I know this may sound ridiculous to some people, but I’ve shared a lot of personal things on my blog and I’ve always gotten good feedback, so I’m going to just get it off my chest. I’m tired of getting made fun of for my frugal/green ways. It seems like I’m always hiding something, not telling the whole truth to people, or just avoiding others in an attempt to not be made fun of.

The worst time I have with this is at work. There are a couple people there (including my manager, who I really like in general) that are always chastising me for decisions I make in my personal life. When I decided to share with them that I would have problems getting pregnant, they decided to make it their own business. I would share some things with them, and I’d get “well, you need to see a fertility specialist” (from my manager), to “you really don’t want a baby, do you? It doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything to get pregnant.” (obnoxious co-worker)

Let me tell you, it hurts. I am a very sensitive and shy person to begin with (you may not be able to tell that with my blog!) but I rarely let people into my life in fear of getting judged or made fun of. I have a few girl friends and those that I have mean the world to me. I like it that way, and it works for me.

I almost feel like I have to hide who I am at work because if I tell them that I do things like: knit, quilt, make soap, hang dry my laundry, am doing this to get pregnant, etc; I will be met with harsh words and judgment. I don’t think that’s right. I have told my manager about OCW (obnoxious coworker) and how she hurts my feelings, and then she does make me feel better by saying that’s just how she is, but it doesn’t help the next time. It seems like she’s always making snide comments to take stabs at me. And I am nothing but nice to her.

With the merger coming in February, I have the option to post for other positions at different branches. I’m considering it, because then I can get away from the negativity and start over fresh and new and not share anything personal with the people at my new branch. A change would be good and it would help with some of the things I get frustrated with. But, on the other hand, we’re fairly certain there will be a “teller supervisor” position at my current branch, which I could easily move into if my manager so chooses.

It’s a double edged sword. I love the people I am working with 99% of the time, I like the customers, and I am not nearly as stressed as I was before I came to this branch. I’d hate to go to a new branch and despise it. At the same time, change sounds good and I’d have the opportunity to get away from OCW and just be quiet and mind my own business. My plan right now is to see what positions come open and go from there. If there’s something at a branch that’s closer to home, and I think I might like it, maybe I’ll post for it. If not, I’m pretty sure I can stay at the branch I am at.

What do you think I should do? Do you get made fun of for being frugal/green?

I’ve got some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is our summer garden is finally on its way out, and the good news is the fall garden is coming along nicely! Some more experienced gardeners may laugh at our little plot of land, but we’re pleased as punch with what we got out of it this year, and can’t wait to plant another new one next year! I took some pictures this afternoon.

Two of our tomato plants tipped over sometime last night. We really haven’t gotten too many off these plants yet (notice all the green ones!) so we are pretty bummed. When Mr. Money gets home from work, I’m going to have him go see if he can rescue them. By the way, these came up all by themselves and I transplanted them here. Can’t beat that!

Something is getting my beans. I planted these in August and they have been producing like crazy! We’ve been freezing them every chance we get, and man are they yummy! I looked today and there were little lady bug looking bugs on them and I found one yellow fuzzy worm-type thing. Gross!!

There are strawberries and peas in this bed. The strawberries were planted this spring and didn’t produce anything all year. Maybe in the spring? The peas are doing quite well!

Raspberries are taking over! I’m going to try to dry the leaves in my dehydrator. They are good for making red raspberry leaf tea, which is very good for women.

The herb garden with sage, basil, and parsley. I should dry some of these too. I have enough sage to scare away all the spirits in the entire state!

This is my “fall garden”. There are turnips, beets, collard greens, swiss chard, rainbow chard, kale, and spinach. These are tested to withstand (ha!) cold temperatures. Grow along, little veggies!