I've gotten on the frugal band wagon this morning.
First I packed dh's lunch and he's off to work. I packed oldest's lunch and thanks to a last minute reminder call that hubby got from the school last night I've turned a pair of white chorus sweat pants into white chorus shorts!! Well because YES I am the mom that forgot to order white shorts for the spring performances. On a side note, seriously where do you find white shorts for preteen boys?? I did look when the notice first came out but the only white shorts I could find had images or logos printed all over them and since he needed ALL white pants they wouldn't work. Oh well nessessity is the mother of invention right?? I don't think his white sweat pants that he needed for the winter performances are going to fit next year anyway so I took a pair of his jean shorts and used them as a guide to cut and hem the sweat pants making them into shorts and the verdict...... He loves them, says they are all comfy and soft!! Score one for Mom!!!
So now he is off to school with his remade pants and a packed lunch!!
I still need to pack the kindergartener's lunch and later during nap time I think I will work more on crocheting snowflakes for hm christmas gifts.
Frugal frugal frugal thats my motto as of late!! Well it really always has been but lately we've had some unexpected expenses and its causing us to reevaluate our spendng especially if we are going to accomplish our goals of buying meat in bulk in the fall. We are hoping to be able to purchase 1/2 a beef and a whole hog this fall and with the car breaking down costing us ~$300.00, the oven dieing costing us ~130.00, plus a few other things like building some raised beds to expand our garden, and our roof needing replaced this summer. Its time to make sure that we can cover it all and cutting back is the only way I can see that happening.
Its more important now more than ever that we make our christmas gifts and stay frugal in all other areas as well. I know we can do it, we just need to stay focused!!!
Wish us luck!!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday 4/29/2012
Good Morning!!
We're fixing to get ready for church soon but I thought I would take a minute to check in!!
Our friends came over, we had a great time and my truck is running!! Hubs said there are a few things left to put back on but its mostly cosmetic stuff and they think the truck is fine!! Hopefully he will be able to finish buttoning it up today and I can return my dad's truck to my mom this afternoon!!
Yesterday was a lazy day for the most part, little miss was up in the middle of the night coughing and gagging and spitting up, it was her allergies but at the time I was worried. We were supposed to go to a hike with the cubscouts but dh had to work and with getting sick in the middle of the night those few times and the temps with a high of 50 knowing it would be cooler in the mountains for the hike and the 70% chance of rain....the thought of taking 3 kids on a hike in the cold rain by myselft....well we skipped it!!
Instead we stayed home, tidied up and I spent most of the day crocheting and watching movies with this child or that child as they took turns playing games on the computer. Mid afternoon little miss and I layed down for a nap and caught a few Z's not many though, she was a floppy thing, she spent more time wrestling the bed and her mama instead of napping, so it was a broken sleep. Dh came home from work and we ordered out pizza, it was horrible, I will be so glad when we get our oven fixed!! I think dh said he would get into it today, God Bless him it will be the first oppertunity to take a look at it, he has been so busy with work and scouts that well it took a back burner, he is pretty sure its just the bottom element and he said he would order me one. I do miss my oven!!
Today is church then much wanted and needed family time!! Dinner tonight is up in the air, there's a memorial service at church for a member who passed. I guess we will play it by ear!!
Hope you enjoy your day!
We're fixing to get ready for church soon but I thought I would take a minute to check in!!
Our friends came over, we had a great time and my truck is running!! Hubs said there are a few things left to put back on but its mostly cosmetic stuff and they think the truck is fine!! Hopefully he will be able to finish buttoning it up today and I can return my dad's truck to my mom this afternoon!!
Yesterday was a lazy day for the most part, little miss was up in the middle of the night coughing and gagging and spitting up, it was her allergies but at the time I was worried. We were supposed to go to a hike with the cubscouts but dh had to work and with getting sick in the middle of the night those few times and the temps with a high of 50 knowing it would be cooler in the mountains for the hike and the 70% chance of rain....the thought of taking 3 kids on a hike in the cold rain by myselft....well we skipped it!!
Instead we stayed home, tidied up and I spent most of the day crocheting and watching movies with this child or that child as they took turns playing games on the computer. Mid afternoon little miss and I layed down for a nap and caught a few Z's not many though, she was a floppy thing, she spent more time wrestling the bed and her mama instead of napping, so it was a broken sleep. Dh came home from work and we ordered out pizza, it was horrible, I will be so glad when we get our oven fixed!! I think dh said he would get into it today, God Bless him it will be the first oppertunity to take a look at it, he has been so busy with work and scouts that well it took a back burner, he is pretty sure its just the bottom element and he said he would order me one. I do miss my oven!!
