THIS BLOG HAS MOVED.
PLEASE VISIT THE NEW BLOG AT
OUTSIDE THE BOX INSIDE COLUMBUS
(FRUGAL COLUMBUS MAMA)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
3-15-11
THIS BLOG HAS MOVED.
PLEASE VISIT THE NEW BLOG AT
OUTSIDE THE BOX INSIDE COLUMBUS
(FRUGAL COLUMBUS MAMA)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
I checked my postings today and it's
coming up really weird. I don't
know what is causing it because I didn't
do anything different. It has to be a google
website gliche.
12:00pm
I am in my, what I call, Spring Weeding mood.
No, that doesn't mean cleaning the yard.
It means weeding out more crap from
this house. This morning I started on my
hallway linen closet. I went through
and weeded out extra blankets,
sheets and pillow cases.
This is going into the donation box
for mom's church. I put any matching
sheet set I kept
(flat sheet, pillow cases & fitted sheet)
into a matching pillow case.
I then started to move all my kitchen pantry
things into the linen closet.
Then when I start laundry today
I will be working on bringing up the other
pantry stuff stored in the basement.
Another thing I thought about with
the linen closet is that I could put
a keyed lock on that door to keep
kids out. They have a tendency to snack
all hours of the day so by doing this they
can be monitored a little closer with what
they are eating!
I am considering downsizing my
stockpile to getting only things
that are food. I can't see stockpiling
shampoos, toothpaste and such.
It'll take us years to go through it
and I don't have the space for it!
I am also considering canceling our
Sunday newspaper to save money.
I'll still get coupons from mom
and from The Bag and Tony's work.
So why not just cut the expense of
the paper out altogether. That's money
that could be going towards a doctor bill.
If we really want a paper for the ads we can
go down to the gas station and get one.
3:15PM
Just returned from dropping off
some donations then went to Micro Center.
We've been watching for laptop cooler fans
to go on sale. An average price for them
is around $20, even at Big Lots.
Laptops tend to overheat so getting
a fan is highly recommended.
We got 2 coolers. One was $20 on sale
for $6.99. I also found one that was
regularly $30 marked down to $6.96.
They run off a usb port and plug
into your computer. It comes with the
usb wire.
We also stopped in Kroger to get
some pop, milk and bread.
I've waited all week to see if
mom could get bread at the senior
center and they didn't have any
so had to go buy some.
I still found some in the marked
down area at Kroger.
.49 cents for regular and .80
cents for whole wheat multigrain.
We also picked up a 10lb bag of
bird seed for $2.50.
Plan to put the bird feeder back on
the shepherd's hook in front of
our living room window.
Had another bird fly into the window
again this morning. I think this
is the 4-5th time in the last couple weeks.
coming up really weird. I don't
know what is causing it because I didn't
do anything different. It has to be a google
website gliche.
12:00pm
I am in my, what I call, Spring Weeding mood.
No, that doesn't mean cleaning the yard.
It means weeding out more crap from
this house. This morning I started on my
hallway linen closet. I went through
and weeded out extra blankets,
sheets and pillow cases.
This is going into the donation box
for mom's church. I put any matching
sheet set I kept
(flat sheet, pillow cases & fitted sheet)
into a matching pillow case.
I then started to move all my kitchen pantry
things into the linen closet.
Then when I start laundry today
I will be working on bringing up the other
pantry stuff stored in the basement.
Another thing I thought about with
the linen closet is that I could put
a keyed lock on that door to keep
kids out. They have a tendency to snack
all hours of the day so by doing this they
can be monitored a little closer with what
they are eating!
I am considering downsizing my
stockpile to getting only things
that are food. I can't see stockpiling
shampoos, toothpaste and such.
It'll take us years to go through it
and I don't have the space for it!
I am also considering canceling our
Sunday newspaper to save money.
I'll still get coupons from mom
and from The Bag and Tony's work.
So why not just cut the expense of
the paper out altogether. That's money
that could be going towards a doctor bill.
If we really want a paper for the ads we can
go down to the gas station and get one.
3:15PM
Just returned from dropping off
some donations then went to Micro Center.
We've been watching for laptop cooler fans
to go on sale. An average price for them
is around $20, even at Big Lots.
Laptops tend to overheat so getting
a fan is highly recommended.
We got 2 coolers. One was $20 on sale
for $6.99. I also found one that was
regularly $30 marked down to $6.96.
They run off a usb port and plug
into your computer. It comes with the
usb wire.
We also stopped in Kroger to getsome pop, milk and bread.
I've waited all week to see if
mom could get bread at the senior
center and they didn't have any
so had to go buy some.
I still found some in the marked
down area at Kroger.
.49 cents for regular and .80
cents for whole wheat multigrain.
We also picked up a 10lb bag of
bird seed for $2.50.
Plan to put the bird feeder back on
the shepherd's hook in front of
our living room window.
