Gramma Ray's Blog

I have a good friend who is trying to upstart a business. This is one of those sales businesses where you sell and recruit other sellers (like Amway)..only this business is vitamins and other products. The more you sell and the more other sellers you recruit, the more you make.

She signs people up for vitamins that arrive in 3 month supply shipments, but the buyer pays by the month...so for $40 each month, I would get a 3 month supply every quarter. It is set up on auto pay/auto ship. I L*O*A*T*H*E these types of tactics. She is also selling a tower garden ($400) and then the buyer orders the supplies through her (supplier)...for a crazy cost. She is such a believer and cant understand why anyone wouldnt jump at the opportunity to buy and sell these things...

I love my friend...but I refuse to get sucked into these kind of sales tactics. Unfortunately, she fully believes in this product, so each time we meet...it ends up being a sales talk. bleh.

I would much rather just give my friend money. But she wont take it. But I refuse to buy overprised vitamins that will net her a fraction of the cost and lock me into a long commitment.

Bottom line, I wont sign up. But knowing how important her "business" is to her does not make it any easier...

And I know, no matter what I say...I will hurt her feelings because she honestly believes in her product.

Sigh...

I still dont know if I am getting to go to Seattle. The hub will hopefully find out tomorrow. I would love to go..and meet our SA buddies there.

The hub called today to tell me that they need him to work 3-4 extra days before coming home. Thankfully, they are paying for changing the ticket home, which will amount to several hundred dollars. It is the end of ice road season, so they are getting all of the equipment serviced and stored away for the season...and it is taking longer than planned. This will be a nice boost to the paycheck, so the hub was more than willing.

This will be a sporadic and quick rotation home, since, in addition to those 3-4 days shaved off, he will be in training for 5 days of it.

Unlike Ima Saver, it got warm enough here today that I chose to turn the air on for a bit to cool the house down tonight. It was over 90 here today, so the house was way to warm when I got home.

Not much else is going on tonight. Just aquiet night.

The hub gets to go to Seattle during his 3 weeks home for training. He will be there the week I had planned to take vacation. If he will have his own room there, I hope to go with him - AND I WOULD LOVE to meet a couple of my SA friends there for lunch if I can....hmmmm...I will know on Thursday if I am going.

I am back on West coast time. It took a while...but I finally feel rested again.

I budgeted $400 this month for the electricity bill on the two houses, but the bill was only $235 (yay). I am going to continue to put the extra into an electricity escrow account so that next winter when the higher bills come it it is covered. If there is extra then, it will all go to debt reduction.

I finished running the totals on the trip back east today. I was happy to see that we did come in under budget by over $100. (including all souveniers, meals, etc.) The extra will go back into the vacation account.

If I DO get to go to Seattle, the trip will be paid for by the extra money the hub earns that week. Our hotel will be paid for- as will the hubs airfare. I will have to pay about $300 for my airfare plus pay for my meals + fun $$...but will be very excited to get to go!!

Otherwise...our bills and debt reduction is going well. I am very happy with our financial progress this year!

I had a conference in Boston Monday and Tuesday. My job paid for my travel, the hotel and my expenses during the conference.

I checked my mileage program, and I had a $99 companion ticket, so I asked DD1 to go with me - neither of us have ever been to the east coast.

We arrived in Boston last Thursday. We hopped on Amtrak Friday morning and went to NYC. We spent about 50 hours in NY. It was beyond amazing. We had a chance to see just about everything we had hoped to see while there...the WTC memorial, Empire State Bldg, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Statue of Liberty...Manhattan, SOHO, 42nd street, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, Harlem, etc, etc. It is hard to describe how amazing seeing all of this in two days was...literally sensory overload in a good way. The people were all so nice, the food so good, the sights so amazing.

We had a chance to meet mjrube (SA fellow blogger) and have lunch with her. What a lovely time we had overlooking the harbor and enjoying a great meal together. Thanks J for making time for us!!!

