July Menu Plan

1 - barbecued chicken legs (crockpot) and scalloped potatoes

2- omelets in muffin cups, fruit

3- spaghetti & meatballs

4- hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad

5- soup/salad and grilled sandwiches

6-14 Visiting with family

15- pizza

16- crockpot meatloaf

17- spaghetti & meatballs

18- shake and bake chicken nugget kabobs

19- kid's choice

20- pierogies with veggies

21-double tomato chicken and pasta

22- eggs, sausage and toast

23- salisbury steak

24- spaghetti & meatballs

25- soup/salad and grilled sandwiches

26- kids's choice for kid's/ taco chicken bowls for me

27- takeout

28- pizza

29- sweet and sour meatball skewers, rice

30- greek inspired chicken, noodles

31- spaghetti & meatballs

Tell it Thursday

The picture from yesterday was, if you couldn't guess, because the bugs are at Vacation Bible School this week. Our daycare provider, C, was volunteering at her church VBS and she asked if the boys could attend with her. Of course! A great opporunity to socialize them - since they are the only kids at daycare right now.
So far this week they have had a blast! They have made sun-visers, doorknob hangers, and played water games on "wet Wednesday". I was a bit concerned about that since Alex does not like people to splash him. But he did great and he and Landon had a sponge fight to see who could get splashed the most.
They have also come home with a boatload of questions, most of which I do not know how to answer. And most of which stress the heck out of me.
I grew up attending church on a weekly basis, went to Sunday school, said my prayers at night. I still consider myself a spiritual person, however, I'm not frequenting Mass these days (or years). I often think in my mind how nice it would be for the bugs and I to go to church each week. To have that familiar sense of community. I have to say it always gave me a feeling of strength - like I could get through tough times easier. It also helped to instill some values. I do believe, for my family, it's important.
But....
when you are waist deep in trying to maneuver through a crazy life it is hard to find the motivation to do one more thing. It is hard to think about wrestling with the kids on Sunday morning to get dressed, eat breakfast, get in the car, get into church, be quiet, sit still, yadda, yadda, yadda. I really prefer my lazy weekend mornings, where we can eat breakfast leisurely, get dressed when we feel like it, no rush, no worries. So, being Catholic, I will live with the guilt for a while longer, and consider weekly church attendance, when my kids are just a wee bit older, and maybe when they have the ability to sit still for a bit longer amount of time. Don't judge me please.

Here's some of the conversations we've had this week, which have had me both laughing and biting my nails.

Monday
Landon - Mom, do you know who Yashi is?
Me - No, Lan, who is that?
L - You know!
Me - No, I don't
L - Yes you do!
Me - Oh yeah, Yashi, he's God's friend.


Tuesday
Me- So did you guys learn about Yashi today?
Landon - Who's yashi?
Me - I don't know. You're the one who told me about him yesterday.
L - I don't know
Me - Did you learn about Jesus today?
L - Yeah, and Mom,
Me - what?
L - God loves you


Wednesday
Alex - Where is heaven?
Me - in the sky. In outer space
A - how do you get there?
me - God has magic powers and he takes you there when
Landon - when you get dead.
me - yes, when you get dead
A - does God let you live there?
Me - yes
A - and how do you get back here?
Me - you don't. Once you live in Heaven you can't come back here
A - But I want to live here
Me - you can. You don't have to worry about this now. I don't think you are going to heaven anytime soon (thinking --oh my God I can't have a death conversation!!)
A - what about you? are you going to live there?
Me - no, not planning on it anytime soon (thinking -- Oh my God I can't have this conversation!!! Need a glass of wine!!)
L - so then how will Jeannie's daddy get back here from Heaven?
Me - He won't. He can't. He has to stay in Heaven now with God. Oh, the phone is ringing..... (thinking -- Thank God!)

Shopping for FREE or cheap this week 6.24.12

Rite Aid
Get $3 +UP Reward wyb Schick Razor - Hydro 3, Intuition, Quatro for Men or Women or Refills - $8.99
$2/1 Schick Intuition Razor or Refill printable
$4/1 Schick Hydro Silk Razor or Refill, exp. 6/24/12 (SS 05/13/12 R)
$0.75/1$2/1 Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Refills, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 06/10/12)
$4/1 Schick Hydro Power Select or Hydro 3 or 5 Blade Razor, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 06/10/12)
Final price: $1.99


Get $2 +UP Reward wyb Select 3 Pack Gum - $2.99
$1/1 Eclipse or Orbit White Gum printable
Final price: FREE if Orbit White is included


Bayer Advanced Aspirin tablets 325mg 24ct or 500 mg 20ct $3.00
$3.00/1 coupon
Final price - FREE
 