Had another bird fly into the window
again this morning. I think this
is the 4-5th time in the last couple weeks.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
3-12-11
12:30pm
Went to the Twin Drive-In
Flea Market this morning.
Here's my deals I found:
2 boxes of food for $1.00 a box.
.
.
I also bought an area rug
for the dining room for$5.00
It has rusty reds and creams in it.
About a 5' x 7'
Christopher got a heck of
a deal on a whole crate of
radio controlled motorcycles
and a helicopter. All have
controllers, rechargeable batteries
and chargers.
All for $1.00!!
With gas prices on the rise
I'm always looking for the cheapest gas.
Most places it's $3.59.
BUT if you go around Clintonville
area it's $3.29.
South Columbus is around
$3.40-$3.49
------------------------------
With the warmer sun shining
I opened up some windows
to air out the house some.
I was able to get a decent
picture of a possible paint
color that we chose, lol.
It's camel suede.
I've been keeping my eyes out
for a microsuede tan/camel slip cover at
the thrift store. I know I've seen them
there before for around $2.99.
I want to use the fabric
to recover my dining room chair seats.
This is the cheaper route to go
when needing fabric for a project.
I price microsuede fabric
at Joann's for $13.00 a yard.
------------------------------------
You know better weather is
just around the corner when
you can smell lighter fluid
wafting through the breeze.
Ahhhh, smells so good, lol.
-----------------------------------------
5:00pm
Supper
Italian marinated Pollock fish
rolled in seasoned bread crumbs.
Package of Uncle Ben's whole
wheat rice. I cut up and added
some yellow and red bell peppers
and added a splash of soy sauce.
Broccoli with cheesy white sauce.
I saved the water that I boiled
my broccoli in and will freeze it.
Then will eventually add it
to my vegetable broth when
I make soups.
---------------------------
For a couple years now I have
been having problems with eating.
I notice it when eating
breads, pasta, rice and sometimes
other foods. Mom's been worried
that I might have throat cancer of all things
and has wanted me to visit the doctor.
Not something I particularly want
to do at the moment with so many
doctor bills hanging over our heads.
So I started doing some research
and think I have found an answer
as to what I have. It's called
Esophageal Motility.
I started reading all these threads
with the same symptoms I have
and it sounds EXACTLY like
what I've been going through.
Here's what I go through several
times a week when eating,
and yes it does become emberrassing
especially when eating out in public.
I can be eating away at a McDonald's
hamburger when it feels like it
gets stuck in my esophagus.
It's not like choking as I can still breath.
I take small bites when I eat and
drink plenty with each bite to
rectify the situation but nothing
I do helps the food go down.
If I drink fluids to wash it down
it only sits on top of the stuck food.
If I sit a minute to see if it will
pass and go down I then feel
extreme pain in my back between
my shoulder blades. Almost like
someone sticking in a knife and
twisting it. Eventually I have to
run to the bathroom and get sick
to get it unstuck.
I'm kinda glad to have put
a name to what I've been experiencing.
I do get acid reflux as well so wonder
if that could be a contributor to it.
And many years ago I had been
hospitalized for a swollen epiglottis (windpipe).
I was hospitalized for 3 days and
had a temp. of 105 degrees. I couldn't
hardly breath and lost my voice from it.
They had to put a scope up my nose
and down my throat.
--------------------------------
Time to Spring forward!
Don't forget to set your clocks
ahead tonight!
Went to the Twin Drive-In
Flea Market this morning.
Here's my deals I found:
2 boxes of food for $1.00 a box.
.
.
I also bought an area rugfor the dining room for$5.00
It has rusty reds and creams in it.
About a 5' x 7'
Christopher got a heck of
a deal on a whole crate of
radio controlled motorcycles
and a helicopter. All have
controllers, rechargeable batteries
and chargers.
All for $1.00!!
With gas prices on the rise
I'm always looking for the cheapest gas.
Most places it's $3.59.
BUT if you go around Clintonville
area it's $3.29.
South Columbus is around
$3.40-$3.49
------------------------------
With the warmer sun shining
I opened up some windows
to air out the house some.
I was able to get a decent
picture of a possible paint
color that we chose, lol.
It's camel suede.
I've been keeping my eyes outfor a microsuede tan/camel slip cover at
the thrift store. I know I've seen them
there before for around $2.99.
I want to use the fabric
to recover my dining room chair seats.
This is the cheaper route to go
when needing fabric for a project.
I price microsuede fabric
at Joann's for $13.00 a yard.
You know better weather is
just around the corner when
you can smell lighter fluid
wafting through the breeze.
Ahhhh, smells so good, lol.
-----------------------------------------
5:00pm
Supper
Italian marinated Pollock fish
rolled in seasoned bread crumbs.
Package of Uncle Ben's whole
wheat rice. I cut up and added
some yellow and red bell peppers
and added a splash of soy sauce.
Broccoli with cheesy white sauce.
I saved the water that I boiled
my broccoli in and will freeze it.
