Moved!

I have decided to use one of my other blogs, feel free to join me =)

http://gimmethatsugar.blogspot.com/

Shampoo alternatives.

So I ran across a pin a while back. Honestly I don't even think I officially "Repin"ed it but as with all pins I clicked to check the link and in fact stumbled upon a secret curly hair cult. These women apparently have gathered around a potion that they swear by, Baking Soda as shampoo.
Well today after taking the boys to see Spiderman... 5? They owed it to me to pa ruse Target. Where I picked up a couple travel size containers that could fit my new shampoo and conditioner. With a ratio of roughly 1T baking soda to 1cp water for shampoo and the like for Apple Cider Vinegar as a stand in for conditioner, mama is off and running.

We shall see how this goes!

Well you have to start somewhere.

I have been so overwhelmed with emotions lately. I am a passionate person/mother. I put nothing less than 100% into anything I do... Especially new and different ways of approaching the same ol same ol, such as chores which I will expand on later.
Currently my love is on holiday exploring up North with his father and while he is away Mommy will play! I have been meaning to paint his room since the day we moved in. I completely understand the stress people have when moving to prepare where ever they land as much as possible. Well its been over a year and many stay-cations later and I have finally made myself accountable. I WILL paint my sons room. Now the vision has changed and shifted from what it originally was and I am mildly surprised to see where it has landed. From bold primary colors (including red which is his favorite) to a more toned down light and airy feel with a twist... Because there must always be a twist!
With that being said I am steadily wrapping this project up and shall post pictures soon!! I just know his sweet heart will love all the effort that was put into making his little corner even that much more special.

Paleo? Carb/Dairy Lite?

I keep rolling the idea of changing my diet around in my head. I am hands down addicted to bread, it is not only a meal but a utensil if needed. As much as I LOVE bread I am not happy with how it rules my definition of a "meal"
Im seeing references to Paleo EVERYWHERE. So with every new idea I obsess and follow blogs and feeds and fb and... Im definitely finding some down right delicious meal ideas and interesting veggie/protein combos. But Im not there. And my fridge is FULL of yogurt.
So as this idea enfolds into reality I shall embark on a carb/dairy lite week. I don't know where I will be on Wednesday but I do believe I am ready for Monday!
I broiled up some chicken with some jerk seasoning, chopped it up with some red onion and a tablespoon or so of mayo tucked it away with some leaves of lettuce for a wrap. As well as hard boiled some eggs for an easy grab.

In the pail for Monday am snack, lunch, pm snack
- peanut (only) butter w/ celery
- Jerk Chick (red onion, mayo) salad w/ lettuce wraps
- indiv. trail mix (only nuts and dried fruit) pack from tj's
- cocoa roasted 100 cal pack almonds

Looking for more bfast ideas then eggs, def needs more veggies on hand!

*NEED
Avocado's
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Mushrooms
Raw Almonds
Raw Walnuts
Org Strawberries
Org Blueberries
Almond Milk?

4/30 day shred

Yay me haha

Big HUGE nerd moment here but I am kinda excited. I actually hooked the Mac to our printer and printed stuff out today. I've been putting this task off for a month or TEN. So another round of Yay me's!!!

And...

I printed coupons =P

Scatterbrained and proud of it!!

Ok ok ok...
So in addition to the $100 weekly grocery budget there is also a $20 dining out portion as well as $10 drug store and $20 misc. Totaling $150 cash and divided into (pretend) envelopes!

So although I went over on my "drug store" budget ($13.88) I do have $7 left in my grocery so I end this week -$6.88


Not bad and Im still proud of myself haha

Finished making my list for next week already so I ran to the bank to get cash and headed on over to the store to pick up those things not "in my pantry" along with a few coupons (snack items for lunches or whatev.) I calculated things as I went and walked into checkout assuming $36.50 would be my total (with coupons). I admit I was slightly embarrassed to use coupons but had them in my hand on top of my $40 efficiently enough =) So far so good, right?? Well Im watching her scan them and paying attention to what they are deducting and it comes down to the last two, identical $1/1 coupon for Kraft Homestyle Mac (I was only buying them because I had the coupons and they were $2 so $1 after coupons) and the computer errored and wouldn't accept. So normally I would just say thank you and pay for my total but the NEW more $$ conscious me said thank you and grabbed the Mac out of the bag in my cart and asked her to take it off my total =) Which came to... $31.46 (for next week minus friday)

So who can't be a proud of a little personal growth!!

