Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The verse that was laid on my heart today!

Psalms 1:1-3 New Kings James version
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Menu plan for Oct. 1st-14th

I have finished up my dinner menu plan for the next 2 weeks.

Beef Stew with biscuits
Breakfast dinner
Baked Spaghetti (No meat dinner)
Chili and cornbread
Loaded Baked potatoes and salad (no meat dinner)
Pinto Beans and fried potatoes (a southern no meat favorite)
Lasagna
Quesadillas
Pizza
Salmon cakes
Tater Tot casserole
Potato Soup and cheese melts (no meat dinner)
Beefy Baked Beans
Cheesy Chicken and Rice casserole
Mexican casserole (using leftover pinto beans)

Most of my dinners I use very little meat. I use beans, noodles or rice as my fillers. I also use my veggie side dishes to help with big appetites. Most of the time I am planning a salad and a fruit for dessert.
I am wanting to switch up my breakfasts and lunches a bit. I would love to try smoothies for breakfast, but I'm not sure how cost efficient it would be. I have become quite lazy and have not made any pancakes (for freezer), muffins or chewy oatmeal bars. So, I'm hoping to change that and have a cooking for the freezer day! I may become brave and try homemade bread again. The last batch turned out heavy and doughy! Yuck! I am still on a search for a bread machine at the thrift stores or yard sales. So far, no luck! :-(
I tend to get in a rut with meals. My family doesn't complain, but I like to switch things up. My air conditioner is kept on 78 to 80 degrees to save money,
now that it is becoming cooler I am wanting to cook more.
I am still tweaking my grocery budget and menu plan. I will post how well I did tomorrow after my shopping trip.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Happy Rosh Hashannah!

Nope, I'm not Jewish...well, not exactly (I have been adopted through the blood of Jesus!). I am learning more about the Jewish festivals. I'm not sure why; as Christians; we moved away from celebrating these festivals. I mean after all we tend to celebrate everything else! After learning a little about this festival I love it! It is a time of reflection, a time to look deep inside, to examine your life and see if you are living your life with God directing your path. Are you following God or man? It is a time for repentance!To turn away from sin and make amends!
Yes, we should be doing this everyday, but how cool is it to have a festival where the main focus is becoming closer to our Lord! Awesome! The festival starts at sundown today when it becomes the official Jewish New Year!
What am I going to do to celebrate? I am going to make more time to study the word of God, pray and worship. I am going to introduce my family to the Jewish festival and try to incorporate some Jewish customs from the festival. If anyone has any other ideas, I would love to hear from you! I pray that this will be a special time for my family! I am excited to see how this will strengthen my walk with the Lord! Happy Rosh Hashannah!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Just a small update

What a beautiful Friday in North Carolina we have today! Chilly in the mornings and warming up in the afternoons. I love the Fall weather! It is truly one of my most favorite time of years!

I have once again been missing in action on my blog. I must confess that I have been going through the past couple of weeks in a "funk". I don't know if anyone goes through those times where you feel depressed, alone and just sinking in the muck and mire; but that is where I have been. It's been hard pulling myself out! I put on my "happy face" for family and friends but inside I am struggling to free myself of the gloominess. I know some of my mood is due to money...or should I say the lack of. But, there is more to it than that....it has taken me awhile to figure out...but I think that I have become spiritually cold. That's hard for me to even type, but there it is. I have been doing my Bible studies, I have been praying and I have been attending church faithfully. But, my relationship with my Heavenly Father is distant and cold. How did this happen?! How did I get here?! I am in a place where I am even doubting God's love for me. I see myself as lacking. Lacking in what? Everything! I see all my failures, my short comings, my defects and mistakes. I know that the love of God is there...but it feels so distant right now. Ugh! I am praying that God will help dig me out of this! Gosh, this has turned into a depressing post! Sorry!

On a lighter note...Everyone is healthy and Jeff's work is going well. They are still saying they may have to down size, but business has picked up in the past couple of weeks. Trent is suffering from a black eye from football. I wanted to take a picture but he was not thrilled by the suggestion. Teenagers! Lol! Autumn is planning her wedding! Yep, my 4 year old has decided that she wants to get married and kiss a boy! We watched the movie "Enchanted" and from then on this is what she obsessed with. Needless to say, her Daddy is not as amused as I am by this!

My grocery budget has been going pretty well. I am still adjusting and tightening; but with the rising cost of groceries; I think I am doing well. I am still trying to get in the hang of when to use my coupons. I am not as coupon savvy as some of my blogging friends.

