The weather was great! A little windy in the evening, but that is expected at the Oregon Coast. We went through many military and historical sites throughout Astoria, Warrenton and at Fort Stevens State Park. I have photos and will share them soon. The weather back here in Portland is muggy and GROSS! Yuck!
I have a bunch of watering and weeding to do once the heat turns off tonight. :)
Oh and LAUNDRY too. Luckily though, I have to work tomorrow and Sean is home with the kids and the laundry. Hopefully SOMEthing will get done. Ha-ha!!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Jarod was sick for a few hours the other day. The cats know when any of the kids are sick, expecially Jarod... and they come to comfort. :)
The garden is on its way, and continues to be a source of relaxation for me. Pulling weeds really is oddly theraputic. My roses are really BIG too. I am enjoying taking photos of them and then cutting them to have on my table in the house.
Meghan is really missing recess, since school is out. She did however figure out how to make the swingset work for a jungle gym.
I have BROCOLLI growing. Woohoo!
I bought new Flip-Flops... I thought about it last week when I saw them on sale at Fred Meyer's. Then when I came home from work today... I realized it was time when I saw the puppy had taken a bite before getting repremanded. But, I got NEW ones that I like more than the old ones!
Well... it's off to do laundry and pack the trailer. We are going camping tomorrow. With weather due to be near 100 by the weekend, it will be great to be on the Oregon coast. I hope to feel warmth at the coast too. :)
Enjoy your weekend... ya'll!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Gardening day
Today was a free day for me. I woke up about 9:15am. The morning brought a beach mist like rain to our area. It smelled SO GOOD!!! I made a pot of coffee and decided to dye my hair. "strawberry blonde", not much different... just all over color.
I then sanded and put together a birdhouse kit I found in my craft storage stuff. I spray painted that. I have hopes of getting birds to eat seed for it, rather then my dog's food. Neither of our dogs seem to chase birds; they just watch them steal their food. LOL
Hopefully the birds like the bulkbin seed from winco. :)
Then I spent a bit of time pulling weeds and raking the dirt in my yard. Woohoo!
I BBQ'd steak for dinner and then here I am... sittin' on the computer. I keep thinking of all the scrapbook layouts I could be doing. I am just not getting the motivation to actually do them. LOL
We go camping on Thursday, I really should be swapping another load of laundry. UGH!
I then sanded and put together a birdhouse kit I found in my craft storage stuff. I spray painted that. I have hopes of getting birds to eat seed for it, rather then my dog's food. Neither of our dogs seem to chase birds; they just watch them steal their food. LOL
Hopefully the birds like the bulkbin seed from winco. :)
Then I spent a bit of time pulling weeds and raking the dirt in my yard. Woohoo!
I BBQ'd steak for dinner and then here I am... sittin' on the computer. I keep thinking of all the scrapbook layouts I could be doing. I am just not getting the motivation to actually do them. LOL
We go camping on Thursday, I really should be swapping another load of laundry. UGH!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Lemonade Stand
The kids are I had our Lemonade Stand today. It took me a bit to get the kids to speak up and ask people if they "would like to buy a lemonade to support the Oregon Humane Society?"
By the end of the day, with the help of strangers, friends, and family... we raised $81 to donate. We plan to set up the stand a few times this week too, at the end of our block, and then donate the money on Wednesday.
It was really fun for me to watch my kids get excited about how much they were helping animals.
I took them out to eat McDonalds for lunch, which we haven't done in months. Jarod even commented... "Hey mom, we haven't had anything but HOME food for a LONG time!" LOL
Now I just have to decide which photo to send the company, to compete for the best designed stand. :)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
It's a busy week!
Father's day was a great day for our family. We made breakfast for dh (and ourselves). We then bummed around the house, and later went to the park and played tennis. It was really good for me to realize that the kids are FINALLY old enough to enjoy more adult activities. Meghan ran after the balls and was happy to just sit and watch from the bench. The boys, dh, and I got to take turns playing on an actual full-size tennis court. FUN!!!