Gain Dish Liquid 9 oz $0.88
$0.50/1 P&G insert
final price - $0.38
 
Walgreens
Scotts Paper Towels 6 rolls - - $5.00
$1/1 Scott Towels, exp. 6/24/12 (SS 05/13/12)
$1/1 Scott Naturals Paper Towels (Walgreens, June)
Final price: $3.00 each after coupons


Suave Shampoo or Conditioner - $1.00
Get a $2 Register Reward wyb (2) participating Suave or Caress Products
as low as 2 Free after RR




Tops
Tops Sherbet B1G1 FREE - $2.99

Athenos Hummus 7 oz. B1G1 FREE - $2.79


Tops Butter Quarters - $1.99


Lay's Potato Chips B1G1 FREE - $4.29


Ocean Spray Craberry Juice Blends B1G1 FREE - $3.99


Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa and Sausage Rope Style and Links B1G1 FREE - $4.49
$0.55/2 Hillshire Farm Rope Smoked Sausage, exp. 8/31/12 (RP 06/17/12)
$0.55/1 Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage printable
Final price = $3.49 for 2


Sierra Mist 2-Liter - $1.00
$0.55/1 Sierra Mist 2-Liter, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 04/22/12 R)
Final price = FREE


Sargento Natural Sliced Cheese - $2.50
$0.55/1 Sargento Natural Sliced Cheese printable
Final price = $1.40


Classico Pasta Sauce 24 oz. - $2.50
$1/2 Classico Pasta Sauce, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/06/12 R)
$1/1 Classico Pasta Sauce, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/06/12)
Final price = $1.50


Special k Bars 4/$8 (Must buy (4) - $2.00
$0.70/1 Kellogg's Special K Granola Bars, exp. 7/15/12 (RP 05/20/12)
Final price = $0.60 ea. wyb 4 and use (4) coupons


Xtra Laundry Detergent - $1.99
$1/2 Xtra Laundry Detergent, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/06/12)
Final price = $1.49 ea. wyb 2


Carefree Pantiliners - $1.00
$0.50/1 Carefree Product, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/06/12)
Final price = FREE


Gold Peak Tea 16.9 oz. - $1.00
$0.50/1 Gold Peak Tea printable
Final price = FREE


Kix, Berry Berry Kix, or Honey Kix - $2.50
$0.75/1 Kix, Berry Berry Kix, or Honey Kix printable
$1.10/3 General Mills Cereals printable
$0.75/1 Kix Cereal (SavingStar.com)
$0.75/1 Kix Cereal via Upromise Deposit
Final price = $0.25 after coupon and SavingStar Deposit


Kellogg's Krave Cereal - $2.50
$1/2 Kellogg's Krave Cereal printable
$1/3 Kellogg's Cereals, exp. 7/19/12 (RP 06/03/12 R)
Final price = $2.00 ea. wyb 2


Walmart
*NEW* Heinz Vinegar $1.00

Use the $1.00 off of one Heinz Vinegar Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 8-31-12)
Total Cost FREE


*NEW* Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers $1.50
Use the $0.65 off of two Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers Printable Coupon
Or, use the $0.50 off Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 8-3-12)
Total Cost $1.00 each


*NEW* Planter’s Trail Mix $1.47
Use the $1.00 off Planter’s Product Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 8-31-12)
Total Cost $0.47


*NEW* Revlon Face Product $2.56
Use the $2.00 off Revlon Face Product Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 7-19-12)
Total Cost $0.56


*NEW* Barilla Blue Box Pasta $1.28
Use the $0.55 off of two Barilla Blue Box Pasta Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 8-19-12)
Total Cost $0.73


*NEW* Mt. Olive Pickles, Pepper or Relish $1.86
Use the $1.00 off Mt. Olive Pickles, Pepper or Relish Coupon from the 6-24-12 SS (expires 8-5-12)
Total Cost $0.86


Renuzit Fresh Accents Air Freshener $1.76
Use the Buy One, Get One FREE Renuzit Fresh Accents Printable Coupon
Total Cost $0.88 each


Dole Mandarin Oranges (11 oz) $0.98
Use the $0.50 off of two Dole Mandarin Oranges Coupon from the 4-22-12 SS (expires 6-30-12)
Total Cost $0.48 each


Maruchan Yakisoba $0.64
Use the $0.50 off Maruchan Yakisoba Coupon from the 5-20-12 SS (expires 7-31-12) (regional)
Total Cost $0.14


White Cloud Facial Tissue (90 count) $0.86
Use the $0.50 off White Cloud Facial Tissue Printable Coupon
Total Cost $0.36



and as always, fillers at Aldi's. Trying to stay within the $145.00 bi-weekly budget. Did it last time - came in at $130.00.

