HOW PATIENT CAN YOU BE?

Good morning everyone! I hope this crisp fall morning finds you well. Betcha didn't expect me back, huh? As my dear friend Cindy told me... It's been a great week!! Made it through without needing bail money or having any of those messy "hide the body" episodes... LOL. True I have been MIA but I wanted to come on here and thank everyone for the kind emails and comments and to let you know what's been going on. Yes, I'm choosing to air dirty laundry, vent, spill the beans... whatever you want to call it LOL! I am getting a divorce, got health issues, money woas, and lots more! But I want you to know that whatever you are going through, you CAN get through it... let my story serve as your proof. That's the reason I am sharing all my personal stuff with you now!

6-4-10: The young man I let move into my house and treated like a son decided that drugs, booze, and girls were more important than a loving safe home and a "family" who would help him get a good education and a better life. His attitude and actions became intolerable. Then he cowardly moved out the day I took my mom to the casino without even saying goodbye. I felt very used and "abused" both myself and for my family. My Best Friend Vicki (who is more like my sister) saw him in the store the other day and my "nephew" Josh kept asking why he wasn't at Aunt Nay's house, etc. He fessed up that leaving was the biggest mistake he ever made. GEE, YA THINK? Oh well... young, dumb, and full of... um STUPIDITY LOL!

My brother also breaks off relations with the young lady he was seeing and the baby I was watching quite frequently is no longer in my life now. I got attached yes, but didn't cry. I just hope she realizes how special he is...

8-25-10: Separated from husband... we've been having alot of problems for the past couple of years actually. I decided to "kill" the old me and change my life. Went through my boo-hoo's and why me's and then finally said OK, Bring it on! I am quite proud of myself for not trying to get him to come back home... standing my ground! After what all he did to me over the course of our marriage (I admit I enabled him quite a bit), I realized I could not hold on to the good to get through the bad because things had changed and been damaged too much. It would never be the same. So I used the last way I knew how to show him I love him... I let him go!



Time to work on me and my kids!

9-8-10: Went to the doctor. Got my release and rehab "instructions". SUPPOSED to be exercising 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. Appointments every week for 6 weeks of what I think feels like "Fat camp". Goal is to lose weight put on by meds and bone disease, steriod meds, shots, and other health issues. Doc also wants to re-evaluate at 6 wks and see if we can lose the BP meds. Personal Weight goal is to lose 100 pounds by my birthday next year (Sept. 7, 2011). Left the doctor and the next day, started... ended up exercising for 3 hours cause it felt so dang good!

** Aside from the exercising, I am implementing alot of other changes. I have already quit smoking (May 27, 2009) and only have the social drinks (except right after kicking out husband LOL). I am not using any salt other than to cook with, I hardly eat sweets unless my blood sugars go too low, I won't eat hardly any red meat, increase my veggies and raw salads (didn't think it was possible as I LOVE fruits and veggies already LOL but I did it), and increasing my water intake (just to name a few LOL). **

9-16-10: First doctor visit. Got lectured a bit... but its ok. I lost 9 pounds, my BP was 171/102 and my pulse was 99. Doc said the first 5-7 pounds of that was probably water weight and I said THAT'S OK! It took 2-4 pounds of its fatty friend with it! LOL! She warned me to be careful and she wanted a goal of like 2 pounds a week... I cock an eyebrow and think "Uh yea ok" LOL.

STATS: -9 pounds, BP- 171/102, P- 99

** Am loving doing 2-3 hours a day of kickboxing! Met with an atty and he is going to do the divorce for me, so that paperwork has been filed! Hopefully I can be saying my thanks over my Thanksgiving turkey saying "Thank you for this divorce and pass the gravy!"**

9-23-10: Second visit to hell-o LOL! Doc starts really fussin' cuz I drop another 4.5 pounds! WOOHOO! I am excited, she's not so much. She asked if I was doing the 30/3's and I had to fess up that no, I'm doing 120-180/5's LOL! She started fussin that she thinks I am over-doing it and doesn't want me adding too much stress to the heart or problemed bones. I say :P LOL! She asked me if I was eating, etc. Fuss Fuss Fuss... gonna do what I want to do so hush LOL!

