Layouts

These are the layouts I did at the crop saturday. This layout is about how i used a thicker to add an S to the end of auntie.

Menu for 2 weeks

So I have Ryan and Zach for a week for Spring break and then Colton comes for his spring break next week so I did our menu and some luch ideas for the next 2 weeks.

Meatloaf, Mac n cheese, raw veggies
Meat Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Hot dogs (chili), fries, raw veggies
Ranch Chicken Bake, salad
Nachos
Pizza

Hamburgers, fries
Brushetta Bake, salad
Breadstick Bake, salad
Appetizer night
Parmesan fish, black bean rice, corn
Calzones
Country Chicken Casserole, green beans


Lunches
Sandwiches, chips, raw veggies
Mac n cheese, nuggets
English muffin pizza, raw veggies
Top Ramen
Hot dogs
meat, cheese, crackers, raw veggies

Things I love Thursday!

So I wanted to join in the fun over at the diaper diaries and say what I love today. Now this could be pretty basic, like i could say I love Swiffer vacum (which I do, espically with the dog hair)

BUT

We got paid, yippee so that is what I really love...paychecks

Now if you read my blog or know me you know that we have been living on the kindness of friends and family for food to feed the family, only 2 bills got paid this month (out of 13) and we ran out of heat (we did get some oil put it a few days later).

So you can see why I am so happy to be getting some money finally, all our bills for March will get paid up to date. YEA!

Lets go on a Picnik

OK so I had to share this website my sister showed me, Picnik. It is a photo editing website and it's free. It has some awesome things you can do.

Here is example one using their CinemaScope and to change the color I used the cross process button.

These ones I used the doodle, stamps and text.

Sticking it to the man....

You know the one nice thing about this blog is I can complain about the MAN! LOL.

Seriously though. So my phone bill was due on Sunday the 15th. Now of course we haven't paid this yet, but as soon as money comes in we will. So 3 days after it was not paid they send a disconnect notice. 3 DAYS people! So now if it isn't paid by the 30th we will lose our Direct TV, Internet and phone (not local they never shut you off completely in case of emergency.) So it will only be 15 days late if they shut it off.

Oh that isn't the end we have gotten 5 notices in the last 2 days. Dude we aren't even 30 days late on these bills. It just kills me.

So next on my pissed off list ,Verizon, I owed them $36.44 from February's bill. I had paid them most of it but had to round it down so I could pay something on all the bills last month. Now again this is not 30 days past due until April 4th, but they are going to shut off our cells if it isn't paid.

Next our truck bill. This one was due on the 8th. We got a call and a letter from them on the 19th (only 10 days late) saying that if we did not give them something right now they would withdrawal it straight from our bank account weather money was in there or not.

So the nice person I am (even though I am really pissed off) all I can think about is that big businesses must really be hurting in this economy that they aren't letting things even get 30 days past due. Heck ours have been between 3 and 10.

So I am now stepping off my soap box. I know this may get some of you worrying but please don't we are all right. I just really needed to let this out and let the whole world know how mad I am at these businesses. The money will come in and when it does we will pay these. We are ok. I am told we should have money by the end of the week, ya we'll see. We have had great friends and family who have really helped us out with food and have kept us feed and that is all we care about right now. Thank you all!!

What a deal!

So Albertson's was having a great deal this week, purchase 5 36 oz ketchup's for $10. When you bought $10 worth of participating products you got an automatic $3 off. So here was my purchase.

5 36 oz Ketchup's= $10
$10 sale -$3
Albie's coupon I had -$2
Total= $5 for 5 ketchup's
I saved $14

MummyDeals giveway

Check out Mummy Deals she has and awesome giveaway going on right now from Seababejewelry.

thoughts at 430 in the morning

So I have been laying in bed since about 4 am and just can't sleep, of course when you lay there all this stuff runs through your head and I find that if I don't write it down I never get back to sleep. What you ask am I thinking about

weight loss
to dos today
money
menu for week

So I was thinking about my losing weight I am down a whole whopping 3 lbs. But hey I guess that is at least something right? I really have been slacking these last few weeks on working out. It is like I forget or miss one day and then it is down hill for the rest of the week, I really need to step it up. Get my eye on the prize again. Which is getting down to at least 130 lbs by summer.
I did this weekend have half a root beer at my sister's house while watching a movie, but it wasn't anything special and I don't think I really miss it that much. I really wanted it at the time, but am now not craving it. So that is good.