Then will eventually add it
to my vegetable broth when
I make soups.
---------------------------
For a couple years now I have
been having problems with eating.
I notice it when eating
breads, pasta, rice and sometimes
other foods. Mom's been worried
that I might have throat cancer of all things
and has wanted me to visit the doctor.
Not something I particularly want
to do at the moment with so many
doctor bills hanging over our heads.
So I started doing some research
and think I have found an answer
as to what I have. It's called
Esophageal Motility.
I started reading all these threads
with the same symptoms I have
and it sounds EXACTLY like
what I've been going through.
Here's what I go through several
times a week when eating,
and yes it does become emberrassing
especially when eating out in public.
I can be eating away at a McDonald's
hamburger when it feels like it
gets stuck in my esophagus.
It's not like choking as I can still breath.
I take small bites when I eat and
drink plenty with each bite to
rectify the situation but nothing
I do helps the food go down.
If I drink fluids to wash it down
it only sits on top of the stuck food.
If I sit a minute to see if it will
pass and go down I then feel
extreme pain in my back between
my shoulder blades. Almost like
someone sticking in a knife and
twisting it. Eventually I have to
run to the bathroom and get sick
to get it unstuck.
I'm kinda glad to have put
a name to what I've been experiencing.
I do get acid reflux as well so wonder
if that could be a contributor to it.
And many years ago I had been
hospitalized for a swollen epiglottis (windpipe).
I was hospitalized for 3 days and
had a temp. of 105 degrees. I couldn't
hardly breath and lost my voice from it.
They had to put a scope up my nose
and down my throat.
--------------------------------
Time to Spring forward!
Don't forget to set your clocks
ahead tonight!
Friday, March 11, 2011
3-11-11
10:10am
Fed Ex just came and dropped
off my meat for my survey.
It's pretty cool how they can
deliver frozen foods with dry ice.
It wasn't a sample either, it
was a full pack - 6 servings, like you would
buy in the store.
---------------------------------------
Roxbury Caramel- Benjamin Moore
.
-------------------------------------------
MAIL CALL
Today I got a survey in the mail
from OSU about fishing in Ohio.
People who had fishing licenses
were randomly picked to do this survey.
And I also got a coupon for a free
box of Just For Men hair color,
up to $9.50.
------------------------------------
Went to Lowes this evening
and picked up a ton of sample
paint cards. I asked if they had
the double faux paint rollers
and the guy at the paint counter
said they no longer carry them.
So this video below shows
my next option I could do
if I can't locate them.
Out of a gazillion cards I think
me and the kids like the
camel suede color. I'm not posting
it as my camera can't capture
it's exact color. Then find
a lighter cream to faux it with.
I would like to do it something
like the stone in my coffee table
minus the darker flecks which
actually are little divots in the table.
Fed Ex just came and dropped
off my meat for my survey.
It's pretty cool how they can
deliver frozen foods with dry ice.
It wasn't a sample either, it
was a full pack - 6 servings, like you would
buy in the store.
---------------------------------------
Roxbury Caramel- Benjamin Moore
.
-------------------------------------------
MAIL CALL
Today I got a survey in the mail
from OSU about fishing in Ohio.
People who had fishing licenses
were randomly picked to do this survey.
And I also got a coupon for a free
box of Just For Men hair color,
up to $9.50.
------------------------------------
Went to Lowes this evening
and picked up a ton of sample
paint cards. I asked if they had
the double faux paint rollers
and the guy at the paint counter
said they no longer carry them.
So this video below shows
my next option I could do
if I can't locate them.
Out of a gazillion cards I think
me and the kids like the
camel suede color. I'm not posting
it as my camera can't capture
it's exact color. Then find
a lighter cream to faux it with.
I would like to do it something
like the stone in my coffee table
minus the darker flecks which
actually are little divots in the table.
Inspirational photos of faux walls.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
3-10-11
7:30am
I've been experimenting
and testing Blonde SW paint samples on the wall
with the paint sample I got yesterday.
I even mixed up some of the paint
sample with some Dover White SW paint
to lighten it since I thought the color
was too dark for our living room.
Top color-mixed with dover white.
Left color applied over previous paint.
Right color applied over primed area.
While I like the lighter color and painted
different splotches around the room,
it didn't seem to work with the other
colors I have in the room.
Then it finally dawned on me as to why
it didn't fit, it has green undertones
and my living room is done in warm colors
so it makes it clash.
Green is on the cooler side of
the color wheel.
The color in the picture
is not true colors.
My camera won't capture the actual colors
for some reason.
I'm at a loss at the moment as to what
paint color to use. Tony thinks I should just
browse the mis-tinted paints at places like
Lowes, Home Depot & Walmart to see
if I can find something I like.
Plus if we go with the possible hardwood
floors that are underneath our carpet
we'd want a color that would compliment
them as well.
Here's a photo of what the hard wood floors
should look like that we have.
This is another same type of house on our street.
.
.
