Monday, May 31, 2021

This Week on the Dining Table

   The "Let the Summer Begin!" Edition.......

Our huge Rhododendron finally bloomed 3 days ago.  It's been so dry here is why it's delayed this year.  When I see that has bloomed I know Summer is here.

Onward to the meal planning!
Moving On-
This is what was planned.....
1. Sunday--Fend For Yourself
2. Monday--Beef Pie
3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry w/Veggies
4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Grilled Squash
5. Thursday--Mushroom Quiche, Salad
6.  Friday--Pizza?, Salad
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what really happened.......
1. Sunday--Fend For Yourself
2. Monday--Fend For Yourself
3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself
4. Wednesday--Beef Pie
5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Grilled Squash
6.  Friday--Fend For Yourself
7. Saturday--Leftover Beef Pie

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 4 nights of leftovers/planned overs or FFY and 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  I had digestive issues and knewe issues the beginning of the week so I either didn't eat or had canned soup and Hubs fended for himself.

What got put into the freezer last week....
*  1 package of bacon

What got taken out of the freezer and used...
* 4 breaded chicken patties
*  And whatever Hubs took out, I didn't care/look lolz

We spent a whopping $108.30 on food/toiletries/HBA last week at 5 different stores(lots of small totals).This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $357.33 for May.   

There are 0 shopping days left in May.

I've earned $172.68 on Ibotta in May.
I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in May.
I've earned $12.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in May.
I've earned 8,232 points from shopping on Fetch in May which equals $8.23
I've earned 15,950 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in May which equals $63.80.
I've earned 1,141 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in May which equals $11.41.
I've earned $18.87 in Target gift cards.
That's $185.18+ in rebates(not counting the ShopKick/Swag Bucks/Fetch/Target gift cards)on $357.33 in grocery spending.

My savings percentage for last week was 54.52%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for May and the monthly savings total for May comes in at  85.83%.(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week...nothing.

Here is this week's "food plan".....
1. Sunday--Mushroom Quiche
2. Monday--Dogs and Burgers, Pasta Salad
3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry w/Veggies
4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--More Leftovers or FFY
6.  Friday--Pizza?, Salad
7. Saturday--Leftovers

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu? Finally got the quiche made so once we are sick of eating it the rest goes into the freezer.
Still need salad fixings so there's that but otherwise it will be a no shopping week...maybe. ;-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy



Saturday, May 29, 2021

Frugal Friday....the May 28th Edition on Saturday

Here are the few frugal wins from this past week.......

*  We picked a contractor to renovate our main bathroom and he started this past week, 3 weeks earlier than expected.  I forgot to take before photos but here are some in process ones......

This has always been a dreary looking bathroom as it's on the North side of the house.

Tan everything with an oak vanity. bleh.


That's the bottom of part of the tub.


And one of the bathtub surround walls(on it's side)sitting in the hallway after removal.

Here's where the mirror/cabinet will go.  He had to enlarge the hole in the wall for it....


Here's the new vanity/sink sans faucet in the room but not installed yet....


The new tub in place.  We are still waiting on the tub surround to come in as the tub and walls have to be finished before he can do the floor.


Everything leaving is out and everything going in is here except the tub surround. The new floor will really help this all come together.  And he should be finished by next Friday, I can't wait!

The reason I am calling this reno frugal is because his bid was was less than the others.  He's a one man operation and doesn't have to pay a big crew and his quote included the cost of all the "appliances" while the other quotes were at least $2K MORE plus we had to pay for the sink/toilet/tub/mirror/lights/etc. too!  The only thing we'll need to do after it's finished is paint the walls in there.  If this goes well and we are pleased with the work we'll have him redo the powder room downstairs too.  At this point we aren't in a big hurry to get it done so a one man operation works for us plus Hubs can lend a hand if needed.

*  We finally had to ditch our deck swing.  It lasted a long time but rust and weather finally made it unusable.  We found a new one to replace it at Wayfair.


It came earlier in the week and we got it put together.  Nice and cheery color!

