Monday was a wonderful day. Dani and I baked chocolate chip cookies for the girls to take to school tomorrow in honor of the letter "C". She also helped me clean. There's nothing quite like watching a three year old mop the kitchen floor. I wish I had thought to take a picture. She just loves to "help".
I've been thinking about 30 Days of Nothing and how this will affect some guests that we'll be having. Friday we're having a small debate party and I'm planning to serve some snacks. I just need to determine what we can make that will not take me over my grocery budget (and still taste yummy).
Because in a couple weeks, we're having some weekend houseguests. Two very good friends and their three children will be coming. They are not really of a frugal mindset. Although they're certainly not spendthrifts either. They also have a bit more money than we do as they both work. So, I need to plan some easy, delicious meals: two dinners, two breakfasts and two lunches.
We usually order pizza the first night because we're never exactly sure when they'll arrive. But that definately isn't going to work with what's left of the budget. So I was thinking a big pot of chili and some warm bread or a pan of ziti and garlic bread. Breakfasts are easy enough: eggs or pancakes, we almost always have ingredients like that on hand. But I'm still thinking about what to make for Saturday's dinner and the lunches.
I know I need to take a look at the list of contents of the Angelfood box we ordered. Maybe I can use something there to feed the ten of us.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day 8: Rest
After all of Saturday's running around, we rested on Sunday. It was a wonderful family day. And I had time to do some menu planning for the week.
The good news? We've been able to eat good meals and I haven't done much (grocery) shopping this week ($17.02 including the papers). That leaves $232.98 in the budget for the next 22 days. Woo-hoo!
The not as good news? Our pantry and freezer is quickly being emptied. So when we get a paycheck on Thursday, we'll need a considerable amount of food. We're almost out of Cheerios and that is a major disaster here.
So for the several days, we'll continue to use our pantry and freezer for food:
Monday: spaghetti with homemade sauce (from freezer)
Tuesday: hamburgers and oven baked fries
Wednesday: potato soup with ripples (I know, I know. But it's my husband's favorite and very frugal)
Thursday: Grilled chicken (freezer) and mashed potatoes
Friday: steak! (a gift from a dear friend who works on a beef farm part time)
I plan to shop Thursday or Friday. Saturday is the pick up date for the Angel Food box. I'm really curious to see what kind of quality this food has and how long I can use it to feed our family. This is our first time purchasing from this organization, so I'll let you know how it goes.
The good news? We've been able to eat good meals and I haven't done much (grocery) shopping this week ($17.02 including the papers). That leaves $232.98 in the budget for the next 22 days. Woo-hoo!
The not as good news? Our pantry and freezer is quickly being emptied. So when we get a paycheck on Thursday, we'll need a considerable amount of food. We're almost out of Cheerios and that is a major disaster here.
So for the several days, we'll continue to use our pantry and freezer for food:
Monday: spaghetti with homemade sauce (from freezer)
Tuesday: hamburgers and oven baked fries
Wednesday: potato soup with ripples (I know, I know. But it's my husband's favorite and very frugal)
Thursday: Grilled chicken (freezer) and mashed potatoes
Friday: steak! (a gift from a dear friend who works on a beef farm part time)
I plan to shop Thursday or Friday. Saturday is the pick up date for the Angel Food box. I'm really curious to see what kind of quality this food has and how long I can use it to feed our family. This is our first time purchasing from this organization, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Oops!
So, I drove all over today AND I spent $20 at a yard sale on kids' clothes. (really, really cute kids clothes, though!)
Here's the deal: we had a playdate scheduled with some friends about 30 miles away. It was scheduled before I even heard about 30 days of nothing and I wasn't going to cancel because I really want to see the Moms. Really we shouldn't call it a playdate. Yes, our kids play, but we really arrange these things so that we can hang out. And we did. And it was great.
But what I am feeling a bit of guilt about is the yard sale.
