Friday, April 30, 2010
This week's $60
April's Accomplishments.....
Fun:
Game Night! I think we have one weekend this can happen out of this month, but I am going to shoot for it!
The weekend I had planned turned out to be the football fundraiser dinner and Prom weekend, which Tyler had to chaperon, so maybe next month......
DIY/Home:
Craft:
work on scrapbooks I did a small scrapbook of our Christmas pictures/cards from friends. I hate throwing them away, so I am going to simply start scrap booking them, nothing extravagant, just to be able to look back at our Christmas cards and pictures
coasters? Nope, those coasters are never getting to rest on my coffee tables at this pace
Cooking:
Cleaning:
Financial:
try to do cash only for gas,
Health/Wellness:
Try to muster up some motivation on my part now that its warming up Zilch
~New:Reading~
I would also like to do a bible story time with Garyn each day, we have a couple different books we use Garyn and I did ok on this but I can't say it was everyday.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Working hard
Well 'bout time I showed some before and afters, huh?
Our basement is pretty big. We have 2 larger rooms that we are turning into a den and playroom. Then there is a full bath, a bedroom, a laundry room, large work room, and another room that is storage but could be a small bedroom. Not all of it is painted or decorated yet. We have gotten our den pretty completed and usable. Also, the bedroom is pretty well together, compared to what it was. So enough talking, here are the pics....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dinner Plans and Freezer Cooking!
We have been having internet issues the last couple of days. I was sure it was because of all the storms we have had lately, but Tyler sat down to try and figure it out and found the reason it wasn't working. Garyn had pressed the button, evidently, that turns the Wi-Fi off. One click and the internet was back up! So I wasn't able to get my meal plan up yesterday because of one click of a button! Such is life with a 2 year old.
Dinner Plans:
Monday- Breakfast
Tuesday- Eating out (me with SS girls at Ichiban and the boys are going to Amigos with Nana & Poppa)
Wednesday- Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans
Thursday- Chicken Stir Fry * new one
Friday- Eating out
Saturday- Tacos and Roasted Corn
Sunday- Deep Dish Pizza casserole * new one
Freezer Filling Day was today {cooked things to fill the freezer :) }
I got a lot done this time! I was shooting for making 3 casseroles/ dinners, atleast. I ended up getting this done:
* I split the 8 serving casseroles into 2 that will be more our size. If some friends or family come, I can easily put the 2 together to cook.
All together thats 8 + meals plus a dessert. I worked longer, of course, and made a bigger mess, but now I can have 2 dinners a week until next time I freezer fill/cook!
One trick I have learned from http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ is to bake the chicken I need.
The Curried Chicken Casserole, I had made once before awhile back and came across the recipe when planning. I LOVE curried chicken. I, also, love all the food groups being in this one....isn't it colorful?
Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole:
2 Tbsp. butter
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 apple (granny smith is the best) peeled and chopped
2 cups brown rice (uncooked)
2 cups diced cooked chicken
5 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk or plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. curry powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1) Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in a skillet and add celery, onion, carrots and apple, cook and stir for a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients and combine well.
2)Pour mixture into an 8 inch sq. casserole dish. Sprinkle with additional curry powder if desired.
3)Bake for 45 mins approx., until rice is tender and it is bubbly
Tyler loves meatloaf and just until recently was stuck on no onions in it. I put some in this time, so we will see how he likes it. This recipe isn't anything grand, because its so plane for Tyler. I may be able to try some other recipes now that he is branching out.
Meatloaf: { I doubled this}
1 cup tomato juice ( I use ketchup and a little water)
3/4 cup Quaker Oats
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
Last, I made Brown Bag Burritos again. I switched it up a little this time because I didn't have enchilada sauce. I added a can of Rotel and some taco sauce. I got 11 from halfing the recipe.
I am so excited to have 2 meals a week that can come from the freezer!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Adventures!!
I was so mad at myself! I was attempting to cut his bangs in the front with no guard on. He jerked, I was on the opposite side, Tyler was on that side and trying to keep him still, and needless to say, I couldn't hardly see and Garyn was moving! I put it down after that and sat furious at myself, thinking "Oh my goodness, now he is going to be practically shaved or buzzed as Tyler wanted."
The next morning, we went straight to Sports Clips...
{cheap, practical, Tyler likes to go there, no one I know!}
She was very nice and understanding, wonder how many goofs she gets? I confessed and she just went to town. She tried to keep it longer, but the gap was still noticeable so I just said keep going. I think it is so cute now though! She put it in a Mohawk, and man I liked it! I never thought I would.
I like the option though to leave it down, of course. I sent Tyler a text pic and he loved it! {He is gone to Disney world you know...won't get into to that though} Nana isn't so sure on it, but everyone else likes it! So this adventure turned out great I guess! He did so good while she was fixing it that I let him play Wii guitar at Best Buy. {Doesn't he look like a classic rocker dude!} First time in awhile, and it turned out to be its on adventure in itself!
