Thursday, May 31, 2012

June Menu Plan

1- takeout

2 - sausage stroganoff

3- pizza

4- salad w/ grilled sandwiches

5- frittata, fruit

6- spaghetti and meatballs

7- leftovers

8- giada's mac n cheese muffin cups

9- meatball subs and fries

10- hot dogs, burgers, tater tots

11- kid's choice

12- beef and veggie kabobs

13-spaghetti and meatballs

14- chicken parm casserole

15- omelets in muffin cups, fruit

16- takeout

17- kid's choice

18- pizza

19- dinner out with family visiting

20- margarita chicken

21- taco pasta

22- leftovers

23- finger lickin chicken legs

24- salad w/ grilled sandwiches

25- pancakes and sausage

26- faux cheese fondue, and chocolate fondue

27- spaghetti and meatballs

28- sausage foil dinners

29- tortellini and ham salad

30- takeout

What's Goin On?

We got through last week and made it safely to our vacation destination. Had a great time, which I will write about later,and got safely home to find that our town had been hit by a microburst just a half hour before we arrived.
Major cleanup to do in the yard, a few broken windows and shutters, and thankfully we are safe.

So, time this week has been consumed with yard cleanup, catching up on laundry from the trip, and unpacking. No plans for anything else on the household plan this week, other than grocery shopping and checking on our vegetable garden to see if it survived the storm. No couponing this week either; just no time.
Will post a menu for June as soon as I am able.

Oh, and I think we have finally accomplished both boys being potty trained!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Out of the Mouths of Babes

You know it's time to clean when your child wipes his hand across some of your furniture, looks at his hand, and says, "Mom, what's this?" - to which your response is, "That's dust."

and he says, "Well you better clean it."

Landon's new chore - dusting.....

Household Plan 5.21.12

So, I accomplished about half of all the weekly items on my list for last week. On Thursday I nearly had a breakdown and had to call someone to talk me off the ledge as I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with everything that is supposed to get done but isn't. But after a glass (or two) of wine, and some deep breathing, I put things back in perspective.
I didn't quite get everything done but I did add in planting half of our garden plot at the community garden, working on potty training with Landon, and this too...



This week is going to be a BUSY week. Super busy with work commitments plus normal household stuff here. And, we are traveling for the upcoming holiday weekend so will need to get things done for that as well, like packing, planning, and getting some yardwork/house maintenance stuff done prior to leaving.


Daily -
Make beds
Dishes
Laundry
Empty Trash
Wipe out Bathroom Sinks
Change dishtowels and bathroom hand towels

Other -
Clean toilets
Clean bathroom mirrors
Dust hallway
Dust kid's room/guest room
Dust LR
Dust DR
Sweep/mop bathrooms
Sweep porch
Change kid's sheets
Mow Lawn









Thursday, May 17, 2012

Tell it Thursday

The picture from yesterday was the boys playing at the state park camping playground, which is about 3 miles from our house. We had taken the scooters out a few weekends back and I decided the nearly vacant campground this time of year would be a prefect place for them to practice their scooter skills. And it was. Pavement flat, no cars, only a handful of people. They had a great time, until Alex decided he could not do it, Landon was not allowed to go faster than him, and an argument began. Complete with crying. Then, as I looked to the sky, to ask God for some patience, I saw the shimmering of the sun on the new campground playground equipment.
Saved. God had not answered my prayer with extra patience, like I asked for, but he did give me something I needed. And it worked.
We spent the next hour on the slide and that tire swing and everyone ended up happier for it. Mommy included.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Household Plan 5.14.12

So, here's my household plan for the rest of this week.

Daily -
Make beds
Dishes
Laundry
Empty Trash
Wipe out Bathroom Sinks
Change dishtowels and bathroom hand towels

Other for Week -
Vacuum 1st floor and living room furniture
Clean Toilets
Clean windows - master bedroom
Vacuum 2nd floor
Clean bathtubs/showers
Clean bathroom mirrors
Clean refrigerator door shelves
Dust master bedroom
Clean microwave
Sweep/mop bathrooms
Clean dishwasher door
Sweep porch
Change sheets - master bedroom
Dust dining room


Mr. (or Mrs.) Clean

I recently read an article in my Working Mother magazine (which by the way I get a year long subscription for free) about how working moms and also stay at home moms feel guilt for not having a clean house. The article talked about how we've worked toward equal pay, and Dad's taking more responsibility in the home, but Mom's still feel guilt about whether the house is clean, or clean enough.
I can completely relate. I don't really know what is wrong with me. I mean I can rationalize with myself about how I am a single working mother of two small children, and it is impossible to get everything done. Yet at the end of the day, even when that day is ending when the boys finally get to sleep at 10:30pm, I can not leave a dirty dish in my sink and go to bed. Seriously, I'm not kidding.

I wish I could find a way to cut myself a little slack. I try - I really do. But the guilt creeps in. Anyone else feel this way? Please tell me I am not the only one. I guess the article is my proof that I'm not.

