tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31658204953741447992012-02-16T17:37:23.213-06:00Deenoreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-71720248833146893422011-04-02T07:10:00.001-05:002011-04-02T07:24:41.477-05:00

I've always heard that the older you get, the faster time seems to move along.  Well, I've only been 40 for a mere thirty five days and I'd like to know where the last month went!!!  What the heck?  I just blinked and now it's already April.   I can say the fun certainly continued in March, so here is a rundown of the month that was. MeetUp - We had such a nice time the first go round, we met

Deenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-91162493639102778332011-03-06T21:09:00.000-06:002011-03-06T21:09:32.113-06:00

I wasn't kidding before when I talked about what a CHORE menu planning is for me.  BUT, my lack of doing so in February hit me hard - in the wallet and in the weight department.  Yuck and double yuck!  So that being said, we are going back to the menu planning (sigh). Today I made two huge batches of soup - a simple lentil soup that I totally made up and homemade creamy tomato soup...also made

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-24833362054283508512011-03-05T11:59:00.000-06:002011-03-05T11:59:36.708-06:00

They say time flies when you're having fun.  If that is true, then I must be having a BLAST!  And yes, I can honestly say that the conscious decision I made to have more fun this year is really paying off.  Since I was so busy having a good time in February and didn't write about any of it, here is a quick rundown of all the fun I was having: Girls night out with friends from my old job - it was

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-87352062672104801052011-03-05T09:20:00.000-06:002011-03-05T09:20:54.017-06:00

Dilemma - I love to decorate, but I don't really decorate my own house that much because I don't like to spend the money on it.  Now, if someone handed me $500 and asked me to decorate for THEM, easy peasy.  So when I do go shopping for home decor, I am a fanatic for Home Goods and TJ Maxx.  (Not to mention the paint department at my local Wal Mart.)  For as long as I've lived in this house, (

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-67469805871095994342011-01-30T20:55:00.000-06:002011-01-30T20:55:02.610-06:00

It's seven thirty and I'm sweatin' bullets.  I've looked at what feels like a gazillion recipe sites, blogs, magazines, and cookbooks and I have YET to come up with this week's meal plan.  Why hasn't this gotten any easier?  It's got to, right? (Side note...I just checked out three more sites...still nothin') Monday - Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken and Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Tuesday - Turkey

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-62124787195956861092011-01-29T21:30:00.000-06:002011-01-29T21:30:48.668-06:00

As I posted earlier, I am making it my business to put a little fun back into my life, to get my bucket list started, blah, blah, blah.  Fun....check.  Work on bucket list...check!  (You can see her progress by clicking on the link on the right side of the page.)  Yes, I actually accomplished a little bit of both this week.  Yay me! Fun Stuff I enjoyed a "mom's night out" on Friday. Yes, you

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-2309469822090718112011-01-23T19:35:00.006-06:002011-01-25T19:53:43.669-06:00

Here we go again.  I have spent so much of my weekend "worrying" about this meal plan.  You see, I am in SERIOUS save money mode.  So I have challenged myself this week to eat only what we have on hand in the freezer and pantry.  The only things I am going to buy at the grocery this week are orange juice and eggs.  That's it.  I cleaned out my pantry and fridge yesterday and realized that I have

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-13772649044273859592011-01-18T20:59:00.001-06:002011-01-18T21:17:52.723-06:00

Do you remember that Happy Days episode when The Fonz tried to say I love you and it sounded more like I lu...I luuuh... I luuuhhv yew?  Well, that's how I feel about admitting this little nugget.  I have bu...I have buuuck...oh alright already - I have Bucket List envy! Wow, that's a load off.  It's embarrassing really, but I just can't help it. Every bucket list I've ever read is so creative,

Deenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-35496066358794833142011-01-16T21:26:00.001-06:002011-01-20T17:59:17.421-06:00

I have a confession to make.  I hate meal planning...there, I said it.  It's like a chore for me.  But I have to admit that it does the job I expect it to do, which is to save me a lot of time during the week and save me a lot of money.  So with my admission now floating around out there in blog land for all to see, here is my plan for the week. Monday - Honey Chicken Stir Fry ** Update - the

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-74709552653503243592011-01-15T09:17:00.000-06:002011-01-15T09:17:32.086-06:00

Needless to say, it's been a while.  I won't go through the laundry list of excuses as to why I haven't written in a while.  All I can say is life got really busy and I got really tired.  Have you ever gotten to the point where you are sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Well, that was me, so I sort kinda took a break.  So tired in fact that I actually went a couple of months last year

Deenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-22674695905755770292010-06-20T19:58:00.003-05:002010-06-21T08:29:21.460-05:00

I just made a batch of Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Muffins that will serve as breakfasts this week.  These muffins will serve many purposes for me this week: Save money - I had the ingredients on hand already (only one substitution), plus, we won't need to spend any additional money for breakfasts this week. Reduce waste - I had a ripe banana that needed to be used up.  Save TIME - a very

Deenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-83715286025656426682010-06-13T20:59:00.000-05:002010-06-13T20:59:17.590-05:00

One of my favorite things about this time of year are those little glowing critters.  In preparing for the week ahead, Little A and I went to fill the car up with gas.  On the way home, I swear it looked like Tinker Bell and every single one of her friends were hanging out in our neck of the woods.  It was beautiful.  I slowed down to a crawl, just transfixed on the blinkety blinks.  So much so

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-10851627745650276962010-06-12T17:18:00.000-05:002010-06-12T17:18:18.275-05:00

It's hot.  And humid.  Really hot and really humid.  So today, Little A and I went pool shopping.  We went everywhere, looking for the just the right one.  Freds?  Nope.  Walgreens?  Nope.  Dollar General?  Nope.  So we ended up at my "love-hate relationship" place...WalMart.  She really wanted one with a slide, but I wasn't willing to pay $350 for an inflatable pool.  Yes, you read that

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-80614459913870643392010-02-09T07:31:00.000-06:002010-02-09T07:31:21.495-06:00

Sorry it's a little late - but we had a pretty big weekend!  So here we go... I am still in the process of using up what we have in the cupboards / freezer, so most of this is already on hand.  I made a few purchases this weekend, but have not hit my $75 grocery limit yet! Monday - Sweet and Sour Chicken with Noodles and Broccoli (had it last night and it was pretty yummy - it was one of those

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-38753909118859217292010-01-31T21:35:00.001-06:002010-01-31T21:38:33.485-06:00

Well, I learned a few very valuable lessons during the month of January. 1 - Planning our meals for the week is a practice I am going to continue.  It was a tremendous help to me not to have to worry about what's for dinner.  It also saved us a lot of money.  (I didn't have a written plan for the last week of the month, and our budget took a hit because of it.) 2 - I need to include weekends in

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-26319596931379036022010-01-31T17:31:00.003-06:002010-01-31T17:46:00.926-06:00

Sometimes, a girl's just gotta have some pancakes.  And what better way to enjoy those pancakes than with giving Little A the opportunity to learn how to make 'em too!  I love the opportunity to bond with her when it comes to the kitchen.  She even has her own "tools"... There are many lessons and skills one can learn when making 'cakes... 1.  Measuring - that's math, right? 2.  Stirring - builds

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-86008334768754901442010-01-19T12:45:00.000-06:002010-01-19T12:45:54.931-06:00

As I've mentioned previously, we have a long car ride each morning and each evening.  One never knows what the topic of conversation will be on these journeys, but today's was extra special. Little A: "Look Mommy, that cloud looks like a dolphin!" Me:  "It sure does...what else do you see?" Little A:  "That one looks like a snail!  And LOOK!  There's Jesus over there behind that cloud!" Me:

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-71470607010584155092010-01-18T21:01:00.000-06:002010-01-18T21:01:42.527-06:00

We did a great job of following the plan last week, it's getting easier and easier.  Although, I must admit I've gone over my $75 budget.  I didn't plan ahead for subsequent trips for milk, bread, and cheese.  But now that I know, next month should be a little easier. Here's the menu plan for this week... Monday - Hungarian Goulash over noodles, broccoli (I made the recipe listed almost exactly

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-47160669142605153132010-01-17T14:25:00.002-06:002010-01-17T14:27:56.657-06:00

I can't quite believe it, but I FINALLY put all of the Christmas decorations away today. One corner of our living room has been stacked (more like strewn) with my nativity collection, snowman collection, ornament box, wrapping "stuff", etc. It has been hanging out there, staring at me, calling to me to just put it away for weeks now. I avoided it like the plague. I'm really not sure why. I'd

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-68309143584236743982010-01-10T22:00:00.001-06:002010-01-10T22:01:28.805-06:00

Well, I made it through last week, although Friday night's meal moved to Saturday night, and we strayed from the plan on Friday night.  Both Big B and I gave in to our burger cravings...'nuff said about that. So, on to this weeks menu. Monday - Chopped "Steak" with Sauteed Onions and Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, & Green Beans Tuesday - Baked Chicken Spaghetti Wednesday - Leftovers - Big B's

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-66054192875201125942010-01-10T20:02:00.002-06:002010-01-10T20:10:28.397-06:00

Yesterday I got a little nudge...one little inkling that the plans and dreams which occasionally swirl about between all the commuting, working, meeting deadlines, commuting some more, making dinner, giving baths, cleaning kitchens, doing laundry, worrying about finances and loving my peeps, might just actually materialize one day. You see, I needed to get out for a few...a little "me time" if

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-81207615067774408992010-01-03T22:47:00.002-06:002010-01-10T22:08:35.393-06:00

