Remember when I told you all that I was planning to cut our grocery budget back in April and I said I would keep you all up to date.
And, now it's April 29th and I haven't kept you up to date at all.
Well, check out my blog over here and see how we did!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A hair burning experience
Tonight, I decided to be nice wife and try to have dinner ready by the time my hardworking husband arrived home from work. I got off work a couple hours before him, so this made it possible.
I multi-tasked by marinading the pork chops while I watched Table for 12 I had DVR'd the day before. Since I had multi-tasked I knew I needed a quick way to cook the pork chops.
The weather has finally been warm so I decided it was time to warm up the grill outside. I got everything ready, went outside and turned on the gas. I turned the level to the star and pushed the ignitor once.
Nothing happened.
I pushed it again.
Nothing happened.
I turned up the gas.
Pushed the ignitor.
And nearly fell backwards.
I guess the combination of turning up the gas and pushing the ignitor four times works. Flames flew out of the grill.
When I realized I was okay I looked at my arms and noticed burned hair. Yes, I burned the hair off my arms, specifically my left one.
I put the pork chops on the grill and came inside. At that point I noticed my hair, on my head, was singed slightly on the left side.
Can I tell you how bad burned hair smells like. I have been smelling it for the last 2 hours.
And that is my first encounter with the grill this summer.
Tomorrow, we are having leftovers for dinner. I'm not risking it two days in a row!
I multi-tasked by marinading the pork chops while I watched Table for 12 I had DVR'd the day before. Since I had multi-tasked I knew I needed a quick way to cook the pork chops.
The weather has finally been warm so I decided it was time to warm up the grill outside. I got everything ready, went outside and turned on the gas. I turned the level to the star and pushed the ignitor once.
Nothing happened.
I pushed it again.
Nothing happened.
I turned up the gas.
Pushed the ignitor.
And nearly fell backwards.
I guess the combination of turning up the gas and pushing the ignitor four times works. Flames flew out of the grill.
When I realized I was okay I looked at my arms and noticed burned hair. Yes, I burned the hair off my arms, specifically my left one.
I put the pork chops on the grill and came inside. At that point I noticed my hair, on my head, was singed slightly on the left side.
Can I tell you how bad burned hair smells like. I have been smelling it for the last 2 hours.
And that is my first encounter with the grill this summer.
Tomorrow, we are having leftovers for dinner. I'm not risking it two days in a row!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Perty by Thirty Week 16
I think the scale was not calibrated correctly today. That or I broke it when I stepped on it.
Either way, I lost 9.4 pounds this week!
Wow! I just hope next week isn't diappointing when the scales are fixed. :)
This 9.4 pound loss brings me up to 47.6 pounds lost in 16 weeks!
The only differences I had last week were keeping close track of anything I put in my mouth and drinking lots of water. Maybe those two things added together works for me. At least it did this week.
Yesterday I pulled out some "old" clothes. I am able to wear them all now, but it has been so long (pre-Hoss, so over 3 1/2 years), that the clothes, which had been hanging in my closet, have dust on them.
I guess my washing machine will be busy.
Although, I will need to get some new clothes soon. After all, I am 20 pounds lighter now than I was at my first OB appointment over 4 years ago.
Either way, I lost 9.4 pounds this week!
Wow! I just hope next week isn't diappointing when the scales are fixed. :)
This 9.4 pound loss brings me up to 47.6 pounds lost in 16 weeks!
The only differences I had last week were keeping close track of anything I put in my mouth and drinking lots of water. Maybe those two things added together works for me. At least it did this week.
Yesterday I pulled out some "old" clothes. I am able to wear them all now, but it has been so long (pre-Hoss, so over 3 1/2 years), that the clothes, which had been hanging in my closet, have dust on them.
I guess my washing machine will be busy.
Although, I will need to get some new clothes soon. After all, I am 20 pounds lighter now than I was at my first OB appointment over 4 years ago.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Perty by Thirty Week 15
Well, it has been 4 weeks since the last weight gain, so I was due for another. I am blaming it all on hormones. I've decided that is why I keep having weight loss "issues" once a month. Sounds like a good excuse to me! I'm using it this week. :)
I gained .8 pounds. So, really, not too shabby. I am currently at 38.2 weight loss in 15 weeks.
I have discovered that I can't take compliments well. I am to the point of my weight loss that it is obvious. My clothing is far to large and I have had to retire some old clothing from my wardrobe. Since it is obvious now, people are commenting about the changes. I put two and two together this week and realized that the weeks people comment more about my weight loss, I eat more. I know it doesn't make since, but it's what I do. Now I'm trying to make a point not to eat everytime I get compliments. Those snacks add up!