I stayed within my planned budget...we ate milaysian, italian, steak...we had frozen hot chocolate at Serendipities...a Fenway special (hot dog) at Cheers...NY style pizza (yum)...Boston creme pie in Boston...

We saw where Samuel Adams and the victims of the Boston masacre were buried...as well as Thomas Jefferson's parents..and walked part of the Freedom tour.

Simply, amazing.
I cant wait to go back for a real vacation.

The conference I attended for work was awesome...and all in all, an uber fantastic week.

I spent about $1200 out of pocket for one of the most amazing weeks...and honestly loved every minute.

It is a gorgeous day in So Oregon.

The hub is back in Alaska. This past rotation, we ended up having to change his ticket home in order to fix a lost filling. Unfortunately, the flight home was the last weekend of spring break...so changed ticket was a premium cost. Add in lost work and an extra night in a hotel..and that was one expensive filling. The good news is that the hub has enough miles that his next trip home is paid by frequent flyer miles...so that helped.

I thought we would have to pay taxes this year - but we are actually getting a refund. NICE. I love those kind of surprises!!

My daughter and I leave for Boston/NYC on Thursday. We are so excited! She has done a great job of finding fun, frugal things for us to do while we are there. The conference I am attending coordinated a sunset cruise in Boston harbor one night...and are providing a shuttle and 2 free drink coupoons per person...so that will be fun!

All of our hotels, the Amtrak trip, and a few of the meals are already paid...so I just need to take spending for fun and taxis.

We hope to see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Bldg, WTC site, Central Park, Times Square...and whatever else we can squeeze into two days. In Boston, I will be at the conference during the day so DD1 will be sightseeing solo and I have to enjoy vicariously through her.

I am taking the week before Memorial Day off. I looked back at my vacation time this last year and realized I had only taken long weekends...my last full week off was last June when we had the 50th birthday party. WOW. No wonder I am feeling the need for some time off!! The hub will be home this week..and so we plan to spend the first four days in a rental home at the mountain resort we frequent. Then, do honey-dos around the house for the rest of the week and relax the rest of the time.

I am still looking forward to a meet up with some of you in July. As it gets closer we will have to firm up a place and time.

Lots of things to look forward to. Life is good!

I heard back from Boomeyers, and she isnt sure she can make it in July.

I put in for July 12/13 off from work. I plan to go to Sacramento on the 12th and head to San Fran the morning of the 13th. (Decided to drive)

Let me know if the 13th works for everyone...and we can start an off-line discussion to firm up details.

I am really looking forward to this!!!

The lil foster guy is doing much better. I know antibiotics are sometimes overused...but this is one case where they were VERY valuable. He looked MUCH better today. He turned one in January..he still isnt walking, but he has learned to stand on his own. His hip is not aligned correctly, probably from those first few months before foster care that he lived in his car seat...He is an adorable lil boy.

DD3 stopped by after I got off work. Last night I made a batch of rosemary & lemon chicken for meals this week. She was amazed at how quickly a meal comes together when the main course is ready to pop in the microwave. We had baked potatoes and broccoli with the chicken. Took about 10 min total to prepare and for about $3 we had a great, quick meal!

I am so excited about meeting up with those of you who can make it. I sent Boomeyers another message about her dates...hopefully we can firm things up a little soon!!

Dd1 is having fun putting our plans together for New York and Boston. She has found some fun touristy type things to sign up for, has booked Amtrak, hotels, and has started building our itenerary. We are going to have so much fun!!

I am also anxious for the SA gathering in the Bay area of Cali this July. I am very excited to finally meet several blogging sisters!!

DD2 had to take the foster baby boy to ER tonight..so I have GS. foster baby has signs of the flu, but also asthma and possible bowel obstruction. Poor little guy. They are still at er. GS is sound asleep in the "big bed" (grammas bed)...so I will need to get up a little early to take him home in the am.

I am really ready for the weekend. Its been a tough, heartbreaking week...and a break sounds good.

The former houseguest came by and got the rest of her stuff tonight. I am glad this is fully resolved - and without issue.

