for turning us all on to microfiber–I’m a convert too. That section comes from her excellent book Flanagan’s Smart Home.
savannah
August 5, 2010 at 10:36 amOh my gosh, that’s so nice, Abby. I’m not sure if she’s seen the post yet, but I will pass along!
Brian
August 5, 2010 at 4:34 pmAbby, I hope you don’t mind me chiming in. I’m Savannah’s uncle and her grandmother’s son (in case you didn’t already connect the dots). I upgraded my laptop some time ago, and completely wiped off anything that might confuse mom on my old one. I installed IE, OpenOffice and some free anti-virus software, so she could safely surf the web, and have access to Microsoft Office-like tools.
When I last checked, she was using the laptop as a paperweight. Just opening it intimidated her. I’m hoping to put her fears to rest, next time I pay her a visit, and set her up with an internet service provider. I have complete confidence in her, even if she doesn’t in herself.
By the way, if you want to read an interesting story about her (picture included), check out http://bit.ly/cMkzoR. She came up with an idea for a better utility cart (the kind you see elderly people pushing around), and the University of Tulsa Mechanical Engineering Department picked it up and is building a prototype. We’re very proud of her.