STATS: -4.5 pounds, BP- 147/93, P- 96

** Am finding that since working out, I have more energy and when I listen to music, I just wanna move LOL so I end up dancing my butt off for another hour or so some nights LMAO! **

9-30-10: What a wonderful way to end September! In fat camp! Ok, doc's getting P-turbed with me now LOL and has the nerve to ask me if A. I'm actually eating, and B. am I taking any kind of drugs because I am losing the weight too fast. I was like seriously offended and the b*tchy side comes out and tells her NO and go ahead and test me if ya want! I stressed to her that when you're doing more than the 30/3's, you're more likely gonna lose it faster DUH! Plus the dancing... but I know my body and I know when to stop or slow down. I feel great about myself and I can actually look in the mirror now and not be so disgusted! After going a couple of rounds (more like an hour or so LOL), all she could really say was "well just be careful PLEASE" LOL! Renee 1, Doc-0! Think I might need to dance and celebrate tonight! LOL

STATS: -6 pounds, BP- 135/94, P- 101

TOTAL LOSS FOR SEPTEMBER: 19.5 lbs.
REMAINING GOAL LOSS: 80.5 lbs.
REMAINING TIME: 11 MONTHS

10-7-10: Today really sucked! I felt a sort of dread yesterday and didn't want to go to the dr. today. Couldn't put my finger on why. But I had an overactive brain yesterday and today, so I had tons of things running through my head. So I grabbed an extra hour almost of kickboxing. Well I had found a picture of my STBX (Soon To Be Ex) in my son's room that I had removed and forgot to put away... still in a frame of course. Got very angry again and OOOPS!



There went some more glass. Got a few cuts on my hand, but it's ok... nothing too deep (Note to audience- do NOT box with pics of STBX around LOL... the adrenaline gets going and soon you think the pic is their face and there ya go! LOL). I woke up today with a really low feeling in my gut, but I went to the doctor anyway. Well she couldn't gripe at me too bad, cuz my numbers were "much safer" to her but very disappointing to me. I have some swelling in my legs for some reason, but other than that she is pleased with my visit. She says I have slimmed but apparently am building up more muscle mass. NOOOOO! I am so upset that I have been working so hard and this is what I end up with... uh no. Think I need to step it up some or change it somehow! We'll see what next week brings!

STATS: -0.5 pounds, BP- 130/92, P-104



So that in a nutshell is what I have been up to with myself. Of course October started DD's Marching Band season in full swing. (LOL Like the pic? Late night football marching followed by early next day marching = Sunday morning Marching Lag! LOL) The competition last weekend was great! They got lots of good pictures of her. We have comp's every weekend this month... plus football, etc. Busy... Busy... Busy. I finally did some more painting in the kitchen- just have 2 cabinet doors on the bottom and then applying the lemons and that project is done. Because of everything going on, the fabric challenge and the Christmas Challenge came to a screeching halt. Christmas will be rough this year because of finances, but also that Frank & I were married December 23rd... so yea... I would say I see some "special" eggnog this year, but I hate eggnog YUCK! LOL!



My little bunny Rescue I got at the flea market passed away. Mom thinks she may have been bred diseased but says I gave her a very good life. I got a new rabbit though... rescued him too in a way. He is a 3 yr old black rabbit named Midnight and he is fixed! YAY! LOL... also my landlord got stupid and said I had too many cats and that some had to go. SOOOO Miracle and Gizmo are now living out at my mom's house. I still have to get rid of 1 more (2 if he learns about the baby in Madison's room). He "graciously" said the bunny can stay since it's in a cage. Gee thanks dillhole! And then DD's friend needs to place 2 gerbils and they decided they should come here. UM NO! Anyone want 2 gerbils and all the goodies? LOL.



We had my little brother's birthday lunch a couple of weeks ago too... wow I feel so old, but I love my family so much! We had a great time, great food, and I even managed to get him to give me a great picture... one he is not shooting the finger in! WOW! LOL Love ya Michael! My other brother Mark is currently in TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) boot camp to start a new career as a Correctional Officer. We were discussing this as a possibility for me too. But I won't even consider applying until I lose at least 50 more pounds! Its just a thought right now... a vague thought. But my brother's doing great and I think this is gonna be a good thing for him! Way to go Mark!

