6-22-10

Went to Home Depot this morning to get
another roll of contact paper to do
my upper cabinets. Hoping to start
this today. It won't be as easy as the
bottom cupboards considering I have to
climb on counter tops to do it.

From there we went to Meijer.

BEFORE SALES AND COUPONS $23.59
I PAID $9.85
TOTAL SAVINGS $13.74

2 Miracle Whip
Reg. 2 for $5.96
PAID $2.50 for 2 or $1.25 each
SAVED $3.46

Bar S Bologna $1.00
Bar S Hot Dogs $1.18
Reg. $2.18 for both
PAID $1.18 for both
SAVED $1.00

2 Jello
reg. $1.10 for 2
PAID $0 FREE
SAVED $1.10

2 Kraft Salad Dressing
Reg. $4.00 for 2
PAID $1.18 for 2
SAVED $2.82

2 Mountain Dew 2 liters
Reg. $3.18 for 2
PAID $1.00 for 2
SAVED $2.18

2 Pepsi Max 2 liters
Reg. $3.18 for 2
PAID $1.00 for 2
SAVED $2.18

Meow Mix Cat Food
Reg. $3.99
Paid $2.99
SAVED $1.00

This is the first time using a bunch of
coupons again since about Easter.
Need to get the printer working again
so I can print off internet coupons!
When a printer sits too long it can
become stubborn with putting out ink!
GRRRR!!

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Trying to get some cheap ideas for the bathroom.

-aqua wall paint, a lighter color, not bold.

-white washed wood paneling contact paper

-marble contact paper for possibly sink counter top.

Just ideas though as who knows what I will find.






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11:20 to 11:45AM

Got all the upper cabinets washed down and knobs
removed. Took about 15 minutes to do the one
cupboard. You can't tell but it's actually 2 pieces
of contact paper as the paper wasn't wide enough
to cover the door in one sheet.
It's starting to give the kitchen a homey feeling
and warm it up some even though it is a light
pine color. I'm just so tired of looking at white.
White walls and cabinets remind me of apartment
living. But ya know if you do live in an apartment
you could do this easy fix on your cabinets
because it is easily removable and shouldn't
damage the cupboards.

This light pine color on the cabinets helps
tie in the backsplash tiles which are a creamy
color and a purplish gray. White cupboards
made it stick out like a sore thumb.
My counters are also the purplish gray color
so everything is coming together nicely.







12:30PM

Got the other cupboard door done.



Now you can see where the light pine
looks like it fits better than white
paint against the back splash.



1:15PM

Upper stove cabinets done.
Time for lunch and a break.



6:30PM

Got another cupboard door done while making supper.
Only 2 more to go, YEAH! The ones above the fridge.



I think I will end up with about a quarter
roll of paper left.
So total cost to makeover kitchen cabinets....
a whopping $12.25!!!

Oh and I didn't tell ya, when I went
to Home Depot to get the paper they
had ONE left!!! So I got very lucky.

8:45PM

WOO HOO I'm finally done with my cabinets!




Oh man, we just had supper not long ago
and it was sooo good.

FMV Kroger brand Tilapia fillets

Dip fillets in ranch dressing.

Combine the following:
bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
onion powder
montreal steak seasoning
salt

Dredge fillets through crumbs
then bake on greased sheet 350 for about 30 minutes.

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Was reading the news online.
There's a news story about an apartment
complex that's part of where hubby works.
It's all owned by the same company.
We actually know the maintenance worker
out there and I know he wouldn't commit
burglary!! So that's a false accusation
that this resident is making!
They actually sent one of Governours
maintenance guys out there today to
lend a hand.
I see a lawsuit in the near future though
as I think the apartment complex did wrong
by evicting the resident without just cause.
Heritage Green is where we used to rent
a garage to store our car in and work on
it when building it and putting a motor in.

NEWS STORY

6-21-10

6:15 to 10AM

Got up this morning with a backache so
wasn't moving too swiftly for the first couple
of hours til my ibuprofen kicked in.

Hope it rains soon. I emptied the water barrels
this morning when watering the garden.
Everything is looking good. Got some tomato
plants that are about 4 foot tall now.