* I ordered from Rite-Aid online on Sunday.  They were offering $15 Bonus Cash when you spent $50 plus there were a $10 off code on an online order this week.


This came to $48.76 in Bonus Cash after discount code and digital coupons used and I earned $45 back in new BC.  Of course I made a few trips to local Rite-Aids to roll more BC this week and utilize that Spend $40/Get $10 off Coupon.


* Hubs and I went out for lunch at Applebee's this week.  Used a gift card to pay and I've still got a little left on it for half of a free lunch. lol

* I found money!

Two whole cents for the week.........

A penny at my Rite-Aid.

And another penny at the Clueless Rite-Aid. lol

And that's about it for this past week.  Except for working on getting ready for a Stockpile Sale, hopefully next weekend if the weather cooperates. ;-)


What frugal wins did y'all have lately?!


Sluggy

Friday, May 28, 2021

Changing it Up Today

 I'll get to Frugal Friday tomorrow(maybe).  I thought I'd changed things up by posting this Youtube video about the 10 Most Boring States to Visit instead.....

I've visited all but 2 of these states(no Kansas or Oklahoma, yet)and I tend to agree with most of what he says......except for when I saw friends in some of these states, that's what made them interesting.

Out of the states you've visited, which ones would you put on the Most Boring List and why?

Sluggy

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon or Something Like That

Yesterday a reader, Traveling Oltmans, left this comment on that 1960's frugal American housewife film I posted......

Traveling OltmansMay 26, 2021 at 1:10 PM

"Do you remember the old pledge polish commercials where the woman would glide through the living room, pledge and rag in one hand, wearing a chiffon dress ;). My favorite."

Well it made me giggle because the actress in those Pledge commercials from the mid 1960's was my mother's 1st cousin, Donna. That makes her my 1st cousin 1 x removed. 8-))


Sluggy

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Monday, May 24, 2021

This Week on the Dining Table

  The "Will I Ever Learn?....Maybe Not!" Edition.......



I LOLed at this when I saw it on Facebook.  I guess I'd still be a dumbass if it's true. ;-)


Onward to the meal planning!
Moving On-
This is what was planned.....
1. Sunday--Chinese take-out
2. Monday--Fend For Yourself or Leftover Chinese
3. Tuesday--Take-out(working the polls all day/night)
4. Wednesday--Cheeseburgers, Squash
5. Thursday--Caesar Salad w/Grilled Chicken
6.  Friday--Salmon, Veggie TBD
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what really happened.......
1. Sunday--Chinese take-out
2. Monday--Fend For Yourself or Leftover Chinese
3. Tuesday--Take-out Salad(working the polls all day/night)
4. Wednesday--Salmon, leftover Green Beans, Garlic Bread
5. Thursday--BBQ Chicken Thighs, Creamed Spinach, Baked Tater(Hubs)
6.  Friday--No Dinner for me/Hubs leftovers
7. Saturday--Cheeseburgers

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 2 nights of leftovers/planned overs or FFY and 2 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.  More Take-Out than I like to have but "election working happened" so it was not eat all day or get Take-Out.
Didn't cook the squash so that moves to this week.  No Romaine lettuce so that meal didn't happen either but I bought salmon and chicken thighs so that happened instead.

What got put into the freezer last week....
*  3 packs of sausage strips
*  2 packs of chicken thighs
*  1 bag of veggie mix
*  1 box of popsicles
*  1 piece of salmon

What got taken out of the freezer and used...
*  I piece of salmon
* 1 pack of chicken thighs
* 1 box of creamed spinach
* 4 burger patties

We spent a whopping $116.86 on food/toiletries/HBA last week at Weis($47.61)and Walmart($69.25).  I forgot to use a free gift card to pay some of the Walmart bill. sigh This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $269.54 for May so far.   

There are 6 shopping days left in May.

