Woot!

I was supposed to color my hair last week and never got around to it -- so now you got me while my grays (shhhhhhhhhh) get some extra time under the color! I picked a color of champagne blonde -- but you know what, it's the weirdest thing -- I've been coloring my hair forever, and it seems not to matter what color I choose, after a few days it always looks like a medium golden blonde! Weird, eh?

My bestest friend in the world will be here in 24 hours! YAY! I'm so excited! I'm sure tomorrow night we will talk and giggle about boys until we fall asleep. Friday is her pick -- wherever she wants to go. Friday afternoon we will pick up the kids from school and go to Sonic for dinner. We just got a Sonic in our area! We've been drooling over the commercials for years! I am going to get a diet cherry limeade -- anybody had one before? Are they good? Plus a grilled chicken sandwich and I'll split a small order of onion rings w/ Heather. Yes, it's already planned!

We have movies to watch with the kids Friday night and we'll talk and catch up some more. Saturday we'll let her choose our activity again, then Saturday evening we will have dinner with my Mom and Dad. She's making her fabulous eggplant spaghetti pie and a Barefoot Contessa strawberry poundcake thingie. (I'll have to be very careful!) Satruday night maybe we will go to the drive in or we may watch THE REDWINGS KICK THE PITTSBURGH PENGUIN'S BUTTS!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO GO REDWINGS!!!!! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)

Sunday we are going to the Toledo Zoo with the kids. I will have loads of pictures of everyone! Promise! Not sure about plans for sunday night.

Memorial Day afternoon will be back at my Mom's for a cookout and then afterwards I will have to take Heather to the airport. *sniff*

Weird thing is, I thought we were planning too many things, but it looks like has 3 or 4 blocks of time to pick what activities she wants to do! I know we are going to do some crafts together and maybe shopping and gardening! I can't wait. I miss her so much!

She's lived in New Hampshire for about 12 years now. We've stayed really close. She is the Godmother of my 2 oldest children and I am the Godmother of her daughter (who is now 20).


Ok, time to color the rest of my hair for a few more minutes -- hopefully my "stubborn grays" are now champagne blonde!

Sherry

Menu Plan Monday: May 19th Edition

Welcome to my menu for next week! To see other menus, please visit www.orgjunkie.com!

I am updating from my work computer (Mac Book) so the links are going to be old school style. I'm sure there is another way to do it -- but I just don't know how! Sorry!

We are trying to eat healthier here. I spent the entire afternoon cooking ahead for the week! I'll share with you what I cooked, and how it will be turned into some of our meals for the week!

I cooked:

Black bean soup
Corn on the cob
Whole wheat croutons
Basmati rice
Whole wheat penne pasta
2 roasted chickens
Garlic baked potatoes

Breakfasts:
Kellogg's Heart Smart cereal purchased at CVS 2/5 and used 3/2 coupon!
2 different types of oatmeal
Eggwhite omelet, turkey bacon, whole wheat toast
Spanish eggwhite omelet on a bagel
Yogurt, fruit, and granola

Lunches:
Chicken salad
Pasta salad with fresh veggies
Black bean soup topped with low fat cheddar and a few crumbled up tortilla chips
Turkey sandwich, orange
Leftovers
Salad topped with chicken
BLT salad (turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato) topped with croutons

Snacks:
Fruit
Veggies w/ hummus
94% fat free popcorn
Soy Joy bar
Yogurt

Dinners:
Caramelized garlic chicken http://www.cookingcache.com/lowfat/lfcaramelizedgarlicchicken.shtml Served over basmati rice with green beans.

SPICY THAI SALAD from www.sparkpeople.com

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped
1 lime
1 orange
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 TBLS honey
1 finely chopped jalapeno
1 TBLS sesame oil
1 finely chopped garlic
2 stalks chopped green onion
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
romaine lettuce
1 small cucumber chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cabbage and carrots (use slaw bags)
1 cup boiled rice noodles
sesame seeds

Directions
dinner for two:
Grill the chicken the way you normally do and chop into small bite size peices or strips (two breasts). In bowl combine juice of one lime, juice of one orange, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tabls honey, 1 finely chopped jalapeno, 1 tabls sesame oil, 1 finely chopped garlic, 2 stalks chopped green onions, 1 tsp rice wine vinegar. put your cooked chicken in mixture and let sit for 30 minutes. meanwhile, in 2 large bowls put chopped romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, shredded cabbage and carrots and a half cup of boiled rice noodles (you can use thin spaghetti noodles, too but I really like the rice noodles!)
take the dressing with chicken peices and divide over the two bowls and serve with sesame seeds on top.
I love this and also do it with leftover steak and pork.