What do you do to keep from feeling guilt about a not clean enough house? How hard is it for you to cut yourself slack?

I have a housework "plan" that I bought from Motivated Moms, that lists task for each day. It helps me break my cleaning and household chores into small, manageable bites. A little bit for each day. Because if I had to do it all on the weekends, we would never have time for anything else. And I don't want our weekends to be consumed with chores. We've got to have some memory making time in there too.

What I had been doing was if something didn't get done on say Monday, I would add it to Tuesday's list. And what was happening was by the end of the week the list was enormous. Making me feel incapable and overwhelmed.
So, what I'm trying to do now is prioritize the daily list and if it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done. So be it. Put a period at the end of that sentence, and move on. Hard for me to do, but good therapy I guess.

Who invented guilt anyway? I think it is a terrible emotion that should be banished.


Monday, May 14, 2012

Shopping for FREE or Cheap this week 5.13.12

My shopping plan for this week includes Walgreen's and Wegman's, because I have a meeting for work in a community where both these stores are located. Also, my normal trips to Top's and Rite Aid, and finally filling in essentials at Aldi.

RITE AID COUPON MATCH UPS 5/13/12

Pepsi & Pepsi Products - $0.99
$0.55/1 Pepsi Next, exp. 5/16/12 (Pepsi Moments 04/29/12)
as low as $.44 each after coupon

Always Radiant Infinity or Tampax Radiant - $3.99
Get $1.00 UPR wyb 1
$1/1 Always Infinity, exp. 5/31/12 (P&G 04/29/12)
$1/1 Tampax Pearl, Pearl Compak or Radiant, exp. 5/31/12 (P&G 04/29/12)
as low as $1.99 each after UPR and coupon

Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies - $2.00
Get $2.00 UPR wyb 3
$1/2 Kellogg's Raisin Bran printable
$0.70/1 Kellogg's Krave Raisin Bran Cinnamon Almond, Crunchy Nut Caramel Nut, or Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites Cinnamon Roll, exp. 5/13/12 (RP 04/01/12 R)
$1/2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Rice Krispies Gluten Free, or Cocoa Krispies, exp. 5/13/12 (RP 04/01/12 R)
as low as $.64 each after UPR and coupon

Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers - $3.50
Must buy 2 for sale price Get $2.00 UPR wyb 2
B1G1 Pantene Product, exp. 5/31/12 (P&G 04/29/12)
$3/2 Pantene from 5/13/12 P&G
Deal Idea:
Buy (4) Pantene Shampoo or Conditioners $3.50 ea
-(2) B1G1 Pantene Product, exp. 5/31/12 (P&G 04/29/12)
-(1) $3/2 coupon from 5/13 P&G
Pay: $4
Get (2) $2.00 UPR
Free after coupons & UPR

Finish Dishwasher Detergent, Jet Dry Rinse, Dixie or Vanity Fair Cups, Plates, Napkins and Wet Ones Wipes
Buy One get Second Free
Get $2.00 UPR wyb $6.00
$0.50/1 Finish Powerball or Gel Pacs printable
$0.50/1 Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Agent or Turbo Dry printable
$1/2 Finish Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs, exp. 5/27/12 (SS 04/22/12 R)
$0.75/1 Finish Powerball Tabs or Gelpacs, exp. 5/27/12 (SS 04/22/12)
$1/2 Vanity Fair Napkins or Guest Hand Towels, exp. 7/1/12 (RP 04/01/12 R)
$1/3 Vanity Fair Napkins or Guest Hand Towels, exp. 7/1/12 (RP 04/01/12 R)
$0.75/1 Wet Ones Wipes Product, exp. 6/3/12 (SS 04/22/12)
$1/1 Wet Ones Wipes Product (RA Video Values, April)


WALGREENS COUPON MATCH UPS 5/13/12
U by Kotex Sleek Tampons (18 ct.) - $3.99
Get a $3 Register Reward with purchase
$0.25/1 U by Kotex printable
Final price: $0.74 after coupon and Register Reward

Softsoap Body Wash - 2/$6.00
Get $3 Register Reward when you buy 2
$0.75/1 Softsoap Bodywash or Bar Soap, exp. 5/13/12 (SS 04/15/12)
Final price: $0.75 each when you buy 2 after coupon and Register Reward


TOPS WEEKLY COUPON MATCHUPS - 5/13/12
Fresh Blueberries or Strawberries B1G1 FREE

Kellogg's Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries - $1.66
$0.50/1 Kellogg's Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries or Mini Crisps printable
$1/2 Kellogg's Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries or Mini Crisps printable
$1/4 Kellogg's Pop tarts printable
Final price = as low as $0.66

Stonyfield Oikos Organic Yogurt 6 oz. - $0.60
$0.50/3 Stonyfield Organic Yogurt printable
Final price = $0.26 ea. wyb 3

Yo Crunch Yogurt - $0.60
$1/4 YoCrunch Cookie & Candy or Granola Cups printable
$1/4 YoCrunch Cookie & Candy, or Granola Cups, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 02/05/12 R)
Final price = $0.35 ea. wyb 4

Heluva Good Limited Edition Black Bean Queso Dip - $1.66
$1/1 Heluva Good Limited Edition Black Bean Queso Dip printable
Final price = $0.66

International Delight Coffee Creamer 32 oz. - $3.00
$0.55/1 International Delight Product printable
$0.55/1 International Delight Creamer printable
Final price = $1.90

Wise Popcorn - $1.66
$0.75/2 Wise Popcorn printable
Final price = $0.91 ea. wyb 2

Split Chicken Breasts $0.99 per lb.