About 5 minutes after these pics were taken, I look over (I was playing the drums) and Garyn has peed in the floor! A big puddle, too! He was just playing like it hadn't happened! As I was assessing and scolding, an employee came by and I told her. It was thankfully on the concrete; she was very nice and went to get a mop. I waited until she got back and repeatedly apologized and tried to help her. She refused and we left. I was so embarrassed!!
And the last adventure was today. We went to Coolidge park and played some golf.....
Then we rode the carousel, so fun, even as an adult!!
The fountain was Garyn's favorite, though. He did not want to leave it.
Once I got him changed, we went to get some Clumpie's Ice cream....yummmm, it was so good.
This adventure was a little hard for me, not to be a downer on all this fun. But I have rarely been down to the North Shore since closing The Big Much. It is still a sore subject for me! My life is great now and I know I am in God's will. Things happen for a reason; I should be past it, I guess. However, its hard for me to be down that way and remember my ten years on that street... all the fun and friends. The building is not the same and its hard to physically see it. I equate it to a death and the building the grave site. Isn't that awful and weird!! Honestly, I am glad that stage of my life is over, but I miss certain things.
Anyway, sorry for the pessimistic side of the day. I LOVED all our adventures! Hope you are having your own!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
This Week's $60
I have said before that we are trying to save money for trips, home improvements.....there are many reasons. I have set my weekly grocery amount to $60 and each week spend that, more or less. I , now, am using cash as much as possible and if I don't spend it all I save it for next week. Therefore, my monthly total is around $240 (depending on # of weeks in the month). However, the accountability of this will be great!
So here is this week's $60!
Cascadian Farms granola bars-$0.99
Cascadian Farms frozen fruit x 2 - $0.99 ea
Fiber One value pack -$1.95
Snyder's Pretzel -$1
Sun Chips-$1.95
Pull-Ups- $ 6.49
Egg Beaters - $0.67
Healthy Harvest Noodles -FREE
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel - $0.7
Huggies Wipes -$3.49
Yoplait yogurt-$0.25
Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner x2 $0.20 ea
Windex Cleaner x 2 $0.20 ea
Shout spray $0.20
Hormel Chili $1.79
Newspaper- Publix penny item coupon and insert $0.50- Publix Penny Item was the 3 Paper towels pack -$0.01
Trix Yogurt $1
Hormel Chili x 2 - $1.68 ea
Classico Sauce x 2 Alfredo and Tomato sauce $0.98 for both
Hormel Natural Lunch meat x 2- $0.90 ea
Strawberries- $1.99
Milk- $2.88
Bananas- $1.34
Kandoo wipes- $0.65
Johnson's baby facial sunscreen- $5.99
Hershey's chocolate bags x 3 $9 OOP
Colgate Toothpaste $ 1.99 OOP
Monday, April 19, 2010
What's on the menu!
Monday- Chicken Alfredo and salad
Tuesday- Three Cheese Ziti
Wednesday-Petros {Yes, this is the same thing as the restaurant that I miss so much!}
Thursday- Roast Beef sandwiches and chips
Friday- Left overs?
Saturday- possible eat out
Sunday- Nana and Poppa's before I go to work
note: Tyler is leaving Thursday for Disney World with the seniors. He is so lucky; I am so jealous! He won't be back til Monday. Our second long weekend without him this month!
Also, I made a list of all the meals we like and want to try....its long! It is highly suggested to do by the meal planner gurus out there so that you have a base to start with. I think I am going to like it!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Family time...
Lorna and Lakelin were having sleep overs that night so there were a total of 9 11-14 yr olds there! Garyn loves watching the girls dance and the boys play video games. He was just beside himself. I hardly saw him the 2 days we were there! On Saturday night, we went to a Bon Fire at 2 of the kids house and my brother's friends. We made smores...yumm! I managed to get a few pics there....
I just love family time and seeing how much Garyn loooves them all. They live an hour away so we don't see them but once a month, which isn't enough!
and Poppa's
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Kmart Doubles!
Of course, its hard to tell everything but I got 25 items for 27.47 + tax!
Detail:
3 boxes of dog treats---all free!
1 bag of cat treats- free
2 bags of cat treats- 49 cents
1 Pull-up pack--$5.99
1 bag dog food--99 cents
1 bag cat food--$1.99
1bag dog Dentastix--free
2 Scrubbing bubbles shower cleaner refills- $2 each
1 Johnson's bubble bath wash--$1.50
2 Dove deodorants---free
1 Right Guard deodorant--free
1 Contact solution- $3.15
1 Bic Soleil razors-$1.69
1 Bic Razors--free
1 Gilette men's razors--$2.00
2 Glade Sense&Spray refills--$1.50 each
1 Tampax Tampons--49 cents
1 Nivea body wash--$1.99
1 Clean&Clear face wash--$1.69
Total- $27.47 plus tax= $30.01
Kmart is a pain sometimes and their prices are normally a lot higher than others, but when they double it's worth it! I live 5 minutes away, too, so it was fine to run over there. And Tyler was home and went with me once...