Tony's got the on call pager this week, YUCK!!

Well I think I'm gonna sit down and work
on my coupon binder and check the sales ads
for any good deals this week.
If I find any I'll be sure to post them.

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10:45AM

WALGREENS

Jello 2 for $1.00 with Walgreens coupon
.50 cents off 2 manufacture coupon
makes it .50 cents for 2 or .25 cents each

Splenda 100 packets
sale price $2.99
$1.00 manufacture coupon
makes it $1.99

MEIJER

Stouffers Party Size Lasagna $9.99
$2.00 manufacture coupon
makes it $7.99 each

Captain Crunch Cereal $1.69
$1.00 manufacture coupon
makes it .69 cents each

Dominos Sugar $2.50 5 pound bag
$2.00 off Domino sugar when you
buy 10 Kool-Aid packets, manufacture coupon.

Pepsi 2 liters $1.00
$1.00 off 2 (Speedway hang tag coupon)
makes it .50 cents each

Miracle Whip or Kraft Mayo 2 for $5.00
$1.50 manufacture coupon
PLUS $1.00 off instantly at checkout
makes them $2.50 or $1.25 each

Jello 2 for $1.00
.50 cents off 2 manufacture coupon
makes it .50 cents for 2 or .25 cents each

THomas English Muffins
Buy 1 Get 1 free sale
$1.00 manufacture coupon

ALDIS

.29 cent nectarines

.29 cent peaches

.29 cent plums

.99 cents a pound strawberries

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TERIYAKI MICROWAVED POTATOES

I might try this tonight for supper
with the premade pork ribs.

Will slice Idaho potatoes in half,
marinate in teryika sauce then microwave.
Top with some shredded pork &
cheddar cheese.

I sliced potatoes long ways then
put teriyaki sauce on a cookie sheet
and laid the potatoes cut side down on it.
I left it to sit for a couple of hours
giving it enough time to absorb the
flavors.


Ingredients

* 1 1/2 lbs red skinned new potatoes (tiny sized, about 10)
* 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, cut into pieces
* 1 tablespoon bottled teriyaki sauce
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, to taste
* 1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning, crushed
* 1 dash black pepper, to taste
* 1 dash cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
* 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced (optional)
* sour cream, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1
Wash and scrub potatoes, then cut into quarters and place into a microwave safe 1 1/2 quart casserole.

2
Add all remaining ingredients except rosemary, tossing to combine.

3
Cover and cook on HIGH power for 12-16 minutes (time will vary based on the wattage of your microwave) or until potatoes are tender, stirring a few times during cooking.

4
If your microwave does not have a rotating base, every time you stir, you should also give the casserole a 1/4 turn so it cooks evenly.

5
Stir again before serving and add rosemary and serve with sour cream on the side, if desired.


--------------------------


Will use this sauce below to top the potatoes with.

CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE

Ingredients:

* 3 tablespoons butter
* 3 tablespoons flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon ground black or white pepper
* 1 cup milk
* 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar or smoky flavor Cheddar cheese

I also added onion powder and about 1/4 cup
parmesan cheese.

Melt butter; remove from heat. Stir in flour and seasonings. Gradually add milk, stirring until well mixed. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Cook for 5 minutes longer; add cheese. Stir until smooth and well blended. Serve with pasta or vegetables.
Makes 2 cups.

----------------------------------------------------

CREAM CHEESE SAUCE

I might make this to use over broccoli,
cauliflower or potatoes.


Ingredients

* 8 ounces cream cheese
* 6 teaspoons butter
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic

Directions

1
Melt together cream cheese and butter in a saucepan over low heat until smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in milk and garlic.

2
Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.

3
Serve over pasta or chicken.


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PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

This is a good way to stretch meat
by adding rice to it!

Serve over white rice.

Don't want meatballs try doing
a meatloaf instead.


Ingredients

* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
* 1 cup uncooked instant rice
* 1 tablespoon minced onion
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 dash ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomato soup and the water. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, instant rice, onion, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the soup mixture. Mix thoroughly, and shape into 1 inch balls.
3. Place meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in the remaining soup mixture and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until meatballs are thoroughly browned and rice is cooked.