Well, since I need to get up early...its time for bed.

First, thank you everyone for your kind words on my last couple of posts. I really appreciate you!

I am excited about the prospect of meeting fellow bloggers this summer in California...we should get some dates picked and I love the Giardelli idea in San Fran...but Napa sounds equally great too!! I am open to what works for everyone else.

I learned yesterday that a young lady who grew up with my kids lost her husband last week. (I have blogged about her mom, my friend, who has been battling breast cancer this year)... He was only 28. They have two small boys. It looks like it was a medical issue that started suddenly and ended his life even quicker. They do not know all of the details yet...except that he had started having stomach pains earlier in the week and the medical center (Loma Linda) had not diagnosed it yet when he died...sadly he died alone in his truck in a fairly remote area with no opportunity to say goodbye to his family.

I have no words for the sadness this brings.



Makes most everything else insignificant right now.

Somewhat on topic, I did plan meals this week so I have had two no spend days in a row. Last night DD3 came over for chicken piccata - it was really yummy- and I had everything we needed except an onion, which she picked up for us. Tonight I am having dinner at an awards banquet, so it is no cost to me. Nothing planned the rest of the week.

There has been a little frustration in finalizing the former houseguest's departure. She has called to say she is coming by to pick up her things, then doesnt show. But then gets upset when I cant (wont) change my plans to fit her schedule....So I have asked her to come by tomorrow (Thurs) night after work to get everything...if she does not, I will be moving it outside and subsequently setting it out on trash day. I hate being this way, but I also hate being taken advantage of.

And so post 1000 comes to a close...wish it could have been more upbeat, but life doesnt always follow our desires...does it...

Lessons:

1. I need to keep my inhaler nearby. Yesterday, DD1 and I went for a walk on a hill nearby. Bottom to top and back to bottom is about a 3 mile loop. Im sadly out of shape, so we were going to just do 1 mile. It is uphill first, then down hill back. about halfway into the walk, I started feeling my breathing labor more than it should have and had the first inkling that walking without the inhaler wasnt such a good idea. We kept walking anyway...about 200 yards from our destination, I suggested turning around to head back down to the car, thinking that downhill would be ok. I learned that asthma really doesnt care what youre doing. When it kicks in, breathing is tough..the more I tried to breathe, the more I coughed and get light headed. GS and I stopped and DD1 went on down to get the car...but my inhaler was at home..so another 5 minutes before relief. I have never had it get that out of control and it scared the crud out of me. I wont make that mistake again.

DD2, my pharmacy tech kiddo, was here and she told me how to get my inhaler way less expensive...Instead of $70 per, I will get one year for $25 per. So much better!!

#2. Its a fine line between helping and enabling. I have had young girl living in my house for a little over a year. Initially, she was supposed to pay $25 per week and help out around the house. However, she wanted to focus on college and was pulling pretty good grades. At first, things went pretty well...but over the course of the year, her help slowed and the number and quality of classes she was taking slipped considerable (two yoga classes and one psych this term). Then, I found a stash of pot and a whole bunch of supplies. I guess Im pretty naive..but that was the straw that broke it for me. She moved out last weekend. Unfortunately, she doesnt connect the dots from her choices to her circumstances. I sure hope her family jumps in with some tough love.

#3 Garbage in, garbage out. I didnt plan meals last weekend...and ended up eating fast food a couple of days. I have really gotten away from it and now I see why. I felt like crud after eating each time. So I am sitting down to make my plan for the coming week. It was frustrating to spend $8-10 for a meal, only to feel crummy afterwards.

DD2's washer broke several weeks ago and the part is backordered- so she has been coming over on weekends to do her laundry. I usually do my laundry on the weekend, so I am behind...but I did get to spend time with grandbabies...so spending today catching up is worth it. Cool thing was while DD1 and I were walking yesterday, DD2 stayed here and did her laundry...but she also cleaned the kitchen and living room. So I am very thankful.