Monday and Tuesday were work days for me. We are cleaning the floral area in the store this week. Last week I had a dizzy spell at work, and ever since I have had a tweak in my eye. Then last night I was dizzy again. Not sure what is going on. We have been eating so much better lately, and I wonder if it all is simply my body adjusting to the changes. Humm!
Today I helped a friend clean out and reorganize her storage unit. Jarod went and helped me too. It was a fun time and we got paid cash too! Hee-hee! I think Jarod and I have decided that we will be blowing the cash on a trip to the arcade soon. Silly, but good times!! (I know, I could put some in my gas tank but what fun is THAT?)
I have a cake class tomorrow night. I am so not in the mood to bake though. I am putting that off until tomorrow and will end up doing it last minute. Oh well!
(My allergies, and swollen eye, are reminding me why I don't reorganize and clean often!)
Jarod and I also need to finish designing his Lemonade stand for Saturday. He was granted to be one of 1000 kids across the country, that will have stands this weekend. It is the "Pink Lemonade Brigade" and each stand was given free from the Crayons company, to the kids with cans of Pink Lemonade. They will sell the cans for a suggested $1 each (120 cans to each kid I think), and then donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity of their choice. HOW COOL is that!!
10 of these 1000 kids, will be win a contest for a motorized scooter too. They will be judged on a photo of their booth.
We choose the Oregon Humane Society, and are still thinking up ideas.
I'll post pics soon. :)
You can check out the crayons site here...
http://www.drinkcrayons.com/pinklemonadebrigade/index.html
Monday and Tuesday were work days for me. We are cleaning the floral area in the store this week. Last week I had a dizzy spell at work, and ever since I have had a tweak in my eye. Then last night I was dizzy again. Not sure what is going on. We have been eating so much better lately, and I wonder if it all is simply my body adjusting to the changes. Humm!
Today I helped a friend clean out and reorganize her storage unit. Jarod went and helped me too. It was a fun time and we got paid cash too! Hee-hee! I think Jarod and I have decided that we will be blowing the cash on a trip to the arcade soon. Silly, but good times!! (I know, I could put some in my gas tank but what fun is THAT?)
I have a cake class tomorrow night. I am so not in the mood to bake though. I am putting that off until tomorrow and will end up doing it last minute. Oh well!
(My allergies, and swollen eye, are reminding me why I don't reorganize and clean often!)
Jarod and I also need to finish designing his Lemonade stand for Saturday. He was granted to be one of 1000 kids across the country, that will have stands this weekend. It is the "Pink Lemonade Brigade" and each stand was given free from the Crayons company, to the kids with cans of Pink Lemonade. They will sell the cans for a suggested $1 each (120 cans to each kid I think), and then donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity of their choice. HOW COOL is that!!
10 of these 1000 kids, will be win a contest for a motorized scooter too. They will be judged on a photo of their booth.
We choose the Oregon Humane Society, and are still thinking up ideas.
I'll post pics soon. :)
You can check out the crayons site here...
http://www.drinkcrayons.com/pinklemonadebrigade/index.html
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Map Maker...
This is the states I have visited in my 33 years on this planet. Sad huh!??? Some day I will get to travel further. I guess I am just a hometown kinda girl. Most of our traveling at this point in our life, consists of camping and hotels within a 2 hour drive from home. Disneyland and a business trip, took me to California twice now. Then a youthgroup outing and a camping trip took me to Idaho twice too. Other than those trips... Oregon is my home, and Washington has been where we play when not at home. Funny to see it on this map. It makes me feel like I have lived so little of LIFE. But yet, I know life doesn't have to take you far, to be fulfilling!
Make your own map here...
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php
Friday, June 13, 2008
How much time?
How much time do you spend watching the news, worrying about the world? Have you noticed how few GOOD things are on lately? It's making me sad to think about it, but I can honestly say that I don't CARE to watch anymore. Not because I don't feel for the parents of the cubscouts lost, for the victims of the flooded areas, for the families of the murdered country girls, or even for the families of the boyscout recently lost in the river by my house.