Here's some more colors I'm looking at
along with a faux painting technique.
Believe me, I wish picking a paint
was easy and over with!!
ANTIQUE WHITE Sherwin Williams
-------------------------------
10:30-11:30am
I stripped down our bed and took
the steam mop to the mattress, comforters
and about 6 pillows to freshen them
up and sanitize everything.
I plan to have Tony help me flip
and rotate the mattress this weekend
and possibly move the bed to another
wall in the bedroom.
---------------------------------------
Supper tonight-
Chicken & Noodles.
I gave mom a 10 pound bag of chicken
and she cooked this up with some
of that chicken and gave me
half of it. Oh goodie, I don't have to cook
tonight. I did start preparing for
tomorrow's supper though.
I got pollock fish marinating.
4 Pollock fish fillets- $1.25
(not shown, I threw in a 5th fillet out of
another packet so I'd have extra for
Tony's lunch)
about 1/3 cup Italian dressing- .25 cents
dabs of butter .05 cents
Mrs. Dash seasoning .05 cents
Sides-
Broccoli & cauliflower- .99 cents
with cheesy white sauce
-velveeta cheese .25 cents
-milk
-butter- .05 cents
Packet of Spanish rice- .99 cents
maybe throw in some
bell pepper- free
Total cost for meal: $3.88
serves 5 @ .77 cents a serving
-------------------------------
With mom having a limited income
now I've been kinda showing her
how I buy food on a limited budget.
I know pretty much all the grocery
stores in our area and know where
all the mark downs are in each
of those stores. They are not easy
to spot at times so are currently
showing mom where to look in each
store as they all are different.
She's says I've been a big help
and she wasn't aware of all
these bargains.
And another thing I've noticed is
that same stores within a 5 mile radius
sometimes don't have the same prices
so compare prices at each store.
Sales prices advertised in the flier
are usually the same though.
For example:
Summer sausage at Karl Kroger -$1.00
Summer sausage at Henderson Kroger -$1.99
Pistachios at Karl Kroger - $2.99
Pistachios at Henderson Kroger -$3.99
This week at Kroger I told her
it was cheaper to buy two half
gallons of milk ($1.25 each)
compared to buying a whole gallon
at $2.70-$2.80 (I can't remember).
And I can tell others don't know
how to shop for the cheaper milk
considering the gallon milk
had more containers gone
and the half gallons were still stocked.
I've been trying to get up the courage
to ask Henderson Rd. Kroger
what they do with their outdated
produce and bread.
I know some people that go around
to each store and get the produce
and breads for free that would
have otherwise been thrown out.
But what I don't know is if they
only give it to organizations
or churches and places like that.
----------------------------
For snacks I've been getting the kids
Kroger lite yogurt.
They keep wanting this more
expensive brand of yogurt
that comes with cookie crumbles
or candy topping which costs
about .70 cents each.
I got the Kroger vanilla lite yogurt this week
which is on sale 3 for $1.00
and a cheap package of sandwich
cookies for $1.80.
Now when they want that specialty
yogurt I get out the el cheapo yogurt
and crush one el cheapo cookie in it!
----------------------------
Cool deal, I just got notice that I will
be getting some free, high quality frozen
food (meat) in the mail soon to try for
one of my surveys!! I can't say
what it is due to their privacy policy.
Free food, heck yeah, bring it on!
-----------------------------
We really need some warmer, less
rainy or snowy weather. Being
cooped up inside makes me think too
much, lol. I look around the house
thinking about things I could do
to improve it or make it more practical for us.
Now I've been thinking about taking
my one linen closet in the hallway and
turning it into the pantry, clearing
up some space in the basement!
Plus it would be more convenient instead
of going to the basement.
For some reason this house has
two linen closets so it wouldn't
be like I would be without one.
I could take the extra blankets
in the hallway closet and put them
on the shelves of the boys bedroom closets.
For those that need extra pantry space,
but don't have an extra linen closet like I do,
you could consider turning a coat closet
into a pantry by adding shelves.
Store everyone's coats in their bedroom
closet or use a hanging or peg type
coat rack on the wall.
Turn a coat closet into a pantry
from Apartment Therapy.
Another good idea shown below is
using a clear shoe holder on the
door for even more food storage.
----------------------------------
This weekend, starting March 12th,
the Twin Drive-In outdoor Flea Market opens!!
Yeah!! I'm thinking that's kind of early for it.
I thought it opened up in April.
It's supposed to be 51 degrees Saturday
so we might take another trip down
South to the flea market.
-------------------------------
7:30pm
Finally got our mattress flipped, rotated
and steamed.
For those of you who have trouble finding
deep pocket or fitted sheets for your mattress
try finding a flat sheet the next size up
from your mattress. Lay it over top of
your mattress and just tuck the
excess on the sides underneath.
This is what I have to do to our bed
since it has a double sided
mattress topper.
-------------------------------
7:50pm
Gas is now $3.59 a gallon.