Tops Eggs - Large Dozen - $1.00

Gwaltney Meat Franks - $1.00

Gain Dishwashing Liquid 28 oz. - $2.00
$0.50/1 Gain Dishwashing Liquid, exp. 6/30/12 (P&G 05/13/12)
Final price = $1.00


Wegman’s
Wildwood Organic Hummus, 10 oz – $1.42
Use $0.50/1 Coupon from 4/29 RP insert
Final Price = $0.42!

Aquafresh Kids Training Toothpaste – $1.99
Use $0.75/1 Printable
Final Price= $0.49

Seeds of Change Brown Rice – $2.69
Use $2.00/1 Printable coupon
Final Price= $0.69


These are the deals I am doing. You can find the full set of coupon matchups for these store at Living Rich with Coupons, I Am That Lady, and Mindfully Frugal Mom.


Friday, May 11, 2012

Cheap Jello Temptations

Coupons.com has a new $1.10/1 couon for jello temptations. You can find it at zip code 33712.
Should make for some cheap treats!

Thanks Momsbyheart!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Tell It Thursday

I chose the picture yesterday because J's court date was yesterday. I haven't spoken to, or heard from for that matter, him since the incident.
He had to go before the same judge that has known him now for three years, since the time his issues really surfaced and began causing problems, for him, for our family, for our marriage. I'm guessing she was not at all happy to see him again.
He got a minimal jail sentence. Which is good. Not because I really give a crap if he sits in jail but because I truly believe that it will do him no good. He needs to be out in society, actively facing his problem and finding a solution to it. Or not. But that will be his choice.

The kicker is that she also gave him a multiple year long order that says he can't have any contact with me or the boys. Multiple years. Like my boys will be in school before it expires.
Now please don't get me wrong. I completely understand why she chose to do that. It puts the own-ness on J and no one else. He has to make some serious changes in order to see his children again. I also believe that if those serious, significant changes are made, and he were to approach the judge about dismissing the order, she would do so. It protects the children from having to be hurt by his problems. It forces me to not have to deal with him or his issues anymore. He no longer has opportunity to drag us through his problems.
What ticks me off the most, is that the boys and I lost our choices.

I didn't choose a marriage like this, that is now sure to end in divorce.
I didn't choose to not have a partner in life.
I didn't choose to have to struggle financially, emotionally, etc through each day.

The boys didn't choose to have a Dad like this.
The boys didn't choose to have to explain to others why their Dad is not at home, soccer practice, school graduations, etc (or whatever it may be at the time)
The boy's didn't choose to go through life without a good male role model, which I fear will affect them as they get older, and into their future.

J chose all of this. By his choices and his actions.
And I am so completely pissed off about it.

Red Beans & Brown Rice

I tried this recipe today. It is fabulous! Go out and get the ingredients and make it. Go.
Really, really good.
Healthy too.

You think I can get the kids to eat it?

Monday, May 7, 2012

Baby Food Money Maker!

Rite Aid has a sale on gerber baby food this week. They are priced at about $1.70 each and are also B1G1 50% off.

Deal looks like this:
Buy 8 baby food at $1.70 each B1G1 50% off
Pay $10.20 OOP
Get 4 $3.00 UPR -- $12.00 back in UPR (limit of 4 offers per household)

$1.80 Money Maker!

Even if you don't need baby food yourself it's a nice item to give away to someone who does or to the local food pantry.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Tell it Thursday

The picture from yesterday is the boys at our last visit to Aunt Amy's house - two years ago. I can't believe how much they've changed and also how long it's been since I've been to my sister's house. We're planning another trip this Memorial day weekend - she's since moved to a new house so we've never seen her new digs. I thought it would be neat to post a pic from this coming trip and compare the two.

Plus I love this pic for the look on Landon's face. It says it all. Alex talking, as usual, and Landon looking at him like, "Oh, boy, what the heck is he talking about now."

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Dr. Oz's Giveaways

Today on Dr. Oz's website you have a chance to win some awesome prizes that can help you fight fatigue, beat stress, get more sleep, and get healthier. Chances to win start today at 12noon EST!

Check out the website for more details and let me know if you win something! Good luck!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Free Pizza

Domino's is giving away more FREE artisan pizza on their facebook page this week. I actually got one yesterday! Whoo Hoo!!

They don't say what time it goes live so you have to watch for it. But worth a shot if you've got time to check throughout the day.

Pizza is good. FREE pizza even better.