What I have realized is that DH and I are on the right track. Do you know what we did yesterday? We both went to work. I had a 4 hour shift, DH 10 hrs. (our normal 4 days a week). We then came home and spent time with our kids. NOT just in front of the TV time, but DH took the kids to the park to play tennis and run at the playground. I was making frosting for my cake class. Which I came home from and sat with my kids as we enjoyed cake and icecream, laughter, and a good time.
If I have learned nothing more over the past year(s) of "different times in our world". I have learned that we MUST make every MINUTE count, not just the hours, days. We can't wait for good things to happen. We can't wait for "another day" or "just a minute" (my biggest excuse to my kids, if I let myself say it)
I guess I am just saying, don't let these minutes of life get away from you. I KNOW you won't regret it. :)
What I have realized is that DH and I are on the right track. Do you know what we did yesterday? We both went to work. I had a 4 hour shift, DH 10 hrs. (our normal 4 days a week). We then came home and spent time with our kids. NOT just in front of the TV time, but DH took the kids to the park to play tennis and run at the playground. I was making frosting for my cake class. Which I came home from and sat with my kids as we enjoyed cake and icecream, laughter, and a good time.
If I have learned nothing more over the past year(s) of "different times in our world". I have learned that we MUST make every MINUTE count, not just the hours, days. We can't wait for good things to happen. We can't wait for "another day" or "just a minute" (my biggest excuse to my kids, if I let myself say it)
I guess I am just saying, don't let these minutes of life get away from you. I KNOW you won't regret it. :)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wilton Course One (2nd time around)
I have just completed night 2 of the Wilton Course One Cake Decorating class. I will soon be teaching courses myself. I am taking this course for the 2nd time, to practice a bit and just kinda watch the instruction portion of the course. I am making mental notes before getting into teaching myself. I have taught many craft classes before, so I am not quite NERVOUS... but a little nervous as I think about instructing others again. I am excited to get back to teaching and meeting new people through such a fun craft.
Anyhoo... Here are my cake photos. (I forgot to take a photo of my first time through this course, but this was just a fun time for me... nothing perfect. Dh and the kids really enjoyed my cake with some ice cream; just minutes after I got these photos taken).
Monday, June 9, 2008
Final days of school...
We are heading into the final days of school for my kids. It's time to think about Teacher gifts... (Ok the boys are either too old or don't think their male teachers will want anything. UGH)
Meghan however, is still willing to help me put something together to thank her teacher.
Straight A's!!
Jordan finished this year with a 4.0 GPA. While the last few weeks were filled with an extra report, and a talk with his teacher (substitute) about the way he was grading different from the regular teacher (out on maternity leave). His report will reflect his hard work and effort!!
He was a bit upset about being the kid expected to get A's, but someday he will understand we I have pushed so hard. A's are important to me, but the work, effort, etc. is. Do you best, is all I ask. If there is extra work or request and questions for a teacher, I expect they get done and asked about.
Anyhoo... Now... I have to figure out what his reward will be. Originally DH said "$150 for straight A's". BUT that was before the price of EVERYTHING went up and our budget got so tight. We will talking to him in the next few days to see what he thinks he might want. He does DESERVE something as a reward. :)
Maybe a night with his guy friends over for the night... video games and pizza until the wee hours of the night. :)
Oh... and our little four legged kid (Dash) got neutered today. He sure gave DH a look of death when I put him in my arms, at the vet. I was NOT the one to take him this morning, just picked him up and loved him. Hee-hee!! (I took all the others and DH was getting the death look tonight!)
He was a bit upset about being the kid expected to get A's, but someday he will understand we I have pushed so hard. A's are important to me, but the work, effort, etc. is. Do you best, is all I ask. If there is extra work or request and questions for a teacher, I expect they get done and asked about.