Thanks Living Rich With Coupons, I am That Lady, and Freebies2Deals!

Wordless Wednesday

Household Plan 6.25.12

Finished nearly everything on last week's list. Except the yardwork stuff. It was far too hot last week to do a lot of yardwork. We'll work on that that this week.

Daily -

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

Other -
Trim front hedges

Weed wack yard
Water plants and garden
July menu planning
Grocery shopping list for 6.29.12
Grocery shopping
Vacuum 1st floor/2nd floor
Dust dining room
Sweep porch
Dust master bedroom
Mstr. bedroom closet cleanout
Change mstr. bedroom sheets
Clean top shelf of fridge, microwave, dishwasher door
Clean purse
Clean toliets, tubs, bathrom mirrors
Pay 6.29.12 bills


Why does the list always look out of control???


 

Inspirational Messages

Tell it Thursday

This pic is of the boys helping with the garden. We got a community garden plot this year. Our town has only had a community garden for two years now. We used to have a garden right in the backyard, but then the problems with J began, and I had twins that I was trying to raise on my own, and so the garden became overgrown.At this point I've mowed it over and made it part of the yard again, and it seemed easier to buy a small plot at the community garden then to dig up a plot of my backyard. Plus if I began digging back there people may begin to think I'm burying J up to no good. And, you know, we don't want cops always lurking around.
So, we have this garden now that has tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and spinach. And it gives the boys and I some time to talk more about vegetables and healthy eating. May as well talk about it since it doesn't really happen much. They will not touch a vegetable. Fruit yes, vegetable, Ha! Not unless it's covered in cheese sauce. So, maybe by helping to grow and water them they will eat them. We'll see.
That's assuming I can keep them alive to produce vegetables. I do not have a green thumb. When I got my first apartment in college I bought myself a cactus. How hard could that be? I killed it. Dead. I guess that's what happens to plants when you don't provide water for them for, oh I don't know, five years.
J was always the one who watered the house plants and cared for the garden. Not me. Sometimes I'm astounded at how I can keep my kids alive - somehow I remember to feed them and give them water. Good thing they can talk and ask for it. Also a good thing that they both seem to have inherited the ability to care for plants. They are always reminding me that the plants need a drink of water.

or maybe it's because they just LOVE to fill up cups of water and dump them out.

At least until they grow out of that stage my plants and vegetable garden should survive.

Wordless Wednesday

Household Plan 6.18.12

Accomplished almost everything on the list from last week! And I got the really important stuff done like moving the furniture, air conditioners, and all that jazz. No shopping plan for this week as I really didn't see any great deals that I need. Here's the household plan--

Daily -

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

Other -
Water plants 2 or 3 times because it's gonna be HOT!
Vacuum 1st floor
Clean toilets, sweep/mop bathrooms
Clean purse
Dust hallway
Finish paying June 16th bills
Dust kid's/guest rooms
Dust LR
Sweep porch
Change kid's sheets 
Mow lawn (it never got done last week)
Trim front hedges
weed wack yard

Gimme three steps

I recently watched an episode of Dr. Phil and he talked about the 5 steps that have to happen to attempt to fix a relationship when one person in a relationship does something so awful that it threatens the relationship itself (ie: J's drug addiction). The steps are:

1. Hear what the other person says about how they have been hurt, wronged, etc. and how they feel
2. Acknowledge what the other person says.
3. Own what has been done
4. Apologize for what has been done
5. Make real, concrete steps to correct the situation

Let's examine where J and I are at.

One of those days

Last night was one of those nights. You know, when you wake up to use the bathroom (my getting older and been through twins sitting on it bladder ain't what it used to be) and then you can not get back to sleep. I woke up at 2:30am after having gone to sleep around 11:30pm - a wonderful 3 hours of sleep. Then my mind would not turn off.
I thought about work, and all of its sucky-ness, all of the things I have to get done at work, this weekend and all of the things I have to get done at home, J and what the hell he's doing (I've not heard from him at all since the call almost two weeks ago, neither has his family), How I would react and what I would tell my kids if someone comes knocking on the door telling me J is dead, what an a$$ J is, how sad I am my marriage is over, how angry I am my marriage is over, the Reuben sandwich I ate for dinner and how that may not be the best choice both for my health and for the fact that I'm single again (in my 40's! Thanks J!)
This went on for nearly 3 hours but I refused to  get out of bed until 6am.
Then I must have fallen back to sleep right before 6am - and don;t even remember turning off the alarm that went off at 6:30am, because I woke up at 8am, now running late for work.