As you can see, lots of things going on right now in my life. When I started this blog it was as a wife, mother, and basically a "June Cleaver" Kinda person. However I'm NOT that person anymore. I am still a mom and I love cooking, sewing, etc. and if you want to still hang around, I will continue to be here... maybe not so much right now (definitely not every day right now) til my life settles into a normal chaos. I will still do crafts, cooking, etc... if you'll have me- the NEW me?

Well I'm outta here. Time for "The Oldies Sweating To Hate Music" LOL! (No offense to anyone- especially the makers of "Sweatin to the Oldies" LMAO!) I want to hear your thoughts and comments, etc... so until next time... HUGS!!!!!!

YET ANOTHER RESCUE

Good evening boys and girls. I am so sorry this blog is so very late. My computer completely stopped working and I had no access to the net… until now! Somehow, I got the cable line to reach into my DH’s PC in the bedroom and so that is where you find me now. I took MY PC over to my dad to see if HE could figure out WTF is going on! I came home and began trying to get the internet line onto DH’s PC so that I could do my daily entries until my on computer was feeling better. It took awhile but I finally got it!

THEN… when I came back, guess what I found? I little TINY kitten that can’t be more than 8 weeks old… and I am for certain is not weaned! It was by my door beaten and half dead, I swear! I think the lawn man may have caught it with the weedeater when he was doing the back yard, etc. or some other bigger cat or animal attacked it or IDK but all I know is I wasn’t gonna leave it outside to die! I can’t! Luckily, the other day I picked up a carton of kitten milk when I got rabbit supplies at Petsmart. I didn’t know WHY I got it, and it was the only one, but something in my gut said to get it… and now I’m glad I did! This kitten is smaller than the bunny!

OK since it’s so late, I am gonna get right to the good stuff today… I am still on the kick about crafting for guys, cause they’re just so dang hard to gift AND I have so many in my family to give to LOL! Well, I don’t know about yours, but the guys in my family are real American red-blooded men who get out and get dirty. TOOLS are a big thing with them… they work on and fix EVERYTHING! SO, I thought that this tool wrap in some really cool materials, like camos, skulls, John Deere, etc. would be something they would really like and use a lot! Maybe it’s a good gift idea for that special man you need a special gift for too!



Craft Idea of the Day: Tool Wrap

SUPPLIES:

Duck cloth, dark color — 1 to 1-1/2 yards per roll-up. This is just a ball-park figure; your roll-up might be significantly different than mine.
Upholstery Thread, dark color
1″ nylon strapping, a 20″ piece — Hold the raw ends in front of a candle flame to heat seal them from ravelling.
1″ inch buckle
1″ strap adjuster
Fray Check

Directions:

The directions are very detailed and include lots of pictures for great step-by-step instructions, so just go to the site and get this great craft there! I hope you enjoy it!



Ok kids, its time for another installment of Dollar Store Dining! WOOHOO! I am having so much fun with this, you can’t even imagine! I hope you are having just as much fun! Today is main course midweek day LOL! I am gonna bring you a couple of main course meals that are sure to please your palate AND your pocket book! BTW, if you want to pick up a copy of The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook by Christiane Jory, check your local book stores or go to Barnes & Noble online and buy it there for $11.10… there are tons of recipes in this great little paperback book! For instance, the main course section contains 30 meals alone (Including one for smoked mussels MOM!) LOL! Today I will bring you 2 of the ones that jump out to me and say “Pick Me… Pick Me!” LOL so I hope you like them and… as always… Eat & Enjoy!



Mexican Chicken (sounds like a Mexican Lasagna if ya ask me… sounds good! YUMMMMM!)

Makes: about 6 servings
Cost: about $12.99

A layer of jalapeno slices and/or hot salsa will let you spice this up to your own taste. This can be prepared quickly, and if you freeze your cheese, all the ingredients can be kept in stock.

Ingredients:

1 cup Spice Box dried chopped onions (use fresh onions when available)
2 to 3 tablespoons Dutch Farms Wisconsin margarine
1 (10.5 oz.) can Baron cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 oz.) can Baron cream of chicken soup
1 (28 oz.) can Sun Roma sliced tomatoes
3 cups Crider cooked chicken
16 Guerrero corn tortillas, quartered
3 cupsCheese Pleasers grated cheese, jack or cheddar

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Soak Dried onions in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Drain.