Anyhoo... Now... I have to figure out what his reward will be. Originally DH said "$150 for straight A's". BUT that was before the price of EVERYTHING went up and our budget got so tight. We will talking to him in the next few days to see what he thinks he might want. He does DESERVE something as a reward. :)
Maybe a night with his guy friends over for the night... video games and pizza until the wee hours of the night. :)
Oh... and our little four legged kid (Dash) got neutered today. He sure gave DH a look of death when I put him in my arms, at the vet. I was NOT the one to take him this morning, just picked him up and loved him. Hee-hee!! (I took all the others and DH was getting the death look tonight!)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Grocery Shopping and house cleaning today
Today was a busy day... it started with us sleeping in until nearly 11:30am. LOL
Dh and then decided we would stock the new freezer today. We went with a mission. The freezer can not mean that we just have more room for junk food and processed, boxed waste of money items.
So... we headed to "sav-a-lot". Where we buy lots of things in a costco style "large amount, less price" fashion. We also get things that are "name brand" but not in the name brand boxes. They look like the cheap stuff, but taste like the good stuff. This time we also bought some veggies there, but you really have to watch the age and condition of the produce. Afterall... the prices are better because it isn't going to the big-name stores where it costs twice as much. I also buy things like whole Tyson chicken, sausages links, etc. We got bags of frozen veggies for 99 cents or less too. Adding in the snacks and pop that DH threw in the cart at the end of the registers (rrr..)
We left Sav-a-lot with a cart of food for $59.96!
We then went home, put away the parishables and headed to Sears. (Time to replace the water filter in the fridge for $40!). Ouch... by YUM!!
We the hit Winco... we scored in the meat department. We found beef, pork, chicken, etc. each package was enough for one or two meals for the 5 of us. Each package was under $6, and mostly $4-$6. We got the veggies and fruits that we didn't get at Sav-a-lot (again watching the produce quality and prices). As I got to the chips isle, I grabbed a glass jar of Salsa... which I proceeded to drop threw the kid leg area of the cart and smashed it to the floor. Oops! YUCK! My flip flop with sticky and will be for days... Eewww!
We left with a full cart of food for just $104.
Not to bad considering we bought between 2 and 3 weeks of food, and we shouldn't need to go get the little things. We planned the fresh veggie dinners for this week and the frozen things next week. :)
Dh and then decided we would stock the new freezer today. We went with a mission. The freezer can not mean that we just have more room for junk food and processed, boxed waste of money items.
So... we headed to "sav-a-lot". Where we buy lots of things in a costco style "large amount, less price" fashion. We also get things that are "name brand" but not in the name brand boxes. They look like the cheap stuff, but taste like the good stuff. This time we also bought some veggies there, but you really have to watch the age and condition of the produce. Afterall... the prices are better because it isn't going to the big-name stores where it costs twice as much. I also buy things like whole Tyson chicken, sausages links, etc. We got bags of frozen veggies for 99 cents or less too. Adding in the snacks and pop that DH threw in the cart at the end of the registers (rrr..)
We left Sav-a-lot with a cart of food for $59.96!
We then went home, put away the parishables and headed to Sears. (Time to replace the water filter in the fridge for $40!). Ouch... by YUM!!
We the hit Winco... we scored in the meat department. We found beef, pork, chicken, etc. each package was enough for one or two meals for the 5 of us. Each package was under $6, and mostly $4-$6. We got the veggies and fruits that we didn't get at Sav-a-lot (again watching the produce quality and prices). As I got to the chips isle, I grabbed a glass jar of Salsa... which I proceeded to drop threw the kid leg area of the cart and smashed it to the floor. Oops! YUCK! My flip flop with sticky and will be for days... Eewww!
We left with a full cart of food for just $104.
Not to bad considering we bought between 2 and 3 weeks of food, and we shouldn't need to go get the little things. We planned the fresh veggie dinners for this week and the frozen things next week. :)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Sharing photos today!
I live in Portland (well technically Milwaukie, but it is SE Portland). I have lived within 30 miles of my current home for almost 30 years. WOW! This time of year, Portland celebrates with the "Portland Rose Festival". From parades, to carnival rides, to Rose Shows, High School Pagents, you name it! You can check it all out at http://www.rosefestival.org/
These next photos are from last Saturday evening, while we waited for the "starlight parade". This is a night time parade full of lights and fun for all ages. We remembered the that Baskins Robbins is just up the street from where we sit every year. (So is the Portland Coffee Shop YUM!)
