$75 Grocery Challenge Update and other happenings.......

So we did it! We managed to stay within our budget of $1190 for the month, which is about 40% less than we would have had if I was still babysitting my friends daughters. This month it's a little bit higher since I do not have the Used Toy and Clothing sale or Bill's licence and renewal to worry about, but still it's much less than before! I discovered that it's very possible to do and manage it just takes a lot of effort and time. This month I plan to follow the same plan as last month since it worked so well last month. I also have to plan for Thanksgiving dinner next weekend!!YUM! I need to practice and figure out how to make a GF/DF pumpkin pie, which I am fairly certain I can do. 


Speaking of grocery shopping........it's that time again! Last night we went to the Costco near our house...ugh, we will not be doing that again. We'll make the trip to the one farther away. Tonight it's Superstore!



Oh yes, the Used Toy and Clothing sale...it went pretty well. Although I was robbed! I had about 4-5 prs of pants stolen and I'm 99.99% sue of who did it, but what can I do? I will however be on the lookout in the spring sale. I was pretty certain this same woman stole a few things at my last sale, but I think I was in denial that someone would actually steal at a USED toy and clothing sale. Now, I know. SAD!!!! They had nothing for Alex or Breanna or Mariah and a few for Matthew. I did get Matthew a full piece snowsuit, but he still needs pants and some hoodies and a few long sleeve shirts. Breanna still needs a few things and Alex still needs some PJ's as well as Robbie. WHEW! Ah well, bit by bit it will come together!! Of course there was TONS for Kayla and Alyssa's age groups.....sooooo much in fact! They however, are good for clothing.




I went and saw my Grandma on Tuesday night. I had a nice visit with her gave her a little massage on her feet and legs, which I think she really enjoyed! They say she only has a few weeks left. My Grandmother however, is clueless. Dementia is weird that way I guess. We looked through some old pictures of hers and she was able to tell me who all the people were and where they were when the pic was taken. She was also able to recite a few school type poems to me for fun. She says the food stinks there. I'm going to miss her when she's gone, she is such a spicy sassy woman, even at 88 years old!


The temps are begining to drop her now. I don't mind it all that much. I like the thoughts of cozy cool nights. Hot tea, flannel jammies, warm baths, soft fluffy blankies, and warm yummy snacks! Then of course, the BAKING!!! Whoohoo!! I have so much on the go and in the planning stages for that. I also have to get my rear end in gear to make other various Christmas gifts for friends and family!! So much to do!!


Well, I'm going to wrap up this post since I have to more to get up as well on here and an email to send!!

Blessings!!

I survived......

Just a quick note..I survived grocery shopping!! Yeah, I thought you'd like to know that.

Honestly, I popped in here to send you to this site for a chuckle Notes From a Hospital Bed such a witty blog from someone stuck in a not so wonderful situation.

Goodnight!!

Grocery Challenge and other Randomness

Okay, so over at Owlhaven's there's a grocery challenge going on for the month of September. Typically it's super difficult for me to join in on these things because no matter how hard I try, I cannot get our budget under $100 CAD for a week and still maintain a level of nutrition that we have become accustomed too. I don't have access to any nifty grocery stores like my American friends do and we live in a fairly expensive city. Soooooo, with all these odds piled against me, I try my best.
I decided to join in even though I am unable to meet the $75 (or $80 approx in CAD). I am however challenging myself since our grocery budget took a 39% drop this month.
We don't shop weekly anymore, discovered it was a bit more time consuming than it was worth. We're back to every two weeks since that is how payday works here. So here's the breakdown. This month grocery shopping took place on the 1st and it will again on the 15th, unfortunately, we have a homeowners class that day so I will most likely stretch the food I have on hand until the 19th which is the Saturday. That way, I can hit both stores that I shop at (Superstore and Costco) all in the same day instead of one the 16th and the other the 17th which would mean the kids were out three evenings in a row which is not a good scenario in this household!!lol
WHEW!!
So far my budget last week was set at $640 CAD(for two weeks and a few days worth of food), I came in at $258 at Superstore and $333 at Costco.
So that brought us in at $591. We used approx $10 to buy a couple of coffee's while we were out and about on the weekend, which left me about $30 and I also had a $25 gift card (Superstore sometimes offers a free item or a gift card when you spend a certain amount usually $250) so I used that and grabbed some fresh veggies, frozen raspberries, goatcheese, silk creamer, eggs, milk and some fruit. That total came to $56, but only just under $32 from pocket.
So my grocery budget total for the first two weeks was pretty close to bang on.