--------------------------------
Honey Beige-Behr (right)
maybe done in a lighter color
Here's a cute game for kids to play,
Spongebob Bowling.
It says to click on the slider bar,
that means right click your mouse
where you want the clam to stop.
-------------------------------
8:45pm
Well I just put in my online order
for two free digital adapters
from Wow!.
I guess these will be required to
view cable channels.
It costs an additional $1.99
a month to rent any more than that
which sucks!
I've been experimenting
and testing Blonde SW paint samples on the wall
with the paint sample I got yesterday.
I even mixed up some of the paint
sample with some Dover White SW paint
to lighten it since I thought the color
was too dark for our living room.
Top color-mixed with dover white.
Left color applied over previous paint.
Right color applied over primed area.
While I like the lighter color and painted
different splotches around the room,
it didn't seem to work with the other
colors I have in the room.
Then it finally dawned on me as to why
it didn't fit, it has green undertones
and my living room is done in warm colors
so it makes it clash.
Green is on the cooler side of
the color wheel.
The color in the picture
is not true colors.
My camera won't capture the actual colors
for some reason.
I'm at a loss at the moment as to what
paint color to use. Tony thinks I should just
browse the mis-tinted paints at places like
Lowes, Home Depot & Walmart to see
if I can find something I like.
Plus if we go with the possible hardwood
floors that are underneath our carpet
we'd want a color that would compliment
them as well.
Here's a photo of what the hard wood floors
should look like that we have.
This is another same type of house on our street.
.
.Here's some more colors I'm looking at
along with a faux painting technique.
Believe me, I wish picking a paint
was easy and over with!!
ANTIQUE WHITE Sherwin Williams
-------------------------------
10:30-11:30am
I stripped down our bed and took
the steam mop to the mattress, comforters
and about 6 pillows to freshen them
up and sanitize everything.
I plan to have Tony help me flip
and rotate the mattress this weekend
and possibly move the bed to another
wall in the bedroom.
---------------------------------------
Supper tonight-
Chicken & Noodles.
I gave mom a 10 pound bag of chicken
and she cooked this up with some
of that chicken and gave me
half of it. Oh goodie, I don't have to cook
tonight. I did start preparing for
tomorrow's supper though.
I got pollock fish marinating.
4 Pollock fish fillets- $1.25
(not shown, I threw in a 5th fillet out of
another packet so I'd have extra for
Tony's lunch)
about 1/3 cup Italian dressing- .25 cents
dabs of butter .05 cents
Mrs. Dash seasoning .05 cents
Sides-
Broccoli & cauliflower- .99 cents
with cheesy white sauce
-velveeta cheese .25 cents
-milk
-butter- .05 cents
Packet of Spanish rice- .99 cents
maybe throw in some
bell pepper- free
Total cost for meal: $3.88
serves 5 @ .77 cents a serving
-------------------------------
With mom having a limited income
now I've been kinda showing her
how I buy food on a limited budget.
I know pretty much all the grocery
stores in our area and know where
all the mark downs are in each
of those stores. They are not easy
to spot at times so are currently
showing mom where to look in each
store as they all are different.
She's says I've been a big help
and she wasn't aware of all
these bargains.
And another thing I've noticed is
that same stores within a 5 mile radius
sometimes don't have the same prices
so compare prices at each store.
Sales prices advertised in the flier
are usually the same though.
For example:
Summer sausage at Karl Kroger -$1.00
Summer sausage at Henderson Kroger -$1.99
Pistachios at Karl Kroger - $2.99
Pistachios at Henderson Kroger -$3.99
This week at Kroger I told her
it was cheaper to buy two half
gallons of milk ($1.25 each)
compared to buying a whole gallon
at $2.70-$2.80 (I can't remember).
And I can tell others don't know
how to shop for the cheaper milk
considering the gallon milk
had more containers gone
and the half gallons were still stocked.
I've been trying to get up the courage
to ask Henderson Rd. Kroger
what they do with their outdated
produce and bread.
I know some people that go around
to each store and get the produce
and breads for free that would
have otherwise been thrown out.
But what I don't know is if they
only give it to organizations
or churches and places like that.
----------------------------
For snacks I've been getting the kids
Kroger lite yogurt.
They keep wanting this more
expensive brand of yogurt
that comes with cookie crumbles
or candy topping which costs
about .70 cents each.
I got the Kroger vanilla lite yogurt this week
which is on sale 3 for $1.00
and a cheap package of sandwich
cookies for $1.80.
Now when they want that specialty
yogurt I get out the el cheapo yogurt
and crush one el cheapo cookie in it!
----------------------------
Cool deal, I just got notice that I will
be getting some free, high quality frozen
food (meat) in the mail soon to try for
one of my surveys!! I can't say
what it is due to their privacy policy.
Free food, heck yeah, bring it on!
-----------------------------
We really need some warmer, less
rainy or snowy weather. Being
cooped up inside makes me think too
much, lol. I look around the house
thinking about things I could do
to improve it or make it more practical for us.
