Moving is Hard!

I'm not talking about the actual physical labor part of it(well, that's HARD too!)but all the emotions and such it brings out.

We've been here 22 years as of this week.  We raised kids here and now are empty nester here.  I've got a few friends here(not many)but Hubs never made an effort to find friends here.  He had co-worker/friends whom he hasn't made an effort in the last 5 years since he retired to hang out or even stay in contact with.

Side Note-When we moved here our kids were 9, 7+ and 4+.  He promised me he'd find someone to babysit so we could have time out alone.  22 years later I am still waiting him to fulfill that promise. 8-(

Anyway as I go through the detritus of our lives(and the crap the kids left here when they grew up and moved out)I am feeling all kinds of emotions.  I go from smiling at memories to full on crying jags.  Sorting out the stuff of 22 years of living is hard.  Saying goodbye to and trying to find good homes for cast-offs still with life in them is hard.(Hubs says just throw it away but I find that very difficult.)  

From one moment to the next I don't know what emotion will come bubbling up from my soul.  Sadness at closing out a chapter of my life means that many less days left in my journey toward death.  Dealing with medical shit and having to find new doctors is the biggest PITA right now.  Some days it's gut wrenching and some days it's "ok". Going into the unknown is scary!  Moving to a place so different from where I've lived is scary, even if I've been there many times and I have a grown kid living there.

Sunday is Hubs and mine 40th Wedding Anniversary.  You know what we're doing to celebrate this  achievement?  We are getting a dumpster delivered to fill up. 

Good times.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "New To Me Food" Edition....

Growing up my mother was a dyed in the wool old fashioned Southern cook and my father had a very narrow repertory of foods he would eat which limited what appeared on our dinner table.
Sissie introduced me to artichokes last week for dinner.  It didn't knock my socks off but it was tasty(sort of tasted like asparagus).  Seems like a lot of work though(much like picking crabs).

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Cheese burgers, Steak Fries

2. Monday--?

3. Tuesday--?

4. Wednesday--?

5. Thursday--?

6.  Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Cheese burgers, Steak Fries

2. Monday--Pork Tenderloin w/Provolone Sandwich

3. Tuesday--Steak, Artichokes

4. Wednesday--Chicken w/Teriyaki, Eggrolls, Sushi

5. Thursday--Must-Go Dinner(Fish leftovers from lunch, Egg Roll leftovers)

6.  Friday--Fend for Yourself(I had an Arby's Classic Roast Beef-no cheese)

7. Saturday--Swedish Meatballs Sissie made, Salad and leftovers

Basically my plan was whatever Sissie wanted to make until I left her house and Hubs plan was all those leftovers I had for him.  Plan success!

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  Nothing

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

* 7 lbs. of butter I took to Sissie

                                                   

Hubs spent $3.59 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Weis.(a bag of salad and a cucumber)

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $26.71 for August.  

There are 9 shopping days left in August.

I've earned $39.78 on Ibotta in August(mostly at R-A).

I've earned $3.15 on Checkout51 in August.

I've earned $0 on Coupons dotcom in August.

I've earned 1,000 points from shopping on Fetch in August.

I earned 200 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in August.

I've earned $0 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in August.

That's $42.93 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $26.71 in grocery spending so in reality it's -$23.78 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 12.86%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 49.74% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....spaghetti and sausage and homemade pickles.

Hubs ate most of the leftovers/planned overs so I've got a full week of cooking ahead.  You know that thrills me beyond words! *snort*

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Beef Pie

2. Monday--Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Harvard Beets

3. Tuesday--Fish, Collards

4. Wednesday--Mac and Cheese, ?

5. Thursday--Pecan Chicken, Veggie TBD

6.  Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Take-Out

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  I need milk.  That's about all I can think of at the moment.  I hope to empty the garage fridge by the end of this week and send it bye bye.

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 deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy 

Frugal Friday.....the August 19th Edition on Saturday

Sorry this post is a day late but I was traveling on Friday and didn't get a chance to finish this post in time.

Here's what went on this past week at Chez Sluggy........

*  Another load went to Salvation Army while I was gone to Sissie's house.

*  I made one stop at a Rite-Aid last week going down to see Sissie to spend down more Bonus Cash.  One account/card is almost empty now. rah!

*  I went to visit Sissie before we leave for Louisiana.

She always pampers me so and I needed a small getaway from home and the chaos there.  Really didn't do much as in spend money or go on lots of outings, other than having lunch out two afternoons.  Every morning I woke up to an iced tea from McDonald's too as she gets up so early and I am a slug by comparison.

*  I left Hubs with lots of leftovers for while I was away so he didn't have to buy groceries and cook or get take-out.

*  Trying to use up all my R-A bonus cash.  Most of what I've gotten there lately has gone to the food bank but I'll spend the rest down by buying some needs.