I have a really good excuse, sort of. A very kind mother gave me tap and ballet shoes (2 pairs of each) for my younger girls. I tried to offer her money and she wouldn't take it. Later in the conversation, she started talking about a yard sale she was having and so I thought that would be a nice way for me to kind of repay her for her kindness. I bought about $10 worth of stuff and gave her the $20 and asked her to please keep it. She has three girls, too and I know she could use it. I did get some beautiful dresses- two Christmas dresses that look brand new, a beautiful Hannah Anderson sweater, and some new shoes with the tag still attached. So, I think it was money well spent. But clearly it doesn't fit in with the whole "nothing" part of the 30 days.
On top of that, I DROVE there. And I really should have walked. But I was in a hurry to get to the aforementioned play date.
The good news? I made Owlhaven's yummy easy apple crisp recipe. The girls got their aprons on and helped. It was really easy. I've never actually made apple crisp before and it turned out great.
I also watched some more of the HBO series John Adams and I'm really enjoying it.
Bottom line is, I drove too much and spent too much money. But had a really enjoyable day. And I'm not feeling all that guilty about it.... maybe that's what Mary at Owlhaven meant in her post about entitlement.
Here's the deal: we had a playdate scheduled with some friends about 30 miles away. It was scheduled before I even heard about 30 days of nothing and I wasn't going to cancel because I really want to see the Moms. Really we shouldn't call it a playdate. Yes, our kids play, but we really arrange these things so that we can hang out. And we did. And it was great.
But what I am feeling a bit of guilt about is the yard sale.
I have a really good excuse, sort of. A very kind mother gave me tap and ballet shoes (2 pairs of each) for my younger girls. I tried to offer her money and she wouldn't take it. Later in the conversation, she started talking about a yard sale she was having and so I thought that would be a nice way for me to kind of repay her for her kindness. I bought about $10 worth of stuff and gave her the $20 and asked her to please keep it. She has three girls, too and I know she could use it. I did get some beautiful dresses- two Christmas dresses that look brand new, a beautiful Hannah Anderson sweater, and some new shoes with the tag still attached. So, I think it was money well spent. But clearly it doesn't fit in with the whole "nothing" part of the 30 days.
On top of that, I DROVE there. And I really should have walked. But I was in a hurry to get to the aforementioned play date.
The good news? I made Owlhaven's yummy easy apple crisp recipe. The girls got their aprons on and helped. It was really easy. I've never actually made apple crisp before and it turned out great.
I also watched some more of the HBO series John Adams and I'm really enjoying it.
Bottom line is, I drove too much and spent too much money. But had a really enjoyable day. And I'm not feeling all that guilty about it.... maybe that's what Mary at Owlhaven meant in her post about entitlement.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Day 6: Library Frustration
I made it all day with no driving. We walked to school and dropped of Claire and then to the library for story time. We even walked to the store for eggs and, um, ice cream...
In between all that, I had a frustrating few moments. As I was sitting between my two little mudgies attempting to help them glue tiny pieces of tissue paper to their masterpieces, another Mom started asking me questions about Dani.
Dani was born in China. She's been home with us for about two years and I'm used to fielding questions and hearing comments about her adoption.
I'm used to it, but I still get frustrated. This particular woman annoyed me back in May. So I already answered some of these questions four months ago. Today she started out with the usual questions about her age, about our travel, etc etc. Her questions, which started out harmless, became more and more intrusive and inappropriate until finally, she put her hand on Ellie and said, "Now she's your own, right?"
I know people wonder this because Dani is Chinese and Ellie is of Irish/German heritage. The real question behind this seems to be, "Why would you adopt a child when you can have your own?" This just makes my skin crawl.
When I didn't answer her, she looked puzzled and in a stage whisper said, "I mean biologically, she's your own, right?"
I was counting in my head so that I didn't overreact. Practicing my deep cleansing breathes. I mean, I was with two of my girls in a library for goodness sakes. She said this in front of my 3 and 4 year old daughters. My mind was racing with thoughts about how much psychological damage Dani will have after a lifetime of people wanting to know who in our family is "mine". And then I tried to formulate a response that wouldn't cause the girls to pay any more attention to our conversation. I think me making a big deal about it, might make it worse for Dani. So I just looked her in the eye and said with a smile, "They're both mine." At that point, she said, "Oh you know what I mean."