And now for excuse three and four.
Maybe the weight gain was just related to the hormonal cravings I had this week. Or the massive amount of Easter candy my son received that just keeps calling my name.
And there are all the excuses I have. Hopefully I won't have to think up new ones next week! :)
I gained .8 pounds. So, really, not too shabby. I am currently at 38.2 weight loss in 15 weeks.
I have discovered that I can't take compliments well. I am to the point of my weight loss that it is obvious. My clothing is far to large and I have had to retire some old clothing from my wardrobe. Since it is obvious now, people are commenting about the changes. I put two and two together this week and realized that the weeks people comment more about my weight loss, I eat more. I know it doesn't make since, but it's what I do. Now I'm trying to make a point not to eat everytime I get compliments. Those snacks add up!
And now for excuse three and four.
Maybe the weight gain was just related to the hormonal cravings I had this week. Or the massive amount of Easter candy my son received that just keeps calling my name.
And there are all the excuses I have. Hopefully I won't have to think up new ones next week! :)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Perty by Thirty Week 14
We are on Week 14 and with today's loss of 2.2 pounds I am up to a total of 39 pounds lost. Not too shabby! :)
I won't rant and rave today about potty training. So far we have had 3 successes in the past two days. Maybe we are making progress. Maybe.
Update: Alright, it's official...I can't post about success again. Poop was just cleaned up from the floor of someone's bedroom floor. It wasn't my bedroom floor.
Hope you all have a great week! :)
I won't rant and rave today about potty training. So far we have had 3 successes in the past two days. Maybe we are making progress. Maybe.
Update: Alright, it's official...I can't post about success again. Poop was just cleaned up from the floor of someone's bedroom floor. It wasn't my bedroom floor.
Hope you all have a great week! :)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Forced creativity
I wish I could tell you the potty training was getting better, but I can't. We had another large accident last night. However, I'm trying to find some positive in this. Okay, really, if I don't find some positive in this I will loose my mind.
Since all the toys in our house are under lockdown, Hoss has had to use his imagination more than usual to play. He has also been extremely social with us, more so than usual. I think we may never return all the toys to his possession. I like the changes in him.
His favorite new "toys" are Mommy and Daddy's shoes. Here he is the other night in one of my tennis shoes and a dress shoe.
On this night he was walking around the living room saying, "I am a robot" in a very robot-like voice. I hope I can remember the sound of him saying that for the rest of my life. He was adorable.
He also found one of Daddy's ties tonight and was enjoying wearing this and Mommy's shoes again.
He would not pose for the camera. Something was always more important to look at.
So, even though we have not made any steps toward full potty training, we have learned that toys are over rated!
Since all the toys in our house are under lockdown, Hoss has had to use his imagination more than usual to play. He has also been extremely social with us, more so than usual. I think we may never return all the toys to his possession. I like the changes in him.
His favorite new "toys" are Mommy and Daddy's shoes. Here he is the other night in one of my tennis shoes and a dress shoe.
On this night he was walking around the living room saying, "I am a robot" in a very robot-like voice. I hope I can remember the sound of him saying that for the rest of my life. He was adorable.
He also found one of Daddy's ties tonight and was enjoying wearing this and Mommy's shoes again.
He would not pose for the camera. Something was always more important to look at.
So, even though we have not made any steps toward full potty training, we have learned that toys are over rated!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Perty by Thirty, Week 13
It was a good week in the world of weight loss. I lost 3.4 pounds, bringing my total 13 week weight loss to 36.8 pounds. Not too shabby!
It has not been a good week in the world of potty training. Actually, it has not been a good night in the world of potty training. I am so angry I can barely even think. I knew Hoss had to do #2 and I made him sit on the potty twice to attempt to do so. He refused. He screamed, cried and threw a temper tantrum only a three year old can throw.
I gave him a lecture about going to the potty. We PRAYED about going poo in the potty during bedtime prayers. And then I threatened him (I need to pray about that).
Five minutes later I am cleaning up the worst case of explosive poo possibly ever. I'm running bath water and taking a time out breather so I don't end up in jail.
I'm angry. I have never been this angry at my child. I'm on the verge of tears I'm so angry.
I'm mostly angry because I know he knows better. He knows where to poo. He knows how to do it, he's done it twice. He just.won't.do.it.
