Thanksgiving in the Carolinas

...

Awesome Shopping Day

We had a great day of saving and stocking up on stuff.

First stop BJ's. I love BJs mainly because I can stock up on things we frequently use and they honor both manufacture coupons, plus their monthly flyer coupons, plus their weekly flyer coupons. In addition, our local one is great with "rainchecking" when they are out of stock (even though they do not have to since they say while supplies last).

Today:

• 2.13 lb (~61 4 oz. bottles)-$28.99
• Cascade Action Pacs (105 pks-approx. 6 month supply)-$19.99 - (Weekly coupon $2.00 off)- (Monthly coupon $2.50) = $15.49 (Savings: $4.50)
• Tide Coldwater 170 oz (approx. 6 month supply)- $19.99 - (Manufacturer Coupon $3.00) = $16.99 (Savings: $ 3.00)
• Oxi Clean (2 32oz. spray bottles-which is about 1 year supply)- 7.99 - (Weekly Coupon $2.00) = $5.99 (Savings $2.00)
• Total Saved: $9.50

Next stop: Walmart

I am picky about where our fruits, veggies and meats come from, but most other groceries I get from Walmart since the price is right. Almost all of our fruits and vegetables come from either Publix or Winn Dixie (unless I am going to use the produce within 24 hours and then I will pick it from Walmart). Almost all meats come from Winn Dixie and we stock during their BOGO or sales. 

Today:

• 2 Gerber Fruit/Veggie Melts @ 2.38/each (Gerber Coupon $0.65) (Savings  $0.65) 
• 2 Gerber Toddler Juice @ 2.04/each (Gerber Coupon $0.55) (Savings $0.55)
• Tag Junior Scout- Reg. $29.99 (Target price match for $14.99)- ($5.00 Coupon on Cars 2 Book) (Savings $20.00)
• Tag Jr Cars 2 Book- Reg. $10.99 (Target price match for $5.49) (Savings $ 5.50)
• Total Saved: $26.70

Target: 

Since we got B the Tag Jr., we decided to pick up a few more books for the road trip this week...

Today:

• Command Hooks- $5.99- (Manufacturer Coupon $0.50) (Savings: $0.50)
• Paul Frank Hoodie (for B in Michigan and cool days here; but also 1 size larger for long use)- orig. $29.99 (Clearance $10.48) (Savings $19.51)
• Leapfrog Tag Junior-Sesame Street Monster Faces- $10.99 (on Sale $5.49) (Savings $5.50)
• Leapfrog Tag Junior-Disney Cars Shapes All Around- $10.99 (on Sale $5.49) (Savings $5.50)
• Leapfrog Tag Junior-Thomas & Friends Best Friends- $10.99 (on Sale $5.49) (Savings $5.50)
• Total  Savings: $36.51

Overall  Savings: $72.71 (not including weekly food shopping savings since we are away majority of the week)

14 months...

* Quick update *

24.6 lbs and approx. 30 inches

Size 4 diapers

Clothing size anywhere from 9-12 months on most stuff

Walking, Babbling and unkid-proofing the house daily

Stacking blocks, throwing toys & balls and yelling at the dogs

Watches & Loves the Disney Channel, especially Chuggington, Little Einsteins, Jake & the NeverEnding Pirates, Good Luck Charlie (his 1st star crush is Charlie-when she talks)...

Knows many words: yes, no, bye-bye, baby, up, go, nose, belly, Brantley, bottle, dinner, bathtime, puppy, Lucky

Says: yes, no, bye-bye, baby, dada, mama,  baba, hey and lots of other babbles we have yet to decode

Signs: hungry, yes, no (that we know of)

Understands Spanish: Mira, Si, Que Paso? (that we know of...which means probably more we are unaware of)

Knows how to: sit on the potty (although no where near potty-trained), put his toys away, clap, pull on door knobs to open them, close doors, open cabinets, turn the TV on, play on the computer, baby dance..list goes on

Holiday Travel..here, there and everywhere...oh my!