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Still looking for ways to do my bathroom for cheap.
Here is a cheap idea for walls.
Find sheets of scrapbook paper in a desired
design or color. Use modge podge to put
it on your wall and cover it. Check out this
person who used scrapbook paper as a backsplash
in their kitchen!
DIY Decoupage Backsplash

This backsplash is made of scrapbook paper sheets
and some fine line black tape!


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7:00PM

I just got done mowing the grass.
Ya know what??? It's freakin' hot out there!!
I think I sweated off my supper.
I have boob sweat. I always thought
about inventing boob deodorant
just so women wouldn't get those
boob sweat spots on their shirts.
Hell why not? They have everything
else on the store shelves.
If you have bigger boobies try
a line of deodorant under them
to prevent this.

Sitting here now watching Spy Next Door.
Haven't seen it yet and the movies and games
are due back tonight. Like I said before
that will be our first and last rental
from Blockbuster as it's too expensive,
even with a coupon!

6-20-10

9 to 7:40PM

Went up to Indian Lake to visit Tony's parents.
It sure feels like the lake is getting farther
and farther away or I am just getting too old
for long car rides! Boy this heat sure will
make you tired that's for sure! I think I counted
about 21 people up there for the cookout.
the father-in-law smoked 4 chickens, yummy!

6-19-10

Got up at 6:30AM.
Headed down to the flea market
before it got hot out.
There was lots of people there that
early!! I didn't find nothing of interest.

We stopped in Lowes looking for a flush
mount ceramic soap dish for my father-in-law
who called and couldn't find one.
Lowes didn't have what he needed.
There were similar ones though priced
at $9.00.
Instead we went to Habitat and found
one for $1.00.

Stopped in Kroger to get a few items.
I found a 50 pound bag of dog food
in the mark down bin for $6.99.
It was originally $14.00.
I pay $7 for about a 10 pound bag
normally so this was a bonus for me!

I need some sausage rolls.
Jimmy Dean rolls were on sale
for $2.00 each.
Then they had coupons in a blinkie machine
next to them. The coupon was for
$2.00 off 2.
So it made it $1.00 a roll!
I got 4.
The cheap FMV brand sausage is $2.29
so that was cheap for Jimmy Dean.









On the way home we stopped at a garage
sale on our street. I got:

a couple large scented candles .50 cents each

3 pairs of shorts .75 cents each

1 shirt .25 cents

zebra striped beach towel .50 cents

and a OSU tie for my step-dad
for Father's Day.
I paid $1.00 for it.
It still had a JC Penny price tag
of $24.00!!!!



___________________________________________________




Here's an interesting recipe I found for
making your own Velveeta cheese.
Velveeta for a 2 pound block runs about
$7 to $8.

HOMEMADE VELVEETA

1 1/2lb grated cheddar
1 1/2c very hot water
1/2cup plus 1T instant dry milk
1/2 envelope unflavored gelatin (1 1/2t)

In blender, put 1/2 of the water and 3T of the milk, 1/2t of the gelatin, and whip until gelatin is desolved. Quickly add to the hot mixture 1/2lb of the cheddar. Whip till blended. Pour into a 8x4x2 1/2" loaf pan that has been lined with plastic wrap. Repeat this twice, till all ingredients are used. Cover pan with more plastic wrap and chill overnight before unmolding. Keep cold and slice as needed. Yield 2lbs.

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My first pick from the garden,
Buttercrunch Lettuce.



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Looking for a last minute Father's Day gift
you can make yourself?

Fuzzy Dice

___________________________________________________

We celebrated Father's day today for my hubby
and step-dad since we will be going to Indian
Lake tomorrow to see Tony's dad.




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Some people do monthly cooking and then
freeze it all. I think that is a little too
much for me to do so I try to do 3 days
up to a weeks worth of cooking at once.

Today I had a whole crock full of
pork ribs and now I'm cooking up 2 pounds
of sausage.
I plan to make:

Teriyaki pork and veggies over rice.

BBQ pulled pork over mashed potatoes.

