February in Review

Hello there my dear friends,
After months of not blogging, creating a new blog and then taking a break from that one I have decided to unearth this blog and make a fresh start. No more big plans for the blog either. I just want a place I can talk about everything and nothing in particular.

So let's start with this last month in a quick review. Actually it will be more like 2010 so far in review.

To start, I went back to work. From 2000-2006 I worked as a waitress at my grandparents seafood restaurant. And this year when it opened for the season I said why not go back and help out the family and make a little extra money. So that's just what I did. I miss CJ terribly during the day but I do enjoy being back at work. When we close again in April I won't return to work, I'll continue to be a SAHM but for the time being I am enjoying it.

Also in big news, we are planning a move! By April we will be out of our current house and into a new one. I am hesitant about leaving my family, I will be an hour away, but I am looking forward to a new chapter in my little family's life. I am using this an opportunity to free our home from all the clutter that we have been collecting for the 4 years we have lived here. If we don't absolutely need it or love it, its going out of here! And then even some of that stuff is getting tossed as well. The Salvation Army will either love me or hate me for the next few weeks.

And now onto something equally important. My Budget/household finances. I created a new household binder right after Christmas and it is a must have for any Domestic Goddess. I will do a detailed post about my binder later. I also have been menu planning again and it has made a huge difference in not only my day but my grocery budget as well. I have almost cut my monthly budget in half since 2009! I will post about menu planning later as well. We do need to seriously work on the amount of money we spend on junk food, eating out and other "treats" but I also know with the move that will take care of itself.

Now here are my totals for February.

Grocery: 205.24
Health & Beauty: 15.94
Pet: 48.60
Treats/Misc/Eating out: 206.61
Clothing: 58.49
Holidays: 76.40
Diapers: 9.01

Notes:
Under Misc- New Bedding, Ink for printer, workbooks/craft items for CJ
Holidays- 4 birthdays and Valentine's Day
Clothing- Not typical to spend this amount. But I purchase a new pair of shoes, some shirts on sale for $1, several items from the thrift store as well as a pair of rain boots (aka Wellington's) from Target for $25

Meal Plan- Sept 14

I'm putting this up a little early in case I don't get time in the morning.

Monday- Swiss Steak, homemade rolls (didn't have it last week)

Tuesday- Cheeseburgers, homemade fries, baked beans

Wednesday- Foil Pack Chicken Fajitas

Thursday- Pork Chop Stuffing Bake, Sweet Corn

Friday- Chicken Tacos, Mexican Rice

Saturday- Baked Potatoes

Sunday- Beef Stew, Homemade rolls

Dessert/Snacks:
Gram's Best Brown Sugar Cake
Lemon Blossoms

Wordless Wednesday

Foodie Tuesday

Today I'm going to participate in a few different blog events.







Chicken Caesar Wraps

Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 10 min Makes: 4 servings

3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup croutons
1/2 cup KRAFT Classic Caesar Dressing
4 flour tortillas (8 inch)


PLACE first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add dressing; toss lightly.
SPOON onto tortillas; roll up tightly.

Meal Plan Monday- September 7th

Its time for menu plan monday! I'll be adding recipes tonight so come back then!


Monday~ Cheeseburgers, Homemade fries
Tuesday~ Swiss Steak, potatoes and carrots
Wednesday~ Chicken Quesdillas
Thursday~ Taco Bake
Friday~ Homemade Calzones
Saturday~ Chicken Caesar Wraps
Sunday~ BBQ Beef Cups


*Make-Ahead items:
Boil Chicken for Quesdillas and Chicken Wraps at one time
Split cooked bacon & ground sausage. One half for Calzones, the other half for Cheddar, Broccoli Pull-aparts.

Deb's Buggy Covers is closing

One of my best friends owns Deb's Buggy Covers. She makes cart/high chair covers. I have one and we still use it.

She has decided to close her shop. She will not be taking orders after October 7.

Deb is trying to clear out inventory, and is offering $10 off any instock shopping cart cover!

Use the code THS at checkout to take advantege of this offer!!

www.debsbuggycovers.com

Park, Acorns and good deals

Yesterday I ran into the local Dollar General and they had alot of stuff for half price. I picked up a few things for Christmas and got CJ a new outfit. They had alot of cute clothes half off but the biggest size they had was 3T and my big boy is barely in a 3T now. So I just got one outfit. :)




I paid $12.25 for everything shown above. (originally $24.50)

And today we took CJ to play at the park. It was really crowded today and he would rather play than let me take his picture so I only got a few shots.