Fantastic Friday

Please excuse the mess on the backside of the island.

This week's total:

Spent: $65.92

Store Coupons: $10.00

Vendor Coupons: $12.44

Special Price Savings: $36.33

Saved: $58.77

We're getting pretty stocked up. I can see where it takes time to get a good base for cooking most recipes. I dare say we are almost there...

Chicken Hiatus

In these last few weeks, it seems our schedule consists of run, work, eat, rinse, repeat. So it was nice last Friday when we got to cook a good meal and relax.

MS just returned from Wisconsin with some fabulous appetizers.


All meals need something green. I forgot to lop off the ends of the asparagus, but isn't it pretty anyways? Olive oil, coarse salt, fresh pepper...

and this is what sealed the deal.

Meanwhile, MS was hard at work grilling.

I kid, I kid. He did a bang up job on the steaks. The marinade was fantastic. Who knew you could use ketchup as a marinade base?

I had no idea baked potatoes were such a complicated subject matter. Googling 'how to bake a potato' made my head spin. Foil? No foil? Oil rub? Salt or no? 400 or 425? Holes? No holes?

After much deliberation and advice : holes, oil, salt, foil, 425.

This would be the sound of me tooting my own horn. They were delicious. I ate the entire potato, peel and all - and I'm not that kind of girl.

The Wisconsin sharp cheddar helped matters as well.

I'm 98% sure that potato was my saving grace for the next days hilly 10K. See? Carbs are your friend.

Stewed

MS loves stew and soups and recently requested more in the recipe rotation. Luckily, I had just received a recipe in my power bill (convenient, I might add:) for an easy brunswick stew.

They had me at easy.

Put all this in the crockpot.
(1 cup of ketchup. 1 T of worcestershire. Hot sauce to taste. Brown the meat.)

The sourdough in the background was a nice complement as well.

It was a little sweet for my taste, so next time I might use tomato paste rather than ketchup. Move over, Giada.

Village to Village

Saturday morning we got up bright and early to run a sweet little 10K. It being 27 degrees, I was decked out in everything fleece (and pink.)

Holy hills, Batman. I was not prepared for those first two miles. Luckily, no other than my new father in law was working the water station at mile 3. We've never gotten an "Love ya'll!" at a water stop before, but it was motivating.

I didn't know the course very well, so I was gripped with fear at every turn that another hill awaited.


It was all worth it, since we got these roses.

Syke. The real trophy was the tall stack of pancakes and bottomless cups of coffee the father in law treated us to.

This running thing might be good for weight loss if it wasn't for my equally loved hobby of carb loading. One cannot live on egg whites alone, right?

Sweet Melissa

Happy Birthday today to one of my oldest (length, not age) friends. It seems like just yesterday we were roaming the halls of K-4 in our smocked dresses, yet here we both are, roaming the halls of corporate America in suits and heels.

I so admire your patience and your wisdom. I know I can always get good advice from you - everything from relationships to hair dressers. You are incredibly analytical and understanding.

You are also one of the funniest people I know. You are such a gifted writer, right down to the emails that often make me actually lol in my cube.

You also share my love for cheese, Lifetime movies and a various assortment of frostings and doughs.

It has been such a blessing not only to have you as a friend, but to have you as a friend for as long as I can remember. You have been there in the best and the worst times of my life and I could not ask for a better friend during each.

May this year be filled with joy and all the good things life has to offer. Happy Birthday!

Fantastic Friday

I was going to label today "Frugal Friday" but the word frugal reminds me of dried up grapes (raisins?) and I'm really not a fan.

Without further ado, this week's fantastic deals.

CVS

One always needs movie candy. Five grams of protein? It's practically a vegetable. Used 7 ECBs from last week's deals.

Total out of pocket: $2.96.

*The key to the game is to keep buying stuff that gets you ECB's. This trip was a fail. I make up for it later:)

Publix

Spent: $79

Saved: $70

53% savings

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I think balance is key here. I'm sure I could save more, but we try to eat moderately healthy. Yes, moderate includes chewy fudge brownies.

MS is returning from the frozen tundra and I'm really excited about some steak tonight.

It does sound good, doesn't it?

Beef...it's whats for dinner.

Happy weekend friends!!