I never in a million years thought that planning a week of meals from my own pantry (and fridge and freezer) would be this difficult.  I mean, for those of you who know me, I LOVE to cook.  Never mind the fact that my job revolves around an industrial kitchen for crying out loud.  So, WHY, I ask you, is this so darn difficult? It's because I am forcing myself to take the time and actually plan

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-87482069750549136382010-01-02T22:43:00.001-06:002010-01-02T22:44:36.292-06:00

One of the blogs I follow regularly, Money Saving Mom, is hosting an "Eat From the Pantry Challenge" for the month of January, and I have decided to give it a try.  As I posted earlier, one of my own goals is to only spend $75 per month on groceries.  Well, this weekend I went to the grocery, grabbed some really great deals and spent $77.47 (darn tax!)  I purchased a ton of stuff that will

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-18763715279179728172010-01-02T15:19:00.002-06:002010-01-02T15:22:16.530-06:00

Last night I started thinking about my first blog post of 2010, and reflecting on 2009 immediately came to mind.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't want to focus on the past.  Now I am all about learning from our past wins and losses, but I am ready to get started MOVING FORWARD! With that, here is a list of goals I've made for 2010... 1 - Only spend $75 per

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-29386626970635055842009-12-28T19:35:00.000-06:002009-12-28T19:35:55.370-06:00

DISCLAIMER - I started writing this post a LONG LONG time ago.  And as you have probably learned, life has a tendency of keeping me away from posting with any sort of regular schedule.  I can't stand to let things go, so I am here now to finish and post.  Thank you for hanging in there! I did it...I did it....I did it!!!!  My $30 goal was a cinch.  Keep in mind that my $30 consisted of things I

Deenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-12417304070797239262009-11-20T12:39:00.001-06:002009-11-20T12:41:08.669-06:00

Well, it's official.  I am hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year.  Big B's family (my mother, father, and one sister in-law) will be joining us for what will hopefully be a wonderful, yet inexpensive feast.  I've decided that I am going to set a goal of $30 for the entire dinner...and I mean the ENTIRE dinner (including festive decorations).  Think I can do it?  I KNOW I can. How does one

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-73518810205010486282009-11-11T16:27:00.001-06:002009-11-11T16:28:30.342-06:00

I love finding a great bargain, and boy did I ever find one this week.  Frozen turkeys were on sale at WalMart for 40¢ per pound!  I was so excited about this find that I bought TWO twelve-pound turkeys for a total of $10.  I cooked one of the turkeys last night and it is in my fridge waiting for me to divide into meals.  The other will be saved for the official Turkey Day.  There are options a

Deenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-69335130345701965052009-10-30T12:22:00.000-05:002009-10-30T12:22:41.072-05:00

As you can see, I haven't posted in exactly 54 days.  I don't even know where to begin, I just know that I need to feel back on track.  Let's see, what has happened in the last 54 days?  1 - Big B had a new engine put in his car.  Now, keep in mind that my commute is 100 miles round trip each day.  Since Big B's car was in the shop, I had to take him to work and pick him up too.  That was an

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-14484122600328060832009-09-06T20:43:00.001-05:002009-09-06T20:45:44.859-05:00

As you know, work and home-life balance is high on my priority list.  It had been a while since Big B and I had some "just us" time, so I was really looking forward to our time together. You see, Big B and I don't have any family living closer than a three hour drive.  No chance for Little A to just hang out at Grandma's or for Big B and I to just drop her off every once in a while to get some

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-48224848927855630162009-08-26T12:31:00.003-05:002009-08-29T20:17:08.690-05:00

I am starting a new series that I hope will accomplish a few things...my goal is to cook or bake at least one item completely from scratch each week, whether to keep for my peeps or to share with friends. This is one of the ways I like to show love to my family and friends.  It also gives me quite a sense of accomplishment, as I intend to do this by only using items from my pantry.  Very budget

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-12657226741029220912009-08-21T05:11:00.004-05:002009-08-21T05:39:07.900-05:00

As mentioned previously, there is this little thing I'm working on called work and home life balance. Right now, my life is centered around exactly four things - my dear husband (we'll refer to him as Big B); my precious and super sassy soon to be 4-year old daughter (otherwise known as Little A); my job, and last but certainly not least, SLEEP. Well, it kind of is least. It's what I get the

Deenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165820495374144799.post-25474501633496415162009-08-11T15:46:00.000-05:002009-08-11T16:48:42.469-05:00

Ground zero. Square One. Whatever you call it, that's where I am. You see, I've spent a whole lotta time wishin'. Wishin' I was thinner, wishin' I had more money, wishin' I had more time, wishin' I had the gumption to stop wishin' so much and just get off my butt and DO. So here I am. I've spent the last couple of months (on my butt no less) in front of the computer reading oodles of other

Deenoreply@blogger.com1