What a boring and sad post!? Lol! I promise with God's help I will get back on track. Thanks for allowing me to vent (and drag you down with me! Lol!)

Psalm 25:1-5
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me.
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Going a little political!

I usually don't discuss politics. I am not very knowledgeable in them. I know who I like when it comes to values and morals, but when we start talking about taxes....well, all I can tell you is I don't like them! I can't tell you anything else about the economy, the environment or foreign policies. So, in all fairness...I just go with the shared moral values and standards of the candidate.
But, I am excited and totally stoked about Sarah Palin! I watched her speech and she blew me away! She was funny and very sassy! (personality traits I love!) She has faced challenges head on! She hasn't ran away....she hasn't cried in a corner....she has stood up and let people (media and the "other" party) that she is no door mat! That she is qualified! That she is smart! That she does not play by the rules! When something is wrong...she calls it wrong! Yes! She is out of the box(Something I admire)! I see her being a type of person that I personally could become close friends with. Maybe that is what I find so appealing. I respect her (hard to do that with people in the political world)! Now, I'm not saying she is perfect...who of us is? But, my sister in-law's aunt is from Alaska...she knows all about the investigations, all about her voting record, all about the so called "dirt" and she sings her NOTHING but praises! She loves her!
So, all I have to say in the loudest most proudest cheer that I have.....GO SARAH PALIN! YOU THE WOMAN! YOU SHAKE THEM UP! YOU TURN WASHINGTON ON IT'S EAR! GO GIRL!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Found some awesome Deals!

Well, after much coupon clipping....I am happy to report that I found some awesome deals!
Chocolate Silk (Yummo) $2.98 at Wal-Mart. I had a coupon for $2.25 off. Total price=$.73!
Coffee Mate creamer (Jeff's weakness!) $1.78 at Wal-Mart. I had a $1.00 off coupon. Total=$.78!
Go Lean Crunch cereal- $2.98 at Wal-Mart. I had a $2.00 off coupon. Total=$.98!
Land of Frost Family Pack Luncheon Meat-$3.98 on sale at Wal-Mart. $.55 off coupon= $3.43 (This should do at least 2 weeks worth of sandwiches for lunch!)
Yo+digestive yogurt- $2.12 at Wal-Mart. I had $1.00 off. Total=$1.12!

I was pretty impressed with the savings. Yes, it did take a little time with the clipping of coupons. But, I am very willing to do it to save money! By the way; I had read where the magazine at Wal-Mart "All you" had loads of coupons and it's only $1.97 an issue. I went ahead and got one today. I am excited to say with the coupons inside I will get back the $1.97 I spent on the issue and save even more! They had a $1.50 off Colgate toothpaste coupon....CVS has a ECB deal on this as well! Yea! Be sure to check out the CVS sales this week. Dawn dishwashing soap is $.99 this week, use the $.50 coupon from paper =$.49! Tide is $5.49, use the $1.00 coupon=$4.49! Purex detergent is $2.99...you receive ECB's with this purchase! Cascade dishwasher detergent is $3.49, use $1.00 coupon=$2.49! Suave is buy $6 worth and recieve ECBs of $2.

Okay! Okay! I will stop! But, remember in all this shopping to make a budget and STICK to it! It does no good to find awesome deals and go over you budget! The whole idea is to save money! (Yes, I'm preaching to myself! Lol!)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I have been MIA (missing in action) lately!

Gosh! I have been so busy that I haven't posted in 2 weeks! Sorry!
It is time for another grocery store trip, which means coupons, sales, menus and shopping lists need to be prepared! We all loaded up and went to Target on Labor Day and I found a organizer that I am going to use for my coupons in the "Dollar Spot" area.



I have it all ready to use!


Speaking of sales! Target has their school supplies marked down! I got 10 spiral notebooks for $1, 10 pocket/prong portfolios for $1 and a 13 cent ruler! I tried to keep myself from going absolutely crazy buying things....a no no when on a tight budget! But, I was very pleased!

I am also making some Christmas gifts...some of which I may post when complete. I need to make sure they are not readers of my blog first!
AND I have been getting ready for a yard sale. I have been sorting and cleaning every room to remove all clutter and get rid of all the clothes that we no longer wear and things we no longer use. Ugh! And now the weekend planned for having this yard sale that I have been working so hard on....well, Hurricane Hanna is coming through and expected to bring lots of rain to our area!! A friend is scrambling trying to find an inside spot for us to use just in case it hits during yard sale time!

Well, that's the update for our family no more missing in action! I will be more faithful in my postings! I promise!