So I guess it is now official. We have yet another hectic holiday season (someday, I hope to not celebrate a wedding during Christmas-NewYear's). This Wednesday we are off to Myrtle for Thanksgiving along with my Aunt, Uncle & cousin from FL. It will be a large gathering with my Mom, Leo, us 3, them 3 and Ellen flying in from NY. I'm looking forward to a quiet, relaxing long weekend with them all. Then it's back home on Sunday in time for league, followed by exactly 2 more weeks of classes for me (this term has flown by...somewhat bittersweet, somewhat thankful)-so I am done the 9th-yippee! Then the schedule gets hectic...

Nov. 23- Caravan with The S's to Myrtle
Nov. 27- Return to Casa
Nov. 29-Dec. 9- K teaches
Dec. 14 K's Birthday
Dec. 19-Roadtrip to Myrtle
Dec. 26-Roadtrip to Pcola
Dec. 28-Fly to Detroit (wedding on Friday)
Jan 1-Fly back to Pcola
Jan 1-? Pcola?

The length of the stay in Pcola is dependent on many factors, but may also include some other day trips or visits. I am not saying anything concrete, but we definitely need to be back for league on the 8th...however, I do not think I can handle that long of a visit, so we will see. It will also depends on job prospects for Husby, sleep schedules and what the plans with the Neuro-Orthopedic doctor are...

More to come later...

All I want for Christmas...

Brantley reporting here...Mommy & Daddy are gearing up for the holidays and today we spent the afternoon touring the local stores. While wandering for new boots and jeans for Mommy, I was able to catch some shut-eye, but also got a few sneak peeks as to all the latest and greatest toys out there. I want it ALL! I've been extra good this year...I am still working on the "playing nice" with Lucky, but hey I am only 1, so I deserve a break.

At 14 months, I am 24.6 lbs and starting to use the potty (but only at night before bathtime). I wear anything size wise from 9 months to 12 months and even some 18 month things (although they make my butt look big), therefore my apparel is pretty well stocked (unless you find more cute Gator or G. Harvey outfits). Mommy & Daddy are working on making a backyard haven for me, since I love outside. Below is my 2011 Wishlist. You can also ask Mommy & Daddy for other ideas.

I also want to mention, I would like you to put a good word in with the Tooth Fairy and explain to her I need some more teeth (and preferably not all in 1 shot...spread them out a little, but still please give some more). I want steak and I can not have that yet since I still do not have enough teeth....

Brantley's Wishlist:


More Teeth!!

Leapfrog Tag Pen

Storage Case for Tag

Good Night Scout Book

Leapfrog Cook n Play Potsy

Books for Tag

• Mr. Brown can Moo, Can You?
• Cookie's 1st Book of Numbers
• Big Bird's 1st Book of Letters
• I Spy: Imagine That
• Green Eggs & Ham
• Winnie the Pooh-Piglet Saves the Day
• Ready to Read Book Set
• Short Vowels Book Set
• Finding Nemo
• Learn to Write & Draw
• Reading Books-Consonants
• Disney's Pooh Loves to...
• Curious George: Color Fun (spanish)
• Mickey's Holiday (english/spanish)
• Pluto at the Vet (english/spanish)

Wooden Puzzles like this or this

Little Tikes Bike (3 in 1)

Fix & Learn Speedy

Bubble Mower

I need to think some more...or explore the Toy aisle tomorrow while we go food shopping..I'll get back to you on this...Thanks in advance!

Weekly Menu Plan

Friday:
*Lunch*
Leftover Sausage Stuffing


*Dinner*
Ranch Hamburgers & Parmesan Herb Green Beans


*Dessert*
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies



Saturday:
*Lunch*
Leftover Sausage Stuffing & Green Beans


*Dinner*
Chipolte Turkey Sausage & Whole Wheat Rolls & Sweet Corn on the Grill




Sunday:
*Lunch*
Leftover Sausage Stuffing & Green Beans


*Dinner*
Cheesy Potato Chicken Quick Meal


*Dessert*
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies





Monday:
*Lunch*
Tomato & Mozzarella with Basil Pesto Sandwiches

*Dinner*
Ultimate Meatball Hoagies & Salad


Ingredients:
1 package of meatballs
1/2 jar of tomato sauce
1/2 cup green peppers & onions
2 Tbsp basil pesto
2 Bakery hoagies (we like the whole wheat kind)
2 Tbsp of garlic butter
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Heat the meatballs following the package directions.
• Add tomato sauce to the meatballs.
• Combine the peppers and onions in a shallow skillet and saute them.
• Combine together the sauteed peppers & onions with the basil pesto.
• Cut open the rolls and spread the butter on the inside of the rolls.
• Place meatballs and sauce in each roll; top with the pepper mixture and then cheese.
• Place hoagies on a baking sheet and bake 7 minutes so the cheese melts & the bread is toasted