So, I resorted to drastic measures. Every toy in our home is currently put away. Every movie, book, wrestling figure, superhero, stuffed animal, and car is out of sight. I even lifted the filled to the brim toy box and put it in the closet. I am considering calling the Easter bunny and telling him not to show up at our house this Sunday.
I'm done playing games. I'm done with the temper tantrums, screaming and yelling. The power struggles are over. If this child thinks he can win a power struggle in this house, he's clearly mistaken.
Maybe I sound harsh. And maybe I am over the top, but at this moment in time, this is the best I can be. When you throw away toys and movies because cleaning them would be pointless and the bedroom carpet is ruined, drastic measures are all you have. That and prayers.
Lots and lots of prayers.
It has not been a good week in the world of potty training. Actually, it has not been a good night in the world of potty training. I am so angry I can barely even think. I knew Hoss had to do #2 and I made him sit on the potty twice to attempt to do so. He refused. He screamed, cried and threw a temper tantrum only a three year old can throw.
I gave him a lecture about going to the potty. We PRAYED about going poo in the potty during bedtime prayers. And then I threatened him (I need to pray about that).
Five minutes later I am cleaning up the worst case of explosive poo possibly ever. I'm running bath water and taking a time out breather so I don't end up in jail.
I'm angry. I have never been this angry at my child. I'm on the verge of tears I'm so angry.
I'm mostly angry because I know he knows better. He knows where to poo. He knows how to do it, he's done it twice. He just.won't.do.it.
So, I resorted to drastic measures. Every toy in our home is currently put away. Every movie, book, wrestling figure, superhero, stuffed animal, and car is out of sight. I even lifted the filled to the brim toy box and put it in the closet. I am considering calling the Easter bunny and telling him not to show up at our house this Sunday.
I'm done playing games. I'm done with the temper tantrums, screaming and yelling. The power struggles are over. If this child thinks he can win a power struggle in this house, he's clearly mistaken.
Maybe I sound harsh. And maybe I am over the top, but at this moment in time, this is the best I can be. When you throw away toys and movies because cleaning them would be pointless and the bedroom carpet is ruined, drastic measures are all you have. That and prayers.
Lots and lots of prayers.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
An experiment
If you aren't a follower of my postings at Bluegrass Moms, then you aren't aware of my April experiment. So, I think I'll share.
Oh, I just realized you guys (or gals) don't know that we just purchased a car last week. I was just realizing today that most people are excited about purchasing a new car and I'm, well, just blah about it.
Really I'm disappointed. We had just paid off the old car. But our options were either an extremely expensive transmission and repair for a car which probably just wasn't worth it or we buy a new car. Obviously, we opted for the new car. And now we have car payments for two cars. Again.
It still makes me sick to my stomach.
Then, I came home and opened my freezer and a 5 pound bag of frozen chicken fell out and hit me on my foot.
The beginnings of our April experiment began circling in my mind.
My freezer is full of food and my bank account is about to become a bit smaller. The two together equals a plan. A plan to cut our grocery and eating out budgets in half. Or more than half.
For the next 30 days we will be working on a grocery budget of $75 or less. And an eating out budget of $50 or less.
I have compiled our menu for the next 30 days and I think we can do this. We have nearly the entire month's food covered with only having to purchase a few items. I'm excited about this challenge and hope we can learn a few things from cutting back for the month.
I will be sure to keep you all updated on our progress.
Wish us luck!
Oh, I just realized you guys (or gals) don't know that we just purchased a car last week. I was just realizing today that most people are excited about purchasing a new car and I'm, well, just blah about it.
Really I'm disappointed. We had just paid off the old car. But our options were either an extremely expensive transmission and repair for a car which probably just wasn't worth it or we buy a new car. Obviously, we opted for the new car. And now we have car payments for two cars. Again.
It still makes me sick to my stomach.
Then, I came home and opened my freezer and a 5 pound bag of frozen chicken fell out and hit me on my foot.
The beginnings of our April experiment began circling in my mind.
My freezer is full of food and my bank account is about to become a bit smaller. The two together equals a plan. A plan to cut our grocery and eating out budgets in half. Or more than half.
For the next 30 days we will be working on a grocery budget of $75 or less. And an eating out budget of $50 or less.
I have compiled our menu for the next 30 days and I think we can do this. We have nearly the entire month's food covered with only having to purchase a few items. I'm excited about this challenge and hope we can learn a few things from cutting back for the month.
I will be sure to keep you all updated on our progress.
Wish us luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