Lunchtime Errands

I'm getting pretty adjusted to the neighborhood and can almost run all of our errands close to home. No small feat in the Ham.

It was rushed, so I hope E. Seasom appreciates me picking up her dry cleaning.

Was glad to see a good(?) report on the Grizz when I picked him up from grooming. Does this read Big Baby or Big Baby? Both fit. The big baby was ready to get OUT OF THERE and took a flying leap into my car. Impressive when you have the build of a bowling ball.

I cut off the exclamation point. It kind of looks insulting without it. Oops.

Happy Thursday. I'm so looking forward to a glass of merlot with Addison Montgomery tonight.

A Few of My Favorite Things

A few new favorites while we push through this gray winter weather.

Behold, the sweaty band. I got one for Christmas and am loving it. All those layers I thought were a great idea when getting the wife chop no longer hinder me from running like the wind. I'm boring and got white. It has a silver stripe. Step back.

I'm sure I owe most of my water consumption to the Tervis Tumbler - grande size. Bonus points - the lid and the straw. I travel up a few floors every morning to get the good (Sonic like) ice and I'm set for the morning.

Speaking of morning, I have a new love in the face wash department. I love it so much I want to use it at night too. Is that ok? Does the evening dilute its effectiveness? Its caused quite an identity crisis, but I love it none the less.

Fresh scent? Caffeine? Sign me up.

And the BEST FOR LAST. I wish I could take credit for this discovery, but alas, I cannot. You can thank me later.

Living the Dream

It was my favorite kind of weekend. Plenty of time to be both lazy and productive. After spending all night parked on the couch with the folks at Sterling Cooper, we headed out Saturday for a cloudy 8 mile run. It was painful - not that a long run is ever entirely pleasant, but my legs -perhaps weighed down by Goobers and Sour Patch Kids - felt pretty tired. Not exactly the feeling I like going into a race next weekend.

The training plan doesn't stop. Cue life lesson. So after dropping MS off at the airport Monday morning (hello, Bravo and pancakes for dinner), I took a little nap (it was 6:30) and decided to get one of the week's run out of the way. This is about as real as it gets. I'm sorry I'm not the type with the full face of makeup to work out.

I told you I owned a lot of pink.

It was heavenly. I felt good. Made it up all the hills at just the speed I wanted without feeling near death. We all know what uphills mean - downhills. Downhills that led right back to my starting point. It was just what I needed.

I spent the afternoon with this guy. He was very excited about it. I think he prefers me at work.

Other than a poorly scheduled visit to the dentist (this just in - flossing is KEY if you don't want your mouth to look like you got punched in the face at your semi-annual cleaning), it was a great vacation day and start to the week. Is it just me or does that extra day make all the difference?

Attitude Check

I have referenced my tendency towards a Type A personality numerous times on this blog. There are many advantages - I'm fairly organized, I'm pretty good at planning ahead and providing some structure to our family life.

On the flip side, there are parts of my personality that aren't so pretty. An exaggerated sense of time urgency, competitiveness and becoming easily irritated are things I struggle with. When things don't go according to my plan, I get frustrated. It's amazing how these are magnified when living with another person who doesn't always share these traits (thank the Lord). It's something I've been praying God would begin to change in me this year.

Be careful what you pray for. As I'm sure we've all experienced, God doesn't just give us patience, or love. But instead, gives us a chance to exercise patience and love. I've been slow in making the connection between these prayers and the circumstances God provides to give me a new attitude.

This week in church, we read 3 John. As I glanced through the intro, I read something that struck that nerve again. "It can be easy to join others in gossip, complaining or small acts of dishonesty..."

Rarely, if not ever, do I think of complaining as a fault, much less a sin. It really clicked with me how deep our attitudes run and how what is in my heart surfaces.

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things from the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

I think blaming a personality type is a cop out. I'm going to go out on a limb and say most of us have a tendency towards selfishness, frustration and jealousy rather than serving, peace and joy. As I move forward this year, I pray that my heart would be changed. I think the rest will fall into place.

A Run and The Pub

Before all the snow and ice hit, it was relatively warm for a nice, albeit hilly, 7 mile run. I overestimated the chill and found myself stripping down everything I could that wouldn't get me in trouble.