The hub is back up in Alaska, and it sounds like they are having some serious weather. Wind, temperature, etc. He has been working crazy long hours...but because of the weather advisory, will be taking a break this afternoon and tpnight and hopefully getting some rest.

I borrowed book three of the Hunger Game trilogy on my kindle...once I get shopping, laundry and prep work done, I plan to snuggle in and enjoy the book.

Tomorrow will mark six years for me here at savings advice. WOW. Each year, on the eve of my blogoversary, I send out an invite to all of you who read the blogs, but have never signed up and joined us. (I believe the term is lurkers, but I have never liked that term...)

This is an amazing group of frugal folks...from novice to pro...I have gained so much knowledge from my time here.

But to me, more importantly, I have developed some INCREDIBLE friendships in these past six years. We have celebrated together, cried together, and saved together...I am hoping next month to meet up with one of our fellow bloggers when my daughter and I go to Boston/New York!! (My very first meet with a fellow blogger!)...and hope to meet another in July when she comes to the west coast.

For those of you pondering whether or not to join, I say with great confidence to do so...you will be supported on your financial journey!! And you might even make some great new friends!!

I love that I have a record of 1000 blogs for the past six years as my family grew with grandbabies...and with the final months with my parents...entries to remind me of the good times, and struggles, and events of daily life!

To all of our savings advice family...THANK YOU for all of the friendship, hugs and support the last 6 years...it has been AMAZING - and I look forward to many many more years to come.

Again...if you are thinking about it...JUST DO IT...we enjoy our newbies...and learning about you!!

I have signed up for a training and get to go to Boston next month. I have a mileage plan that had an offer to buy a companion ticket for $99- (my job is paying my expenses)...since the hub will be in Alaska that week, I asked DD1 to go with me. We are both so excited. We decided to go for a few extra days and take the train to New York. Neither of us have ever been to the East Coast..so this a true adventure.

DD1 is charged with figuring out where we are going to stay and what we will do in New York. I have to pay for those 3 nights...my job is paying for the other 3 that we will be in Boston. She will have the two days I am in classes to tour Boston.

So fun!!

I am not sure how much to budget..I have heard its expensive in both places...especially for meals.

The hub is heading back to Alaska Wed, so DD1 and I will probably sit down this weekend to start putting the plan together.

My mom has been gone two years today. Hard to believe. My dad used to buy her cut flowers and when he got too sick to do it, my mom would buy them for him to enjoy...so this morning, I stopped and picked up some pink and white tulips for my desk. It made me smile to think of them...much better than feeling blue all day.

I mentioned that we were going to see a movie yesterday. We decided to just do the movie experience and buy treats there..OMG. Its been a looooong time since I did that, and it will be a looonger time before I ever do again. SERIOUSLY. $8 for popcorn and $6 for a soda that the hub and I shared. All in all, tickets, popcorn and soda = $29. (this was for the early matinee) And I didnt even like the movie!!!!

Argh.

Oh well, relearned that lesson.

Afterwards, we stopped at the resort pub for a drink. It was fun to just sit and visit and we enjoyed it. I paid for the tab = $28 (inc tip) Then we came home and I cooked up a dozen of the eggrolls I bought at Christmas (from a single mom- I pay extra for them so she can send money to her family in the Phillipeans and they are AWESOME)...everyone loved them.... and the hub made yummy tacos. Finished off the night with a couple more rounds of dominoes and a soak in the hot tub. Slept soooo well last night.

This morning my friend is cooking breakfast and then we will pack up and head home. It has been a super fun weekend. Very relaxing and lots of laughs with good friends.I hate to leave this beautiful winter wonderland!! (its snowing again this morning)

Tomorrow is back to work...but I'll think about that later...

For now, just enjoying the last couple hours of a great get-away!

Today is our day for meals. The hub LOVES to cook. So I am sitting in the living room, enjoying the smell of bacon and coffee cooking in the kitchen. We have a fire in the fireplace and the sun is out glistening on the snow. This is such a nice morning.