I've earned $114.43 on Ibotta in May.
I've earned $0.00 on Checkout51 in May.
I've earned $1.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in May.
I've earned 8,063 points from shopping on Fetch in May which equals $8.06
I've earned 15,950 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in May which equals $63.80.
I've earned 1,241 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in May which equals $12.41.
I've earned $18.87 in Target gift cards.
That's $115.93+ in rebates(not counting the ShopKick/Swag Bucks/Fetch/Target gift cards)on $269.54 in grocery spending so far.

My savings percentage for last week was 37.10%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for April and the monthly savings total for April comes in at  54.50%.(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week...1 cheeseburger, 2 chicken thighs.

Here is this week's "food plan".....
1. Sunday--Fend For Yourself
2. Monday--Beef Pie
3. Tuesday--Teriyaki Pork Stir-Fry w/Veggies
4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Grilled Squash
5. Thursday--Mushroom Quiche, Salad
6.  Friday--Pizza?, Salad
7. Saturday--Leftovers

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I had a leftover pack of mushroom I didn't need for the Stroganoff so I'll make 2 quiches this week and freeze one.  The only thing I "need" is salad greens.  That doesn't mean I won't buy anything else however. lol  I am working on a $10 Ibotta bonus after all and I have 18 offers to finish before the end of May.  I do as many offers as I can at Rite-Aid(which will be Zero dollars and the rest I'll pick and choose what is needed and/or cheap after rebate at Weiss(PMITA)Markets and/or Walmart. 8-)

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy



Sunday, May 23, 2021

The 3 Amigos Hit the Road-Part Two

 Part One can be found HERE.

Last time we left off we were headed North up to the Rehobeth DE area to hit yet another outlet mall.  Talbot's was a bust, the kitchen store was gone(done in by COVID)but I did manage to pick up some Converse sneakers for Hubs at the Rack Room Shoes store.  We also hit the Skechers store and Sissie found a pair of comfy slip-ons.  I found a pair of tie-dyed sneakers but alas! they don't come in wide widths. 8-(

Then we hit "my" store, Vera Bradley.  I love color, especially purple and I love a deep discount so I dove in.  


I found a purse, a wallet, a matching travel pill case, a lavender mask and a matching small zippered case(which will become my next coupon envelope when my current one wears out.  Don't ask me how much this all cost because Kim and Sissie wouldn't let me pay for any of it!  They called it my Christmas presents.  They are so kind to this old slug. 8-)))

Then it was off to lunch at Applebee's across the road for Oriental Chicken Salads.  Yum!

We also hit Ollie's(Good Stuff Cheap!)on the way back to the beach house.  The only thing I bought were 3 books but Sissie found her kitchen rugs she wanted badly to replace her current ones.  Note to self-never buy light color scatter rugs to use in a kitchen. ;-)

As we left to go back to the car Kim practically RAN across the parking lot to the Dunkin' Donuts and Mickey D's drive thrus to find change, so desperate to beat me in the hunt for loose change.  She dug a penny out of gooey hot tar in the DD's parking lot. lolz

Then it was back to the beach house for a little more Diet Cokes, Chardonnay and Iced Tea and fun and games.


Don't even ask what's going on here! lolz
We slept, packed up the next morning and lugged everything into the car.  I am shocked Sissie got all our crap into the car especially with all the shopping purchases.  She's a Master Tetris Packer!


Here's a bad selfie on me chugging the last of a jug of tea so we didn't have to wedge that into an already packed car. lol

We set off after clearing the premise of "Kim droppings"(aka Diet Coke cans) and dumping our garbage at the place you go to dump garbage there.  We stopped at a diner before leaving the Eastern Shore for lunch.  Not as relaxing a meal as I'd hope due to a fraud alert on Sissie's account and her dealing with that but we all survived the crisis.  I called a Beloved Blogging Buddy on the rest of the ride back to D.C. and we had some laughs with her too.
We hit the beginning of rush hour around the Capital Beltway but not too bad and made it back to Sissie's house in good time.
My BUD was waiting for me.......