Today is church then much wanted and needed family time!! Dinner tonight is up in the air, there's a memorial service at church for a member who passed. I guess we will play it by ear!!
Hope you enjoy your day!
Company's Coming!!
Not sure why this didn't get posted on Friday but here it was hiding in my draft folder.......
Good Morning!!
Its a busy day for me, which is normal but today is a little bit more busy.
So far I 've gotten the hub's lunch packed and he is off to work, both boys are off to school, I've printed papers out and stopped by and helped dh's gram fill out paperwork, addressed envelopes and got things ready to go in the mail her.
Now I am back home, laundry is going, dishwasher is going and little miss boo and I have had lunch. The boys get out of school early today so it won't be long till time to pick them up. Then back home to get things in order and finish up chores.
Later on this evening some friends of ours are coming over, mainly so that dh has help putting my truck back together, he thinks he has it fixed!!! I decided to make dinner for everyone, as a thank you and as a hey lets just get together kind of thing!!
Our dinner menu is
Roasted Chicken- making this in the 18qt roaster since my oven is still on the fritz
Mashed Potatoes with gravy
Fried Cabbage
Green beans
deviled eggs
rice- oldest son doesn't care for mashed potatoes
hm and home canned cinnamon applesauce
YUMMY
I didn't originally plan on making the deviled eggs but I was asked to make a dish for a funeral dinner tomorrow and since the oven is on the fritz, eggs is what I had an abundance of so deviled eggs it is and since I was already cooking eggs for the funeral dinner whats a few more for dinner tonight right??
In other news I've picked up the needle again- the crochet needle that is and have already crocheted 3.5 snowflakes. Trying to get a jump on the gift making. I get all excited craft like crazy then I burn out, it runs in cycles so while I have the nudge I am going to keep on it in my spare time!!
Trying to keep busy today, trying not to dwell on things out of my control and just to find some peace in what is and keep focused on the future. Today is my Daddy's 56th birthday!! I miss him like crazy and I hurt so much because he isn't here with us. I ache because my kids are missing out on a great man. I know we will all be together again one day, till then....Happy Birthday Daddy!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Good Morning!!
Its a busy day for me, which is normal but today is a little bit more busy.
So far I 've gotten the hub's lunch packed and he is off to work, both boys are off to school, I've printed papers out and stopped by and helped dh's gram fill out paperwork, addressed envelopes and got things ready to go in the mail her.
Now I am back home, laundry is going, dishwasher is going and little miss boo and I have had lunch. The boys get out of school early today so it won't be long till time to pick them up. Then back home to get things in order and finish up chores.
Later on this evening some friends of ours are coming over, mainly so that dh has help putting my truck back together, he thinks he has it fixed!!! I decided to make dinner for everyone, as a thank you and as a hey lets just get together kind of thing!!
Our dinner menu is
Roasted Chicken- making this in the 18qt roaster since my oven is still on the fritz
Mashed Potatoes with gravy
Fried Cabbage
Green beans
deviled eggs
rice- oldest son doesn't care for mashed potatoes
hm and home canned cinnamon applesauce
YUMMY
I didn't originally plan on making the deviled eggs but I was asked to make a dish for a funeral dinner tomorrow and since the oven is on the fritz, eggs is what I had an abundance of so deviled eggs it is and since I was already cooking eggs for the funeral dinner whats a few more for dinner tonight right??
In other news I've picked up the needle again- the crochet needle that is and have already crocheted 3.5 snowflakes. Trying to get a jump on the gift making. I get all excited craft like crazy then I burn out, it runs in cycles so while I have the nudge I am going to keep on it in my spare time!!
Trying to keep busy today, trying not to dwell on things out of my control and just to find some peace in what is and keep focused on the future. Today is my Daddy's 56th birthday!! I miss him like crazy and I hurt so much because he isn't here with us. I ache because my kids are missing out on a great man. I know we will all be together again one day, till then....Happy Birthday Daddy!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday 4/23/2012
Good Rainy and Cold Monday Morning!!
We are in the middle of a Nor'easter storm, and have been pummled with rain all weekend. Its really cold and there has been some snowy mix as well. Not the best conditions hoped for at the last weeks of April but its doable, just got to drag back out the warmer clothing, much to the chagrin of my shorts loving sons!!
Its a new week so a new outlook right?? Gonna let the bring me downs of the weekend aka my truck breaking down fade to the back ground and hopefully a new week will bring new experiences and new happenings to make a for a full happy and fullfilling week!! Here's hoping!!!
