Happy New Year 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Hope 2010 is a great year!!!!

MENU PLAN FOR DEC. 28- JAN 3, 2010

Wow, I can't believe 2009 is almost over! One of my goals for 2009 was to cook dinner every night...well that really didn't work out great, but I was greatly improved from 2008. I am going to take that goal one step further this year and make a menu for each week. This will help in several ways...it will allow me to work on my weight loss goals, financial goals and it will allow me to make sure that my daughter and husband are getting a variety of foods. So for the first menu of the year....




MONDAY: chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese

TUESDAY: lasagna and salad

WEDNESDAY: Crockpot-- Tex-Mex Chicken and rice

THURSDAY: chicken fried rice

FRIDAY: pork chops, stuffing, corn

SATURDAY: leftovers

SUNDAY: hamburger helper, broccoli

So that is the plan. I am really trying to use up what we have here and keep the grocery budget down! Hope I can keep this up!

For more Menu Plan Monday ideas please visit the sponsor : "I'm an Organizing Junkie" at: http://orgjunkie.com/2009/12/menu-plan-monday-dec-28th.html

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!!!

2010 GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS

1. Lose 30 pounds/ get down to 199.

2. Financial goals:
- Pay off ambulance bill
- Pay off anethisiologist bill
- Pay off Sears card
- add $500 or more to savings

3. Declutter as much as possible--my stuff and basement---by selling, donating, or throwing away.
-sell $500 worth of stuff by Dec. 31, 2010

4. Write on blog at least once a week

5. Take family trip that the kids would enjoy (can be a weekend trip)

6. Find a way to bring in extra income

7. Don't snap at Bill or Rebecca

8. Make decisions with confidence

9. Find a church and join

10. Have 200 no-spend days in 2010.

11. Make a menu for each week

12. Exercise at least 3 times a week.

13. Buy NO junk food at all this year.

I think these are attainable and needed for me.

I am pleased to post this on The Happy Housewife's 2010 goals link-up! http://thehappyhousewife.com/2010-goals-link-up/

Menu Plan Monday

Here is what we will be eating this week:

MONDAY: Hot Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches, grapes, carrots

TUESDAY: Tuna Helper and peas (for Rebecca and Bill), leftovers for me :)

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti with meat sauce (made with hamburger, tomato sauce, green pepper and onion)

THURSDAY: Chicken nuggets, french fries, mixed veggies

FRIDAY: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and tomato soup

SATURDAY: Breakfast for dinner (eggs, toast, bacon) or Leftovers

SUNDAY: Clean out the fridge night

For other menu plans please visit: http://orgjunkie.com/

Lent 2009

So this year, Bill and I have both decided to give up something for Lent. Neither of us are religious by any means, even though I was raised Catholic and he was raised Lutheran. Sometimes I wonder why I got away from going to church, etc. I really don't know and I know there are times I feel guilty for it...

Anyways, for Lent Bill and I are giving up....

Eating fast food!

This will be tough for us as we eat out at a fast food place at least once a week, usually 2 times or more. I know it is a really bad habit so we are using this to stop that.

Also I am giving up chocolate. I am going to need strength for this one! Bill is also giving up taping things off tv (his hobby).

What is your family giving up?

My Darling Daughter Rebecca

She wanted to have her picture taken (for once!). Isn't she adorable?

Cleaning and perfectionism

Okay so I am a perfectionist...which is probably why I have a hard time getting things done right away because I want them done a certain way. Well since we have lived in our townhouse, I have decided that perfectionism and cleaning DO NOT MIX!!! I have been trying to follow FLYLADY (http://www.flylady.com/), however I don't do all of it because that would make me try to do it perfectly. I don't have the time or the energy most days to do things perfectly. You know what that is okay.

What I do do is bless my family with daily cleaning and not worrying about whether I got that last dust bunny or the tiny miniscule crumb off the floor. Now mind you I don't like messes, but if we were not in the kitchen all day I am not going to sweep and swiffer the floor in there.

CLEANING THE KITCHEN IN 20 MINUTES OR LESS!