It snowed all day yesterday so there is a beautiful white blanket on everything. We had a domino tournament which lasted all afternoon and was great fun. Last night we enjoyed the hot tub and lots of laughs.

Today we are going to head into town and catch a movie. I think we decided to go see The Grey. What a relaxing fun weekend.

I checked my account and the reward deposit showed up already. It was a little more than I expected so I moved $2920 into my ING account. This brings the savings up to $7500. YAY!! My hope is to just let this money ride...and watch it grow.

Well, breakfast is ready...time to eat! Life is very very good!

We arrived at the vacation home yesterday afternoon. It was great to get here. Last night we just ordered in pizza ($30)and soaked in the hot tub. The hub had been awake for almost 36 hours from traveling back from Alaska and then not being able to sleep- and i was worn out from this darn cold..so we went to bed early. Got up this morning to about 4 inches of snow- GORGEOUS!


The hut tub..just off our bedroom...


For the rest of the weekend, we will be cooking in. Each couple takes one day of meals/cleanup. Most likely the rest of the weekend will be a no-spender.
The hub LOVES to cook, so he will do the lions share on our day and I will take the cleanup. He planned a tasty egg scramble for breakfast and a taco bar for dinnner. The other couple is making a bbq tri-tip for dinner (uh-yum).

We brought dominoes, Monopoly and yahtzee for fun. But mainly we are enjoying the awesome view this morning!!

This is the weekend I get my reward bonus at work. It should post to my account tonight or tomorrow. Once it does, it will go straight to my ING account. I managed to save all my bonus $ from last year and hope to continue the trend. It is a nice emergency-emergency fund to have.

Well, off to enjoy the company and scenery...and coffee. Life is good!

My Dr is an angel. She is the kind of Dr who really cares...asks questions, helps where she can. She has always offered my samples at each visit for my inhaler- over the past two years I have never had to fill a prescription. Today, I needed a new inhaler, so I called in and asked for a prescription. Oh if only I knew then what I know now. I stopped and picked it up after work SEVENTY DOLLARS later! And that is after insurance paid over $200...and it lasts ONE MONTH. Holy cow!! I have a new appreciation for how well my doctor takes care of her patients (ie ...me!) I will need to either get samples, or find a less expensive solution. That is crazy. Thankfully, I have a prepaid medical card, so it wasnt a hit to the budget...but it will be if I have to refill this darn thing every month...ouch.

I finally slept last night, but still ended up having to take a nap at work. I am blessed to work somewhere that there is a sick room for days like today. I used my lunch break to sleep for a bit.

I had my last bagel at work today- so I need to figure out breakfast for tomorrow...then I have a four day weekend. So excited about the hub coming home tomorrow night and a long weekend getaway!!

Today was a no spend day. I had two bagels left over at work from last week, so that was/is breakfast for today and tomorrow. I had leftovers for lunch. Dinner was just some pasta and sauce that I had in the cupboard.

Like Baselle, I have been sick since Friday. It started with waking up in the middle of the night to a nasty sore throat and has progressed into congestion in my lungs...my least favorite ailment because of the asthma.

The hub comes home Thursday at midnight and Friday morning we leave for a 4 day trip to the resort we like to stay at. (We rent a house there that has a hot tub-) We usually go with another couple- which is what we are doing this weekend. Each couple takes the meals for one day and one night we dine out. We play games, go for walks, sit in the hot tub, and just relax. We always have a great time. I am so looking forward to it!! Its supposed to snow...which I am excited about! (Of course, the hub sees plenty of snow, so its not as exciting for him anymore.

Lots to look forward to!

I had such a great weekend. Went to Sacramento with my daughters and their kids to see my son and his family. We went to a fun pizza parlor, the zoo, fairytale town. I absolutely loved it. Here are som pics of the weekend:

Flamingos:


Getting around the zoo


Giraffes: (thats DD3 holding the little one)


Coming down the slide... Watch Gramma!