This is one of Sissie's cats called "Bud".  He is quite social unlike most cats.  The first time I was at her house while I was sitting in the chair pictured behind him, Bud jumped up on my chest purring away.  Let me say for the record I am NOT a cat person but Bud is different.  Every time I sat in that chair he's climb up on the footstool and demand pets and attention from me.  We had a ritual going by the time I left for home of head butting/rubbing with each other.

Let me also state for the record that I am an idiot who never learns.  That footstool is huge and a heavy substantial piece of furniture.  Every time I got up from that chair I'd bang my shin into that stool and never learned not to do that.  By the time I got home my right leg looked like this....


Stupid stupid slug!  It's disappeared now and it didn't hurt so there is that.

Back to the hjinx...
Sissie's hubby made us dinner the night we got back, his famous Italian Wedding Soup served with Popovers that Kim/Sissie whipped up.  Yummy!  And if hubby is reading this tell him again that NO his soup was NOT too salty and it was fab! ;-)

We sat around and talked, watched a little Jeopardy(well at least I did lol)and watched the Kim droppings accumulate....


I call this art installation "Diet Coke cans on garbage can lid".
She can get them to the can but lifting the lid is evidently too much work. hehehe
So Kim's cans(note I didn't say Kim's Can which is a whole other story)became the running joke.

At one point she was in the downstairs powder room and Sissie's hubby snuck over to the door and opened it enough to lob an empty DC can in there at her. lolz
Later Kim made her own art installation on Sissie's entryway table I called "Diet Coke Can Still Life"......


Kim also left an empty Diet Coke can in Sissie's car on the driveres seat at one point before I left.  I don't know what DC trouble they got into after I left but I'm sure there was more silliness. 

On Tuesday after Sissie finished work she took us out to lunch(after we finally roused Kim out of bed)at a place she likes to hang out at near her house.  We sat at the bar(yes I was barely able to climb on that high bar stool)and had lunch as we kibbutzed with the regulars that were there.
Upon leaving I noticed the planters with pretty geraniums in them.  A closer look and I saw signs in the planters........


Notice the cigarette butts tucked under the sign. lol
Kim arranged this cig(almost a full one!)so it was prominent.


What is D.C. coming to with this blatant display of not following rules?!?!
Oh yah, it's Washington....*snort*

Then Kim made a beeline for the Dunkin' Donuts next door as she'd only had 1 pastry so far the whole trip!  Oh the agony.........

Instead of then going back to Sissie's we were off on another shopping trip.  yay.
This was an outlet mall not 15 minutes from her house! 

This photo is of one of the many entrances and this stretch went on and on and on.  Notice the escalators on the right side as well.  There was a lower level we never even got to!
Frick and Frack made a beeline to the Talbot's outlet(of course).  I hobbled along behind them.
I found a few things to try on including this burgundy tunic/sweater top.........

And again Sissie wouldn't let me pay for it even though it was a great clearance price.  I passed on the white top I was considering because the discount wasn't high enough.
I also spied this dress for 60% off on the rack that might have worked for my son's wedding in February.........


Of course it looked hideous on me(didn't fit right and I didn't want to have to alter it myself)and if I HAD worn it to his wedding all the bride's family would have gotten the impression that the groom's mother was the Madam in a Shanghai Opium Den(just needed a black wig).lolz  So I passed on that dress.

This was by far the longest Talbot's shop so you get another photo of me waiting......


Finally we were done with Talbot's and it was onward to the Ugg's outlet to look for boots for a missionary Kim and Joel are helping to outfit for her mission.  After listening to Kim complain about the prices(lol)she got her boots and we wandered across the mall to the Coach Outlet Store.

I am a Coach Store virgin, but no more.  I felt the need for an oxygen mask when I walked in because of the rarified air in such a pricey store. ;-)
The store was all decked for Mother's Day gifting as that was the coming Sunday.  I liked some of the bags and tried to get Sissie to buy me one. hahahah
I did find this one 75% off.....