We were pretty hungry after and seized the opportunity to try the new 500 calorie or less menu at McAllisters. I was delighted to see the chicken spud as an option. If it had some jalapenos and salsa, it would have been perfection.

We were thirsty too. Don't you love their tea?!

After refueling, I dragged MS to do the weekly shopping with me. Despite the mad rush for milk and bread, Publix had their game face on. It was crowded, but well stocked and we were in and out in no time.

Total: $59.07
Saved: $45.65

Favorite purchase of the week - Batter Blaster (not bladder baster, like I told MS on the way to the store)- Organic Pancake Mix. Normally $3.99/can on sale for BOGO. Had (2) $1 off coupons, paid $1 per can.

This, plus my CVS trip and grabbing a few odds and ends (read:ice cream) through the week put us right on target with the grocery budget.



Ahhhh...I heart Publix.

We Were Prepared

There were forecasts for lots of snow here yesterday. Lots, if you're in the South, anyways. Lots of snow turned into lots of ice. Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet.....you get the idea. There are no snow days at my work. But, I wanted to ensure we were prepared.

After all, ice cream and brownies > milk and bread.

And just for good measure....

We also had some exciting company for the weekend.

We are light ages behind, but thanks to Netflix and some more up to date friends, we are enjoying our nightly dates with Don Draper and company at Sterling Cooper.

Some of us enjoyed the snow more than others. Eating the snow, laying in the snow, making yellow snow. Good family fun.

I'm dunzo with the snow. I have my own winter layer courtesey of Ghiradhelli. A girl can only run on a treadmill so long.

Praying for temps above 32,

Frugal Friday

The holdiays are over and we're trying to get into the normal routine. I've been saying for weeks I need to get back into the drugstore game, but when I realized I was down to my very last razor, I knew I could put it off no longer. I think we can all agree the price of razors alone is motivation enough.

 I was brave and did two transactions in the lunch time crowd. I would be lying if I said I didn't get a little flustered (how dare the women in front of me ask questions while I'm trying to get my basket organized) but I think I came through with a W.

Transaction One:
1 Excedrin Extra Strength
1 Excedrin Migraine (came with a bonus 8 Excedrin PM)
2 Excedrin PM

Used:
1 Free Excedrin Extra Strength coupon
1 Free Excedrin Migraine coupon
(2) $2.50 of one Excedrin PM.

Paid: $4.37
Received $10 Extra Care Bucks (ECBs)

Transaction Two:
1 box of tampons
2 Revlon nail cutters

Used:
$1 off tampons
$10 ECBs from transaction one

Paid: $7.07
Received $10 ECBs

So all those products for $11.44 out of pocket for around $40 worth of products, I should never have a body pain or trouble sleeping for the next 9 months and I have $10 to use on next week's sale. Conveniently, razors are on sale and you get $5 ECBs when you purchase. Feels good to be on a roll again.

I met my better half for lunch right down the street at a restaurant we had a groupon for. We ended up paying $5 plus tip for a sit down meal. Would have been a total win had I ordered a salad rather than crab cakes and fries, but I don't recall perfection being the goal here.

In less frugal news, these came in this week, just in the nick of time for this weekend's long run! How have I not been running in pink shoes this whole time? It's hard for me to resist pink running clothes and if I'm not careful I'll soon look like I'm sponsored by Pepto Bismol.

Happy weekend!

Hitting the Streets

It's tradition. Each year, we train for and run Mercedes Half Marathon through the streets of the Magic City.

Training for this falls in step with some other traditions. Namely, eggnog, cookies, cream cheese based dips, casseroles and weather that looks like this.

All this to say, I can't decide if this is a great time to amp up the running routine, or the worst time of the year.

Nonetheless, no matter how cold or busy, I know how heartbroken I would be race weekend if we weren't running. (Heartbroken might be a strong word here, work with me.) So early in the morning, out the door we go. Tights and all.

I would be lying if I didn't say crossing off runs wasn't a big motivation. (Things we aren't fans of - first week of training, strength training and cross training. That's what New Year's resolutions are for, right?)

Maybe some day we will move past the Novice training. Today is not that day.

We are closing out week 7 and it's getting increasingly harder to get up and run out in the cold as the mileage increases. Not pictured: my hair paying the price of me running late this morning.

Five weeks to go. Updates to come.