Try explaining to two three year olds why you have to rush around in the morning and why you are practically dragging them out of bed (they slept late too). Not an easy task, when you are near exhausted from lack of good sleep

Yet, somehow I find the energy (or coffee) to get through the day. Get through work, get through grocery shopping and fingers-crossed have maybe an hour to lay down before picking the kids up from daycare.

Shopping for FREE or cheap 6.10.12

I really didn't see any deals at either Rite Aid or Walgreen's for me this week. I did, though, see a ton, at Walmart. So, my plan for the week includes, Top's, Walmart, and of course, filling in neccessities at Aldi's. Trying to stay in the budget of $145.00 bi-weekly.

TOP'S
Red or Green Seedless Grapes per lb. - $1.49



Trix Cereal 4/$6 (Must buy 4) - $1.50
$0.50/1 Trix Cereal printable
$0.50/1 Trix Cereal (SavingStar.com)
$0.60/1 Trix Cereal printable
Final price = as low as FREE


Cabot Cheese - $2.00
$1/2 Cabot Creamery Products (Common Kindness)
Final price = $1.50 ea. wyb 2


Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage Links B1G1 FREE - $2.69
$1/2 Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage Products printable
Final price = $1.69 for 2


Better Oats Oatmeal - $1.00
$0.55/2 Better Oats Oatmeal printable
Final price = $0.45 ea. wyb 2


Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars - $2.50
$0.50/2 Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars printable
$0.50/2 Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars (SavingStar.com)
Final price = $1.25 ea. wyb 2


Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Coffee Creamer 32 oz. - $3.00
$0.55/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid or Powder Creamer Product printable
$1/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Liquid Coffee Creamers printable
$1.10/2 Nestle Coffee-mate Sugar Free Creamer printable
$1/2 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 04/29/12 R)
$1/2 Nestle Coffee-Mate Powder Creamer, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 04/29/12 R)
$0.50/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Powder Creamer, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 04 /29/12 R)
$0.50/1 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, exp. 7/22/12 (SS 04/29/12 R)
Final price = as low as $1.90


Dannon Oikos Yogurt 5.3 oz. cups - $1.00
$0.50/2 Dannon Oikos Yogurts printable
B1G1 Dannon Oikos Cups, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12 R)
$0.50/1 Dannon Oikos Cups, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12 R)
$0.50/2 Dannon Oikos Cups, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12)
Final price = as low as FREE



Stonyfield Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt 5.3 oz. - $1.00
$0.50/2 Stonyfield Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt printable
Final price = $0.50 ea. wyb 2

Tops Sherbet 32 oz. B1G1 FREE - $2.99

Welch's Grape Juice Cocktail 64 oz. B1G1 FREE - $3.99


Fisher Boy Fish Sticks - $3.00
$0.75/1 Fisher Boy printable
Final price = $1.50


Tops Pizza Sauce 15 oz. B1G1 FREE - $1.49

Scotties Facial Tissue - $1.00
$0.25/1 Scotties Facial Tissue printable
$1 off Scotties Facial Tissues printable
$1/1 Country Time Half & Half printable
Final price = as low as $0.50

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner - $2.00
$1/1 Clorox Manual or Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner printable
$0.50/1 Clorox Product printable
Final price = $1.00


Clorox Bleach $2.00

KC masterpiece BBQ sauce $1.50

Tostitos $3.00

Total OOP -- +/- $45.00


WALMART
Imodium - $2.97
$2/1 Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief printable
Final price: $.97

Brawny Paper Towels, single roll - $1.00
$1/1 Brawny Paper Towels printable
Final price: as low as FREE!

Boost Kid Essentials Drink, 4 pk - $4.98
$3/1 Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink printable
Final price: $1.98

Benadryl Itch Relief Stick, .47 oz - $2.28
$1/1 Benadryl Product printable
$1/1 Benadryl Topical Item, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 04/15/12)
$2/1 Benadryl Topical Product, exp. 12/31/12 (RP 06/19/11)
Final price: as low as $0.28

Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste, 4.6 oz - $1.88
$1/1 Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste or Training Paste, exp. 6/30/12 (RP 04/15/12)
Final price: $.88

White Cloud Facial Tissue, 90 ct - $0.86
$0.50/1 White Cloud Facial Tissue printable
Final price: $.36

Cutter Citronella Candle, 2 oz - $0.97
$1/1 Cutter Products printable
$1/1 Cutter Product, exp. 7/31/12 (RP 05/20/12)
Final price: FREE!