Tuesday:
*Lunch*
Leftover Sausage Stuffing & Green Beans


*Dinner*
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients

In the crockpot:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans Ro-Tel
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn
1 onion, chopped
2 cans low-sodium chicken broth
1-2 cups of water
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp chile powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp dried cilantro

Before Serving:
tortilla chips
sour cream
shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

• Put chopped onion, cans of beans, rotel, corn, chicken broth, water, and spices in CrockPot and stir to mix. 
• Add chicken breasts on top of mixture and make sure they're at least partly submerged in liquid. 
• Cook on high 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours. 
• Before serving remove the chicken breasts from soup and shred, if needed, (sometimes they'll just fall apart on their own, but sometimes they need some help). 
• Return chicken to CrockPot, stir to combine.

• To serve put a few tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl, ladle soup over tortilla chips, top with shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream, serve with more chips if you like.

Wednesday:
*Lunch & Dinner*
Leftovers



Thursday:
*Lunch*
Tomato & Mozzarella with Basil Pesto Paninis


*Dinner*
Italian Sausage & Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce



Friday:
*Dinner*
?Questionable?

Weekly Menu Plan

With the recent changes in our house, our menu plan is a bit in the air until things get more comfortable and calm.

Monday:
*Dinner*
BBQ Shredded Beef Sandwiches & Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

BBQ Shredded Beef Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 pkg. pre-packaged Shredded Beef in BBQ sauce (due to short time for dinner prep due to errands)

1 pkg. Hawaiian sandwich rolls

• Prepare & heat the meat according to the package
• Add to the Hawaiian rolls & Serve.
• *You may need to add a little more BBQ sauce; which we recommend Sweet Baby Ray's*

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

Non-stick Cooking Spray

1 pkg. Velvetta Shells & Cheese

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin

2 cups skim milk

1 Tbsp sage, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground white pepper

1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup panko

• Preheat oven to 350. Lightly coat a 3 qt. rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. 
• Cook pasta according to directions; including adding cheese sauce.
• Spread 1/2 of pasta in the prepared dish.
• In medium saucepan, combine pumpkin, sage, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to boiling while stirring occasionally.
• Pour 1/2 of the mixture evenly over the pasta.
• Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese. 
• Repeat layers, then sprinkle panko over pasta mixture.
• Bake, uncovered for approximately 35 minutes or until top is lightly browned and heated through.

Tuesday:
*Dinner*
Skinny Chicken Parmigana & Spaghetti

Ingredients:
2 (8 oz) chicken breasts, sliced in half (horizontally, or butterflied but cut all the way through. You will end up with 4 pieces of chicken)
3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings (I don't necessarily like a lot of Italian seasoning, so add more if you like it!)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (This does not have to be fresh. In fact a use the stuff in the green bottle more times than not)
1 1/2-2 tbsp butter, melted 
3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
cooking spray

• Preheat oven to 450°. Line large baking sheet with foil (easy clean up) and spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings in a bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave in another bowl (this is usually melted after about 20 seconds, so watch it closely.) Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb/cheese mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 3 pieces of chicken.
• Lightly spray a little more cooking spray on top (this makes it nice and crispy) and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and turn over. Spoon sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Wednesday:
*Dinner*
Leftovers



Thursday:
*Dinner*
Leftovers



Friday:
*Dinner*
Italian Sausage & Cornbread Stuffing


Ingredients:
1 pkg. of Italian sausage
1 pkg. of  cornbread stuffing

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Prepare the package of stuffing, according to the box directions.
• Split open the sausage casings and cook as ground sausage.
• Prepare and brown the sausage as usual; making sure to break it apart and crumbled.
• In a medium bowl, mix ground sausage and stuffing together.
• Layer in 13x9 baking dish and cook for 15 minutes until stuffing is browned and slightly crisp.