I had a friend who wanted to know how I could clean my kitchen after dinner in less than 20 minutes. This is how I do it: while I am cooking I have soapy hot water in the sink and I do dishes as I go. I also wipe up spills on the counter or stove right after they happen. Usually after dinner is over all I have to wash is Rebecca's plate (ours go in the dishwasher) and the pots and pans. I then wipe out the sink, wipe off the counter and stove, wipe off the table (especially important with a 2 year old eating there! lol) and then I do a spot sweep of the floor. This can all be done in under 20 minutes. I do not have a lot of counter space in my kitchen, so my kitchen only has what is absolutely neccessary. Take a look:

This is the view from by the sink.

This is the view from the entrance to the kitchen.

The view from the other side of the kitchen...My one lone counter top!

RIP Grandma Ella

Today our family buried my Grandma Ella. She was 78 years old. Grandma Ella was a stubborn woman who wanted things her way and she lived a very simple life. She hated excess. While I didn't agree with a lot of things that she did or stances that she took, she was my grandmother. Grandma Ella loved children and gardening and her favorite color was purple. I am taking this blog post to remember her. I love you and miss you. May you Rest in Peace!

Menu Plan Monday

MENU for Week of February 23- March 1

Monday: chicken nuggets, carrots, strawberries

Tuesday: baked pork chops (new recipe), stuffing, green beans

Wednesday: lemon and herb marinated chicken, steamed mixed veggies, french fries

Thursday: lasagna soup and grilled cheese

Friday: baked fish, mac and cheese and corn

Saturday: pizza

Sunday: leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

This weeks menu:

MONDAY: for Rachel: leftover chili, for Rebecca: leftover spaghettios

TUESDAY: grilled chicken, stuffing, and corn

WEDNESDAY: baked fish and green beans

THURSDAY: chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese

FRIDAY: leftovers

SATURDAY: hot dogs and baked beans

SUNDAY: Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot

The Homemaker's Day Book

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: It is dark out now. It was a partly sunny day with no rain or snow! It made me hope Spring is around the corner.

I AM THINKING: about my husband who is at work and has been working really long hours lately.

I AM THANKFUL FOR: my husband who puts up with me and my moods. He loves me even though I might be anxious and stressed and depressed 99% of the time. He is a great man.

FROM THE KITCHEN: tonight for dinner I made manwich, peas and cut up a cucumber for Rebecca and I.

I AM WEARING: red t-shirt, grey sweat pants and white socks

I AM LISTENING: to the theme song for Dora the Explorer.

I AM CREATING: ideas for menus for this week.

I AM GOING: to try hard not to go anywhere this week to save money since we had to get a new computer.

I AM HOPING: that the pain in my chest goes away soon.

AROUND THE HOUSE: I have cleaned the kitchen and am doing laundry.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: is cuddling with Rebecca on the couch, watching cartoons

A FEW PLANS FOR THE WEEK: catch up on cleaning and laundry, take pics and post more things on CL.

Bettering myself:

Well today I had another day at home-- couldn't get the car out. There is ice under the tires...we tried for 45 minutes and it was a no go. Ugg. I hate Ohio weather. The good news is I got a ton done in the house and that makes me feel good! I did some decluttering in toys and dressers and I cleaned the bathroom and did a ton more stuff. It feels so good to be productive. I feel better about myself when I am productive.

Dinner Tale:

I made Rebecca Dora spaghettios and she gobbled them up...

I made myself 2 scrambled eggs, toast, cantalope, and apple juice.

New format---update, FTJ, better me, and dinner tale

Well I have been home for the last 3 days...because of snow and ice! That means that I haven't spent any money...YAY! Although I am sick and tired of snow and ice. I spent 45 minutes yesterday and another 45 minutes today getting the ice off the windows of the car...eek...I will see if I have to go in to Shanna's tomorrow. If I do, Bill can get the car out of it's space. There have been so many people getting stuck, it is not funny. My arms will probably really hurt tomorrow...

Forget the Joneses: Day 26-29

Day 26: DeClutter...I am trying to do this for the FlyLady Super Fling Boogie, but it is tough. Will continue to try

Day 27-28: Organize...trying to do this a little at a time.