3. Saute onions in margarine until golden.

4. In a large bowl, mix soups, tomatoes, and chicken. Mix in onions.

5. Line a baking dish with quartered tortillas, then chicken mixture, then cheese. Repeat layers, finishing off with the cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

(***HELPFUL HINT***) If you use commercial products to clean your oven, be sure to cover the thermostat wire with newspaper or foil. Harsh cleaners throw off your cooking temperatures. Be sure to remove your covering after cleaning and before turning the oven on.)



Corned Beef Casserole

Makes: 4 servings
Costs: about $2.99

This, like most meat casseroles, can be doubled easily. It is hearty and makes great leftovers. At about 75 cents per serving, it is a tasty way to get through a financially trying week. (This dish can be prepared the night before and refrigerated before baking. Bring to room temperature before placing in oven.)

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Spice Box dried chopped onions (use fresh onions when available)
1 cup Allegra macaroni
1 (12oz.) can Clasico Corned Beef
1 (15oz.) can Libby’s cream-style corn
¼ cup Spice Box dried chives

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Soak Dried onions in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Drain.

3. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain.

4. In a mixing bowl, break up corned beef; add onions, corn, and chives.

5. Mix in macaroni and place in a medium-sized greased casserole dish. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

(***HELPFUL HINT***) Pasta added to water before it starts to boil can become mushy. The heat of boiling water seals the outside of the pasta, preventing it from sticking together as well.

Alright kids, its just about time for me to get off here and try to give this new kitten a feeding. This is insane… why are all these little animals calling/finding me all of the sudden?? Oh well… save a life as my mother says! I will see you all tomorrow for more crazy updates! Until then… HUGS!

BABIES, BABIES EVERYWHERE!

Good morning boys and girls! How are you doing on this sticky icky morning? I am good. Still not feeling real well, but still alive with a great family by my side. So what’s new with you? Not much here… PC is still causing me more gray hair than I care to have, finances still making me ulcerate LOL, and house still cluttered with tons of crud! LMAO but I don’t care! I have made it to another day to fill my lungs with fresh air, so I am not gonna complain!

Well, we got word last night that Thursday will be the first day with our little visitor! DH and the kids better be doing some super heavy duty cleaning today while I am away! So much to do and not a lot of time to do it! When my day is done with mom today, I have to go home and do lots of cleaning and such (ya know those things I am not real fond of anyway LOL). I want a safe and happy visiting place for the little man to be. Ah babies, babies, everywhere! First kids, then cats, then bunnies, and now back to kids! The circle of life LOL! Ain’t it great?



Speaking of great… you wanna see the greatest thing? I mean so incredibly cute its almost unbearable?! LOL… Look… this is Miracle and Rescue playing together! I normally have been using the bed as a playpen for the bunny to exercise, and miracle was being nosey, so I let them “meet” LOL. I figure if Miracle can see what the white ball of fluff is, he will be less likely to harass her in the cage… I am hoping anyway! LOL… and I have to remember a salt wheel for Rescue… it’s the one thing I forgot. I remembered when she started licking me LOL!



How about this for cute! My mother harvested this the other day… think it was Sunday when I was over there. She actually got some potatoes to grow! And those green things are okra and on top are some elongated bell peppers! Isn’t that so cool! I’m jealous of the potatoes and the okra LOL! My okra plants are still kinda babies… not growing to incredibly fast, but hopefully soon! And I’ve never grown potatoes before so I can’t really be too jealous LOL! But I think it’s so cool!