*  I took some little presents down with me for Sissie, her Hubs and Kim so I don't have to move them.  I also took her down 6 lbs. of butter from my freezer that I can't take with us to LA.  I know she could use that!

*  And speaking of butter....Sissie sent a lot of time while I was there baking for her seniors and such that she does for.  She sent me home with a variety of cookies and baklavas for Hubs as well.

*  I filled my gas tank up before I crossed over back into PA at the station I always stop at when going to Sissie's house.  That's .40¢ per gallon saved vs. the cheapest price here!

*  I found money this past week!                  

I found this at the Mickey D's drive-thru down near Sissie's house on Monday......

Then I found this dime on Sissie's kitchen floor on Tuesday......

She put it there for me to find since she hadn't put any change on my bed to find this time. lol

Total Found in last Week.... .36¢
Total Found This Year.....$14.60

*  While I was resting up down at Sissie's house I made a big honking updated To-Do List.  Things were weighing on my mind and I couldn't fully relax but making this list helped me get it all off my mind at least temporarily.

That's about all I've got for this past week.  

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

And have a good weekend!  And stay cool.

Sluggy  

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Ya Don't See That Everyday" Edition....

I will have lived here 22 years later this month and I have never seen an actual train going down the tracks at this road intersection. I thought these were abandoned tracks.  It only took almost 22 years to see this here!

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Teriyaki Salmon, Steamed Broccoli

2. Monday--Leftover Lasagna or canned soup or Greek Salad

3. Tuesday--Breakfast for Dinner

4. Wednesday--Subs

5. Thursday--homemade Flatbread Pizza, homemade Pickles

6.  Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Teriyaki Salmon, Steamed Broccoli

2. Monday--Hubs White Chicken Chili, me canned soup

3. Tuesday--Breakfast for Dinner

4. Wednesday--Fend For Yourself(I had pickles and olives)

5. Thursday--Subs

6.  Friday--BBQ Pork Loin, Grilled Corn

7. Saturday--Spaghetti w/Sauce, Chicken Meatballs, Sausage

The plan was on plan until Thursday when Hubs didn't want pizza(I about fainted!lol)so we got Subway.  Friday and Saturday I pulled randomly out of the chest freezer to make meals.  I used the second half of that French bread loaf from the week before to make more French Toast for Tuesday's dinner.

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  Nothing

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

*  Chicken Meatballs

*  Italian Sausage

*  Pork Loin

*  Salmon

*  bag o' Broccoli

*  Chicken Breasts

*  pack of Bacon

*  Ice Cream

                                                   

I spent $3.19 on food/toiletries/HBA this last week at Weis.

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $23.12 for August.  

There are 16 shopping days left in August.

I've earned $35.78 on Ibotta in August(mostly at R-A).

I've earned $3.15 on Checkout51 in August.

I've earned $0 on Coupons dotcom in August.

I've earned 910 points from shopping on Fetch in August.

I earned 200 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in August.

I've earned $0 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in August.

That's $38.93 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $23.12 in grocery spending so in reality it's -$15.81 spent after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 0% as the vinegar was NOT on sale*shock, horror* (without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)and the monthly savings total for August comes in at 52.84% so far(w/out R-A).  

Leftovers going into this week....half of a big lasagna, Pork Loin, Corn, White Chicken Chili Spaghetti and balls/sausage and homemade pickles. 

Lots of leftovers.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Cheese burgers, Steak Fries

2. Monday--?

3. Tuesday--?

4. Wednesday--?

5. Thursday--?

6.  Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

I am going to visit Sissie this week so am glad for lots of leftovers for Hubs so he doesn't need to cook unless he wants to.  There are fresh tomatoes out of the garden as well as salad fixings here too and some canned veggies left.

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Nothing at all unless Hubs wants something not here in the house and goes to get it but then HE is fixing it! ;-)

I am mentally going through the freezer contents in my head and planning possible meals--liver and onions w/mashed taters, beef pie, hot dogs(lots of hot dogs!), beef stew, pecan chicken, mac and cheese, those flatbread pizzas, Harvard beets, stroganoff, bacon and something, etc.

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 deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy 

Too Busy!

We are on the countdown to the move.  More stuff gone through and packed, trashed or going to charity.
I'm heading to visit with Sissie tomorrow.  Hubs will press on here while I am gone.  We cleared the top of the shelving in the garage this morning and Hubs car is loaded up with donations to go to Sallie's and we've got a big load for trash pick-up Tuesday morning.

It's coming together but slowly.  I hope this short break at Sissie's reinvigorates me to plow ahead when I get back.  At least the weather the last few days has been cooler and the humidity has broken.

I probably won't be posting much in the coming weeks, understandably I'll be otherwise occupied. ;-)

Sluggy