We'll see if I can hit the next round likewise!That budget will be $550, so a bit lower. I had to take some funds out of it for the Used toy and clothing sale (which I am praying I will make it to be in, tables went on sale on the first but I couldn't budget it in until after the 15th so hopefully tables will still be available!!!) so that trip should be a bit interesting to make work. A challenge no doubt!!

So onto some randomness.....
It was a long weekend here so we had daddy for three whole days! Saturday we went and spent the day at the zoo, it was a lot of fun. The weather was pleasant, not too hot and not too cool. We had a long leisurely picnic lunch which was really nice. The kids ran and played in the field area while Bill and I chatted while I fed Breanna. Just a nice, easy going day!
Sunday we had some company come by for a quick visit. Auntie Elaine and Uncle Mike came and brought us an extra dresser they had as well as Bill's mom's old sewing machine for Alyssa. As well as some lovely towels and a treat for the kids as a housewarming gift. It was really nice seeing them again, hopefully we can arrange for another visit before the roads get too difficult with winter.
After they left, we decided it was time to go through fall and winter clothes and pack away the majority of summer stuff. Time to see who needs what and all that good stuff. They are always amazed to visually see just how much they have grown (as opposed to hearing me tell them how much they've grown!!lol) Some were a little upset to see a favourite piece of clothing get passed down to a sibling. Me on the other hand, doing a seasonal clothing switch is always rather bittersweet. Since I will remember a shirt having been too big for the oldest and now the youngest is wearing it. Or even the clothing that has been passed onto us from friends, I will remember a shirt that was worn by a certain boy who is now in Junior High!!!(Hi Kerri!!!) or as Matthew slips on a pair of pants from another friend who's little boy was born the same year as Mariah (hi Diana!!)..my goodness!!!
We also decided that Breanna looks a lot like Mariah, even more so when she had a sleeper on that Mariah wore around the same age.(Mariah was very petite...only weighing 20lbs at 18mos!!!)

So now I have a list of items the kids need for this fall and winter all ready to go!!

This week is somewhat busy, homeowners class tomorrow night. Although this one doesn't necessarily have anything to do with 'homeownership' since it is being put on by social services and is being called In-Sync parenting: strengthening the parent child bond...hmmmmm. I am keeping an open mind, or rather, I'm trying desperately hard to keep an open mind. These little classes put on my social service rarely align with our thoughts and actions pertaining to parenting such as Attachment Parenting. But, we'll see! At any rate, it's only two hours long and it's an important part of our partnership with Habitat.

Oh yeah, not only is it my favourite time of year...it's also a kickoff to a run of Birthdays over the next few months. Here's Septembers lineup!!
-ME!!! on the 12th
-my Grandma on the 14th
-Kayla on the 15th
-Auntie Cherie on the 19th
-Nana's birthday would've been on the 28th(that is going to be a difficult day)
Nothing planned for my birthday, the kids want to bake me a WF/CF birthday cake, so we may do that. I'm totally oblivious to my birthday and sometimes even forget my age, it feels strange to say "Ya, I'll be 31" since I clearly remember MY parents being 'in their thirties'!!lol
Oh well, the old adage stands true "You're only as old as you think you are" !!

On that note, have a blessed day!!

Yet another challenge...

More on this tomorrow....since I'm already behind the eight ball in life...nothing new!!lol

Blessings!!

