Life's been a bit distracting lately. Nothing seriously wrong, but little things have been off-kilter for a couple of weeks. Nothing I want to write in detail about, but it seems appropriate enough to at least be that honest, and share that not everything is "raindrops on roses" or "whiskers on kittens" all the time.
It's also not bad. In the positive column, the pain in my thumbs (yes, it's both now) has changed from too painful to open a jar, to just somewhat and sometimes annoying now. I've concluded, after consulting with Dr. Google, that it's likely arthritis and the next time it flares up, I'll get myself to a hand doctor because it appears there's hope for that - arthritis of the thumbs, that is. I didn't even realize that was a thing, but it's evidently a fairly common condition for women of my age. If you're around my age and your thumbs work fine, count your blessings. When my thumbs hurt the worst, I found myself watching people do things like use their cell phones, or pick up their purse, or take hold of piece of paper - with no obvious sign of discomfort, and I marveled at how we take such simple things for granted.
Anyway, I'm not hurting like that at this point, and I'm happy to learn when I'm ready, and if I need it, treatments are a possibility.
And the knee pain I developed right after we moved into our new place has subsided. Has felt pretty normal for a few weeks now, in fact. That is a relief.
And robins have begun making their presence known here, and nothing says spring in Indiana like robins on the lawn. Gauging by the number I've seen in the backyard, I'm expecting at least a few nests are under construction in the vicinity. Their nesting season lasts from April to July. And did you know that robins have up to three broods in a season? I just learned that. I had no idea.
Moving on... I've been able to just about finish crocheting a blanket that has languished for nearly a year and a half. This was meant to be a birthday gift to youngest son in autumn of 2020. I'm hoping to give it to him when I see him this week. That's not so late, is it? There were all kinds of reasons why it didn't get done until now, but we'll not focus on those.
Once I get all the ends woven in, I'll try to take some glamor shots of the finished blanket. If my thumbs continue to behave, maybe I'll be sharing more handcrafted items soon, as I've been wanting to get back to stitching and working with yarn. I need to start justifying moving all of those craft materials to our new home!
And, lastly... as we all face empty shelves and high prices, I thought I'd share a little something that almost went unnoticed. Last week when The Mister went shopping at Menards, I asked him to pick up some Era laundry detergent. It's the brand I've preferred for decades now, and it's always been its best price at Menards. He texted me that the price had gone up $2.00 per jug. I wasn't completely surprised since it's actually been one of the more affordable laundry detergents - up until inflation started taking its toll on the price of everything.
He brought home three large jugs. As I was finding a place to store these large containers, when I picked one up, it seemed lighter than I expected it to be. I grabbed an old bottle and put it next to the new bottle and they appeared to be the same -ish.
FWIW, the pictures were not taken in the order of the story...
Normally I lay these bottles down in the pedestal drawer under my washing machine and when I went to do that, I noticed that I could stand the bottle upright. Wait a minute. Is that right? I tested an old bottle, and yep - it was too tall to stand upright in the drawer. Pulling them both out again, I put them side by side (still not able to see a difference in the sizes) and finally checked the amount that was each one.
Sure enough... while both claim to wash the same 96 loads of wash, the old bottle contains 150 ounces, while the new bottle only contains 138 ounces.
I know this is nothing new; it's happened for decades. I think it may feel more pronounced because the increases in price seem more significant right now than they have in years past. The price increases used to sneak up on us, whereas now we are expecting it. This little discovery just makes me wonder what else I've been buying in the last year or so that has not only gone up in price, but has decreased in size or possibly gone down in quality. Probably everything. I'm over it for the most part, but I'm still trying to figure out how both bottles wash the same number of loads...
The one good thing to come out of this is I can now easily store the larger jugs upright in the pedestal drawer under my washing machine - making that space better utilized. So another check mark in the positive column. ✔
Old habits die hard, but I'm wondering if I've run out of reasons to save those smaller jugs that for years I've transferred detergent into from the larger jugs. We'll see how clunky these slightly smaller larger jugs are to use, I guess.