Dinner after a fun day...
thats my DS and youngest GS


We slept on air mattresses at my sons, so the weekend was relatively frugal. The kids enjoyed playing together and I LOVED having all my chicks under one roof for a couple of days. Im a happy gramma!!

The hub and I have officially paid off $5k in debt since the first of the year!! WOOT. It feels so good to FINALLY be making progress!

This work week was a no spend week except for Valentines day. I went to my daughter and SILs for dinner (he made us girls chicken piccata) and I stopped and bought wine to go with dinner. But other than that, it has been a no spender.

Tomorrow all the girls, grandbabies and I are heading to Sacramento to spend the 3 day weekend with my son and his family. We will be going to the zoo and just letting all the cousins have fun playing together.

Next week, the hub comes home for two weeks. Next weekend we have reservations at a resort that we love to go to. We have rented a nice home that has a hot tub, ping pong, bikes, etc. Should be a great weekend.

Lots of fun to look forward to. And so greatful to be making a dent in the debt finally!!

Life is so good!

Today was a no-spender. We had a potluck at work with our new team, so lunch was potluck food. I always love the variety...and seeing what others bring. It was mexi themed, so I brought a 7 layer dip with chips. One co-worker brought a spinach-artichoke cheese dip. It was so yummy! There was shrimp cocktail, tacos, deviled eggs, veggies and dip, cake and sodas. An interesting mix. But it is always fun to join in a collaboration like this. And, we have lots of left overs for tomorrow too.

My SIL sent me a text invite for dinner tomorrow at their house. This is a first..and I thought it was really sweet...but my daughter told me tonight he is making chicken picatta (my favorite) because he knows the hub is in Alaska this year for Valentines Day...talk about brownie points!!..Its looking like tomorrow will be a no-spender too!!

Wed, I will have dinner at work (free) because I have to make a presentation at the board meeting and they provide dinner at the meeting.

So, that just leaves dinner Thurs...and I have a chicken in the fridge thawing to cook up in the crockpot...

So dinners are all planned for the week until we leave for Sacramento on Friday.

Can I make it to Friday with no spending?? Thats my plan...we shall see!!

I have a good friend who owns a salon that is struggling. This is my friend who lost her son (21) to cancer 8 months ago. She has had a tough year. I have another friend who is soon getting her massage license- and trying to buy a home.

I wanted to figure a way to help them both, and also wanted to do something for my girls. So this morning- we went to the salon with mimosa makings and each of my daughters was treated to a haircut/ stle; gel nails and a chair massage.

It was a way to help my friends with some business, while giving the girls a treat. Not the most frugal day Ive ever had, but definately a feel good for everyone involved. The girls left feeling pampered and my friends made some extra money... And I felt it was a great "investment" for all. It cost me about $60 (plus tip) per daughter for a wonderful time.

Otherwise, I had a fairly frugal weekend. Yesterday I read a loaner book on my kindle - The Hunger Games. It was dark, but well written. I got a nap in, did some housework, enjoyed an amazing rain storm - where it literally poured for about a half hour.

Next weekend is our trip down to my sons new home. We havent been yet, so the girls, the grandbabies and I are going to go visit. Should be a fun time!

In the meantime, it is back to work tomorrow!

I have been having upper back pain this week. Right between the shoulder blades. So I decided to adjust my chair at work and then I put a rolled up blanked behind my back for support and put a couple of books on the floor for a foot rest. By lunch time, my back was feeling better. (Was it the new ergonomics or the ibuprofen??) I decided to go look for a back support. The first store I went to didnt have anything...so I stopped by Staples. I walked all over the darn store twice...and finally found a support that straps to the chair. But there was no price. It looked like a nice one, so I decided to go and get a price check.

The girl scanned it, and it rang up for fifty cents. She looked surprised and said it was closeout clearance price. SO I BOUGHT IT. It worked like a charm, supporting just where I needed. This is what it looks like:



These kind of deals dont come along very often..especially when you go to the store to find a specific item...but I am so glad it did!!