I turned back to Dani to see that she had successfully glued seven pieces of tissue paper to the table and one to her cheek. Then I heard, "So are you done? Going back for more?" I'm not sure what the look on my face was. But it made her stutter, "I'm sorry, did I say something offensive?"
Well, she asked. I tried to be neutral in my response. I told her that she was asking some very personal questions and that I do not appreciate people asking about whether kids are "mine" especially in front of my kids.
Again with the stage whisper, "That's why I said it to you. She couldn't hear."
Well, she does hear (especially when she's sitting right next to me). I know that I cannot stop people from being insensitive. I know that some people have strong feelings against adoption, especially international adoption. I also know that some people are just curious (nosy) and feel that they can ask whatever they'd like. (Maybe, I should have asked her, "Is that your daughter? Is she your own? Vaginal or C section? Any tearing? Is your husband the father?")
No, I shouldn't have.
I should have stopped the conversation with a smiling, polite one liner the first time she asked a slighly intrusive question. I always read about adoptive Moms saying great things. I even wrote some down. But when she was talking, all I could think was, "Shut up!" and that's clearly inappropriate and immature. I'm well aware that a blue eyed woman with a Chinese American daughter is an attention getter. But I wish people would think about how their comments might sound to little three year old ears.
In between all that, I had a frustrating few moments. As I was sitting between my two little mudgies attempting to help them glue tiny pieces of tissue paper to their masterpieces, another Mom started asking me questions about Dani.
Dani was born in China. She's been home with us for about two years and I'm used to fielding questions and hearing comments about her adoption.
I'm used to it, but I still get frustrated. This particular woman annoyed me back in May. So I already answered some of these questions four months ago. Today she started out with the usual questions about her age, about our travel, etc etc. Her questions, which started out harmless, became more and more intrusive and inappropriate until finally, she put her hand on Ellie and said, "Now she's your own, right?"
I know people wonder this because Dani is Chinese and Ellie is of Irish/German heritage. The real question behind this seems to be, "Why would you adopt a child when you can have your own?" This just makes my skin crawl.
When I didn't answer her, she looked puzzled and in a stage whisper said, "I mean biologically, she's your own, right?"
I was counting in my head so that I didn't overreact. Practicing my deep cleansing breathes. I mean, I was with two of my girls in a library for goodness sakes. She said this in front of my 3 and 4 year old daughters. My mind was racing with thoughts about how much psychological damage Dani will have after a lifetime of people wanting to know who in our family is "mine". And then I tried to formulate a response that wouldn't cause the girls to pay any more attention to our conversation. I think me making a big deal about it, might make it worse for Dani. So I just looked her in the eye and said with a smile, "They're both mine." At that point, she said, "Oh you know what I mean."
I turned back to Dani to see that she had successfully glued seven pieces of tissue paper to the table and one to her cheek. Then I heard, "So are you done? Going back for more?" I'm not sure what the look on my face was. But it made her stutter, "I'm sorry, did I say something offensive?"
Well, she asked. I tried to be neutral in my response. I told her that she was asking some very personal questions and that I do not appreciate people asking about whether kids are "mine" especially in front of my kids.
Again with the stage whisper, "That's why I said it to you. She couldn't hear."
Well, she does hear (especially when she's sitting right next to me). I know that I cannot stop people from being insensitive. I know that some people have strong feelings against adoption, especially international adoption. I also know that some people are just curious (nosy) and feel that they can ask whatever they'd like. (Maybe, I should have asked her, "Is that your daughter? Is she your own? Vaginal or C section? Any tearing? Is your husband the father?")
No, I shouldn't have.
I should have stopped the conversation with a smiling, polite one liner the first time she asked a slighly intrusive question. I always read about adoptive Moms saying great things. I even wrote some down. But when she was talking, all I could think was, "Shut up!" and that's clearly inappropriate and immature. I'm well aware that a blue eyed woman with a Chinese American daughter is an attention getter. But I wish people would think about how their comments might sound to little three year old ears.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Day 5: The Best Laid Plans...