Curious what prices are doing in your location. The sale price of boneless skinless chicken breasts here has hung in there at $2.29/lb for a few months now - when it's in stock, which it usually isn't. And I feel excited to find a dozen eggs at Meijer for $1.69. The eggs look a little less inspected and perfect as the next least expensive eggs look (which are more than $2.50/dozen), but I can deal with that. The price of regular ol' unleaded gas dances around $4.25/gal - going up or down a few cents daily, it seems.
I know Indiana has historically had a better cost of living than say, states on the coasts, so maybe these prices are amazing compared to where you live. What specific changes like this have you seen? Has a favorite product of yours succumbed (probably again) to inflation?
up, Up, and UP! That price hike was very sneaky. Not only did the price go up, the amount went down. The packaging is very close. You did well to pick up on it. I'm going to be looking at my soap packaging after reading this.
ReplyDeleteVee, I'm going to be paying more attention, too, I think. There's no stopping it, but knowing is better, I think.
DeleteI have noticed just about every items is more expensive. Most are up about $2. as you noticed. The dogfood brand we use is up $2 Pretty much all. This happened several years ago, but cake mixes were smaller. Whereas one once took a stick of butter or 8 tablespoons, the new one took 7 tablespoons which made a difference in how it fit in my baking pan. Then I noticed Baker's chocolate...same thing smaller. I would prefer they just raise the price and keep the item the same as it has been. I don't think it will end anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on being blessed but whew life is giving me all I can handle currently.
Sandy, I'd say by this point everything I normally purchase is up in price by about 25% (since pre-COVID) it seems. Though, that's not taking into account smaller packaging. I haven't been paying attention to the sizes of things, though. Will begin with my next shopping trip.
DeleteThat's very sneaky and yes how can they say that you will get the same number of washes unless it's more concentrated and you need to use less but I very much doubt it. Prices here are going up all the time especially petrol, gas and electricity. I'm going to do a food shop later this morning and I'll see if there are any changes this week. I'm thankful I now live on my own and don't have a big family to feed because I honestly don't know how some families manage.
ReplyDeleteI have had problems with my thumbs in the past and was unable to craft for a while it took a year for the pain to go away after using splits at night, anti-inflammatory gel, hand exercises especially before crafting to warm up the joints. Thankfully they have been ok for years but since my fall last week my left thumb is hurting again, I'm hoping it's just the trauma and it will heal.
Have a good week Becki. xx
I'm sorry your thumb got injured in the fall, Linda. I'll be glad if my thumbs are back to normal in a year's time. As is, I can use them more normally now, but they aren't yet normal. I occasionally will use a brace still if they are feeling tender. Don't think I've worn it for a couple of weeks at this point.
DeleteI'm glad your thumbs are feeling better. I struggle with mine too but I flatly refuse to give in and stop doing what I love. I had an elderly friend who declared that the only reason her hands continued to work at all was because she didn't give in and worked through the pain. I'm subscribing to her philosophy because she crocheted doll clothing until she died at almost 90.
ReplyDeleteAs for prices and container sizes - I've noticed that too. Canned tuna being one thing - the can's now are just a bit over half the size of the previous ones and the price is higher. That was happening before covid though. Baker's chocolate is another - Resident Chef has given up on it and uses cocoa now instead. I've been suspicious about laundry detergent but we generally buy it in the largest size and then pour it into smaller jugs that fit on our shelf. I'm afraid I don't pay overly much attention to the price on that although I know it's gone up. With the gas prices the way they are ($1.74/L here today) it's no doubt the prices for everything is going to rise. Last week the gas was nearly $2/L.
Mary Anne, I did as much as I could when my thumbs were hurting their worst - so much in the first couple of months of moving, but after a day of unpacking, cleaning (lots of cleaning), and then not being able to handle a skillet with food in it at supper time, or carry my plate to the table with my left hand, there were many evenings where I just sat with a heating pad (with a massager) and an ice pack, alternating them on my sore hand. And I took (probably too much) Ibuprofen. I don't want to stop doing what I love either, which is why I'm so glad (if this is arthritis of the thumbs), there are therapies for it. There is really no need to suffer. Looking back, I can't believe I didn't go to the hand doctor then. Oh, yeah, I remember... I was afraid he'd tell me to rest them, and I didn't have time for that! Now I don't feel so reluctant about seeing a doc if it happens again. WoW! to the shrinkage of tuna cans. Reminds me... a while back I found canned salmon at what seemed like a good price (at Aldi, I think). Now I wonder if it was smaller than normal. No doubt it was...