Now I've been thinking about taking
my one linen closet in the hallway and
turning it into the pantry, clearing
up some space in the basement!
Plus it would be more convenient instead
of going to the basement.
For some reason this house has
two linen closets so it wouldn't
be like I would be without one.
I could take the extra blankets
in the hallway closet and put them
on the shelves of the boys bedroom closets.
For those that need extra pantry space,
but don't have an extra linen closet like I do,
you could consider turning a coat closet
into a pantry by adding shelves.
Store everyone's coats in their bedroom
closet or use a hanging or peg type
coat rack on the wall.
Turn a coat closet into a pantry
from Apartment Therapy.
Another good idea shown below is
using a clear shoe holder on the
door for even more food storage.
This weekend, starting March 12th,
the Twin Drive-In outdoor Flea Market opens!!
Yeah!! I'm thinking that's kind of early for it.
I thought it opened up in April.
It's supposed to be 51 degrees Saturday
so we might take another trip down
South to the flea market.
-------------------------------
7:30pm
Finally got our mattress flipped, rotated
and steamed.
For those of you who have trouble finding
deep pocket or fitted sheets for your mattress
try finding a flat sheet the next size up
from your mattress. Lay it over top of
your mattress and just tuck the
excess on the sides underneath.
This is what I have to do to our bed
since it has a double sided
mattress topper.
-------------------------------
7:50pm
Gas is now $3.59 a gallon.
--------------------------------
Honey Beige-Behr (right)
maybe done in a lighter color
Here's a cute game for kids to play,
Spongebob Bowling.
It says to click on the slider bar,
that means right click your mouse
where you want the clam to stop.
-------------------------------
8:45pm
Well I just put in my online order
for two free digital adapters
from Wow!.
I guess these will be required to
view cable channels.
It costs an additional $1.99
a month to rent any more than that
which sucks!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
3-9-11
HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY DAMIEN!!
----------------------------------
10:45am
This morning me and mom
went back to Sherwin Williams.
I got a sample of the blonde color
paint I had picked out.
I got 20% off.
It was $5.49 and I paid something
like $4.19 with tax.
.
From there we kept checking
the senior center for free
produce or bread and came up empty handed.
Next stop was Kroger because
Tony requested some more coffee
and Kroger splenda.
Coffee is rising in price.
The cheap large can of Kroger Value
coffee used to be $4.99
and is now $5.99.
Folgers and Maxwell house is almost $8.
I found some packages of Pollock fish
on sale for $1.00!!
I got 5 packages at that price.
They are normally $4.49 each.
I also got some packages of
broccoli & cauliflower for .99 cents each
and a package of salad with toppings
for $1.69.
My best deal was 2 boxes
of Clairol hair coloring.
I had a $3.00 off 2 catalina coupon.
They were $2.59 each x's 2 is $5.18.
Making both boxes $2.18.
The kicker, when I bought both
boxes I received another catalina coupon
good for $3.00 off my next trip at Kroger
thanks to Clairol!
So it was like I got both boxes free
and they're paying me and additional
.82 cents to take them.
I also got another catalina coupon
for $5.00 off 3 more boxes.
Once home I threw 5 large pork
cube steaks in the crock pot
with a large can of tomato soup
and Mrs. Dash seasoning and a splash
of steak sauce.
Serving with mashed potatoes & tomato gravy,
corn with butter and a little splenda
added for sweetness.
----------------------------------------
FREEZING POTATOES
-----------------------------------------
Last night on HSN I saw them selling a steam mop.
This steam mop had a plate that you could
put on the bottom and use across carpets,
furniture and mattresses.
The steam mop I got mom didn't come
with one of those gliders since I bought it
at the thrift store.
To buy one costs around $8.00.
So I put on my thinking cap to see
if I could come up with something homemade
with things we already have.
I'm gonna take an extra set of the small
furniture gliders (like Moving Men),
hot glue some velcro to them
and then will stick them on the
velcro area of the steam mop.
I haven't done it yet so I hope it works
because I borrowed mom's steam mop
to sanitize carpets, bedding and furniture.
I could use a carpet cleaner on the
carpets but the water does not
get hot enough as it's only hot tap water.
Steam can get up around 200 degrees
while hot tap water is only around 100-120 maybe,
as I'm only guessing at what I set the water
tank at.
I'll let you know how it turns
out as I need to find my velcro in order
to make it.
-----------------------------
4:30pm
Supper
5 cube steaks $4.29
no sugar added can of corn .29 cents
large can of tomato soup .69 cents
Potatoes .75 cents
Total cost: $6.02
serves 5 @ $1.20 a serving
--------------------------------------
7:15pm
Just got done making removable carpet/furniture
gliders for the steam mop.
Works great and glides like a breeze!
----------------------------------
10:45am
This morning me and mom
went back to Sherwin Williams.