I'll start with my menu plan, its a little up in the air due to finances, unfinished shopping trips and lack of time. But that is ok, we'll make it work!!
Tonight is scouts, so I am doing something easy for dinner tonight probably breakfast for dinner. Quick, yummy and filling!!
Tomorrow our friend is coming back over to help the hubs work on my truck some more, its a little more involved than originally thought and probably going to be a bit more expensive too, never the less trying to keep a chin up attitude about it. So I told the wife to come on over too and bring the kiddos!! No reason why us ladies can't take advantage of some chit chat time and the kids can play all the while and hopefully the guys will be able to put my humpty dumpty truck back together again in great working order!!! So I am thinking kids, lots of kids, hmmm How about Hot/Chili Dogs, hm mac and cheese and maybe baked beans for dinner!!
Wednesday- my oven is still out of commission but I think I may "bake" a chicken or two in my 18qt roaster, with all the trimmings
Thursday- Chicken and Dumplings of course!!! With leftover side dishes!! or if its still raining like predicted I may make a pot of hm chicken soup, mmmm the possibilities!!
Friday is Pizza night normally, maybe there will be money in the budget for take out pizza or maybe will just think of something else!!!
The weekend plans are up in the air so I'll decide on meals closer to then!!
Hope your day isn't being rained out, but if it is like mine I hope you plan to make the most of it, Mine will be spent doing laundry and cleaning up, hopefully working on moving furniture around in my boys room.
Have a great day!!
We are in the middle of a Nor'easter storm, and have been pummled with rain all weekend. Its really cold and there has been some snowy mix as well. Not the best conditions hoped for at the last weeks of April but its doable, just got to drag back out the warmer clothing, much to the chagrin of my shorts loving sons!!
Its a new week so a new outlook right?? Gonna let the bring me downs of the weekend aka my truck breaking down fade to the back ground and hopefully a new week will bring new experiences and new happenings to make a for a full happy and fullfilling week!! Here's hoping!!!
I'll start with my menu plan, its a little up in the air due to finances, unfinished shopping trips and lack of time. But that is ok, we'll make it work!!
Tonight is scouts, so I am doing something easy for dinner tonight probably breakfast for dinner. Quick, yummy and filling!!
Tomorrow our friend is coming back over to help the hubs work on my truck some more, its a little more involved than originally thought and probably going to be a bit more expensive too, never the less trying to keep a chin up attitude about it. So I told the wife to come on over too and bring the kiddos!! No reason why us ladies can't take advantage of some chit chat time and the kids can play all the while and hopefully the guys will be able to put my humpty dumpty truck back together again in great working order!!! So I am thinking kids, lots of kids, hmmm How about Hot/Chili Dogs, hm mac and cheese and maybe baked beans for dinner!!
Wednesday- my oven is still out of commission but I think I may "bake" a chicken or two in my 18qt roaster, with all the trimmings
Thursday- Chicken and Dumplings of course!!! With leftover side dishes!! or if its still raining like predicted I may make a pot of hm chicken soup, mmmm the possibilities!!
Friday is Pizza night normally, maybe there will be money in the budget for take out pizza or maybe will just think of something else!!!
The weekend plans are up in the air so I'll decide on meals closer to then!!
Hope your day isn't being rained out, but if it is like mine I hope you plan to make the most of it, Mine will be spent doing laundry and cleaning up, hopefully working on moving furniture around in my boys room.
Have a great day!!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday 4/22/2012
Good Morning!! Happy Earth Day!!
I am enjoying a cup of coffee before getting us ready for church.
Yesterday was a mess but turned into a great evening!! I got up yesterday and tidied up around here before getting ready to go to my nephew's birthday party. On the way to the birthday party, thankfully not horribly far from home, my truck started acting weird then just quit. We ended up calling a wrecker and then had it towed home. Thankfully my hubby aka SUPER HUBBY, aka JACK OF ALL TRADES, aka MY HERO was able to get the book out and diagnose and start tearing the truck down to get it fixed. The tow cost us 60.00 and the part the truck needs was 92.00 so hopefully that will take care of it.
I called my mom to tell her about my dilema asked her to pass along my appologies for not being able to be there at the party and then asked if I could borrow my daddy's truck till hubby could get mine back to rights. I don't know how long it will take to get it fixed and hubs car is a commuter and not big enough for the kids, I still needed a way to get to church today and get them to school tomorrow. Mom was great she offered to come help in anyway she could and told me I could use the truck.