They also had it in teal(another color I like)but it was too small for me and it was $73+tax.  Dang, I could get two bags for that at the Vera outlet. lol
I almost pulled the trigger on this wristlet/wallet though........


It seemed to perfect "Anti-Coach" item.....their tradmark fabric/leather with hot pink lips embroidered randomly on it.  It was fun and snarky and 75% off but still I just couldn't do it for $68+tax.  The photo I took is enough for me. 8-)))

After leaving Coach we walked back toward the entrance..........


I saw this neglected landscaping area with nice rocks, nice for painting and thought for a moment of putting one in my purse to take to Lorraine the next time I saw her.
But I didn't swipe a rock because the thought of spending time in jail in MD was more unappealing.

Of course the slug who wouldn't spend big money on a purse or wallet wandered into the Bath and Body Works outlet and came out with all this......

6 tubes/bottles of shower gel/body wash.  They were having a B3G3 sale. lolz
Back into the mall and Kim had disappeared into the Ann Taylor outlet looking for clothing for her missionary gal and Sissie was sitting at a table enjoying the day.
Of all the shopping jaunts this one will forever be referred to as "The Bataan Death March of Shopping". ;-)

After leaving the outlet we hit the Mickey D's for Diet Cokes and I got my Free McFlurry on my app too....


Back to Sissie's for dinner(Taco Tuesday!)and I enjoy my McFlurry for dessert and watched the season finale of "Finding Your Roots".   A few more head buts with this guy........



....then it was off to bed a few hours after that.

When Sissie got home from work around 11am she was beat and wanted to take a nap after a night of insomnia so she gave Kim her car keys and told us to go off somewhere.  More shopping.  go me.

We didn't go far and we only went to one store-Home Goods.  We don't have one here so it was a fun experience.


Well it was fun after this fish tried to eat my arm.  I know this shot would have been funnier if the fish pot was on the floor and I had my head in it but it was too heavy to move so this lame shot will have to do.
I spent most of my time in there leaning on a cart and shopping the clearance section.....of course, right?  I found a few things, mostly some gifts and a new dish mat for the kitchen.
These signs were funny too.  This one describes Sissie......


And this one would fit a lot of folks..........


Then it was home to Sissie's but first another stop at Mickey D's for Kim's addition.  We parked and went inside since the drive thru was backed way up.  I ordered my Iced Tea and turned to Kim and she had disappeared!  I assumed she had gone into the rest room and I KNEW what she wanted so I ordered her DC for her and paid for both drinks.  It took awhile to get them and as I picked them up from the counter Kim comes flying into the building.
That RAT had left and gone to the drive thru window, dodging cars, and used the ruse that her sister had dropped her bracelet in the drive-thru lane there so she was looking for it.  All the while you know she was looking for dropped change in order to catch up with me and beat my total.
I resisted the urge to throw her drink, which I had just paid for, while she had double crossed me and ran around the building to look for change!  Cheater?  You be the judge.....
She may be a ruthless rat when it comes to the Money Game but I still loves her. 8-)

I had to take a photo of this though Sissie will kill me.


This is the toilet roll holder in the bathroom I used.  You can tell Sissie has cats just seeing this, right? lololz

Another excellent meal that night and more laughs and chatting and it was off to bed again.  I had to pack up and haul everything into my car including Sissie's Balls.......


She had a spare pair for me as a parting gift. lolz
We said our goodbyes and hugged hard and took a final photo.......


As payback I only got 3/4 of Kim's face in this photo.  Ha!

I hit the road for home making a couple of stops and getting home a bit late due to hitting Harrisburg PA rush hour traffic and construction but it wasn't too bad.
Kim flew home 2 days later and I don't even want to think about the trouble those two got into by themselves! 8-)))

And thus ended my little trip South for fun and giggles with my sisters from another mother.

Sluggy






Saturday, May 22, 2021

Too Tired & What the Shat?!

I'm too tired to finish that 3 Amigos post....maybe Sunday?

I am way behind on emails too.  How does stuff pile up so fast as I age?!?

I got out of my car Thursday and saw this pitiful sight on my passenger window....