Day 29: build an emergency fund--- we are trying to follow Dave Ramsey and have built up to $1000. Now we are focusing on paying down debt....

Bettering myself: Okay so I have decided that starting now and going through the month of February, I am going to start a gratitude journal. I will write down 5 things each day that I am thankful for. The purpose of this is to change my negative attitude towards a lot of things.

Dinner Tale: Quick and easy

baked chicken tenderloins with bread crumb coating
corn and green beans
Rebecca would not eat the chicken, but she gobbled up the green beans and corn.....picky child!

Sunday's dinner

So Bill had to work tonight and so that meant the challenge of making dinner for Rebecca and I....so what I came up with was.....

Chicken Parmesan

I baked 2 Tyson chicken patties. Then topped with leftover marinara sauce from the other night and some mozzarella cheese. Served with leftover pasta from the other night. Rebecca had peas.

It was yummy and easy! So I made my goal of cooking tonight! Go me!

FTJ Days 15-25 Catch-up

So I have fallen behind in posting the Forget the Jones' assignments. So this will be a catch up:

Day 15 Prioritize pay down---Bill and I have decided to follow a modified Dave Ramsey approach...smallest balance first then after the Mastercard is payed off go to highest interest instead of next smallest which would be Ball State student loan.

Day 16-Re-evaluate your expenses...we did this and cut back some on Directv service and on money we spent on going out.

Day 17- Avoid Budgeting mistakes

Day 18- Create a budget

Day 19- Create a price book

Day 20 and 21- Create a master meals list and pantry list--- I did not write this down as our space for storage is small so I know exactly what I have in the kitchen.

Day 22- Go on a modified spending freeze...we are going to do this, by only buying necessities at the store

Day 23- Be a proactive shopper---use your price book to help you grocery shop, make a master gift list...--- I do this already

Day 24-25--Get into the decluttering mindset. Visualize your goals and image of each room in your home and what you want it to be. Take a before photo of each space.--- this will be easy as I am also taking part in FlyLady's 5 week super fling boogie. It will feel so good to get rid of stuff that we don't use or need.

Yummy dinner!

So in an effort to cook dinner everynight and to eat less processed food for dinner...I have done really well. Tonight Bill was home, so I decided to try a new recipe...Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings...Oh my God! It was sooooo goooood!!!!!!! I will definitely be adding it to my rotation.

Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 8 tenderloins) seasoned with sage, garlic powder, pepper, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary
2 tbsp. butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen carrots
1 tube refrigerated biscuits

Put everything except biscuits in crockpot. Fill with water to cover. Mix together. Cover and cook on high 5 hours. Tear biscuits into chunks and put in Crockpot. Cover and cook for an additional 75 minutes on high. Serve over mashed potatoes.

This was sooooo yummy! Rebecca didn't like it, but it was the first time she had it so maybe she will like it next time....I am doing good on this meal planning thing. Tonight I need to make my menu out for this week. Wish me luck!

Travis Omar

4 months ago today, Bill and I lost our son. Travis Omar was born still on September 21, 2008. He had died in my womb. Doctors said that there was blood clot found behind the placenta that may have caused it. We will never know. These 4 months have been hard and painful. Travis, we love you and miss you every day!

New goal: Making dinner for Rebecca and I when Bill is at work

Okay so in an effort to better my life, I have decided that I am worth a home cooked meal and that Rebecca is eating way too much nuked food....so I am trying to come up with really quick healthy meals that Rebecca and I can eat. So the other night I made hot turkey and cheese sandwiches and fruit. I used up the hamburger buns before they went bad! Yay for me!

Today, I made pasta and marinara sauce! The Tastefully Simple marinara sauce is really good and has a kick to it! I got it as a Christmas present. It is yummy! So we had another homemade dinner!

FTJ- Day 14

Okay so todays assignment is to "Get a handle on your debt" and that includes not taking on new debt and figuring out what your debt really is. As far as this assignment goes, we did this not too long ago and it is depressing when you put the numbers down on paper. But I did it myself (with the CCs and we both have student loans.... I haven't used the credit cards in a year so hopefully that helps, just need to pay them down and off (eventually). I hope we can get some of these paid down quickly but it seems like it won't be....:( being in debt is depressing and the only one I have to blame is me.....sigh....