To Dos
bthrm change for season
wsh darks, wyatt's blankets
menu planf or week
albertson's
Safeway
checkbook
Vacuum
swiffer
vacuum couch
Dishes
Dinner

So I few things I have noticed when you don't have money, eating healthy is hard. We really have tried to keep eating healthy up with this lack of income, but I think the snacks have been the hardest. Healthy snacks are hard to buy because they are so expensive. The ones I have found that help me the most at cutting those late night cravings are sugar free pudding and Light Yoplait yogurt (cherry is my fav). I would like to start getting jello too.

I have a few things picked out this week for meals but I really need to sit down and figure out what I need to shop for today and what I can use from the cupboard. So far I have is this, but i need several more to finish for the week.

Mexican Chicken Doritos Casserole
Stuffed Shells (from last week), salad
Strognaff, salad

Colton age 14, Abby 5 months (almost)

Oh and wanted to share this pic it is of my oldest and the (as of right now) youngest neice. He loves to go get her and hold her, of course that doesn't last when she starts crying. Hey as typing this I realized it is the oldest and youngest of my paretns grandchildren.

I just wanted to wish my big sister, Jenefer, and her hubby, Dan a

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Hope you guys have a wonderful day. And thank you for helping out our family so much over this last month. You guys are great.

BAD BAD Big Mac

So we have been doing really good at eating healthier, at least when we can.

So yesterday I had a McDs Big Mac and I am not sure if my belly is just not used to that stuff any more, but it sure didn't agree with me. I immediately got tired, to the point I HAD TO go lay down and take a quick nap. My stomach was yucky feeling the rest of the night, I couldn't even eat dinner.

OK OK lesson learned.

I just hope I remember that feeling next time I have the opportunity to eat at McDs again.

I also hope I am not coming down with something, I just feel yucky today. Woke up with a headache and just feel blah toady like I could go back to sleep and stay there the whole day.

Here's hoping your day goes better than I think mine is going to be.

GOOD BYE WINTER...

HELLO SPRING....

Fun with a box

So this is what Wyatt does with a box. He has had it for about a week now and won't let me recycle it. It has been a car, boat, a package to mail himself in and a bridge troll included. He loves these rings he got them on his cupcake at school.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

He is racing his brothers in these pics.
So tonight I made a Peanut butter cake. It was so yummy. I didn't have the powder sugar so I got chocolate frosting, from my sister, and used it instead it was still yummo.

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sour cream
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter (1/2 c butter, 1/2 applesauce)
1 cup water

Frosting

1/2 cup butter
2/3 cups creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons milk
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat 400 degrees.


For cake:
Combine sugar and flour and set aside. In a medium bowl mix eggs, baking soda, and sour cream well. Set aside. In a small saucepan combine peanut butter, butter, and water. Bring to a boil. Add the boiled mixture to the flour mixture. Stir and add sour cream mixture. Pour into a 15x10 inch sheet/jellyroll type pan. Bake 20 minutes or until done. Test by inserting toothpick in the center of the cake.

Frosting:
Combine the butter, peanut butter, and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add the powdered sugar and the vanilla. Mix well. It will be thick. Pour over cake while both are still warm. My frosting did drip over the sides a little, so pour and spread slowly. Let cool, slice, and serve.

Albertson's trip

Total price before discounts- $74.83

discounts and coupons- 46.39

Total Out of pocket (OOP)- $28.44

Some of the good deals were

Crystal light canisters - $2 each, normal price is $4.99

Hotdogs- $0.99 each, normal price $2.29

South beach bars- $1 each, normal price $3.79

Plus i got this free with a coupon in the All You mag (sold at Walmart).

Place your Vote!

Voting has started, please vote for Wyatt.