Good Queen Bess has had some real sorrows lately but must these ex-colony avians shit upon her too?
Really, it's just the last straw!

Going to go hose off the Queen now........

Sluggy

Friday, May 21, 2021

Frugal Friday-the May 21st Edition

 A few things qualified for frugal this past week...............

*  I did some Rite-Aid transactions this past week but I haven't photographed any of them.  7 transactions were I spent $182.99(including tax)of Bonus Cash and earned back $155.00 in new BC so I spent down the BC by $27.99.  But this doesn't include the $8.60 in Ibotta rebates earned at R-A last week, and the 296 Fetch points earned as well.

*  I found money!

The only places I went this past week was 1 trip to Weis(PMITA)Markets and a few trips to my Rite-Aid.  I didn't write down what penny or pennies were found on which date but these were all found at Rite-Aid.

Found Change This Week... .06¢
Found Change This Year...$3.78

*  I found this item on sale at Weis(PMITA)Markets this past week...

Johnsonville Sausage Strips-looks like bacon and it IS still pork.
They were on sale for $4.99 per package and had $2 off Weis peelie Qs on them so $2.99.
Plus there was a tearpad of Qs next to the meat case for $1/1 from the manufacturer so I paid $1.99 each for 3 packages.  Has anyone tried these yet?  Let me know what you think.....
I also found BOGO Perdue thighs with $2 Weis peelies on them and Coho Salmon for $5.99 lb.  Nice!

*  Hubs and I worked the election polls.  I tell ya it sure is a loooong day and we get paid pennies but I feel like I perform an important job(my civic duty as it were)doing this.....even though the country's all going to hell in a handbasket no matter what, because well, "bread and circuses" as the Romans said.
Me, cynical?!?  Nah.  ;-)

That's about it from here this week.  Didn't go anywhere otherwise and I'm still trying to rest my knee after the Bataan Death March of Shopping. lolz




Tell me about your exciting Frugal Week!  I bet it' better than mine.

Sluggy


Thursday, May 20, 2021

The 3 Amigos Hit the Road-Part One

 Not very far South really.  Just down to Maryland with a short jaunt to the Eastern Shore or DELMARVA Peninsula-Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

I drove to Sissie's house Thursday afternoon and after chatting awhile we headed out to the airport to pick-up Kim.  Of course being D.C. there was no parking near the arrivals area so we ended up calling Kim's cell to find out she couldn't find which door to come out. lol We finally got her and no airport police tickets and headed back to Sissie's with a stop at Mickey D's for a "you know what" for Kim. ;-)

We had a grand dinner ala Sissie that evening and stayed up way too late after Sissie went to bed talking with her Hubs.  He is so funny and tells the best stories!

Then we were off at the crack of 11am I think on Friday headed to the Eastern Shore.  Just over the bridge was an outlet mall with a Talbot's so of course Sissie and Kim had to stop!  All their sweaters were $15 there and they had quite a nice selection of women's plus size ones so I picked this one up.....


I don't like/wear sweaters much except for cardigans in the Winter which I wear in the house if it's cold and I liked the colors of this one.  I also bought a necklace........

Not a very good picture but it was a two length chain with seashells on it.  Having grown up by the ocean I had to have it on clearance and it will remind me of this trip every time I wear it.
I was done in 5 minutes so I have lots of photos of me like this waiting in a chair for them to finish. lolz



Then we hit the Adiddas store at that mall and I actually found a pair of wide width sneakers in my size!
And look at that color......

LAVENDER!!!  They were meant for me. 8-)))

The change finding race began before we left Sissie's house when she put a box of chocolate and a quarter on my bed making Kim livid. lol  After the outlet mall we stopped at Aldi's for provisions and I found that cart quarter and Kim was seeing red as I was up .50¢ already.