Dinner tonight was simple pasta and sauce. Total cost about $2. (Breakfast was toast and coffee, lunch was the last of my lunch meat- turkey sandwich)

As promised, DD2 repaid us today when she got her tax return. She had borrowed $2k for a couch and to have some dental work done...I put the entire amount towards debt repayment!

DD2 also paid every bill she had and put some into a savings account for emergencies. She has always been fairly frugal so I encouraged her to just stick the extra she had received away for a rainy day.

Today was a no spend day. I took breakfast (toast/coffee) and lunch (turkey sandwich) to work and then made lemon-rosemary chicken/potato and broccoli for dinner. Meals for the day = $5.70, plus I will have left over chicken for lunch tomorrow.

I still have not heard about my merit raise. My boss has to get approval from the CEO, who is on a extended (3 week) vacation. He comes back next week...so I hope to hear then. My annual increase (5.25%) will be on the paycheck I get Friday- Then, at the end of the month we find out what our rewards check will be. (If we hit certain predetermined goals, we are eligible for a bonus after the first of the year.) We hit almost all of the goals last year, so I am anxious to learn how much the reward check will be. Last year, I saved all gift and bonus money and have that tucked away in my ING account. I have done the same with the safety, loyalty and thank you gifts I received during December and will add the rewards $ to it when I receive it.

I feel like we are truly on the way to financial soundness!

Waiting on the Superbowl to start. I consider Green Bay "my team' of choice, so I am not overly excited about who wins today...but over the past two years I have just developed a love for watching the game. And I do love the commercials.

My teen houseguest went to the store for the broccoli I needed to make the chicken divan...and we ended up getting some game foods. She spent $27, but there is extra of several things because of the 2 for 1 deals (she didnt realize she could just buy one and get it for the half price..lol) Salsa, refried beans, etc...none of it will go to waste. I also needed olive oil.

The chicken divan is prepared and in the fridge to cook for dinner either tonight or tomorrow (depending on how much we snack.)

So a funny story to share...

two of my grandkids (cousins) were here yesterday (7 and 6). I think its because they are both oldest at home, but they argue CONSTANTLY...to the point that I dont have both of them at the same time if possible. My daughter and I took them to Costco, which was a huge err in judgement since it was the first weekend of the month, Saturday at noon, the day before superbowl...CROWDED as heck.

So, by the time we got back to the car, my nerves were pretty shot. The two of them got in the back seat and instantly started arguing. My daughter stopped them and said ok...you have to tell me ONE THING you like about each other.

DD2: DS, tell me one thing you like about her...
DS: NOTHING
DD2: No, you have to say something. One thing
DS: Mom, I cant think of ANYTHING
DD2: OK GD, what do you like about DS:
GD: Ok....I like that I moved away from him so I dont have to see him...

lol...classic.

Lunch today is using up the last of the black bean and chicken soup that I didnt freeze...yummers. And soon, let the game begin!!!

I made a chicken (with curry) yesterday. Once I deboned it, I had lots of leftover chicken, so today I am going to make chicken divan with curry. I use to make this alot but haven't had it in years- kinda like meeting up with an old friend...I dont have any broccoli on hand so I will have to run and get some, but I have everything else. So it will be inexpensive and last for a couple of days.

Finally we are having nice, sunny weather on the weekend. It is gorgeous out! I plan to get outdoors for a while, before the game starts this afternoon.

My son and DIL called this morning..their little girl (4) had an earache a couple of days ago and this morning she has no pain, no fever, but there is a dishcharge. They werent sure if they should take her to the dr- insurance has not kicked in yet...I suggested calling the dr and asking the nurse. I will be real surprised if they arent encouraged to take her in. This is something none of my kids experienced as children, so I am not sure. But Ive always been one to err on the side of caution.

Their little boy (2) has really started chatting the past couple of months...he actually talked with me on the phone and I could understand him. it was so stinkin cute. I cant wait to see them in two weeks.

A nice low key day ahead. A GORGEOUS low key day.