Dh's gram is my hero too, one call to her and she came to get the kids and I while dh rode home with the tow truck driver. Putting a car seat for the baby in her car for when I take her to town to do her grocery shopping was the best idea we have ever had. Otherwise I would have had a horrible mess trying to switch out carseats.
So we arrive home and dh looked it over and went to get parts, while he was out there working on the truck- in the rain mind you- see I told you he was SUPER HUBBY, a friend of ours stopped and helped him for awhile then told him to give a call in the morning and he would come back to help more if needed.
In the mean time we were supposed to have company yesterday evening -a friend our ours is having a hard time, her exhusband just passed away over seas, her oldest son is really having a hard time and we planned to have them over to help take their mind off of what is going and to just be a good friend when they needed one, and they did come over for dinner, dh finished up for the night, got a good shower and joined us for dinner and a movie.
We rolled out sleeping bags for the younger kids to lay/sit on while watching a movie, my 6 yr old started to nod off, so I sent him to get pjs on and the conked out in a sleeping bag in the middle of the movie, I changed the baby into pjs and a dry diaper and she crawled up on my lap and went to sleep as well. Everyone left about 10:30 then we cleaned up a little and headed to bed ourselves!!
It was awful my truck died like that, hubby is positive that its the fuel pump and its a tough job definately not one of his favorites but at least he knows what to do. Probably saving us HUNDREDS of dollars.
I am blessed, to be sure, with a great husband, a great family who is there for us when ever we need them and then some and by awesome friends who would take time out of their own lives to help us even when not asked, and by friends who when in the first place we were hoping to bless with love and thoughtfulness, they blessed us with just being there and making a bad situation bearable.
Blessed indeed!! And THANKFUL !!!!
Today is the soup contest at church I am hoping that mine is a winner!! I made Sausage, Potato, and Kale soup, YUMMY!!
Dinner tonight is probably a mixture of leftovers and quick finds!!
Hope you have a full and blessed day!!!
I am enjoying a cup of coffee before getting us ready for church.
Yesterday was a mess but turned into a great evening!! I got up yesterday and tidied up around here before getting ready to go to my nephew's birthday party. On the way to the birthday party, thankfully not horribly far from home, my truck started acting weird then just quit. We ended up calling a wrecker and then had it towed home. Thankfully my hubby aka SUPER HUBBY, aka JACK OF ALL TRADES, aka MY HERO was able to get the book out and diagnose and start tearing the truck down to get it fixed. The tow cost us 60.00 and the part the truck needs was 92.00 so hopefully that will take care of it.
I called my mom to tell her about my dilema asked her to pass along my appologies for not being able to be there at the party and then asked if I could borrow my daddy's truck till hubby could get mine back to rights. I don't know how long it will take to get it fixed and hubs car is a commuter and not big enough for the kids, I still needed a way to get to church today and get them to school tomorrow. Mom was great she offered to come help in anyway she could and told me I could use the truck.
Dh's gram is my hero too, one call to her and she came to get the kids and I while dh rode home with the tow truck driver. Putting a car seat for the baby in her car for when I take her to town to do her grocery shopping was the best idea we have ever had. Otherwise I would have had a horrible mess trying to switch out carseats.
So we arrive home and dh looked it over and went to get parts, while he was out there working on the truck- in the rain mind you- see I told you he was SUPER HUBBY, a friend of ours stopped and helped him for awhile then told him to give a call in the morning and he would come back to help more if needed.
In the mean time we were supposed to have company yesterday evening -a friend our ours is having a hard time, her exhusband just passed away over seas, her oldest son is really having a hard time and we planned to have them over to help take their mind off of what is going and to just be a good friend when they needed one, and they did come over for dinner, dh finished up for the night, got a good shower and joined us for dinner and a movie.
We rolled out sleeping bags for the younger kids to lay/sit on while watching a movie, my 6 yr old started to nod off, so I sent him to get pjs on and the conked out in a sleeping bag in the middle of the movie, I changed the baby into pjs and a dry diaper and she crawled up on my lap and went to sleep as well. Everyone left about 10:30 then we cleaned up a little and headed to bed ourselves!!
It was awful my truck died like that, hubby is positive that its the fuel pump and its a tough job definately not one of his favorites but at least he knows what to do. Probably saving us HUNDREDS of dollars.
I am blessed, to be sure, with a great husband, a great family who is there for us when ever we need them and then some and by awesome friends who would take time out of their own lives to help us even when not asked, and by friends who when in the first place we were hoping to bless with love and thoughtfulness, they blessed us with just being there and making a bad situation bearable.