DeleteInflation is ramped everywhere. Gas here is $4.59 but I can get boneless/skinless chicken breast for $1.97/lb on sale every other week. Our eggs are $1.99 for an 18 count. I am learning to shop sale ads more and more. My menus go with what is on sale. As for thumbs....they are so vital in our daily lives. My arthritis Dr told me to never stop crocheting or knitting as that is what was keeping my hands "alive". Even though my hand are deforming, I still have good use of them thanks to his wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI remember when you started that blanket. It is so pretty. I am glad you are able to work on it again.
Your chicken breasts are a good price still. And eggs, too. Re: thumbs... they're so vital - like all the time, every time you handle something. They are so taken for granted, until they hurt. I'm almost done weaving in the ends! Maybe 20 more to go. Oh the ends!
DeleteFirst, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had some hiccups in your life. Hopefully you are on the upward road now. As for prices, everything is going up in Canada. It’s hard to keep on getting the items I need/want, but we carry on.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you are in Canada, Ruth. No wonder you have such beautiful winter pictures. :)
DeleteYou are right that packaging changes have been subtly made for years, reducing the volume of the contents while keeping the price the same, or raising it. It's been quite noticeable in cereal boxes, which you might notice are very slim these days.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your difficulties, but glad thumbs and knee are better. I have some health stuff going on as well right now but won't know all the details until after an outpatient procedure in mid-April. In the meantime, all I can do is try not to worry and keep reminding myself someone much wiser than I is in control.
My wife does most of the shopping and she is trying her best to be as careful as possible and "beat the system" when possible. Shopping at Costco helps, but with just the two of us, it's not always practical to buy in bulk. Fortunately, I work remotely and she is retired, so we can save on gas by simply not having to drive as much as we once did. On the other hand, all of our children and grands live away from us, so to see them we have to drive.
Ah! Cereal. I don't buy a lot, but the one brand I do buy, I wonder if it's shrunk. I noticed last week I could buy it for about a dollar less at Meijer than at Kroger. I thought that was quite a difference, but now you have me wondering if the sizes are the same.
DeleteI pray you'll find answers in April to your health issues, Bob. I have a test on Wednesday, so maybe I'll soon know what I'm dealing with, too. I like your reminder. For some reason, with health issues (especially when they're mine), that seems harder for me to focus on.
Becki, my perception is that they are up, but I do not shop enough to give an "accurate" assessment. I do know that over the past year, my big box of Quaker Oats went from $6.79 to about $9.00 as of last week.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your thumbs and knees will continue to mend.
Wow! That's quite a leap in price for Oats. Thank you for the well wishes, TB.
DeleteYour blanket is beautiful! I love the blue shade you chose! I hope your thumbs continue to feel better. Isn't it something how we take all these things for granted when we are young?! Have a cozy evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Billie Jo. My son picked out the colors. I hope he still favors them when I finally get the blanket finished. :)
DeleteI'm sorry about your thumbs Becki, I hope you can find some relief. I guess I've just gotten used to the pain in my hands, it's worse in the winter. Good news that your knee is better!! And the blanket colours are beautiful! Gas prices actually went DOWN here, by 20 cents a liter, I was in shock as I drove yesterday! Otherwise, I shop mostly at Costco and by the flyers, so I haven't really noticed price increases.
ReplyDeleteHi Rain! Gas prices down by 20 cents in the midst of what is going on is kind of amazing to me. Good for you!