Go to http://babyidol.movin925.com/ and sign up.

Once you have signed up then go to http://babyidol.movin925.com/photos/view/4215/and vote for WYATT! you can vote up to 10 times a day.

Please also vote for my sweet little neice at http://babyidol.movin925.com/photos/view/4087/

We only have til friday to get to the next round...vote as many time as you can

Thanks so much

That was quick...

BEFORE

AFTER

So as you can see now there is more room to stock up on the cheap food I find. Also I have to stock up when I see good deals because I have the boys all coming for spring break and then a few month later for summer.

Also I thought I would let you know what we are having for dinners this week.

Bacon Wrapped Apple BBQ Chicken, mashed sweet pot., brocolli

Cheese and vegtable stuff shells, salad

Beef and Bulgar casserole, salad

Crockpot Country Ribs, roasted sweet pot.

Lime Chicken & Black Eyed Peas w/tortillas

Homemade Pizza

A little organization...

Today I organize this cupboard.

It holds all my stock up food, snacks and Derek's workout stuff.

Right now it also hold kids toys (those will go to Goodwill)

My other to dos today-

Dishes
Vacuum
Swiffer
Laundry-darks, towels, blankets
Put said laundy away
Change sheets
Clean laundry Room
vacuum couches
Put scrap stuff away
Dinner- Bulgar Beef Casserole

Applebee's Birthday

Couldn't have ask for a better day. It was nice sunny out, got some good deals at Target, lots of birthday wishes and got to have dinner with great friends

Us at Applebee's. Was nice to sit in the bar, no kids and have adult conversation. Tom and EsterThis is the best one I got of Dani and Rick, he kept making goofy faces. sorry Dani. Rick is such a goof here is the other pic I got of them, look at Rick's eyes. SCARY!

Rob and Troy also stopped by also . I got some great gifts, Ester (and Tom) got me a really cute new purse and Troy and Charity got me a red rose bush, the kind you plant in the ground yourself. We all had a great time and lots of food.

Thanks everyone for a great day.

Also wanted to show you the card Wyatt made for me. Daddy drew Dixie on it, but Wyatt drew the rest. I labelled it so you could see what everything is supposed to be. Inside card said 'Happy Birthday Mommy'

UPDATED-Birthday To Dos

A pic of Wyatt and I today going to Preschool.

Wyatt snack to Preschool
dishes
clean laundry room
laundry-darks
put away laundry
take out garbage, recycle
shower-get dressed
work out
Target- more good deals (see below)
Return videos (got a free video rental for Bday)
Renew licence (waited an hour)
Pick up house
Cascade Paperwork
checkbook
Dinner-Applebee's (gift card for Bday, thanks Marylee and Ben)

Take stuff to Ester

Target Deals

So basically the same as I got last time, but I added Motts applesauce (0.69 each).

This would have been even cheaper but Target says they do not allow a manufactor coupon and target coupon on one item any more.

Total out of pocket $5.46

Target Deal

Huggies wipes 5.99 x 2 (my cost 0.99 x 2)
Pantry Market Soup 0.54 x 4 (my cost 0.29 x 4)

I only paid w/tax+= $4.08

I used this $5 off coupon from Huggies. You can use it on any Gentle Care Huggies product. And this Target couponfor the soups..

A few good recipes

In red is what I changed.

Beef and Bulgar Casserole

1.5 lbs ground hamburger
1 large onion, chopped
1 (15 oz) can petite diced tomatoes,drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 C uncooked bulgar
2 C water
3 Tbsp fresh parsley (or 1.5 Tbsp. dried)
2 tsp. beef bouillon granules
1.5 tsp salt
1.5 tsp fresh oregano (or 1/2 tsp dried)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350.
Cook ground beef and onion in 10 inch skillet, stirring frequently, until beef is brown;drain.
Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese. Pour into 2 q. casserole.
Cover and bake about 45 min or until bulgar is tender.
Stir in cheese.
*from weight watchers website



Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Muffins

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour(1 c whole wheat flour, 1 1/4 C flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 tbsp butter, melted and cooled (3 Tbsp. applesauce, 3 butter)
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter (or smooth,next time i will add more the whole wheat hides the pb flavor)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk (low fat or skim is fine)
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, peanut butter, eggs and milk until smooth. Pour into flour mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide batter into your paper-lined muffin tin. Each cup should be filled to the top, not just half way up, to ensure you get a nice dome on the muffin. Bake for 17-20 minutes, until a tester comes out clean and the top of the muffin springs back when lightly pressed. Cool on a wire rack.
Makes 12.
*from Catching Pennies she has some yummy recipes on her blog.