Jordan (13) sits in his shades, trying to look as cool as possible. LOL He did take time to draw "Go North Carolina" in blue and white chalk. A little later this guy came by and took a photo of it. He was in town from England, and is a newspaper reporter. He was taking shots to use back home. He didn't realize that the parade was going to be going, during his trip. He had just come to see Downtown Portland. How neat!!
So, this is my rose bush... the poor thing. This weather is not nice to it. COLD, WIND, HOT, Cool, it just can't get a break to grow well. I hope to soon see the beautiful blooms that I had going a few weeks ago. (my parents and I are going to the Portland Rose Show this afternoon.)
My mom has always loved roses. She collects shirts, mugs, etc. with anything roses. (Sure makes Holiday buying easier!)
So... after the loss of the toy, it was time to Wrestle! Another favorite past-time. (though Dash really has to be in the mood or he ends up on the back of the couch where Lucy hasn't figured out how to climb.) Notice Lucy's mouth is fully on Dash's leg. They both look so intense, but only once in-awhile bite hard enough to whimper at. :)
I decided it was photo time... I got Lucy to sit and STAY (a new manner she is half way on). She then thought it was time to pose. Dash kept biting at her tail... she was BUSY though. (I was barely able to take pics, between laughter)
SO... Dash decides he should sit and stay too... but he added a low whimper for attention. LMAO
These next photos are from last Saturday evening, while we waited for the "starlight parade". This is a night time parade full of lights and fun for all ages. We remembered the that Baskins Robbins is just up the street from where we sit every year. (So is the Portland Coffee Shop YUM!)
Jordan (13) sits in his shades, trying to look as cool as possible. LOL He did take time to draw "Go North Carolina" in blue and white chalk. A little later this guy came by and took a photo of it. He was in town from England, and is a newspaper reporter. He was taking shots to use back home. He didn't realize that the parade was going to be going, during his trip. He had just come to see Downtown Portland. How neat!!So, this is my rose bush... the poor thing. This weather is not nice to it. COLD, WIND, HOT, Cool, it just can't get a break to grow well. I hope to soon see the beautiful blooms that I had going a few weeks ago. (my parents and I are going to the Portland Rose Show this afternoon.)My mom has always loved roses. She collects shirts, mugs, etc. with anything roses. (Sure makes Holiday buying easier!)
This is my Halloween "Pumpkin Carving" layout, that I completed today. :)
Woohoo!! I sure am into scrapping pages that I feel need something else on them. LOL I haven't had a WOW layout moment in a long time. But, atleast my photos are getting in the albums!
Ok... time for the puppy update. Lucy is now 3 1/2 months old. She is TALLER than Dash and is beginning to know it. She was caught here playing with her favorite toy (yep, the cat toy). Until last night, she had not gotten the feather off of it, she just softly bite it and flipped it around. Well... the kids throw it for her to fetch, she banged her big self into the cabinet, table, and then chair leg... and grabbed to toy. The ball flipped as she bobbed her head, and hubby noticed she still had the feather on the string. Poor girl lost her favorite toy !
So... after the loss of the toy, it was time to Wrestle! Another favorite past-time. (though Dash really has to be in the mood or he ends up on the back of the couch where Lucy hasn't figured out how to climb.) Notice Lucy's mouth is fully on Dash's leg. They both look so intense, but only once in-awhile bite hard enough to whimper at. :)
I decided it was photo time... I got Lucy to sit and STAY (a new manner she is half way on). She then thought it was time to pose. Dash kept biting at her tail... she was BUSY though. (I was barely able to take pics, between laughter)
SO... Dash decides he should sit and stay too... but he added a low whimper for attention. LMAOBTW... He NEVER sits for a pic... and only SITS when STERNLY told to. I guess sibling rivalry can be a good thing. :)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...
Are you Reducing? Reusing? Recycling?