Blessed indeed!! And THANKFUL !!!!
Today is the soup contest at church I am hoping that mine is a winner!! I made Sausage, Potato, and Kale soup, YUMMY!!
Dinner tonight is probably a mixture of leftovers and quick finds!!
Hope you have a full and blessed day!!!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday 4/21/12
Good Morning!!
3 out of 5 of us are up and ready to start the day!! I am going to start some laundry in a bit, enjoy another cup of coffee then give the main areas of the house a quick put together as we will more than likely have company later on this evening.
Last night when the hubs came home from work, we planted 2 rows of peas, and 2 rows of green beans, a pound of each, I still have a pound of peas and a pound of green beans left to plant but we decided to wait a couple weeks and then plant the rest so that the harvesting doesn't get a head of us. After the gardening work was done, we got cleaned up and hubby took us out to dinner. What a treat!!! There's plenty leftover so that will probably be lunch today before we head out to go to my nephews birthday party!!
Dinner tonight is kind of up in the air, I have leftover taco meat and am thinking that since we are having company I might do nachos and finger foods for dinner. Something fun and easy!!
Enjoy your day!! I hope its a wonderful one!!
Dana
3 out of 5 of us are up and ready to start the day!! I am going to start some laundry in a bit, enjoy another cup of coffee then give the main areas of the house a quick put together as we will more than likely have company later on this evening.
Last night when the hubs came home from work, we planted 2 rows of peas, and 2 rows of green beans, a pound of each, I still have a pound of peas and a pound of green beans left to plant but we decided to wait a couple weeks and then plant the rest so that the harvesting doesn't get a head of us. After the gardening work was done, we got cleaned up and hubby took us out to dinner. What a treat!!! There's plenty leftover so that will probably be lunch today before we head out to go to my nephews birthday party!!
Dinner tonight is kind of up in the air, I have leftover taco meat and am thinking that since we are having company I might do nachos and finger foods for dinner. Something fun and easy!!
Enjoy your day!! I hope its a wonderful one!!
Dana
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Good Rainy Morning to ya!!
Woke up to cooler temps and rain today. Suits me just fine I have plenty of laundry to get done, as well as coupons to clip, lists to make and grocery/menu planning to do.
We haven't planted the garden yet and with this rain we are getting today and whats forcasted for tonight as well, I sure am kicking myself for not getting it done.
The seeds we planted over spring break are starting to come up and I am really happy about that!! The seeds we used were old seeds, but I took the project on with this outlook:
1. I wanted to do something fun with the kids that wouldn't cost us any money, because like everyone else...we don't have any money, lol
2. We had blast and I told the boys it was an experiment- which they love because their curious little souls!! And seriously what boy doesn't like dirt? haha Mine certainly do!!
3. I thought if they don't come up then, well we had fun doing it TOGETHER, spending time TOGETHER and it was worth it just for that.
4. IF they do come up well, we have the great time spent TOGETHER, the experiment was a success, plus it will save us in the long run because it will be less if any I have to spend at the nursery to buy plants this year.
So all around its WIN-WIN. The only down side is that now they want to plant and plant and plant more seeds and I am thinking if I give in to this our entire yard will be edible. Which isn't a bad thing really, its less mowing that will have to be done right? ;) Yeah well I'll let them work on their daddy with that one. lol
Ok I am off to start the laundry and lay out something for dinner!!
We haven't planted the garden yet and with this rain we are getting today and whats forcasted for tonight as well, I sure am kicking myself for not getting it done.
The seeds we planted over spring break are starting to come up and I am really happy about that!! The seeds we used were old seeds, but I took the project on with this outlook:
1. I wanted to do something fun with the kids that wouldn't cost us any money, because like everyone else...we don't have any money, lol
2. We had blast and I told the boys it was an experiment- which they love because their curious little souls!! And seriously what boy doesn't like dirt? haha Mine certainly do!!
3. I thought if they don't come up then, well we had fun doing it TOGETHER, spending time TOGETHER and it was worth it just for that.
4. IF they do come up well, we have the great time spent TOGETHER, the experiment was a success, plus it will save us in the long run because it will be less if any I have to spend at the nursery to buy plants this year.
So all around its WIN-WIN. The only down side is that now they want to plant and plant and plant more seeds and I am thinking if I give in to this our entire yard will be edible. Which isn't a bad thing really, its less mowing that will have to be done right? ;) Yeah well I'll let them work on their daddy with that one. lol
Ok I am off to start the laundry and lay out something for dinner!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)