DeleteLove that blanket! I have pain in my left thumb sometimes-have had it for years. So far it's not stipping me, but I can see how it would be hard to do things if it got much worse. I've suspected it was arthritis...Our gas prices are higher than yours-we've cut back on extra driving. Trying to buy less meat-hope hubby will agree to that!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debra. I've had discomfort in my right thumb since taking up embroidery and cross stitch, and I managed it by taking breaks. It has never hurt like the left hand more recently has. When the left hand flared up after our move, I could only manage what needed doing and my hobbies had to be set aside. I'm just relieved it's calmed down to somewhat uncomfortable and I can pick things up again.
DeleteFortunately we don't have too much driving to do anymore, but the price of gas does make me think more about making unneccesary trips very far for shopping - which is very easy to do here since Indy is close and there is more variety just up the road a bit.
In our town there are two gas stations side by side right near the interstate. They are usually pretty much the same in price. Gas had been around $4.35 at both of them. This week the Irving station dropped its price to $4.09. The other station is more convenient (it has more pumps) but we will be getting our gas at Irving for now.
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed huge changes in price in the supermarket we shop at most, although I have definitely noticed the shrinking sizes you mention in many items. I also haven't seen any empty shelves there. Maybe because it's a New England based chain?
Gas prices starting coming down here toward the end of last week. Not yet under $4.00 (unless that happened today), but it was noticeable all the same.
DeleteYes, I've noticed how sneaky they are to change the size of our products but make them look remarkably the same as before.
ReplyDeleteThumbs and arthritis. I had a bout of that many years ago and for a time got a cortisone injection in the joint. Painful but effective. Eventually the pain left for good. Only rarely do I feel the discomfort. I hope you find the right solutions for you. It's quite the problem for daily life, perhaps most especially during meal prep.
Ooh, Barbara... you give me hope that this discomfort might eventually go away. I still deal with it, but it's so much better than it was a couple of months ago. I hadn't really thought it might go away completely. Thank you for sharing your experience.
DeleteOur prices keep going up as well, anything and everything, from gas to groceries. I especially notice it in the fruit and veg as we buy a lot.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Amalia, you post reminds me that there are some unhealthy things I have given up due to higher prices. I guess that's something good to come out of this current inflation.
DeleteMy Grandma in MI and I were just talking about this. She has a card for med insurance that she can use at some places for food items at specified stores and that helps a lot!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteSo tricky that company! My friends were talking last Saturday at our GNO about raised prices on food and we all shop at Costco. My husband makes the Costco trips now because he spends less money than I would, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI understand. My hubs likes to buy the fun stuff, so him shopping can be dangerous (IMO). He often groans over the grocery shopping receipts I bring home, but I'm usually buying the more healthy stuff. Healthy stuff is more expensive than the treats that are often on sale.
DeleteHi. I'm fairly new to your blog and firs time commenting. I think many of us are sharing prices these days. BS Chicken breasts here have held in at around $2.99 as a regular price but we've had essentially no shortages of chicken here at all. I don't know if it's because we're in a chicken producing area or not but no doubt it has something to do with it. Finding sausage of most sorts though, now there's a story! I've only recently seen some in the meat cases. And if you happen to be like us and only eat turkey bacon or sausage well..You'll be left wanting! Gasoline prices are under $4/gallon near the interstate (I think it was $3.85 the other day when we filled up, but in our little town it is $4.14/gallon. Juice and cream cheese are items with little choice on the shelves and we're seeing odd small label producers of such products with higher costs over all. All in all though, prices are not horrible or shocking and there are not a load of outages on shelves just a few things here and there.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the thumb arthritis. I have one hand that is affected with it. I recall my granny also complained of it in her thumbs.
Thank you for commenting, terricheney! You thoughts have gotten me to wondering about how different areas are possibly affected by shortages depending on how close are processing plants or manufacturers. Thank you for sharing your experience where you are.
DeleteInflation here is crazy and everything is getting smaller. Gas and electricity is the worst increase of all with prices now more than double making many now juggling either feed their kids or heat their homes.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder how people with low incomes are managing and will manage. Even though the price of gasoline here is temporarily lower, the financial situation isn't likely to improve anytime soon. It certainly doesn't appear here in the U.S. that the government is on any track to improve the situation.
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