After Aldi's we stopped at what use to be one of Sissie's favorite restaurants but sadly Covid had put them out of business but a new bar/restaurant was there now so we had dinner at the Oaked 110 Whiskey and Wine Bar.  Friday night was 2 for 1 Margaritas so I threw caution to the wind and ordered 2 margaritas with my crab cake dinner.  By the time I was halfway through the second drink I couldn't feel my legs. lol  Boy, were those drinks strong and I'm a lightweight!


Photo stolen from Kim.  I don't know...Kim looks happier than me here...maybe she snuck a sip of my margarita when  wasn't looking. lol  There was live entertainment, a guy with a guitar and a guy playing the harmonica..........


The food was great but it was a tad noisy.  The waitresses had fun shirts on.  Here is our waitresses shirt....


Another one said, "Whiskey Wednesday, Taco Tuesday but better". lolz


I can't even remember if I finished that second margarita but Kim did suck down a few Diet PEPSI!  Oh the horror as they didn't serve Coke. lol  So we got to the beach house before dark and loaded our stuff in, chatted a while and fell into bed.  There were gale force winds that night along the shore which was exciting, not!  Those winds messed with the plumbing pipes/stack vent pipe and we had a couple of "issues" and I ended up breaking a plunger.  Go me!

So we headed out to see Chincoteague Island on Saturday. 

I bought this pony Xmas ornament when we caught up with Sissie at the wine and cheese shop.  They had a little gift shop tucked in the side too.  Most shops didn't allow you to snap photos inside their shops so no fun pictures of tchotchkes we saw.

We got a nice shot of the 3 Amigos in front of the Pony Statue with the help of a friendly stranger.....


When Sissie went off on her own Kim and I headed to the inlet side where there's a small park with oversized Adirondack chairs for photo opps.

That's Kim in the "E" chair before a large group drove her off so they could monopolize the chairs for 20 minutes because they had a baby in the group so everyone had to take a turn holding said baby with them all in the chairs.  This group was loud and aggressive.....

After we were "allowed" back to the chairs Kim posed thusly.....

 

Then we got a photo with both of us thanks to another friendly stranger....


I had trouble getting on the platform, forget about climbing in that chair without a foot stool.lolz


And I had to post the first photo that lady took because Kim's hair was in her face. teehee


Saw this funny bottle of rum too.

Found a hardware store on Chincoteague so I could buy a plunger for the beach house to replace the one I broke the other night.  Then it was on to a diner for lunch, Maria's Diner, then a couple more gift shops before heading off the island......


That's Chincoteague Bay above.
We drove by the  NASA Wallops Island facility but the Visitor's Center was closed........


And back to the beach house which is located in a resort community across the Chincoteague Bay from the Island.   

We just ate whatever for dinner and I noticed the "Kim Droppings" seemed to be accumulating.........



I sat out on the screened in porch that afternoon and it was lovely.  Many of the houses were on canals cut into the creek for water acccess onto the bay. 


I did have a surprise when I sat down out there though.......


A nail!  It was already bent and I didn't do that when I sat on it. lol  I bet Kim put it there to get back at me for still being ahead in finding change this trip.

The next morning we went into "town" nearby looking for a grocery store and ended up riding through this teeny tiny town 4 times and thoroughly saw everything there was to see(mostly just some houses, a pier and a seafood shack plus a fire hall).  Stopped at the fire hall as folks were setting up for someone's retirement party to ask about the closest store and were told it was at "T's Corner".  Sissie could have sworn there was a store in this microscopic town.  Nope.

I recognized the words T's Corner as a place somewhere along Route 13 on my many trips down the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach but had no clue how far it was from where we were.  The town is Oak Hall VA by the way as we soon found out after a 20 minute ride there.

The next thing I know Sissie decides we should hit another outlet mall so we drove North to outside Rehobeth Delaware as they have THREE Tanger Outlets there.  More shopping. yay.

It wasn't a bad drive as we took the back roads and stayed off Rte.13 and coastal Rte.1 in Delaware until we hit Bethany Beach DE.  Being Sunday most of the weekend traffic was heading opposite from us so that was great.

Part Two coming on Saturday......


Sluggy