So are you ready for today’s craft? With only 177 days left until Christmas (and 27 until I start working on that countdown), I am beginning to think of ideas for everyone. I have big problems with gifting the GUYS in my family most of the time… My Dad buys whatever he wants whenever he wants then tells me he doesn’t want anything (he better watch out, I got a jar of nothing now LOL!), and my first brother… well he’s a very unique person… HARD to gift. My baby brother is easy… he just likes food LMAO! There are 2 things I make (and one of them ONLY at Christmas time) that he absolutely LOVES and REFUSES to make himself LOL! Buttermilk Pie and Crepes! So he asks for nothing but those every year! LOL! I have even given him the recipe so he could make them, but he “claims I do something special to them… like stick my finger in the batter or something.” LMAO he is such a nerd LMAO! But I love him and what he doesn’t know is I will be getting his GF to learn to make them this year too! LMAO! But all year long I hear hints of Buttermilk pies and crepes to annoy me… but it just makes me laugh LOL! Anyway, so if you are like me, gifting for guys tends to be a major pain in the butt! So today I am bringing you something for them that they should like… guys like their cars and music right? Well why not make them a CD holder for their car. You ever see those ones you can buy in the stores that hang on the visor? Yea… those are so easy to make, its not funny! And you can make them for women too… its great! So here is your…



Craft Idea of the Day: Visor CD Holder

Materials:

Cotton fabric or a non scratching fabric (Novelty Prints are great for gift giving)
Craft weight fusible interfacing
Thread
1" wide Elastic ( 2 - 7" Pieces)

Cutting Instructions:

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 12" by 7" (Back both pieces with fusible craft weight interfacing)

Cut 10 pieces (all with the right side of the fabric facing up) to the measurements shown in this diagram.




Directions:

Note: All Directions use 1/2" Seam allowance!

On the angled edge of the pocket pieces, press under 1/4" and press under again, to enclose the raw edge. Stitch the hem.

Starting 1/2 from one end, place the pockets an even distance from each other with the last pocket lining up with the end of the 12" by 7" piece. Placement should be approximately 5/8" apart. Pin the pockets in to place.

Starting with the end pocket, stitch the pocket to the backing piece along the straight edge of the pocket. Once the pocket is stitched, fold it back out of the way and stitch the straight edge of the next pocket. Repeat until all the pockets are attached.

Lay all pockets flat and press. Baste the edges to hold the pockets in place.

Lay the elastic on top of the pockets 2" from each end. Stitch the elastic in to place in the 1/2" seam a allowance.

Take the second 12" by 7" piece and place it right sides together, on top of the pocket section. Starting on a 12" edge, stitch around the edges, leaving a 2" to 3" opening to turn the CD holder right sides out.

Trim the seam allowances (except at the area you left open) and the corners to eliminate bulk. Turn right sides out. Turn elastic to the back side.

Press the opening seam allowance inward, and press the whole CD holder flat.

Top stitch 1/4" from the edge all the way around.

You will want the wide part of the pocket to be at the bottom. Adjust the direction you place the pockets to have a holder for the drivers side and the passenger side of your vehicle.

Well kids, its time for another day of Dollar Store Dining! Today we will be tickling the taste buds with some frugal sides and soups! I tell you when I first picked up this book, I was like OMG are you serious? Some of the recipes in there are pretty smart… that led to my desire to try them! Just reinforced what I have believed for a very long time… that you can make a meal out of just about anything and that it doesn’t have to be expensive to taste or even look good! I admit it… I am a Dollar Store Junkie LOL! And I am lucky that where I am at, we have a few different ones all around us! So when browsing through this book, a couple of soups and sides jumped out at me from the 29 interesting choices this book has and I wanted to bring them to you today. I hope you like them… eat & enjoy!



Alu Bhaji (Savory Fried Potatoes)

Makes: 4 servings
Cost: About $3.99

These are a great accompaniment to Naan (a baked good) and also make a good filling for Chapatis (an hors d’oeuvres). When serving with Naan, include a yogurt dipping sauce to balance this great snack. Since it is also delicious when cold, it would be a nice variation of potato salad for a picnic.

Ingredients:

1 cup Spice Box dried chopped onions (use fresh onions if available)
2 (15 oz.) cans of Libby’s whole white potatoes
1 tablespoon Albergo olive/canola oil
1/4 teaspoon El Pique cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon Spice Box turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Spice Box Mexican chili powder
1 teaspoon Baja Pacific salt

Directions:

1. Soak dried onions in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Drain.

2. Rinse and drain potatoes. Boil in hot water to heat through without allowing the potatoes to get mushy. Remove from heat, drain, and dice.