In other news.........

So yesterday was a long day. Mostly filled with a few grumpy children. Both Matthew and Kayla were having issues with their ears. Matthew has been having issues for quite some time, but it's hard to tell whether it's just a phase or if he was feeling yucky.

I decided that it was probably time to get them checked out. So we head over to one of the clinics around here (which we HATE). The waiting room SUCKS and the receptionist obviously has no clue how to judge time. I asked when we had signed in about how long she thought it might take before our turn (since I certainly didn't want to be waiting in there and I wanted to tell Bill since he was in the van with the others) she says about 1/2 an hour, it should be quick. I always add about 15mins to their time anyways, so that made it 45mins. One hour and a half later, we get called. No one knew was in there waiting and the receptionist had mysteriously vanished. Thankfully our doctor was pretty good and said that Kayla definitely has an ear infection, full blown. Antibiotics for her. Matthew on the other hand was just slightly pink and inflamed, so either it's clearing up or he's coming down with it. Thankfully, he didn't prescribe anything. So we will treat that with lot's of fluids (room temperature) and vitamins and silver. Warm compresses as well, if he can sit with it long enough!!lol Finally, 2 and half hours later we made it home.
WHEW!

I did however, find this awesome little store there that has all kinds of natural foods and supplements as well as accupuncture and Chinese Medicine. I spent a bit of time chatting with the lady (while Matthew re-arranged her Lara Bar display) it is always so refreshing to talk with someone who is in the same mind frame when it comes to health and wellness. She reminded me that should Kayla need antibiotics, that I need to make sure I replace her intestinal flora with prebiotics and probiotics. I knew that already, but it's so good to see it being reiterated since it is extremely important.

Grocery shopping tomorrow. No money saving coupons this week...bummer. Thankfully though, I have my two $25 gift cards to use.
There are some good ideas and info at Grocery Cart Challenge Blog she manages to feed a family of six with $60 per week! There is no way I could pull that off and still eat decent foods. I do not use coupons anymore (except some of the store coupons) because 95% of them are for processed foods or chemical stuff, which we avoid. Right now my budget feeds a family of 8 (we're a family of 9, but I didn't calculate Breanna since she doesn't actually consume foods yet) at around $8.00 per day, per person. Three of my kids eat adult sized meals and I also feed two extra kids 5 days a week since I still look after my friends two little girls (which I didn't calculate in (my brain is not in a mathematical mood this morning) so it's a bit smaller than that amount. Unless we were to experience financial hardship again, I will never go back to el cheapo foods just to save money. I am so grateful to the Lord that I am able to put healthy, nutritious foods on my table. So very grateful!
I will be much happier when I can eliminate some other foods from our budget, but for now it's baby steps! So far having eliminated cereal and swapped it for more eggs and flour to make good wholesome breakfasts, has been wonderful and has everyone very happy. They did have a bowl cereal for a snack earlier this week and I don't mind if they do that, since moderation is the key and I believe that their palates and stomachs will ultimately guide them in the long run. I have found (and have heard many others say the same) that I actually crave healthier food choices now and the thought of something laced with junk actually makes me a bit nauseous.
I hope the same for them!!!

Here's to health and nourishing foods!!!
Blessings!!

Where oh where art thou sun........

thy needth shine it's rays of warmth upon my weary soul................

Six months of winter is more than enough for me.....I'm done! I want green grass and sunshine. I want to have my windows open with warm breezes dancing around my curtains. I want to see and smell flowers. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Gosh, I think at this point I would even settle with temps being, oh I don't know......ABOVE THE FREEZING MARK!!!!!lol Hopefully the weather dudes are correct with their forecast.....warmth is on the way!