Menu
Mon - Broiled Seasoned Chick Brst, Veggie and Hashbrown Casserole (new recipe)
Tues - Bean (pinto) and Cheese Burritos
Weds - Egg/Potato/Sausage Bake
Thurs - Leftovers
Fri - Rotisserie Chick, Salad and French Bread (will purchase that day)
Sat - Going out with my Baby!!!
Sun - Potato Soup (which I will make a day ahead)
*lots of potato Im now noticing whoops!

Purchase $31.46
2- gallons of 1% milk
box of corndogs (16ct)
1lb sausage
pk salad
*Homestyle Mac $1/1
tortillas (8)
*2- pringles $1/2
kids cuisine (because there were no leftovers for dinner:)
*2- varios bags of 8oz Hanover pretzels $1/2
pop-tarts (whoops;)
pinto beans
heavy cream

CVS trip

Dipping our toes in the "Drug Store Game"

6 various 12pks of Pepsi products
2 18pks of Cottonelle TP
2 containers of Cottonelle wet wipes
1 refill of Cottonelle wet wipes
We cleared the shelves of their Pepsi 12pks and the store was emptied of the TP we went in to purchase originally as well as the paper towels that were on our list so clearly we weren't the first to notice their ad. We entered with no coupons but all items were on sale.
Purchase total before sales $82.26
Total out of pocket $59.28
**PLUS $20 in Extracare Cash towards our next purchase!
Total savings (with care cash included) $42.98

I am proud of myself =) I have tried in the past to use coupons BUT only at Costco. Costco makes it simple, you only need ONE coupon to get everything that they have coupons for at any one time, same barcode. So although I didn't have any coupons the promise of FREE money was enticing =)

Pantry Challenge... Day 1

$11 at TJ's (I round ^ to the nearest dollar =)
- Pretzel thins (snack)
- Hot Dog Buns (Tuesday Dinner)
- Naan Bread (Weds Dinner)
- Tomato Soup ( Friday Dinner)


On the Menu for this evening...

Chicken soup for the BF, he's sick... still...
(left over) Kielbasa and white bean soup for the child and cereal for me =)

Pantry Challenge...

So Im a little late to this, but just found it last night so Im jumping ASAP aka NOW!!

Pantry Challenge

My Challenge, for January... Actually give myself a budget haha loser!
-  $100/wk  Doesn't sound so hard but I plan "expensive" meals or so I've been told.
-  Use ALL meats in freezer before buying new stock.
-  Sweets, if any, from scratch
-  and for goodness sakes organize my pantry and KEEP it that way =P

Boeuf Bourguignon...

Not sure...
Started the whole dinner making process at 2pm and finished around 6:30pm.
It was "fine" used up three bottles of wine so now my trash looks a little more fun to my neighbors.
Im not sure when I would make this again, perhaps if we have dinner guests.
I have nothing to compare this too.
I noticed the recipe from a fun cooking blog I follow and meant to make it early this week but as every weekly menu goes it was rescheduled for today.
And even though it wasn't the most amazing meal, which may have had more or less to do with the fact that I made it by myself and I feel things ALWAYS taste better when you didn't have to make it =), I am happy to have tried something new and deep clean/rearrange my kitchen while doing it!!

Groupon/Christmas SCORE!!

So EXCITED!! Over the summer I took this adorable picture of my son and nephew while we went on a mini vacation.