My daughter is in the first grade. Of course I will be hearing it nearly daily from her as she gets the message in schoolwork. Do we really listen to what our kids are saying? She comes home and is all excited about Recycling. Well... shouldn't we be THAT excited too? Should she even have to see what we are NOT doing at home?
Well...
I know... it takes time, energy, room, etc. But... on the other hand... the news last night was taking a poll. "Would you be interested in paying to put our garage in Hawaii?" Ok... I immediately ignored the tube. "Why would anyone want to screw up Hawaii?" I said as I turned to my hubby.
His response? "Because we are out of room here!"
Eewww! Bad answer! Are we THAT bad? WE ARE!!
I then thought this morning, as I looked at the garbage bins down our street, sitting curbside; waiting for the garbage truck. I realized just how many people have JUST their garbage bin out. The Gray bin... the RECYCLING bin... isn't even OUT! YUCK!!!
The yard debris is here and there, but why isn't the FREE recycling can being used?
Are we just lazy, don't care? Do we just think it will be there forever? Do we not care because we won't live to see it? WHY???
It just makes me SAD!
Wow... this really got to me... I just clicked SEND to my state newspaper with this entry in email. LOL
My daughter is in the first grade. Of course I will be hearing it nearly daily from her as she gets the message in schoolwork. Do we really listen to what our kids are saying? She comes home and is all excited about Recycling. Well... shouldn't we be THAT excited too? Should she even have to see what we are NOT doing at home?
Well...
I know... it takes time, energy, room, etc. But... on the other hand... the news last night was taking a poll. "Would you be interested in paying to put our garage in Hawaii?" Ok... I immediately ignored the tube. "Why would anyone want to screw up Hawaii?" I said as I turned to my hubby.
His response? "Because we are out of room here!"
Eewww! Bad answer! Are we THAT bad? WE ARE!!
I then thought this morning, as I looked at the garbage bins down our street, sitting curbside; waiting for the garbage truck. I realized just how many people have JUST their garbage bin out. The Gray bin... the RECYCLING bin... isn't even OUT! YUCK!!!
The yard debris is here and there, but why isn't the FREE recycling can being used?
Are we just lazy, don't care? Do we just think it will be there forever? Do we not care because we won't live to see it? WHY???
It just makes me SAD!
Wow... this really got to me... I just clicked SEND to my state newspaper with this entry in email. LOL
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Process of a Career...
It always amazes me how often I feel like "me" changes. Whether I am in a whirlwind of housework, tucking kiddos into bed at night, and making cookies while they sleep OR running off to work and the daily grind of stress and joy that process brings to me.
I find myself missing the days when I ran down to the store to teach a craft class. Whether it be painting, scrapbooking, or just some holiday decor display and demo. I still get to demo, but my employer took the class program from our store. I had not stopped to think about how much of "me" was in that program. Just 3 short years ago, I stopped being "MOMMMM" for a few hours here and there. Sure, some days I miss being "mommmm" and would run home in an instant if I heard my baby calling... but alot of hours go by now without me thinking of them.
I still love being a mom... I know other moms get this... sometimes you just need to be "me" for a moment in time.
Well... ask me who I am today... and what would I answer? "I am Rebecca, ME, a scrapbooker, a mom of three kids, a past PTO president, an Event Coordinator in a craft store, a baker, a wife, a best friend, a friend, a "not-so-good friend" sometimes, a daughter, sister, SIL, DIL, ... so many things make up "ME".
The short answer... "I am not sure yet, it changes by the minute!"
I find myself missing the days when I ran down to the store to teach a craft class. Whether it be painting, scrapbooking, or just some holiday decor display and demo. I still get to demo, but my employer took the class program from our store. I had not stopped to think about how much of "me" was in that program. Just 3 short years ago, I stopped being "MOMMMM" for a few hours here and there. Sure, some days I miss being "mommmm" and would run home in an instant if I heard my baby calling... but alot of hours go by now without me thinking of them.
I still love being a mom... I know other moms get this... sometimes you just need to be "me" for a moment in time.