On the agenda today, other than the typical stuff, grocery shopping tonight. Which means I need to get the rest of my list/menu's done and the fridge cleaned out! This will be the first time we have purposely started grocery shopping weekly. Believe it or not, but it's going to take a bit of getting used to! My brain is wired to buying enough of everything for two weeks and even still, some of the stuff is cheaper to purchase in bulk despite the initial cost (which may increase my weekly amount). I will however, enjoy have regular fresh produce! I'm hoping that the weekly sales will also help with saving money in the month. (I will hit all four sales rather than just 2 per month).
For example, this trip there is a coupon for a free $25 gift card for spending $250. Since I will be spending $500, I will receive 2 gift cards to use towards my next trip. So, next week I will be able to use whatever coupon they have PLUS my gift cards. (sometimes they offer $30 when you spend $250 as well or free items like a ham) We'll see how it goes!

In other news, Mariah has mastered the art of writing her name! Which is awesome because now I know it's her who's writing on the walls since she wrote her name all over!!!lol Ooooops!!hehe Too funny.

Breanna has mastered rotating herself around in circles....she resembles a clock!!lol!! Her head stays put and her body rotates around in a circle, it's hilarious!!

Blessings!

It's Friday! *incase you didn't know!!!

I'm drawing a blank for Frugal Friday......*crickets chirping*
I have an idea that I want to share, but it seems to fall more in line for a Works for me Wednesday feature that just happens to be Frugal!

I had so many goals for this Friday and sadly I haven't accomplished much. Alyssa is feeling a bit better, but Matthew is still a very grumpy guy....which in turn causes the rest of the house to feel the pain. I still don't know whether I should take him and Breanna up for the plane ride. Bill thinks I am over reacting, but I'm sure it can't feel to good to be up in a plane (not at the same altitude as a jet, think just enough to view the city below...like a weather helicopter) when you have a stuffy head...especially if you're a toddler or a baby. Anyone any ideas??? I have never even set foot in an airplane in my life, so I am clueless. I would absolutely feel like the worst parent if we took off and they started crying in pain or discomfort. Breanna I would be able to nurse, but what about Matthew? Get him to drink? Chew gum?


In my plight to save money and make grocery shopping easier in general, we decided we're going to give shopping once a week a try. I've always just gone every two weeks and it hasn't been too bad, but I'm finding that at this stage in the game (the last days before the next trip) that we have produce going bad and running really low on things. So, I am hoping that by going once a week I can accomplish a few things
*spend less time in the grocery store
*saving money since I'll be able to catch two extra sales per month
*have fresher food, mainly produce
*not have to over cram my fridge and make it work so hard!!lol
So we shall see!

Well I suppose I've dilly daddled enough and really should get going on the dough for pizza....and laundry......and cleaning in general............

Blessings!

Happy Tuesday!

I cannot believe just how quickly March has gone by! I mean it could very well be because we spent the majority of it sick or because we have lived a perpetual winter here....either way, I am amazed.
I am so ready for spring, I am patiently awaiting for some leaf buds to feel some earth beneath my fingers to smell freshness!

I am finding myself in a new situation. For all the years I have had kids, I have gone to a spring/summer and fall/winter used toy and clothing sale to buy the kids their needed clothing. For the last few years I have been entering into the sale and been able to sell what we didn't need and then in turn buy what I needed. Well, this is the first season I won't be doing that. We live just to far away from that area for us to make that drive. So now I am finding myself trying to figure out how to get the kids some spring/summer clothes! Consignment stores are a joke in my humble opinion, the cost of stuff is pretty ridiculous. Value Village is not too bad, but you're at the mercy of what they have in stock (although true with the Used toy and clothing sale, at least you know it's all kid stuff) I haven't had the time to man Freecycle to see if anything comes up on there. *sigh* I guess I should heed my own advice and just trust the Lord to provide as He has always done.