Sausage & potato soup.

Sausage gravy.

One day and 4 meals made ahead of time.

Then the other meals will be:

Fish fillets.

Chicken legs.

Tuna salad wrapped in lettuce.

So there ya have it, my menu for the next week.

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6:40PM

Just got back from the car wash.
Stopped in Speedway on the way home.
I found some more coupons for Pepsi
2 liters there. This week they have
Pepsi for $1.00 a 2 liter at Meijer.
So will use my coupons to get
the 2 liters for .50 cents each!



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I think my next project I would like to
do before Summer is over with is the bathroom.
I have some colors in mind.
Chocolate brown and a teal or aqua.
Something similar to the colors below,
NOT the designs of the fabric as it
will all depend upon what I can find
for cheap to do the bathroom with.
Colors of a spa resort.

6-18-10

8:30AM to 1:30PM

Went to garage sales this morning
and afternoon. Stopped in McDonald's
for lunch then Home Depot.
I got a roll of wood contact paper.
I figured I'd start with one roll
to see how I would like it.
I don't think their contact
paper at Home Depot looked as
detailed as the ones I've been looking
at on Ebay. Was gonna stop at Arbys
for a shake before we came home but
the kids blew that and are not too
happy with me at the moment.

I didn't get much from sales.
A purse with smaller matching
change purse for $1.00
and a Jeff Gordon car trailer
for Tony from the boys for
Father's Day $3.00.
2 fish coffee cups for father-in-law .50 cents both.
Found my step-dad a couple gag gifts for
around a buck.





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2:15PM

I couldn't wait to try out the contact paper
on my cupboard to see what it would look like.
Like I said I only bought one roll to see how
it would turn out. I've been browsing
contact paper on Ebay but didn't want to buy
anything off there without first trying it out.
I don't think it turned out too bad. I'm
just sick of looking at white cupboards
and want something different. I still have
my eye on the cherry contact paper but wanted to see what a light
pine looked like first. It's always removable
and probably took me about 10 to 15 minutes
to carefully put on the door. If you've
ever done window tint it's almost like
putting that on. Gotta make sure there
are no air pockets.

I think I'm onto something with a cheap
kitchen makeover. I could also use this
on the dishwasher door if I wanted too!
To make this more permanent you could
use rubber cement to tack down the paper
behind the doors where it overlaps.

I'm sure you noticed I took off the wallpaper
decal off one of the cabinet drawers.
That was simple to get off as I remembered
a handy tip from HGTV. I used a spray bottle
of water with some fabric softener mixed in.
Sprayed it on, let it sit a couple minutes
and the wallpaper peeled right off.
Then I used my nails to get the adhesive
off, no problem at all!

For the base of the cabinets I will
just leave painted. Just do all the doors.
Now if I use cherry contact paper I might
paint them a darker color so they don't
stick out like a sore thumb.

Now compare this cheap fix to replacing
cabinets. I priced non stained cabinets
at Home Depot for about $50 to $200
depending up on the size of the cabinet.
Even then trying to find cabinets to fit
the space you have would be tricky!

Here's a good place to find a variety
of contact paper in different colors
and designs.
CONTACTPAPER.NET




4:00PM

I got the one side of the kitchen
cabinets done. I think it looks pretty
good. Still have about half a roll
of contact paper left to go towards the
other cupboards. I kinda like the white
background with the white knobs
on top of the light pine color.
These cabinets cost $3.50 to cover.




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Got a totally cool find today thanks to Tony.
An XBox 360!! FREE!!
I told him I thought we ought to put it up
until Christmas time for the boys.
I have my gift card I can turn in for
controllers and games for it also for FREE.
A used XBox 360 goes for $140 to $180
at Gamestop. $150 to $230 at Microcenter.

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6:30 to 7:45PM

I got 5 drawers and the dishwasher done with
contact paper.













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8:00 to 9:00PM

Got the last of the bottom cupboards done.
It's a good thing because I ran out
of contact paper!
Those fake drawer fronts by the sink
were tricky to do because you couldn't
wrap the paper around the backside.
I had to use a razor blade to trim
around the sides.