Im terrible at printing photos out... Scratch that. I am TERRIBLE at removing photos from any of the 10 or so memory cards floating around our home which drives my Nicholas bonkers =)

Anyways... My parents are ridiculous Christmas present recievers. They don't want anything and anything they need or mention they have already purchased and are waiting for it to be delivered =( Boo. But what they don't have is a fancyish picture of their grandsons hanging on their wall. And by fancyish I just mean BIG. So I looked around and contacted a gentleman who reproduces photos into handpainted art. Although his work is quite handsome, his quote was a little off the mark. $400 for a simple portrait and more depending on background detail. And that was for a smallish canvas. Double Boo.

So along this journey I decided that a suitable way would be a canvas print. So armed with my Costco card I logged on to their site to review prices. Relieved at the $59.99 tag I settled in this evening to upload and purchase. And in doing so I was naturally sidetracked by my "dashboard". Perusing through the updates I so fabulously stumbled upon Groupon's Cedar Rapids Deal of the DAY!!!!
$39.99 for a 16x20 Canvas Print via CafePress
And did I mention this includes shipping. Which saves me from packing it and shipping it off to the east coast!!!! Seriously??!! What fabulous luck is that =)

SCORE


<3

Weekly Dinner Menu 11/08 -11/14

Monday - Tortellini w/ Ceasar Salad (N's request)
Tuesday - Potato and Chorizo Tacos
Wednesday - Slow Cooker Chili 
Thursday - Something with chicken =)
Friday - Leftovers or Naan pizza's should no leftovers be found
Saturday - Beef Tostadas
Sunday - Meatloaf

The things you can do with an extra hour

So if you haven't heard yet today, in 49 states, is Daylight Savings. So as we turned our clocks back an hour early this a.m. we find ourselves in the position of expected productivity.

Along with having an extra hour to toy around with, I had this WHOLE weekend basically to myself. Shane was with his father and Nick was away at work and had a session scheduled for Sunday. On Saturday I went up to Sac and visited with one of my favorite pregnant ladies. We baked while counting contractions but alas Miss Lily did not make her debut in time for cookies and milk =(

Later Saturday evening while heading back home I stopped at a mall on the way home to get my fingers around some torino syrups so I can experiment with my new espresso machine!! Which I TOTALLY love and should have got years ago instead of just thinking about it. Thank goodness sbux raised their prices otherwise I probably would have been shoveling the occasional $3.50 away <3 But unfortunately I couldn't find one of the four flavors I was looking for so I decided not to buy any. I punish myself, go figure. While I was at the mall I just couldn't believe how many people where EVERYWHERE. And now that I think about it, it isn't just the malls its Target and Safeway and everywhere else I go. I guess I don't get out much, well I know I don't get out much. Good Lord.

Today I got all the loose ends snipped off my list that I've been putting off for awhile including a bin thats been piling up with "to be filed". I pulled everything out of the fridge and freezer and cleaned and reorganized, same with the pantry and hall closet!! I just keep opening up doors to peek in, it makes me that happy!!!! And I dusted and Costco'd and gassed up my car! And I burned candles so my house smells so warm and cozy!!! I caught up on my girls in ATL and the yummiest hamburgers for dinner and lunches are packed for tomorrow! Feels so good to still have energy after its all said and done!!!

<3

Worst Mother EVER

I feel like the worst mother EVER! My son's school, as most school's do, is involved in a fundraiser. No cookie dough, no chocolate bars. But they are offering crabtree lotions and 1/2lb bags of gummy bears for $8.50!!!! That translates to $17 a lb??? Magazine subscriptions are $10 for 1/2 a year and $20 for a whole year?? This is OUTRAGEOUS.

I don't even want to buy anything from my own kid, but he is bound and determined to sell 100 items so he can get one of each of the selected prizes. He was hounding us last night to look at the magazine and decide. Not to mention that in our little community there are approx 20 kids who go to the SAME SCHOOL. I guess I never realized growning up how ridiculous these companies prices are.

I don't see this going well especially since min $850 is going to get him a mini cooler...

Whoot Whoot!!

Whoot Whoot!! Snagged a great deal IMO @ Home Depot this evening.