Today's agenda: clean out the fridge make my two week menu and tweak the grocery list....it's grocery shopping night!!! We are on the verge of needing to pull in a third cart...I am digging my heals in the dirt determined to put that off for a bit longer!!lol So for now I am mastering the art of strategic cart placement, which proves to be quite the challenge some days...but hey, I am always up for a good challenge...I mean, easy means boring!!lol

More on the kids..Alex is on the brink of pushing through from the 'tween' into full adolescent. I am excited and nervous. I am excited because I think he will be a wonderful young adult and nervous because his Tourette's is seeming to be getting worse. For those who aren't familiar with Tourette's, it *usually* peaks at the prime of puberty (how cruel is that???) I am trying very hard to research homeopathic and natural treatments for him, but I think we may just end up going to see a Naturopath. I am so, so thankful that I am able to homeschool him through this, such a tremndous blessing! Although with adolescence comes normal teenage boy stuff.....I think there may be times it will seem as though I live in a frat house, thankfully there is a fair amount of estrogen in here to hopefully balance it out! Although, that much estrogen presents a whole 'nother set of circumstances...lol!

Kayla is currently in the process of pulling out her very first tooth....awwwww...wasn't she just a toddler?!?! This is the fourth time we've crossed this bridge and it feels like the first. Extremely loose teeth creeps me right out...seriously, it makes me shiver and feel slightly nauseous.....UPDATE: she had just come in here and it was hanging so I helped her with the last tug....Kayla lost her very first tooth at 9:54am!! HA!!! Live on this blog....lol Looks like the tooth fairy has some business tonight! ;o)

Mariah is next up and is at the wonderful 4.5yo stage, you never know if you will have happiness or a breakdown. She has also decided that she is currently in kindergarten and will begin University next semester!!lol She has a strong opinion about most things and is not afraid to share it. Which when you enter an equally assertive 2yo into the picture...well....it tends to get a bit loud. She is still a snuggler though and needs at least a good 15-30min long snuggle each day to fill up her love tank! She is still a teenie weenie and hopefully by the summer will be able to move into a booster seat instead of a car seat! Much to her sheer delight!

Alyssa is also slowly getting ready to cross over into the world of tweenagedom, she is still very much a little girl though and I only see small snippets of what is to come. She is my right hand in the kitchen and while she was down and out with the flu recently (much to her dismay) I missed her a lot!! Not only for her help, but for her chitter chatter and ideas on things and well....just her being her!! She is very reliable when it comes to me needing an extra set of hands for Breanna (although she will not *do* diapers!!lol) and is always happy to snuggle her baby sister.

Robbie is doing awesome too. He has such a kind heart and is always concerned for the welfare of everyone else. He also is not afraid to share his opinion and is working hard on his patience. He is a brilliant artist and I love how he keeps developing his spatical thinking! He can visualize things that just amaze me and is the one we turn too when we need help putting things together. he has become quite the Lego fanatic (well he has been for quite awhile now) and can build almost anything. One day awhile back there was a Lego artist on Rachel Ray, and he was so impressed with what this guy could do. I told him there was no reason why he couldn't do something like that as well! The sky is the limit!!!

Bill and I are doing really good. We are *finally* beginning to relax a bit now and it is such a relief being in a new house and having all that stress behind us. We are very much looking forward to going on holidays in a couple of months. I have been trying hard to talk him into growing a beard (he's never had one before) but he's a little unsure...I think he looks awesome with one, but at the same time he's equally as handsome without! I am trying very hard to grow my hair out a bit, but ugh, it's at that awkward stage and it's driving me crazy. I keep resisting the temptation to go and have it all chopped again. not to mention the fact that I am still shedding like mad (postpartum goodness) I find my hair EVERYWHERE and I really don't like it. I am also tempted to go and get it chopped because soon Breanna is going to get tot the stage where hair pulling is going to be a fun activity and being on my back can facilitate the desire to do so! So, we'll see!

Well, time to get busy on my day! Doing laundry is an absolute joy now with my Whirlpool Duet oh, how I love them!!! I also love my fridge...which....is what I need to go and clean!!!

have a blessed day!!

Keep the comments coming! It's so awesome to hear from you all, please tell me if I am missing your blog too!!