Cheesey Hashbrown Potato Chili

*1 lb. hamburger
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1 small can tomato paste
* 1.5 pound ground beef
* Salt and pepper
* 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used black beans)
* 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
*small can tomato sauce
* 2 large baking potatoes, shredded (in order to keep the potatoes from turning color be sure to store the potatoes in water until just before adding. drain and pat dry.)
* 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Brown ground beef in skillet and drain if necessary. Add in diced onion and seasonings. Cook 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes with the juice. Bring to boil. Lower to simmer and cover loosely with tin foil. Allow to simmer about 20 minutes to soften the beans.
Transfer to a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with hash browns, then cheese.
Bake in 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes to cook the potatoes through.
*from ADD housewife

Yippe! 2 days till my birthday, the big 35.

Planning

*edited, more to do's

I just wanted to let everyone know we are ok and making it. Derek is working everyday and the business is fine, they just aren't getting paid. And in this business the person who owes you is most likely owed by someone else, and we are just last on the totem pole.

We are struggling a little, but seem to make it by everyday. Heck bills can wait they aren't going anywhere.

So I am helping Ester out of Monday so my normal Monday to do list will get done on Sunday instead. My mom (thanks mom and dad!) gave us some stuff to help get by and yesterday we got a few bucks, so I trying to make a menu out for the next week with what we have and seeing what I need to get.


To Dos
~wash towels, sheets, dark clothes
~put laundry away
~vacuum floors, couch
~dog bath
~brush dog
~clean laundry room
~swiffer
~grocery shopping
~organize pics (ongoing)
~retype recipes I like
~dinner, UFC fight at sister's
~order pics (I get pics free with coke rewards, no I am not drinking soda, I get them from my dad)

Meals
~Tacos
~Cheesy Hashbrown Potato Chili, salad
~Beef Stroganoff, salad
~Bulgar Beef Casserole(WW) w/salad
~Lime Chicken & Black Eyed Peas w/tortillas
~Crock Pot Country Ribs, roasted sweet pot.
~Dinner at Dani's watching UFC fight
~leftovers

Very excited my birthday is in 5 days(march 12). I will be 35, yuk, gettin old. But on next saturday a bunch of us are getting together to scrapbook. Very excited. I love birthdays and love to celebrate.

being healthy is so hard to do.

So eating healthy and exercising is so alot harder that I thought.

I so miss the chocloate, PButter/chocolate ice cream, soda(mmm Dr.Pepper), candy bars and just junk food in general. I found that even if I eat it in monderation I can't stop eating them.

I have a down fall last week didn't work out for half the week and had a few slip ups on eating, but I am back on track this week (I hope!!)

STILL have not lost any weight or inches, but I am back on track and do going to get healthy.

Food in the cupboard.

We have been real blessed, God has really watched out for us in this time of need. Even though we have no money and haven't gotten any lately, food seems to make it on our plates.

What little money we have gotten, these last few months, I have gotten really good cheap deals on groceries (lots of free food w/ coupons). My sister Jen brought us some meat the other day which was so nice since all we had left was duck. So these last two days I have used what we have had in our kitchen and the meals have been nice and filling and also have made leftovers for Derek to take to work for lunch. I also had a WIC check that got us 2 gls of milk, 2 lbs cheese, and 2 boxes of cereal, so this is helping also.

We are down to the bare essentials, but can I tell you that I love when you have nothing and it seems you can still make a dinner. I don't know much about the bible ,but i do remember a few things and it reminds me of the story where Jesus passed out the bread and fish and it was enough food to feed the crowd. God is really good and he is feeding us with what little we have and we have not gone hungry.