Since we moved into our place 6/7 months ago I have ached for a way to organize our hall closet. Mainly a home for our coats it has also adapted to storing the bulk of our larger/bulk Costco items. I LOVE the fact that I know that I can buy toilet paper twice a year! In fact in 7months we have only dipped into half of our paper towel reserves!! But alas buying in bulk requires accommodating storage space. And because of this it pains me to look in this closet and after most of our shopping trips drinks and heavier items sit outside the closet until room is made =(

So today on a whim I presented the idea of metal shelving iced with a trip to Home Depot. After I researched Sunday hours of our local store as well as shelving/organization solutions offered. We set out on our way.

As we lapped around the store, we finally found what I hoped to be our solution. We decided on one three shelf unit and one four. The three shelf unit was, as their website suggested, $19.99. While the four stated $29.99 for the black(metal) unit but $59.99 for the stainless steel version=0/
Although I would prefer for the two units to match how could I pass up a $30 price difference? So me being me, checked and rechecked item number on the box to item number listed on the tag. Knowing deep down inside that once we got to the register there was bound to be a price issue. So as we checked out I literally had my fingers crossed that there wouldn't be an issue. Talk about a Negative Nancy. And low and behold the black four unit shelf rang up for....


$15.00!!!!


I am so excited to start filling up those shelves since my honey was so awesome and put it altogether for me even taking into consideration what might be stored on each shelf and adjusting the shelves accordingly!!

❤
C

So as we enter wk4 of 2nd grade...

So as we are entering wk4 of 2nd grade, 13 days under our belt. A new backpack has already been purchased. Good Lord Walmart you drive me nuts. I hear time and time again from other mommies and girlfriends alike that they save at Walmart. Pshhh I have never spent more money on junk and wasted more time trying to find it either. NO ONE knows where anything is. Not the customers and certainly not the employees who horizontally park the carts they're working on down every other aisle. I am no retail genius but with common courtesy under my belt along with a few years maneuvering tight corners at BedBath&Beyond I would love to fill their ears with customer service etiquette.
I could go on FOREVER, literally.
But again, the backpack. So I love back to school time. Sharpened pencils, smooth folders, paints, markers, shiny new shoes.  I love every aspect. Could go back to those years of time served at Office Depot too. And armed with my love for all things back to school and my desire to at least think Im doing the right thing with my dollar I head to the dreaded Wally World. Their selection, which is becoming a noticeable trend, was less then lacking. There was NOTHING to pick from. No fun character folders, nor matching notebooks. Merely a single aisle up front of glue sticks, pencils, crayons and markers. I was actually surprised with how disappointed I was. Total let down =( Leaving with hardly the bare essentials we headed to the registers when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a small backpack display. I let the little one pick his fav and we headed on our way.
Cut to the second day of school when the front zipper totally broke. I have fiddled with it and finally decided that velcro at the top would be the the simplest solution as I am a sewing novice and zipper ignorant. Now fast forward to day 11 when the zipper of the main compartment busted. I know my son tests the life of all products that find themselves in his care but this, this is not his fault. Poor kid. How sad=(
So Walmart, you faceless beast of overfilled carts, screaming children and a bleach spill on aisle 213, I will sleep well tonight knowing I can blame you.

*New/old backpack was buried today upon a bed of coffee grounds and leftovers and New/new backpack is sitting patiently by the door awaiting Tuesdays morning rush out the door.

❤
C

Stuffed Chicken

So on tonights menu...

Chicken breasts stuffed with Spinach, Feta and Pine Nuts along side couscous and steamed broccoli.

No recipe to follow just heard via a magazine at work about this Chicken and threw the above items together with some olive oil, fresh garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper. Originally I was going to slice and pocket the Chick Breasts but they were already on the thin side so they were pounded to approx 1/4" thick by my love since I have delicate wrists 0=)

The couscous was a hit with the child who could have carried less about the chicken, which might I add his was plain. And as usual the broccoli quickly disappeared!