3. Heat oil in a saucepan and fry cumin seeds until aromatic.

4. Add onions and fry until golden.

5. Add turmeric and chili powder. Stir, then add potatoes, sprinkle in salt, and toss to mix well. Serve hot or cold.

(***HELPFUL HINT*** A slice of raw potato will keep down the pain and swelling of a bee sting.)



Ham Chowder with Sweet Potato Biscuits

Makes: about 8 servings
Cost: about $7.99

Ingredients:

Biscuits:

2 ½ cups Cinch pancake mix
1/3 cup Imperial Margarine, softened
1 cup S&W candied yams, rinsed, drained, and mashed
½ cup Springfresh milk

Chowder:

1 (15oz.) can of Libby’s whole white potatoes, mashed
1 (10.5oz.) can of Baron cream of chicken soup
1 (15oz.) can Libby’s corn
1 cup of Libby’s cooked diced ham
1 (15oz.) can Veg-All mixed vegetables
1 ¾ cups Springfresh milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. For the biscuits: Mix all ingredients until a soft dough forms.

3. Place dough on a flour-dusted surface and roll to coat.

4. Shape into a ball and knead four times.

5. Roll to one-half-inch thick. Cut with a 2 ½ cutter dipped in a pancake mix to avoid sticking.

6. Place biscuits with edges touching on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.

7. While biscuits are baking, combine all chowder ingredients in a non-stick frying pan over medium high heat and cook until heated through, about 10 minutes.

8. Place chowder in serving bowls and top with 2 biscuits. Serve hot.

(***HELPFUL HINT*** In the United States, the terms yams and sweet potatoes are used interchangably but in truth, they are very different. They may both be roots, but a yam comes from the yam family and needs hot moist weather to thrive. Sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family and are more abundant in the States since they can withstand colder weather. The USDA requires food with “yam” on the label to be followed by the term “sweet potato”. Chances are, unless you have specially sought out a yam at an international market, you probably have never eaten one.

Well folks, that would be all I have for today! I might just make a visit to the Dollar Tree, which is right across from my mom’s therapy office, while she is in with the doctor to see what kind of tasty treasures I can find. It’s a HUGE store and one can get in lots of trouble in there LOL! They have a full out freezer section as well as non-perishables LOL… okie dokie, so I am off to take mom to therapy. You have a wonderful day and I will see you again tomorrow! HUGS!

SATURDAY MORNING MARKETING

Good morning to all my friends! How are you doing this wonderful last weekend day? I’m alright I suppose. Up early again due to cramping, a massive migraine, and no sleep, but it’s to be expected. I want to thank everyone for their support concerning my issue I revealed yesterday. It means a lot to me. And I even thank my mother for the online scolding as well LOL! Why is it, no matter if its in person, texting my phone, and even email, when I get scolded I feel about 5? LOL… I know I know- Cause she’s my mom, that’s why! LMAO… Then I have my Jeanie scolding me... thanks LOL! Oh and welcome Mrs. Melissa! I thought you ran off and had your baby on me and I was worried... nice to see you around again LOL!

Anyway, I drank more water yesterday than runs in the Nile river, more cranberry juice than Ocean Spray can bottle in a year, walked IN THE RAIN no doubt, and even sweat lodged it in my bathroom! I spent all the day and part of the night detoxing myself! I’m feeling alright now… not 100% but as with any “withdrawls” or “Detox” (which yes I have done before)… it takes a bit of time. I have faith I will get back to my old spunky self soon though! As for today? Well, my parents and I are off to the BIG Farmer’s Market in Houston and then to the Salvage & Discount Grocers! I’ll be sure to take plenty of pictures…. And mom’s bringing the Gnome LOL… TOO funny! I asked her if she is gonna make him his own shopping bag LOL!

OK, some of you may have noticed that there are now a set of “my favorite links” over on the sidebar of my blog. It started as a request from my mother. She asked if I could put a link to the rescue site and ask my readers to click each day to help feed the baby animals. The click is free and when you are there you can also go to the other tabbed pages and support those causes too by clicking. The tabs are: Animal Rescue, Hunger, Breast cancer, literacy, rainforest, and Child Health. Please do me and the animals a favor by taking no more than 2 minutes of your day to donate food to the poor outcasted animals... Thanks everybody! Ok, then there is The Coupon Clippers … a great site to order multiples of newspaper coupons to help save you money. Their fees are fairly low and their service/speed of delivery is above awesome! Lastly, we have Free Online Sewing Patterns- now I’ve connected you with this site before. This is a site for hundreds of free sewing patterns you can print out on your computer. Be on the lookout for more, as I figure out which sites I deem worthy enough to link here LOL!