Number of Servings: 2

SOUTHWEST BEANS AND RICE

2 c. Minute Rice (dry)
2 c. water
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
2 t. granulated beef bouillon
1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix
2 T. sour cream, light
2 T. milk (1% or fat-free)
5 oz. shredded cheese (2%)

Directions
Dice onion and jalapeño (removing seeds & membrane). Combine water, taco seasoning, onion, pepper, corn, and bouillon in a saucepan. Heat to boiling. Add rice and stir. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Add chili beans and mix to blend. Divide into 5 servings. Combine sour cream and milk. Blend with a whisk until smooth, adding more milk if needed to bring to a sauce-like consistency. Top each serving with 1 oz. cheese and 1/5 of sour cream mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Heat in microwave approximately 1 minute or until cheese is melted and contents are heated through. Makes 5 servings (WW: 6 pts/svg.)

Number of Servings: 5


ROASTED VEGGIES AND CHICKPEAS

(I will serve mine over whole wheat penne)

Ingredients

1 large red onion sliced thinly
1 green pepper sliced thinly
1 red pepper slice thinly
2 cups whole button mushrooms
1 bulb of garlic seperated and de papered
1 can drained chickpeas or 1 and 1/2 cups of dried chickpeas tht have been prepared
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp chili powder (I like new mexico chili powder found in bags in the hispanic food isle)
1/4 tp cayenne pepper or more if you like it spicey



Directions
Pre Heat oven to 450
Slice peppers and onions very thin. I used a mandolin/v-slicer. In a big bowel place veggies, garlic and chickpeas. Drizzle with olive oil and then add spices. Mix with hands or cover and shake until veggies and spices are well mixed.
Spread veggies on a large greased pan. Bake for 30-45 minutes until veggies begin to brown or blacken...to your liking.

Number of Servings: 4

Busted

I am so going over budget this month. Both in gas and groceries. *sigh*

I've spent about 343 of my 400 budget and it is only the 16th! I've also spent over half of my gas budget and I only have a quarter tank right now.

Did I mention by bestest friend in the whole wide world is coming on Thursday?????? I know we'll be going more places and getting more food, etc. NOT THAT I WOULD TRADE HER VISIT FOR STICKING TO MY BUDGET!

I'll tell you what. I've decided that the kids and I need to start eating more healthfully. (DH cannot be separated from high-fat, high-cholesterol foods) I had to stock up on good stuff and fresh veggies and fruits, etc. I still shopped with coupons and made a list and a menu plan -- so I wasn't totally frivolous!

I am watching the series from Netflix called "The Blue and the Gray" -- and it's pretty good. Not as good as "North and South"! That was SOOOOOOOOOO good and I highly recommend it.

I also saw "27 Dresses" -- which was cute.

I'm still slowly working my way through the Avonlea series too! Speaking of Avonlea, Colleen Dewhurst who plays Marilla in the Anne movies is the mom in The Blue and the Gray. Just a little trivia for you!

I'm reading bits and pieces -- nothing really. Still busy with work -- and kids -- and school -- and yardwork and gardening! I do the mowing of the grass and trimming of bushes and wacking of weeds. I did that today. The place looks better already! lol

DH and I are planning a mini-vacation for this summer. I'll link to the place because you have to see how awesome: African Wildlife Safari Park (Drive thru! Feed the animals from your car!)

Then we may go Perry's Cave. They have a butterfly house, a limestone cave, gem mining
and more fun stuff.

Should be fun~!

Sherry

Today's Deals

Today was busy, busy, busy! I got up, took a shower, got dressed and went to Target where I got a ton of free cat food w/ coupons and a couple of 99 cent Glade flameless wisp candles. I picked up a bottle of water and a Target brand nutrition bar for breakfast.

I drove to my friend Cindy's house and we worked together for a few hours. We got the McDonald's SW Grilled Chicken Salad for lunch and YUM! It was so good.

I came home to wake up dh and then went to CVS to get more freebies. I came home and made dh's lunch and then cut the front lawn.

Took dh to work, then picked up the kids from school. I helped ds study for his social study test, then I cut the backyard grass and took the garbage out.

I took the kids over to their dad's house and then went to another CVS for more deals.

Came home and made dinner. I had leftover lentils and brown rice, so I made them into Cajun brown rice and lentils by adding green pepper, onion, celery, garlic, shrimp, and Cajun seasoning. I paired it with a green salad and it was really tasty.

Tonight I'm relaxing. I might color my hair.

Here is what I got for free today:

5 one-pound bags of cat food
2 bags of cat treats
1 Life water
1 Adidas deoderant
1Tums quick pack
3 small bottles of Crest Pro Health mouthwash
1 huge bottle of Crest Pro Health night rinse
1 tube of CPH toothpaste
1 tube of Aquafresh toothpaste
1 Schick intuition razor

And my other really good deals:

Two 99 cent Glade flameless wisp candles
Two 1 dollar boxes of Kellogg's Heart Smart cereal
one 6-lb bag of cat food for 1.60

Now tomorrow will be all about weed whacking and grocery shopping!

Sherry

My Great Shopping Deals This Week!

So yes, I missed yet another MPM. Shame on me. Whatever will I cook? lol!

