The Downhill Slope

Sometimes after a long week in front of a computer,

and running errands

a Thursday night relaxing on the patio with your favorite guys gets you in the weekend mindset.

Everyone enjoyed themselves and their refreshments.

Some of us preferred enjoying the great outdoors from the comforts of air conditioning.

We are ready for a long and festive weekend. I even got in the spirit and moved away from my nude polish.

Happy 4th!! Be back soon with recipes and the Publix trip report.

Round 2

I hit up Walgreens last night to see how far I could stretch the Register Rewards I earned off Monday's transaction.


Southern Savers alerted me that Walgreens was having another sale on top of their weekly sale, and I got really lucky that charcoal was included, one of the more expensive items I needed for the weekend.

Here's what I got:

(1) 6.3 bag Kingsford Match Light - on sale for $3.99, used $1 off coupon

(1) Playtex Sport - $5.29 - used $1 off coupon

(1) Reach Floss - on sale for .99

(1) Crest toothpaste - on sale for .99

(1) Bounty paper towels - $2.99

Total:$13.53

RR: $10

Out of Pocket: $3.53

Saved: $16.10

Loving the drugstore game so far! I have a LONG way to go to figure out the system. Clearly the Register Rewards are key at Walgreens.

I'm trying my hand at Publix for the week's groceries today or tomorrow. Here's to shopping being a pleasure!

Good food and the game

Sunday was Matt's mom's birthday, so the whole family met for dinner last night to celebrate. This was a rare treat. Sister is a nurse, which means crazy hours, so we don't get to see her and her groom all too often.


We met at Red Robin. I heard a rumor they have bottomless steak fries, and I can confirm - it's true.

In order to not look like the crazy girl that takes a picture of every thing she eats event, I refrained from pics, but most of their food looks something like this.

I restrained myself just enough to order the Caprese Chicken sandwich, but I had to try the bottomless fries. This is why I'm not bottomless.

I've been researching the grocery game and the drug store game the past couple of weeks and with the help from a friend from work, finally got the nerve to try a transaction last night. She pointed me to a great website (or six), that is a WEALTH of information.

One of my favorite features is Thursdays, it lists all the coupons that will be in Sunday's paper, so you can see if you want to buy more than one paper. Another great tip - you can buy Sunday papers at the dollar store for, you guessed it, one buck. I saw there were a lot of good razor coupons this Sunday, and I'm fresh out. Seemed like fate. I bought two papers and tried my hand at Walgreens last night.

Here's how my deal went down.

Bought: (Razor and refills were on sale for 8.99, shaving cream for 1.99)

(1) Quattro Razor System or Catridges 4 pk

(1) Schick Intuition Plus Razor System or Catridges 3 pk

(2) Skintimate Shave Cream or Gel 6 or 7 oz

(2) Edge Shave Cream or Gel 6 or 7 oz

Used:

(1) -$4 off Schick Quattro Titanium Razor, Trimmer or Refill, SS 6/27

(1) -$4 off Schick Quattro for Women or Intuition Plus Razor or Refill, SS 6/27

(2) -.75/1 Skintimate Shave Gel or Cream Shave SS 6/27(2) -.75/1 Edge Shave Gel SS 6/27

Total Due: $14.94

Get Back: $10 RR, makes it 82¢ ea.

My total with tax was around $18, and I saved $22. I also got back $10 of register rewards to use on my next visit, perfect for the last few items that I need to pick up (have a coupon for those too!). So for $18 I got a razor, refills, 4 cans of shave gel, tampons, toothpaste and floss. I'm a dork, but it was a litte rush working the system. I think I can proceed with confidence!

I blinked...

And the weekend is over. We got a lot done this weekend, including some good R&R.

Sometimes, you just need to relax on the patio.

So that's what we did Friday evening. And it was relaxing, minus the part where Namath got his claw stuck in the rod iron chair. He was traumatized. Moving pedicure and bath to the top of the to do list for Grizz. This heat has him pretty...ripe.

Good thing Dad was there to soothe the beast. Not sure why everyone has crazy eyes.

Saturday we headed to Bed, Bath and Beyond to do a little registering. Matt did an excellent job scanning. I think 'beyond' refers to the towel section. Just this picture stresses me out a little. All the colors of the rainbow and I think we picked white.

Saturday night was the last party for Matt's sister before her big day. I forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures. The groom was thrilled they received more dishes. They got some adorable things for their new casa and we got to visit over beergartias. We had a great time and can't believe the wedding is in two weeks! We are so excited!