❤
C

iPhones don't float

Who would have guessed that iPhones don't float. I can't swim so why should I expect my phone too right?
Despite the total bummer of the situation the play by play is rather entertaining to me and most likely TMI for anyone else...

So, I was bringing in the latest Costco load (alone) when I had the urge ;0) to use the restroom. With my phone in the worst place possible (my back pocket) I headed into the bathroom. What is actually so funny to me is that at first I heard a THUD, and I was freaking out as I was bending, over that the lid of the toilet had fallen down and I was about to go on the lid. Which would be a fabulous story and horrendous mess. But in fact as I stood up and looked down it was my sweet lil phone =0( So very sad. I, pantless, am now running around my house trying to figure out what to do and QUICK. I found our canned air and started to spray. Then propped it up along with my blow dryer on cool setting for what seemed like ever. And in doing so realized what an annoying sound the blow dryer makes, poor N at 6am. So 24+ hrs later it turns on and alerts me of various alertables but alas the touch screen function (basically the soul of the phone) is unresponsive.

Decisions, decisions. N wants to unscrew the back of the phone and lurk around since you can see water streaks through the screen he assumes the warranties already void. But IDK. And suck is life

❤
C

So instead of the fair

So instead of the fair today we decided to actually USE our Six Flags passes and venture into "Marine World." It was a beautiful day  and Im not sure if it was because today was the last day for the county fair or what but the crowds were at a minimum and we didn't miss it one bit!

And we were SUPER excited to find out that there were two new additions to the Dolphin pool!! How absolutely precious!!!!

The boys had a lot of fun messing around on the bumper cars!

And we have never seen as many Butterflies as there were today in the Butterfly Exhibit

My handsome guy!!

As if this day couldn't have been more beautiful, we are being doubly blessed with this amazing cool evening. Dining on our balcony and enjoying the sweet breeze!

So turns out doing the dishes ain't so bad after all.

So this evening, as every evening in the history of man and woman, I made dinner. Dun dun dunnn... Along with dinner comes dirty dishes, and although I don't mind doing dishes per say, on this particular night I got to thinking. Hmmm I thought up dinner, I prepared dinner (and I did ask for help but was promptly declined) I even made dinner "appear" on the table. So cleverly with grin attached I simply threw out that perhaps "HE" should do the dishes. In which aforementioned "HE" thought I was joking. Ha, no. Which was followed by mild complaints from the one who dished up thirds to my single portion. "Doing dishes makes my back hurt" WAIT! What? Shoot, why hadn't I thought of that one growing up?? "Sorry Dad, you know I want to but this fifth grade homework is a real killer and my back just can't take standing at the sink." Pshh I know why I hadn't thought of (at least) saying that one out loud. Uhm.. Because I wanted to be ALIVE. But apparently I don't evoke that same fear into my partner. So I shot back some off handed remarks of the things that I really just can't do because they hurt my back too now that I think of it. *Remarks that are just totally inappropriate outside of our two earshot's.

He not thinking that I was too funny started his whole "You don't understand how difficult my job is and standing for long periods of time kill my back..."

On a side note. He works very hard and his job is LABOR intensive. Bottom line I could never do it, like EVER. I don't want to, I don't have to and Im NEVER gonna. But lets face it when have I ever not had something to say?

So back to our discussion on dishes, which he is in fact doing during this moment of "communication". Directly behind me is our kitchen table. Seated at our kitchen table is the seven year old who on average takes about TWO HOURS to finish dinner, breakfast in five minutes but dinner is almost ALWAYS two hours. So like I was saying, behind me is the seven year old who at this moment is getting up from the table. And then I hear it. That cough, the cough EVERY mother knows. The cough the includes food and lots of it. So now lets just say his hands are full. I already know what happened before I even have to turn around. I transplant the child to our lovely simple human (garbage can) and turn to "HE" aka Nick and let him know that I can do the dishes!!! He says "No, that's all right. I got this"

=( So from my view, which is all fours on the carpet scrub brush in hand. Dishes. Eh, dishes ain't so bad.