FTJ- Day 13

Here we are day 13 of the FTJ project. Today we are supposed to analyze our FICO scores and seek where improvement can be made. We are working on trying to improve DH's. It is a slow process but one that hopefully will be fulfilled.

5 Things I am grateful for today:

1. That I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and who leaves me cards, takes me and picks me up from work so I don't have to drive in the snow, and who vacuums the house for me.
2. for a daughter who is always amazing me by her abilities
3. for days off for Bill
4. for the good dinner that I cooked and that Rebecca even ate dinner! (spaghetti and peas)
5. for good friends who make me get off my butt and work! (Thanks Coralie!)

FTJ-- Days 9-12

FTJ Day 9: supposed to figure out cost of living. I think after figuring this out, we are doing okay. We could be doing much better however made some stupid decisions in past and paying for it now...once we get CC paid off we will be doing much better.

Day 10-11: Make a vision board.....have pics on computer for this.

Day 12: find out FICO score. Did this not too long ago. Mine is okay, however Bill's needs a lot of work. Will be working on that soon.

Okay so I think I am all caught up with the assignments! Yeah! Now just to stay on top of them....

FTJ- Day 8

FTJ--Day 8-- supposed to come up with more low cost or free activities for rest of the FTJ project.....

some of the things that I have come up:

movie night at home--watch new dvds from Christmas including Dark Knight, Hancock
play in the snow with Rebecca
date night with Bill---use gift card for movie and restaraunt
spend day at home just playing games, etc.
Super Bowl party---make it potluck
go visit my parents
go to my sister's basketball game

FTJ--- DAYS 5-7 Dreams

So for Day 5-7 I was supposed to come up with a list of 100 dreams that I have, analyze what they say about me, and categorize them with importance and time frames. Honestly this one was hard in that so much of what I dream about is all tied together. I won't bore you with the list but I found that the list is ambitious and I hope and pray that I will be able to accomplish everything on it at one point or another in my life.

Also for day 7-- we were supposed to pick out 25 goals/ dreams to work on achieving. Many of my dreams are long term...however the ones that I can work on this year are as follows:

1.walk on beach of North Carolina with Rebecca and Bill
2. lose 25 lbs to get below 200 lbs
3. have another baby
4. wear clothes that fit me well and make me feel sexy
5. get the 3rd bedroom organized and cleaned
6. get the basement organized
7. continue to declutter
8. dye my hair or at least get highlights
9. pay off debt and reach financial stability
10. don’t be afraid to try new things
11. get Rebecca potty trained easily
12. give up diet pop
13. get over fear of driving in snow and on freeway
14. be less anxious
15. get over depression
16. take a family vacation every year
17. take more overnight trips
18. see new places in America
19. spend more time with extended family
20. email friends at least once a month

FTJ---Day 4

FTJ--- DAY 4--- Create a family mission statement

Our Mission Statement:

We strive to love each other every day. We strive to encourage and help each other with our thoughts, words and actions each day. We strive to use our time, abilities, and resources daily to help us become a better family.

FTJ-- Day 3

Okay so for Day 3 of FTJ, we are supposed to start writing down 5 things we are grateful for each day...to remind us that we do have things to be thankful for in our lives...

So 5 things I am thankful for:

1. My husband---who took care of me, Rebecca and the house while I was sick. And who works very hard to provide for our family
2. My daughter---who is the greatest 2 year old in the world and who made mommy so proud when she slept all night long in her big girl bed for the first time last night! WOO!!!
3. My family and friends---even though I don't get to see or talk to you all as much as I would like, I appreciate your support and encouragement
4. FlyLady-- without joining her group and being reminded to clean and organize the house would be a mess and I would have so much stuff...but I still have a lot of stuff, but it is easy to maintain the minimum (even Bill did it while I was sick)
5. thankful that we are all on the mend for the most part

I think I really need to do this every day. I tend to be negative about a lot of things and this will help me/ force me to be positive.....

FTJ...Starting again....