Well... ask me who I am today... and what would I answer? "I am Rebecca, ME, a scrapbooker, a mom of three kids, a past PTO president, an Event Coordinator in a craft store, a baker, a wife, a best friend, a friend, a "not-so-good friend" sometimes, a daughter, sister, SIL, DIL, ... so many things make up "ME".
The short answer... "I am not sure yet, it changes by the minute!"
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
New Freezer...
My husband went to his parents house today. He came home with a freezer in the truck. WOOHOO! We had a freezer in the garage when we first moved here, but it was old and sucked a TON of our electric bill usage. I am hoping that this one is newer enough to give me the extra room to shop more frugal... but not spend all the savings in my electric bill too. We shall see... time to shop for frozen deals!!
I am also going to be making bread dough, pizza dough, cookie dough, etc. and freezing it for quick thaw cooking. :)
Yum!!
I am also going to be making bread dough, pizza dough, cookie dough, etc. and freezing it for quick thaw cooking. :)
Yum!!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Loving Less Expensive (and Junky) Food
Be aware that your palate can work against your budget!
For example, I loved and craved chocolate, salt, etc. and that can get expensive. I can now satisfy my chocolate craving with just 2 or 3 frozen semi-sweet baking chips. It is a struggle in the beginning for sure, but with in days... you begin to crave less and ENJOY the few.
The same thing can be said for buying pre-packaged quick fix grocery items. Sure they are fast and easy... but nowadays... who can pay the prices? I am now finding ways to spend time with my kids and spend less at the market. We are making coffee cake, muffins, bread, etc. We aren't learning about the environment we live in and how to keep what we know today.
You might be able to use this strategy of adapting the pallet to a more frugal one to your advantage. Pick some food that you spend too much for and see if you can substitute a more frugal one in your diet. It is important to be consistent here but not extreme. Don't serve home made stir fry (yum) for two days and then go out to restaurant chinese food on the third day. Instead, cut out the restaurant food and work on improving your recipes.
Consider eliminating something from your household that is expensive and unhealthy. Substitute home made lemonade for soda, bags of popcorn you can pop yourself for chips, homemade pizza for frozen, casseroles for take out food.
There may be a bit of resistance at first, but with time, you can change your palate to reflect a more frugal lifestyle.
We won't be changing things in 24 hours or even in a month... but little by little... we are working on our part of the world. :)
My 13 year old son mentioned to me today, "hey mom, its kinda like the oil companies are having to think about better living too... they are making the prices so high, that noone is buying their product. They are going to have to learn that they need to make a better product to bring down the price." I am not sure if he totally gets it, but he is getting there!
For example, I loved and craved chocolate, salt, etc. and that can get expensive. I can now satisfy my chocolate craving with just 2 or 3 frozen semi-sweet baking chips. It is a struggle in the beginning for sure, but with in days... you begin to crave less and ENJOY the few.
The same thing can be said for buying pre-packaged quick fix grocery items. Sure they are fast and easy... but nowadays... who can pay the prices? I am now finding ways to spend time with my kids and spend less at the market. We are making coffee cake, muffins, bread, etc. We aren't learning about the environment we live in and how to keep what we know today.
You might be able to use this strategy of adapting the pallet to a more frugal one to your advantage. Pick some food that you spend too much for and see if you can substitute a more frugal one in your diet. It is important to be consistent here but not extreme. Don't serve home made stir fry (yum) for two days and then go out to restaurant chinese food on the third day. Instead, cut out the restaurant food and work on improving your recipes.
Consider eliminating something from your household that is expensive and unhealthy. Substitute home made lemonade for soda, bags of popcorn you can pop yourself for chips, homemade pizza for frozen, casseroles for take out food.
There may be a bit of resistance at first, but with time, you can change your palate to reflect a more frugal lifestyle.
We won't be changing things in 24 hours or even in a month... but little by little... we are working on our part of the world. :)
My 13 year old son mentioned to me today, "hey mom, its kinda like the oil companies are having to think about better living too... they are making the prices so high, that noone is buying their product. They are going to have to learn that they need to make a better product to bring down the price." I am not sure if he totally gets it, but he is getting there!
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Gotta have my Coca-Cola!!