The curry chicken came out so yummy tonight. Cooked the whole chicken in the crockpot with dabs of butter, a sprinkle of garlic salt and about a teaspoon of curry powder on it.

Served with baked potato and green beans. Meal was $5.60 and I have PLENTY of leftover chicken for a couple of days.

Earlier today, DD2 asked if I would go to Costco with her. So I did. We took her son (7) and my GD (6) (cousins) who argue worse than any brother and sister Ive ever known... + a very crowded superstore = a very cranky gramma when we were done. Not the best decision ever. However, I did restock my lemon juice, black beans and got a couple of watermelons. Then, DD2 took the kiddos home with her, so I snuck a nap in!! Not real sure I will tackle Costco again with those two...especially on the Saturday before superbowl. lol

All in all, a great day. Tomorrow I am just hanging out at home and watching the superbowl.

All in all, a great day on a wonderful weekend!!

Last night I took my oldest grandaughter (6) to the movie We Bought a Zoo. It was cute, and she enjoyed it...although it was a fairly long movie, she did really well. Its been a while since Ive been to a movie I guess...or maybe I just always go during the early bird shows...since we went to the 7pm movie on a Friday night, my ticket was $8 and hers $5.75. I had a gift card so no out of pocket.

Before the movie we went to Red Robin for dinner- her mom joined us, and DD2 happened to get wind and was free for dinner (funny how that happens if moms buying!! lol) $65 for the four of us.

The shopping I did last week is going to suffice for this next week too. I will need just a few things (perishables) but have enough chicken, pasta, etc to last the next week.I am going to make a chicken in the crockpot today. Super easy...put the bird in, sprinkle with curry add a few dabs of butter and let it do its thing. I will serve the chicken with some green beans and rice or potatoes.

Going to get outdoors some today..the sun is out, which is fabulous!

So far, the weekend is off to a fabulous start.

Meals today included leftovers for lunch and dinner which made for a no-spend day.

I will most likely be attending training in Boston at the end of April. I have never been to the East Coast, so I am planning on tagging on a few extra days to sightsee. Unfortunately, the hub will be in Alasaka...so I may have to go solo. Hmmm, not so sure I wanna go somewhere Ive never been by myself to sightsee. If I invite one of the girls, it will be on my dime...but in order to go and enjoy, I think it might be worth it. Hmmm...

Tomorrow night, DD3 is cooking for all the girls. I am teaching her how to make chicken picatta. It should be fun. We were going to go to One for the Money...but the movie has gotten all sucky reviews. I dont like to waste money on movies that cant get any good reviews...so we will just do a girls night here and plan our trip down to see my son later in Feb.

The week is off to a good start...

I posted yesterday that I had shopped for the week and had meals all planned out.

Tonight I am baking chicken breast for dinner. I used Ina Garten's recipe (and added fresh rosemary and skinless chicken) and the house smells amazing.



This will provide leftovers for several days.
In addition to the chicken, I have potatoes roasting that I tossed in some olive oil and lipton onion soup, green beans and sour dough bread.

Total cost is about $8

Incase you want the recipe:

Lemon Chicken Breast
From Barefoot Contessa, how easy is that?

Ingredients:

» 1/4 cup good olive oil
» 3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
» 1/3 cup dry white wine
» 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
» 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
» 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
» 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
» Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
» 4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces each)
» 1 lemon

Serves 4

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just one minute — but don’t allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt, and pour into a 9-by-12-inch baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in eight wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn’t browned enough, put it under the broiler for two minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.

I appreciate all the responses to my earlier post. I was expecting some tough love and appreciate the advice. I unpublished the post and will save the responses to try to retrain my brain going forward with requests from the kiddos.

I thought I would share the craft I worked on today. I made a little valentine gift for my co-workers. There are 10 of them, so I needed to keep it inexpensive. The little vase was $.97, the flower .50 and the filler for the vase was just pennies per. I had the doilies and the candy will just be a few cents each, so about $1.50 total per person..I thought they turned out cute!