Okay so you may have noticed I haven't been on here in a couple days...I have been really sick...had achiness, chills, sweats, fatique, sore throat, etc. for the last week. It has been awful! I haven't been this sick in a loooonnngggg time. Now that I am feeling a little better I can get back on track. Needless to say the spending freeze went out the window...Bill tried, but he bought food out a couple times and he bought me ice cream and 7-up to help my throat. I really had a lot of time to think though and to figure out that I am sick of living like this financially, so I asked Bill if he would cut back on his hobby. He didn't want to but he agreed...he even called Directv to get some things taken off of our package and get 4 of the recievers that he has turned off. I hope we made a good decision and he doesn't get angry or resent me for asking him to do that. I just got so tired of nickle and dimeing our lives, while he can spend $100-$200 on a whim for disks for his hobby. Anyways, so this weekend is going to be a time of catchup for days 3-9 on the FTJ and to get back on track. That shouldn't be too hard to do considering we are supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow. I will post the followups for days 3-9 later tonight or sometime Saturday or Sunday......

FTJ- DAY 2-- Calculate Net worth

Okay so todays assignment was to calculate your net worth. Well let's just say that DH and I are in dire need of a financial overhaul. It is really bad. Hopefully we can get some debt paid off and get a better number.

On the other hand I think I did okay today. I went to Kroger to do our grocery shopping...normally I will spend around $70 or so. Today I only shopped the perimeter of the store...and stopped myself from looking at the sale items from Christmas. And going by my approved list this is what I bought:

2 gallons skim milk
1 gallon 2% milk
pack of hot dogs
pack of pork chops
cucumber
mozzarella cheese
head of lettuce
roma tomatoes
red bell pepper
green bell pepper
bananas
hamburger buns (-.25 coupon)
cauliflower
turkey lunch meat
bottle of diet dr. pepper (FREE coupon)
----------------------
Total: 27.83

I really think I did good. I have to make out my menu now that I have Bill's work schedule. I will be glad when I get paid on Monday and Bill gets paid so that we have some money to pay bills. I hate having a low number in our checking account.

FTJ- DAY 1 Continued

Revised Approved Spending list:

Groceries:
bananas
milk
bread
eggs
meat (if it is 1.99 a lb or less)
lunch meat
fresh fruit
fresh veggies (stuff for salads)
apple juice for Rebecca

Miscellaneous:
diapers
haircut for Bill
gas for both cars
bills

Mommysavers--Forget the Joneses Bootcamp Day 1

Okay so I have decided that 2009 is a year when we are going to take control of our finances. I have found an awesome program that I am hoping to follow that will allow me to get a jumpstart on this. I belong to the website...http://www.mommysavers.com. This is an AWESOME website for tips on saving money, living simply, getting deals, etc. everything a mom could want. For the next 6 weeks, the mommysavers site is hosting a bootcamp called Forget the Joneses.http://mommysavers.com/boards/forget-joneses-bootcamp/

Today was day 1 of the program. For day 1 we are supposed to begin a 21 day spending freeze. If we have to spend money it it supposed to be from an approved spending list that we make. Today's assignment was to make the approved spending list....so here goes:

Approved spending:
new vacuum (ours died yesterday)--bought today at Target
bananas
fresh fruit and veggies
milk
eggs
bread
meat (if it is less than 1.99 a lb)
lunch meat
$10 a week discretionary money for DH to use. (today he used it on lunch for us at McDonalds)
apple juice for Rebecca

I am excited and nervous to start this...I really want to gain control of our finances and just learn to live simply.

Today was okay. We went to Target to get the vacuum and got cereal, and goldfish for Rebecca too. These were needs and not wants. Then we went to Walgreens to pick up Christmas pictures that I had ordered. I had gotten them for 10cents each and I had a $5 off your order coupon, so for 60 pictures I paid $1.30 with tax! Yay! ( I know this wasn't on my approved list but I was supposed to pick them up 2 days ago)...Today I did cook dinner at home- Bill didn't want to go his parents or my parents for dinner. So we had...beer battered fish, green beans, rice pilaf and fresh pears ( I used these up before they went bad ! YAY!) Hoping to continue on a forward path.