I made a great dinner tonight with just what we have in the house. I used things that I would not have thought to put together.
So it started today with searching the web for a recipe with chicken and cream of celery (things I had). I found this Chicken Stuff. I did make some changes with the reviews I read. Here is what i made, my version.

~1 lb chicken, shredded
~1 (7 ounce) package corn muffin mix
~2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup (this is all I had, I did not have cream of chicken, but if you did you could use 1 can of each)
~Tony's Creole seasoning, or salt and pepper
~1 C shredded cheddar cheese
~small bag frozen petite peas (you could use broccoli too)

~In an 8x8 pan (NOT muffin tins), prepare muffin mix according to package directions.
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
~In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, veggie, soups, salt and pepper and mix well.
~Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and crumble baked muffin mix on top.
~Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

This had mixed reviews so I wasn't sure how it would be but let me tell you is was very yummy and simple to make.

I hope this story gives you some encouragement when you are in a time of need, everyday I amazed by what we have made it through since December.

Photos from today

Today at preschool they had an ambulance visit the kids. They had so much fun and got to go inside it and see the bed and supplies. Wyatt says every time someone asks about it "they even have band aids, I saw them"

When they left the kids got the driver to do the lights and sirens, this is them waiting for it.

Then we went about our day and it came to dinner, not sure where Wyatt got this idea but he wanted a Peanut butter and pepperoni sandwich, eew gross. I wasn't going to let him, but (I was on the phone with my sister Jenefer) my sister and Derek and that same time said ah let him try. OK. So I let him make half of one and he ate it all. Again eew gross.

He even spread the PB himself.

Free Birthday Treats!

So wtih my Birthday coming up in 9 days I was very excited to find this great website, freebirthdaytreats.com, over at Money Saving Mom.

"This website has a very thorough and extensive listing of free birthday offers available for adults and children. Best of all, you can search by your state so you can find state-specific birthday freebies!. "-momey saving mom

I searched for me and found a few more i didn't know about.

Another Giveway!

I just found this cute blog, Cynthia's Cottage Design, and she has some cute vintage cottagy stuff. And right now she is having a cute giveway for a handmade sign (like the above), she has 5 to choose from so stop by and say hello.

Monday TO DOs

~Dishes
~Vacuum
~swiffer floor
~Mop (it's been raining so I have doggy prints)
~Wash darks, blankets, towels, whites
~Put away laundry
~clean under stove
~redo pay bills list for when i actually have money to pay them,lol
~return books My sister jenefer brought some food over to us (thanks jen)and she had to go to the library so she took them for me.
~make appt. for oil change
~get WIC
~dinner

Also I wanted to mention some dinners I made last week, I am not able to put up a menu this week. It is kind of eat we have. But we had some great meals last week.

Zucchini Sausage Pasta - this was yummy I did it exactly as it called for, I didn't have shell pasta so I just used a small whole wheat penne we had. YUMMY! Derek doesn't like zucchini, but he ate it anyway reminding me that he doesn't like them. It was very yummy the next day for lunch too.
Chocolate Ricotta Rolls- these were yucky, which is funny cause Derek loved them. Just not enough flavor for me. I know they are supposed to be a healthier version, but I couldn't eat them. Derek ate mine.
Cheese Stuffed Italian Chicken- I did this recipe with only one change, red pepper instead of a green one. It was really good too. One with trying.

Giveaway!

OK first off how cute it this picture?

The Farm Chicks are having a mystery giveway on their blog. Stop by and check it out.

End of February

FRIDAY
I made homemade pizza crust and pizza sauce. The pizza's turned out yummy.
I watched Abby for a few hours. She is such a sweetie. Even when she is crabby.

SATURDAY

We built a train town.

We went to the Dog Park, which has a park for kids next to it. Dani and her girls came so all the kids could play together at the park.

On our way there. Now when I got the camera out to take this picture Dixie was asleep too.

Not sure what today will bring probably just hanging out at home.