*The weekend is a bit up in the air depending on what is going on, but this is the tentative plan*

Saturday:
*Lunch*
Antipasto Salad (?)


*Dinner*
Chicken Empanadas (?)


Sunday:

*Breakfast*
French Toast Bake


*Lunch*
Tomato & Mozzarella Sandwiches


*Dinner*
Leftovers (after league)

A New Chapter...

So for a while now, Husby has been increasingly disappointed, upset, stressed from his job. Things started changing and what not right before B was born, but we had sat down and realizing we had an awesome healthcare plan decided to stick it out further until B was born and also until he was completely vested in his company (having been with him 5 years minimum). Some days were a real drain for him, but he got through it and just moved on. Over time things have gotten worse, their human resource policies and "beliefs" have gotten more questionable and unjust that in our "spare" time he has been doing job searches, but not wholeheartedly since we really do not want to move and what not.

Well yesterday, he was let go from his company since he position was eliminated. Although tragic and somewhat sudden, I think it was a relief for the both of us since the stress was just draining and killing us (he was more irritable because he was unhappy, I was more irritable because I hated listening to how he (and other coworkers) were being treated and by the end of the day he was just mentally and emotionally drained). Thankfully he was given a severance package and we will keep our health insurance until the New Year, so it will not suddenly affect us, but now the job search is more pressing.

The economy is not great, but his field is pretty strong, so we are keeping our fingers crossed he is able to find a new job sooner than later, but this may also be a blessing in disguise. Husby can stay home with B and catch up on schoolwork and we do not have to have a babysitter anymore ($ saved) and family time and meals can be a bit smoother. I will still plan all the meals, but there will be less stress on me to get everything cooked early in the week to heat-up throughout the week and less late night cooking meals for Husby or I. Also, B will get more face time with Husby and I will have a little more help around the house. Also, our holiday plans now will be smoother since we will not have to worry about him travelling and how many days he has off.

We may have to tighten our budget a bit, but in all honesty it just means will not go on any splurging shopping trips and we will continue to push ourselves not to eat out as much (positive again since it will prevent all the fast food intake). I hope the job search does not take too long, but I hope it is long enough for Husby to get a little bit of relief and destress from the previous place. The irony of the situation is the people Husby worked for were all excited since he mainly ran one machine and prevented errors and safety issues and increased production, however the management does not see that. Also, he was supposed to implement a new machine down in another plant (he has been the only one working on the machine, programming it, etc.) so that they can start making products since they have a customer who has already placed an order of large quantity. So, it will be interesting to see how things go for the company in the next few weeks/months since no one else knows the product, the machine, or the programming. I think it will be interesting to hear how his job (which supposedly was eliminated) has now been divided between the remaining people, and if the interns get assigned his bigger projects. I guess, we will hear through the grapevine/rumor mill...but in all honesty I hope the company fails or more good people walk out on them.

So here begins Husby's new chapter in his career....fingers crossed for him as he starts this search. In addition, positive thoughts for our family as we adjust to these changes....

"God only gives you challenges you can handle...you are stronger than you believe"

101 in 1001- Finale

101 in 1001 Starting Date: Monday,December 1st, 2008
Ending Date: Monday, August 29th, 2011

:::Those in bold are completed:::
Marriage
1. Cook dinner every weeknight for Michael.
2. Be more romantic with Michael.

3. Work on communicating my feelings more with Michael.

4. Plan 1 night a week for an entire month as a date night.
5. Kiss Michael every morning and every night for an entire month.6. Compliment Michael every day for an entire month.
7. Do 101 special things for Michael. 
8. Fight more fairly in a disagreement.

~1 left to do~

Religion
9. Find a local church Michael and I can start going to.
10. Post 20 Bible verses that touch my heart.
11. Resolve my "lost faith" and forgive him for my childhood loss.
12. Write about 100 things I am grateful for. 
13. Read The 5 People you Meet in Heaven.