Sunday, we got to take my two nieces to the zoo. Matt loves the zoo, so we jumped at the opportunity to visit with the girls. It's so fun to hear their reactions to all the animals! Kate got bit by a goose a few visits ago, so she repeatedly asked that we "not go see the mean goose". Check.

Harper was not as excited as everyone else. We set her up with some juice and she was a perfect angel all afternoon.

Checking out the monkeys. Kate is a zoo regular and an excellent tour guide.

She loved ringing the train bell! The train ride was a highlight, because that meant snack time. Girls after my own heart.

This girl loves her Uncle "Mac".

And just like that, the weekend is over. Looking forward to a quick work week and a long holiday weekend!

Stirring up the menu

My brain is mush today. I'm not even sure I spelled stirring correctly, but I'm moving forward with this post regardless.





When we aren't eating family size pizzas or yogurt doused in brownies and cookie dough, we mostly try to eat healthy. Here's a little recipe that meets all my requirements and is a nice variation from steamed vegetables and baked chicken.

1. It's easy
2. It's fairly tasty
3. It has no more than 5 ingredients and doesnt require I braise anything. (Does anyone know what that means?)



I got this recipe from the Body for Life cookbook, and have modified it so that it fits the requirements above. Namely number 3.



I forgot to take pictures of the first couple steps, so use your imagination.





You will need:

• Chicken breast


• broccoli slaw (found in the produce section next to the bagged salad)


• stir fry vegetable mix


• napa cabbage


• whole wheat spaghetti noddles


• red pepper


• soy sauce


• sesame oil - this is KEY. I will never cook chinese without this again. It adds a great flavor to this recipe. I did not forget to photograph this, lest you not be able to find it on your trip to the grocery. We use Imperial Dragon brand. Rowwrrr.

I'm aware I have broken the five ingredient rule. Lucky for everyone, you can use all that greenery or not.

Cut your chicken into bite size pieces and marinate in some black pepper and soy sauce. Brown in the skillet. I start using my sesame oil here and drizzle a little on the chicken.

Start boiling water to cook your noodles. You will need to cook your noodles while you are preparing the vegetables.

When it's done, put the chicken on a plate and set it in the microwave to keep it warm.

Rinse your pan out, add some more sesame oil, and put in your vegetable stir fry, nappa cabbage and broccoli slaw. You can season with anything. I prefer the red pepper, maybe some garlic and more sesame oil. (This recipe might not be as healthy as I pretend.) I forgot the napa cabbage at the store and forgot the broccoli slaw that was in the fridge, so this is just the stir fry vegetables.

Once the noodles are done and the vegetables cooked, add your chicken back in and stir it back together. If you guessed add more seseme oil, you are correct. You don't have to add that much, but I love the flavor it gives, so I'm pretty generous.

Lastly, add your noodles, and let it all stir together. Add in any extra seasoning you feel like. I like a little kick, so I sprinkle in a little more red pepper.

This is one of Matt's favorite dinners, and it makes enough for leftovers. Win, win.

Have a great weekend!

It's not about the zero's...and other good lessons.

Last night we met our pastor for another counseling session. Armed with Diet Dr. Pepper, I was ready to chat about communication, finances and our hopes and dreams. Subjects I'm totally comfortable discussing with someone I've met twice. I also requested another session on personal finance, which should surprise no one.


A few highlights.

1. We were each asked to paint a picture of what a typical Saturday five years in the future looks like. Matt said he sees himself waking up, cooking breakfast for me and the kids. It is important that NO ONE FORGETS THIS. I would like a spinach and feta omelette, please.

2. Problems and issues are always there. It's part of human relationships. I think we both have a tendency to sweep things under the rug for various reasons. In reality, it truly only makes things worse. It doesn't make the problem go away. At all. And usually just ends in a bigger problem, a big fight and pints of ice cream.

3. We briefly talked a little about personal finance. I was so ready to bring my jump drive with excel budget sheets. I was told that wouldnt be necessary. Tear. Aren't most money issues really about the underlying emotion? Freedom, security, trust? We could add $1000 to our monthly income and its not going to change that we see and feel differently about how our finances are handled. We will probably be discussing this budget spreadsheet when we're 50, but the point is to discuss it. See point 2. I'm hoping our finance session will establish some principles we can agree to live by.

Because I hate a post with no pictures.

This guy has been a holy terror lately. But isn't his face sweet? I've padded my ego telling myself his bad behavior is linked to separation anxiety. Don't you think that's it?

Wordless Wednesday