I got a sample of the blonde color
paint I had picked out.
I got 20% off.
It was $5.49 and I paid something
like $4.19 with tax.
.
From there we kept checking
the senior center for free
produce or bread and came up empty handed.
Next stop was Kroger because
Tony requested some more coffee
and Kroger splenda.
Coffee is rising in price.
The cheap large can of Kroger Value
coffee used to be $4.99
and is now $5.99.
Folgers and Maxwell house is almost $8.
I found some packages of Pollock fish
on sale for $1.00!!
I got 5 packages at that price.
They are normally $4.49 each.
I also got some packages ofbroccoli & cauliflower for .99 cents each
and a package of salad with toppings
for $1.69.
My best deal was 2 boxesof Clairol hair coloring.
I had a $3.00 off 2 catalina coupon.
They were $2.59 each x's 2 is $5.18.
Making both boxes $2.18.
The kicker, when I bought both
boxes I received another catalina coupon
good for $3.00 off my next trip at Kroger
thanks to Clairol!
So it was like I got both boxes free
and they're paying me and additional
.82 cents to take them.
I also got another catalina coupon
for $5.00 off 3 more boxes.
Once home I threw 5 large pork
cube steaks in the crock pot
with a large can of tomato soup
and Mrs. Dash seasoning and a splash
of steak sauce.
Serving with mashed potatoes & tomato gravy,corn with butter and a little splenda
added for sweetness.
----------------------------------------
FREEZING POTATOES
-----------------------------------------
Last night on HSN I saw them selling a steam mop.
This steam mop had a plate that you could
put on the bottom and use across carpets,
furniture and mattresses.
The steam mop I got mom didn't come
with one of those gliders since I bought it
at the thrift store.
To buy one costs around $8.00.
So I put on my thinking cap to see
if I could come up with something homemade
with things we already have.
I'm gonna take an extra set of the small
furniture gliders (like Moving Men),
hot glue some velcro to them
and then will stick them on the
velcro area of the steam mop.
I haven't done it yet so I hope it works
because I borrowed mom's steam mop
to sanitize carpets, bedding and furniture.
I could use a carpet cleaner on the
carpets but the water does not
get hot enough as it's only hot tap water.
Steam can get up around 200 degrees
while hot tap water is only around 100-120 maybe,
as I'm only guessing at what I set the water
tank at.
I'll let you know how it turns
out as I need to find my velcro in order
to make it.
-----------------------------
4:30pm
Supper
5 cube steaks $4.29no sugar added can of corn .29 cents
large can of tomato soup .69 cents
Potatoes .75 cents
Total cost: $6.02
serves 5 @ $1.20 a serving
--------------------------------------
7:15pm
Just got done making removable carpet/furniture
gliders for the steam mop.
Works great and glides like a breeze!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
3-8-11
Here is my brother-in-law and soon
to be sister-in-law.
They sent out this picture
with their wedding invitation.
----------------------------------
I've been thinking about making
some wall decorations
with fabric and boxes.
Just something to give the walls
a splash of color. Pictures are so expensive in the stores,
even at thrift stores, so figured
why not make your own masterpieces
for cheap. You could use old picture
frames or even a simple cardboard box.
Cover with fabric and hot glue
it to the backside.
-----------------------------------------
9:45-10:25am
Peeled and diced carrots.
Just now starting to blanche
them all. Thank goodness for
my slicer because I couldn't of
imagined cutting 5 pounds by hand.
I am reusing my veggie broth from
yesterday along with some more
water added to the pan.
---------------------------------------------
10:30-11:30am
I've been a chopping fool, lol.
I chopped up, blanched and packaged
a bag of celery, a 3 pound bag of onions,
along with a few other misc items
like garlic and leftover chicken chili.
I had to upgrade my pot to
a larger one to make the process
go faster plus I was able to have
more veggie broth.
That is currently cooling
then will be put into empty,
plastic peanut butter jars
and will go in the freezer as well.
I already have 25-30 ears
of corn in the freezer from
where they went on sale
for .10 cents or less an ear!
So my tips for cutting down
on your food bill is to buy
produce when it is in season
as it will be cheaper, buy
produce that is marked down,
grow a garden.
And when you have an over
abundance of produce that
you know you can not eat within
a couple days to a week then
either freeze, dehydrate or can it to preserve
it longer, for up to a year or more
depending upon the process you use.
And now's the time to start
stocking up your freezer.
With gas prices rising it
will eventually cause the food
prices to rise again.
Plus with all the frost and freezes
they've had down South will
also drive up the prices of food.
Even if the cost of meat rises
and you cannot afford as much of it,
at least you will be stocked up
with vegetables which is more
important than any meat
and is loaded with vitamins
to get you by each day!
When it comes to growing
a garden, visit your garden center
near the end of Fall for marked down
plants! Some plants might take
awhile to mature and produce
so get them in asap
so you can reap the benefits
in the near future.