OK so yesterday remember I said I went out. I had to pay some bills and then I remembered I had 2 coupons to JC Penny for that $10 of a $10 or more purchase that were fixing to expire. Never ever waste free money and that’s basically what it was LOL! OK so anyway, most of you know (and my family gripes at me for it ALL the time) that I don’t like getting things for myself. BUT I have needed a new bra for quite some time now, so I figured I’d look. Boy let me tell you about the sales I found! In the first coupon section (the back part of the store with men’s, tees, etc… and its own cashier LMAO) I found this purple flannel Arizona shirt on the clearance rack for 80% off (it was $4.97) and they had silk screen Tees on sale for $5.99 and $9.99 which was 50% off. There was one I just HAD to have! It was WOODSTOCK 69 and let me tell you as soon as I saw it, I freaked! They didn’t have my size but it was ok cause it will become a pillow anyway! It was $9.99 but it was ok cause I HAD to have it LOL! That made my total $5.36 for the 2 items. Not too bad considering the total retail price before clearance was $20 for the shirt and $44 for the flannel! OK so it’s off to the ladies section to look at bras. I make a stop in the plus size women’s department (clearance rack of course) and find a pair of basic black slacks with an elastic waist. Originally $46 and clearanced to $4.97 I decided they are coming home with me and will be deemed the new “Buffet Pants” LMAO! (You don’t know what buffet pants are? LOL Well when I go out to eat, especially with my parents, I joke that I have to wear my stretchy- or buffet- pants so I can eat all I can at the buffet LOL! They laugh at me every time. But you’ve seen it and probably been there… you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and you eat so much you make yourself ill and have to undo the top button of your pants? YEP… invest in some strtchies- or buffet pants- and you won’t ever do that again! LMAO! Ok, next stop… ladies lingerie! OMG I about fell on the floor! Some of their bras cost more than my water bill! LOL j/k but they were pretty! Pretty PRICEY! Ok, so forget looking on the regular racks… this chick hits the clearance racks! Oh yea baby more my price! Now this really shocked me. I needed a new white bra… ok got it. Price tag says $14.99 clearance from the original $30… ok I can do that. Now put the pants back and pay just another $5 and change or splurge and get the $5 pants too? What the hay… I get both! I go up to the register and guess what!? The bra rings up at $5.99! WOOHOO!!! So, with that and the bra, my total was $10 and some change… minus the $10 coupons makes me pay a whopping $1.02!!!! For $76 worth of clothes? Shoot yea!! Is that not the most spiffy checkout? Now note to self LOL… $4.97 and $5.99 gives me almost free there! See the employees freak if you get it totally free there, so I always try to go just over a bit!

There’s not going to be really a craft today, since I will be occupied at market… so you’re on your own today kids! LOL… But food… that’s iffy too. Our dinner is going to depend on what I find on my journey today LOL. I might find a beautiful squash or something that I want to turn into a dinner item. We will see. But for now I am going to share this interesting recipe for using ramen noodles in the event you used/don’t have the flavor packet anymore! (I know I use the seasoning packets on other meals a lot, so I am stuck with packs of plain noodles.) So here is a way to make sure they used and devoured LOL!



Peanut Ramen Noodle Salad

INGREDIENTS

2 packages (3 oz each) ramen noodles (any flavor)
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup each water, vinegar and teriyaki sauce
½ tsp minced garlic
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cucumber, quartered lengthwise, seeded and sliced
2 carrots, shredded
2 scallions, sliced

PREPARATION

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add ramen noodles (save seasoning packets for another use or discard). Boil 3 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain again.

2. Whisk peanut butter, water, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, garlic and crushed red pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add noodles, cucumber, carrots and scallions. Toss to mix and coat.

Ok gang, I am gonna get off here and go take another hot shower to sweat out some more toxic yuckies and then get ready to go in my new spiffy $6 clothes LOL! Thank you all again for the support and I love you all! See ya tomorrow… HUGS!