 ~2 left to do~

Motherhood
14. Continue to follow doctor's regime in terms of the medicine for TTC.
15. Start a family.
16. Remove the clutter and refocus our lives around our family.
17. Don't raise my voice for an entire month.
18. Begin a holiday tradition.
19. Make a nursery in the house.
20. Create a scrapbook for each child/ pregnancy.

~Complete~

Homemaking
21. Add curb appeal to the house.
22. Establish a weekly cleaning routine.
23. Follow that cleaning routine for an entire month.
24. Paint the house with Michael.25. Clean out and organize the freezer and fridge.
26. Organize my office.

27. Take the donation clothes to Goodwill.

28. Fill the remaining photo frames around the house.
29. Reorganize the kitchen to accommodate everything.

30. Fill my recipe box with the recipe cards (rewrite all the scraps onto cards)

~Complete~

Cooking
31. Cook dinner along with Michael at night.
32. Make breakfast for Michael.
33. Make banana bread from scratch.
34. Make Italian Antipasto Salad for Michael.
35. Cook Christmas Eve. and Christmas Day meals with Michael.36. Make salsa from scratch.
37. Learn a new Italian dish.
38. Learn a new Chicken dish.
39. Learn to make a soup from scratch.
40. Learn a new Asian dish.
41. Learn a new breakfast dish.
42. Learn a new dessert.

~Complete~

Financial

43. Eat dinner out only twice a week for a month.

44. Eat lunch out only once a week for a month.

45. Save $20 at the grocery store (via coupons or value buys).
46. Establish a budget for our household.
47. Stick to my entire budget for two straight months.
48. Cut our grocery bill to $50 for a two week shopping period.
49. Pay extra on our school loans.
50. Build up our savings to $10,000.
51. Payoff all my store cards to have no balance for an entire 2 month cycle.

~2 left to do~

Health
52. Take the dogs for a walk everyday for an entire week.
53. Exercise four days out of a week for 1 week.
54. Workout (run or swim) twice a week for a month.
55. Give up soda for an entire month.
56. Eat a green salad five times in a week as a meal.
57. Eat 3 servings of fruit every day for an entire week.
58. Drink only fruit juice or water for one week.
59. Make target weight of 130lbs.
60. Don't eat after 9pm for an entire month.

~2 left to do~ Huge set back with the shoulder injury followed by pregnancy & still shoulder injury...

Kindness
61. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

62. Bring in a "treat" for my co-workers one week.
63. Do a favor for someone else.

64. Host the chapter at my house for dinner 1 night.
65. Host a "family night" at my house for 1 night.
66. Cook someone else dinner.
67. Offer Megan a vacation down to us and follow through.
68. Make a birthday cake for someone at work.

69. Offer a ride to one of the younger girls at work.

~Complete~

Pets
70. Make each of the boys a toy.
71. Find Reese a new coat.
72. Find Snow a new coat.
73. Find Lucky a new coat.
74. Pamper each of the dogs.

Completed!

Randomness
75. Read Tuesdays with Morrie.
76. Post a picture everyday for an entire month.
77. Complete 2 old yearly albums on POGO.
78. Try a new berry.
79. Get a new hairstyle.
80. Read 50 books on my All-time list.
81. Catch up on the scrapbooking.

82. Make a wedding book for each of the moms.
83. Visit Michael grandparents.

84. Recycle (even if the city does not want to bring their bins)

85. Visit Michael's aunt and uncle in Michigan.
86. Take better care of the Civic.

87. Try something new at a local eatery.

88. Do not splurge shop for an entire month.
89. Make a scrapbook for someone else.
90. Take Meghan for a girl's weekend.
91. Take a honeymoon with Michael.
92. Plan a bonding weekend with my female cousins.
93. Learn to surf.
94. Scuba dive in the Keys.
95. Go on a vacation with Michael.
96. Slim down my stomach and get my belly button re-pierced.

97. Start my education classes.

98. Bowl a 200.
99. Beat PCOS.

100. Blog about the items I cross off.

101. Write a new 101 in 1001 list.

~13 left to do~ 

So I missed my goals by 20 tasks. :( Not bad considering there has been many setbacks, but still leaves room for improvement.