U By Kotex Liners, 18 ct - $1.24
$1/1 U By Kotex Liners, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12)
Final price: $.24

Kotex Natural Balance Liners, 22 ct - $0.94
$1.50/2 Kotex Natural Balance, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12)
Final price: $.19 ea wyb 2

*Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns - $2.97
$2/1 Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer, Triazicide, or Bug Stop Item @Walmart printable
Final price: $.97

*Spectracide Bug Stop - $2.88
$2/1 Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer, Triazicide, or Bug Stop Item @Walmart printable
Final price: $.88

*BelVita Breakfast Biscuits Blueberry, 1.76 oz pk - $0.88
B1G1 belVita Breakfast Biscuits Blueberry printable
Final price: $.44 ea wyb 2

*Kotex Natural Balance Liners, 16 ct - $0.94
$2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Product printable
$2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Product printable
$2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Product (Target mfr.)
$2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Products printable
$2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Products printable
$1.50/2 Kotex Natural Balance, exp. 6/30/12 (SS 05/20/12)
$1/1 Kotex Natural Balance Product, exp. 7/1/12 (Summer Savings)
Final price: FREE!

*Beech-Nut Goodies, 1 oz - $1.27
$1/1 Beech-Nut Goodies printable
$1/1 Beech-Nut Goodies printable
$1/1 Beech-Nut Stage 4 or Stage 5 Product printable
Final price: $.27

Total OOP - +/- $15.00


Aldi's OOP budget - $85.00

Household Plan 6.11.12

Got a good amount done on last week's list. Actually pretty proud of myself for what I accomplished.

Here's the plan for this week:

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




Other -
Shopping list for 6/15/12
Clean refrigerator drawers, door shelves, and top/front
Clean microwave
Clean dishwasher door
Clean toilets, tubs and showers
Clean bathroom mirrors
Vacuum 1st floor
Vacuum 2nd floor
Dust dining room
Dust master bedroom
Sweep porch
Clean out car
Sew Alex's flip flop
Trim front yard hedges
Mow the stinkin lawn (seems I just did this - and I only plan it every 10 days. Ugh, I really hate this!)
Grocery shopping (bi-weekly)


I've got some special projects this week as well. My sister will be visiting this coming weekend, and it's not often I have an extra set of adult hands around so we are dismantling my entertainment center, building the new television cabinet, moving the furniture in living room, and setting up the new television I bought at Christmas-time. We will also be putting in my three window air conditioners and re-hanging the shutter that got ripped off the house when we had the storm.

This looks nearly impossible. We'll see what can be done.

Out and about

J got out of jail on Friday. Pretty much all day that day my stomach was a wreck. Just nervous. After work, the kids and I went to the store and he was there. Luckily, we were done shopping and I was heading out the door anyway. I don't think the boys saw him - at least they didn't say anything.

Then he called a few days ago and left me a message asking me if he could borrow money for food. Claims he didn't have any. I didn't answer and I didn't respond.

I feel sick. I don't know where he is planning on living. I don't know if we are going to have to co-exist in this semi-small town trying to abide by an order that says no contact. How in the world do I explain to my three year olds why they can't go talk to Daddy if we see him in the store? I feel guilty for not helping him, even though my rational mind knows he must have had food, if he had what seemed to be emergency housing. I know deep down that his asking for money was a way to get something he needed, or to see how much he can continue to take from me. To assess the situation. I've not heard from him since.
Still I don't know how to do this. This is all new to me. Even with all of the struggles of the past few years, J and I have always had contact of some sort. No contact is allowing me to feel all of the emotions of what is going on - sadness and anger mostly, and I go from one to the other. And I have no closure to this relationship.

Because there's no contact.

So, I have no way to tell him how angry I am. Or how sad I am that it all turned out this way.

Household Plan 6.4.12

I did not accomplish much on a household plan last week. After arriving home to the mess the storm left, it was all I could do to get the yard cleaned up from that, and to catch up on daily tasks, like laundry and grocery shopping. I am happy to say that without having to buy the pull-ups I was able to stay within my bi-weekly grocery budget of $145.00. Whoo Hoo!

Here's the plan for this week:

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

Other -
Vacuum 1st floor
Vacuum LR furniture
Clean toilets
Pay June 1st bills and balance checkbook
Clean LR windows
Clean bottom shelf of refrigerator
Cards/gifts for June and July
Dust LR
Clean out car
Sew Alex's flip flop
Work on photo albums
Sweep porch
change sheets - all
Mow lawn (can I tell you how much I HATE this!)
Replant vegetables in garden that were destroyed by storm
Weed killer application on driveway
Trim front yard hedges

Oh my, when I put it all down it looks daunting. Not sure what I'll accomplish. Need to prioritize!