I have blackberries, raspberries,
grapes, strawberries and pears
that I have planted that were
$1.50 to $5.00 a plant marked down.
11:55am
Well I am off here for now.
It's about nap time and I could
really use one right about now!
My back and hands are aching
so time to give them a rest
from being in the kitchen.
----------------------------
Sometimes surveys are long and
boring. And don't you hate it
when you get half way through one
only to find out you don't qualify.
That happens so many times.
I finally got through a survey today.
Now up to $95.20!
Slowly getting up there.
---------------------------------
I think for supper tonight
we will have tuna melts
made on the George Foreman
and some mac and cheese on the side.
Something simple.
I need to work on tidying the house
this week. My friend from high school
finally made it to town from
Germany so will likely visit
in the near future.
-----------------------------------
5:15pm
Got my veggie broth poured
into bottles. I ended up with 4 of
them. This should make some great
soups. It sure smelled good
when I was blanching the veggies.
Tonight's supper- Tuna Melts
with mac & cheese.
I realized when I started making
them that I was out of mayo
so used fat free ranch dressing instead.
This would have been
good with some lettuce and
a tomato slice, something I don't have.
---------------------------------
7:35pm
Woo hoo, I finally hit the
$100 mark on doing surveys!
to be sister-in-law.
They sent out this picture
with their wedding invitation.
----------------------------------
I've been thinking about making
some wall decorations
with fabric and boxes.
Just something to give the walls
a splash of color.
even at thrift stores, so figured
why not make your own masterpieces
for cheap. You could use old picture
frames or even a simple cardboard box.
Cover with fabric and hot glue
it to the backside.
-----------------------------------------
9:45-10:25am
Peeled and diced carrots.
Just now starting to blanche
them all. Thank goodness for
my slicer because I couldn't of
imagined cutting 5 pounds by hand.
I am reusing my veggie broth from
yesterday along with some more
water added to the pan.
---------------------------------------------10:30-11:30am
I've been a chopping fool, lol.
I chopped up, blanched and packaged
a bag of celery, a 3 pound bag of onions,
along with a few other misc items
like garlic and leftover chicken chili.
I had to upgrade my pot to
a larger one to make the process
go faster plus I was able to have
more veggie broth.
That is currently cooling
then will be put into empty,
plastic peanut butter jars
and will go in the freezer as well.
I already have 25-30 ears
of corn in the freezer from
where they went on sale
for .10 cents or less an ear!
So my tips for cutting downon your food bill is to buy
produce when it is in season
as it will be cheaper, buy
produce that is marked down,
grow a garden.
And when you have an over
abundance of produce that
you know you can not eat within
a couple days to a week then
either freeze, dehydrate or can it to preserve
it longer, for up to a year or more
depending upon the process you use.
And now's the time to start
stocking up your freezer.
With gas prices rising it
will eventually cause the food
prices to rise again.
Plus with all the frost and freezes
they've had down South will
also drive up the prices of food.
Even if the cost of meat rises
and you cannot afford as much of it,
at least you will be stocked up
with vegetables which is more
important than any meat
and is loaded with vitamins
to get you by each day!
When it comes to growing
a garden, visit your garden center
near the end of Fall for marked down
plants! Some plants might take
awhile to mature and produce
so get them in asap
so you can reap the benefits
in the near future.
I have blackberries, raspberries,
grapes, strawberries and pears
that I have planted that were
$1.50 to $5.00 a plant marked down.
11:55am
Well I am off here for now.
It's about nap time and I could
really use one right about now!
My back and hands are aching
so time to give them a rest
from being in the kitchen.
----------------------------
Sometimes surveys are long and
boring. And don't you hate it
when you get half way through one
only to find out you don't qualify.
That happens so many times.
I finally got through a survey today.
Now up to $95.20!
Slowly getting up there.
---------------------------------
I think for supper tonight
we will have tuna melts
made on the George Foreman
and some mac and cheese on the side.
Something simple.
I need to work on tidying the house
this week. My friend from high school
finally made it to town from
Germany so will likely visit
in the near future.
-----------------------------------
5:15pm
Got my veggie broth poured
into bottles. I ended up with 4 of
them. This should make some great
soups. It sure smelled good
when I was blanching the veggies.
Tonight's supper- Tuna Meltswith mac & cheese.
I realized when I started making
them that I was out of mayo
so used fat free ranch dressing instead.
This would have been
good with some lettuce and
a tomato slice, something I don't have.
---------------------------------
7:35pm
Woo hoo, I finally hit the
$100 mark on doing surveys!
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About Me
- Fast81TA
- My name is Sherry, 39yrs old, from Columbus, Ohio. I am married, a SAHM, and have 3 children ages 9, 10 and 20. I have been frugal/thrifty all my life. I would like to share on this blog how we get by day to day on one income with a family of 5 with a dog and a cat. You will also hear about my everyday gripes about daily life and the cost of living. Hubby says my favorite saying is, "and that is another thing that pisses me off!"