I do have a plan for dinners this week:

MONDAY: Garlic Ginger shrimp and veggie stir fry over rice (DELISH!)
TUESDAY: Dijon pork and potato bake, green beans, salad
WEDNESDAY: Chickpea and roasted veggies w/ brown rice, salad
THURSDAY: Mom's
FRIDAY: Turkey Kielbasa w/ cabbage
SATURDAY: Mom's
SUNDAY: Roast chicken, wild rice, corn, salad

I found some more deals today:

Fiber One yogurt 8-pack on sale for 2 dollars, had 1 dollar off coupon = 8 yogurts for 1 dollar! I bought 2 8-packs.

Yoplait kids yogurt free w/ coupon.

10-count corn tortillas on clearance for 25 cents.

Dole Mediterranean salad marked down to 1.29 and I had a 55c off coupon, so 74 cents

A big container of organic spring mix lettuce for 1.99 (regularly 3.99)

Eggo Waffles 1.25 and 55 cents off coupons, so 70 cents, I got 2

Whole grain deli rolls, 12-count, 50% off, 1.49 (we love these)

I had a 3 dollar off coupon for feta cheese, a 2 dollar off your next purchase coupon, and a few more - so I did pretty well.

I spent more on groceries this week than planned, but received 50 dollars that I wasn't counting on - so it didn't come out of our bank account.

I made a big pot of lentils and brown rice to eat for lunches throughout the week w/ salad greens on top. YUM! You have to try it and you'll see!

You know what -- after saving all that money at the grocery store, I spent a bunch more on a new vacuum. I may have mentioned this before, but I can't remember. My brain is addled.

I have bad luck with vacuums. Very VERY bad luck w/ them. I buy 1-2 a year. Really. I always get the cheaper ones, between 60-100 dollars.

This time I bought a Dyson. Of course it worked great today. And of course I love it now. But will I love it 3 months from now? The price sticker scares me to death. But if it lasts for a few years -- it won't cost any more than what I would have paid for all those pieces of crap! And my carpets will look better.

Now I just have to try not to suck up any stray socks.

Sherry

Blue

I can't believe how bad I"ve been at updating over the past few weeks. Actually, I can't believe how terrible I've been at doing alot of things!

Working has thrown a big curve ball at me. I suppose I'm not very good at change.

Then, add in that my child support check mysteriously stopped. Again.

AND add in the fact that we were supposed to get our economic stimulus check by the 9th. And we did NOT.

So, I'm down. I'm feeling blue. I've been literally dragging through my daily "have to's" for the past week.

I still have way too much to be thankful for - so I will stop with the complaining. Well, about that anyway! lol

There's no way I'm making budget this month. Not for groceries. Not for gas. I've already put in 71.50 and we need another fill up tomorrow so we'll be at about 125 of our 200 budget by the 11th of the month. *sigh* GAS!

Grocery-wise, I'm doing alright. I spent 90 the first week and I think 80 the second -- and my goal is 80 per week. HOWEVER -- I need a few things before next week.

On a good note, I found three gallons of organic milk marked at 1.00 for 2 and 1.50 for the third. They had a few days before expiration and I know my kids and dh will drink them all quickly.

On a BAD note -- I will NOT do rebates of any kind any more. Well, maybe Walgreen -- but that's it! I threw away the packaging from a 4 dollar thing, didn't send in my 10 dollars' worth at Rite Aid, and THOUGHT I lost my 6 dollar one for a toilet scrubber. Thankfully found that one.

Disorganized (and/or busy people!) should not do rebates! ha! I will stick to CVS. And if you can believe it, I haven't done a single deal in 2 weeks! I plan to go tomorrow. I have 3/15 coupons and a 5 dollar extra bucks to start me out. I spent the rest of my "bucks".

Well, I'm going to watch Grey's Anatomy online now because I fell asleep during it a few days ago!

Have a very blessed Mother's Day!!!!!!

Hugs!

Sherry

Menu Plan Monday: May 5th Edition

Welcome to the May 5th Edition of Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Organizing Junkie!

MONDAY: Rachael Ray's cheeseburger meatloaf w/ corn and scalloped potatoes




TUESDAY: Sweet and Sour chicken with broccoli and rice, salad



WEDNESDAY: The kids and I will go to my Mom's for dinner. DH will have filet mignon, potatoes, and peas.

THURSDAY: Fettucini Carbonara w/ ham (instead of bacon) and peas, garlic bread, salad



FRIDAY: Tex Mex beefy mac n cheese w/ green beans and salad

SATURDAY: Kids and I will be at Mom's house again. For dh I will make tuna and onion w/ rice. Don't ask, he likes it. lol

SUNDAY: Lately my good friend Cindy's family and Em and I have been doing Sunday dinners together. We generally have a theme, then we each make part of the meal. I think this week we may do smoked sausage red beans and rice, corn muffins, a big salad, and for dessert I think we'll have a banana cream pie or maybe some easy banana pudding.


May your week be blessed!

Sherry