Hope you have found some good deals lately!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
SNeAk pEak aNd cOncErT
Tyler is on spring break so we have worked the last couple days painting, moving furniture and setting up the basement. It is a ginormous (not sure if that's a real word..:)) space and isn't nearly done but you can see parts of it here in this video....
The video is our very own G-Man, rocking it out to some Chris Tomlin ( which BTW is my favorite cd that I got for Christmas). Garyn loooooves music but rarely puts on a show for anyone other than close family and friends so enjoy:
I will post some more pics of the finished product soon!
Also, we are eating this week (hahhaha) even though I have not made a meal plan! Basically, we are all over the place because of spring break, so here is the plan:
Mon- Tyler gone to class (masters) he ate fast food, we ate at home
Tues-Ate out with some old friends!
Wed-Ate at home with some great friends!
Thursday- Tyler gone, Garyn and I ?? either at home or Nana and Poppa's
Friday- Tyler gone, Garyn and I at my brother's house ??
Saturday- Tyler still gone, G and I at home ?, maybe still gone to bro's
Sunday- Tyler must have abandoned us, G and I eating whatever at home before I go to work
Monday- Tyler is home!! Will eat at home : new menu to begin
Also also also~~ I have 2 new blog friends! (both are actually old friends that now have a blog, to clarify!) So go check them out!
Life as a Ballard
The Warlick Ways
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter!
Anyway, back to the real Easter eggs...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
April Goals
Game Night! I think we have one weekend this can happen out of this month, but I am going to shoot for it!
More dinners with new/old friends
Take Garyn to zoo ( haven't been since this day)
DIY/Home:
Get main basement area cleaned out and ready for paint
Paint master bedroom
Finish putting up cork boards for Garyn's many art projects in playroom
Craft:
work on scrapbooks
coasters?
Cooking:
Meal plan every week!
Eat at home 4x a week at least
Freezer cooking day
Cleaning:
deep clean once a week
put dishes away before bed
stay on top of laundry better
Financial:
Keep saving for trips
try to do cash only for gas, grocery and eating out $$
Health/Wellness:
Keep supporting Tyler
Try to muster up some motivation on my part now that its warming up
Eat more veggies
~New:Reading~
I have been attempting to read through the Bible in one year, and keep falling behind so
Goal is to catch up and then stay on task with the days reading
I would also like to do a bible story time with Garyn each day, we have a couple different books we use
Thursday, April 1, 2010
March Goals Completed....
Did eat out with some new friends and some old, more than I can count!
Didn't take Garyn to fly a kite..........bad momma
DIY/ Craft:
Did Garyn's toy bin labels! I am so excited, hoping he can sort them better on his own.
Did painitng activity plus some...remember...
I painted my cabinet door as extra, Tyler hasn't put it up yet but its a start!
Didn't do my coasters!UGH! I didn't have all the pics I wanted to use, and being frugal I am waiting for a free prints ( Every couple months someone like snapfish, shutterfly, walgreens offers free prints and I haven't paid for any in like a year!)
Home:
Worked in the basement a good bit, on days that Garyn had Mothers Day Out & I didn't work
Part of that was the consignment stuff, I made about $95 off the sale!! woo hoo!
Cooking:
Did eat at home a lot! Most weeks we hit 5x a week!
Made several new meals.....Lasgna, Baja Chicken Tacos, Barbecue potatoes.......
Freezer cooking day: check
Health/ Wellness:
Walked once a week.....not twice
Eating veggies still, Garyn now knows that carrots go with sandwiches! Tyler is doing better!
Tyler is also running and working out a lot! I am very proud, he is now doing P90x with a group
of guys at work.....guess I need to be more motivated
Financial:
We have been saving for our trips! Never got to say that we are going on 3 trips this summer
1 beach/ 2 mission- one mission trip is only me (if I can get off) to here
Home improvement fund hasn't really changed much! We are focusing on the trips right now
BUT we need to do better! We have talked about doing a cash only system for the extra
expenses. I have been getting $ out for the groceries, but other than that we haven't followed
through with it
Cleaning:
Still been cleaning something each week, I don't really remember all of them but I know I
cleaned out Garyn's closet some more in preparation for the sale and summer clothes
Also cleaned under the beds and couch. I did another cleaning on Garyn's bath toys, too.
Well thats the month of March! I know I want ever get all of them done cause I keep increasing my goals. However, I'm still loving the accountability of these monthly goals! Keeps me focused!
Check back for April goals tomorrow!
(sorry no pics, can't seem to find my camera)