Today was a busy day. Ted took the day off so we could attend morning meeting and Claire's school. Then we had the apple picking field trip. Dance class started for all three mudgies tonight. And I had to babysit one of their dance friends.
Now, I knew this in advance. And yesterday when I made my master meal plan to utilize the food we already have, I wisely decided to make beef stew today. Put it in the crock pot and let it cook all day. We would still be tired from a long day, but we could come home after dance and with minimal fuss, sit down to a nutritious family meal.
Ahem. The problem was that I entirely forgot to do it. So we returned from dance class and I looked at the crock pot. Surprisingly, the stew did not make itself. So we had last minute hot dogs and grapes and pretzels. Not exactly what I hoped for. And no where near as nutritious. But we did eat a the dining room table as a family. That's somethin', right?
Spent $4 today for apples. We'll have beef stew tomorrow and some yummy apple crisp. I think I'll have to use some of our grocery budget for some staples, we're completely out of eggs among other things.
Now, I knew this in advance. And yesterday when I made my master meal plan to utilize the food we already have, I wisely decided to make beef stew today. Put it in the crock pot and let it cook all day. We would still be tired from a long day, but we could come home after dance and with minimal fuss, sit down to a nutritious family meal.
Ahem. The problem was that I entirely forgot to do it. So we returned from dance class and I looked at the crock pot. Surprisingly, the stew did not make itself. So we had last minute hot dogs and grapes and pretzels. Not exactly what I hoped for. And no where near as nutritious. But we did eat a the dining room table as a family. That's somethin', right?
Spent $4 today for apples. We'll have beef stew tomorrow and some yummy apple crisp. I think I'll have to use some of our grocery budget for some staples, we're completely out of eggs among other things.
Day 4: A clean fridge!
I cleaned out the refrigerator because our garbage day is Thursday. I was happily surprised to find that I didn't have food to throw out. I usually find some sort of science experiment that needs to be disposed of before it spreads.
I also took the time to schedule our meals through next Saturday, the pick up day for the Angelfood box we ordered. I've been stocking up our pantry and freezer over the last few months, so I think we can make it with no major grocery shopping. Just eggs, milk, and some fresh veggies. Tomorrow Ella and Dani have a field trip to an apple orchard, so we'll have lots of fresh apples. I plan to try out this apple crisp recipe from Owlhaven.
I also took the time to schedule our meals through next Saturday, the pick up day for the Angelfood box we ordered. I've been stocking up our pantry and freezer over the last few months, so I think we can make it with no major grocery shopping. Just eggs, milk, and some fresh veggies. Tomorrow Ella and Dani have a field trip to an apple orchard, so we'll have lots of fresh apples. I plan to try out this apple crisp recipe from Owlhaven.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Day 3: Some Mom Time
We did more walking today: walked C to school, went for a walk just for fun, and after dinner we all walked to the store for some milk. That's $2.79 for a gallon of skim. $245.21 left for the next 27 days.
For two hours on Tuesday, all three of my girls were in school. My house was so quiet I think I heard a mouse. Seriously. I was enjoying a nice warm cup of tea and reading a library book when I heard the noise... in the wall. Ugghh.... You know that scene in Ratatouille? With the rats crashing through the ceiling? Our house is old, about 140 years old. Who knows what's in the walls? Certainly not enough insulation as our heating bill can attest.
My quiet time was wonderful..once I got the mice thoughts out of my head. I spent most of it doing housework but still had time to read and play our piano. Ahhh... this is the life.
For two hours on Tuesday, all three of my girls were in school. My house was so quiet I think I heard a mouse. Seriously. I was enjoying a nice warm cup of tea and reading a library book when I heard the noise... in the wall. Ugghh.... You know that scene in Ratatouille? With the rats crashing through the ceiling? Our house is old, about 140 years old. Who knows what's in the walls? Certainly not enough insulation as our heating bill can attest.
My quiet time was wonderful..once I got the mice thoughts out of my head. I spent most of it doing housework but still had time to read and play our piano. Ahhh... this is the life.
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